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IHG understands the importance of saving our guests money. So whether you're traveling for business or leisure or a little bit of both, you'll always find great hotel offers to suit your budget and your travel needs.
Receive 10,000 Bonus Points with Your Stay
Stay 3+ nights at any Holiday Inn Club Vacations® resort & get 10,000 bonus points.
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Stay 2 or more nights at any Holiday Inn Club Vacations ® resort & get a $25 gas card.
Senior Discount
Enjoy comfort and convenience at a great value. If you are 62 years or older, learn about how you can book our senior discount.
Book Early and Save 10% to 30%
Planning ahead pays off at Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts. When you book your stay using the Book Early and Save Rate, you could save 10% to 30% on our already low room rates, regardless of how long your stay is. So go ahead and take that vacation you've been thinking about or get a head start on your next business trip. You'll save big when you book in advance.
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Booking your Holiday Inn Resort hotel stay using the Best Flexible Rate means you'll get a great price and the flexibility to change or cancel your reservation should your plans change. It's a safe bet in case the unexpected happens.
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Can I Quote You On That?
"Patrick was the DJ at our school's Benefit Dinner. He understood the music we wanted to hear and also the music that would not have been appropriate for our event. All of our guests appreciated his song choices and had a wonderful time out on the dance floor. This was the first time that I did NOT hear any negative feedback about the DJ's song choice. I would recommend Patrick for any event!"
Carrie Peters
Darien, IL
"I rented several "L" trains in Chicago for a corporate party. Musical entertainment was provided on each car. Word got out that the #7 car, with the "D.J." was rocking! People were actually dancing in the isles…there was no doubt that we had the best car and it was all because of the music Patrick played. It was one of the best times we ever had!"
Annie Vahos
Valparaiso, Indiana
"We used Patrick at our wedding and we had a blast! Many people commented on how much they liked his choices of music and asked for his information. The dancing started right away and we went until the hall kicked us out. I highly recommend Pat for your DJ needs!"
Ed & Michelle Snorewicz
Chicago, Illinois
"I thought your services were very professional. I appreciated that we had a couple of meetings before the wedding so that we knew exactly what songs would be played and most importantly which ones we did not want played. Everyone had such a great time at the wedding, you got everyone up and moving and you helped everyone participate. I would recommend you to anyone having a function."
Mike & Katie Stangel
Chicago, IL
"Patrick played all of the music that we love! He had all of our friends and family out on the dance floor. Thank you for helping us to create so many great memories and for making our wedding day so special."
Andy and Nancy Westman
Evergreen Park, IL
"Go with Patrick for your DJ! We hired Patrick for our wedding reception, and not only did he play what we requested, but he followed our "do not play list," too. A DJ this good is hard to come by. Make your party a fabulous stress free night to remember, and put the music in Patrick's hands!"
Clare Flood Chavez
Denver, CO
"I've attended numerous events that Pat McCormack has been the DJ. Besides being personable, funny, very approachable, he keeps the party going with songs the crowd loves. By the end of the night no one wants to leave because there having such a good time."
Mike Schopper
Oak Lawn, IL
"well were do I start Mr DJ…..It was a great night and even the night you played at some birthday party the first time I ever went to chicago will last long in the memory. You even played my favourite NEW ORDER tune. You can play at my 30th birthday next year!"

subset: commoncrawl


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Housing is available in Dragon Hall, the newest, air-conditioned residence hall. All alumni are welcome to stay. Please note this is the headquarters for the Resident Assistant Reunion. Alumni can register for a room by completing the appropriate section on the Registration Form.
Rooms are utilitarian in nature and guests may choose to bring their alarm clocks and phones. Guests should plan to bring their own towels. Bed linens will be provided by the Residence Life and Housing Office. Bathrooms are semi-private; two rooms share one bath. Please note cell service within the building is intermittent and guests may have to step outside to have access to service. Smoking is prohibited on campus.
Check-in times:
Dragon Hall Lobby:
Noon-5 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. on Friday, July 11
Noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.
Those checking in from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday morning may pick up keys in Corey Union Room 209, the location of Reunion Check In.
Note: Alumni arriving after 5 p.m. on Thursday, after 11 p.m. on Friday, or after 3 p.m. on Saturday should go to the University Police Department, Van Hoesen Hall, Room C-17, to get their keys.
Check-out times:
9 a.m.-Noon on Sunday, July 13
To make arrangements in advance for an individual with a disability, please call the Alumni Affairs Office at 607-753-2516.
No refunds will be given for housing reservations after Monday, June 30. To cancel your room prior to this date, please call the Alumni Affairs Office at 607-753-2516.
Those wishing to book a room off campus, may take advantage of Reunion Hotel Blocks.


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At Stanford: Moved from running back to wide receiver last spring...One of the team's top break-away threats...Has great speed and acceleration...Will be in the hunt for playing time in 2000...Can stretch the defense with his speed...Two more years of eligibility remaining.
The 1999 Season: Early season injuries (thigh bruise, broken hand) limited his playing time through much of the first part of the season...Used as a backup halfback and special teams player...Finished the season with 39 yards rushing on 11 carries (3.5 ypc) and four kickoff returns for 58 yards (14.5 avg.)
The 1998 Season: Saw limited playing time as a reserve running back...Did not carry the ball, but had one reception for 18 yards, that coming in game #9 vs. USC...Also had four kickoff returns for 68 yards (16.8 avg.)
The 1997 Season: Redshirted the '97 season as a backup running back.
In High School: An All-Pac-10 Region selection by PrepStar and an All-Northwest Region choice by SuperPrep...Eddie gained over 1,300 yards rushing and scored 20 TDs for Kennedy HS as a senior as well as starting at defensive back, where he picked off three passes...Named First-Team All-State and All-Area as a defensive back and First-Team All-League as both a running back and defensive back...Selected as a Northwest Nugget as a running back...A Schutt Academic All-American...Started as a defensive back and flanker his junior season...He registered 20 receptions for over 400 yards and three TDs while gaining over 500 yards rushing and scoring another 16 TDs...Also had three interceptions and returned two kicks for touchdowns...Named Second-Team All-League as a running back his junior year...As a sophomore, he rushed for over 400 yards as a fullback while his brother, Leland, started at tailback...Also competed in HS track.
Personal Information: Born July 11, 1979...Computer science major...Brother, Leland, played football at Arizona from 1996-99...Eddie took college level courses at Highline Community College during his senior year in high school...Cousin, Darryl Lewis, starred at Arizona as a defensive back (1990 All-American, Jim Thorpe Award winner) and is currently playing in the NFL.


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Romney will promise to revitalized economy in economic speech in Iowa
Associated Press
DEFIANCE, Ohio — Mitt Romney is trying to close the deal with voters by promising to revitalize the economy, an area where polling shows the Republican presidential nominee has an edge heading into the final days of the campaign.
As President Barack Obama takes a break from the campaign trail, Romney was promoting an economic address in swing state Iowa to help win the dwindling number of voters yet to make up their minds. While the speech was not expected to break new ground, Romney's campaign said he would use it to help crystalize the differences between his and Obama's economic approaches.
"If Paul Ryan and I are elected as your president and vice president, we will endeavor with all our hearts and energy to restore America," Romney said in prepared excerpts his campaign released hours before he was scheduled to deliver the speech. "Instead of more spending, more borrowing from China and higher taxes from Washington, we'll renew our faith in the power of free people pursuing their dreams."
Romney argues in the speech that Obama has no proposals that can meet "the challenges of the times." He dismisses the president's signature legislative achievement as "his vaunted Obamacare" and says he would instead focus on saving Medicare and Social Security. He repeats many of his standard campaign themes: that Obama is focusing on small issues like "characters on Sesame Street and silly word games" and that Romney will improve kitchen-table concerns like health care, job creation and school choice. His signature refrain is that America can't afford another four years like the last four years.
The speech comes the same day the government reported a slight pickup in economic growth in the final such report before the Nov. 6 election.
The pickup to 2 percent from July to September from the 1.3 percent in the second quarter may help Obama's message that the economy is improving. Still, growth remains too weak to rapidly boost hiring. And the 1.74 percent rate for 2012 trails last year's 1.8 percent growth. Romney called the news "discouraging."
"Slow economic growth means slow job growth and declining take-home pay," Romney said in a statement. "This is what four years of President Obama's policies have produced."
The White House had a more positive take on the news in a blog post by Alan Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. "While we have more work to do, together with other economic indicators, this report provides further evidence that the economy is moving in the right direction," he wrote.
An Associated Press-GfK poll out this week shows Romney overtaking Obama as the candidate that likely voters trust more to handle the economy. The poll found 51 percent of those voters surveyed Oct. 19-23 picking Romney, compared to 44 percent for Obama. The two candidates were tied among likely voters on that issue in the previous poll in mid-September.
Still, the two are locked in a dead heat in the nationwide poll. Other surveys show a tight race in the swing states that will decide the election, with the winning candidate needing 270 Electoral College votes.
Obama was pushing back on Romney's criticism on another front — relations with Israel, which could have an impact particularly with Jewish voters in swing state Florida. The Republican has repeatedly criticized Obama for not traveling to Israel as president. Obama visited as a candidate in 2008.
A new ad shows images of Obama's trip and video of his pledge during his final debate with Romney that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon while he's president and that "our bond with Israel will be unbreakable."
Romney spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg responded that Obama's Middle East policy "has been a failure."
"As president, Mitt Romney's first overseas trip will be to Jerusalem, and under a Romney Administration, the world will never question America's solidarity with Israel," she said in a statement.
- Leaving rates alone, Fed sees ultra-slow pace...
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- Record-breaking heat scorches the Southwest
- Clashes between police, teachers leave 4 dead...
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- Immigration ruling called hurtful, a... 71
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- Preventing mass shootings? Utah... 67
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- Dems stage election-year sit-in on... 46
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- Chaffetz: I'm going to be 'kid in a... 29


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Job: Professor of Sports History and Culture and Faculty Head of Research Students for Art, Design and Humanities
Faculty: Art, Design and Humanities
School/department: School of Humanities
Research group(s): International Centre for Sports History and Culture
Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, UK, LE1 9BH
E: email@example.com
W: nationalfootballmuseum.culturalspot.org/
Social Media: twitter.com/JeanMWilliams
International Centre for Sports History and Culture|
Click here for a full listing of Jean Williams' publications and outputs|.
A History of the World Cup in 24 ObjectsGoldblatt, D. and Williams, J. (2014) A History of the World Cup in 24 Objects (International Centre for Sports History and Culture, De Montfort University and the National Football Museum)
A Contemporary History of Women's Sport, Part One: Sporting Women, 1850-1960Williams, J. (2014) A Contemporary History of Women's Sport, Part One: Sporting Women, 1850-1960. Routledge
Globalising Women's Football: Europe, Migration and ProfessionalisationWilliams, J. (2013) Globalising Women's Football: Europe, Migration and Professionalisation. Peter Lang
A game for rough girls? A history of women's football in EnglandWilliams, Jean (Book)
A beautiful game: international perspectives on women's footballWilliams, Jean (Book)
Frisky and Bitchy: Unlikely British Olympic Heroes?Williams, Jean (Article)
The Curious Mystery of the 'Olimpick Games': did Shakespeare know Dover…and does it matter?'Williams, Jean (Article)
The Immediate legacy of Pat Smythe: The pony-mad teenager in 1950s and 1960s Britain.Williams, Jean (Book chapter / Presentation)
Send Her Victorious: A Historiography of British Women Olympians 1896-2012Williams, Jean (Working Paper)
Having written extensively on the history of women's football, Jean has three main projects for 2014-15, these include first a research monograph called Send Her Victorious: a History of British Women Olympians, for Manchester University Press, a collective biography of some of the key women who have represented TEAM GB between 1896-2014. Second is The Road to Rio a series of events to celebrate the cultural history of the World Cup with speakers at the National Football Museum and British Library (see events page to book). 'Third, acting as guest editor for an inter and multi disciplinary collection of articles for Sport in History on the relationship between costume history and sport.
Faculty Head of Research Students for Art Design and Humanities. I supervise PhD students. Module leader for Social and Cultural Themes of Sport and Sport Writing and History on the MA Sport History and Culture| by distance learning. I have also taught on the CIES FIFA-sponsored Masters in the Humanities, Business and Law of Sport for the entire duration of the course. Before specializing in sports history, I previously worked on PGCE Secondary English teacher training courses; as Subject Leader for Education Studies and was, for ten years, a teacher and examiner of English Language and Literature in further education.
PhD De Montfort University, Leicester. Thesis: The Revival of Women's Football and English Culture 1960-2000; MA Modern Literature: Theory and Practice Leicester University; PGCE English Sheffield Hallam; BA English Loughborough University
British Society for Sports History
North American Society for Sports History
Women's History Network
International Society of Olympic Historians
FA Coaching UEFA B Licence
FA Child Protection Tutor Trainer
Conference presentation 'Ludy Godbold and the US women's team at the 1922 Women's Olympic Games' North American Society for Sports History Annual Conference Miami Florida 22-25 May 2015.
1. Convened
The Road to Rio Free Public Lunchtime Lectures, the National Football Museum ManchesterThe International Centre for Sports History and Culture, De Montfort University, Leicester in partnership with the National Football Museum Manchester and Arts Council England February to June 2014
The Road to Rio: The Cultural History and Globalisation of the World Cup 1930-2014 British Library London 23 May 2014 hosted by the British Library and the International Centre for Sport History and Culture De Montfort University
Kit: Fashioning the Sporting Body Sport History Research Seminar Friday De Montfort University 31 October 2014
2. Hosted conferences/seminars
'Sport, History and Literature: Approaches, Methods, Critiques' September 2008 Dr Jean Williams co- organised the event with Prof Jeff Hill. After a series of one-day conferences on this theme in 2005 and 2007, the Centre organised a special two-day international conference on sport writing. An international panel of guest speakers (USA, Iceland, Ireland and mainland Europe) were invited to give papers at the event. The Centre was delighted to welcome Prof. Michael Oriard, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Distinguished Professor of American Literature and Culture, Oregon State University, as the key note speaker for the conference.
2008-present Sport History and Culture Research Seminar hosted 3 times annually at DMU. The MA Sport History and Culture/ PhD Research Seminar takes place three times a year. Jean has led this since 2008 as an invited seminar for staff/ established academics, PhD students (at DMU and other institutions) and MA students. We focus on new research but also the transition to working at postgraduate, post doctoral and subsequent phases of an academic career.
2011-12 £6,000 DMU Research Investment Fund-supported network to look at sporting fashion. The Natural Body: Movement, Dress and Physical Culture 1890-1945 is co-convened with Dr Christine Boydell and Professor Theresa Buckland with Jean Williams as Principal Investigator. Three seminars examining the history of specialist bathing and dance costumes will conclude on 27 April 2012.
Centre staff and the Oxford DNB day conference on 30 March 2012. Speakers included DNB Research Editor Mark Curthoys; ICSHC's Tony Collins and Dil Porter and Adrian Smith, Co-organiser of AHRC 'Challenges to Biography' Research Network, University of Southampton.
3. Network participant
Football Migration: Disabola member. Diasbola is a group of academics looking at football migration to analyse international patterns of movement in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia. The network's membership can be seen at www.diasbola.com| /Football Migration Network /Members. The group met at the University of Copenhagen in December 2010 where Jean presented a paper on the preliminary finding of the UEFA-funded project.
Sport and Law: With DMU colleagues Andy Gray of Business and Law and Tony Collins, Jean is working on an exhibition to be held at the Supreme Court in July 2012 to look at the historical connections between Olympic sport and the law. Keynotes include Dame Mary Peters and Denis Oswald.
4. Conference papers given Sept 2008 to present
'A History of World Cup Posters 1930-2014' Football 150 Conference National Football Museum Manchester 2 September 2013.
'A History of World Cup Posters 1930-2014' Soccer as the Beautiful Game:
Football's Artistry, Identity and Politics International Conference Hofstra University, New York 10-12 April 2014.
'Personal Museums: My World Cup Memory and Memorabilia'.
Delivered with John O Shea (National Football Museum) with artist group Soup Collective 18 June 2014.
Other forms of public presentation
Working papers 'British Women Olympians 1900-1912' and 'Pat Smythe' plus feature article British Library http://www.bl.uk/sportandsociety/exploresocsci/sportsoc/sociology/articles|.
Working paper "Women's Football, Europe and Professionalization 1971-2011: Global Gendered Labor Markets" on the launch of its website http://www.diasbola.com/uk/foomi-members.html|.
Article 'The WSL: the newly-launched English professional women's football league' PE Review (Philip Allan Updates, January 2012).
From September 2014 Co-Editor of The All Rounder online sports site with Bruce Berglund (editor in chief) and Michael Buma. THE ALLROUNDER is a new kind of sports site, for fans who know there's more to sport.The Allrounder looks at how sport impacts communities, shapes culture, and taps bodies and emotions.
Consultant to FIFA (women's football 1999 & 2003 Symposia) in Los Angeles; UEFA (2010-11); academic consultant for the National Football Museum and Hall of Fame (2008-present).
Women's football interviews and presentations include 'Rough girls, delicate boys' The Global Game with John Turnbull –theglobalgame.com, September 22, 2007; the BBC Nation on Film Series (2008 still available); radio interviews such as Women's Hour and Radio 5 Live.and for newspaper reviews of exhibitions which include women's football memorabilia such as Barry Didcock The Sunday Herald 4 March 2012.
Women's World Cup 2011 media interviews included Impact Asia with Mishal Hussein for BBC World News TV; Radio5 Live; the BBC World Service (radio and TV) and Mainichi Shimbun, a leading Japanese broadsheet newspaper.
Other consultancy included advising the producers of Edwardian Farm on BBC 2 (2010), Lexis PR on the history of women's physical movement (2011) and writing episode notes of Sport and the British broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012. Feature on Jennie Fletcher in the Leicester Mercury 24 March 2012.
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Jennie Fletcher; Hilda Light; Lily Parr and Edith Thompson http://www.oxforddnb.com/|
New Books in Sport Podcast for Euro 2012 (women's football) and Olympic editions (new biographies) available at http://newbooksinsports.com/2012/07/26/the-nbs-summer-seminar-understanding-the-olympic-games/| (Between 26 July and 27 August the New Books in Sport site had over 1,400 hits)
First Supervisions: Madie Armstrong (a biography of Lizzie Le Blond); Tom Barcham (the post-war Mountaineering professional); James McPherson (a historical biography of Arthur Conan Doyle's writing on sport); Keith Myerscough (swimming and civic culture in Lancashire) and Jo Halpin (a history of women's hockey).
Second Supervisions: Judy Threlfall (women's cricket).
UEFA awarded 17,000 Euros for a project Women's Football, Europe and Professionalization 1971-2011 designed to look at the developing professional careers in football for women in the context of changing interpretations of Europe after 1945.
Previously, a £24, 000 research project to look at international developments in women's football funded by FIFA 2003-5.
2008-9 £350 Department Research Committee British women Olympians funding.
2009-10 £400 Department Research Committee Speed: Towards a Collective biography of Brooklands' women'.
£6,000 DMU Research Investment Fund-supported network to look at sporting fashion. The Natural Body: Movement, Dress and Physical Culture 1890-1945 co-convened with Dr Christine Boydell and Professor Theresa Buckland.
2012 £675 Department Research Committee Fashion and Technology Institute New York funding.
DMU HEIF funding £9,600 for 2012/13 to develop monograph on European women's football 1912-2012, including all 53 UEFA member associations.
De Montfort University Research Leave Scheme Autumn 2013 £3013.
DMU HEIF5 funding £29,935 for 2013/14 The Road to Rio: A Cultural History of the World Cup.
John H. Daniels Fellowship at the National Sporting Library Middleburg Virginina USA for 2013.
Panel member of Aberdare Committee for BSSH annual prize for best monograph
Membership of Editorial Boards:
Japanese Society of Sports History (English history editor) 2011 to present.
Journal Refereeing information:
Co-editor Sport and Literature a special edition of Sport in History with Jeff Hill (Routledge June 2009).
Other Reviewing Activities:
Book Proposals for MUP, Peter Lang, Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan. Book Reviews and article reviews for Sport in History; Journal of Sport History; Soccer and Society; Sport and Society 2008 to present.
1. Working paper for British Library 'Send Her Victorious: A Historiography of British Women Olympians 1896-2012' Sport & Society The Summer Olympics and Paralympics through the lens of social science The British Library September 2010. This British Library site will be archived after the 2012 Games. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is planning a release of biographies on Olympic figures in May 2012. As well as writing four of those entries (swimmer Jennie Fletcher; football player Lily Parr and two long-serving hockey administrators Hilda Light and Edith Thompson) the editors used the working paper 'Send Her Victorious: A Historiography of British Women Olympians 1896-2012' on Sport and Society website, as the basis for other female biographies. Gender has become the significant theme of the release as a result.
2. After funding a 17,000 Euro project Women's Football, Europe and Professionalization 1971-2011 concluding with a 50,000 word report, UEFA has now contracted with CIES, Switzerland to publish 65,000 word monograph in 2013. As one of the four inaugural research projects funded by UEFA, this will be amongst the first to be published and represents a significant indicator of the confederation's commitment to increasing its support for women's football both as a sport and as the subject of academic research.
3.'The Indianapolis 500: Making the Pilgrimage to the yard of bricks' in Sport, History and Heritage: An Investigation Into The Public Representation of Sport (Boydell and Brewer, 2012) edited by Jeffrey Hill, Kevin Moore and Jason Wood. This chapter is based on an example of one of the largest spectator attended events in sports history and more writing on motor sport will follow. For example, the Oxford DNB is planning a release of biographies on motoring figures, including a number of racing drivers (some of whom are women), in 2013. Entries include some of the most well-known female figures following research at the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and British Women's Racing Driver's Club (BWRDC) archive at Silverstone and at Brooklands.
5. BBC Radio 4 Sport and the British series awarded a Bronze medal awarded by Podium (British Olympics Higher Education Association) 2012.
6. Exhibition writing for example Sporting Heroes of Leicester Curve Theatre February 2011 and Sport and the Law Exhibition at the Supreme Court London 2012.
DMU is a dynamic university, read about what we have been up to in our latest news section.
At DMU there is always something to do or see, check out our events for yourself.
Read about our mission and vision and how these create a supportive and exciting learning environment.


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I'm trying to enable WordPress to upload files to the wp-content folder without setting permissions for the folder to 777. However, I'm having some difficulties.
The group and user set for the wp-content folder match the group and user Apache is configured to be using in httpd.conf. However, when I run the below command, it appears that Apache is actually running as root rather than the user specified in httpd.conf.
httpd.conf Configuration
User xxx Group yyy
Command Run to Determine User Apache is Running As
ps aux | grep httpd
Output from the above command
513 1294 0.4 1.4 316420 54864 ? S 08:30 0:06 /usr/sbin/httpd
513 is the correct UID for user xxx, so that appears correctly. However, I'm still not able to upload files within WordPress without setting permissions for the wp-content folder to 777.
Can somebody tell me what the issue is here?


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Lydia Carlton is a fairy doctor,one of the few people with the ability to see the magical creatures who share our world. During one of her rare trips to London to visit her father, Lydia's quiet life is suddenly transformed when she is rescued from kidnappers by a mysterious young man!
By: Ayuko


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Where do you get the latest Jam Band music from? Do you wait for a friend to pass along a bootleg album or do you have Google alerts set for your favorite band? With all the new music coming out today (yesterday, tomorrow, two weeks from now) there can be a mountain to go through, but I found a radio station (yes, old school radio) that does a pretty good job putting together a weekly mix of jam radio.
Endless Boundaries Jam Band Radio can be found at Z889 WBZC-FM on the radio dial in Philly and South Jersey, but for us in Oakland and the Bay Area we can stream their weekly show at endlessboundaries.com. It's a win-win for us, as the music will help improve your phunk and help me keep my resolution to write more about jam music.
Make sure to check out their best jam band albums of 2013 and see which ones you would have added or omitted.


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Cora Lee Stacey, 77, of Tyrone, Oklahoma passed away Friday, June 15, 2012 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas.
Cora Lee was born January 1, 1935 in Burnsville, North Carolina, the daughter of Jefferson Davis and Tisha Edwards Collis.
She loved gardening, planting trees, her pets and her dogs, and old style country music. She collected stamps, coins and dolls.
Preceding her in death are her parents and her brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her long time companion, James E. Vitkowski of Tyrone, Oklahoma; her daughters, Anita Tierney and her husband Barry of Meridian, Idaho and Virginia Gail Sheets of Johnson City, Tennessee; her nephew, Darrell Collis and his wife Carolyn of Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Jennifer Sveigdallen and her husband Bjorn and Erica Rae Sheets; four great grandchildren, Anne', Clayton, Elizabeth and Prince.
Memorials are suggested to your local animal shelter and may be left at the Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, Oklahoma 73945.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012 at the Tyrone Cemetery with Pastor Jim Holman officiating. Services are under the direction of Roberts Brothers Funeral Home in Hooker, Oklahoma.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsbrothersfuneralhome.com
©2016 Seward County Broadcasting Company, Inc.
1410 N. Western Ave. Liberal, KS 67901


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I work as an art director and video artist in the competing area between art, culture and advertising.
I build stories step-by-step, combining ideas with art and media to create a coherent story line. My story-telling media include images, graphics, animations, videos, sounds, music and text, which I blend into a harmonious, multi-layer collage designed to tell a cohesive story. All my work focuses on one goal:
Communicating an integrated and unchanging perception of the world.
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THE GOOD NEWS FIRST OR THE BAD NEWS? Published October 07, 2013
PORTRAITS 2003-2013 Published June 21, 2013
it kinda worked Published May 18, 2013
iPaintings & Poetry Published April 25, 2013
The Filipino Spirit Published December 03, 2012
Christian Chili Gallei Published May 29, 2012
Vienna Know-how Published March 12, 2012
knitting sheep Published February 24, 2012


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Who do I talk to regarding benefits changes?
To review your employee benefits, or to make changes in benefits, please contact Human Resources
How do I find answers to my computer-related questions, such as e-mail issues, how to use Desire 2 Learn, password changes and other technological issues?
Call or e-mail the OIT Help Desk at 439-4648 or visit the OIT site index for answers to all your tech questions.
Where do I find the policy and forms for travel requests and claim forms?
Where can I park?
Parking is usually a challenge during the fall and spring sessions, and not so bad during the summer sessions. Parking information is provided by Public Safety. Student parking is designated with yellow markings, while faculty/staff parking is marked with blue. Please be aware of signs indicating handicapped or special needs parking.


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Helen Delich Bentley, who represented Maryland's 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985-1995 and served on the Federal Maritime Commission from 1969-1975, reported her health has improved.
The London-based shipping consultant reported that OOCL of Japan was the most reliable container shipping carrier in May, with an on-time performance score of 81.1 percent.
An American Shipper poll of shippers and forwarders revealed that nearly 90 percent believe at least some cargo will be delayed by the verified gross mass rule that went into effect globally today.
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The Panama Canal's third lane opened for business, following Sunday's transit of the 9,472-TEU COSCO Shipping Panama.
The Calgary-based Class I railroad cited lower-than-anticipated bulk volumes, the devastating wildfires in northern Alberta and a strengthening Canadian dollar as the primary reasons for the downward revision in earnings expectations.
The French ocean carrier transported 2.9 percent more containers, but saw the average freight rate tumble 17.6 percent when compared to the first quarter of 2015.


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Chinese tuition for children in Singapore
Filed under Chinese tuition for children, Latest Updates
Want to have Chinese tuition? Looking for an experience Chinese tutor who can get your child or children enjoy learning Chinese ?? Want to prepare your child or children PSLE, "O" level or "A" level exam? You have come to the right place … …
In many years, HUA JIE language programme provide quality tuition both in small group and private. We know what the children needs. We can bring tuition to a higher level. Our Tuition lessons are enjoyable and fun. Experience quality tuition service today with our professional Chinese instructors by HUA JIE language programme!
- By taking private Chinese lessons and mini group with HUA JIE language programs, you are in good hands. Currently Ms Jin is the chief professional private and group instructor. She is a highly professional graduate and qualified teacher and also a passionate and native experienced teacher with more than 18 years teaching experience both in China and Singapore. Her students include MBA students, executives, financiers and business owners from Asia, Europe and America. As an experience creative teacher, she make learning Chinese lessons are easy, fun and practical. She believes that her students "can not only learn perfect Mandarin but also know much more about Chinese culture, history and society etc". She sees teaching as her passion and has accumulated significant experience teaching in various settings, from one-to-one tutorials to big group classes of up to 20 students, from Business Mandarin training to exam preparation course. Please click here to see the Testimonials.
- All instructors at Hua Jie are native Mandarin speakers, and they understand the challenges and complexities of learning a second language. With years of experiences, our Mandarin Chinese instructors can rapidly teach you or your child the language in a proper way. Don't put off your Mandarin Chinese training another day! With our expert teachers, Singapore's best place to learn Chinese is Hua Jie Language Programme where learning Mandarin Chinese is made easy, fun and fast!
新加坡专业华文补习 We are the expert and experience professional team
Chinese tuition for Children – local Primary, secondary & JC Level students:
Follow local school syllabus.
- Improve Comprehension Program
- Improve Composition Program
- Master Chinese idiom
- Improve oral exam program
- JC "A" level Composition higher marks strategy
- JC "A" level oral exam strategy
- "O" Level Composition and Comprehension higher marks strategy
- "O" Level oral exam strategy
- PSLE Composition and Comprehension strategy
- PSLE Oral exam strategy
Result Proven
- 99% students get A and 35% A* for Chinese in PSLE until now!
- 70% students get A1 or A2 in "o" level until now!
- 100% pass "A" level until now!
What we teach during Chinese tuition
- Comprehension,
- Composition,
- Revise & Prepare exam ( CA1, CA2, SA1, SA2 , and exam for PSLE, "O" Level, "A"Level . Result proven! )
- Skills in Composition and comprehension
- Oral exercise,
- Listening comprehension
Private (1 to 1 ) Chinese tuition fees and time need to write to us by email and be arranged.
Tuition for international school students. The material will be tailored according to the student's requires.
Mini group tuition fees:
|Group size (max.)
|Primary 1-6
|$ 180 / month (6 hours, 1.5 hour per lesson, base on 4 lessons )
|Sec 1 – 4
|$ 190 / month (6 hours, 1.5 hour per lesson, base on 4 lessons)
|$ 210 / month (6 hours, 1.5 hour per lesson, base on 4 lessons)
* Please contact us for the group classes location (year 2015)
AMK ave 9 (Closest MRT: Yio Chu Kang)
Choa Chu Kang crescent (Closest MRT: Yew Tee)
Holland Drive (Closest MRT: Buona Vista / Holland village)
Simei Road (Closest MRT: Simei, walk about 10 minutes)
* Seat are getting full fast in some mini groups
* Mini group schedule based on first-come, first choice. Please contact us earlier before the school start.
* Please let us know your location so that we can find you a mini group nearby your home
Contact us:
One-to-one attention by our tutor in Chinese tuition improves your child's grades.
Private Chinese Tuition is also very popular and undertaken for many different reasons. It offers the opportunity to focus in on individual needs and requirements at a time that suits you.
Advantages of Chinese Private Chinese tuition:
- Course content, intensity and duration customized to your needs.
- Course paced to take account of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Lesson conducted from the comfort of our home or office.
- Lesson fixed at a time that fits into your schedule.
- Individual attention and maximum opportunity to practice speaking, listening and writing skills.
- Lesson is customized to the student's current level and grade.
Recommended for:
- Individuals who want to improve language skills in specific areas.
- Students with heavy workload and limited time availability.
- Students preparing for an examination.
Small Group Chinese Tuition is usually conducted in a classroom setting.
Small group Chinese tuition is an effective training solution.
Advantages of Chinese Small Group Chinese tuition:
- Cost effective.
- Opportunity to meet and socialize with other students.
- Lesson fixed at a time that fits into your child's schedule.
- Good for group discussion, learning and sharing.
- Students at same level studying for the same purpose
Recommended for:
- The students who are able to concentrate about 20 minutes or more.
- The student school result is not very low. Or private Chinese tuition is better solution.
How to improve your reading score
Many Children have trouble with reading. Reading is hard for some people and it can take time. Reading is a process of the brain where you look at symbols on a page, and your mind sees the patterns of characters and understands the meaning in them. If you develop good reading skills, it'll be very helpful to your future. Aren't your school teachers always saying 'Read more books!'? Here are a few steps and tips to get started.
- Find a children's book or a newspaper article, but…how?
–Go to the library and pick up lots of books. Pick books depending on your reading level, no matter what your age. If you don't know how to choose, ask your tutor to help.
–Read about things that interest you. If you are interested in what you are reading about, the words will come alive, and you will be motivated to understand. You will feel satisfaction in accomplishing a task that you enjoy, and which you consider meaningful. The more you read, the better you will become at reading. Just get started and it will become a habit, as long as you are interested in what you are reading.
–Read material that is at your level, or just a little difficult for you. Read material that you find easy to read, or just a little challenging. Looking up many unknown words in a conventional dictionary is tedious, and the results of the dictionary search quickly forgotten. It is better to stay within your comfort zone and keep reading. Soon you will be able to take on more difficult content.
–Learn to read in depth, stay on the same subject for a while. If you are familiar with the subject you are reading about, you will understand better. Do not just read short articles. Commit to books. Stay with one author for at least one book. If the subject matter is new to you, you should even try to read a few different books or articles about the same subject, before you move on. This way you will meet the same vocabulary and ideas often, helping you to learn. You will also be able to get deeper into the subject and your reading confidence will grow.
- Find a place to read where you can concentrate. This may be someplace secret where no one will bother you, or simply your home at a time when it is quiet.
- Begin your reading by looking at the pictures, or listening to the music to get a feel for what you are going to be reading about…
Tips on how to quickly learn Chinese characters:
- Write vocabulary words using index or flash cards on one side with the definition on the other side.
- Use your imagination by linking the shape of the new word by first glancing to something you are familiar with.
- Play vocabulary by creating a 3-column vocabulary sheet with characters, pinyin, and English definitions. Fold the paper with only one or two columns showing and then take practice written tests.
- After a while, you will notice that many characters have elements in common, either related to meaning or pronunciation. Note the common elements and use them to help you remember new characters.
- Take advantage of free learning Chinese resources online.
- Only way to learn Chinese characters is to memorize them, practice writing a character on paper until you remember it. Start from easy ones, which also include all the strokes, for example, ?(one), ?(ten), ?(middle),?(mountain), ?(above), ?(fire), ?(river), ?(enter).
- Rather than writing one word many times before doing the next one, write each word once or twice then go through the whole list again until you've done the required number of repetitions. This will reinforce the new words more firmly in your memory.
- Read Chinese newspapers, booklets and books found at your local library or Chinese market
- Watch movies or TV programs with Chinese subtitles, it is a great way to learn Chinese speaking and writing at the same time in a simulated real-life scenario.
- Use post-it notepaper to write down the characters and stick them on the objects you are about to learn.
If you can memorize about 1,000 – 2,000 characters, you will feel comfortable with reading and writing modern Chinese.
Chinese characters are only difficult for the beginner
It's said that mandarin Chinese is one of the toughest languages in the world for reasons that Chinese character is difficult to read and write. However many native Chinese kids can read newspaper before they go to school, and any Chinese kid can tell you what is "Tyrannosaurus" (a kind of dinosaur). why? It seems that Chinese character is not so difficult if you can master 1000-2000 Characters.
What is the easy way to learn Chinese Characters?
1. Learn Chinese characters with pinyin & tones
When you learn a new word or character, make sure you know how to pronounce it, make sure you can say its pinyin and tone. You need to combine the character's pinyin, tone and definition, and learn them within the words or sentences.
2. Learn Chinese characters in your life
You can learn the Chinese characters fast; however, it's more difficult to memorize them. They may get forgotten quickly. You need to use some kind of tools to help you to use them in your life. Print the characters out and paste them around you; Read Chinese news, lyrics, stories; Watch Chinese TV. In the beginning you may need some Characters-pinyin helper or Character-pinyin converter, which can add pinyin above the characters, and these tools can be found in following text.
3. Use your ear, your eyes, your mouth and your hand to learn characters
Use them at the same time. You may follow & repeat the dialogue when you watch Chinese TV. Don't forget to use your hand and try to write the characters in the subtitles. It will help you to memorize all the pronunciation, shapes and definition of the characters.
4. Use some good tools to learn Chinese characters.
Don't kill yourself to learn Chinese. Most of you may soon give up. I'm here recommending some tools to make things easier.
Recommended Tools
a) Online Chinese Characters to Image Converter
This tool can create various images of Chinese character in different Chinese fonts.
b) The Firefox Add on: Words-Chinese Pinyin Popup Dictionary
This wonderful tool can pop up a small screen when you double-click or select a Chinese character / sentence, which show the translations, pinyin, tones, definitions of every characters and words of the selection. To get it, just search the name at add-on page of firefox browser.
c) Chinesebuddy the Chinese Characters Writing Animation Tool
It's a very good Chinese teaching tool and learning tool for the beginner to learn Chinese characters. It shows you the pronunciation, writing animation and help you learn to read, write and memorize the characters.
During our Chinese tuition, we will teach you how to remember new words… …
Words, words, words…so many to learn and it's so hard to remember them all, let alone use them, right? Well, today I've got seven tips that should make learning & remembering new vocabulary easier, faster, more fun, and more effective.
1. Make word association webs – our brain takes what we read and makes it into images, ideas, and feelings etc. and then makes connections between what we knew before and the new information (words and ideas). This is how we remember things. The "new" stuff is fitted into the "old" stuff. Think of a tree. It is easier for you to see a big tree with lots of branches and leaves than it is to see a small tree with very few branches and leaves, right? Well, it's the same for your brain. When you connect a new word or idea to things you already know you make it easier for your brain to find (see) it when you need to remember it. How can you do this? Easy. Make an Idea Web. Start with the thing you want to remember (words, ideas, sentences) in the middle of a piece of paper. Then draw lines from it like a spider's web. At the end of the line write down any ideas or words or even pictures that you think of when you say the word or idea in the middle of the page. Anything you think of is ok…just write it down.
This only takes about 2 minutes. Now all the words/ideas are getting connected in your mind. If you see or hear one of them it will help your brain remember all of the others. To make this work really well, you can talk to yourself about how each word/idea fits together with the others. The more you do this, the more connections you make. Lots of connections makes it very easy for your brain to "see" the word you want to recall when you are trying to remember it.
2. Remember in Chunks (collocations) – Remembering the word is important but English, like Chinese, is a language and languages are NOT just facts to be remembered – they are tools for people to USE to express their ideas and communicate. So, find examples of how each word is used in your text. Write a few words before and after the word so that you remember how it is used. For example: if your word is "arrogant" write something like this…."the tall, arrogant man" … This will help you to remember that "arrogant" is an adjective and that it describes people. The next thing to do is to make 3 full sentences with the word to practice using it.
3. Use pictures – Draw small pictures that show the meaning of the word if you can. Sounds crazy, right? That's why it works. Our brains have so much normal information coming in every moment that a crazy image is a nice surprise – and you always remember surprises, don't you? Our brains are also specially designed to catch and understand visual information quickly. So, make a funny picture that shows the meaning of the word you want to remember and your brain will remember it easily.
4. Tell a tall story – I always hear my students say that there are too many new words to remember. There's a memory trick you can use to do this. Just make a crazy story that uses all the words. Picture it in your mind as you make the story. We remember stories easily, especially crazy stories that we can imagine in detail in our minds. Repeat the story and you will remember the words. When you make the story connect the words in funny ways. For example, if you want to remember these 20 words:
shoes, piano, tree, pencil, bird, bus, books, driver, dog, pizza, flower, basketball, door, television, spoons, chair, jump, dance, computer, stone….you could make a story like this:
There is a piano wearing shoes and sitting in a tree. The tree is strange because someone has stuck a giant pencil through it. On the pencil a bird is sitting and watching a bus full of people reading books. Even the driver is reading a book which is bad because he isn't paying attention to driving. So, he hits a dog that is eating a pizza in the middle of the road and kills it. The driver digs a hole and buries the dog in it and then puts a flower on it. He notices that there is a door in the dog's grave and opens it. Inside he can see a television with 2 spoons for antennas on top of it. No-one is watching the television because they are all watching the chair. Why? – Because the chair is jumping and dancing and throwing stones at the computer.
Try it. You'll be surprised!
5. Recycle the pieces – Use roots, prefixes and suffixes to guess what a word means. For example:
Maybe you don't recognize this word "microbiology" but may be able to guess what it means. First, look at the prefix "micro". Micro means very small. You may also remember that "ology" means a subject, the study of something. Already we know that part of this word's meaning is "the study of" + "something small". Now, you will probably remember that "bio" means living things. So, we can figure out that microbiology probably means the study of very small living things. This is correct. English is like a puzzle – we put the pieces together to make new words. So if you make a list of word beginnings that you often see (un-, dis-, con-, micro-, etc.) and word endings that you often see (-able, -ly, -ent, -tion, -ive, etc.) and remember what they mean, you will be able to guess what many new words mean.
6. Think & learn in opposites – Learn words with opposite meanings (antonyms) and words with similar meanings (synonyms) together. For example, learn angry/happy (antonyms) and angry/cross (synonyms) at the same time. We can remember similar and opposite things more easily because they "stick together" in our minds.
7. Timing is everything – According to psychologists who study how we remember anything, there is a better way to learn things quickly and permanently. Use the new word immediately. Use it 10 minutes later. Use it 1 hour later. Use it 1 day later. Use it 1 week later. After that, you'll rarely have to review – the new vocabulary is yours forever.
Enjoy your Chinese tuition with us now…


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(Last updated July 2009)
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Selection committee
Every term, a dedicated panel consisting of five international representatives of varied expertise is appointed to the WDC Selection Committee.
The 2018 committee comprises:
Dr. Mugendi M'Rithaa
2013-2015 Icsid President-Elect
Since 2005, Dr. M'Rithaa has been a Professor and Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town (South Africa). Prior to that, he taught at the Universities of Botswana and Nairobi. Before moving to education, Dr. M'Rithaa was a Designer/Accounts Executive with Communication Graphics and a Designer/ Researcher with the Kenya Building Research Centre, both located in Nairobi (Kenya). Mugendi M'Rithaa is an active member of the Cape Town Design Network (CTDN), Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA), Ergonomics Society of Southern Africa (ESSA), Network on Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability (DESIS) and the Learning Network on Sustainability (LeNS). He holds a Master of Industrial Design from the Indian Institute of Technology-Mumbai and a PhD in Universal Design from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
Dr. Meric Gertler
President Meric Gertler, PhD, FRSC, FAcSS, MCIP
Dr. Meric S. Gertler began his term as the 16th President of the University of Toronto on 1 November 2013. Prior to that, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science—the largest faculty at the University—from 2008 to 2013, where he championed many important innovations in undergraduate teaching and learning. He is a Professor of Geography and Planning, and the Goldring Chair in Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto. He is a co-founder of a large research program at U of Tís Munk School of Global Affairs investigating the role of city-regions as sites of innovation and creativity in the global economy. His work engages in comparative analysis of North American and European cities to understand how local social and cultural dynamics create the foundations for economic success and prosperity. He has served as an advisor to local, regional and national governments in Canada, the United States and Europe, as well as to international agencies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris) and the European Union. He has authored or edited seven books, including Manufacturing Culture: The Institutional Geography of Industrial Practice and The Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography (with Gordon Clark and Maryann Feldman).
Dr. Luyanda Mpahlwa
Director & Design Principal – DesignSpaceAfrica (Pty) Ltd
Dr. Luyanda Mpahlwa, Cape Town based Architect and Urban Designer obtained his Masters in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin. He is the Director of Luyanda Mpahlwa DesignSpaceAfrica, the architecture and design firm he founded in 2009. His architectural education in South Africa was interrupted when he was incarcerated on Robben Island Prison in 1981 for his anti-apartheid political activities. After his release from a 5 year prison term in 1986, he went into exile in West Germany where he spent 15 years. He relocated back to South Africa in 2000 and was Director/Partner with MMA Architects for 12 years. Luyanda was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from the Walter Sisulu University for his contribution to innovative technologies and design for social change. He has been associated with the Cape Town World Design Capital Bid Committee from inception and attended the award ceremony in Taipei where Icsid awarded Cape Town the designation, World Design Capital 2014.
Abigail Posner
Head of Strategic Planning, Agency Development, Google
Abigail joined Google over 2 years ago to head up the Strategic Planning Practice for the Agency team. She works closely with the advertising and marketing communities to help develop their strategic and creative efforts for the digital space. While at Google, she has also launched an industryófirst thought leadership series on human beings deep, emotional relationships with the digital space: Humanising Digital. And she has created and teaches an inspirational ìculture of insightsî programme & toolkit for internal both Google audiences and key marketers "Behold the Aha: from Data to Insight."
Prior to joining Google, Abigail was Executive Vice President, Strategy Director at Publicis New York, where she directed strategic planning efforts for major new business pitches and provided thought leadership to key global clients, including LíOreal, NestlÈ and Coca-Cola. Before that, Abigail spent 11 years at DDB New York. There, she co-directed the strategic planning department and directed strategic efforts for a range of clients, from PepsiCo and Unilever to Hertz.
Before being elected mayor, Mr. Ko was an attending physician and Chairman of the Department of Traumatology at National Taiwan University Hospital, and also a professor at National Taiwan University College of Medicine, specializes in trauma, intensive care, organ transplant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and artificial organs among others. Mr. Ko is an icon among Taiwanese Healthcare and Medical industry, which he was responsible for standardizing organ transplant procedures in Taiwan, and was the first physician to import the ECMO system. Apart from his practice, Mr. Ko is known for his numerous media appearances and interviews as a social and political commentator. With the firm idea of Open City and insistence on Citizen Participation policy, Mr. Ko believe that change and innovation should be triggered from bottom up by the power of citizens, and is the feasible future for Taipei.


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Recently, we've seen several references to Molten Mug Chocolate Cake: a little molten cake you make in a coffee mug in the microwave. The original recipe was posted to BBC Good Food, but the author wasn't named.
The idea is really simple: you just mix a few ingredients in a coffee mug and cook in the microwave for a short time and you have a rich chocolaty dessert to surprise your partner or child. We had to try this. The ingredients are simple and you might well have them in your kitchen already.
- 4 Tb cake flour
- 4 Tb sugar
- 2 Tb powdered cocoa
- 1 egg
- 3 Tb milk
- 3 Tb canola oil
- A drop or two of vanilla
- Up to 3 Tb chocolate chips (optional)
- A small dollop of peanut butter (optional)
The whole idea is that this is a one dish (cup) meal, but you might be able to mix the ingredients a little more uniformly if you used a bowl and poured it into the cup. However, we did it the way they suggested.
- Mix the flour sugar and cocoa in the cup, stirring with a fork until uniform.
- Add the egg, and mix until you have a smooth batter.
- Add the milk and oil and stir until again uniform
- Drop in a couple drops of vanilla extract
- Add the optional chocolate chips and, if you want, drop in a tsp of smooth peanut butter.
- Cook in a 1000 watt microwave for 3 minutes.
- Let it cool and serve to one or two.
Our trials
We first tried this as specified. The cake slowly climbed up out of the cup during cooking, but didn't leak. However, when we removed it from the cup and cut into it, it was dry, tough and rubbery.
Consulting our microwave manual, we realized that our Sharp microwave is 1150 watts, so we repeated the recipe, but cooked the cake for 3 minutes at 80% power, or about 900 watts. This was somewhat better, but still pretty dry and rubbery. The only thing that melted were the chocolate chips: they had all sunk to the bottom.
So, for our third try, we reduced the cooking time to 2 minutes as some of the recipe commenters had suggested, but still used 80% power. This one was more acceptable: the cake was moist, but still rubbery.
Finally, in our fourth and last attempt, we reduced the power level to 70%, or about 800 watts, and cooked it for 90 seconds. This was the best of the four attempts. The cake was moist and the chocolate chips melted, but it was a far cry from the sort of lava cake you get in restaurants, or even the frozen food section.
Pictures of all of these trials are shown in the slide show.
We only used about 1 Tb of chocolate chips in our trials, since it was supposed to be optional, but we think that if you used all 3 Tb, that would be the melted chocolate you'd find at the bottom of the cake.
We put a dollop of peanut butter in our first try, but when we discovered that it just vanished into the cake, we didn't bother adding it to the other trials.
This was an interesting series of experiments, and once you let it cool, your young children might enjoy it if you don't overcook it. It really isn't something we'd serve to company, unless all of your company "has the munchies" for some reason.
Subscribe to the Fairfield County Food Examiner, and get food and food science news daily.


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Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Christopher Durang's spoof of Chekhov's malaise and gravitas, is light fun, a comedy that encourages us to laugh at the ridiculous predicaments of two sisters and a brother, named by deceased, erudite parents for characters from the titanic Russian playwright's oeuvre. It's clever and frothy and wistful and preposterous in that special way that Durang has for uncovering the insane when it masquerades as wisdom. Yet Vanya and Sonia… somehow seems to be missing some of the panache that often makes Durang giddy and memorable. Durang shifts gears in the second act. After an hour or more of dismissing the key characters for their fatuousness, we're supposed to take their suffering to heart. I'm not saying this can't be done or that challenging our expectations can't be entertaining. In Vanya and Sonia, though, it feels more like a whim than a strategy. Durang can't decide whether the siblings are dinosaurs or revered elders of the tribe.
Vanya and Sonia are drifting away from lethargy with their morning coffee, watching herons explore the lake, as the play opens. They bemoan the lost years they've spent, caring for their ill and elderly parents. Cassandra, their housekeeper, pronounces dark portents, which, of course, they ignore. Not because they are remarkable, but simply because she provides no context for them. Masha arrives with Spike, a palpably handsome, yummy and robust, if shallow young man. Masha has arranged for the four of them to attend a glamorous, upscale costume party, where she will dress as Snow White, and Sonia and Vanya, as dwarves. Spike playing prince is the perfect salve to Masha's vanity, blinding her to the impropriety of her costume. Masha is undoubtedly attractive and charismatic, but her days of playing the ingénue are behind her. Added to this quirky mix is Nina, a sweet-natured, winsome fan who is blissfully unaware of Masha's petty, jealous machinations.
It's intriguing to consider Chekhov's themes in light of Durang's satire, the supposedly trivial yearnings of the privileged class, who often, nonetheless behave with more grace and sophistication. While Chekhov feels more complex, here, we seem to be wrestling with Durang's ambivalence towards his protagonists. Spike and Nina are clearly provided for a sense of contrast. Spike may be a buffoon but he's relatively unpretentious and untroubled. Nina is warm and intelligent without being arrogant or neurotic. Towards the end of the second act, Vanya (the splendid and meticulous Bob Hess) delivers a monologue in which he expresses an aching nostalgia for the times when the world was technologically primitive but the human race was far more evolved. This is easily the most powerful moment in Vanya and Sonia, but it feels like pastiche. The subtext seems to be yearning to evince something more substantial. That being said, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is an amusing, delightful excursion, with many pleasurable moments. The cast is sublime, spontaneous and poised, and B.J. Cleveland's direction imaginative and masterful.
Uptown Players presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, playing February 14th-March 9th, 2014. The Kalita Humphreys Theater. 3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75219. 214-219-2718. www.uptownplayers.org


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And then, out of nowhere, Radiohead have announced the release of their new album 'The King Of Limbs'. The new album will be available for download on February 19th.
The band announced the record, via a message on Dead Air Space 'Thank You For Waiting', which redirects to a pre-order page on thekingoflimbs.com. The album is available in 2 editions; A newspaper edition, wich includes digital downloads and a download only. The newspaper version costs €39 (including WAV-files) €36 (MP3s). If you just want to digital download, you can get it for €7 or €11, depending on the sound quality. Prices may vary, depending on your locating, but include shipping. The album will be shipped on May 9th and includes two 10″ vinyl records, a CD and 625 pieces of artwork.
Radiohead's new record, The King Of Limbs, is presented here as the world's first* Newspaper Album, comprising:
Radiohead's new record, The King Of Limbs, is presented here as the world's first* Newspaper Album, comprising:
Two clear 10″ vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve.
A compact disc.
Many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradeable plastic to hold it all together.
The Newspaper Album comes with a digital download that is compatible with all good digital media players.
The Newspaper Album will be shipped on Monday 9th May 2011 you can, however, enjoy the download on Saturday 19th February 2011.
Shipping is included in the prices shown.
One lucky owner of the digital version of The King Of Limbs, purchased from this website, will receive a signed 2 track 12″ vinyl.
Update: The album will, however, be on general release on CD and 12" vinyl in all music stores and digital retailers from March 28th. As with their previous album 'In Rainbows' the band will partner with XL Recordings (TBD Records in the USA & Canada and Hostess Entertainment in Japan & Asia).


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The economic impact of two major sporting events in Arizona -- NASCAR races hosted by Phoenix International Raceway and the Super Bowl.
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Former New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush has spoken since the announcement of his trade to Miami earlier today.
On his twitter, he had some things to say to Saints fans.
"To the city of New Orleans you will always have a place in my heart I love you guys your are my family & I will never forget our good times"and
"I wish the New Orleans Saints the best of luck I will always be a fan! The team, coaches, and fans will be deeply missed!"
"Change is never easy but I look forward to building something special in Miami and can't wait to embark on this new journey! Here we go..."


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1. How large is the septic field?
The length of pipe required will help determine total cost.
2. How far from the home is the septic field?
If more than 100 ft, a backflow preventer will have to be added.
3. What is the topography of the land?
A flat, level lot will most likely have lower cost than a lot on a hill.
4. Is the septic field cleared or densely overgrown?
The septic field will need to be cleared of brush and of most trees in order for the pipes to be installed.
5. What depth of soil does your septic permit allow?
If the nitrification lines cannot be buried deep enough due to soil quality, enough approved soils will have to imported to cover the septic lines. Add the cost of the soil, plus transportation, and labor for spreading the soil above the septic system field.
6. Is the system gravity fed or pump fed?
A pump system will add to the cost.
7. What type of system has been approved or required?
Has the County approved a standard septic system, or have they required a special system like a panel block system?
8. Has a basement been requested?
In this area, most likely an additional pump system will be required, adding at least $3,000 to the building cost.
But an experienced builder or septic system installer will be able to identify most issues and give a ballpark cost estimate based on seeing the approved septic permit and the plot map of your lot.
You'll probably want to bring a copy of a floor plan you're considering as well - a basement or a large number of bedrooms can also require changes in the system.
Remember, you can make an offer contingent on soil suitability. Talk to your builder about getting a soils test and obtaining information about the type of system required.
Stanton Homes will help guide you in the right direction, including help obtaining a free septic cost quote from a reputable local installer. One of our many services includes a full site cost comparison, including information regarding septic system requirements.
Septic systems may sound a little intimidating, but they are VERY common in the Raleigh area. Asking the right questions can help ensure you'll be very pleased with your new lot!
You may also be interested in these other Raleigh new home articles - top tips straight from Raleigh's most exceptional new home builder, Stanton Homes.
How to Build a Custom Home in Four Easy Steps
Read One Family's Experience Building a Custom Home
How to Find a Lot - Top 12 Questions to Ask
Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips
Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Today's Top 5 Designs
Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes


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Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have become the main medications used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, which temporarily relieve pain and decrease inflammation, DMARDs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Interestingly, the individual drugs classified under the DMARDs category have very little to do with each other. Most of them were developed to treat other illnesses, and then were found to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. They all work in different ways toward the same goal: The drugs are designed to suppress the immune system, which has gone into overdrive, attacking the tissues in the joints and causing the rheumatoid arthritis.
DMARDs for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
DMARDs include:
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), also used in cancer chemotherapy, has become the most-often used DMARD.
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) was first developed as an anti-malarial drug.
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) was developed in the 1930s for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Leflunomide (Arava) works by blocking autoimmune antibodies and may also interrupt enzymes involved in cartilage destruction.
- Biologics called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are made from living cells that interrupt proteins used by the immune system to transmit signals. Biologics that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved include etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira).
- Biologics with other immune mechanisms work in a different way, such as the interleukin-1 antagonist anakinra (Kineret), the T-cell co-stimulation modulator abatacept (Orencia), and rituximab (Rituxan), which targets CD20-positive B cells.
How DMARDs Are Used
All DMARDs lose their effectiveness over time as the body develops resistance to them. Patients usually are unable to use any one DMARD for more than two years because the immune system's cells learn how to battle and overcome it. Methotrexate has become the leading DMARD because it has the most staying power, and a majority of patients can continue to take it after five years.
Because DMARDs lose effectiveness so quickly and because individually they are effective only on a small percentage of patients, doctors have begun using them in combination therapy.
"None of these drugs get up much above the 30 percent chance of 'Eureka!,' which is why many doctors will combine their use," says Nortin M. Hadler, MD, professor of medicine and microbiology/immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an attending rheumatologist at UNC Hospitals. Doctors also hope that by throwing the kitchen sink at rheumatoid arthritis, they will be able to halt its progression before major damage is done to the joints.
DMARD therapies currently recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of Rheumatology are:
- Monotherapy (therapy with one drug). Methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine can be used as initial forms of rheumatoid arthritis treatment for most patients.
- Dual-drug therapy. Methotrexate combined with hydroxychloroquine has proven effective for patients with moderate-to-high rheumatoid arthritis activity.
- Triple-drug therapy. Methotrexate combined with hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine is recommended for patients with advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Biologic combination therapy. Methotrexate is combined with etanercept, infliximab, or adalimumab to help people with serious but newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis avoid joint damage.
- Biologic therapy. The biologic drugs are recommended for stand-alone use in patients who have had rheumatoid arthritis for an extended period and have not been helped by methotrexate.
Who Should and Shouldn't Use DMARDs
Because these medications work by suppressing the immune system, people with existing immune systems problems should think twice before using them. DMARDs also create gastrointestinal side effects. And there are rare but dangerous side effects associated with each DMARD:
- Methotrexate can create liver damage, lung disease, and low blood cell counts.
- Hydroxychloroquine can cause damage to the eyes.
- Sulfasalazine can cause allergic reactions in people with allergies to sulfa drugs.
- Leflunomide also can cause liver damage.
- Leflunomide and methotrexate can cause birth defects. Men and women should suspend their use for a few months before attempting to conceive.
- Biologics cause flu-like reactions (dizziness, nausea, fever, or chills) in as many as half of patients who take them.
DMARDs are state-of-the-art treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, but careful consideration and evaluation with your doctor are necessary to determine what drug or combination of drugs might work best for you.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Center.
Last Updated: 11/11/2010


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Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of Kulicke & Soffa Industries (NASDAQ:KLIC) jumped more than 10% in Tuesday's early trading, then settled to close up around 8% after the semiconductor and LED assembly equipment specialist turned in better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings and strong forward revenue guidance.
So what: Quarterly revenue rose 7.6% year over year to $114.2 million, which translated to net income of $0.12 per diluted share. Analysts, on average, were looking for net income of $0.11 per on sales of $115 million.
In addition, Kulicke & Soffa expects current quarter revenue to be in the range of $165 million to $175 million. By comparison, analysts were modeling fiscal third-quarter sales of just $154.42 million.
Now what: Kulicke & Soffa CEO Bruno Guilmart added: "We have experienced strengthening demand in the majority of served markets and expect this trend to continue throughout the June quarter. We look ahead with great optimism as we continue to actively enhance our core market positions, expand in adjacent areas through organic development and pursue meaningful external growth opportunities."
With shares currently trading at a reasonable 19.4 times last year's earnings and 15 times next year's estimates -- and keeping in mind those estimates are likely to drift higher as analysts have time to fully digest today's news -- I think the stock should have no problem continuing to reward long-term shareholders from here.
The biggest thing to come out of Silicon Valley in years
If Kulicke & Soffa's not your bag but you still want a promising tech stock, you're in luck! If you thought the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad were amazing, just wait until you see this. One hundred of Apple's top engineers are busy building one in a secret lab. And an ABI Research report predicts 485 million of them could be sold over the next decade. But you can invest in it right now, for just a fraction of the price of Apple stock. Click here to get the full story in this eye-opening new report.
Steve Symington owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Harvest Moon: Hero Of Leaf Valley
From GameWinners
Add to this page!
This game is titled Harvest Moon: Hero Of Leaf Valley in North America and Europe, and Bokujou Monogatari: Sugar Mura to Minna no Negai in Japan.
Blue Mist Seeds
In Lyla's storyline, raise her to 20 FP and sell four crops. Blue Mist Seeds will now be unlocked in her Story Quest.
Work part time for Ronald to get an egg. Place it in the incubator to get your first chicken.
Work part time for Woody regularly. You can now chop trees for lumber.
mcwyrwaov dliofvor
Work part time for Bob regularly. You can now get a free horse from him during the summer.
Work part time for Rudolph regularly.
Easy money
- The description of the part-time job Bob gives you at Sterling Ranch is misleading. Instead of paying 300 G, it actually is 50 G per hour resulting in over 1000 G each day.
- During Summer, buy watermelon seeds (50 G, they reproduce) and grow them. Sixteen days are required for them to grow. It takes another five days after that to get another one in its place. They will sell for 150 G each.
Easy Stamina recovery
After you purchase the kitchen and bathroom upgrade, you will recover about half of your maximum Stamina if you use the shower. Use it after you do your daily chores in the farm. You can also use AP Medicine, which recovers all Stamina and Tiredness, but costs 1000 G in the Item Shop.
Change color of hero's clothes
After you purchase the kitchen and bathroom upgrade, when you take a shower your Hero's clothes will change color from white and blue to red and black. The opposite change will also happen.
Power Berry search
Your dog must have at least three hearts. Note: To check hearts, go to bed and select "Balance Sheet". Also the Ocarina is required (purchased for 450 G at Item Shop). Play the Ocarina by holding Square, then press Down, Left, Up. Your dog will sniff around and eventually dig something up. Your dog can dig up Truffles, Pontata Roots, and Power Berry. You can also carry the dog out of your farm area and search other areas.
Strategy guides from GameFAQs


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June 4, 2012
Each week, uclabruins.com will update and highlight select UCLA players' progress during the current MLS season. Games highlighted are from May 28-June 3. The Bruins lead all universities with 23 alumni in MLS.
Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution; Years played at UCLA: 2003-04)
Feilhaber started and played all 90 minutes at midfielder in the Revolution's 2-0 win over Chicago on Wednesday night. Feilhaber had one of his best games of the year for the Revolution, notching a goal and an assist in the victory. Feilhaber first set up fellow UCLA alum Kelyn Rowe's first goal in the 69th minute with a great through ball from midfield all the way into the penalty box, where Rowe gathered the pass and scored near post. It was Feilhaber's first assist of the season. Just a few minutes later, Feilhaber put New England ahead for good when he executed a give and go with Rowe at the top of the box and promptly scored far post to give the Revolution a 2-0 lead. The goal was Feilhaber's first of the season as well.
Revolution record: 5-7-1, 16 points, 6th place in Eastern Conference
This week's Revolution schedule: Bye; Next match is June 16 - vs. Columbus Crew
Feilhaber's 2012 MLS season stats: 10GP/8GS, 758 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist, 20 shots, 8 SOG
Matt Reis (New England Revolution; Years played at UCLA: 1994-97)
Matt Reis made three saves and earned his second shutout of the year in the Revolution's 2-0 victory over Chicago on Wednesday night. Reis faced nine total shots in the match and has now made 42 saves on the season, which is good for fifth best in all of MLS.
Revolution record: 5-7-1, 16 points, 6th place in Eastern Conference
This week's Revolution schedule: Bye; Next match is June 16 - vs. Columbus Crew
Reis's 2012 MLS season stats: 13GP/13GS, 1,170 minutes, 42 saves, 18 GA, 1.38 GAA
Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; Years played at UCLA: 2010-11)
Rowe came on as a substitute and led New England to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night. Rowe came on in the 64th minute and immediately made his presence felt, scoring his second goal of the season to put the Revolution on top 1-0. Rowe made a great run towards the middle of the box in the 69th minute and received a great pass from teammate and fellow UCLA alum Benny Feilhaber before finishing the play with a great chip to the near post for the goal. Rowe wasn't done though, as he set up New England's insurance goal by executing a great give and go with Feilhaber in the 73rd minute to earn his first career MLS assist. Overall, Rowe played 26 minutes in the match.
Revolution record: 5-7-1, 16 points, 6th place in Eastern Conference
This week's Revolution schedule: Bye; Next match is June 16 - vs. Columbus Crew
Rowe's 2012 MLS season stats: 10GP/8GS, 650 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist, 18 shots, 13 SOG
Note: On Tuesday, UCLA alum Eder Arreola started and played 52 minutes for Cal FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association as Cal FC pulled off a major upset of the Portland Timbers in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, defeating the Timbers 1-0. Cal FC became not only the first U.S. Adult Soccer Association team to score against a Major League Soccer opponent, but became the first to defeat an MLS opponent in U.S. Open Cup play. Cal FC will play Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday, June 5 in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.


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I don't know where they stand in those silly league tables or how they got on with their latest Ofsted, but if I was young enough to still have kids at primary school, then St Francis at Taw Hill is where I'd like to send them. In fact, I wouldn't mind going there myself.
Any school that provides equipment for children to make dens at play time and lunchtime gets a great big gold star from me.
At St Francis, they called in a firm called Copper Beech Garden Design, who supplied a number of fixed wooden structures and some planks and poles for the kids to make into dens.
The first thing I like about it is it debunks the myth that everything we do these days is governed by "Health and Safety gone mad".
In fact, one of the teachers admitted there were "bumps and scrapes" (although not many), which suggests a healthy policy of not wrapping children up in cotton wool, which I reckon makes them more aware of dangers in the long run.
The second thing I like about it is it teaches skills that all children formerly developed to a high level, back in the days before computer games and a thousand other sanitised and pointless pastimes distracted them from the essential art of den building.
To be honest, I wasn't even aware kids still made dens.
I reckon schools should forget their Pythagoras, their litmus paper and their Anglo Saxons until a child can build a little shelter out of stuff that's lying around, because otherwise easy lessons have not been learned about planning, design, co-ordination, teamwork, materials, materials handling, construction, Health and Safety, innovation, creativity, structural analysis and probably another dozen skills that nobody ever learned in a classroom.
The only worrying thing about the dens at St Francis is they seem to be missing the most important ingredient: tarpaulins.
In our day dens could be constructed in trees, out of pallets, by clearing undergrowth, or digging a small trench and building a framework over the top, but there was one common denominator in every den, and that was a sheet of tarpaulin.
The funny thing is: I never knew where this tarpaulin came from, or where you could have bought it if you had any money, but it always turned up.
Not that dens are only for children, of course. I no longer build dens in the garden – although don't think I haven't wanted to – but I do have a loft that I officially call an office, but which really only differs from the idea of a childhood den in that it has a roof over it, instead of tarpaulin.
Judging by the way politicians of all colours have managed to make a complete hash of education in this country, I don't think you will find many of them prescribing den making for the National Curriculum, but it's any idea most other people seem to support.
When I Googled "building dens", there was no shortage of serious advice from all manner of highly respected organisations, including the National Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Eden Project, the Forestry Commission and the BBC.
If all those, along with switched-on schools like St Francis Primary, all understand the value of den building, how come our so-called leaders don't encourage it? Have they never heard that famous saying? The den is mightier than the sword.


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PupLife Dog Blog
And Baby Makes…Four!
Originally published January 5th, 2009
Don't leave Fido out of the loop when you're expecting. Here are some quick and easy tips to help your dog adjust to the newest member of the family.
Rather than waiting until baby arrives, get a jump on things and modify your dog's daily routine now. By implementing a feeding/walking/playtime schedule with your dog, you'll provide a sense of structure which will come in handy once mom arrives home with baby. Additionally, you can acclimate your dog to what the baby will sound like with recordings including our Sounds of Baby. This CD is a terrific training tool that gradually introduces the sounds your pet will hear from a new baby and her toys.
Before baby and Fido meet in person, you can introduce your dog to your little one's scent. Let your pooch sniff items that the baby has been in contact with: a blanket, a onesie, even a diaper. When mom and baby arrive home, keep Fido on a leash to prevent jumping. Allow your dog to see and sniff the baby and create a positive association for your dog by providing lots of yummy treats for calm, collected behavior.
Family Life
Don't ban your dog from interacting with the family – including the new baby. It's important for everyone in the household to coexist peacefully, but supervision and safety are key. Don't be afraid to use management tools (like a leash, crate and treat toys) to help you navigate through your day and still maintain your sanity! For example, when you put baby down for a nap, give Fido a treat toy in his crate.
With a little preparation, you can create a safe and happy household for your growing family. Woof!
Canine Hydrotherapy For Joint Care
Originally published May 8th, 2008
A hydrotherapist and her client
at Integrative Pet Care in Chicago
According to the Canine Hydrotherapy Association, extensive work in human physiotherapy has demonstrated that a suitably monitored course of hydrotherapy acts similarly in canines by encouraging a full range of joint motion in reduced weight conditions, thus improving muscle tone and promoting tendon repair without imposing undue stress on damaged tissues and improving cardiovascular stamina.
It has long been established that hydrotherapy is beneficial in a comprehensive recovery program for certain injuries in the veterinary field including arthritis, hip dysplasia and other degenerative joint diseases. Until recently the use of hydrotherapy in animals was restricted to performance horses and racing greyhounds.
However, hydrotherapy can be very beneficial for our companion animals in many ways. From rehabilitation after surgery or an accident to the treatment of an acute or chronic condition as well as the prevention of injury for dogs that participate in competitive sports. While hydrotherapy is low-impact, the water creates resistance that greatly intensifies a work out at both a cardiovascular and musculoskeletal level. Hydrotherapy also engages additional muscles and joints beyond those used for your pet's daily walks and can also increase normal range of motion.
Trained hydrotherapists always take a full patient history before any treatment and talk with you before before each hydrotherapy session so they can determine if adjusting speed, duration and water height is appropriate according to your pet's progress.
If you live in the Chicagoland Metro area, you will find an excellent hydrotherapy center at Integrative Pet Care. To find a rehabilitation specialist in your area visit The Canine and Equine Rehabilitation Gateway.
Training Talk: Teaching Your Dog To Come When Called
Whether you're in the backyard or at an off-leash dog park, a reliable recall is one of the most important behaviors you can teach your dog.
Teaching the Recall:
To begin you'll need a Leash and Collar for your dog, a long line leash (15 feet or more) and lots of Dog Treats.
Start with your dog on a six foot leash. Say your dog's name, then your recall cue ("Come", "Here" or whatever you're comfortable with) and begin moving backwards. When your dog moves toward you, say "Yes!" and reward her with lots of treats. Repeat this for about 10 minutes and take a break.
You can begin adding some distractions to the exercise. With your dog on a long line, wait until she is distracted then call her name and move backwards. If your dog does not turn and move toward you gently remind her with the long line. Always reinforce the correct response.
If you have a partner you can play the recall game. With your dog on a long line, stand about 20 feet away from your partner. Take turns calling your dog and rewarding her when she comes. If she needs help, pick up the end of the long line to remind her.
Proofing the Recall
Professional dog trainers use the term "proofing" to describe ways in which we can test our dog's commitment to a behavior. For instance, my dog may be able to come when called in the backyard, but if we are out at the dog park she has a hard time leaving her doggy friends and coming to me. As you work with your dog on particular behaviors you'll begin to notice ways in which to proof her. The most common ways to proof are distance, distraction and duration.
Practice the recall in a variety of locations always with your dog on leash or on a long line. Incorporate distance into your training routine. It's easy with a long line because you can call your dog from 5 feet away, 10 feet away and even 20 feet away. The more distance between you and your dog, the harder it will be for her to respond.
Utilize distractions in your training. I like to proof my dog's recall by calling her off other dogs, squirrels, tennis balls and food on the floor. Remember to use your leash or long line. You can also enlist the help of a family member or friend to distract your dog and provide a means by which to proof her.
Tips for Refining the Recall
While you are in the process of teaching the recall, be sure not to dilute your cue system. This means that until your dog understands the recall, never call her unless you can back up your cue (i.e. with your long line or leash). Often times we bombard our dogs with verbal cues that they don't really understand. You can become a more effective trainer by using management tools in your training sessions AND in your everyday life. For instance, always let your dog out in the backyard on a long line so that when you call her you know she'll come!
Never call your dog for something unpleasant or scary. For example, when leaving the dog park call your dog, put her leash on and allow her to play with her favorite toy for several minutes before going home. Never punish your dog for not coming when called – use your management tools to ensure your dog is successful.
Play hide & seek with your dog. This is especially good for puppies because they are used to following Mama Dog. By playing hide & seek you encourage your dog to keep her eye on you instead of the other way around.
Train in a safe spot. Work in a fenced area like a park or even a tennis court. Always work with a leash or long line. And, most importantly: Practice! Practice! Practice!