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Crash at Monadnock Speedway helped Mechalides go faster
Up until the pileup that forced a red flag stoppage to the race on a very cold Saturday night for racing, Mechalides had struggled through a night where the handling on his Stuart Automotive of Lowell car placed him outside the top 10. His involvement of the crash damaged the car, flattened the right rear tire, but also somehow made the car go faster.
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Adult day programs (ADP) provide part-of-the-day supervised programming in a group setting for dependent adults, such as the frail elderly, individuals with Alzheimers, or individuals with disabilities. Services may include leisure activities, meals and personal care.Download the South West CCAC Adult Day Program Capacity Chart (pdf), updated weekly.
Watch Adult Day Programs: A Place to Belong! (YouTube) to learn more about Adult Day Programs.
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Latest from the Bizarre Cathedral.
This work is covered by a Creative commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 3.0 licence.
Got an idea for the Bizarre Cathedral? Send it to the following e-mail addresss:
tbc then at then freesoftwaremagazine then dot then com
So far, Lenny seems pretty solid. I'm not sure what the release bugs are, but it must not be stuff we use a lot.
We're currently running it on three machines (including the one I'm on), and I'm thinking about moving all of them to it.
I've been using it for some time
The only machine I don't have using Lenny is a laptop currently on sid. This includes some servers (which are not public-facing).
I have encountered some packages for which an upgrade breaks something: fglrx for one. But that's more to do with me not reading the release notes than anything else.
Equitas IT Solutions - fairness, quality, freedom


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The Roseburg Resources Company, announced on Sept. 18 that all of their private timber lands in Oregon and California are temporarily closed to all public recreational access, effective immediately.
According to the release, the action is "due to the increasingly extreme forest fire danger currently threatening its timberlands."
Sept. 15 was the first day of buck season for rifle hunters in Siskiyou County and the closure is likely to interfere with the plans of many hunters planning hunts on Roseburg property. The company usually allows non-motorized access to their properties for such recreational activities.
Phil Adams, a spokesman for the company, said the action is only temporary. He said the closure will be lifted as soon as the region gets enough rain to ease the fire risk, though recreators should wait until the company makes an official announcement that the closure is lifted before attempting to access Roseburg land.
"We're looking at an extremely hot, dry extended forecast right now and it's already been a very active fire season, so far," said Adams.
He said this is not the first time Roseburg has resorted to this type of closure. In 2007, the company closed all of their Oregon properties to public access due to extreme fire danger, though Adams was unaware of the history of closure in California.
"I wasn't involved with forest management in California at that time so I'm not sure of the exact history there," Adams said, adding, "We're just looking for some cooperation from the public on this, right now."
Location, ST | website.com


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News 12 First at Five / Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Man up! That's the challenge to Democratic candidate for sheriff of Richmond County Richard Roundtree. One night after debate night in America, the Republican challenger for top cop is knocking Roundtree for refusing to debate.
"If you think I don't have qualifications, then be man enough to get up there and get in front of the people and tell them why I don't have qualifications," said Republican candidate for sheriff Freddie Sanders.
Sanders launched a blistering attack on Lt. Roundtree during our weekly radio segment on 96.3 KISS FM for refusing to debate.
"To put it kindly, what they do is tell lies about what I've said," he said. "And then they won't let me defend it."
The former police chief and now attorney calls Roundtree's position laughable.
"I have found trying cases all these years if the other side doesn't show up," Sanders said, "I have a pretty good chance of winning."
Sanders says he was shocked by Roundtree's statements on our weekly segment.
"Our job is peacekeepers. We are not law enforcement officers." said Lt. Roundtree about the Sheriff's Office. "We're peacekeepers."
"And I think this is insulting to the black community," Sanders said. "If I say I'm going to love you ... I'm not going to enforce the law ... that gets them votes."
Sanders is accusing the Roundtree camp of being soft on crime.
"And it's insulting," Roundtree said. "Whether you are black or white, you don't want people breaking in your house or robbing or raping you."
"Are you saying that you are not going to be hard on crime?" we asked Roundtree.
"No." he replied. "We've always said violent offenders belong in jail. We've been in law enforcement for almost 20 years now. Those are my issues. They are not debatable."
Time is ticking. Early voting for the Nov. 6 election starts Oct. 15 in Georgia.


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GENERAL DESCRIPTION: It is anticipated that there will be an opportunity this summer (2012) for several students to work as a research assistant with Profs. Grosnick, Koetke, Gibson-Even, and Stanislaus, and Mr. Paul Nord. The research project will afford you the opportunity to work closely with one or more of us in data analysis and simulation studies on STAR experiment (to understand the origin of the spin of the proton), and/or the neutron EDM experiment. For more information about these experiments and links to their sites, visit Nuclear and Particle Physics.
LOCATION: The majority of the work will be done here at VU. It may be possible for you to do some work at an accelerator or reactor laboratory.
REQUIREMENTS: Much of the work will be computer related. Some knowledge of C++ programming is desired. (If you do not know C++ but have had some programming experience you may be able to learn C++ as part of the summer work or in preparation for it.) You will learn to use a graphical analysis package for plotting and analysis of data. There should be opportunities to learn analysis techniques as well as to learn more about the science of elementary particles. Students will write and submit a report at the conclusion of the summer work.
DATES & STIPEND: The summer appointment will be for 10-12 weeks, with an anticipated starting date in mid to late May. Slightly different starting dates or work periods may be possible. The salary will be around $410 per week with consideration given to prior experience. It is anticipated that housing for work done at VU will be awarded cost-free by the University. Housing and transportation costs for any work done away from VU will be paid for by the supporting research grant.
APPLICATION & DEADLINE: Applications can be obtained from the Department of Physics and Astronomy web site.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible to Ms. Wellsand (NSC-237). The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 29 February 2012. Review of applications will be completed in March and you will be notified of selections by early April. Please see Prof. Koetke, Prof. Gibson-Even, or Prof. Stanislaus, in person or contact them by e-mail if you have questions about the position.


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Md. judge admits deflating tire over parking spot
LA PLATA, Md. A circuit court judge has acknowledged he deflated a tire on a car parked in a restricted area near his courthouse earlier this week. But he isn't apologizing.
Charles County Judge Robert C. Nalley told station WUSA on Wednesday that he let out the air because leaving notes for those parked illegally isn't effective.
The chief administrative judge for Maryland's 7th Circuit said Nalley told him what he had done on Monday. Judge William D. Missouri suggested to The Washington Post that Nalley might be sanctioned.
The owner of the car, Jean Washington, works part-time at the courthouse in La Plata as part of a cleaning crew and said she didn't know she couldn't park in the restricted area. She said she never received any warnings.
Police are investigating the incident.


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Repeat offender Common cold
It's not unusual for adults to catch two to four colds a year, often in winter. Many cold viruses survive best in low humidity; plus, we're closer to people (and their germs) when we're stuck indoors.
When it won't go away If your annual cold count is above average, a harried lifestyle may be weakening your immunity, says Lisa Bernstein, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. One prime suspect: stress, which has been linked with impaired function of disease-fighting T lymphocyte cells. And sleeping less than seven hours triples your risk of catching a cold compared with somebody who gets eight or more hours, likely due to decreased immune activity, research from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh reveals.
Stop the sick cycle. Fortunately, many stress busters double as immunity protectors. If chilling out with loved ones relaxes you, schedule more family meals and gabfests with girlfriends: Though the reason is unclear, keeping a variety of social ties lessens our susceptibility to colds, The Journal of the American Medical Association reports. And don't forget date night: Having sex once or twice a week produces higher levels of a key antibody than if you make love less often, findings in Psychological Reports show. Finally, luxuriate in more sleep, and wash your hands after events involving hand shaking—a habit proven to help keep you flu-free, too.
Jump to: Common cold |Sinus infection |Urinary tract infection |Acid reflux |Strep throat
Repeat offender Sinus infection
Approximately 12 percent of American adults contract one sinus infection a year. Symptoms—congestion, head and face pain, and fatigue—usually last up to four weeks.
When it won't go away One month of nasal congestion is only the beginning for the roughly 34 million Americans whose sinus infections become chronic; their symptoms linger for at least 12 weeks and can recur. Why the stubborn stuffiness? "Ten to 15 percent of us have an extra sinus, which narrows space in the nose, creating a bottleneck that prevents drainage, which can lead to infection," says Ford Albritton, M.D., chairman of otolaryngology at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Allergy-related inflammation or a deviated septum, in which the strip of cartilage that divides sinuses is crooked, also can block openings and trap bacteria.
Stop the sick cycle. To unclog sinuses and prevent infections, rinse out your nasal passages daily with lukewarm salt water using a Neti pot, a teapotlike device, says David Rabago, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine in Madison. (For a how-to, go to www.fammed.wisc.edu/research/past-projects/nasal-irrigation.) If this method doesn't keep infections at bay, ask your doc about a daily Rx nasal steroid spray to ease inflammation. Still suffering? You may need surgery to correct a deviated septum or to widen sinus openings.
Jump to: Common cold |Sinus infection |Urinary tract infection |Acid reflux |Strep throat
Repeat offender Urinary tract infection
Almost half of women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. Symptoms are tough to mistake: You feel as if you always have to go, and when you do, it burns and your pee is red or cloudy.
When it won't go away UTIs aren't always a one-time issue: Nearly 20 percent of women have a second infection in their lifetime, and 30 percent of those have a third. "Bacteria may attach to the urinary tract of some women more easily," says Courtenay Moore, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Frequent sex also might up your risk, as friction can push bacteria into the urethra, the tube that drains urine.
Stop the sick cycle. Wipe from front to back after every trip to the ladies' room to avoid moving bacteria toward the urethra. And hit the loo when the urge strikes: Holding it allows bacteria to collect in the bladder. To stop recurrent sex-related UTIs, skip spermicides (which alter the pH of your vagina, leaving it vulnerable to germs) and urinate after you do the deed to rinse away bacteria. "If you've had four or more UTIs in one year, it's time for a urologic workup," Dr. Moore says. Your doctor might suggest a daily antibiotic for six months or longer or a post- or precoital dose to resterilize urine.
Jump to: Common cold |Sinus infection |Urinary tract infection |Acid reflux |Strep throat
Repeat offender Acid reflux
The occasional bout of postpizza heartburn is normal—about 20 percent of us endure symptoms once a month, such as a stinging sensation in the chest or throat and trouble swallowing.
When it won't go away Five percent of people feel the burn every day, and regular reflux can damage esophageal tissue. In fact, weekly flare-ups make sufferers up to 11 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer, The New England Journal of Medicine reports. The trouble starts when the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve between the esophagus and stomach, fails to seal properly and doesn't keep digestive acids in the stomach. One culprit: extra weight around your waist, which can push open the valve. "But you can be at a normal weight and have reflux simply because of a wimpy LES," says Patricia Raymond, M.D., associate professor of clinical internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Chesapeake.
Stop the sick cycle. Strengthening the LES might require surgery, but before you go under the knife (or even turn to heartburn meds like Prevacid 24HR or Nexium), try making lifestyle changes, which can be equally effective for some people. Drop excess belly fat to keep pressure off the LES. (For a tummy-trimming plan, go to Self.com/flatabs.) And stick to small, lowfat meals: Fat should be less than 35 percent of calories. "An overstuffed stomach can have the same valve-pressuring effect that abdominal fat has," Dr. Raymond says. "And fat slows gastric emptying, so large, greasy meals sit longer in the stomach." Nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate all relax the LES, so nix the smokes and cut back on the rest.
Jump to: Common cold |Sinus infection |Urinary tract infection |Acid reflux |Strep throat
Repeat offender Strep throat
About 10 percent of the time adults have a sore throat, strep is to blame. Caused by streptococcus bacteria, it comes with fever, swollen lymph glands and white patchy areas on the tonsils.
When it won't go away Roughly 20 percent of people harbor strep bacteria in their tonsils all the time, says Jeff Aldred, M.D., program director for Select Specialty Hospital in Milwaukee. "Their tonsils tend to have more creases where bacteria can hide, and every once in a while, their immune system can't hold the bacteria in check and it results in an infection."
Stop the sick cycle. Strep can live on toothbrush bristles, so replace yours 24 hours after starting antibiotics. If you have strep twice a year, ask your M.D. about having a culture when you feel healthy to see if your normal bacterial makeup includes strep; a longer course of antibiotic meds can help kill off the colony. Not a carrier but still strapped with strep three or more times a year? Consider a tonsillectomy. Surgery is no picnic, but without your tonsils, strep bacteria struggle to find a place to hide. And when you're feeling better, drop a hint to your boss about getting a day off in exchange for your perfect attendance.
Jump to: Common cold |Sinus infection |Urinary tract infection |Acid reflux |Strep throat


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Newsletter - 2002 - November
Thank you for subscribing to the InsaneScouters monthly newsletter. It is our intention to provide you with information and resources to help you run your units program. Please reply to this newsletter if you have any suggestions on how we can better help you.
Please forward this newsletter to all your friends in Scouting
Whats New at http://insanescouter.com
I am proud to announce many of the new features and content now available at InsaneScouter. Below you will find a list of what these updates are and where to find them.
Internet Safety for Kids
It is sad that rules such as these have become a fact of life, but as our kids become more sophisticated so do those wanting to harm them. This is one of the problems online, a pedophile, for example, could be lurking in their favorite chat room, by pretending to be a 11 year-old. How would your child, yourself, or for that matter anyone know that he wasnt who he says he is. The following list is an example of rules that kids should follow while online.
I would encourage every parent I meet to talk with their child and set-up mutually agreeable rules that they will follow while online. I say mutually agreeable because if the child doesnt actually agree in his soul, then he will not follow the rules. The types of things that should be decided upon are for example: the time of day the child can be online, the length of time the child can be online, and appropriate areas for the child to visit.
Halloween Safety
For kids
For parents
Halloween offers a great chance for parents to talk with and listen to their kids on personal safety issues. Discussing family safety rules and listening thoughtfully to childrens concerns is a never-ending challenge. Taking advantage of this teachable moment can make Halloween safer and create a learning opportunity as well.
October is Crime Prevention Month, and Halloween has become a widespread occasion for hundreds of law enforcement agencies, businesses, and community groups to distribute a variety of Mc Gruff products and educational materials that remind families about personal safety and encourage street-smart behavior by kids whether trick-or-treating, playing with friends, or traveling to and from school. More than 30 million young people will be stashing their door-to-door collections or gathering goodies at neighborhood parties in colorful, educational Mc Gruff Halloween bags. Hundreds of thousands will be smarter about safe trick-or-treating because theyve gotten one of Mc Gruffs Safe Halloween kits.
Modified from Ordinal Source: National Crime Prevention Council
Fun Activities
Cereal Box Gravestones
Egg Carton Spiders
Q-Tip Skeleton
Fun Halloween Cooking
Witches Brew
Ghost Cookies
Potato Ghosts
Spooky Sandwich Puzzles
"Hand" Snacks
Monster Cookies
Crime Prevention Activity Ideas
InsaneScouter Monthly Tip
The difference between the possible and the impossible is the measure of the mans will.
InsaneScouter Moment - A Balanced Menu For Life
Tonight weve spent a lot of time talking about the four food groups we need to be healthy. And weve looked up some of those recipes, using those four food groups. I hope youll remember what youve learned when we go on our campout at the end of this month because Im getting tired of hamburgers and hot-dogs.
But just as a balanced diet of foods is vital for your physical health, so is a balanced diet of activities vital for your mental and spiritual health. You all know by now, that if you ate nothing but potato chips, candy and soda, you wouldnt stay healthy very long. The same idea applies to your activities.
If you did nothing but play sports all the time, and neglected your schoolwork, your religious duties, your Scouting, and other activities with friends, you would be a pretty sad case before long. Oh, you might be a good ball player, but thats all. You would not make any progress mentally, spiritually or as a person who is a pleasure to be around.
Well, you might say, I love sports. Fine - play them - and play for all your worth. But remember that life has many satisfactions besides sports. Dont cut yourself from them by spending all your time in one activity.
Join a school club. Become active in your churches youth group. Come to every troop meeting and activity. Take full advantage of school; dont do just enough work to get by. And play sports.
You can do it all, and if you do I think youll enjoy life even more than you do now
Please feel free to forward our newsletter on to anyone it may benefit.
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Ten-thousand years ago, the brains of our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to focus on the basics of survival: getting food, fleeing predators and procreating.
Now, it can be hard to know what to focus on with Twitter, Facebook, email, smartphones and TV bombarding us with nonstop information. Headlines, rumors, status updates, videos and URL links can send us tumbling down an infinite number of rabbit holes of more information.
Little of it is likely to improve our lives in any significant way, says neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, a McGill University professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience and part-time Orinda resident.
This "information overload" is one of the many concerns he lays out in his new book, "The Organized Mind" (Dutton, $27.95, 512 pages). We're bombarded daily with the informational equivalent of 175 newspapers and have a half-million books' worth of words stored on our computers, he says, but the 21st-century brain can't take all that in.
Our brains -- much like those of our prehistoric ancestors -- want to pay attention to only one thing at a time, and trying to absorb so much information comes at a cost: The neurons are living cells that become fatigued if we work them too hard.
"Every status update you read on Facebook, every tweet or text message you get from a friend," he says, "is competing for resources in your brain with important things like whether to put your savings in stocks or bonds, where you left your passport, or how to best reconcile with a close friend you just had an argument with."
Whenever we feel overwhelmed by everything we need to keep track of in life, we talk about wanting to get organized, the Bay Area native says. Actually, imposing structure on the world is hard-wired into our brains, he says. It helps us gain a sense of control over our physical and mental environments.
That's why -- surprise! -- a top Silicon Valley executive carries a notebook to jot down reminders. And a productivity expert resorts to list-making to clear his head every day.
Many of the best digital-age strategies are time-tested organizational strategies that still work beautifully, Levitin says. They're backed up by decades of research into brain function and behavioral psychology.
Levitin is also a musician, record producer and dean of Arts and Humanities at the Minerva Schools at San Francisco's Keck Graduate Institute. He penned two New York Times best-sellers, including "This Is Your Brain on Music," based on his self-described mission to translate complex concepts into information that people can use in their daily lives.
Understanding how the brain functions can help us use its innate abilities for our advantage; it also can save us from fighting against its limitations, such as buying into the idea that multitasking will help us get things done. Here are some of the brain function basics that Levitin hopes will help us use our heads better to organize our lives:
Enhance your memory
Science tells us why we should make to-do lists, plug appointments into smartphones, or jot brilliant ideas onto 3x5 index cards, Levitin says.
"The brain is a vast repository of millions of factoids, and names and places," he says. "All these concerns percolating up inside your brain eat up your attentional capacity."
That's why you need systems for off-loading all the information from your brain into the physical world. Written language, which came along 5,000 years ago, is probably the earliest example of a "brain extender" that supplements the brain's memory.
Levitin says the "Zen point of view" illustrates this point, holding that all the undone things nagging in your brain pull you out of the present. He quotes productivity expert David Allen, who says he always feels relaxed and focused after making a big list of everything that is on his mind. "He recommends doing this clearing-the-mind exercise every day," Levitin says."
Tech companies and their fans may try to convince us that the latest mobile gadget is today's most effective brain extender and therefore key to an organized life. However, Levitin says old-fashioned pen and paper work just as well. It all depends on your personal organizational style.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, "reluctantly" admitted to Levitin that she uses a notebook and pen for her to-do list. Yes, she said, it is "like carrying around a stone tablet and chisel," but she and other highly successful people told Levitin they swear by these "ancient" technologies.
Stop multitasking
Actually, what we call multitasking doesn't in fact exist, Levitin says. When people boast about juggling several tasks at once, they are actually "sequentially tasking," with their brains "flitting from one thing to another."
But trying to do too many things at once has been found to overstimulate the brain by increasing the production of cortisol and the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline.
Sending a text, looking up something on the Internet or processing other "shiny new stimuli" excites the brain's novelty- and reward-seeking centers, to the detriment of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for keeping us on task. "Instead of reaping the big rewards that come from sustained, focus effort, we instead reap empty rewards from completing a thousand little sugar-coated tasks," Levitin says.
So much is made in the professional world of multitasking, with employers listing it as a desired qualified for job applicants.
However, Levitin says most jobs don't benefit from multitasking. "There are only four professions I can think of that require multitasking: breaking news reporter, publicist, air traffic controller and U.N. translator," he says. "And with the latter two, those people are not supposed to work for more than 45 minutes at a time without a half-hour break."
Limit your choices
While we're supposed to feel empowered by retailers offering us a world of choices when we shop in stores or online, too many options can be mentally paralyzing. Similarly, gathering too much information about products can lead to bad decisions, Levitin says.
"If you're trying to decide which car to buy, will having 57 possible pieces of information help you make a better decision?" he asks. In fact, he says, research shows that most people only have three or four things they really care about when buying most items -- whether it's a washing machine or a house.
When Levitin and his fiancee were house-hunting in Orinda several years ago, they asked the real estate agent to stay silent during the walk-through. They didn't want her to fill their heads with too many tantalizing-sounding details, some that might cloud their decision-making process.
"Knowing the schools are good is irrelevant for people with no kids unless you're thinking of the resale value later," he said. "Or knowing the property has great soil when you're not a gardener is also irrelevant."
-- Martha Ross, Staff
Levitin in Person
"The Organized Mind" author Daniel Levitin will appear in the Bay Area on these dates:
Aug. 21: 7:30 p.m., Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Aug. 22: 7 p.m., Towne Center Books, 555 Main St., Pleasanton
Sept. 4: 6:30 p.m., The Commonwealth Club of California, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Oct. 14: 7 p.m., Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda


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Wednesday, 06/14/2000
Drum Logos, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Soundcheck: Live and Let Die Jam, 007 Theme Jam, Windora Bug (with alternate Carini lyrics), Funky Bitch
Set 1: Carini, CurtainThe Curtain > Cities[1], Gumbo -> Llama, Fee, Heavy Things, SOAMeltSplit Open and Melt
Set 2: BOTTBack on the Train, Twist > Jam[2] -> Walk Away -> 2001Also Sprach Zarathustra
Encore: Sleep, CoilThe Squirming Coil
[1] Trey altered the lyrics in Cities to reference noodles.
[2] Segment based on the intro to Ghost.
· Mystery Achievement tease in Gumbo
· Theme from Charlie Chan tease in Fee
· Ghost tease in Jam
Noteworthy Jams: Carini, Cities, Gumbo, Back on the Train (highly recommended), Twist (highly recommended), Jam (highly recommended), Walk Away (highly recommended), Also Sprach Zarathustra (highly recommended)
Average Song Gap: 15.67
Performers: Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon
Notes: Trey altered the lyrics in Cities to reference noodles. Gumbo contained a Mystery Achievement tease from Mike. Fee included a tease of the old Charlie Chan signal lick from Fish, who played it on the woodblock during one of his breaks. The jam between Twist and Walk Away included a segment based on the intro to Ghost. Sleep was played by request. This show was officially released as Live Phish 04. The soundcheck's Funky Bitch contained Spanish Moon teases from Mike.
LivePhish Download
Song Distribution:
4 Farmhouse
2 Stash
2 Lawn Boy
1 A Picture of Nectar
1 Junta
Songs by Debut Year:
This show was part of the "2000 Summer Japan Tour."
This was the favorite show that I ever attended. The day was beautiful after a few days of rain in Japan. The venue was in the thick of downtown Fukuoka and there were tons of extras because not a lot of folks wanted to take the six hour train ride (even on the Shinkansen) from Nagoya the night before to get there. The small venue was painted entirely in black, the crowd was primarily Japanese. Folks go in by ticket number in Japan and I very fortuitously had #10 so I got a spot right in front of Trey on the rail. The vibe inside was at first a little raucous with excitement but due to the song choice and the obvious thoughtful vibe of the band both in playing and stage presence the crowd settled down almost immediately. What followed was extraordinary to behold in person. I have NEVER been to any "rock" concert where everyone was so quiet. People were intently listening and the symbiosis between band and audience was perfect. Loud applause at precisely the right moment, dead silence otherwise. The beginning of the second set felt like seeing Phish in a rehearsal and was almost obscenely intimate. The band interplay was so telepathic and the audience so enraptured that the room started to feel downright holy. It was wondrous to witness and everybody knew it. When the lights came on after the show, nobody moved. They, including myself, were entranced; it was just that hypnotic and magical. It was like a spell had been broken and we had come back to earth/Kansas/Kansai(?).
I had dinner with a new Japanese friend I met that night that would become the best man at my wedding three years later in Japan. I met my wife-to-be the next night in Osaka after the show. She's a Japanese and we have traveled back to Japan many times since then to visit the friends I met there on that tour and they have come to the U.S. many times to travel and of course see Phish. To get a feel for what the show was like, listen by yourself cause it was one of those nights that the material world pleasantly disappeared and the self was transported to the astral plane. Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu, Sakana-bandu ("Phish-band" in Japanese)
I can only enjoy the simulacrum. With a solid FOB I picked up about six years ago, I come back to this show more than almost any other in my collection. Why?
One can feel the dissipation, here, yet due to the small venue and novelty of Japan, there's a compressed concision of yore balanced with the high tech eerie of whiz bang e-jam. Trey pulls out some "scratch" sounds, there's a night club vibe, and yet there's a dream drifting, too.
Compared to the band at the same time one year or 10 months before, this is definitely the "other side of the peak." I always did like the after-burn, though. It's that moment when you can finally draw a deep breath and reorient yourself, maybe even find your car. It's definitely a floating home vibe, and that's where I am listening to this right now.
A must have.
Highlights include set one and set two. More specifically, a tragic Gumbo (personal favorite), an intergalactic Twist and following jam, and a solid Walk Away and following jam, and 2001, and a great encore, even if Trey sounds entirely worn out.
Get this show immediately if you've never experienced it. Because, after all, one does not simply "listen" to Fukuoka. One "lives" Fukuoka.
In other parts of the set, Walk Away is always a great cover to hear, one of Page's best vocal turns. The Back on the Train opener is an unexpected groove fest.
Amazing show that features a very patient Phish.
Anything I could say about the 2nd set has already been covered. What a hell of a show.
I bought this show back when the LivePhish series started purely because I thought it would be interesting to listen to a Phish performance from Japan. Since then it has remained my unchallenged favorite of all the shows I've seen live or heard secondhand.
The energy here is beyond special: contained but intense, measured but adventurous, and sonically slick to an otherworldly degree rarely achieved by the group even at their considerable best. *Definitely* almost as good as James Brown on a bad night.
The core of the show is the "Twist." Not only is it the Mother of All "Twists," I believe it represents the zenith of the band's achievement in collective improvisation, the pinnacle of the guys' 15+ years of musicianship and friendship at home and on the road. It may not be your favorite mood, and it may not go to your favorite places. But from a standpoint of fairly objective musicianship and craft, this "Twist" is as good as it gets. The jam, spacious without ever seeming empty and jam-packed with telepathy, serenely drifts off into the deep space of an ambient C major. The situation seems irretrievable, like going under sedation. Just when the "Ghost" motif enters and you are wondering how -- or if -- they will get back to "Twist's" native key of G, it happens almost before you can perceive it: like an electric stove eye showing the first signs of an eerie red glow, the friendly warmth of Trey's guitar carefully summons the song's main riff from the abyss and then crescendos to a jubilant, defiant snarl as the band begins to sing the final chorus. It is a stupendous feat of collective musicianship, and the jam-surrounded Stones cover that follows is a fitting compliment delivered in total solidarity.
There are many other fine experiences to be had in this show. Though there are a few minor flubs and sound problems scattered across the first set, "The Curtain" and "Cities" are among the finest renditions of those songs in the catalog; the "Llama" guitar solo is particularly fierce, marked by a heavy chase delay; and "Back On the Train" and "Also Sprach" are concise but energetic explorations of those favorites in which Trey's guitar work particularly shines with an unusually suave and polished sophistication. The whole show simply *sounds* unbelievable, largely thanks to Paul's expert mix.
When Page brings "The Squirming Coil" to a close, you can tell beyond question that he realizes he is putting the finishing touches on a real milestone in the band's personal journey and professional career. It is musically gorgeous and emotionally quite moving to hear in the context of the whole performance.
This is a show to enjoy from start to finish in peace and quiet. I have read that the small audience was transfixed and largely silent through the entire show, and I have no problem believing it.
'SOM' to close the set. 'Twist' is in it's truest form; slithering all over the place and weaving in and out of bass lumps which keep the tune balanced and in perfect harmony. The quality is solid and gives the listener a very thorough and defined listening experience. All fits on 80 minute disc!
Also- Corrini and Curtain deserve the highest praise for just setting the tone of the show...just listened to this while splitting wood outside...nice!


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MARIETTA - A Marietta City Schools employee is on leave while the possible theft of public funds is investigated.
According to a release issued by the district Thursday, Barbara Mincks, education management information system (EMIS) coordinator, "was immediately removed from the workplace and placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation of the irregularities identified by the state auditor."
The district received information Wednesday from the auditor's office indicating Mincks, who works in the district financial office, "had engaged in the manipulation and falsification of financial records in a manner suggesting that a theft of public funds had occurred," the release says.
The release did not provide any specifics about what form the alleged manipulation and falsification took, when it happened or how much money might be affected. The release says the district will not comment publicly due to the pending criminal investigation and out of respect for employees' privacy.
Additional information was not immediately available from the auditor's office Thursday afternoon.
The district reported the situation to the Marietta Police Department. Capt. Jeff Waite said an officer had been assigned to the case but it would be premature to release any other information at this time.
A call to a number listed in Mincks' name was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
The district's release says "all available measures are being taken to secure the funds of the district and ... there will be no disruption of payroll or any other services provided by the treasurer's office."


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Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is one of the most common canine hormone imbalances. This was not always the case. In recent decades, hypothyroidism diagnoses are on the rise.
In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah gives advice about how best to care for dogs that have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, as well as provides the steps you can take to ensure that your dog has the best chance of staying healthy.
After you watch the video,
click here for more information on Canine Hypothyroidism by Dr. Sarah.
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April 24. 2011 17:28
Although our dogs do not have this condition, it's good to know about it and that it can be treated. I enjoy your blog; it is always interesting and informative. Thanks!
Janet Roberts
May 27. 2011 10:51
Since research of people and animals many times go together, I have read that in people Fluoride,Chlorine, and Bromine can fit into the same receptor site Iodine should fit in, thus causing thyroid problems. Do you think that providing filtered water eliminating chlorine and reducing fluoride would help the reduce this problem? I realize unless you cook for your pet, it would be impossible to remove in commercially prepared food.
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Community group to replace old beach cottages at Camp Pendleton
cottages for injured marines
CAMP PENDLETON A group of civilians are working together to replace 24 old cottages sitting atop a bluff at Camp Pendleton overlooking the ocean near San Onofre State Beach at the northern end the base.
The first five cottages are scheduled to be completed this month for service members and their families to rent for recreation.
The cottages slated for replacement are 30 years old and were originally used as emergency trailers. They are beyond repair and without handicap accessibility, which makes them impractical for injured military members to use.
The effort spearheaded by La Jolla resident Bob Clelland, raised more than $400,000 to cover the cost of the first five cottages and $250,000 for three more yet to be built.
"The new cottages are focused on the special needs of wounded warriors," Clelland said.
The goal is to replace all 24 cottages at a cost of about $85,000 each, plus $6,000 for furnishings, bringing the total tab to roughly $2 million, which Clelland is working to raise from the community.
Clelland, a La Jolla based investment adviser and past board member of the San Diego Foundation, began the Camp Pendleton Cottages Restoration Project in 2009, after a client, Jan Wells of San Juan Capistrano, approached him about paying for one of the new cottages and asked for help raising money for the rest.
Since then Clelland has been working with a handful of volunteers and the base's Marine Corps Community Services to replace the cottages. Wells died in 2010, but her husband, Thomas Hurt, continued her efforts and serves as one of the group's volunteers.
The group is receiving donations for the project through the nonprofit Nice Guys of San Diego's Victory Fund, which provides aid to wounded Marines.
The new units are prebuilt homes installed by Hedges Construction of Valley Center and will be maintained and rented for a nominal fee through the Marine Corps Community Services. The units are mostly two bedrooms with metal roofs and composite siding.
A dedication ceremony for the first five cottages is planned for later this spring. Each cottage is dedicated with a plaque honoring the donor or a designee, such as a member of the military.
Clelland has been making presentations about the project to civic groups throughout the county. He is scheduled to speak about the project at the Camp Pendleton Rotary on April 3.
For more information on the project or to schedule a presentation, call Clelland at (858) 587-8700.


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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Both Incline soccer teams gave the visiting Wolverines all they could handle on Tuesday, but in the end neither squad could muster the offense needed to upset their Mount Rose League rivals.
Incline's girls began the evening with a 1-0 loss, while the boys dropped a 3-1 decision to first-place Truckee.
As always, the girls contest was evenly matched from the start. In the 19th minute, however, Truckee broke the scoreless tie when Marcelle Reynaud received a cross from Quinn Parker and converted for the only goal of the game.
"The girls played really well. We were right there, but they (the Wolverines) took advantage of our mistakes, and we just didn't finish," said Incline head coach Tom Canino. "But I thought both teams played well. Truckee had a good night."
The Highlanders and Wolverines each had several scoring opportunities in the second half that either sailed wide of the goal or were blocked by goalies Sarah Wright or Cassandra Sawyer. Play went back and forth much of the 80 minutes, with neither team able to maintain possession for long.
"The girls had a little bit of a hard time connecting passes, so we were scrambling most of the game," said Truckee head coach Katie Jamison. "But when the passes would connect, we were able to maintain some possession."
The Wolverines won both meetings of the regular season, taking the first game 3-2 in Truckee.
"We did a really good job," Incline senior Sophie Breider said of Tuesday's battle. "They are one of the toughest teams we'll play this season. They came out really hard, but I don't think they expected us to play as well as we did."
Incline dropped to 3-4 in Mount Rose League play and 12-6 overall, while Truckee improved to 5-0-2 in league and 17-3-2 overall.
In the boys game, Truckee scored all three of its goals off of free kicks, and even scored an own goal to account for Incline's only score.
"I thought that was a really good game," said Canino, who coaches both the Incline girls and boys. "But this season we've made a habit of giving up goals when playing Truckee. They scored all their goals off of free kicks. We don't want to give up those kinds of fouls."
Jesse Fereira opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a free-kick goal from 25 yards out. The senior lofted the ball just over the outstretched reach of Incline goalie Edwin Alamilla as the shot grazed the underside of the crossbar.
Just two minutes later, however, Truckee knocked in an own goal trying to clear the ball, tying the score at 1-1.
The Wolverines pulled ahead again with a goal in the 44th minute, this time on a penalty kick taken by Jose Sarabia, who was fouled inside the box on a breakaway. Truckee added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute when Colten Roderigue took a free kick from 30 yards that was blocked by Alamilla but followed up by Thomas Arnstein.
"We came out a little flat," said Truckee head coach Casey Eberhardt. "The own goal was unfortunate, but we were able to regroup and get two goals in the second half. In the second half we came out with urgency and wanted to win, knowing we have to win from here on out to stay in first place. But Incline is always tough, especially at home."
Incline is now 4-3 in league and 9-7-1 overall. Truckee is in first place at 6-1 in league and 20-2 overall. Truckee and Sparks split their league series, but the Wolverines own the tiebreaker based on defeating the Railroaders in the second meeting.


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BrainQuest® Car Deck
- Overview
Keep kids happily entertained while on road trips or other journeys by giving them something both fun and educational to do. Over 1,000 questions and answers in an easily portable set of cards get them thinking, wondering and learning.
- 2.5" wide x 3" deep x 8" high
- Two decks contain Q&A cards about culture, customs and the O.K Corral.
- Also featured are natural wonders and notable Americans, Benjamin Franklin to Susan B. Anthony to Dr. Seuss.
- Plus state capitals, historical milestones, geographical oddities, mythic figures.
- Ages 7 and up.
- Dimensions & Care
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
- Shipping & Return Info
This is a general shipping item.
View Our Shipping Information
Return Policy
At Pottery Barn Kids, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment; upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage. We will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value.
If your return for Merchandise Credit Cards is greater than $10,000, we will issue $10,000 in Merchandise Credit Cards to you that day, and then mail additional Merchandise Credit Card(s) for the amount in excess of $10,000 to you.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items, which are identified by a price that ends in $0.99.
For returns of items purchased from your Pottery Barn Kids registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later.
For assistance, please contact Customer Service at 800.993.4923, 7 days a week, 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST.
International Returns: Online returns are available only for items that were shipped to the United States. If you would like to return items that were shipped outside the US, please see International Returns and Exceptions.


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- Feb 12:
- Contra Costa Times editorial: Water districts should impose conservation measures now
- Oakland Tribune editorial: Water districts should impose conservation measures now
- Feb 7:
- California Drought: Desperately needed rain, courtesy of "Pineapple Express" slamming into California
- Feb 6:
- Drought doesn't mean doom for your plants
- Rain soaks Bay Area, another storm coming
- California drought: Big rain headed toward Bay Area could double dismal rainfall totals
- Feb 5:
- California drought: House water bill exposes deep partisan divide
- Feb 4:
- Fremont district urges conservation, offers water-saving program as drought persists
- Gov. Jerry Brown calls congressional Republican drought bill 'divisive'
- Roadshow: Caltrans watering less as drought continues
- Feb 3:
- North Bay homeowners slash water usage through creative conservation
- Jan 31:
- California drought: State Water Project will deliver no water this summer
- Gov. Brown says flush less as California struggles with drought
- Drought shakes off winter for perilous early spring
- Jan 30:
- Obama pledges support amid California drought
- California wine industry reports robust 2013, but worries loom about drought
- Drizzle brings hope to thirsty California but does nothing to deter drought
- Jan 29:
- Bay Area wakes up to drizzle as light rain appears for first time in more than a month
- Zone 7 Water Agency seeks 20 percent voluntary water reduction from customers
- Jan 28:
- California drought: 17 communities could run out of water within 60 to 120 days, state says
- Jan 27:
- Water oak trees if needed, but not too much
- Rain expected this week won't put dent in the drought, forecasters say
- Gold prospectors take advantage of California drought
- California drought: Bay Area water districts start asking urban residents to conserve
- Jan 26:
- After decades of payments, EBMUD may finally use its emergency water supply
- Jan 25:
- California drought: Past dry periods have lasted more than 200 years, scientists say
- Jan 23:
- Around Dublin: Do your part now to get ahead of drought
- Jan 22:
- Drought: California is a red state, if you're talking weather
- Jan 21:
- California drought: Tips for conserving water
- Jan 18:
- Snow makers rescue big Sierra resorts as drought bakes smaller ones
- Jan 17:
- Brown declares California drought emergency
- California drought: Three more months of dry weather likely, National Weather Service announces
- Jan 16:
- Drought declared a natural disaster in California, 10 other states
- Jan 14:
- Drought imperils California salmon, steelhead
- California drought: What's causing it?
- Jan 10:
- Despite California drought, chances for water bond are evaporating
- Jan 8:
- Timm Herdt: Learning to adapt to droughts
- Jan 3:
- Barnidge: California droughts aren't nearly as scary as they used to be
- Dec 29:
- California drought deepens as another year's rains stay away
The Bay Area finally got some rain on Sunday, but not nearly enough to spark hopes of a string of powerful storms swooping down from Alaska -- just like old times -- or the end of the drought.
"Winter finally arrived," said Steve Anderson, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Monterey. "But I would call this weekend's storm 'weak.' "
Although dark clouds floated above the region for most of a cold, wintry day, they dropped little water on parched parks, brown hillsides and thirsty gardens. By 5 p.m., most of the Peninsula got less than a half-inch of rain, the East Bay about a quarter-inch. San Jose registered a paltry 0.08 inch.
"It didn't quite get over the mountains for you," Anderson said.
The wettest spot was San Francisco International Airport, which got 0.85 inch of rain, even more than coastal areas.
The showers made barely a dent in the drought. San Jose now has gotten 1.76 inches of rain since July 1. The normal rainfall is 8.21 inches.
Oakland has received 2.45 inches of rain. Normally it receives 11.78 inches.
Sunday's rain followed Wednesday's light rainfall -- the first time the Bay Area had measurable rain in 53 days.
Still, as the weather service's website put it: "We're at the point of taking any precipitation we can get."
More than a few people who were out and about agreed, but nobody was fooled.
"For anyone who planted cool-season crops, this is a blessing," said Laramie Trevino, a master gardener trained by UC Santa Cruz who was in San Jose and Palo Alto on Sunday. "But we need consistent rain."
Soon after the light rain stopped in the early afternoon, Lino Costillos walked his two small dogs, Samurai and Ninja, around the city's municipal rose garden.
"I don't see the end of the drought happening," Costillos said, who added that he and his wife have already started cutting back on water use at their Rose Garden neighborhood home. "We actually haven't watered our plants in two weeks, but they'll survive."
Weather forecaster Anderson said the next few days will be cooler, with daytime temperatures in the 50s throughout the region and overnight lows ranging from 35 to 45 degrees. He said another weak storm could pass through Wednesday or Thursday and drop an equally small amount of rain. But it could easily fizzle out, too. But next weekend, he said, could bring a wetter storm.
Basically, the powerful weather formation behind the drought hasn't budged. The "Ridiculously Resilient Ridge" still rules.
That's what some meteorologists call the mass of high-pressure air that has been blocking Pacific winter storms from hitting the West Coast from Washington to Baja California.
Anderson said Sunday's storm did not take on the ridge mano a mano.
Most Pacific storms, he said, come down from Alaska over the ocean and then slam into California with full force directly from the west. The high-pressure ridge parked itself in December 2012 and continues to deflecting those storms north and toward the Midwest.
Sunday's storm "just came sliding down the coast," not carrying enough moisture or momentum to pack the punch of a respectable Pacific storm. The Sierra Nevada was barely dusted on Sunday.
In what appears to be a growing trend, another group prayed for rain Sunday. The San Juan Intertribal Council performed Native American rain dances in San Juan Bautista for the third Sunday in a row, as light fell.
The group has vowed to dance every Sunday until the rain relieves the drought. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain was recorded in the area Sunday.
Still, just as any amount of rain can be counted as a blessing these days, any amount of rain can spoil weekend plans.
The weather cut into sales at area farmers' markets, as customers were reluctant to brave the rain and 50-degree air. Vendors were left with piles of unsold produce -- and mixed feelings.
"It was kind of bad timing," said Bob Comstock, who was selling organic tofu at the Mountain View Farmers' Market.
Nearby, Marsha Habib of Hollister's Oya Organics scooped up bundles of rainbow chard and other greens left at closing time.
"We need the rain in order to have enough water to grow our crop," she said, but she hadn't anticipated the effect of the overnight storm that lingered through the morning.
"We shouldn't have harvested as much," said Habib, whose farm is named after a Yoruba weather spirit whose dancing brings on storms.
"We've been trying to get her to dance all season," Habib said.
Even though it was light in moisture, the storm was substantial enough to keep skies cloudy all day. So Punxsutawney Phil, if he had migrated west, would not have seen his shadow.
Does that predict an imminent end to our so-called winter?
Anderson wasn't buying it.
"We don't have conference calls with the ground hog," he said.
Mercury News staff writer Rick Hurd contributed to this report.
Inches of rain that fell from
5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday:
San Jose: 0.08
Gilroy: 0.05
Redwood City: 0.47
Santa Cruz: 0.43
Oakland: 0.22
Concord: 0.23
Hayward: 0.48
Santa Rosa: 0.62


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New Year's Eve Beauty and Fashion Essentials
Limited edition for the holidays, this stunning palette has everything you need for a Major Night Out. Think silver-toned shadows, kiss-me crimson lipstick and a snowy white face highlighting powder. Festive!
Giorgio Armani Moonlight White All-in-One Palette, $88, saksfifthavenue.com
Lip balm should never cost anywhere near $60, but this one gets a pass because it's so awesome. Blended with UV filters, moisturizing botanicals and plumping properties, this sheer rosy shimmer gives you a pout to make Scarlett Johansson wail with envy.
By Terry Or de Rose Baume Précieux, $59, barneys.com
Celebrity Revenge Fashion: Post-Breakup Babes


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By Josh Richman
Perhaps because of all the doom-and-gloom drought predictions, Californians today are more likely than they were a year ago to vote for an $11.1 billion bond for state water projects, the Public Policy Institute of California's latest poll finds.
The poll also found Gov. Jerry Brown's approval rating has slipped from its record high in January, but he's still beating the tar out of his Republican challengers. Results of the survey, released Wednesday night, also gauged Californians' attitudes on a wide range of other issues, including high-speed rail, marijuana legalization and the federal health care law.
"Clearly the context of the drought has caught the attention of Californians and convinced them there are some things they need to do," said PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare. "From virtually nowhere, water has now emerged as the No. 2 issue after the economy for what Californians say are the most pressing issues facing the state."
As the Legislature debates a bevy of bond proposals for the November ballot, 60 percent of adults and 50 percent of likely voters say they would approve the most expensive proposal, which most lawmakers say is too laden with pork. Last March, 44 percent of adults and 42 percent of likely voters said they would vote yes.
Asked how they would vote if the $11.1 billion price tag is cut, support rises to 69 percent of adults and 59 percent of likely voters.
Baldassare noted that 92 percent of poll respondents said they and their families have done something to reduce household water use. Even so, he said, the surge in support for the water bond is surprising.
"It's impressive that it would have that level of support, given that almost everything we hear about it coming out of Sacramento is that it's too big or there's something wrong with it," he said.
Brown's approval rating now stands at 49 percent among all adults and 52 percent among likely voters. That's down from 58 percent of adults and 60 percent of likely voters in January, but roughly the same as his levels one year ago.
"Our poll in January was taken when there was all sorts of good news about the budget and the budget surplus," Baldassare said, noting that Brown's disapproval rating hasn't risen significantly; instead, more Californians now say they don't know how Brown is handling his job. "I don't think it reflects growing disapproval of him so much as a return to the new normal of what his approval rating has been since Prop. 30 passed."
But when asked what candidate for governor they would vote for in June's primary, 47 percent of likely voters picked the Democratic governor, while 10 percent picked conservative Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly and only 2 percent each picked Republicans Neel Kashkari or Andrew Blount. Another 36 percent said they're undecided.
Baldassare said one of the poll's most telling numbers is that only 37 percent of likely primary voters are following news about the candidates very or fairly closely. By comparison, that number stood at 63 percent in March 2010, when the leading candidates for governor were Brown and Republican Meg Whitman.
Because voters just aren't tuned in to this race this year, Baldassare said, this "makes the task of running for governor for everyone but the incumbent very, very difficult."
On other issues, 53 percent of adults now favor and 42 percent oppose the state's $68 billion high-speed rail project approved by voters in 2008. Among likely voters, 45 percent favor it, while 50 percent oppose it.
The poll also found 49 percent of California adults say marijuana should be legal while 47 percent say it should be illegal. Among likely voters, 53 percent support legalization, while 44 percent oppose it.
Regarding the controversial health care law, 75 percent of uninsured Californians say they'll get insurance by the Affordable Care Act's enrollment deadline this coming Monday, while 21 percent say they'll remain uninsured. Forty-seven percent of Californians see the health care law favorably, while 45 percent see it unfavorably.
"We continue to see people very divided along party lines on their support, and many people not sure what the impact will be on them," Baldassare said.
Staff writer Tracy Seipel contributed to this report. Josh Richman covers politics. Contact him at 510-208-6428. Follow him at Twitter.com/josh_richman.
By THE NUMBERS
The Golden State remains a blue state on many issues, according to the latest Public Policy Institute of California survey:
65 percent of adults say immigrants are a benefit to the state because of their hard work and job skills, while 27 percent say immigrants are a burden because they use public services.
86 percent of adults (and 83 percent of likely voters) favor a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who wait a certain period of time, pay fines and back taxes, pass criminal background checks, and learn English. Even 72 percent of those Californians who say immigrants are a burden support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
69 percent of adults say the government should not interfere with access to abortion, while 26 percent say government should pass more laws restricting its availability.
55 percent of adults say stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost, while 38 percent say this type of regulation costs too many jobs and hurts the economy.
56 percent of adults say the government does not do enough to regulate access to guns, while 37 percent say the government goes too far in restricting citizens' gun rights.
50 percent of adults say the state and local tax system is at least moderately fair, but in a separate question, a record-high 60 percent say they pay at least somewhat more than they should.
63 percent of adults favor raising the top income tax rate paid by the wealthiest Californians, and 51 percent favor raising taxes for California corporations.
73 percent of adults say the gap between the rich and the poor in the nation is getting larger, while 21 percent say it remains the same and 3 percent say it's getting smaller.
52 percent of California adults and 49 percent of likely voters approve of President Barack Obama's job performance, which is close to his record lows reached in December.
The PPIC surveyed 1,702 California adults March 11-18. Margins of error: plus or minus 3.6 percentage points for all adults; plus or minus 4.5 percentage points for likely voters.
Source: Public Policy Institute of California


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Tailor made for those wishing to travel the Contiki way but at a slightly more relaxed pace. Three nights in Paris gives you plenty of time for a day trip to Versailles or Euro Disney as well as the requisite shopping on the Champs-Élysées and museum visits. Make your way down through Italy via Spain and the French Riviera, chill for a few nights on the Greek island of Corfu before you really slip in to relaxation mode with your Greek island adventure around some amazing Cycladic islands: Ios, Paros and Santorini. Please note: This version of the tour spends 2 nights in Athens.
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Itinerary + Inclusions & ME Time Optionals
ME Time Optionals
ME Time optionals will take your trip to a whole new level with unforgettable experiences unique to the places you visit. See more, do more, live more & go home completely regret-free. Costs for these aren't included in your tour cost & are payable to your Trip Manager in local currency.
On our trips we don't just take you to the destinations, we make sure you get under the skin of every place you visit. From amazing food & accommodation, to exclusive access to incredible experiences, with Contiki you'll get unbeatable value & a completely unique travel experience.
Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers for your Kickstart meeting this evening. Afterwards why not grab some dinner at one of the local restaurants or take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden
Meet up with your Contiki team before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. We travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme, to Paris.
Then we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. We travel via World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme to Paris.
After dinner we will depart for the 'Tour of Illuminations', where the French capital transforms into the "City of Lights". Lamp-lit bridges and cool little cafés give us a real taste of Paris' romance. Your Trip Manager will fill you in on the world's most recognised monuments, like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. If you're adventurous, get right into French culture and try out France's national delicacy – escargot! You'll also get to toast the start of your tour with French Champagne.
- See the White Cliffs of Dover
- xclusive 'Paris by Night' sightseeing tour with Champagne & escargot
- See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral
This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues and diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods).
Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank, step into the Notre Dame Cathedral or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre and get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. Try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris' many green spaces.
Time in Paris includes a trip out to France's most well-known château: Versailles, once home to 'the Sun King' Louis XIV, and hot spot of the French Revolution. Check out the impressive exterior of this extravagant palace. Then there's an opportunity to explore the former royal family's luxurious living quarters.
Treat yourself to a real Parisian night out, starting with an optional dinner in an atmospheric restaruant, where you can get to know your group. Then sign up for an authentic cabaret experience, complete with can-can girls and Champagne.
- See Château Versailles (entrance not included)
- Paris Farewell Dinner Euro 36.00
- Nouvelle Eve cabaret show Euro 80.00
Southbound, we continue on through Burgundy's wine country to Beaujolais' green hills and vineyards.
Our team will make you feel right at home in Contiki's very own 16th century Château. There's a wine tasting within the Château's working winery, where our resident expert will teach you about Beaujolais wine as you swirl and sip on wines made in the area for centuries.
- Special Stopover: Contiki's French Château
- Wine tasting at Contiki's Château
- See Chablis, Burgundy & Beaujolais vineyards
There's loads of time to catch up on some sleep, laze about the Château or position yourself poolside. Explore the French countryside with a walk through the vineyards and picnic in the hills above the Château. In the afternoon, get a feel for a real French country town and head into nearby Thiezé.
- Special Stopover: Contiki's French Château
- Picnic in the French countryside
Today, we head south through the rugged and dramatic scenery of the Pyrénées mountains, over the border into Barcelona.
A sizzling, festive capital any night of the week, Barcelona is all about action. In Spain fiesta time starts late, so settle in at one of Barcelona's many outdoor squares to enjoy a glass of sangria and nibble on tapas (plate-sized snacks), before a fun night out exploring the city's nightlife with your new friends.
First stop: Montjuic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it's where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Afterwards, get a look into Spanish architect Gaudi's wild imagination with his Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Família church. Your Trip Manager walks you through the cobbled lanes of Barcelona's oldest district, the Gothic Quarter.
There's free time to discover more of Barcelona's creative core. Pick up some quirky buys in the side streets or hit the big label shops on Plaça de Catalunya. Take in all of Barcelona's buzzing street life on the tree-lined La Rambla – a boulevard packed with street performers, artists, shops and stalls.
Other ideas for your afternoon off include hanging out in the colourful gardens of Parc Güell or kicking back with the locals on the beach and taking a swim in the Mediterranean sea. For lunch, there's plenty of delicious local seafood to try as well as Spain's signature dish, paella.
Wrap up your time in this hot city with an optional flamenco dance show for a closer look into Spanish culture. Get some tips on regional food from your Trip Manager and head to one of the excellent local restaurants to try out the flavours of Catalan cuisine, like crema catalana (caramalised custard), cargos a la llauna (cooked snails) and the fantastic Rioja wine! Afterward, hit the pumping clubs of Port Olympico, by the water.
- See Gaudi's Sagrada Família & the 1992 Olympic Games complex
- Walking tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
- Flamenco evening show Euro 30.00
Unwind on the coach and take in the rustic beauty of Provence, known for its pretty landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs. A stop for lunch in Arles means a look at the ancient Roman Arena and at a typical provincial French town.
It's back on the road to the rugged coast line of the stunning Côte d'Azur. Follow the beautiful sapphire waters past the movie-star glamour of Cannes (famous for its annual film festival), to your hotel.
- Visit the historic city of Arles
- Scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur
In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region's produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine.
Window shop the chic boutiques or choose a beach and catch some sun among all the bronzed bodies!
Tonight get a taste of the high life in Monaco, the glamorous principality packed into just 1.92km2 and home to the Formula 1. Get the inside story on the royal family and their place of residence from your Trip Manager. Try your luck at a casino later on!
- See the Royal Palace in Monaco
- Rub shoulders with the rich & famous with a visit to a Monte Carlo casino
Au revoir France, it's all about saying 'Ciao' in Italian as we head into the famous canals & gondolas of floating Venice.
- Visit a French perfumery
Venice is packed with character - crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.
The group travels on our private boat through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city's historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the Gothic arches of the Doge's Palace and the expanse of St. Mark's Square (pigeons and all!) show off Venice's unique beauty and way of life.
Take some time to explore the floating city and lose yourself in the backstreets. There's an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets with our Local Guide. You'll see historic monuments, hidden treasures and the Rialto market - a local favourite for food shopping.
Maybe grab a table on St. Mark's Square and eat some delicious Italian food al fresco.
Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride & share this amazing experience with your friends - seeing Venice from on the water is unforgettable!
- Private boat through the canals & islands of Venice
- See the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square
- See Venice's iconic canals & gondolas
- Gondola ride Euro 22.00
- Hidden Venice and Aperitivo Euro 17.00
Wind through the Apennine Mountains and Tuscan countryside to the Renaissance city of Florence, with a stop at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The scene-stealing Duomo Cathedral rises above Florence, which serves up frescoes, markets and priceless art. After dinner, walk along the River Arno with your Tour Manager, take in the atmosphere and head into the heart of Florence, where you can sit back and relax Tuscan style with a glass of Chianti wine.
- See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum and its UNESCO World Heritage city centre.
Our Local Guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence's cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo. Then take a look into a skillful demonstration of Florentine leather making and understand this region's traditional art.
With bargains and bustle, the city's markets are a great place to hang out. Grab a gelato and enjoy this gorgeous city.
Tonight, there's a choice of a group dinner - an authentic Tuscan feast. Try regional dishes in the heart of Florence. Then keep it moving with a night out and get your groove on at Florence's biggest club.
- Discover the Secrets of Michelangelo's Florence – see where his David was gifted to the Florentines, Ponte Vecchio, the Medici Palace & much more on our locally guided walking tour of Florence
- See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria
- Learn about Florence's leather craft with a demonstration
- Souvenir group photo Euro 11.00
- Tuscan Meal Euro 22.00
- Space Disco Euro 16.00
Travel through Tuscany's rustic hills, past the recognisable cypress tree landscapes of this olive oil producing region, to vibrant Rome.
Stylish Rome oozes energy and overflows with relics from another age. Our special access coach tour gets you right into the thriving atmosphere of this living timeline as your Trip Manager shows you the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. Continue on foot to check out the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Honour tradition at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in the fountain's waters (it's meant to improve your chances of returning to Rome!) or maybe hang out with your new friends at the Spanish Steps, sit back with a few slices of pizza and people watch.
- Special access Rome sightseeing coach tour
- See the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona
- See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
This morning, make the most of our Local Guide's inside knowledge with an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Then check out Rome's imperial glory by visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Take off into the city and absorb the atmosphere, as Vespas flash past timeworn monuments that are surrounded by fountains, pizzerias, cafés and bars. Before you hit the shops, let your Trip Manager point you in the right direction with some tips on the best buys.
In your free time, live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, like the Romans do.
- Vatican Tour Euro 34.00
Pass gritty Naples, see Mt Vesuvius and plunge into Pompeii's well-preserved past in an interesting optional excursion and retrace ancient history with our expert Local Guide.
Then there's time to chill out on the coach, crossing through the rugged landscapes of southern Italy, before boarding the overnight ferry to Greece in Brindisi. Check out the amazing 360 degree views from the deck!
- See Mt. Vesuvius
- Pompeii Guided Walking Tour Euro 22.00
Corfu is all that's great about Greek island living. You'll immediately find yourself on "local time", browsing the markets of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town and bargaining with the laid-back locals.
Jump on board Captains cruise of Corfu optional with a bunch friends for a fun day out on the water. It will give you another angle on idyllic Corfu. Work up an appetite swimming in the secluded spots and then feast on a lunch of olives, salad, cheeses, fresh bread and dips – prepared with ingredients from the Captain's back yard.
Corfu also gives you the chance to dive into action with a selection of water sports, like parasailing, banana-boating and waterskiing. Otherwise hire a car for a deeper look into Corfu and venture across the island to explore some beautiful, remote beaches.
While you're here, there's a fun toga theme party – don't worry, we'll supply the outfit!
- See the Venetian fortress in Corfu's old town
- Captains Cruise of Corfu Euro 40.00
- Ionian Dinner Experience Euro 33.00
- Water sports From Euro 10.00 - 35.00
- Car Hire Euro 65 - 200
- Tour t-shirts From Euro 18.00 - 28.00
From Corfu, head to the mainland and travel to the impressive, man-made Corinth Canal.
Athens is next, a city crammed with myth and ancient historical sites, and busy with modern, urban soul. Wrap up the day by heading to the traditional quarter of Plaka, set on the shady slopes beneath the Acropolis, where tavernas spill out onto the pavements. Or else, check out Athens' up-and-coming district of Psiri, buzzing with trendy bars and clubs.
- See the Corinth Canal
- A Traditional Athens Affair Euro 39.00
This morning take a step back in time in Europe's oldest city to the birthplace of democracy. Get the run down on the Parthenon and the Acropolis from our Local Guide, as you wander around the marble columns perched above the city sprawl. Then we check out the first modern Olympic Stadium from the 1896 Games. Later today, bid a final farewell to your fellow travellers as your London to Athens tour ends with a transfer to your hotel to begin the Greek Island Adventurer leg of your tour.
- Learn about the birthplace of modern society on a guided tour of Athens & the Acropolis
- See the first modern Olympic Stadium
Hop on board a ferry in the morning & head to the ultra chilled island of Paros, with its traditional Greek vibes, cool beaches & cute fishing villages. Hit the beach, shop or wander around Parikia & the old Venetian fortress. Later, hit up Parikia by night!
Spend the day relaxing on island time. There's the option of a cruise on a typical Greek boat, a Caique, to some of the gorgeous nearby islands & beaches for a spot of swimming & relaxing away from the town.
There are loads of other options here too, you could also go exploring on Antiparos island or simply chill on one of Paros' three main beaches as you relax & soak up the rays.
There's also plenty of shops to keep the keenest of shoppers entertained, or pick up some cute souvenirs to take home.
We give you the chance to head to Naoussa with your Trip Manager who'll give you the run down on this cute town. This spot is one of the most charismatic villages in the Cyclades. Built like an amphitheatre around a tiny picturesque port where colourful fishing boats are moored, the town is located in close proximity to the remains of a Venetian castle, which you'll learn about here. In the evening is the best time to explore, it's perfect for capturing some snaps to take home.
There's plenty of places to eat, so head to a local restaurant for a tasty meal, or if you're up for another night out ask your Trip Manager for some tips on where to head to experience how the people of Paros party by night.
- Evening trip to charming & charismatic Naoussa
- Paros Island Sailing Adventure Euro 49.00
- The Perfect Paros Platter Euro 30.00
Today: change islands and it's a total change of scene. Santorini will make your jaw drop with its stunning natural beauty – the result of a massive volcanic eruption. From the water, look up at the iconic blue–domed, whitewashed churches.
Once we're back on land, take in the fantastic views of the neighbouring volcanic islands.
- Sunset in Oia Euro 28.00
Wake up to another day in iconic Santorini. Take advantage of our return transfers to the famous Perissa Beach. Considered a must-visit, this spot is famous for its unusual black sand, the result of the island's volcanic landscape & sheltered environment. With its crystal blue water, it's the perfect way to relax, swim & chill. The area is dotted with little tavernas & beach bars so taking a break from the beach here is a must.
For those that love to explore you could hitch a ride on a donkey or take a cable car up to the cliff-top town of Fira, or visit Oia to see the island's submerged volcano.
- Soak up on the sun on day trip to Perissa, Santorini's largest black sand beach
- See the spectacular volcanic islands surrounding Santorini
- Afternoon trip to Fira
- Santorini Highlights & Volcano Cruise Euro 47.00
After free time this morning, we cruise on to Ios. Relax on the boat and hang out with the group.
Peaceful by day, pumping by night, Ios is the ultimate party destination.
Relax on sandy beaches or lounge about poolside before a big night out, when Ios' villages come alive. Head to the small streets of Hora, packed with clubs, bars and pubs and let loose to the pumping tunes. Otherwise, join the outdoor party in the squares and lanes. If you're keen, you can keep it moving until dawn!
- Visit Ios town
- Sailing Spectacular Euro 40.00
Wave goodbye to Ios and the Cycladic Islands as we set sail back to mainland Greece and spend a final evening together in the mythological city of Athens.
The tour ends after check-out & it's time to say farewell to your new travel buddies.
Ready to book?


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SAN JOSE -- Dan Boyle looked across the Sharks locker room Saturday morning at the vacant cubicle where Bracken Kearns soon would be peeling off his gear at the end of practice.
"You hear of guys that play for a couple hundred games, but 600 -- that's a lot of years down there," the Sharks defenseman said in admiration of Kearns' perseverance. "From a guy that had his own struggles getting into the NHL, it's just amazing to see somebody get rewarded for so many years of effort and sacrifice."
Kearns, whose minor league resume shows 593 regular-season and 31 playoff games, might be the NHL's feel-good story of the moment.
After years in the lineup of teams such as the Rockford Ice Hogs and Norfolk Admirals, Kearns scored his first NHL goal this week at age 32. Then he notched two more in his next two games for good measure.
Throughout all those long bus rides in the minors -- Kearns can recall one playoff series where the teams traveled the 530 miles between Toledo, Ohio, and Gwinnett, Ga., by land -- he never lost the dream of playing in the NHL.
"Maybe when I was younger -- 18 or 19 when guys were getting drafted," Kearns said. "But not since I've turned pro. I just think I've slowly gotten better each and every year."
Kearns might have been genetically predisposed toward the NHL as the son of veteran Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dennis Kearns, who retired in 1981 after 677 NHL games.
The Sharks forward was born that same year, so he never saw his father play. But he does have childhood memories of going to NHL games at the Pacific Coliseum with him.
"We were just able to walk in -- my dad had an ID or whatever," Kearns said. "We'd go and watch one or two periods and then head out."
There was also access to locker rooms, where his father could see former teammates and old friends in the visitors' room such as Wayne Cashman, then an assistant coach with the New York Rangers.
"My dad was my hero and still is. I felt really special back then, being able to do that," said Kearns, who can relate when he sees teammates such as Patrick Marleau bringing their kids into the locker room now.
Golf, however, became a higher priority for Kearns as a teenager, and that meant junior hockey wasn't an option. That led him to the University of Calgary.
There he returned to hockey, playing four years before graduating in 2005 with an economics degree and a license to sell securities. With no NHL teams showing interest, Kearns signed with the Toledo Storm of the ECHL and felt lucky to be there.
"For me," Kearns said, "I wanted to be close to the AHL teams in case there was a chance to get a call-up."
There was a chance that first season, and it involved San Jose. The Sharks gave Kearns a one-game look with their development team, then in nearby Cleveland. He remembers two things from that unsuccessful tryout: meeting his future Worcester Sharks coach, Roy Sommer, and being dropped off afterward at an Ohio Turnpike exit where a friend took him the rest of the way home.
Kearns played four more years in the minors before catching on with the Phoenix Coyotes organization in July 2010. A year later he hooked on with the Florida Panthers, and it was there he played in his first NHL game at age 30 on Oct. 20, 2011.
Five games later, he was back in the minors.
The Sharks signed Kearns in July 2012 but called him up for only one game during the lockout season, a March 5 contest in Vancouver. Later, with the Sharks dealing with injuries and the Raffi Torres suspension in the playoffs, Kearns saw action in all seven games of the second-round series with the Los Angeles Kings.
That, Kearns said, gave him the confidence he brought with him on this call-up from Worcester, where his 18 points tie him for the scoring lead.
Kearns didn't wait for NHL recognition to start his own family. He and his wife, Julie -- a video of his proposal is on the Internet -- have an 8-month-old daughter, London, as well as Franc and Beans, a French bulldog and a mixed breed rescue from their time in Texas.
His father has yet to see him play in the NHL in person, having been in Southern California when his son played in Vancouver. That doesn't make him any less proud.
"We still have chills," Dennis Kearns, 68, said. "We're all very excited and happy for him."
For more on the Sharks, see David Pollak's Working the Corners blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/PollakOnSharks.
Saturday's game
Sharks (26-9-6) at Colorado (25-11-4), noon, CSNCA


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I'm happy to announce the release of my first ebook, Meta Valuables.
Meta Valuables is a 45 page look into the world of meta data, the extra bits of information that WordPress let's us tack onto posts, pages, and users. The book is filled with code samples and real-world examples which will leave you with a better understanding of how to manipulate meta data in every WordPress project you tackle.
The ebook is available for as little as $2, with name your pricing for anyone feeling generous. For your donation, you'll get a DRM-free PDF file (both at the time of purchase and emailed to you as a backup), along with a TXT file for good measure.
These lessons are meant for the learning WordPress developer, someone familiar with editing template files, basic PHP functions, the template hierarchy, etc. You'll need a test or local install to follow along in code, but don't let that scare you. Getting dirty with your WordPress templates is something every developer should look forward to.


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ALAMEDA -- Day 3 of the NFL draft found Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie giving the green light Saturday to the selection of five defensive players with red flags.
In a sense it's unavoidable since players drafted from the fourth through the seventh rounds are going to have issues.
So it's not surprising that a team that espouses a philosophy of bringing in no-nonsense players with a capacity to work hard, be professional and avoid drama would be willing to overlook some past transgressions and physical problems to get bigger, stronger and faster.
McKenzie felt the Raiders achieved those qualities by adding defensive tackle Justin Ellis of Louisiana Tech (fourth round, No. 107 overall), cornerback Keith McGill of Utah (fourth round, No. 116), cornerback T.J. Carrie of Ohio and De La Salle High (seventh round, No. 219), defensive end Shelby Harris of Northern Illinois (seventh round, No. 235) and safety Jonathan Dowling (seventh round, No. 247).
"We wanted to be more physical, because we feel that's the Raider way," McKenzie said.
Ellis played at Louisiana Tech weighing as much as 390 pounds, got down to 334 for the scouting combine and said he is currently at 346. He is expected to contribute on a rotational basis with tackles Pat Sims, Antonio Smith and Stacy McGee as a block-eating run-stopper.
"I'm a big guy, naturally, and I gain weight easily,'' Ellis said in a conference call. "But I also lose weight easily too, so my weight fluctuates. I haven't lost control of it.''
Said McKenzie: "These guys are young 22-year-olds. He's not going to go around eating salads all day. He'll get in a nutrition plan and he'll be fine.''
McGill (6-3, 211) missed a full season and parts of another at Utah with a shoulder injury and during the rehab process was arrested for DUI and receiving stolen property. He rebounded with an All-Pac-12 senior year in a conference with a lot of good wide receivers.
"I've been trying to stay clean and show everybody that was the past,'' McGill said. "There comes a point of time in life where you make a decision to become a man or remain a boy and that's what I did before the 2013 season.''
A rangy corner in the Richard Sherman mold, McGill will compete with veteran free agent signees Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers and second-year player DJ Hayden.
Carrie's career at Ohio included missing all of 2009 following hip surgery and a medical redshirt year in 2012 with a broken shoulder. He missed the combine because of a knee injury. He led the Mid-American conference with a 12.7 average returning punts, and the Raiders also like his size (6-foot, 212) and potential at cornerback.
The Antioch native said he felt he alleviated the Raiders' fears with a solid pro day workout.
"He's probably a better player than where we drafted him, and he was rehabbing from an offseason injury,'' McKenzie said. "He's ready to go. He passed our physical.''
Harris didn't play in 2013, dismissed from Illinois State for conduct detrimental to the team. In 2012, Harris started 13 games and was an all-Missouri Valley Football Conference, recording 85 tackles, seven sacks and 16 tackles for losses.
A defensive tackle in college, Harris projects as a 6-foot-2, 288-pound end with the Raiders.
He said he appreciated Raiders area scout Trey Scott talking to him ``like a man'' and called his suspension ``heartbreaking'' but declined to go into details.
"I'm just going to say I made some mistakes and I've moved on,'' Harris said. "I've grown from them. In the end, it's made me a better person and made me who I am today.''
Dowling had a solid career at Western Kentucky as a safety after transferring from Florida after being dismissed from the team as a freshman because of a dispute with his freshman coach.
In assessing players with off-the-field issues, McKenzie said that aside from skill and effort, he looks for remorse.
"You come away saying, 'I am going to give him a chance,' or, 'I'm not,' '' McKenzie said. "That's why we made that decision on a couple of guys today.''
The Raiders as a matter of policy don't release names until contracts are signed but McKenzie said of the son of former Raider George Atkinson, "He'd better not renege.''


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A stomach virus swept through Brush Creek Elementary School in Eagle last week, prompting many families to keep kids at home and requiring the school to send home several sick kids.
According to Eagle County Schools Communications Director Dan Dougherty, the virus hit its peak last week and now appears to have run its course.
"Last Friday they had about 70 children call in sick. During the course of the day, another 50 or so were sent home. Some showed specific signs of the flu, vomiting, others were showing early signs of feeling bad and were sent home out of an abundance of caution," said Dougherty. "This past week, Anne (Heckman, BCES principal) indicated only a handful of students were out due to illness, but there has been some resurgence in families where one child had it over the weekend and a second child came down with it this past week.
Dougherty said that parents have reported back that the illness was like a 24-hour stomach flu - 12 hours of misery followed by 12 hours of fatigue.
In response to the outbreak, Heckman reported that the school took extra pains with its cleaning routine. An outside crew came in to sanitize the entire building and stock each room with an approved sanitizing solution.
"Teachers and custodial staff frequently sanitized highly touched surfaces like door handles. Everyone in the building washed their hands more frequently throughout the day," Dougherty said.


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I am playing with pms for quite a while on linux (headless) with a ps3 now. Great software. Thankyou !!!
I had some trouble when using the #--TRANSCODE--# option for mkv and m4v files.
a) when transcoding m4v audio tracks a subsequent mencoder call has an off-by-one error on the mencoder "-aid" option. The selected audio track is always one too high.
b) the same works fine with mkv files, but here the ps3 shows all audio tracks as "english".
I am not really deep into the code, so I am at a loss with finding a fix for the moment. Just wanted to bring it up.
It really would be great if somebody could fix this.
Please tell me If I can help with more information on that issue.