text:
In Their Own Words – Tea for Two
This "In Their Own Words," is written by Alysia Butler of Hopedale, Mass.
I'm sitting on the floor of our toy room watching my son.
He's at our Fisher Price toy kitchen, pretending to turn on the water and wash his hands.
He fills up a cup from the pretend blender and hands it to me, pushing it towards my mouth so I'll pretend to drink from it.
I take a sip, say "that was delicious!", and hand it back to him.
With a smile, he pretends to wash the cup in the toy sink and puts it away.
He picks up the toy phone from its pretend cradle on top of the kitchen, and babbles into it (sounds vaguely like "Hello? Small cheese pizza with a side of garlic bread? Bye!)
I smile. He turns to me and laughs. He grabs a plate from inside the toy refrigerator, takes a spoon, and hands it to me. "Eat!", he says.
I know enough to recognize what this all is now. This is pretend play.
But it's not from my four year old.
It's my 22 month old.
And it's making me very sad.
My four year old never did this at 22 months. He didn't do it at two years old, or even at three years old. Just now, after a year of special services through his school, are we seeing this type of pretend play.
I'm trying hard to stay in the moment – to sit and laugh and eat my pretend food like a good mother should. I should be celebrating the fact that my youngest is meeting all his milestones. He's finally starting to talk in a way that doesn't sound like he's underwater. In almost every way, he's right where he's supposed to be.
But all I can do is think how different that has been for my 4 year old.
My 22 month old plays better, eats better, holds a spoon and fork and crayon better and sleeps better than my 4 year old. For goodness sake, they are only three pounds apart, even though two and a half years separate them. And it worries me. For both of them. What will happen when they are both older and the distance between their skills becomes more noticeable – more obvious – to the outside world and to each other?
I'm snapped out of my sadness by a sudden hug from my 22 month old. A real hug. A "thank you for playing with me Mom" hug. I hug back and ask for more pretend juice.
My four year old spots us playing and comes running into the room. "Can I have a tea party, too?"
I make room for him in front of the tiny pretend kitchen and he gets himself a cup. He asks his baby brother to pour him some juice from the pretend blender and they both pretend to have a drink. They giggle and I have to laugh too.
They are pretend playing together. And I realize that I have to stop comparing my kids. All three boys will do their own things in their own time. One may be reading chapter books at age six, one may be able to name every single Hot Wheels car in our house, and one may be able to sing along with Lady Gaga. It doesn't matter how long it took my four year old to get to this tea party. Every milestone and every step, he'll be a bit behind where he's supposed to be. But he's here now. That's what my focus needs to be.
In my house, there can't be any supposed to be anymore. Just where we are now.
Back to my tea party. Because my pretend tea is getting cold.
"In Their Own Words" is a series within the Autism Speaks blog which shares the voices of people who have autism, as well as their loved ones. If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to firstname.lastname@example.com. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
September 8, 2010 at 9:23 am
I have twins, both with autism, but they are on very different ends of the spectrum. I know what you mean about comparing and worrying. As the mom, you also worry about how the difference will be noticed by the outside world, and how the children themselves will care about their different levels. My boys are five, and every once in a while, Johnny will ask me why I have to put Mikey's shoes on for him, why he won't do it himself, or why Mikey can't write his name… but it doesn't do to dwell and be sad, does it? (Not that it doesn't stop me from dwelling and being sad) Our tea will get cold, and we don't want to spoil the party :) As the mom, we need to make sure they enjoy every sip. Thank you for story – it helps more than you know :)
September 8, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I have a 10 year old nephew that is more into playing with my 4yr old son than my 10 year old daughter. He is one of the most intelligent person I know. For any age. I realize there are different levels of autism. He is a joy in my life. My sister works so hard to raise him 'correctly' but struggles so much. Thank you for sharing your story. It is so refreshing to have so many ppl share their stories about autism. Gives the rest of us hope. Praying for a cure, Julie
September 8, 2010 at 2:25 pm
This entry choked me up- My 2 1/2 year old is autistic, and my 13 month old is not. It's so hard for me to watch my youngest meet all his milestones, like you said, and not see my oldest even close (he's nowhere near pretend play yet!). I feel guilty because I should be excited for my 13 month old who is starting to babble some words, but instead my heart hurts for my 2 1/2 year old who has endured 7 months of speech and occupational therapies and is barely saying "hi." I love how you said "there can't be any 'supposed-to-be' anymore." It really makes sense to me, and I think I need to realize that more often here in our house too.
September 8, 2010 at 2:46 pm
((hug)) Been there, done that. My boys are four years apart and my youngest it feels like is learning things at lightening speed. For me it has been more like being SOOO grateful that Ben is doing what he's suppose to do, and every typical thing he does is just amazing to me, how they "just do it". And I marvel at the fact that my older boy who's 6 can count by fours with no trouble-I can't even do that. It took a while for me too, to be joyous of all the blessings floating around my house, even if some of the "talents" come with a price. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me that it doesn't matter how long it took to learn a skill just that he did :)
September 8, 2010 at 2:46 pm
The littlest ones don't know the "supposed to be's" yet and will help the older ones just when they need it the most. My 15 yr old son with high functioning autism has 1 older and 3 younger siblings and they all contributed in profound ways without even knowing it. Vocabulary, social skills, imagining, gesturing, turn taking, the list goes on and on. If a school system ever suggests an autism only room, politely decline!! Keep up the good fight!
September 8, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I have watched my grandchildren pass my sons in milestones. I have watched my granddaughter, who was 3 years old at the time, take hold of her 16 year old uncle's hand to lead him to the dinner table because he is not processing the information. I also have a precious picture of my grandson, who was 2 or 3years old at the time, standing with a latex glove on one hand and an adult diaper in the other, helping me change his 22 year old uncle's diaper. It just is what it is. My grandchildren adore their uncles and my sons adore their nieces and nephews–one or two at a time.
September 8, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Be faithful & believe no 2 things/ppl are the same even if they look the same…stay focused & be reassured that all the differences will make your life much more interesting… :)
September 8, 2010 at 4:57 pm
"In my house, there can't be any supposed to be anymore. Just where we are now."
I love that! I try to have that philosophy as well. My kids are 12 and 4, with the 4 yr old being autistic. The way I look at it, with my 12 yr old I was so excited for him to hit each milestone (and he hit a lot of them early and fast) I felt like it went by so quickly. With my 4 yr old it is taking longer to hit those same milestones but I appreciate them more and have time to savor each moment a little longer. She has things that she excels at earlier than other kids as well.
September 8, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Love this Blog!
September 9, 2010 at 10:40 am
Hi Alysia, I am from Massachusetts, too. I want to send you good tidings and to share with you that your situation may be better than you think. I saw those differences in my children, also 2 years apart in age – the older having Autism (boy/girl). The most magical part of that scenario is they behaved like twins for most of their younger years, which meant they reached numerous milestones together. Sometimes the younger outperformed the older, sometimes the other way around, but they are very close, very caring friends to one another. The result is that my son feels supported and confident because of his sister, and his sister is very caring and understanding because of her brother. Now they are 9 and 7 and have each come into their own. I pray your experience is as sweet and that you will look back (as I do now) and find the blessing underneath the challeges. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Words-4-Autism/323956325331?ref=ts
September 9, 2010 at 1:13 pm
We have two sons with Autism, but one more profound than the other. Two years apart, I too did a double-take when the younger began what appeared to be out-performing his brother.
I think you're on track to focus on the children as individuals. Even typically developing children reach milestones at different ends of the "normal" spectrum. Celebrate each achievement for what it is and don't look around for validation. This is one of those cases where the situation is what you make of it.
Hugs and good wishes.
September 10, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I am a grandmother who has taken care of my grandson pretty much since the day he was born. He was finally diagnosed after 4 long years. Ad/hd autism spectrum disorder..I need not tell you how tiring tbe days can be for the two of us. The family has known for a very long time that Evan is different..he eats tbe same food day in and day out. Watches the sane shows every day. And unfortunetly tho we have tried to potty train him nothing we do has worked. He's 6 now weighs 106 pounds and only 4ft 5 inches tall. And the best thing to ever happen to me! He is smart and tries si very hard to do the things he should every day…he has taught me courage I never knew I had. I learn from this little person every day. I thank you ladies for sharing your lives and look forward to learning from you as well…hang in there you are doing a great job !


text:
Share Photo
FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2012, file photo, South Korean rapper PSY, who sings the popular "Gangnam Style" song, answers reporters' question during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea. In Google's 12th annual roundup of trending searches, PSY's "Gangnam Style" music video trotted into second spot in 2012, a testament to his self-deprecating giddy-up dance move. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Men's Nike Tailwind Dri-FIT Touch Singlet Running Tank
Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store
With warmer weather finally taking hold, outdoor runs are definitely on the menu. Suit up for maximum ventilation and comfort in the Nike Tailwind Dri-FIT Touch Singlet Running Tank
An ultra-light tank that will keep you cool and dry as you rack up the miles, the Nike Tailwind Singlet is made of mesh fabric and features laser-cut perforations under the arms for built-in ventilation. Go the distance without sacrificing comfort with this tank, which features a scoop neck and wide armholes for a fit that doesn't restrict movement. A reflective loop at the upper back not only keeps media-player cords under wraps, but also helps to get you noticed in low-light situations.
Hit the track, road or trails in ultimate comfort in the performance-ready Nike Tailwind Singlet.
- FABRIC: 86% polyester, 14% spandex Dri-FIT
- FIT: Loose
- CARE: Machine wash


text:
Investing in real estate can seem complicated, expensive, and risky. Truth is, even the average small investor can do it. Here's what you need to know.
Recessions seem like they're just doom-and-gloom, but they can also be a great time to implement your wealth-building strategy.
Top 10 real estate tax write-offs for landlords and real estate investors.
Can debt possibly be a good thing? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But carrying debt that enables you to earn money is a concept called Leveraging, and can be v
Become a fan
Follow us
Enter your email address to subscribe:


text: Originally commissioned by the Indianapolis Irish Festival and produced in 2006, we are re-presenting this classic collection of Irish folktales for our local schools and the Marian community. The play has been adapted for three actors and will tour local schools in April, 2014. Magical creatures and common sense folks will star in four stories reimagined for the stage, including The Piper's Daughter, The Three Questions, The Man Who Knew No Stories, and, of course, The Wit of the Leprechaun. Through storytelling, dance, music, and props, we hope to entertain, educate and even inspire our audiences, young and old alike.


text:
Is the Market Ready for These Fundamentals?
The hot-stock boys really better hope Bernanke does his Gentle Ben routine next week.
Keeping track of the fundamentals is a thankless task these days. The stimulus policies of the Federal Reserve and the world's other major central banks have rendered most of what passes for fundamental news and analysis moot. Weak earnings, weak wage growth, weak job growth, weak earnings growth – none of it has matter to a market that has a Pavlovian attachment to central banker pronouncements.
The last three weeks have been a cold cup of water in Mr. Market's face. The weakening global trends have affected everything from IBM sales in China to the price of coffee in New Jersey. If traders can no longer reliably count on easy-money policies from the world's central banks to boost asset prices, they will be forced to fall back on fundamentals. They will not like what they see.
Earnings growth for the S&P 500 companies has been languid the past several quarters, and sales growth has been worse. The second quarter comes to an end in a little more than two weeks, and a number of companies have already started previewing what quarterly numbers will look like. The advance peak isn't pretty. Of the 110 companies that have provided forecasts, according to S&P Capital IQ, 79 have been "negative," with 18 positive and 13 in-line. That works out to a ratio of 4.4 negative-to-positive, well above the 10-year average of 2.1.
Profit growth for the second-quarter is seen around 3.5%, according to S&P; that's down from an estimate of 15% back on July 2. Sales growth is seen contracting 1%, according to the firm. "If you are hoping for 3-4% revenue growth – the kind that allows profit margins to expand – you'll have to wait until 2014, at least according to Wall Street analysts," wrote Nicholas Colas, the chief market strategist at ConvergEx Group.
The economy continues to languish, here and abroad. After yesterday's chipper retail sales data for May, the research shop Macroeconomic Advisers raised its second-quarter GDP estimate…to 1.3%, from 1.2%. That's within what's euphemistically called "stall speed" for the economy.
There have been some signs of strength, BofA Merrill Lynch Chief Economist Ethan Harris said, namely housing and the labor market. "Unfortunately, the rest of the economy remains weak." After a surge in 2012, auto sales have started to slide. Core retail sales are up 2.9% in the first five months of 2013, a "feeble" rate, Harris wrote. "The weak global economy is hurting."
The reality is the world's four major economies — the euro zone, the U.S., China, and Japan — are all somewhere between recession and barely growing. Those four economies comprise more than half of the world's GDP.
This is hitting companies on the bottom line. Caterpillar's first-quarter earnings were down 45%, and it cut its revenue outlook for 2013. IBM shares saw their worst one-day drop in eight years after the company's weak first-quarter report. In the wake of that, the company is laying of several thousand employees (it hasn't disclosed the exact number).
There is a powerful deleveraging, disinflationary downdraft in the global economy right now. If you've been out looking for a job, or trying to sell earth movers, or software and mainframes, you've likely felt its force. How the Fed, or any of the central banks, pulls in their horns now, in the face of this downdraft, is a good question that hasn't gotten a lot of market time amid the global freakout over the phrase "the next few meetings."
Don't be surprised if Chairman Bernanke next week is dovish, and the markets rally in kind. The markets may not be paying attention to the fundamentals, but the chairman surely is watching.


text:
Alma's Only Bar hosts Mark's Midnight Carnival Show tonight at 9:30 (no cover). Here, Mark Bush (vocals, guitar and bass) breaks down what the group is all about:
Indie rock you can dance and groove to.
Part of it is a spiritual calling, an undeniable urge to want to get up in front of people and help them have a good time. ... We've created a sense of community with one another and with our audience that makes us want to keep writing and being creative and making more music to share. The audience and atmosphere at the AOB is awesome for that. They are always involved and really let us know that they are enjoying the music.
The funniest thing to me - the thing I always get a kick out of - is the people that get up and really get into the music and are dancing and having such a great time. ... At one of our shows over the summer we played a Queens of the Stone Age cover, "I Wanna Make It Wit Chu," at a venue where the audience was primarily a country music audience and we had the entire crowd doing an electric slide to it. It really shows how awesome music can be and cross boundaries.
People are always surprised when we play. Expect the unexpected. You are going to have a good time. You are going to dance. And you're going to remember how much fun you had the next day. ... We are Colorado's best-kept secret and we don't want to be a secret anymore.
Right now we're working on new material for our next album, to be released in 2013. We play as much as we can and are trying to meet as many new people as possible. Check us out online through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. ... We love hearing from our fans and hope to see you at our next show.


text:
Please log in or register to manage your account
Model: GBFX6 Item: GBPGBFX6
Toner cartridge. Device Types: Laser Printer; Color(s): Black; Page-Yield: 5000; Supply Type: Toner.
Printerbazaar is a one-stop destination for all your office supplies. From highly durable branded printers to a plethora of accessories, you can get your suitable product at a competitive cost.
At Printerbazaar, we are committed to make your shopping experience hassle-free by conveying the best information. We understand that office related purchasing decisions are vital and thus the right comparisons are necessary before buying.
Guy Brown Products GB201 (PC-201) Laser Cartridge, Standard-Yield, 750 Page-Yield, Black
$21.54$1400 / each
Guy Brown Products GB10A (Q2610A) Laser Cartridge, Standard-Yield, 6000 Page-Yield, Black
$127.67$8171 / each
Guy Brown Products GB11A (Q6511A) Remanufactured Laser Cartridge, Black
$175.35$11924 / each


text:
SACRAMENTO -- Before the fourth quarter began in Saturday's California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state championship game, the five starters for the Bishop O'Dowd High girls basketball team had a moment where champions are made.
"We gave each other this look, no smiles," the Dragons' Oderah Chidom said. "We can't let up. Anything can happen."
Holding a seven-point lead over Windward-Los Angeles after three quarters, Bishop O'Dowd's starting five put the throttle down. They scored all 20 of their team's points in the fourth quarter and led the Dragons to a 60-45 victory at Sleep Train Arena.
The victory avenged Bishop O'Dowd's loss in December to Windward, its only loss to a California team this season, and cemented the Dragons' status as one of the best high school girls basketball teams the Bay Area has ever produced.
The Dragons (30-3) ended their season with 24 straight wins, including 22 by double digits, and their closest margin of victory was six points during that streak.
Entering the game, Windward (32-1) was ranked third in the MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 national high school girls basketball rankings, and O'Dowd was ranked eighth.
Bishop O'Dowd coach Malik McCord didn't want to touch the subject about best ever, but added that, "If we play as a team, we're better than anybody in the country by far."
The Dragons showed Saturday what has made them so dangerous. If Windward tried to take away the Dragons' inside game, Ariell Bostick opened up the floor with 3-pointers, of which she had three. When the outside game was taken away, Bostick found the Dragons' outstanding post players inside for close baskets.
Bostick, who scored a team-high 17 points Saturday, dictated the game's pace in the fourth quarter. With the Dragons running the floor, frontline players K.C. Waters, Breanna Brown and Chidom combined for seven field goals and 14 points in the fourth quarter. The three post players and Bostick were starters along with sophomore Asha Thomas.
"I found openings and got the ball to my posts, who were wide open at the basket," said Bostick, who had three assists.
Waters, who grabbed a game-high 20 rebounds and scored 12 points, thought the key part of the game in the third quarter.
"I felt we broke their spirit in the third quarter," she said.
Windward, which had trailed by as much as 17 points in the second quarter, drew to within three points early in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Macchiati Smith. But a layup by Bostick started a 10-6 O'Dowd run to end the quarter.
Waters and Chidom opened the fourth quarter with baskets to give O'Dowd a 44-33 lead with 5:55 remaining. Windward cut the lead to nine twice after that, but an inside basket by Chidom with 3:42 remaining gave the Dragons a double-digit lead to stay at 48-37.
Brown and Thomas scored in double figures with 10 points apiece. Brown had a double-double with 14 rebounds, and Chidom added 12 rebounds, as the Dragons had a 61-36 rebounding advantage.
Jordin Canada scored a game-high 19 points for Windward.


text:
futuristxen wrote:
I tried one on last night, they are really cool jackets. And by cool I mean they will keep you warm. and they look sharp. SHARP! But perhaps an XS size is in order????
Sage Francis wrote: hahaa sweet.
If any other sheep are interested in jackets I just wanted to make it clear that there are about 5 left and that'll be it for them. Because our logo changed and our store needs to be re-stocked with new designs.
I wear mine every day still. I'm resistant to change.
Sage Francis wrote: The product page stays up to speed on the remaining sizes.


text:
FRISCO, Texas – Texas A&M – Corpus Christi's Men's Tennis player Javier Pujol was named the Southland Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday afternoon.
Pujol, a freshman from Spain, becomes the second player on the Islanders team to win the honor. Peter Nagy also won it twice during the regular season, including taking it home last week.
In the final two matches of the regular season, Pujol earned two dominant wins against Southland Conference opponents while losing just one game between the two.
On Thursday against Lamar, Pujol earned a 6-0, 6-0 final over Trey Crysel at No. 5 singles as the Islanders clinched their sixth straight Southland Conference Championship.
He followed that up on Saturday with another strong performance, winning 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 singles against Felix Hasselberg of Texas – Pan American to help his team earn the outright Southland Conference Title.
Pujol finished the regular season with a 4-1 mark in Southland Conference matches, and had a 9-4 record overall in singles play. He was one of five freshmen in the top eight for a very young Islanders team.
"Javier has matured and improved so much," said Director of Tennis Steve Moore. "He has become so mentally tough and has been a major contribution every week to our team's success. We are really beginning to count on him, and he is rising up every time."
The Islanders will go into the Southland Conference Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, and will face Lamar this coming Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m. in Beaumont. The tournament is being held at the Thompson Family Tennis Center on the Lamar campus.
For all the latest on Islanders Tennis, like the team on Facebook (IslandersTennis), follow them on Twitter (@IslandersTennis) and visit www.GoIslanders.com.


text:
Edward Snowden, the former security contractor who leaked details of the National Security Agency's Prism program, said in an online chat Monday that Silicon Valley tech companies' denials of providing access to government officials "were misleading."
"Their denials went through several revisions as it become more and more clear they were misleading and included identical, specific language across companies," Snowden said in a chat facilitated by The Guardian, the British news source to which he originally provided information on the program.
The question that prompted that answer mentioned only Google (GOOG) and Facebook, but Snowden expanded that group later in his reply.
"They are legally compelled to comply and maintain their silence in regard to specifics of the program, but that does not comply them from ethical obligation. If for example Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Apple (AAPL) refused to provide this cooperation with the Intelligence Community, what do you think the government would do? Shut them down?" he asked.
Snowden originally detailed the program's open access to Verizon phone records earlier this month, and The Guardian and Washington Post reported the next day that a government document showed that the NSA also had "direct access" to the servers of prominent technology companies Google, Facebook, Apple, Yahoo (YHOO), and Microsoft, as well as others.
The companies launched denials of the accusations almost immediately, which were similar, as Snowden noted. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, "We do not provide any government organization with direct access to Facebook servers," while and Google CEO Larry Page stated, "We have not joined any program that would give the U.S. government -- or any other government -- direct access to our servers."
Those and other official denials mostly focused on the phrase "direct access," with companies saying that the NSA could petition for specific information, but did not have blanket access to users' information, as it apparently does with Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless carrier. Snowden also responded to that detail, when asked to "Define in as much detail as you can what "direct access" means."
"More detail on how direct NSA's accesses are is coming, but in general, the reality is this: if an NSA, FBI, CIA, DIA, etc analyst has access to query raw SIGINT databases, they can enter and get results for anything they want," Snowden responded.
In response to the accusations, Google has led a charge asking the federal government for permission to release further details on NSA requests for information, with Facebook and Microsoft voicing approval of the plan. Facebook and Apple have since released general details on requests for such information, which Google does on an annual basis.
Contact Jeremy C. Owens at 408-920-5876; follow him at Twitter.com/mercbizbreak.


text:
JUL 08, 2013 - Fast Company
A Must Read - Share
Now that Google Reader is buried, we're left with lots questions for teams like Digg who will be carrying the torch. After all, part of what made Reader so great was Google's core competency in search and the ad hoc social network that popped up around the product. But the crew at Betaworks have some tricks up their sleeves, including a shared data layer that will help Digg make use of insights cleaned from siblings like Bit.ly and Instapaper. Jake Levine is general manager at Digg, Andrew McLaughlin is president of Digg, and Dave Weiner is editorial director of Digg. Read Full
Read More
Editor's Picks
Hey you have no friends!!! Get to work and start inviting friends to help build your Comunitee. Click Here to invite friends.
© 2011 Comunitee, Inc.


text:
Back in March, I decided it was time to prove once and for all that I could grow sweet peas.
I have not had a lot of luck at doing this over the years.
Yes, a pot here and there and a few rather sad-looking plants popping up in the garden, but nothing like the fabulous displays I have seen in other people's gardens.
I wondered what I was doing wrong and called Renee Shepherd, the queen of sweet peas, in California.
Through her company, Renee's Garden, she sells at least 26 varieties, including all the best antique, designer and scented varieties.
She gave me detailed instructions: Use fresh seed, sow early in March, nick each seed with nail clippers, experiment by soaking seed overnight, protect seedlings with bird netting and, most importantly, make sure they are planted in a well-drained, sunny location.
Okay, I did all of that. I planted dozens of packets of seed. In containers. Up trellises. In the garden against a fence with chicken wire. In raised beds. In the perennial border.
I had visions of fabulous, fragrant flowers dancing in my head - colours ranging from pink and mauve to apricot and crimson, blues and purples.
I spent a whole day planting seed in pretty much every part of my garden - full sun to partial shade - just to see where they performed best.
What happened?
Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Squat. Not a single flower.
Yes, it's kind of embarrassing, but what can I say? I did it by the book, I took my time, I went to a lot of effort.
I sowed all the best kinds: 'April in Paris,' 'Saltwater Taffy Swirls,' 'Mary Lou Heard' and 'Zinfandel'.
Old-fashioned heirloom varieties dating back to the early 1900s such as 'Queen of Hearts,' 'Jewels of Albion' and 'Perfume Delight'.
I sowed dwarf "knee-high" varieties, ones that only grow 90 cm to 1.4 m (three to four feet) high, in containers; ones like 'Jack and Jill', 'Electric Blue' and 'Explorer'.
I found perfect spots for short and cascading Cupid types, supposedly ideal for growing in window boxes and hanging pots, such as 'Colour Palette Cupid' and 'Window box Heirloom Cupid'.
And I planted some of the more artsy designer sweet peas, like 'Royal Wedding', which has pure white flowers, and 'Lipstick,' with vivid red flowers.
I even planted some nondescript, generic type sweet peas from McFaydens just to compare them to these other specialty connoisseur types.
Some seed I soaked for a few hours, others I nicked, others I just pushed into the soil.
By comparison, and to my chagrin, my colleague Fran Uttaro, in advertising promotions here at the paper, tells me she has had fantastic success. Grrrr.
She has been growing sweet peas successfully for at least 15 years.
"I kept the seed from previous years and I can't remember the variety. I make sure to buy the types that have fragrance noted on the package.
"I soak the seed for 24 hours, then plant them directly outside, in planters, usually the first or second week of March.
"This year, I left it until the last week of March because it was very cold and rainy."
Uttaro says powdery mildew often hits her sweet peas in mid-August.
"I take this as a sign to let the remaining flowers develop into seed pods, which I then label by colour and save for next year. This year was a very good crop. They like a cooler summer."
In Surrey, Claire Muirhead has also had success. She started seed inside and planted outside in May, she tells me.
"My sweet peas are lovely.
"I am in a new house and the sweet peas in my garden of five months look good. I am very proud of how they have matured considering the rain we have had."
I called Shepherd to report my failure and she was convinced it was caused by either birds eating the seedlings or excessively wet ground due to the poor weather in March-April.
I told her I was disappointed but I was not giving up on my quest to grow a bumper crop of sweet peas.
"Oh, it would be premature and a grave mistake to do that," she said.
"They are too nice to give up on. When seed doesn't germinate after three or four weeks, I always recommend sowing more seed."
In Seattle, Shepherd's sister, Sue Shecket, who trials a wide variety of sweet peas, emailed me to say:
"It has been a brutal and difficult season so far, and clearly the usual rules don't apply, including the one that says to plant your sweet peas in early spring.
"I find that with our perpetually cool wet spring weather in our supposedly mild climate, by waiting until mid-to late April to plant my sweet peas, I get great results and blooms all summer long.
"This year it was definitely the way to go -as I do have a tremendous stand of sweet peas from seed that started blooming heavily in July and are still at it.
"The second planting I made in late May is just coming into bloom now, so I have another round coming on."
She says friends who planted in March in Seattle also found that their seedlings didn't make it and had to replant again later.
I agree it has indeed been a disappointing year in the garden, but I am not prepared to throw in the towel on sweet peas just yet.
Miserable though I may be at the absence of flowers, I have decided to try again next year, sowing seeds indoors, soaking overnight, and planting out later in spring. Hope that works.
- - -
Some other misses and a couple of hits in my garden this year: Blue lupins I picked up the idea of growing blue lupins to improve the nitrogen in the soil from gardeners at Hidcote Garden in Gloucestershire. Apparently, the gardeners there routinely plant blue lupins, which they dig back into the soil once they have finished flowering at the end of the season.
So I picked up a pack of seeds being offered as part of a promotional partnership the garden had with the Yorkshire Trust.
The idea is that you can make your garden greener by digging the lupins back into the ground when they are finished.
I sowed 20 seeds. Have not seen a single plant as yet.
Dwarf buddleia 'Blue Chip' Planted one of these in a beautiful black container with some calibrachoa. The calibrachoa have bloomed well, but not a single flower on the 'Blue Chip'. A friend tells me she has had big success with this buddleia, but she got it as a mature plant, which may make a difference.
Clematis in planter boxes I planted two of Raymond Evison's new dwarf patio clematis in a large terra cotta pot with trellising. This worked well. The clematis look healthy and bloomed for a long time and I am expecting them to do even better next year. I will be taking Evison's advice and cutting back almost to ground level in the fall. He says this will produce bushier, more vigorous plants.
Low-growing bush dahlias I was very excited about this planting ever since I fell in love with the low-growing, bedding bush dahlias at David Jack's first-class nursery, Ferncliff Gardens in Mission, last August. I planted tubers of 'Terra cotta' and 'Ellen Huston' in spring. I am only starting to see flowers this month, but they do look good.


text:
Radio Woodstock Presents
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL FARM ON! JOIN US for Friends of the Farmer Hudson Valley Food Lovers Festival Saturday JULY 20, 2013 11am-6pm at Copake Country Club, Copake Lake, Columbia County NY. It makes sense to eat local - everyone benefits from the barn to belly movement. This festival celebrates our farmers, brings awareness to our food choices and benefits the FarmOn!Foundation funding educational programs and scholarships for education in agriculture in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension. SHOP & BUY from local artisinal producers, farms and restaurants. Meet your farmer and learn.Learn about CSA and Ag focused non profits. Connect with your community. LIVE MUSIC headline - LUKAS NELSON & Promise of the Real. July 20th we all become friends of the farmer and celebrate the food that makes the Hudson Valley special + delicious while giving back to the next generation who heed the calling to the farm. Stand up for your farming community + food choices. Succession. Community, Commerce, Sustainability. Tickets and info online www.friendsofthefarmer.com $20 advance purchase entry. Inquiries:[email protected] Twitter: @FarmonFarmon


text:
|San Diego, Calif.
|High School:
|Cathedral Catholic
2013 WCC All-Freshman Team
FRESHMAN (2013): In his first season with the Broncos, Holland played in 19 of the Broncos' 20 matches, starting 18 … named to the WCC All-Freshman Team … from the defensive midfield position, scored his first collegiate goal at UW (Sept. 3) ... attempted a shot at New Mexico (Sept. 13) … attempted a shot at UCI (Sept. 22) … attempted a shot vs. USF (Oct. 11) … collected a shot on goal at Portland (Nov. 1) … picked up a shot vs. Saint Mary's (Nov. 8).
HIGH SCHOOL: 2009-2010 North Carolina State Semi-Finalists ... 2011-2012 CIF San Diego Section Basketball Champions ... Honorable Mention WNC Soccer as a Freshman ... starting center defender as a freshman ... Honorable Mention All-League, Basketball ... All-Tournament Team and starting point guard as a freshman ... moved from Asheville,N.C. to San Diego sophomore year.
CLUB: 2012 U15/16 Academy Playoffs ... 2009, 2010 ODP Region III Camp holdover ... 2008-2010 North Carolina First Team.
PERSONAL: Son of Steve and Deidra ... has one sister, Kimberlee ... plans to major in Business ... career goals are to start and build a business ... enjoys basketball, golfing and watching movies ... involved with the National Honor Society (NHS) and did 50+ hours of Christian Service Hours (ie. Food Bank, Feeding the Homeless in San Diego).
WHY I CHOSE SANTA CLARA: I chose Santa Clara because of it's outstanding soccer program and academic standards. Also, the campus is amazing and I knew it was the place I wanted to be for the next four years.


text:
VIENNA - Despite setbacks, West Virginia's lone potato chip company continues to churn out chips and expand its market share.
Randall Holden, president of the West Virginia Potato Chip Co. that manufactures Mister Bee, said Tuesday the company laid off six employees from its 36-person staff. Holden said sales and driver representatives in Charleston, Fairmont and Parkersburg were laid off along with two office workers and a Charleston supervisor.
After the holidays the winter months are slow periods for the business, Holden said.
"It is managing the business to where current sales are running," he said.
The layoffs are temporary and sales routes will not be affected, Holden said.
"We have supervisors who will run the sales routes, so it will not affect the routes," he said.
They are relying on information from longtime employees regarding sales trends, Holden, whose partners have run the business for less than a year, said. When the weather warms up, the company expects sales to rise, he said.
Sales were good through the holiday season, dropped after New Year's, but spiked with the Super Bowl, Holden said. He said sales will flatten and likely remains so for the next four to six weeks.
Holden wants to focus on retaining the company's remaining 30 jobs, build sales and maintain cash flow.
Mister Bee, established in 1951, shut down in 2011 and filed for bankruptcy protection. The company was purchased by Rick Barton and Holden, who are among the founders of Wincore, a Parkersburg-based window and door company. The two organized an LLC under the West Virginia Potato Chip Co. to continue production of Mister Bee products.
Last year, the company was approved for a pair of loans totaling nearly $385,000 from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. The first, for more than $249,000, was to help finance the real estate of the property. The second, for $135,000, was to assist financing of equipment.
The loans received final approval Aug. 16, but they have not gone through, state officials said.
The state loans have not closed, but are near, Holden said. He cited issues surrounding the company's name change and use of the Mister Bee name.
"It's really close," he said of the loans.
The company is focusing its efforts on promoting the state, Holden said.
"Hopefully, being the state's potato chip of choice," he said. "We are making end roads."
The company is running commercials in Charleston, Beckley, Morgantown and Wheeling.
Holden said the chip's largest customer base is Parkersburg, representing at least 75 percent of sales.


text:
- Clothes & Accessories (1)
- Creative Recycling (4)
- Decorating (13)
- Dress Up (1)
- Games & Toys (3)
- Puppets & Paper Dolls (4)
- Seasonal (12)
It's the season of sharing so teach preschoolers the joy of giving by printing these Peter Rabbit candy cane tags and attaching to treats for little rabbits to hand out to friends and family!
Weekdays on Nick Jr.
Print out the Peter Rabbit candy cane covers on heavy weight or cardstock paper.
Have your child fill out the "To:" and "From:" fields, and then help them cut around the dotted lines.
Punch holes where indicated and insert canes into slots.

 This easy and inexpensive idea is perfect for preschoolers who want to give gifts to classmates!
Kids are going to have sew much fun embroidering eggs!
Kids will be blown away by this beautiful outdoor decoration!
Add some fun to their feet with these Peter Rabbit shoe charms!
Create this craft in three easy steps. Hop to it!
Make a new memory game in minutes with our easy printable templates
Hop to it and create your own Benjamin Bunny puppet now!
Transform a paper bag into Peter!
This goody bag is dressed up for Dad's special day!
Fill up Peter's wagon with enough coins to buy radishes!
Dress up cones with cute Nick Jr. characters!
Make a door sign that will bloom in any room!
Shower your little flower with quality crafting time!
Create this simple paper basket and make it a Hoppy Easter!
Make a snugly new friend for your Peter fan
A picture-perfect present for you and your little bunny!
Make an indoor winter wonderland that somebunny will love!
Hop into new adventures with Peter and friends!
Kids can hop on over to the Christmas tree to hang this charming decoration!
Peter & pals are dashing through the snow-- carrying something sweet, you should know!
Rabbits are brave and he�s no exception! Add Benjamin to your x-mas collection.
Peter has a new gift for you to see. It's round, and blue, and hangs on a tree.
A picture-perfect present for you and your little bunny!
Kids can hop on over to the Christmas tree to hang this charming decoration!
Rabbits are brave and he�s no exception! Add Benjamin to your x-mas collection.
Peter has a new gift for you to see. It's round, and blue, and hangs on a tree.
Everyone wins when you make your own spinning tops!
This print-and-fold craft is an umirrific way to make your tree look spectacular!
Extend-o the holiday cheer with this special craft for UmiFriends
Welcome guests during the holidays--or any day--with this easy-to-make decoration.
Create a SUPER shaped ornament to hang on your tree this year
Make VROOM, VROOM on your tree this year for UmiCar!
This paper gingerbread house is all bark and no bite!
Milli spins her pattern powers into a string of dreidels this holiday season
Santa's little helpers can make a sweet sled for Dora and Swiper!
Your preschooler can give a special holiday treat to everyone on her list!
Kids can turn recyclables into beautiful Dora decorations!
Make a festive tree that won't wilt or wither!
Wish everyone a WONDERful holiday with this tree topper!
Here's a simple and stylish Kwanzaa craft kids can fashion!
Let sweet holiday wishes bloom with these simple, customized cookie boxes.
Turn your table into a winter wonderland with this seasonal centerpiece!
The perfect winter craft for little animal rescuers
'Tis the season--to add Olivia to the mantel!
Add a little adventure to your tree this year with the help of your kids' favorite exploring pair!
Wrap your holiday tree in Kai-lan Christmas spirit
Stage your own spectacular Wonder Pets Christmas adventure!


text:
Free U.S. shipping for orders over $100!
The new Fishpond Nimbus Guide Pack has become the favorite among our guides here at Telluride Angler. Built from lightweight, waterproof fabric, it's loaded with features. The Air LTE lumbar support is designed with lightness and breathability in mind, but the pack can also be worn over the shoulder with the included shoulder strap. Handy characteristics like the guide net slot, bottom cinch straps, two large water bottle holders and extra tabs for attaching gear make the Nimbus highly functional but not over-featured. The main zippered compartment contains two pockets for organization in addition to the front pocket intended for quick access. Color: Driftwood
Choose a currency below to display product prices in the selected currency.


text:
Oct 26, 2011
CORPUS CHRISTI – Several student-athletes from the baseball and cheer and dance teams took part in a parade on Monday at Houston Elementary School. The student-athletes helped start off the "Week Without Violence and Red Ribbon Week" in the school's first parade.
Brian Hicks, Franco Pace and Bryce Zak of the baseball team joined the cheer and dance team in the parade that took place on the school grounds by the pavilion leading into the city park. The week is dedicated to leading a life free of drugs, violence, bullying and profanity.
Click here for photos from the event.


text:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A's shortstop Jed Lowrie was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a hairline fracture in the tip of his right index finger and hopes to heal in time for the final month of the season.
Even though he tried to play with the finger issue initially, Lowrie determined he was hurting the team and himself by attempting to play through it. He met with manager Bob Melvin on Wednesday night, and the two agreed on the course of action.
"I tried to play with it for 10 days, and the realization is that it's not going to get any better unless I take time off," Lowrie said. "There was no way I could continue to put the same velocity on throws. The finger just wouldn't allow it. I get this burning sensation the minute any pressure is put on it."
Lowrie has had to adjust the grip on his throws, severely scale back his pregame and between-innings infield work and also had to leave the finger off the bat while hitting.
Kansas City's Omar Infante beat out an infield grounder to Lowrie in Wednesday's 3-0 loss, and the A's shortstop believes he would have thrown out Infante had his finger been healthy.
"That's a play I make 10 times out of 10," said Lowrie, who has also languished at the plate since the injury, with just two hits in 15 at-bats.
Lowrie and the A's have been told that the fracture should heal with two to three weeks rest, and it was decided the D.L. was a better option than having Lowrie try to play through the injury the rest of the year.
"Here we are in the middle of August and if this thing's taken care of by Sept. 1 or shortly thereafter, you're still talking about a month of the season healthy," Melvin said. "Trying to play around it from here all the way to the end, this is probably the better outcome."
"It's the right choice, and one that focuses on the ultimate goal," Lowrie said. "It's not what I wanted to do, but it's ultimately the best thing."
The A's are already short-handed on middle infielders with Nick Punto on the D.L. with a hamstring strain. Andy Parrino was called up from Triple-A Sacramento for the short term. Long term, it's possible the A's could make a waiver deal for a shortstop, but the market is thin.
Lowrie said he'd return to the Bay Area and not accompany the team to Atlanta this weekend.


text:
Trey Anastasio Band,
Friday, 06/23/2006
Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, IN
Set 1: Drifting, Shine, Sand, Spin, Sweet Dreams Melinda, Night Speaks to a Woman, Dragonfly, Come As Melody, First Tube
Notes: This single set performance was as the opening act for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. This setlist is unconfirmed as recordings of the performance do not circulate.
Musicians: Trey Anastasio, Jennifer Hartswick, Raymond Weber, Ray Paczkowski, Christina Durfee, Tony Hall


text:
Men's adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers College CLIMAWARM Hoodie
Step out in cutting-edge school pride with the Men's adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers College CLIMAWARM Hoodie that's one part sleek college team pride and one part performance-ready gear. A half-zip hoodie that zips up to the chin, this is as cozy on the couch watching the game as it is on the sidelines cheering on your team. Hit the streets for a run or a stroll without worry about sweating up a storm or locking in the heat thanks to the CLIMAWARM technology that wicks away unwanted moisture while keeping the warmth close.
Emblazoned on the left chest, upper left back, and right arm of this must-have piece of fan gear are bold screen printed graphics and the word mark of your school, plus contrasting under-the-arm panels of your school's colors, for true super-fan status. Fan gear just went to the next level with this one.
- FIT: Athletic
- CARE: Machine wash


text:
- Home
- College (A-M)
- Fresno State
- Shop By Category
- Office Accessories
Fresno State Office Accessories
Bring the spirit of the big game to the home office or to work with our collection of Fresno State Bulldogs desk accessories. Even the most tedious tasks are energized when they�re accompanied by the logo of your favorite team. From dry erase boards to pens and pencils to sports-themed stationary, you�re sure to find just the right corporate gift in our hardworking selection of Fresno State office accessories.


text:
firefly wrote: I disagree, I think that this beautiful piece of writing is needed on this day more then any other as this day is used by the government to glorify war.
MCGF wrote:
On the other hand, honoring people who gave so fucking much of themselves for the country seems like something we need MORE of. Regardless of whether the wars are right or intelligent, the whole idea that someone could be so selfless amazes me and needs to be respected.
mortalthoughts wrote: How about thanking your friends an neighbors for doing what we don't want to. Yes war profiteering is real. We know that already. Seems very antagonizing to post this today out of all days .


text:
Skip to Content
Search All Programs & Services
Search by Name, Specialty, Program, or Research
Make a Donation
Make an Appointment
Ask a Question
Refer a Patient
Programs & Services > Services Directory
Palliative care is a type of medicine that focuses on the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual needs of people who have a serious illness, including cancer, end-stage respiratory disease, and end-stage organ failure. Palliative care relieves suffering, helps improve people's tolerance for curative treatment, eases transitions when curative treatment is no longer an option and improves the quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care addresses the discomforts caused by symptoms of disease and side-effects of treatment, the goals of care, and the hopes of patients and family members.
At National Jewish Health, people with cancer receive palliative care from the time of diagnosis. Palliative care supports people through the rigors of cancer treatment and the experience of survivorship. National Jewish Health patients with other diagnoses receive palliative care at any stage of treatment. Palliative care resources at National Jewish Health include board-certified hospice and palliative care providers, social workers, and clinical dieticians.
Palliative care aims to improve your:
Physical Comfort: Pain, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, constipation and insomnia can decrease your quality of life. Managing these and other symptoms can improve your physical well-being, functional status and ability to continue treatment.
Emotional Comfort: Living with a serious illness can be a source of anxiety, frustration, grief, loss and depression. Finding peace of mind can help make the challenges of your disease and its treatment easier to tolerate. Working with a psychiatrist and participating in support groups can offer outlets for emotional support.
Social Comfort: Changes in your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can be a source of distress. Offering support and facilitating conversations with family and friends can relieve some of the isolation and help those important to you understand what is happening to you.
Intellectual Comfort: Open discussion about your disease and its treatment can help you gain insight into the meaning of your disease and its role in your life.
Spiritual Comfort: Identifying resources in your faith tradition can help provide additional sources of support.
Advance Care Planning: Assistance with preparing or updating your advance directive, including identifying your surrogate decision-maker, can give you a sense of control over your disease.
Access to Community Resources: Making referrals to outside resources, including home physical and occupational therapy, home palliative care, and hospice services at home or facilities, can expand your treatment team to include resources you may need outside of National Jewish Health.
Our physicians are experts in the treatment of respiratory, immune and related diseases.
Find a doctor.
1400 Jackson St Denver, CO 80206 1.877.225.5654 Network of Locations Contact Us
© 2016 National Jewish Health Policies & Guidelines | My National Jewish Health


text:
The warnings went out during last week's heat wave: Don't leave children and pets unattended in locked cars because the temperature inside can quickly skyrocket and lead to heat exhaustion, even death.
That's why people were so upset on May 14 when they noticed a dog locked in a car parked on Fisher Avenue. It was shortly before 4 p.m., and the temperature outside was in the mid-90s. The car's windows and sun roof were shut tight.
Since the car was parked in front of Fisher Middle School, a passerby went there first, and two announcements were broadcast over the school's public address system.
After about 20 minutes the dog's owner showed up, unaware he had done anything wrong.
Minutes later, a park ranger and police cruiser showed up.
"Upon my arrival, the dog owner had already arrived and activated the air conditioning in the car, cooling the animal," Cpl. Kalipo Kauweloa said in an email. "There was also a concerned group of citizens standing by that included a veterinarian, who described the animal's welfare as she witnessed it--heavy panting and deep breathing, early signs of distress."
However, the veterinarian advised Kauweloa that the animal did not need medical care. "Based upon the veterinarian's statements, citizen statements, suspect statements, my past experience with animal control and as a dog owner--and the crime not occurring in my presence--I felt the best course of immediate action was to record the incident on a 'field investigation' card," Kauweloa said. "The information is put into a police database and lets other police agencies in the area know that I contacted the man and admonished him with regards to the animal care law."
The dog owner was not issued a citation, but he could have been penalized for his actions. California penal code 597.7 prohibits people from "leaving an animal in an unattended vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold or lack of ventilation or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering or death to the animal."
First-time violators can be fined $100. However, if an animal suffers great bodily injury the fine could be $500, plus up to six months in jail.
"I hope the dog owner takes to heart the conversation we had and saw the genuine concern in the citizens' eyes," Kauweloa said. "This incident ... will hopefully publicize the dangers of leaving animals, children and the elderly in vehicles during hot days."
A test conducted by the University of San Francisco showed that in 10 minutes a closed-up car reached 99 degrees when the outside temperature was 80 degrees. In 20 minutes, the inside of the car had reached 109 degrees.
Humane Society Silicon Valley weighed in on the issue with a statement that said, "We know animals love to take car rides and spend time with their owners, but there are just some days, particularly with extreme weather, when your pet should stay home."
While it's not always feasible to leave children and the elderly at home, it's equally as dangerous to leave them locked in cars. Last year, 43 children died from heat stroke because they were locked in cars.


text:
bc-game adv13 2-6
WORD GAME by Kathleen Saxe
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 TODAY'S WORD -- PEARLY (PEARLY: PEARL-ee: Resembling a pearl in color or luster.) Average mark 26 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 35 or more words in PEARLY? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY'S WORD -- MUSTANGS mass mast muss must sang sans smug smut snag snug stag stum stun stung sung tang tuna angst aunt gamut gaunt gauss gnat guan gust guts Did you find any words not on the list? RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. (EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Alan McDermott at amcdermott amuniversal.com.) COPYRIGHT 2013 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK FOR UFS


text:
A good book to get is "Food for Free" by Richard Mabey. Now seems to come in a more sensibly pocket sized Collins Gem edition, clicky...
Fishing depends what for and where. In the sea you can go for whatever you want, on rivers with permits it's rather different! I recall a particularly good meal on a paddling trip of coley we cooked on open fires on the beach in Shetland.
Look What We Found do some really tasty ready meals that are a doddle to prepare (immerse in boiling water for around a minute). You can get them from Sainsburys, Waitrose and Aldi have started stocking them too.
I still have one packet from last year; a Cumbrian Lamb Hotpot. My packets are just plain but the recent ones I've seen have stickers on them (so the water might need chucking away).
It is probably worth taking something like this alon just in case you fail to catch anything wild.
Another vote for 'Food for Free', which is an excellent reference for all things wild and edible outdoors. I used to pick buckets of blackberries as a kid, and had no idea there were so many other things that could be picked and eaten. Head for the Arctic, and virtually everything that grows is edible, or at least non-poisonous... but the further south you head, the greater the number of non-edible and poisonous things there are.
I once met a poacher high in the North Pennines who said he would never kill anything that he wasn't prepared to eat. He also told me that fox tasted absolutely disgusting! The old Gypsy recipe for baked hedgehog involves rolling the beast in a ball of clay and baking it in an open fire. Crack it open, and the prickles come away with the clay, leaving the flesh ready to pick at. Never got beyond freshly road-killed pheasants myself!
For some reason, late last year, I had a super-abundance of seafood eaten live, straight from the sea. This included raw fish straight off the hook, octopus chopped into bits while still alive, and molluscs plucked living from their shells, for immediate consumption. The most disgusting items from that epic feat of endurance included jellyfish and a fish stomach!
Frankly... I'd stick with the fruit, nuts and vegetables!
PS for most people the "wild" bit in wild camping refers to the fact that you are not using a camp site, and it usually involves "wild toileting" (there are useful books and leaflets about this). For food we just eat what we bring. Which last time was wine, Irn bru (not for Pete or me ), crisps, instant couscous with sausages, sticky toffee pudding, instant custard, pancakes, etc....
Jeez! Worried about rabbits?!! They are vermin and IIRC it is actually the landowner's responsibility to keep numbers down. Trust me if you have permission of landowner you can take as many as you want. There is a reason for the "breed like rabbits" phrase. The small, newly born rabbits you see early spring starting to fend for themselves are the large rabbits breeding in a matter or months or even weeks later. Seriously each rabbit is capable of many litters in a year so you shouldn't worry about taking an adult rabbit. I'm not even sure if young even needs a parent if that parent and the young is out of the warren. They kind of fend for themselves from very early on!!
LLWF foods keep. I have taken them on hot days and not eaten them for a week during which they got hot during the day and never cooled. They are sealed when hot so supposedly keep out of the fridge without making you ill.
You can keep things like salami and pepperoni ok for up to a week. Well I have anyway. Oatcakes are long life and I take primula "cheese". Unopened it keeps for a while even when not refridgerated IME. Once opened I generally eat within about 2 days. Dehydrated and wayfarer type foods keep well too.
Foraging for all your food is next to impossible and I'd say totally impossible if you want to actually backpack. If you read Book of the Bivvy the author actually recommends never carrying more than a couple of days food. The argument being that the extra distance in the UK needed to walk out to a shop for restocking is less than the effort of carryinga lot more weight to not need the re-stocking. Not sure how right that is out of the UK though.
Adders - Only an issue if you like to sleep in places they like to sleep in. They are not likely to attack you but more likely to avoid you. They know you are around before you know they are. however in some areas you can end up waking with adders who hav decided to sleep next to you. Not common but I have heard stories of a herpetologist who often sleeps out on snake surveys only to wake up with some adders next to him. He survives still!! They are not agressive in almost all situations and for a fit, healthy adult unlikely to do that much harm really even IF it bites you. Bear in mind the venom is needed to hunt and I believe not for defence as it is not fast acting. You might get a bite though but I believe it is unlikely to use it's venom. I could be wrong of course as I am half remembering what I've been told by a snake expert in the past.
Boars - IIRC they are in the south east and all the way across to South Wales in parts. Some pockets a bit further north and perhaps midlands. However there might be some boar farm escapees anywhere there are farms I guess. They are 30 plus MPH, 3/4 of a tonne of pure muscle and bone. They are much quicker than you and most likely know you are there before you know they are around. Mothers with young can be dangerous. Also the boars I believe can be bad tempered. However I doubt you'll come into contact in most areas. If you do get attacked, I guess it is tough!!
I have heard that in scotland at certain times of the year capercaille attack walkers. I hope that doesn't give you nightmares!!!
Become a fan of OutdoorsMagic
Follow us on twitter
Sign up to our free newsletter
Meet partners in our forum
Other Immediate Media Sites
Our eCommerce Platform
About OutdoorsMagic
Ask Us
© Immediate Media Company Ltd. 2016 This website is owned and published by Immediate Media Company Limited. www.immediate.co.uk
Version 2015.21.1.0


text:
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) � A Maine economist says wage and salary jobs in the state should grow by only half a percentage point in 2013, but he says Maine will likely lose jobs if Congress fails to agree on spending, the debt ceiling and other financial matters.
Charlie Colgan of the University of Southern Maine says Maine will add about 3,100 jobs and that the unemployment rate will be essentially unchanged at 7.2 to 7.4 percent.
In his annual Breakfast With Charlie economic outlook presentation at USM, Colgan said Maine has recovered only 10 percent of the jobs it lost during the recession, while the country as a whole has recovered about half its lost jobs and Massachusetts has regained about 80 percent of its lost jobs.
Comments are currently unavailable on this article
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Discover what you want and go for it!
Have you been laid off once or multiple times?
Are fearful that you may be laid off soon?
Do you feel stuck in your current career?
Do you want to change direction but don't know how?
Are you ready to be proactive and make a plan for your life?
Karin Lindner, of Karico Solutions, can help! Karin provides a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!
Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, Karen has learned from our own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.
Come and join Karen! It's time to sign up.....
Her commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give me your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.
This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. She firmly believes, how you do anything is how you do everything!
"When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don't see the one that has opened for us." ~ Helen Keller
This is Karin's contribution to serve the community. This workshop is offered monthly (except for the summer). You may contact Karin at email@example.com
Please click here to register .


text:
MORGAN HILL -- The days leading up to Cinco de Mayo have put this bucolic burg on edge.
A "patriot" group, a mysterious band of bikers and a right-wing radio host from Los Angeles are urging Californians to protest outside a Morgan Hill high school where school officials four years ago told some students to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out -- or go home.
Many Morgan Hill residents had hoped the nationwide controversy spurred by the order had died down. But a recent federal appeals court ruling in favor of the administration has resurrected the fiery issue, and opponents plan on picketing the high school on Monday's Mexican holiday.
"This whole thing is ugly," said Rey Morales, a parent whose sons, now 10 and 12, had rocks thrown at them after the contretemps erupted in 2010. "It's not just affecting the school. It's hurting this entire community."
Morales is so worried about violence on Monday that he's keeping his four children home from school. And concerned police are watching closely.
But those who plan to protest insist on their right to do so.
"What disruption are they concerned about?" asked William Becker Jr., an attorney who filed suit against the school district over the original incident. "They must be afraid of their own behaviors. They must be incapable of controlling their emotions when people they disagree with want to freely exercise their First Amendment right of free speech."
Raw nerves
The raw nerves in this town of 40,000 stretch back to May 5, 2010, when Live Oak High School was festooned in cultural colors and Mexican flags. But when four boys showed up with their American flag shirts -- proclaiming that it was nothing more than a show of American pride -- Latino students saw it as sign of disrespect.
When tempers flared, school officials interceded. But when word of the incident got out, a bitter brouhaha erupted across the nation. The left maintained that ethnic pride is not anti-American. The right said that Cinco de Mayo does not cancel the right to visibly express pride in being an American.
Becker's firm,
Freedom X, filed a federal lawsuit against the school district and Live Oak administrators. It alleged that the boys' First Amendment right to freedom of expression and their 14th Amendment rights of due process and equal protection had been violated. The case reached a three-judge panel at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in February said campus safety outweighed the students' First Amendment claims. The court pointed to previous years of Cinco de Mayo trouble at Live Oak. So Freedom X filed another appeal, asking that the case be heard by 11 judges.
As Monday approaches, the fresh upsurge of anxiety has spurred numerous community meetings focused on making sure this year's celebration does not morph into an out-of-control invasion of angry outsiders. And although a number of Live Oak students have asked all the adults to "let it go," the Gilroy Morgan Hill Patriots plan to stand out in front of the school, beginning at 7:30 a.m., and hold American flags in silence.
"We will not carry signs," said Georgine Scott-Codiga, the group's president. "We will be very respectful of students, and we won't disrupt school in any way, shape or form."
She promises that no more than 50 protesters at a time will spend roughly an hour in front of the school. But with word of the event being fanned by social media and radio host Jimmy Z, there is fear that all the strangers won't get the peaceful message.
After Scott-Codiga's group announced its plan, a group that supported the court decision -- We The People Morgan Hill -- began contemplating what it might do on Monday. At first, the group planned to be outside the school -- until students objected.
But the group will hold a Monday rally outside the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. "We want to show that just because you celebrate a cultural holiday does not make you anti-American," said attorney Juan Lopez, an organizer with the group. "We will have a unity, respect and peace rally. We will not be coldhearted and full of hate like the Patriots."
Mystery motorcyclists
Morales, the father of the two boys who were attacked in the aftermath of the 2010 clash, agreed with that sentiment. "It does not matter your ethnicity or heritage; we are all Americans," he said. "Making children feel shameful for their heritage is not right. And as for Monday, safety for kids trumps freedom of speech."
Several right-wing websites have called for motorcyclists to gather in Morgan Hill and become part of a cruise to the school at dismissal time, followed by a mass ride around town. What's unsettling is that nobody, even the police, has been able to find out anything about the motorcycle riders.
But the Morgan Hill Police Department says it isn't taking any chances.
"We intend to be on top of crowd management," said police spokesman Carson Thomas, whose department has made face-to-face contact with all involved groups except the unknown motorcyclists. "Our main focus is on protecting students and staff at the school."
Steve Betando, superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District, said online videos from four years ago left a bad impression of Live Oak -- and today's students are still sensitive to those images. He said students are concentrating on Advanced Placement tests and college applications and want their school to be left out of the controversy.
Betando said every preparation has been made to protect Live Oak on Monday -- inside and out.
"The kids feel a great amount of responsibility for one another," said Betando, who hopes Cinco de Mayo goes off without a hitch. "The students believe the outside adult issues should not interfere with what they are doing with their lives today. "
Contact David E. Early 408-920-5836


text:
Bellingham great Santos returns to UNH as a coach
The 28-year-old Santos, who rewrote the record book at New Hampshire, has joined head coach Sean McDonnell's staff as the Wildcats' receivers coach.
To improve the chance of seeing your comment posted here or published in the New Hampshire Union Leader:
- Identify yourself. Accounts using fake or incomplete names are suspended regardless of the quality of posts.
- Say something new, stay on topic, keep it short.
- Links to outside URLs are discouraged, if used they should be on topic.
- Avoid comments in bad taste, write well, avoid using all capital letters
- Don't cite facts about individuals or businesses without providing a means to verify the claim
- If you see an objectionable comment please click the "Report Abuse" button and be sure to tell us why.
Note: Comments are the opinion of the respective poster and not of the publisher.Be the first to comment.
Post a comment
You must sign in before you can post comments. If you are experiencing issues with your account please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
WATCH: Cute Kid Steals Show During Live TV Interview
Posted August 5th, 2014 @ 10:03am
Get your daily dose of what's trending in the news on Daily Pulse Radio!
Noah Ritter was at the Wayne County Fair in Pennsylvania when he became an instant internet sensation. Check out his adorable interview:


text:
Alan and Carol Koch create scholarship endowments for men's & women's hoops
March 29, 2012
Alan Koch '71, and his wife Carol, have pledged a $250,000 donation towards the endowment of one scholarship each for both the Stony Brook men's & women's basketball teams. The scholarships, which become Stony Brook's 14th and 15th endowed scholarships, will be named the Alan Koch Family Basketball Scholarship Endowment.
Endowments provide a permanent source of income which is used to fund and support the mission of Stony Brook University Department of Athletics. Donors who provide a gift to fund an endowment become permanently linked with the Stony Brook Intercollegiate Athletic program and help support multiple generations of student-athletes.
"We are grateful for Alan and Carol's incredible generosity, leadership and support of Stony Brook University Basketball," Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore said. "This gift will have a profound impact on our men's & women's basketball programs for generations to come. Alan is a great example of an alumnus who is engaged with his alma mater and is passionate about its future success. On behalf of our University, I thank Alan and Carol for their generous support and hope that this gift will serve as a catalyst for many more former student-athletes and friends to continue to come back and give back to our incredible University and athletics program."
"I can't thank Alan and Carol enough for their support of our men's basketball program," head men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell said. "Their generosity will help us continue to make unprecedented progress as a basketball program. Also, it is rewarding for me as a head coach when former student-athletes are engaged with their alma mater and with the program. We want our student-athletes to be engaged with the university during their time here and long after they have graduated because they aren't just Seawolves while they are here, they are Seawolves for life."
"I truly would like to thank Alan and Carol for their generosity and support of the women's basketball program," head women's basketball coach Beth O'Boyle said. "It has been so wonderful getting to know Alan this past year. He clearly defines the term 'engaged alumnus.' This incredibly generous gift will have such a positive impact on our student-athletes and our program's future success."
Alan was a three-year letterwinner for the Stony Brook men's basketball team from 1968-71, playing one season for head coach Herb Brown and two seasons for legendary head coach Rollie Massimino. He was a part of back-to-back Knickerbocker Conference titles and helped lead the Patriots (Stony Brook's former nickname) to the 1970 NCAA Small College Tournament. In Alan's three seasons on the team, Stony Brook was 49-25 (.662). Alan graduated from Stony Brook with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education.
"Endowing a scholarship for Stony Brook University men's & women's basketball student-athletes was an opportunity to give back to my alma mater and impact the lives of future Seawolves," Alan said. "I remember my time as a student-athlete at Stony Brook very fondly, and I learned numerous life lessons from those experiences. I understood the value of how important preparation was and how to work together in a team environment to achieve common goals. I believe competitive activities help prepare you for future success, and I hope that this gift will help Stony Brook student-athletes achieve that success in the same way I have."
After graduating from Stony Brook, Alan started coaching high school basketball at Harborfields high school in Greenlawn, N.Y. He then earned his MBA at Adelphi University and secured a position with Citibank in the credit card division. After spending 10 years with Citibank in various assignments around the country, he joined Bank of America in San Francisco, spending 20 years with the bank in various management positions before retiring in 2003 as a Senior Vice President.
After settling into retirement, Alan got back into coaching at his daughter's middle school. He is currently the assistant varsity girls coach at St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley, Calif., where he has helped the team to four straight Northern California Division 4 Championship appearances. The program has won two of those four championships and was state championship runner-up in both years.
Alan and his wife, Carol, reside in Oakland. Their daughter, Katie, just completed her studies at the San Francisco School of Digital Film.


text:
Buzzz Killington wrote:I could use some help hauling all that cut up timber off the fairways.
Buzzz Killington wrote:I said we're desperate for a mow.
Buzzz Killington wrote:I let the chainsaw do all the talking for me. =)
Yeah....still not mowed. 11-16 has grass knee high.
But that didn't stop me from installing a retaining wall behind #5 red. And sweeping/digging out all 36 tee pads. 4hrs total.
Return to Iowa City - Peninsula Park
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


text:
Tony Horton - Ho' Ala ke Kino (Awaken the Body) | 527 MB
Genre: E-Learning
Experience the rejuvenating effects of a stretching and yoga program unlike any other! Ho' Ala ke Kino is the Hawaiian secret to energy, grace, and vitality. Led by Beachbody's own Tony Horton, this video takes you to the tranquil beaches of Kauai, Hawaii, for an experience that will leave you feeling great—inside and out.


text:
A local NH comic book for charity
Once upon a time, these mild-mannered outcasts lived on the fringes of society, waving their plastic lightsabers and exchanging secret buzzwords. Now, with nerd culture on the rise, bringing technological advances, blockbuster movies and even geek-chic fashion trends, will they use their newfound powers for good? Ask the boys at Manchester�s Double Midnight Comics and they�ll tell you the heroic saga has already begun.
Post a comment
You must sign in before you can post comments. If you are experiencing issues with your account please e-mail email@example.com.


text:
"I loved the detail in the border and I really liked being able to design my own edging style. There are so many fonts to choose from. The quality of the paper is great."
"They are very professional. Excellent customer service. Very fast service. I wish it came in more colors. But, I am happy with finished product."
"I really like this invite when I ordered it online it looked great but I I received it the print was so tiny I could hardly see it. I called their customer service and they send me new invites with larger fonts looks great Amazing customer service"
"I love the way these invitations turned out! The quality is great, I love that I was able to personalize the text layout. All the different picture arrangements were awesome, I was able to find the perfect layout, and make this card exactly how I pictured it in my head. Everyone loved how they looked, a few people even framed the back of the card because the picture quality was so good. I am very happy and proud with how this product and will definitely be ordering cards from TinyPrints again"
"I truly love how the invitations came out, everybody loved it! The process was so easy! I Will definitely be printing out all my future invitations here!! AMAZING JOB!"


text:
Aug 14, 2007
Dec 26, 2007 11:34 PM
Las Vegas and Parking report
Hi Boomers!
Race Report From Las Vegas Nevada. Zappos is just not a people oriented race orginiser. Getting to the Expo was quite an experience, following thier directions to parking even more so. Roads were blocked off and nobody seemed to know how to get to the parking, finally found one of the gaurds who seemed to have a clue and we were directed to the correct road.
After finally getting my stuff I was able to decide on my race goals.
1. Find parking
2. Get to the starting line
3. Finish
The following morning I got up plenty early enough to drive down to the race, I thought. More road closures and getting over to the parking in the Mandella I drove across town a couple of times trying to find an alternet route to get there. After having finally gotten there the parking was full. I asked the police and other guards where to park and know one could tell me how to get there. I ended up back on Las Vegas BLVD looking at the racers lining up, I had 10 minutes to get in line and I was about to just give it up...this was the most difficult part of the race. How was I going to explain another DNF in Nevada? A stroke of luck, I just happend to notice some cars parked next to a closed gas station across the street, I turned into the small road as an exploration and hope for luck. There was a large field where the fence was taken down and other cars were parked in there. Just in time to get in line if I rushed! Seems like it might have been a good idea to put a sign up saying..."Parking for Marathon Particapants" and perhaps a few other signs to direct some of us more confused runners.
A little fence climbing was in order to get into the crowd, and it was the biggest crowd I have ever been in.
Prior to the race an elvis impersonator sang the National Anthem. While many of us stopped and held our hand over our hearts, it was surprising to see the large number of people who ignored it.
I pretty well made up my mind to do this first marathon easy and stay as close to 70% max as possible and not worry about the time. Good choice. The Blue something band started us off complete with fireworks, I did not do well capturing the start.
The start was exciting and almost intoxicating while being caught up in the energy of the crowd. I loved it and decided then that is the first of many future marathons. I had forgotten over the years how much I enjoyed the marathons that I done a long time ago.
Early in the race I was struck by this sign at a corner bar, had to stop chuckle and take a photo, it was so appropriate for the area of town that we were in.
I was a bit amused by the run thru the chapel and get married thing and the different folks dressed up in wedding garb.
The run thru the various casino hotels was interesting and when we headed west towards the mountains.
The scenery kind of degrades from there when headed back south from neighborhoods to construction area's.
Outhouses! Not enough porta johns. After about 3 miles I needed to make a pit stop as I didn't have time prior to the race. Long lines in front of the few porta johns along the way, wasn't able to find an available one for about 12 miles and it wasn'nt too soon. They had plenty of water and gater aid stations. I took water only a few times and brought along my own endurox which is a little more palatable. I think at the end of the gator aid stations they should supply a cat so that you can lick it's *** to get the taste out of your mouth.
After about 15 miles they were handing out power bars and again they need to supply a cat. There were volunteers after that handing out, popcorn, m&m's and orange slices. Those were quite a treat.
I tried something a little different, Chocolate Cliff Shots, these were actually tasty and I think think they stick with you longer than the other gels. The texture and taste is like chocolate icing.
A race report wouldn't be complete without some sort of hardship that prevented me from running my best. The weather was perfect, temps started in the upper 30's ended in the mid 50's, no wind, low humidity and no hills. I was in about 13 miles when a sharp electrical shock went up the nerve in the front of my left thigh. Did it a few other times and worked itself out in about 2 miles. It must have cost me about 2 seconds overall. Sorry no drama folks.
The last six miles I spent catching up to different runners who were struggling and spoke with them and hopefully help get them going. I may not be able to run fast now, but I can run easily and know what i am doing. Oddly, the last 3 miles I was not exactly happy that it was just about over.
I did pick it up the last mile to the finish and got my finishers medal and a rose. Don't know if they were ment for the men, but I wanted one to give to Kay after the race. She really liked that.
Remembering Tet said this is just a marathon not a race. My time was 05:53:36 (official chip time)
All Goals Achieved! Though time was a bit slow, I think with my limited training, I was able to run within myself, get to the starting line healthy, enjoy the event and finish healthy, I am elated and pleased with myself. I want to do another one! This was also a milestone for me, I lost the abiltiy to run a marathon thru my own temporary failure at life, but by grace and Gods will, I have been given back something I once loved. It just can't get better than that.
On the lighter side, I noticed a woman with a tee shirt that said, why run faster if you can follow this, with an arrow pointed towards her ***. After some study she did have a great *** and the point made alot of sense to me.
Thanks boomers! Larry
"If you see a man running up a mountain trail in Montana with a fly pole attached to his back, you are probably lost. LDD
[http://This message has been edited by RunsTheBitterroot (edited Dec-03-2007).|http://This message has been edited by RunsTheBitterroot (edited Dec-03-2007).]
[http://This message has been edited by RunsTheBitterroot (edited Dec-03-2007).|http://This message has been edited by RunsTheBitterroot (edited Dec-03-2007).]


text:
Every family has those little quirks and traditions without which it just wouldn't feel like the holidays.
For mine, they were my grandfather's annual Christmas Eve reading of the "Polar Express," with all of the grandchildren gathered around him beside the fireplace and our yearly holiday lights tour.
One night before Christmas, we would pack the whole family into my parents' bus-like van, crank up the carols and simply drive around scoping out our neighbors' holiday handiwork. Since I left home and relocated to Summit County, I've missed that tradition, so this year I decided to resurrect it and found there's much in the way of sparkling seasonal expression to be seen around here as well.
For families or couples looking for a warm and inexpensive Christmas excursion this week, it's the perfect adventure.
If you hadn't noticed yet, Summit County is a festive place.
Breckenridge seems bent on giving the North Pole a run for its money when it comes to holiday spirit and has helpfully condensed some of the best of its holiday spirit onto the downtown shopping district. For those settled in the south side of the county, I'd recommend a stroll down Main Street.
Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate from one of the local coffee shops and set off in one direction or another. Be prepared to admire some beautiful and adventurous displays. The town has illuminated its living Christmas tree, situated in the Blue River Plaza halfway down Main, with thousands of tiny white lights and made it the center of a square brought to life by twinkling bulbs. Just a block down and to the east on Ridge, Fatty's Pizzeria has taken a bolder approach, housing a giant inflatable snowman and Santa Claus on its roof. Further north are the iconic wrapped blue trees and a welcome outdoor public fireplace, where observers can stop and warm up.
Dillon, not to be outdone, is again hosting a holiday decorating contest this year, put on by the business association. While lights aren't a must, the winners frequently use them liberally. Wander through the little lake-side town and admire the contenders handiwork, then head home and jump online to vote for your favorites (dillondba.org). Be sure not to miss Pug Ryan's Steakhouse and Brewery's elaborate set up.
For some good old-fashioned residential light viewing, cruise over to Summit Cove, just off of Highway 6 on the way to Keystone from Dillon. Make a right on Swan Mountain Road and then a left into the neighborhood labeled Summit Cove. Follow the central road up into a series of local neighborhoods harboring a treasure trove of beautifully decorated homes. One home looks like a life-sized gingerbread house, it's so decked out in colored lights and surrounded by glowing trees illuminating the snow-covered yard. Residents of another, farther up, took a more classic route, edging the home in white lights and trimming trees in wrappings of red, reminiscent of giant candy canes. Families will have fun discovering their own gems, while couples will enjoy the quiet, festive escape of exploring the county's quiet back roads.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the sparkling spots in Summit this Christmas, but it's enough to get you started. Have fun out there.


text:
The Mobile Food Pantry provided by The Lighthouse Mission and The Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri on Dec. 23 was a success and served 359 families, including 445 children age 18 and under with a total of 18,969 pounds of food in four hours.
More than 90 volunteers from the community and local churches helped with distribution. To add a special blessing this Christmas Season, the body from The Church at Osage Hills partnered up and distributed more than 400 Christmas gift shoe boxes that were filled by the members of the church body and passed out with the food boxes.
The next mobile food pantry distribution is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2014 from 1 to 5 p.m. For information call the Lighthouse Mission at 573-286-1835.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
KINGS BEACH, Calif. — The Kings Beach Fine Art Festival coming this August will feature artists presenting their original work in all mediums of two and three dimensional fine art, including paintings in acrylic, oils and watercolors, photography, etchings, sculpture in clay, glass, metal, stone and wood.
Each artist will be present to meet with the public and discuss their work. All work is available for purchase.
In addition to fine art, fine crafts will also be presented. Festival attendees will find blown glass, turned wood, semi-precious jewelry, pottery, stained glass, and an array of high-quality crafts.
West Coast Artists' shows, with more than 30 years of experience, are distinguished by their scope of diversity and the wide variety of fine art.
Presented are innovative works in differing styles of contemporary, traditional, modern, and southwest art for the discriminating individual or corporate collector.
Talented artists, numerous and varied, are proud to personally present their unique work in acrylic, collage, etchings, mixed media, oils, pencil, watercolors, digital and traditional photography.
Contemporary craftsmen present unique styles of individually handcrafted functional and decorative pottery, raku, turned wood vessels and gourd art.
Among the objects of art you will find at any one of the many shows are one-of-a-kind works of sculpture in a variety of media such as bronze, clay, blown glass, paper, metal, stone and wood.
Gifted artisans present their original custom designed and fabricated jewelry, art furniture, stained glass, and weavings. There is something for every taste and budget, be it a simple gift or the keepsake of a lifetime.
West Coast Artists' shows are truly unique fusion of art, culture, and living. They are like visiting numerous galleries at the same place and time, in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Our goal is to bring to appreciative new audiences a wealth of ever-changing art from accomplished artists and craftsmen.
Our artists provide their patrons a finer appreciation that comes from sharing time and space with a piece of art, watching the sun color and shade a work over the course of an afternoon.
The Kings Beach Fine Art Festival is presented by West Coast Artists. For additional information, visit www.westcoastartists.com or call 818-813-4478.


text:
WASHINGTON -- States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate on Monday.
Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are essentially tax-free, giving Internet retailers a big advantage over brick-and-mortar stores.
The bill would allow states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where shoppers live.
The bill pits brick-and-mortar stores like Wal-Mart against online services such as eBay (EBAY). The National Retail federation supports it. Amazon, which initially fought efforts in some states to make it collect sales taxes, supports it, too.
On the other side, San Jose-based eBay has been rallying customers to oppose the bill.
"I hope you agree that imposing unnecessary tax burdens on small online businesses is a bad idea," eBay president and CEO John Donahoe said in a letter to customers. "Join us in letting your members of Congress know they should protect small online businesses, not potentially put them out of business."
The Senate, however, voted 74-20 to begin debating the bill. If that level of support continues, the Senate could pass the bill as early as this week.
Supporters say the bill is about fairness for businesses and lost revenue for states. Opponents say it would impose complicated regulations on retailers and doesn't have enough protections for small businesses. Businesses with less than $1 million a year in online sales would be exempt.
"I believe it is important to level the playing field for all retailers," said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., the bill's main sponsor. "We should not be subsidizing some taxpayers at the expense of others."
President Barack Obama supports the bill, but its fate is uncertain in the House, where some Republicans regard it as a tax increase.
Many of the nation's governors -- Republicans and Democrats -- have been lobbying the federal government for years for the authority to collect sales taxes from online sales, said Dan Crippen, executive director of the National Governors Association. Those efforts intensified when state tax revenues took hit from the recession and the slow economic recovery.
"It's a matter of equity for businesses," Crippen said. "It's a matter of revenue for states."
But Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the bill requires participating states to make it relatively easy for Internet retailers to comply. States must provide free computer software to help retailers calculate sales taxes, based on where shoppers live. States must also establish a single entity to receive Internet sales tax revenue, so retailers don't have to send them to individual counties or cities.
"We're way beyond the quill pen and ledger days," Durbin said. "Thanks to computers and thanks to software it is not that complex."


text:
On August 3, 2013 Camdenton Black Belt Academy competed at the 22nd Annual U.S. Central Taekwondo Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla, from which a number of lake area competitors emerged with awards.
Austin Campbell finished fourth in Forms and third Olympic fighting. Alan Poage took second in Forms and second place in Olympic Fighting. Abby McGuire finished with a second place finish in Forms and third in Olympic Fighting.
Zachary Hausen took second in Forms, first in weapons and Olympic Fighting, while Lincoln McGuire finished first in Forms and Olympic Fighting. Seth McGuire also finished both in Forms and Olympic Fighting.
Instructor Ethan Leigh finished first place in Forms and first in Olympic Fighting
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Ask The Storage Expert: Meet the Experts
George Crump is president and founder of Storage Switzerland, an IT analyst firm focused on the storage and virtualization segments.
Categories:Backup: Business Continuity
Pierre Dorion is the data center practice director and a senior consultant with Long View Systems Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jacob Gsoedl is a freelance writer focusing on data storage and a vice president of IT applications with extensive experience with IT infrastructure and business applications.
Randy Kerns is a senior strategist at Evaluator Group in Boulder, Colorado, responsible for SAN and NAS analysis and education, and company and product strategies.
Dennis Martin is founder and president of Golden, Colorado-based Demartek LLC, a computer industry analyst organization with its own on-site test lab.
Categories:Storage Networking: SAN-NAS
Greg Schulz is founder and senior analyst at StorageIO, an IT infrastructure analyst and consulting firm.
Categories:Storage Networking: SAN-NAS
Eric Slack is a Senior analyst at IT analyst firm Evaluator Group, with a focus on the storage and virtualization segments.
Marc Staimer is founder and senior analyst at Dragon Slayer Consulting in Beaverton, Oregon, focusing on strategic planning, and product and market development.
Arun Taneja is founder, president and consulting analyst at Taneja Group, which focuses on storage and storage-centric server technologies.
Jon William Toigo is CEO and managing principal at Toigo Partners International, and chairman of the Data Management Institute.