text:
I finally began learning python. I wrote my last program in the 80s in Apple Basic, and here I am again starting to learn a new language. I can already guess what my biggest problem will be. I am incredibly impatient. How can I learn to program when I refuse to read the documentation all the way through? Will I succeed in writing a program or am I doomed to give up? No need worrying about it. I type python on the command-line, and start.
Python is already loaded on my computer, so typing python on the command line gives me the python prompt which looks like three greater than signs in a row. I decide to follow the tutorials by typing into the program and seeing what it returns.
Python.org has got a nice list of beginning tutorials on a page called Beginner's Guide to Python. I picked a tutorial to start with called Learning to Program.
I Breezed through the first couple of pages stopping when I found the Hello World program. You aren't really learning to program until you do Hello World. The tutorial actually said to write
print 'Hello there!', but I am a traditionalist. At the prompt I wrote
print 'Hello world!' and Hello world! popped up. I was on my way!
In a previous blog, I decided to write a program called period tracker(PT) that counts how many days since a person's last menstrual period. First, I opened a text file and started to think out what logically I had to do to make the program work.
The program requires me to subtract dates from dates. It takes more than simple math to subtract September 27 from October 12. Each month has a different number of days, and the program had to know that. Would I need to construct a table so the program knew how many days were in each month? Would I have to make a calendar counting each day from January first and converting the input dates?
But then I thought, surely someone has done this before. Python has modules that do stuff like this. I just needed to find out which modules controlled these calendar functions. I asked my local python expert (read husband) and he showed me where to find the documentation for python on my computer (mine was in a file at /usr/share/doc/python2.4/html/index.html). I tried to tell him that I had found the documentation on a website but he poo pooed me for trying to use offsite documentation.
Anyway, there were two modules that looked like they might be useful for this program. Calendar for general calendar-related functions and datetime for basic date and time types. Looking through the documentation, I saw that datetime has a class object called date that can add and subtract dates. My first goal was to figure out how to import and run a module that would subtract a date from a date and return a number.
To load a module I typed
import and the module name. It explained this in the calendar documentation, but how do I use the class object
date? I better go back to my tutorial and see if it has anything on modules.
I searched the table of contents and found the page on functions and modules. Having skipped a few pages I found it a bit hard to read, but "Faith favors the fearless" or "hope helps the helpless" or something like that. I'm sure that there is some aphorism for blindly going where angels fear to tread. Anyway, it says that you can use the sys module to exit from python. Cool! I had not even thought about how to leave the program yet.
I skimmed through, and not finding what I was looking for I tried typing a few commands. Just guessing really. Mostly I got back error messages.
At times like these I must pause. I realize that blindly typing things into the computer can have consequences. I realize that doing such things has caused me problems in the past such as the time I reformatted my program disk by mistake. I think that I should be a good girl and calmly read the directions. But the fact is I am not a good girl. I am a nervous, flighty, distractable, impatient woman who wanted to know how to do this yesterday and who has no patience for incompetence. I want it to work, and I want it to work now. Once I have a quick and dirty outline of a program I figure that I can sculpt it into something neater.
When I read the official documentation, I'm annoyed that there aren't more examples. Not understanding the syntax, I type in things that sound reasonable, but are wrong. Perhaps blindly guessing may not be the best way to learn how to program. Who knew?
So I slowly go back and begin reading everything that applies to python modules from the top of the page, then in my python window I type:
print dir(datetime) and it returns a valid answer this time instead of an error.
['MAXYEAR', 'MINYEAR', '__doc__', '__file__', '__name__', 'date', 'datetime', 'time', 'timedelta', 'tzinfo']These are the classes under the module datetime.
Reading the documentation page, I find that the difference between one date and another is called a timedelta. This timedelta number can show me the number of days since the last menstrual period which is the first piece of data that my program will compute. Python modules can do it. I can make this work. I step back and plan the program again.
Period tracker will have a number of functions.
- I ask for a list of dates of first day of each menstrual period.
- Then I subtract them finding the timedelta between each of them.
- Next I can average all of them and find the average length of a menstrual period.
- Then I add the timedelta to the last date shown to predict the date the next period will start. I might do this to the end of the year.
- I should also do a range and compute the percent error in the calculation.
- I should have some part of the program that looks for missed periods and either inserts a period where there should have been, or removes the data so that it doesn't mess up the average, or flashes a pregnancy alert.
OK, Maybe I'm going a bit too far on the last one. I still need to figure out how to subtract one date from another, and how to write a program in a text file. So far I have only used the command line. But at least I have started now. When you are first learning, you should take baby steps, but sometimes it's hard not to try to run before I can walk.
Keep it up Ros, you may finish in time for your menopause...
Sorry, my non-PC side got the better of me there.
I'm totally confident you can achieve all the steps you listed for your program. As long as you break everything down to simple steps (and it looks like that's what you're doing) you can't go wrong.
Sometimes it can help to do a little mini project like a proof of concept or something on the side, so jou don't get bogged down too much. I know it helps me when working on long projects. Nothing motivates like success.
you'll get through
that was something! I would have to wish you luck. I know that you will get to succeed on this. Just be patient enough and you will perfect everything .
You will learn more than you think
Setting yourself challenges is a great way to approach life in general. You will be amazed at what you can achieve. When you try to learn a computer language you will also learn a lot of other things. For one thing, you will gain a deeper understanding of how your computer works. It will also help you to think problems through in a logical manner.
I didn't know how to do this either, so you inspired me to experiment. Here is my result.
import datetime
k = datetime.date(2000, 3, 17)
l = datetime.date(2002, 7, 4)
print l - k
Now, how about a program that calculates how many shopping days until Christmas? Happy programming!
subracting dates
You might wish to look into converting to/from Julian date. Julian date is a day numbering (starts at noon officially, because it was invented by an astronomer :), so that you don't have to worry about month boundaries...just subtract.
Unfortunately, about 13 comments on this blog entry were lost due to a bug in Drupal. The bug is currently being investigated.
If you commented on this post yesterday and cannot see your comment now, please accept out apologies and post your comment again.
Apologies also to Rosalyn.
- FSM Staff
Kindred spirit
I've never met a female programmer. I feel I'm in it alone. I'm not patient at all and hate to read documentation. So I can completely relate. I want to learn it all....Perl/CGI, PHP, C++, .Net (Lord knows why...I just know I need to keep up with everything and not just stick with unix based languages). I've gotten side tracked due to work but I'm in the position now that I may have a lot of free time on my hands during part of the week. I have a few complicated projects lined up. Nothing that I need to rush on....just projects that I want to see if I can code. Trying to decide on the best language.....thinking of perl.
Good luck with this.
Documentation is vital
I don't understand this "hate to read documentation" mentality. Documentation is vital, if only because there's no way you can hold in your head all the information you need.
For instance, while doing any Python programming, I have two pages permanently open in Firefox: the Python Library Reference and the Language Reference. From here I can hop immediately to a relevant page that explains further some point about some code I'm working on.
If you're not doing this, then chances are you're not using the language to its full effect. This can manifest itself in code written in a long-winded, roundabout fashion, that could be rephrased much more concisely. In Python, at least, the concise version is often easier to understand and easier to maintain, as well.
Lawrence D'Oliveiro
Gotta be kidding apout perl
> Trying to decide on the best language.....thinking of perl.
If there was the slightest hint that you were joking I'd let that go, but as you seem to be serious about it... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T DO IT! Perl is a horrible hack that happens to work mostly ok for one-liners or throwaway little scripts, but will suck your brain and make you regret the moment you decided to write your first over-hundred-lines program. You know, programs are read far more often than written and perl has been fairly described as "write-only" language. Trust me on this, you don't want to decipher a non-trivial 3-months-old perl script, even if you wrote it (let alone someone else).
Same holds at a lesser degree with PHP since it's more or less a dumbed-down version of perl aimed at web "programming". It's the easiest to learn compared to the alternatives if you want to hack a few dynamic pages here and there but as a language is inherently flawed, ignoring all modern language design principles and leaving with you a mess of program logic entangled with presentation (html).
If you're looking for a language that keeps a healthy balance between elegance and practicality, learn Python and/or Ruby. Both languages are fairly high level and have more commonalities than differences; most people's preference to one or the other usually comes down to personal taste. Ruby seems to be somewhat more orthogonal and elegant, Python is currently faster and has much larger standard and 3rd party libraries (though the gap may shrink in the coming years after the hype around Ruby on Rails). My personal preference is python (love the clean syntax and the included batteries) but I'd certainly consider Ruby as a reasonable alternative should I decide to leave python behind sometime in the future.
Hope this helps,
Comments my comments?
Is it possible that only posts by annonymous cowards are being allowed here? I watched my husband type in a comment that never appeared. Let's get that Drupal bug fixed!!
Test comment
This is a test comment, to see if it appears and if it's owned my Merc!
Probably lost due to the bug
Hi Rosalyn,
Your husband's comment was probably one of those lost when the bug did its work. Not very many people bother logging in to comment. It seems even people who have registered can't be bothered logging in before commenting even though they can win the book competition if they do. Still I'd rather anonymous comments than none at all.
I hope this improves in the coming months.
Was held for moderation
My post was 'held for moderation'. I'm guessing it's because it contained a lot of links (it was a list of links to Python resources).
Matter of statistics
Not only do you have to calculate the average interval, but you should also calculate the standard deviation as well. This is because biology does not run on clockwork (who am I to tell you this? you know it already), so there will be some drift, and your predictions will get less and less accurate further out.
It would also help if, instead of calculating the average from all your records right back to whenever, that you only kept a "running average", going back say, a year or two at most. That way your calculation will adapt better to drift, and your prediction for a particular date in the future will become more accurate as it gets closer.
Lawrence D'Oliveiro
Python Tutorial Videos (ShowMeDo)
Hi there. Over at ShowMeDo.com we have a growing set of (free) educational videos, mostly for programming (34 for Python right now with more to come). You might like Jerol's introduction to Python objects, and our IDE sets may give you a few pointers towards new development environments. My founding partner Kyran has a set on GUI programming with wxPython which might help if want to add a user-interface?
We're moving towards larger, more useful tutorial sets. John Montgomery has a set on writing Java applets, it'll be a 10-part set when finished (but using Java, so not so useful to you) - but a great example of where we're heading. We are always looking for feedback on how we could improve, if you have thoughts?
Ian Ozsvald ([email protected] - one of the founders of ShowMeDo.com)
Don't bite more than you can chew
Thats how it works. Just keep learning, don't bite more than you can chew or you'll want to quit. Don't hop to another language just yet, continue with python, when its time to learn something new you'll know.
To complete your current project successfully I suggest you play around with modules you intend to use in your program so you'll understand exactly how to implement them in your program.
Just be steady in your learning and you're there.
Some useful python links
Okay, I'm going to try posting this again:
You complain about a lack of examples in the Python documentation, and you are not the first to notice this. There are, however, a number of third party sites that attempt to fill this void. Two of the best:
Useless Python
A collection of python snippets that demonstrate various tricks and usages. As the name implies, this is not production code, just fun demos.
ActiveState Developer Network
Active State maintains a python distribution, and a website with lots of programmer distributions (I think they work with other languages too, based on the site). Anyway, there are a lot of nice "cookbook" examples on this site.
And here's yet another python tutorial, you may like:
Python as a First Programming Language for Everyone
Happy hacking!
Good luck! When you do
Good luck! When you do perfect this, be sure to get a load of questions from me. I am a beginner and have very little knowledge about this. When I do learn enough, I'll be looking towards you for help! Where can I learn more about htis python?


text:
November 2, 2005
The flu season has just barely begun, so why are both Columbia and Richmond Counties out of the vaccine already? Health Team 12 is on your side with when you can expect the next delivery.
Lucky for Champ Newsome he was in the right seat at the right time.
"I mean, why did I pick today? I don't know. It was just good timing," Newsome said.
Champ received some of the last drops of flu vaccine Wednesday just minutes before the Richmond County Health Department ran dry.
"You know we just happened to pick today and hit it lucky, we got the last one," Newsome said.
But unlucky perhaps for both Richmond and Columbia Counties since their next shipment won't arrive for another eight days. Given a countywide interest in the shot however, health officials say they're not surprised this happened.
"Augusta-Richmond County has a community of 200,000 people and we ordered 2,400 doses so we never planned to vaccinate the whole community," said Jane Oglesby, Facility Administrator at Richmond Co. Health Department.
It's why she's directing patients to other places, at least for the time being. But News 12 has also learned several area pharmacies are out, or have already offered their clinics. Oglesby says hospitals with walk-in services would be a safe bet.
"They may not be able to get a flu vaccine from the Health Department, but I do think it will be available for the community," Oglesby said.
After November 10th, Columbia and Richmond Counties will have 900 doses left to use of their season-long order. So until that supply runs low, nurses in both locations will continue rolling up their sleeves as well as yours.
"Convenience is one thing and it's a nice place to come. I feel protected now," Newsome said.
There have been no reports of the flu in Richmond County.

subset: commoncrawl


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Great Stuff Big Gap Filler Insulating Foam Sealant-04/17/2008
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DANGER! Flammable Gas. Vapors may cause flash fire. This product is extremely FLAMMABLE during dispensing. DO NOT SMOKE WHILE DISPENSING OR USE NEAR OPEN FLAME. Shut off pilot lights and sources of ignition until foam is tack free. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.Do not breathe vapors. Inhalation and skin exposure may cause sensitization. Ensure good ventilation. Open all windows and doors in the room. If no ventilation is available, wear a NIOSH approved respirator with an organic vapor and particulate filter (P-100). Contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Do not store above 120F (49C) or in areas of high heat. The cured foam is combustible. Do not expose to temperatures above 240F (116C). Extremely sticky and very difficult to remove from skin and other surfaces. Prevent skin and eye contact. Wear gloves and protective eyewear. Protect work area with a drop cloth or newspaper. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. SCREW threaded end of straw assembly securely onto valve. Dispense slowly. If product does not flow easily, do not force product from can. Familiarize yourself with foam by practicing on newspaper.CLEAN UP: If you get GREAT STUFF on your skin, remove excess carefully with a dry cloth, being careful not smear the foam to other unexposed areas. Wash with soap and water. Frequent application of petroleum jelly or vegetable oil may help sooth the skin. Cured foam must be mechanically removed or allowed to wear off in time. There are no solvents or cleansers that will dissolve the cured foam; using such solvents may cause harm and chemical burns. On solid surfaces, uncured foam dissolves with acetone. Test a hidden area before applying to the exposed area. Cured foam will discolor if exposed to ultraviolet light. Paint or coat foam for best results in outdoor applications.DO NOT OVERFILL. Fill openings less than 50 percent full. For large voids, mist water between foam applications to speed cure. Overfilling can buckle substrates. Overfilling the gap is common, but easy to remedy. Once dry, trim excess foam with any sharp knife or serrated blade.
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From MSDS:Hazards IdentificationEmergency OverviewColor: YellowPhysical State: FoamOdor: MildHazards of product:DANGER! Flammable gas - May cause flash fire. May cause allergic skin reaction. May cause allergic respiratory reaction. May cause eye irritation. May cause skin irritation. May cause lung injury. Vapor reduces oxygen available for breathing. May cause anesthetic effects. May cause respiratory tract irritation. May react with water. Evacuate area. Keep upwind of spill. Stay out of low areas. Elevated temperatures can cause hazardous polymerization. Toxic fumes may be released in fire situations. Contents under pressure. Avoid temperatures above 105F (41C).This product is a ***Hazardous Chemical*** as defined by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.Potential Health EffectsEye Contact: May cause eye irritation. May cause slight temporary corneal injury.Skin Contact: Prolonged contact may cause moderate skin irritation with local redness. Material may stick to skin causing irritation upon removal. May stain skin.Skin Absorption: Prolonged skin contact is unlikely to result in absorption of harmful amounts.Skin Sensitization: Skin contact may cause an allergic skin reaction. Animal studies have shown that skin contact with isocyanates may play a role in respiratory sensitization.Inhalation: In confined or poorly ventilated areas, vapor can easily accumulate and can cause unconsciousness and death due to displacement of oxygen. Excessive exposure may cause irritation to upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) and lungs. May cause pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs.) Effects may be delayed. May cause central nervous system depression. Symptoms of excessive exposure may be anesthetic or narcotic effects; dizziness and drowsiness may be observed. Excessive exposure may increase sensitivity to epinephrine and increase myocardial irritability (irregular heartbeats). Decreased lung function has been associated with overexposure to isocyanates.Respiratory Sensitization: May cause allergic respiratory response. MDI concentrations below the exposure guidelines may cause allergic respiratory reactions in individuals already sensitized. Asthma-like symptoms may include coughing, difficult breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest.Occasionally, breathing difficulties may be life threatening.Ingestion: Low toxicity if swallowed. Small amounts swallowed incidentally as a result of normal handling operations are not likely to cause injury; however, swallowing larger amounts may cause injury. Observations in animals include: Gastrointestinal irritation.Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Excessive exposure may aggravate preexisting asthma and other respiratory disorders (e.g. emphysema, bronchitis, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome).
Chronic Health Effects:
From MSDS:Tissue injury in the upper respiratory tract and lungs has been observed in laboratory animals after repeated excessive exposures to MDI/polymeric MDI aerosols. Contains component(s) which have been reported to cause effects on the following organs in animals: Kidney. Liver. Bone marrow. Contains a component which is reported to be a weak organophosphate-type cholinesterase inhibitor. Excessive exposure may produce organophosphate type cholinesterase inhibition. Signs and symptoms of excessive exposure may be headache, dizziness, incoordination, muscle twitching, tremors, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sweating, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision, salivation, tearing, tightness in chest, excessive urination, convulsions.
Lung tumors have been observed in laboratory animals exposed to respirable aerosol droplets of MDI/Polymeric MDI (6 mg/m3) for their lifetime. Tumors occurred concurrently with respiratory irritation and lung injury. Current exposure guidelines are expected to protect against these effects reported for MDI.
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Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with water; remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, then continue flushing eyes for at least 15 minutes. Obtain medical attention without delay, preferably from an ophthalmologist.Skin Contact: Remove material from skin immediately by washing with soap and plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes while washing. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Wash clothing before reuse. An MDI skin decontamination study demonstrated that cleaning very soon after exposure is important, and that a polyglycol-based skin cleanser or corn oil may be more effective than soap and water. Discard items which cannot be decontaminated, including leather articles such as shoes, belts and watchbands.Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration; if by mouth to mouth use rescuer protection (pocket mask, etc). If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be administered by qualified personnel. Call a physician or transport to a medical facility.Ingestion: If swallowed, seek medical attention. Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel.Notes to Physician: Maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation of the patient. May cause asthma-like (reactive airways) symptoms. Bronchodilators, expectorants, antitussives and corticosteroids may be of help. May cause respiratory sensitization or asthma-like symptoms. Bronchodilators, expectorants and antitussives may be of help. Treat bronchospasm with inhaled beta2 agonist and oral or parenteral corticosteroids. Respiratory symptoms, including pulmonary edema, may be delayed. Persons receiving significant exposure should be observed 24-48 hours for signs of respiratory distress. Exposure may increase ***myocardial irritability***. Do not administer sympathomimetic drugs such as epinephrine unless absolutely necessary. If you are sensitized to diisocyanates, consult your physician regarding working with other respiratory irritants or sensitizers. Although cholinesterase depression has been reported with this material, it is not of benefit in determining exposure and need not be considered in the treatment of persons exposed to the material. No specific antidote. Treatment of exposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient.
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Methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)
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As a teen growing up in the small Hudson Valley town of Saugerties, N.Y., Jimmy Fallon often begged his parents for permission to stay up late and catch a few minutes of Johnny Carson on the "The Tonight Show." And though he got a kick out of Carson, he never had the audacity to picture himself as the host of NBC's storied late-night institution.
"A lot of people are asking, 'Is this your dream job?' It wasn't at all my dream job, because I didn't know that this could be a job that you could dream about," says Fallon, who notes that more people have walked on the moon than have hosted "The Tonight Show."
On Monday, the impossible dream becomes reality when Fallon, 39, takes over late night's top-rated program from Jay Leno, who capped a 22-year run earlier this month. He will be only the sixth host since "Tonight" began in 1954, joining a select group that includes Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Carson and -- very briefly -- Conan O'Brien.
Of course, the late-night turf he inherits is vastly different from what it was under Carson, or even in Leno's early years. As a writer for "Variety" observed, what was once a kingdom is now divided into fiefdoms, with competition in the form of everyone from David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
Given that fragmentation, ratings have steadily declined. Leno's "Tonight Show" averaged 3.7 million viewers an episode in 2013, down from more than 6 million at its ratings peak in 1997, and a fraction of Carson's high point of 15 million. But even in 2014, plenty of prestige is packed into "The Tonight Show," which looms large in American pop-cultural history. It also still makes lots of money for NBC -- reportedly delivering more than $125 million in ad revenue last year.
So the expectations -- and the pressure -- remain high.
"It's surreal, and it's an honor," Fallon told reporters at the recent TV critics press tour. "I don't want to let anybody down. I want (viewers) to know that I'm going to work as hard as I can. I'm a big fan of television. I know how much the show means."
Some industry observers have questioned the move's timing. Leno, after all, was still a strong No. 1, and Fallon, a former "Saturday Night Live" standout, had been faring well on NBC's "Late Night" at 12:35 a.m. However, advertisers crave young viewers, which partially explains why NBC wanted to pass the torch to a younger, more digitally savvy host. Kimmel's fast rise on ABC also was a factor.
At least this transition lacks the messiness of the one in 2009-10, when Leno was forced out of his "Tonight" job in favor of O'Brien. Leno, who openly griped about the move, was off the show for nine months, during which he faltered as host of a prime-time series and the "Tonight" ratings declined. One of the biggest debacles in TV history culminated with O'Brien exiting and Leno regaining his throne.
Now, the top ranking in late night is Fallon's to lose. He figures to open strongly, thanks to the promotional oomph of NBC's Winter Olympics coverage. When the Games end, the real competition begins.
Immediately, however, viewers will see changes that extend far beyond the man at the desk. For starters, the "Tonight Show" has relocated from Burbank to Fallon's home base of New York for the first time since Carson moved the show to the West Coast in 1972. It will be taped on a sparkling new set in Rockefeller Center's Studio 6B, where Carson and Paar once presided.
"I just think it's the perfect place, where it should be," Fallon says of the move. "I think of the lights and Times Square and Broadway and night life and the excitement and the glitz and glamour of all that is the 'Tonight Show.' "
It wasn't that long ago that Fallon seemed an unlikely choice to carry the "Tonight Show" franchise forward. But he honed his interviewing skills during five years on "Late Night" and quickly won viewers over with his sweet nature and geeky energy.
He also displayed an eagerness to vacate his desk and get silly. Fallon has performed musical parodies with Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young, "slow jammed" the news with President Barack Obama, danced with first lady Michelle Obama and done spot-on imitations of Barry Gibb. Along the way, he and his writers built a show tailored for the new-media world, teeming with Internet-friendly sketches that tend to go viral.
But will it play to the core "Tonight" audience? Leno's ratings success was largely attributed to his broad-based humor and general appeal to middle America. Fallon's approach might be different, but his supporters say he has the charisma to reach the masses. Josh Lieb, a producer for "Tonight," calls Fallon "the least exclusive comedian I know." And in a recent "Vanity Fair" piece, Tina Fey talked of how her former "SNL" cast mate established "Late Night" as an "uncommonly warm, welcoming show."
Fallon insists the migration to a new time slot will not change him. And he's pretty sure his predecessors would approve.
"I wish Steve Allen and Johnny Carson were still around to see what we're going to do with the show, because I think when they invented ("Tonight"), it was all about being fun and silly and goofy," he says. "Watch us, and you get a good laugh, and you go to bed with a smile on your face."
Follow Chuck Barney at Twitter.com/chuckbarney and Facebook.com/bayareanewsgroup.chuckbarney.
"the Tonight show starring jimmy fallon'
When: Midnight Monday
Where: NBC
First guests: Will Smith, U2


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POSITION: Goaltender
CATCHES: Left
BIRTHPLACE: Laval, QC, CAN
DRAFTED: LAK: 2006-11 overall
|2009-10: 3-0-0 with 1.30 GAA, .957 spct and one shutout in three appearances with the Kings…Earned first career NHL assist April 1, 2010 vs. Vancouver (27 saves, 8-3 win)…First career NHL shutout March 30, 2010 at Nashville (34 saves, 2-0 win)…Youngest Kings goaltender to record shutout (21 years, 235 days)…29 saves and stopped all six shootout attempts (first career NHL shootout) March 12, 2010 at Dallas (2-1 win)…Recalled from Manchester (AHL) twice during season…30-21-6 with 2.03 GAA, .936 spct and nine shutouts in 57 regular season appearances with Manchester…Among AHL goaltenders he ranked: first in save percentage, first in shutouts, first in saves, second in goals-against average, third in wins and third in minutes…Named AHL's Goaltender of the Year (Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award and AHL First-Team All-Star…Starting goaltender for Team Canada at 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic…Named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week Jan. 31, 2010...Named Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for October 2009…10-6 with 1.81 GAA, .939 spct and three shutouts in 16 playoff appearances with Manchester, helping the Monarchs advance to the AHL's Eastern Conference Finals…Among AHL goaltenders he ranked: first in goals-against average, first in save percentage, first in shutouts, first in saves, second in wins and second in minutes.
2008-09: 23-24-4 with 2.40 GAA, .914 spct and five shutouts in 54 appearances with Manchester…Among AHL rookie goaltenders he ranked: first in shutouts (tied for third overall), first with six shootout wins (tied for third overall), fifth in wins, fifth in goals-against average (ninth overall) and seventh in save percentage…Named Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for March 2009…Six-game win streak Feb. 28 to March 8, 2009…Allowed only four goals in five-game span Feb. 28 to March 7, 2009…Two four-game win streaks (Nov. 14 to Nov. 21, 2008 and Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, 2008)…Recalled by Kings Jan. 18, 2009 and suited up for two games, but didn't play.
2007-08: 1-3-0 with 4.03 GAA and .864 spct in four appearances with Kings…Won NHL debut Sept. 29, 2007 vs. Anaheim – in London (26 saves, 4-1 win)…At the time was the 11th youngest player (second youngest goaltender) to appear in game for Kings…Youngest Kings goaltender to win in NHL debut…18-12-3 with 2.73 GAA and .908 spct in 34 regular season appearances with Lewiston (QMJHL)…Among QMJHL goaltenders he ranked: second in goals-against average and fifth in save percentage…2-4 with 2.93 GAA and .918 spct in six playoff games with Lewiston…Assigned to Manchester April 3, 2008 and appeared in three playoff games for the Monarchs (0-3 with 2.76 GAA and .908 spct).
2006-07: 26-10-0 with 2.58 GAA, .905 spct and two shutouts in 37 regular season appearances with Lewiston…Among QMJHL goaltenders he ranked: second in goals-against average, fourth in save percentage and ninth in wins…Named QMJHL Defensive Player of the Month for November 2006…16-1 with 2.34 GAA, .919 spct and one shutout in 17 playoff games with Lewiston, helping the MAINEiacs capture the QMJHL Championship and bid in Memorial Cup…Named QMJHL Playoff Most Valuable Player (Guy Lafleur Trophy)…1-3 with 2.07 GAA and .940 spct in four Memorial Cup games.
2005-06: 27-26-0 with 2.70 GAA, .908 spct and two shutouts in 54 regular season appearances with Lewiston…Among QMJHL goaltenders he ranked: third in minutes, fifth in goals-against average, tied for fifth in save percentage, tied for sixth in wins and seventh in appearances…Played in CHL Top Prospects Game…2-4 with 2.84 GAA, .914 spct and one shutout in six playoff games with Lewiston.
2004-05: 7-12-3 with 2.97 GAA and .900 spct in 23 regular season games with Lewiston…Allowed first QMJHL goal to his brother Marc-Andre Sept. 24, 2004…Appeared in one playoff game with Lewiston, stopping all nine shots in 20 minutes of play.
LAST AMATEUR CLUB: Lewiston, QMJHL…QMJHL Playoff Most Valuable Player (Guy Lafleur Trophy) and QMJHL Second-Team All-Star in 2006-07…Played in CHL Top Prospects Game in 2005-06.
INTERNATIONAL PLAY: Earned gold medal for Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championships (2 GP, 1-1-0, 2.00 GAA, .947 spct, 1 shutout) – one of four Kings to play for the team (Drew Doughty, Thomas Hickey and Wayne Simmonds)…Represented Canada at 2006 World U18 Championships and 2007 Super Series (best junior players from Canada and Russia competing)…Represented QMJHL in Canada-Russia Challenge in 2006…Represented Team Canada Quebec at 2004 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
PERSONAL: While with Lewiston in 2007-08, he launched "Bernier's Saves to Remember" – made $8 donation to Maine Alzheimer's Association for every save ($6,164 total donated)…Shares same birthday with Sidney Crosby…Younger brother of Marc-Andre Bernier (Vancouver's second-round selection – 60th overall – in 2003 NHL Entry Draft)…Second goaltender selected by Kings in first round of NHL Entry Draft (Jamie Storr was seventh overall selection in 1994).


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Mozilla's Mitchell Baker spoke recently about an interesting shift we're seeing in technology — a shift from the web as a "maker's world" that actively encouraged tinkering, tweaking and getting your hands dirty, to an era of "elegant consumption" that's increasingly about one-way reception. As... Read more
Tidy Street in Brighton, UK is the center of a domestic energy monitoring project from CHANGE, a collaboration that includes The Open University and looks into using novel technologies to change human behavior, particularly to improve the environment.
Netflix, Hulu, Blockbuster VOD, Vudu, and a slew of other video streaming services have been popping up left and right. Yet there's a big problem with most of these services: many of them suffer from the same mentality that the recording industry had in 1999--they are resisting the demands of their... Read more


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Despite a healthy dose of snow in December, skier visits at 21 resorts across Colorado fell 11.5 percent during the first part of the season compared to 2011, according to data collected by Colorado Ski Country USA.
But in Summit County, business held fairly steady to the prior year between the start of the ski season and the end of the year, occupancy and sales data for several local towns show.
Vail Resorts reported a 2 percent increase in skier visits through the holiday season, noting a rise in use by season pass holders, according to a financial earnings statement released earlier this month.
Lift ticket, ski school, dining and retail revenues were all up during the first part of the season as well, though the numbers are not broken down by resort.
Locally, Vail Resorts owns Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort, but the financial report also includes data from its Eagle County and Tahoe resorts.
In Breckenridge, short-term lodging occupancy was flat in November to the year before. It took a slight 3 percent dip in December, but revenues held steady to 2011 numbers, according to data provided by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber.
"When we look at Breckenridge, it's the diversity here," BRC spokeswoman Rachel Zerowin said. "People come here to do more than ski."
Local businesses across the county reported business was generally good through the holiday season.
"I don't think it's been a terrible year," Dillon Dam Brewery manager George Blincoe said. "It's been a decent year so far."
For others, the first part of the season was better than decent. Mary Elaine Moore, owner of Stork and Bear Company and Around the World Toys, said her customers seemed to be finding ways to make the most of their visit off the ski slopes when the snow wasn't falling.
"Our numbers are really strong compared to last year," Moore said. "I think this year they've figured out that even if there isn't snow, there are things to do up here."
Industry officials attributed the statewide dip in skier visits to on-again off-again snowfall, which delayed openings at some resorts.
"First period is largely fueled by in-state visitors and an unseasonably warm October and November kept many Coloradans from tallying lots of ski days," Colorado Ski Country USA president and CEO Melanie Mills stated in a recent release of the period between opening day and Dec. 31. "Snow did not arrive in earnest until mid-December, but when it came, it was in time for in-state and out-of-state guests to enjoy wonderful wintery holidays at resorts."
Vail Resorts' financial data reflected a similar trend of a lull in business until the snow began to stack up in December.
"We were very pleased to see that once more typical conditions arrived at our resorts, we saw very strong visitation and guest spending," VR CEO Rob Katz stated in a release earlier this month.
Breck got 25 inches of snow in December, a number on par with the 20-year average for the month, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Vail Daily reporter Lauren Glendenning contributed to the reporting of this story.


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For more than two centuries, young men and women have applied for entrance into the highly regarded United States Military Academies. The process is rigorous, and requires an applicant have a history of personal discipline and a commitment to his or her school and community. Members of Congress have the distinct privilege of nominating outstanding young men and women to attend the nation's military academies. Congressman Huelskamp recruited a board of Kansans to review applicants with the board providing recommendations to Huelskamp.
On Thursday, Huelskamp announced he had nominated 18 individuals from the state. Two were from McPherson County, including: Nicholas Deterding of Lindsborg, son of Todd and Christine Deterding, nominated to the United States Naval Academy; and Grant Garst of Inman, son of Billy and Tamara Garst, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.
"I am honored to nominate these distinguished men and women to attend our nation's military academies," Huelskamp said of the 18 individuals. "Each has shown a tremendous dedication to his or her school work and extracurricular activities, as well as to their communities. These young men and women have bright futures ahead of them, and I have no doubt that they will serve our country well."
Location, ST | website.com


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There will be a West Virginia State Police sobriety checkpoint conducted on Friday, January 4, 2013, at approximately 8 p.m. in front of the Ravenswood City Maintenance Building on WV Route 68 in Ravenswood. The purpose of the checkpoint will be the detection and apprehension of suspected drunken drivers, as sell as the enforcement of the traffic laws of the State of West Virginia. The checkpoint will be operated from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. for a total of six hours.
Location, ST | website.com


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Nina Davuluri's Miss America Win Spurs Racist Tweets
Syracuse's Nina Davuluri, the first Asian American Miss New York, has been crowned 2014′s Miss America, beating out two other Asian American finalists to win the tiara — including 4th Runner Up Rebecca Yeh, Miss Minnesota, who won the talent portion of the scholarship competition with a stirring rendition of Henri Wieniawski's "Scherzo and Tarantella" on violin, and 1st Runner Up Miss California Crystal Lee, an intern at Dropbox with two degrees from Stanford, who competed on the platform "Women in STEM."
Meanwhile, Davuluri, the daughter of an Indian American OB/GYN, plans to study to become a cardiologist after finishing out her one-year reign. (Maybe the real winner this year was Tiger Mom?)
Davuluri performed a classical Bollywood dance during the pageant's talent segment, underscoring her Desi roots. Sadly, this only served to further enraged xenophobes and racists on social media, who all-too-expectedly unleashed a flood of ignorance on Twitter the instant the tiara touched Davuluri's head.
Some commenters, like Buckeye Elizabeth, chose to attack Davuluri for being Muslim, despite the fact that she is the daughter of Hindu immigrants from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In previous competitions, the new Miss America has publicly celebrated ancestry as key to helping her succeed on the pageant circuit. "My Indian origin [has] helped me win," she told the Indian daily newspaper The Hindu in 2007, after she was named first runner-up for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Miss America's associated pageant for girls 13 to 17.
Davuluri was caught up in a non-race-related controversy during the competition as well, when reports said that she was allegedly overheard calling her predecessor as Miss New York and Miss America, Mallory Hagan, "fat as f***." An investigation by the Miss America Organization found the charges groundless — and particularly unlikely, given Davuluri's revelations after her Miss New York victory of her own struggles with bulimia during college, when she weighed as much as 170 pounds.
The new Miss America was confronted with a challenging question during the poise portion of the competition when judge Carla Hall (of ABC's "The Chew") asked her to reflect on the revelation by Julie Chen, of her decision to have plastic surgery to look "less Asian." Davuluri's answer: She's against it. But in her response, she also managed to drop a pointed remark: "I've always viewed Miss America as the girl next door. And Miss America is always evolving."
As was proven on Sunday night, the climax of a pageant that featured five Asian American contestants, more than any in Miss America history — something underscored by the fact that the first runner up, Miss California, wasn't even the pageant's only Crystal Lee: Miss Hawaii, a hapa Chinese from Waipahu, also shared the name, which would've caused all kinds of havoc had both Crystal Lees made it to the final five. As it is, with Asian Americans representing a full 60% of next year's court, the haters will have a full year to get used to the reality that the "girl next door" looks decidedly different in this, the 13th year of the 21st century.
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
[Correction: An earlier version of this post stated that Nina Davuluri "is the daughter of Hindu immigrants from the Indian state of Telugu." She is the daughter of Hindu immigrants from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.]


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SNOWMASS VILLAGE - BJ Adams and Co. was honored with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World marketing awards at its February 2013 annual conference at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.
The company was given a first-place award for company brand and property advertising, based on creativity, quality and overall presentation and effectiveness, according to a statement. This is the second time BJ Adams and Co. has been honored with the first-place prize in this category.
In addition, the opening session of the conference highlighted two nominees from the global network for the Customer Experience: Transaction of the Year Award, one of whom was Leah Moriarty, of Snowmass Village, a BJ Adams broker.
Moriarty was featured and acknowledged as someone who provided such a superb experience for her clients that her firm took out display ads in the local Aspen papers praising her.


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I found Jen's article so helpful last year that I wanted to share it with all of you for any upcoming Derby plans you may have. Here's Jen's helpful article, all about derby hats:
Hats are on top, filling fashion to the brim
Jen Wood Cunningham
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether it's a fascinator, a fedora or hats of the large-brim variety, one thing's for sure: Hats are all that. It's not just a cure for a bad hair day, it's an extension of your look and another element with which you can experiment.
With Derby parties, outdoor summer events and hanging out at the pool, it's a great time of year to try out your favorite hat looks, not to mention a great way to protect your hair, scalp and face from the sun's rays. Sunblock, hats and shades — and sun protection in general — make good fashion and common sense.
To find out how best to decorate a hat for a fun party or spring event like the Kentucky Derby, or parties planned with that theme, here are some give a variety of looks on varying budgets, including some DIY options.
Design a Derby hat
Target and Gabriel Brothers have great selections of hats ready for some added decor, and most are less than $10. Elder-Beerman have an amazing selection of hats on sale for 50 percent off, and TJ Maxx have several hats, even some Ralph Lauren designs, for less than $20.
Add a bright patterned or floral scarf for some added color and dimension for an easy Derby hat look! For even more flair, grab some ribbon, tulle, feathers, fabric glitter spray, silk flowers or artificial butterflies or birds.
If Carrie Bradshaw can pull off a bird on her head, so can you! Don't be afraid of a glue gun or hat pins. Go easy on the glue or use hat pins so you can remove the "extras" later and reuse the hat for another event.
Fashion confession: I purchased a black sun hat last year for my bridal shower and sprayed it with black fabric glitter, just to give a bit of flair and then added magenta ribbon (pink is my signature color, after all). I tacked the ribbon on in only a couple places. I will be repurposing this hat with different add-ons, maybe butterflies and flowers, for a Derby party May 4.
Check out my hat transformation photos at pinterest.com/wvstyleteam.
Tips of the hat from a pro
To help you (and me) create haute hats, I enlisted some inspiration and support from local hat designer and fashionista Penny Fioravante. In addition to her day job as executive director of the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association, Fioravante is a costume designer specializing in millinery and fantasy. She has designed for productions ranging from small stage plays and classical Shakespeare to fully staged operas, films and high-fashion runway shows.
Inspired by the glamour of vintage fashion, Fioravante uses antique or repurposed materials in her designs whenever possible. Her personal style motto: "If all the world's a stage, dress for it. Life is too short to wear ugly clothes."
WVStyleTeam: What is your favorite place to get artistic inspiration for hats?
Fioravante: My artistic inspiration comes from everywhere — old movies and photos, nature, animals, even household gadgets! I like to think outside the norm and create whimsical things you wear with a smile.
WVStyleTeam: What is your favorite accessory to add to a hat?
Fioravante: My favorite "add-ons" are butterflies and birds; they look so lovely and whimsical floating around your head! Depending on your mood or the season, add ribbons, silk flowers, feathers and whatever interesting things you may find … there are no rules, if you find something you like, make it work!
WVStyleTeam: What is your favorite Derby hat look? A small fascinator or "the bigger the better"?
Fioravante: I actually like to design "two-in-one" hats. Think of a big hat with a detachable trimming that doubles as a fascinator. It really depends on your setting and how much room you have to show off your hat. You don't want to have to take it off to get through a crowd, and you certainly don't want to put anyone's eye out! Fascinators are great in that they don't give you "hat hair."
WVStyleTeam: What's the best advice you would give to a lady putting together a look for a Derby party?
Fioravante: Don't take yourself too seriously. Derby hats should make you smile, whether you are wearing one or seeing one being worn. You can't go wrong with a simple sheath dress and a flamboyant hat.
Let the pros do the work
Don't have the desire or time for DIY? Are designer or ready-to-wear hats more your style?
Check out Yarid's on Bridge Road, Penny Fioravante's designs at House of Luxe or Dressmaker's Closet, and there are many options online for your hat needs.
Amazon is always an option (hooray for free shipping!). Etsy has many options at a variety of prices, although you should allow plenty of lead time for shipping. Nordstrom has an entire section of its site devoted to hats, with free and fast shipping.
Designer digs could run you a pretty penny, but there are budget-conscious options too. Some hats like the BCBG Pretty Bow Fascinator and select August Hat designs will set you back $38. Other August Hat and Nordstrom designs can cost upwards of $120. There are a few Kate Spade hats available for $78 to $88, while an Eric Javits Maribel Sun Hat is $295. There are options on a variety of budgets and to fit a variety of styles and events.
Final fashion thought: Split the difference. As Penny mentioned, a simple dress paired with a flamboyant hat is great, and I would say that the opposite is be true. If your dress or outfit has a lot going on — lots of colors, patterns — I would go with a simple headpiece. A simple fascinator or a classic large-brimmed hat with a simple ribbon or one flower or bow.
Remember, there is such thing as too much. You want to draw attention in a fashionable and fantastic way.
Fashion homework: We want to see your hat selections or DIY creations. Post them on Twitter and tag us — @wvstyleteam. What's the point in putting in the work if you can't show it off?
For more hat-spiration, check out WVStyleTeam on Pinterest. pinterest.com/wvstyleteam
Helpful links
Joann Fabric: www.joann.com
Michael's: www.michaels.com
Target: www.target.com
Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/derby
Etsy: www.etsy.com
– See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/Life/201304270130#sthash.N60nhlBN.dpuf


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"Wonderful Christmas card, great colors and lettering choices. Site was fairly easy to use tho the checkout was confusing at the end. Reproduction of my photo was excellent. The cropping / zoom function made it easy to fine tune my photo for best result. Cards look very professional, not hokey or homemade. Very good quality paper for the cards, nice plain envelopes. Order came exceptionally quickly, much appreciated. Cute and funny, great graphics, just what I wanted. [of course my adorable pug's photo was the clincher.] thx lizzy d"
"I was so pleased with these Christmas cards! They are very high quality and look just how I hoped! Shipping was speedy, too!"
"This is my 1st family holiday card. It was perfect in color and design. I've gotten compliments on it from family and friends. It's not too little and not too much...it's just right!"
"Sent this card this year for Christmas to all of our friends and family. Every single person has commented on the card! Fantastic card overall, no complaints what so ever!!"
"This is a beautiful and simple card that works so well for black and white shots. The extra postage is not appealing but it is worth it for the card."


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The best Bar on the globe is ... in Seoul/Korea
By Mike Dietrich-Oracle on Apr 13, 2012
As you know already sometimes I write about things which really don't have to do anything with a database upgrade. So if you are looking for tips and tricks and articles about that topic please stop reading now
Actually I'm not a lets-go-to-a-bar person. I enjoy good food and a fine dessert wine afterwards. But last week in Seoul/Korea Ryan, our local host, did ask us after a wonderful dinner at a Korean Barbecue place if we'd like to visit a bar. I was really tired as I flew into Seoul overnight from Sunday to Monday arriving Monday early morning, getting shower, breakfast - and then a full day of very good and productive customer meetings. But one thing Ryan mentioned catched my immediate attention: The owner of the bar collects records and has a huge tube amp stereo system - and you can ask him to play your favorite songs.
The bar is called "Peter, Paul and Mary" - honestly not my favorite style of music. And I even coulnd't find a webpage or an address - only that little piece of information on Facebook.
But after stepping down the stairs to the cellar my eyes almost poped out of my head. This is the audio system:
Enourmus huge corner horn loudspeakers from Western Electric. Pretty old I'd suppose but delivering an incredible present dynamics into the room. And plenty of tube equipment from Jadis, NSA Labs and Shindo Laboratories Western Electric 300B Limited amps from Tokyo.
And the owner (I was so amazed I had simply forgotten to ask for his name) collects records since 40 years.
And we had many wishes that night. Actually when we did enter Peter, Paul and Mary he played an old Helloween song. That must have been destiny. A German entering a bar in Korea and the owner is playing an old song by one of Germany's best heavy metal bands ever. And it went on with the Doors, Rainbow's Stargazer, Scorpions, later Deep Purple's Perfect Strangers, a bit of Santana, Carly Simon, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie ...Ronnie James Dio's Holy Diver, Gary Moore, Peter Gabriel's San Jacinto ... and many many more great songs ...
Of course we were the last guests leaving the place at 2am in the morning - and I've never ever had a better night in a bar before ... I could have stayed days listening to so many records ...
Thanks Ryan, that was a phantastic night!


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25 Insane Prom Dresses You Won't Believe Actually Exist
As a designer, L'Wren Scott was famous for her classic, sophisticated silhouettes and her bold use of color, print, and embellishments. She dressed everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Nicole Kidman to Sarah Jessica Parker, and although she will be missed, she leaves behind a legacy of absolutely gorgeous dresses.
Jennifer Lawrence
Photo credit: Getty Images
L'Wren Scott and Sarah Jessica Parker


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Favorite DU Photos: July 2011
Member Photos of the Day from the month of July
"Goose hunting in West Metro of Minnesota" (Robert St. Sauver)
"A great shot of a Canada goose getting ready to land in my marsh." (Howard Wohlgefahrt)
"Northern Shoveler Drake and Hen" (Brent Gale)
"Mallards in flight." (Jeff Weymier)
"Cole's new friend Bo." (Neil Kruschke)
"Sunset on the pond." (Jordan Lybeck)
"Black duck." (Ron Dickenson)
"Reed Graff duck hunting with his favorite dog, Ranger." (Stan Graff)
"This is a photo of Jean P. and friend Justin after a duck hunt." (Kenneth McDaniel)
"Pintails jumping" (Larry Hitchens)
0 "Early morning silhouette of hunting at Hazel Creek Lake" (Ray Jagger)
1 "Jake Churan shot his first duck, and a few more, during the Arkansas youth weekend hunt. His pal Owen Silzer also scored. Congratulations young men." (Jeff Churan)
2 "Bay of Green Bay" (Duane Sundin)


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44 results
SkinMedica has been developing innovative skin care treatments that help to rejuvenate skin for over a decade. Their scientifically proven essential ingredients range from Vitamins C and E, Retinol, collagen, antioxidants and TNS - their patented blend of growth factors. SkinMedica's mission is to create lifelong skin care solutions that rejuvenate skin and help to rekindle your skin's youthful appearance. Their top-selling, award-winning products have been featured in many magazines and television shows.
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With the SkinMedica approach, the root causes of skin imperfections are taken into consideration when creating product formulas. The brand has developed revolutionary ingredients that act on the skin cells themselves to repair and rejuvenate the structures that have been damaged due to environmental free radicals and pollution. By addressing the causes of signs of aging, SkinMedica promotes healing and regeneration, which can decrease the chances of rapid aging in the future while simultaneously diminishing the appearance of existing wrinkles and lines.
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The complete collection of SkinMedica Products includes cleansers, exfoliators, eye products, In Sun formulas, lip items, moisturizers, regimens, sets and kits, toners, and treatments. While browsing through the available selection of SkinMedica Products, it is important to consider your specific skin type as well as the particular needs regarding beauty care formulas. These skincare solutions rely on growth factors as one of their essential ingredients.
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Restoring your dermal vitality through a powerful combination of antioxidants, natural growth factors, soluble collagens, and matrix proteins, SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex rejuvenates your skin's appearance easily and successfully after regular use of this formula. This proprietary solution is designed to minimize the effects of aging including wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, discoloration, photodamage, and the loss of elasticity and smoothness. As your skin is firmed and softened at the same time, this recovery complex works to restore natural beauty as it infuses new life into your skin.
Containing an advanced formula with high levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants in a skin-moisturizing solution, SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream refashions the skin from damaged, dry, and wrinkled to soft, hydrated, and smooth. Offering strong protection against the harshness of natural surroundings as well as manmade pollutants, this creamy formula contains a skin-friendly solution for early signs of damage.


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Contest-Winning Mushroom Wild Rice RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
4.5 3 5
This colorful casserole is a standout from my mother's collection of family recipes. Excellent texture and taste guarantee it won't play second fiddle to either the turkey or the pumpkin pie! -Charlene Baert, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
- 8 bacon strips, diced
- 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
- 1 celery rib, thinly sliced
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- In a large saucepan, combine the water, wild rice, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Stir in brown rice. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes longer or until rice is tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. In the drippings, saute the mushrooms, onion, peppers and celery until vegetables are tender. Stir in broth and remaining salt. Bring to a boil.
- Combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into the mushroom mixture. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened; stir in almonds and bacon. Drain rice; add mushroom mixture.
- Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through. Yield: 12 servings.
Originally published as Mushroom Wild Rice in Taste of Home October/November 2000, p25
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Reviewed Jan. 3, 2014
"I made this last night. The flavor was not bad, but certainly did not stand out or impress me. In my opinion, it wasn't worth the time involved in preparation, compared to the results I obtained. It tasted ok, but not something I would do again. If I did, I would buy the standard wild rice mix to shorten the time. Combining the brown rice and wild rice from scratch did not produce a noticeable difference in quality or flavor, in my opinion."
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2012
"I make this recipe every Thanksgiving. The crunch of the almonds and the chewiness of the wild rice are so good together!"
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2009
"This is a GREAT recipe but takes some time to make - worth it though. I served it as the starch and veggie for our dinner."


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Oprah Winfrey's OWN Unveils New Tyler Perry Shows
PASADENA– Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network unveiled six new original series Saturday aimed at bolstering the fledgling network's audiences.
The new programming includes two shows produced by Tyler Perry, the creator of sitcom hits like "House of Payne" who struck a deal to produce shows exclusively for OWN last October. OWN is a joint venture between Ms. Winfrey and Discovery Communications
OWN also announced the release of four additional shows by other producers. They include the documentaries "Blackboard Wars," about an underperforming New Orleans school and "Raising Whitley," about a comedian raising an adopted baby with the help of friends. "Dogfellas" is the working title for a new show about a former mobster who goes into the dog grooming and rescue business; and "Golden Sisters" is a comedy about three senior-citizen sisters who run a salon.
"It's exciting for us, it's our first step into scripted programming," Erik Logan, president of OWN, said on the sidelines of the Television Critics Association's press conference. OWN presented the new shows at TCA, a semi-annual gathering where TV executives pitch new shows for the upcoming season. Ms. Winfrey, who is chief executive of the network, was not at the presentation.
The new shows underline Discovery's commitment to invest more in OWN, which debuted to low ratings two years ago and has been a drag on Discovery's earnings. Skeptics have previously doubted that OWN had enough strong programming to sustain a network.
Lately however, OWN appears to be rounding a corner. Average total audiences increased to 328,000 viewers tuning in live or over a week of time-shifted viewing, for the 12 months through December 16, a 28% increase from the year earlier period, according to Nielsen.
OWN's popularity still pales in comparison to the ratings at other cable networks targeted at women such as Bravo, which regulatory attracts more than 900,000 viewers on average, or Lifetime, which can draw more than one million viewers. Both networks have been on the air much longer, however.
The new shows produced by Tyler Perry include the drama series "The Have and the Have Nots," and the comedy "Love Thy Neighbor," both of which premiere in late May. "Blackboard Wars" will air starting in March and the other shows at different times this year.
In December, Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav referred to Mr. Perry as "the cherry on top" of efforts to make OWN a success. At the time, Mr. Zaslav said OWN was ahead of schedule in its efforts to break even on the network by mid-2013, and to spend less money on OWN than it did in 2012.


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Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Consistent with the major aim of the Cancer Education Grant Program of the National Cancer Institute to develop unique educational approaches for teaching preventive nutrition that will impact cancer incidence, mortality and morbidity we have created a computer-assisted nutrition/prevention curriculum for medical schools. With previous funding we have introduced nutrition and cancer education content at many medical schools that had not provided such instruction previously. Eight titles have been distributed; 1 more titles will be distributed in 2002. Ninety-two U.S. and 22 international medical schools now use our comprehensive curriculum; more schools are evaluating them for use. Our efficacy evaluations have demonstrated these modules to be effective teaching tools. In response to user feedback we enhanced the interface to improve access and to navigate to instructor-tailored content via the lite version. When completed, 4 out of the 10 titles in the curriculum will contain extensive cancer-specific information; the remaining 6 titles contain cancer content also and we propose herein ways to include even more via updates. The common goal of all of the modules that is central to NCI's mission is to teach how nutrition and lifestyle are the foundation of chronic disease prevention: We ask for continued funding in order to: 1) develop Sports Nutrition: the role of nutrition and physical activity in health. We expect this topic to be eagerly received and plan to build on the interest in fitness to teach basic principles of nutrition and lifelong health habits for the purpose of health promotion and disease prevention. The free radicals section will present a great opportunity to teach nutrition-related carcinogenesis and the potential for cancer prevention. 2) improve and update content of existing modules, starting with Nutrition and Cancer, on a regular basis to keep content current in accordance with existing standards of practice and present cancer-related material at every opportunity. 3) Enhance utilization and efficacy of the modules by taking advantage of Internet capabilities: delivering online lesson content with consistent features available across modules (e.g. lite version, supplement index), and automate aspects of efficacy evaluation. 4) Provide ongoing technical support and materials via the web to maximize and maintain use of the full curriculum.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with MusclePharm scientists and together they created a revolutionary weight gainer. It takes both calories and precise nutrient partitioning to create the muscle building environment an athlete needs. As a whole new kind of all-in-one Mass Gainer, this supplement addresses every angle of muscle building. It utilizes a 5-stage Mass Delivery System, comprised of advanced protein technology, elite complex carbs, healthy fats, cutting-edge performance ingredients and a balanced digestive blend -- plus it's low in sugar and tastes delicious!
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Warning: This product does not contain iron and should not be used as a supplement for iron deficiency. This product is intended as a dietary supplement only. Do not use as a sole source of nutrition. Do not use this product if you are pregnant, expect to become pregnant or are nursing.
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Remember high school civics class? Congress has to approve federal expenditures, we were told. Presidents are barred by the Constitution from declaring war. Our system of government prevents slim majorities in Congress from dictating to minorities, small or large. Powerful aristocracies are prohibited. And we, the people, have a say in how we are governed.
Forget it. None of it is true.
During the past week or so, we've heard a lot about "government shutdown" and "defunding Obamacare." It's impossible for either to happen.
Some conservatives in Congress have been attempting to withhold funding for the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, in order to keep it from going into effect. Liberals, including President Barack Obama, have said they would not approve a spending bill with that provision, leading to a "government shutdown."
But government never really shuts down. Under such a scenario, some operations, such as national parks, indeed would be suspended. But others, including the military, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, would continue.
That is because much of government is funded by "mandatory appropriation" rules. Whether Congress approves or not, the money keeps flowing.
Obamacare is included, an official of the Department of Health and Human Services said this week. "Many of the core parts of the health care law ... wouldn't be affected" by congressional action to "defund" the program, he added.
"We have put much of the government on cruise control," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said of the "mandatory appropriations" system.
Increasingly, presidents have been permitted to set the speed on that cruise control. The War Powers Act allows them to, in effect, declare war for up to 90 days without congressional approval. Various acts of Congress down through the years have granted incredible power to executive-branch agencies, who are directed by the White House. The Environmental Protection Agency, for example, can shut down entire industries.
Members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Once in power, they have - and use - sweeping authority over matters such as how much interest you pay on loans and how much your dollar will buy.
But let's get back to whether Congress has to approve spending for it to happen. It has been years since a formal budget document was enacted. During that time, "mandatory appropriations," along with action such as "continuing resolutions," has kept the money flowing. Liberals in the Senate did approve a budget earlier this year - but the House of Representatives rejected it because it included a $1 billion tax increase.
It is that "continuing resolution" scheme that has allowed presidents such as Obama to claim conservatives, by attempting to curb federal spending, are going to "shut down the government."
During the past 30 years, there have been multiple "shutdowns." There were three, lasting a total of 28 days, in 1977 alone. In 1995, the "shutdown" lasted three full weeks. The world did not end.
Back to presidents setting the speed on "cruise control." During the past several years, millions of American families have had to cut spending because of the recession. Millions of men and women have lost their jobs.
But during Obama's first three years in office, employment in the executive branch of government increased. At the end of 2011, the last year for which the Office of Personnel Management had figures, 2,756,000 people worked in the executive branch. When Obama took office, the number was 2,692,000.
And no one has counted the number of virtually permanent "contract employees" working for Uncle Sam.
An expanding bureaucracy, agencies such as the EPA given too much power to start with, errors in granting authority to the president and "mandatory appropriations" have made the government a sort of out-of-control perpetual motion machine.
I wonder if they're explaining that in civics classes these days.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Myer is executive editor of The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register. He can be reached via e-mail at email@example.com


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RAW VIDEO: Deadly Seffner sinkhole
Published: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 12:34 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 12:34 p.m.
Raw video provided by Bay News 9 and the Tampa Bay Times shows first responders examining the huge sinkhole that swallowed a Seffner man last month.
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Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any metal ion.
Catalysis of the hydrolysis of internal, alpha-peptide bonds in a polypeptide chain by a catalytic mechanism that involves a catalytic triad consisting of a serine nucleophile that is activated by a proton relay involving an acidic residue (e.g. aspartate or glutamate) and a basic residue (usually histidine).
The whole of the physical, chemical, and biochemical processes carried out by multicellular organisms to break down ingested nutrients into components that may be easily absorbed and directed into metabolism.
The hydrolysis of proteins into smaller polypeptides and/or amino acids by cleavage of their peptide bonds.


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Officials for the Pacific-10 Conference will gather Friday in Los Angeles to discuss the most contentious issue related to expansion: How to divide the 12-team league into two divisions once newcomers Utah and Colorado begin play — Utah in the fall of 2011, Colorado no later than 2012.
Should the divisions be arranged in a North-South format? Can natural rivalries be maintained? Should the four California schools be separated for the greater good?
Everyone involved agrees that all options should be considered — and that the issue could take months to resolve.
"Now that we're beginning the process, people are thinking about their alliances," Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said recently.
Football is the only sport that requires divisions. NCAA rules mandate that 12-member conferences form divisions in order to stage a championship game, which could be worth $10 million annually to the "Pac-12."
It's entirely possible that the league will split into divisions for football but not for any other sport — men's basketball, for instance, likely would exist as a single, 12-team league.
But the division split for football impacts every sport and everything else, from marketing to fundraising to TV revenue to recruiting. And there's no shortage of opinions about what the league should do.
For Cal, Stanford and their two Southern California rivals, keeping in-state rivalries intact is paramount.
"I would consider the three other California schools together as a must-have on an annual basis," Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour said. "Throughout the history of the Pac-10, even when we weren't playing everyone in football, those were constants, and I don't believe there's any compelling reason to change that at this point."
Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby echoes that sentiment. "All of the California schools agree that we would like to all play each other every year," he said.
Friday represents the first step on a long and arduous journey. Scott does not expect a resolution on the issue until the league's presidents and chancellors meet in October.
Speaking about the emotionally charged issue, Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said, "We want to do something that makes sense for all our members, so that we don't become a bifurcated conference."
When it comes to splitting the league for football, two conflicting issues must be reconciled: The desire to maintain ancient rivalries with the recruiting and financial needs of all 12 members.
Bill Moos, athletic director at Washington State, spent more than 12 years as Oregon's A.D. He points out that the four Northwest schools, and Cal and Stanford, date to 1916 as conference members in basketball. He'd like to keep the Northwest rivalries intact, along with the games between California schools.
But he knows that comes at a cost. "If those two desires become reality," he said, "how do you round the schedules out?"
Everyone wants to be paired with the Los Angeles schools in order to guarantee trips to the league's recruiting hub. Annual appearances in Southern California provide teams with invaluable exposure; they also make it easier for recruits to leave home, because they know they'll be back to play once a year.
"It's a big thing," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "That's a special trip for us when we go to L.A. Afterward, a lot of our kids stay home overnight."
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh sidestepped questions about how the league should be divided and the impact of playing the L.A. schools every year.
"Whether it's the Pac-10, Pac-12 or Pac-16, the only critical thing to me is that we win the conference championship," Harbaugh said. Beyond that, the issue is "something the athletic directors and presidents will decide. I trust them."
Former Oregon football coach and athletic director Mike Bellotti, now an analyst for ESPN, said the Los Angeles issue cannot be ignored. "Playing in L.A. is important — it really, really is. Coaches who are saying it isn't are probably just saying that."
Under the current format, with 10 teams and a nine-game conference schedule, everyone is guaranteed an annual game in Los Angeles and a visit from either USC or UCLA, which is important for ticket sales.
But with 12 teams in the league and only nine league games, there's no way to guarantee every team a trip to Los Angeles every year.
Cue the contentious debate.
There are myriad possible solutions. One option under consideration is to divide the league geographically, with North and South divisions. But that would cut the Pacific Northwest schools off from Los Angeles — at least one Northwest school is dead set on being paired with either USC or UCLA, according to a league source.
Moos said a key will be how the league deals with distribution of TV money when a new media contract is negotiated next year. Since 1986, participants in TV games get 55 percent of the payout while the other Pac-10 schools share the remaining 45 percent. That has favored the L.A. schools, which traditionally appear on television more often.
Moos said schools in the Northwest won't easily be sold on separation from L.A. unless TV money is shared equally, as is done in the Big Ten, Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference. Changing the arrangement requires a 75 percent vote of the league presidents.
"Washington always voted with 'SC and UCLA (to maintain the status quo)," Moos said. "Washington now is as broke as any of us."
Dividing teams into North and South divisions also leaves the conference with a difficult decision regarding Cal and Stanford:
Would the Bay Area schools be paired with USC and UCLA (and the Arizona schools) in the South, or would they join the Oregon and Washington schools in the North?
A geographical split could result in a "North" team not playing either USC or UCLA in a particular season and, worse, going several years without having a game in Los Angeles.
Another way to arrange divisions is to split the natural rivals (for instance, Cal in one division, Stanford in the other) but with the assurance that they would play every year.
This format, which has become known as the "Zipper Plan," would assure every school of a game against USC or UCLA every year and a trip to Southern California every two years. "We're looking at several 'Zipper' options," Scott said.
One variation, the "California Zipper," would place one Bay Area school and one L.A. school with the Oregons and Washingtons in the North and one Bay Area school and one L.A. school with Utah, Colorado and the Arizona schools in the South.
Critics of the "zipper" arrangement believe the natural rivals must be paired together, but the concept is gaining traction within league circles. Bowlsby said the schools Stanford plays every year are more important to him than divisional alignment. In other words, he's fine with Cal being in a different division as long as the Big Game is played every year.
Bellotti said he favors the "zipper" format, and believes it can be tweaked to preserve longtime rivalries. He suggested that in an eight-game conference schedule, teams would play five games within their division and could include one or two traditional games on an annual basis from outside their division.
"Either way, they're going to have to protect the rivalries," Bellotti said. "No way in the world could Oregon not play Oregon State or Washington. Fiscally, it would not make sense. Just like Cal wants to play Stanford and USC and UCLA."
Regardless of the league's shape, Cal, Stanford, USC and UCLA have played each other every year since 1936 (excluding World War II years) — and they want the tradition to continue.
Pairing the California quartet in the South with the Arizona schools would solve the issue, but the core problem would still exist because the more games between the California schools, the fewer opportunities for everyone else to play USC and UCLA.
The reality, in Scott's words, is this: "Not every team is going to be thrilled."