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Make a candy cane sled caddy using our print-and-cut templates!
Weekdays on Nick Jr.
Print out the Peter Rabbit candy cane covers on heavy weight or cardstock paper.
Cut out the pieces and create a slit along the dotted lines on the sled. Punch holes where indicated.
Fold along the solid lines and insert candy canes into the holes created (see photo for reference). Insert Peter, Lily and Benjamin image into the slit created, fold and glue tab to the sled.

 Once complete, kids can hand out to friends and family or use as a holiday tabletop decoration!
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!
Rabbits are brave and he�s no exception! Add Benjamin to your x-mas collection.
Spread holiday cheer with these "sweet" messages.
Peter has a new gift for you to see. It's round, and blue, and hangs on a tree.
Wag your tail and shake a leg with this dancing game all the pups will love!
Transform a cereal box into a soccer field!
Make this simple paper puppet and play soccer with Dora!
Make this simple paper puppet and play fetch or fly Norville!
Turn paper into the perfect toy for your troll-loving tot!
It's paper dolls with a super silly twist!
Let's play "Guess Who?" with your favorite PAW Patrol pals
Turn a cereal box into a craft that will aMAZE your kids!
It's paper dolls with a modern twist!
Take this wheel for a spin when you begin to teach kids about words with the same endings!
Spin the wheel to reveal new words that end in 'at'!
Get kids excited about reading and spelling with this simple print and paste board game
Make Rubble's digger with our easy printable templates
The race is on between Dora and the Ice Witch!
Dive into crafting by creating a paper toy for your PAW Patrol fan!
Kids can help Skye fly high when you create this paper toy craft!
Racers get ready to take off with this simple spin-to-win printable board game!
Here's a do it yourself toy for your cop car lovin' PAW Patrol fan!
Here's a do-it-yourself toy for your fire-truck lovin' PAW Patrol fan!
Print to turn paper into your kids' favorite recycling pup!
Make a new memory game in minutes with our easy printable templates
Take a trip around Lalaloopsy land, meeting with friends for Crumbs tea party!
Make this simple paper puppet and play fetch with Dora's little puppy!
Make a snugly new friend for your Peter fan
Help Dora and her friends find their way to the party at Benny's barn!
Everyone wins when you make your own spinning tops!
Make it family game night & go on a knightly mission to Story Castle!
It's a race to the finish! Take the Team on a ride to the top of Shape Mountain
Get kids' engines going with this cool Dump Truck toy made from an egg carton!
Tranform paper into Pufferty-- print our templates to get this train going


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Apple Coloring Pages for Adults or Kids
1 week ago
I made the nutter butter santas last year when I did a 13 variety cookie tin for everyone. People thought they were so cute. I hadn't seen the sleds & trees yet. You are so crafty...I am totally jealous :)
Ilove these! So cute!
How fun!! And I LOVE your new header! Great job!
That little tree is precious - they are all really cute and so easy! Great ideas.
Thanks for the nice Birthday wish for my sister - have a great day. Kellan
Seriously - you never cease to amaze me. I love those nutty butter ones - AWESOME!
And I also love your new blog banner!

subset: commoncrawl


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Out of nowhere, Santa Clara County officials have yanked $30 million in tax funds promised for the San Francisco 49ers' new Santa Clara stadium, saying they would rather spend the money on teachers than install "little televisions in the back of stadium seats."
The 49ers and Santa Clara city leaders strongly and passionately object to the move, saying voters had specifically earmarked redevelopment funds to the stadium and that the county has no right to keep it. Lengthy court battles are likely, launching a rare soap opera in a stadium debate that has been mostly peaceful -- and supposedly long over.
"Ladies and gentleman, retain your attorneys: The litigation is (about) to begin," County Assessor Larry Stone said.
Asked whether the decision could affect stadium construction, which began in April, a 49ers spokesman declined to comment. The team's front office has said it would simply eat the loss if it loses the funds, which amount to less than 3 percent of the cost of the $1.2 billion stadium that is set to open in 2014.
The 49ers and Santa Clara officials will be busy this week reviewing how to respond.
The funding grab came Friday by a new board that oversees property tax from redevelopment zones. It was so unexpected that Santa Clara leaders argued it was done in violation of public notice laws.
The issue comes down to a measure Santa Clara voters approved in 2010, when they endorsed $40 million in redevelopment funds to help build the stadium. But the state has since scrapped redevelopment agencies, and Santa Clara's redevelopment fund had only paid $10 million toward the stadium. So the 49ers loaned Santa Clara leaders the remaining $30 million and started construction, thinking they'd be paid back from future property tax revenues.
There's just one glitch, however: The new state law gives counties complete control over doling out the property tax revenues from former redevelopment areas. At a meeting in Santa Clara City Hall on Friday, the oversight board voted 4-3 to keep the money from the 49ers and spend it instead on local governments and schools.
"Let's be real: That stadium is going to get built whether or not you get this $30 million," county tax collector George Putris, the oversight board member who proposed the motion, told a 49ers attorney at the meeting.
Putris mentioned that he was under the impression the 49ers wanted to spend $50 million to install televisions on the back of seats like those on airliners, though it's unclear if that's true. He said the need was greater at other public agencies, such as school districts.
"We're talking about schoolteachers, whether they get laid off, whether there are 35 kids in a classroom, whether there are seismic retrofits," Putris said.
Santa Clara leaders called the move "extremely troubling."
"Just because you can find a legal argument doesn't make things right," said Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews, a die-hard stadium backer. "Some things are right and wrong, and we have an obligation to the 49ers. It was voted on by the citizens."
Santa Clara was among many redevelopment agencies that scrambled to protect their precious redevelopment funds from the state after Gov. Jerry Brown proposed dedicating the money to help local governments and schools. Many projects statewide that banked on redevelopment cash are now expected to end up battling for the money in court.
The oversight board that seized Santa Clara's funds includes Matthews and the city's finance director along with representatives from agencies around the county.
Lizanne Reynolds, a deputy county counsel, advised the board that it had the power to keep the funds if members decided it was "not in the best interest" of other county agencies that could use the tax money. Then Putris pulled out a written motion he had compiled before the meeting.
Attorneys for the city and the 49ers vehemently disagreed, and said they have already spent the money on construction.
"You absolutely do not have the legal authority to walk away from these legally binding obligations," said Harry O'Brien, an attorney for the 49ers.
City Attorney Ren Nosky protested the motion, saying the action was not put on the agenda, an alleged violation of the state's open meeting law known as the Brown Act. Nosky said had the issue been mentioned ahead of time, scores of stadium supporters would have showed up in protest. Matthews also objected amid a heated back-and-forth rarely seen in normally benign Santa Clara politics.
Another attorney for Santa Clara, Karen Tiedemann, said she expects some municipal agency, likely Santa Clara's redevelopment successor agency, would be sued by the 49ers in an attempt to recoup the funds promised to the team. She said if the 49ers were successful in court, they'd likely get the $30 million from the pot of redevelopment funds the county is withholding.
Stone summed it up this way: "It reminds me of a messy divorce."
Contact Mike Rosenberg at 408-920-5705. Follow him at twitter.com/rosenberg17.


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More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River, as well as the Cove Ridge Center, which offers environmental education, conference facilities and overnight dorm accommodations. A camp store and kayak programs are new this year.
8 a.m. - dusk.
Natural Tunnel State Park is in Scott County, about 13 miles north of Gate City and 20 miles north of Kingsport, Tenn.. To get there, from I-81, take U.S. 23 North to Gate City (about 20 miles). The turn-off to the park is at mile marker 17.4 on Rt. 23. Take Natural Tunnel Parkway about one mile east to park entrance.
Its address is 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway. Duffield, VA 24244-9361; Latitude, 36.696984. Longitude, -82.738577.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, eight hours; Richmond, six hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, eight to nine hours; Roanoke, three and a half hours; Knoxville, Tenn., one and a half hours; Winston-Salem, N.C., three hours; Lexington, Ky., two and a half hours.
909 acres. The tunnel is 850 feet long and 100 feet high inside.
Cabins and Camping. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
Visit a Flickr photoset of cabins at the park. Cabins vary. Dwellings may not match what's shown in the photos.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for cabin stays.
NOTE: Four cabins are under construction. Completion is expected in June 2016.
Weekly rentals, which are required for these facilities during prime season, start on Saturday or Sunday. Prime season runs annually from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Guests who wish to stay less than a week during prime season may call 30 days prior to desired arrival date to see if there is vacancy for two-night minimum stay. During prime season, cabin rentals begin on either Saturday or Sunday. See below for details. The park has 10 cabins. There are no extra bed rentals. A two-night minimum stay is required outside of prime season. Cabins and lodges are open year-round and may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Cabin check-in is 4 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
The cabins are on a mountain ridge offering mountain views and access to the park's trails. Winter weather can vary here, so be sure to read policies regarding transferring and cancellation of cabin rentals because of inclement weather. Late arriving guests should phone the park to arrange check-in several days before arrival, if possible.
Cabins: During prime season, cabins 1 through 5 rent weekly starting on Sunday. Cabins 6, 7, 10 and 11 rent weekly starting on Saturday.
Cabins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are two-bedroom frame cabins. They sleep up to six and have parking for two vehicles. The cabins have one queen bed and two sets of bunk beds (sleep four) in a second bedroom. No extra bed rentals.
Cabins 3 and 10 are three-bedroom frame cabins. Cabin 3 is accessible to the disabled. They sleep up to eight and have parking for three vehicles. The cabins have one queen bed, two twin beds in second bedroom and two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four) in third bedroom. No extra bed rentals.
Cabin 11 is a two-bedroom frame cabin. It is accessible to the disabled and sleeps up to four. The cabin has one queen bed and a set of bunk beds (sleeps two) in a second bedroom. No extra bed rentals.
Natural Tunnel has one six-bedroom lodge (LOD 09-SAT). During prime season, it is rented for week-long stays that start on Saturday.
The park has two campgrounds, Cove View Campground and Lover's Leap Campground. All sites have electricity and water (EW).
Cove View Campground - 16 electric-water hookup sites
EW - Electric and Water Hookup Sites (001 EW – 016 EW). Shaded and sunny sites are for tents, pop-ups and RVs up to 38 feet. Electrical service is 20 and 30-amp. All sites are gravel pull-through with a grassy area and have a campfire-ring grill and a picnic table. A bathhouse with hot showers is at the end of the campground loop.
Lover's Leap Campground - 18 electric-water hookup sites
EW - Electric and Water Hookup Sites (LL 01- LL 18). These sites are for tents, pop-ups and RV's up to 50 feet. Electrical service is 20, 30 and 50-amp. All are back-in sites and have a campfire-ring grill, picnic table, lantern post and utility table. Campsite 9 is accessible to the disabled and is near the bathhouse. The site is not reserved strictly for those with disabilities. Because sites are assigned upon arrival, ask park personnel for this site when you get there. Tents and all other recreational equipment should be set up within the campsite's boundaries. The campground bathhouse has showers, restrooms and a laundry facility.
Total camp sites in the park of each type: EW: 34
Group Site
Natural Tunnel's group site is in a partially wooded area about half a mile from main campgrounds and bathhouses. Parking is available at the site, but RV's and camping units are not allowed.
Hiking, mountain bike and self-guided trails - Natural Tunnel State Park has seven walking trails. The longest is 2.1 miles long. The trails lead to unique features of the park: the tunnel floor, Lover's Leap, Tunnel Hill and Gorge Ridge. A 500-foot boardwalk and observation deck provide accessibility to guests with disabilities who may ride the chairlift, when operable, to the mouth of the tunnel. Most trails are open to mountain bikes.
Complex includes a 5,400-square-foot pool, a large bathhouse, and a snack bar in the concession building. The pool is open daily from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Prior to mid-June, swimming may be available only on weekends, and the pool is closed on weekdays during the last two weeks of August. Click here for park fees. Except for group campers, swimming is free for cabin and camping guests. It cannot be guaranteed, however, should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
There is limited fishing within the park along Stock Creek. Other trout streams also are near the park. The Clinch River, which is about five miles from the park, is known for a great variety of fish including, walleye, smallmouth bass, red-eye, bluegill and musky.
Throughout the year, the Scott County Regional Horse Association sponsors shows at the Scott County Horse Park, which is about 15 miles from the park.
Nearby Jefferson National Forest has several areas open to public hunting.
Click here for the park's trail guide.
Also be sure to visit Scott County's homepage.
Natural Tunnel State Park has five picnic shelters - three small and two large - for rent. They can be rented from 8 a.m. - dusk (all day). The shelters are available from March 1 - Nov. 30. Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter rental (see above for details). Click here for park fees.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
Shelter 1 (small): This shelter accommodates up to 40. It's about 225 feet from the parking area and 500 feet from the nearest restroom and is ill-suited for guests with disabilities. It has eight 6-foot tables, a 36 by 36-inch grill, a water fountain and an electrical outlet.
Shelter 2 (small): This shelter accommodates up to 40 and is well suited for kids as it's just over 300 feet away from the playground. It's about 150 feet from the parking area and 275 feet from the nearest restroom. It includes eight 6-foot tables, a 36 by 36-inch grill, a water fountain and an electrical outlet.
Shelter 3 (large - 30 by 40 feet): This shelter, which overlooks the valley, accommodates up to 100. It features horseshoe pits, swings nearby, portable toilet units, a water fountain-spigot, electrical outlets, 16 six-foot picnic tables, a deck with another six tables and a 36 by 36-inch grill. People and supplies can be ferried to and from the parking lot, which is about 150 feet away, however cars must afterwards return to the parking lot.
Shelter 4 (small): This shelter, built by the Manville Ruritan Club, is well-suited for those with disabilities. It comfortably accommodates up to 30. It features fixed tables designed for wheelchair accessibility. It's about 160 feet from the playground, 50 feet from the parking lot and 20 feet from the restroom. It includes a 36 by 36-inch grill.
Shelter 5 (large - 30 by 60 feet): This shelter, the park's largest, was built by the Duffield Lions Club and accommodates up to 150. There are 20 six-foot picnic tables, two "Texas style" grills, horseshoe pits, a water fountain, electrical outlets, a sand volleyball court and a 230-foot paved walkway, easing accessibility. It's 280 feet from the parking area, 230 feet from the volleyball court, 180 feet from the restroom and 390 feet from the playground. Caterers may use the shelter's back entrance but must arrange for such access with park staff beforehand.
The park houses the Cove Ridge Center, a year-round day-use/overnight educational resource facility that incorporates educational principles and concepts within a natural resource environment. The center, which accommodates up to 100 for meetings and 48 overnight guests, features an auditorium, classroom, catering kitchen, resource library (complete with Internet access), observation deck, audiovisual equipment, great room with stone fireplace, dorm, after-hours swimming (in season and by reservation) and environmental education equipment.
The park also rents family lodges that may be use for small retreats and get-togethers.
The visitor center is open daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's open on weekends from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in April, May, September and October. Except for a Christmas lighting, the center closes after the last weekend in October. Visitors are provided with information on the park and its programs along with the surrounding area's attractions. The facility has restrooms available for public use. You'll also find a gift shop and exhibits on the history and geology of the park there.
The Wilderness Road Blockhouse and Visitor Center, an interpretive area next to the park's picnic area, illustrates the role the blockhouse played in the 1700s during westward expansion of the nation. Hours vary so please call the park for specific dates and times. The park lies along the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail driving tour; click here for more information about the tour.
None in the park; the nearest grocery store is in Duffield, about five miles from the park. Fast food restaurants are there as well. This park has a snack bar in season.
The Lover's Leap Campground restroom has a coin-operated laundry.
The park houses the Cove Ridge Center.
Amphitheater - Located near the picnic area, the park's amphitheater offers seating for approximately 4,000 people. The facility is ideal for many of the park's interpretive programs and hosts a variety of musical programs throughout the year. Groups may reserve the amphitheater for a fee by calling the park at (276) 940-2674.
Chairlift - The Virginia State Park system has only one chairlift, and you'll find it at Natural Tunnel State Park. The lift runs seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It also runs on weekends from the first weekend in May through the last full weekend of October. Contact the park for hours of operation.
Natural Tunnel State Park is also popular for weddings. It offers four distinct settings, one that can handle up to 200 guests. Learn more about this park's wedding options.
Weather and river conditions permitting, guided canoe and kayak trips of the Clinch River are offered on Saturdays and Sundays in season. Trips to Natural Tunnel via Stock Creek are offered throughout summer. Wild Cave Tours are available from April 1 through Oct. 31. Groups of eight or more may schedule tours at other times. Reservations are required for these programs - call the park at (276) 940-1643 to make a reservation or for more information. Guided wildflower walks are offered in mid-April; guided bird watching hikes are offered in mid-May. Guided walks, campfire get-togethers, astronomy programs and various kids activities are also offered. Candlelight Series at Cove Ridge, monthly, January - April. Run the Tunnel, late April. Pickin' in the Park, select Sundays, June - August. Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
Open seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend to mid-August. This includes snack bars at the pool and by the chairlift. The snack bar operates during normal pool hours and has several tables. Mountain bike rentals are available at the campground host campsite.
Natural Tunnel, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan, has been attracting sightseers to the mountains of southwestern Virginia for more than 100 years. Today it is the focal point of Natural Tunnel State Park, a park which offers visitors not only spectacular sights but also swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, a visitor center, an amphitheater and interpretive programs.
The creation of Natural Tunnel began more than a million years ago in the early glacial period when groundwater bearing carbonic acid percolated through crevices and slowly dissolved surrounding limestone and dolomite bedrock. Then, what is now Stock Creek was probably diverted underground to continue carving the tunnel slowly over many centuries. The walls of the tunnel show evidence of prehistoric life, and many fossils can be found in the creek bed and on tunnel walls.
Daniel Boone was probably among the first men of European descent to see the tunnel in that the tunnel lies along the original route he took westward. However, no one wrote of it until Lt. Col. Stephen H. Long explored the site in 1831 and published an article in a geology journal in 1832.
Natural Tunnel was first surveyed as a proposed route in 1852 via a branch line, the Virginia & Kentucky Railroad, from the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. Plans ceased because of the Civil War, and areas near the tunnel were instead mined for saltpeter. However, in 1890 the South Atlantic & Ohio (SA&O) Railroad opened the line from Bristol to Big Stone Gap (and shortly thereafter, Appalachia), Va. In 1899, the Virginia & Southwestern (V&SW) succeeded to the rights of the SA&O and promoted the line as "The Natural Tunnel Route." The Southern Railway purchased controlling rights in the V&SW in 1906 and operated the line under the V&SW name until 1916 when it was formally absorbed into the Southern system. Under Southern Railway's control, passenger service continued, including the famous "Lonesome Pine Special," until 1939. In 1982, Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western merged to become Norfolk Southern, the present line. Hauling coal has always been the lifeblood of the line, and currently CSX Corporation also has track rights, so visitors may see either line operating through the tunnel. The trains now carry only coal, and the number of trains per day depends on the coal market. Those interested in possibly hearing train radio communication as they approach the Natural Tunnel can tune a scanner to 160.950.
The Cove Ridge Foundation has been instrumental in providing the support needed to host many special programs at Cove Ridge Center. The foundation is made up of cultural arts and education councils. Each council pursues programs that benefit the region. Click here to email the group.
Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.
Virginia State Parks are great places to discover and reconnect with the wild world. Bring a camera and share your captures with the world. But please don't disturb or get too close to the animals. The park is, after all, their home. Here are a few recent natural encounters others have had at Natural Tunnel State Park.
View all wildlife encounter photos from Natural Tunnel State Park.


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Colorful balloons filled the sky above Windsor Estates Care Facility in Camdenton on Monday afternoon. In conjunction with National Nursing Home week, Windsor Estates staff wanted to do something special for the residents and community.
"We try to celebrate our residents and the staff that helps take care of them, so it's for everybody," Teresa Knight, Administrator, said.
Newly elected Mayor of Camdenton, John McNabb, read a proclamation declaring this week Nursing Home week in Camdenton and announced the time to release the balloons. Residents and staff let go of balloons which quickly filled the air. Each balloon held a note that read, "This is a hug from Camdenton Windsor Estates Care Facility. If you find this, give us a hug back. Drop us a note at 2042 N Business Highway 5 Camdenton, Mo. 65020."
"It's our message in a balloon," Knight said. "We have a really good staff here that takes care of our residents and we have a lot of residents that are high functioning that we do a lot of daily activities with. We have a lot of families that are involved with this. It's like one big family."
Along with Mayor McNabb, two county commissioners were in attendance.
"I think it is fantastic that we take the time to acknowledge and recognize that the residents are here, need to be thought about and remembered," Commissioner Bev Thomas said.
Commissioner Cliff Luber also attended the festivities. He said he appreciated being invited and often thought about how important the residents are to today's society.
"It's gratifying seeing they get such good care," Luber said.
Windsor Estates is planning more activities for the rest of the week. Tuesday, the facility will host a luau. Wednesday, residents will wear 'crazy hats' and pick their favorites to win a prize. Residents will enjoy an ice-cream social on Thursday and will end the week with a BBQ on Friday.
Location, ST | website.com


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My next pair of racing shoes will be from one of the above mentioned names, I think. I just don't know which? I've heard great things about all 3. I'm an average runner, I guess....43min 10k, nothing earth shattering, but ok. I've run in nothing but Asics for the past 8 years and love them, but am disappointed in the 2130s. Loved the 2110s but, I'd like to try a racing shoe. I'm new to the triathlon scene, only done 3, my 2nd was Ironman CDA, and 3rd was a 2:28 Olympic Distance. I'm hooked, love this sport and want to get faster!!
The bad news, is that I am afraid I cannot answer your question. The good news is that it sounds like you already did. If you have had success with the Asics in the past 8 years, why change? If it ain't broke. . .
All three shoes are quality rides and I am sure most people who read your question will be able to articulate why each is great. But what works for me may not work for you. If the last and the size of the Asics has been working, I don't know why you would change? Certainly as the manufacturer makes changes to their line and "upgrades" the shoes, there will be differences in the same model from one year to another. No, this isn't done with the intention of making us nutty, it's just the constant search for improvement. Bummer you were dissappointed with the 2130's. I know I have had my favorite shoe changed on me too. Have you tried something else in the Asics line? Nimbus? Kayano? DS Trainer? Can you affort to purchase multiple pairs when you know you have found a shoe you like?
Before you make your decision, make sure you take each out for a test ride. Once they're bought and raced in, it's REALLY difficult to return them.
Good luck.
Sorry, I posted twice. b
I've ran/raced with Asics for years. Then 20 months ago, I was hit on my road bike during a training ride by a truck. The end result of my accident was having multiple cervical diskectomies and fusions. Post accident, foot strike vibration caused pain and soreness in my neck. I read about Newtons and thought the benefits could out weigh the cost. These shoes are amazing! No pain! Better foot strike. Improved mechanics. I'm on my second pair. I'm racing again. I swear by my Newton's.
I have been at this running thing for a while and am also a Triathlete. For a while at the beginning, i tended to stick with the same shoes and would simply keep replacing the same ones, that would last until update occurred and usually the shoe would completely change. Asics uses a numbering sequence to tell you what generation of a model they are on Asic's Gel Landreth 4 recently updated to Gel Landreth 5 etc... For Asics, when they come out with a new generation, you are essentially dealing with a revamped shoe which could differ significantly. New Balance will usually increase the number by 1, ie NB825 updated to NB826.
Anyways, after running in the same shoes for some time i started to have some various pains, not injuries, just nagging pains that were more of a nuisance than anything. A very good marathoner friend of mine who is also a physician recommended mixing it up a little. Every shoe will create slightly different pressure points and miniscule changes in your gait that will likely prevent you from getting those nagging injuries that can come from running in the same shoe all them time.
My system right now is a 4 shoe rotation, i usually buy a new pair each quarter and throw away the oldest pair, so each shoe last about a year, but i only run on it 1 out of every 4 times. And i have absolutely NO brand loyalty, you need to find the type of shoe that you need (neutral cushion, motion control, stability etc...), how much do you weight? What kind of foot strike do you have? if you go to a good running store, they should be able to narrow down your choices to 1/2 dozen or so shoes that fall into that category regardless of brand.
For anyone on this thread to recommend a brand to you without knowing anything about you would be irresponsible, you also may want to consider having a different training shoe vs. a racing flat you may use for sprint triathlons; 5k's or event 10k or olympic events. When you start talking about 70.3 races, fewer people are able to (or should) wear racing flats.
I wear racing flats for 5k's only, for 10k's and 70.3's i wear a lightweight trainer which falls between a racing flat and training shoe
Now triathlon introduces some unique needs because in many races you are running with wet feet and also maybe barefoot. Zoot is one of the only ones out there that says their shoes are specifically MADE for triathlon... smooth seemless sockliner; and technology that allows for better water drainage. They also come with the quick zip laces which are separate purchase for most other shoes. Newton's have been around for runners for a while but just happen to be very popular among triathletes.
I would worry more about getting the right shoe for you vs. getting the "fastest shoe" for the masses. The right shoe for you may very well be a fast shoe, but it may not be.
if you don't believe me check out my results at
check out all my results at http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=17332524
I wore Asics Racer in my first Ironman, then on my second I went with Newtons. I was wearing Newtons since Oct 07 and have been through several pair. Its a different shoe than the other two and may alter your running form a bit, depending on what type of striker you are now. So you may have some sore legs at first as you may be utilizing muscles you haven't before. Which is what happened to me.
However, I've stopped running in Newtons for the last several months and went with a Brooks trainer. Forefoot running is fast, but it can also be a strain on the achilles and hence calf. After 10 months of use I finally got an injury, which I recovered from quickly. Funny enough I'm no slower in my Brooks and ran about the same off the bike in my last Half iron race, but I can tell I'm more of a forefoot striker in the brooks. I believe the Newtons have altered my form to become a faster runner, but the brooks are a bit more forgiving AND a much much cheaper. I went through at least 5 pairs of Newtons and its a lot of money.
I may still use the Newtons in races only and speed work for next season. I was training on Newtons all the time on hard surfaces, and I'm only 140lbs. The only person I know that wore Zoots got an injury soon after using them. I also never see anyone using that shoe without socks. I looked at them and I don't believe they would be too comfortable sockless. I think that's just marketing b.s.
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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These documents are part of a package on Mitt Romney's Bain holdings. For the full report, go here.
For a detailed look confidential financial information from the various funds Romney has invested in, go here. To search through the whole batch, look below. And to add your thoughts to the discussion, go here.


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DANVILLE -- Max, a standard schnauzer, won "Best of Breed" Tuesday at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
"This is the epitome of his career," Max's owner, John Adiletti of Danville, said after the Tuesday afternoon judging.
The victory vaulted Max into the next challenge: He advanced to judging in the Working Dog group, but lost in that category to a Portuguese water dog named Claircreek Impression De Matisse.
And while the loss in the Working Dog group means Max didn't advance to be judged in the Best of Show competition, his owners couldn't be happier with his finish.
"We were hoping to win the breed and he did," Adiletti said. "He ends on a high note. We're absolutely ecstatic."
This was the final dog show for Charisma Maxim Von Diable, Max's formal name. He will be retiring and returning home to Danville.
Westminster is the premiere dog show in the country where top show dogs from around the world come to strut their stuff at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This year's show began Monday and concluded Tuesday.
For more information on the show, visit www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
Contact Jason Sweeney at 925-847-2123. Follow him at Twitter.com/Jason_Sweeney.


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BERKELEY -- Maybe this is the new formula for Cal basketball.
The Bears were spotty offensively but attacked on defense and made their free throws in a 67-54 victory over Washington State in front of 7,347 fans at Haas Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.
"It was just something we had to do," Cal coach Mike Montgomery said of the defensive effort that produced a school-record 11 blocked shots and limited the Cougars to 33 percent shooting. "Get used to it. This ain't changing.
"We're not going to go out there and all of a sudden turn into the '76 Knicks. We're going to have to play more defense, get physical. People have pretty much handled us. We're just going to have to push back more."
It was an important if somewhat awkward victory for the Bears (10-6, 2-2 Pac-12), who had dropped six of their previous nine games, four of them at home.
The Bears won despite scoring just two field goals over the final 11:43 of the game. Cal made 17 of 20 free throws over that closing stretch, and freshman Tyrone Wallace delivered the game's biggest defensive play to snuff out the last gasp by the Cougars (9-7, 0-3).
With the Bears nursing a 58-51 lead, the 6-foot-4 Wallace raced downcourt and blocked a breakaway layup try by 6-10 Brock Motum, the Pac-12's No. 2 scorer.
Junior Allen Crabbe said the Bears held a players-only meeting Thursday, the day after a 62-47 loss to Washington and talked about what needed to change.
"We've got to play harder. We can't go out there and play without energy," Crabbe said. "We have to be more serious if we want to be make a run in the Pac-12."
Relying strictly on offense won't work, Montgomery said. "Defense has got to be a big part of us trying to win," he said.
WSU coach Ken Bone said the Bears' aggressiveness took a toll on his team. "When you don't get fouled and you don't hardly get a shot off sometimes, it gets hard," he said.
Wallace, held out of the starting lineup because he was late for a Saturday morning shootaround, finished with a career-high 16 points and six rebounds. He had Cal's only two field goals in the final 11-plus minutes.
Crabbe had 14 points, 10 of them in the second half, and Justin Cobbs contributed 10 points -- all in the second half -- along with five rebounds and five assists.
Cobbs -- 12 for 40 from the field the previous three games -- did not even attempt a shot in the first half. Cal led 29-27 at the break despite one stretch of 5:52 without a field goal, then another span with six turnovers in eight possessions.
Cobbs drew praise from Montgomery, who said the junior guard needs to continue trying to find a balance between shooting and passing. "Justin actually played a really good game. He controlled the team, played defense," Montgomery said.
The Bears' defensive efforts focused primarily on Motum, who was coming off a 29-point performance at Stanford. Richard Solomon and David Kravish took turns defending him in the first half before senior reserve Bak Bak got into the act over the final 20 minutes.
Motum scored 16 points, but was just 5 for 14 from the field and had five shots swatted. Solomon -- who wound up with seven points, eight rebounds and six blocks -- rejected four of Motum's attempts.
The offense remains a work in progress. Cal had more turnovers (19) than field goals (18), but did convert 28 of 36 from the foul line three days after struggling there.
"Sometimes when we get confused we don't make the best of decisions. We stand and watch," Montgomery said. "We have to find out what we can do best offensively."
"We were kind of sloppy at some points," Crabbe said. "I'm just glad we got a win. We really needed it."
Follow Jeff Faraudo at Twitter.com/CalBearsBANG.


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Grand Junction(KKCO)-The shortwave troughs that enhanced Monday's showers have pushed east and carried drier air into the area, especially over north east Utah and central and northwest Colorado. Surface dew points remain in the upper 40's to lower 50's across the forecast. The north west flow around the ridge over the great basin will advect this drier air into the area which, along with a mid-level subsidence inversion, will produce a downturn in showers and thunderstorms today. Also, today should be as much as 10 degrees warmer than Monday from abundant sunshine.
Wednesday will see another significant upturn in wet thunderstorms across the area. Another strong surge of subtropical moisture will be carried into the area by flow around a high over New Mexico and a trough lifting over the area from the southwest. The chance of rain increases across all of western Colorado and eastern Utah Wednesday afternoon and night.
A couple of moisture surges in the mid to long term forecast. The first is forecast for Thursday. An upper level trough will also skirt the northern portion of the forecast area and add upper level dynamics will increase the chance of rain slightly Thursday afternoon and evening. A ridge axis builds back overhead by the end of the week but is very transitory. Skies clear and precipitation chances decrease late in the week.
The ridge axis slides to the east by mid weekend allowing the moisture to once again push northward. A pacific low moves inland over the pacific northwest coast Sunday. The low moves to the east an over the northern Rockies late Monday into Tuesday. We will get an increase in showers and thunderstorms as the southwesterly flow aloft continues to bring moisture overhead. Southern part of the trough and the disturbances rotation around southern edge of the trough will add dynamics for the formation of precipitation.


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Apple apparently is seeking writers to make Siri sassier. 9to5mac.com reported spotting a want ad looking "for a creative writer skilled in character-driven dialog." She is quite hilarious now. People propose to her, tell her shut up and ask her to tell joke. Now, will she (it) work better? Click here if viewing on a mobile device
Read the story on how to get hired to help 'enrich' Siri.


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The newest from Office.
Office Professional 2013 is designed to help you create and communicate faster with new, time saving features and a clean, modern look. Plus, you can save your documents in the cloud on SkyDrive and access them virtually anywhere.
The latest versions of all our best-in-class applications for use on 1 PC.
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Check off your to-dos faster.
- Experience Office at its best on Windows 8 devices, with an improved user interface optimized for touch, pen, and keyboard.
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- Product Description
- Microsoft Office Professional 2013 - box pack
- Product Type
- Box pack
- Category
- Office applications - office applications - office suite
- Licence Qty
- Licensing Details
- 32/64-bit, medialess
- Platform
- Windows
- Language
- English
- Localisation
- Eurozone
- Category
- Office applications - office suite
- Product Type
- Box pack
- Platform
- Windows
- Software Suite Components
- Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, Microsoft OneNote
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- 32/64-bit, medialess
System Requirements
- Supported OS
- Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit Edition (except RDS mode), Microsoft Windows Server 2012 64-bit Edition (except RDS mode)
- Hardware Requirements
- Microsoft Windows (32 bit) - Intel x86 - 1 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 3 GB , Microsoft Windows (64 bit) - Intel x86-64 - 1 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HD 3 GB
- Additional Requirements
- DirectX 10.0 compatible graphics card, 1024 x 576 monitor resolution , Internet Explorer 8.0 or later, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or later, Safari 5, Mozilla Firefox 10.0 or later, Google Chrome 17.x


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For more than a century, Columbia Law School has educated students who, having already earned a basic law degree, wish to pursue an advanced course of full-time study in furtherance of careers in teaching, public service, or the international practice of law.
Each year, the Law School enrolls approximately 250 graduate students from more than 50 jurisdictions in our Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) degree programs. Their experience spans all areas of the legal profession—including academia, the judiciary, public service, civil rights and human rights advocacy, NGOs, international organizations, and private practice. Law School students interact with unrivaled faculty and highly accomplished students; work hard; are treated exceptionally well; and obtain a degree that represents the best that U.S. legal education can offer. This remarkable community of individuals makes the school an especially dynamic and vibrant community in which to study law. We invite you to explore the rest of the site and to contact us with further questions.
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In evaluating applications for admission to our Graduate Legal Studies programs, we strive to select a student body of diverse backgrounds and interests, with a shared, discernible commitment to excellence.


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The Positive: Great course, Friendly volunteers, Price was reasonable. Nice expo. Great idea to have the pre-paid parking.
The Negative: Too much traffic (because of too many races going on in 1 day), Ugly dri-fit shirts(nasty gray and blue), goodie bags now are nothing but advertising papers. What happened to all the trial size products and discounts for runners? Also one of the big thinkg was the free pass to the LB aquiumm (good for only 1 week...are you serious that was very misleading and wrong!,
My biggest complaint is that after I run (and I'm slow but I run the whole time) I'm so sick of non runners and running club's taking all the FREE STUFF. All the pizza's/calzone's were gone and people had more than one (like 5-6 each). Come on people stop being sooooo greedy! The volunteers also had more than one and the running clubs had tents set up with 30-50 pizzas in them, they said they were saving them for their runners when they finished.
These runs have got to start having a better distribution so that the RUNNERS, not spectators and volunteers end up with all the stuff.
This is my third Long Beach Marathon (2001, 2009, 2010). I've read a number of the positive and negative comments so I will be brief:
Positive Comments
1) I really like the course. It's scenic; shows off nice areas of the city; and is fairly smooth. There are some streets that could use some work.
2) Loved the hotel I stayed at - Westin. Right where you need to be and they accommodated a late check out.
3) T-shirt is nice. Good color, good design, and not white (not that I have anything against white) I have a lot of it...
4) Nice medal. Good design this year
5) Nice sponsors...willing to give away lots of coffee (Dom Francisco) and Cliff bars.
6) Portable restaurants. Good idea...forgot my money
7) Chocolate milk...good idea
8) Love the city. Been coming to events here since 1987. Man has it changed for the better.
9) Lots of porta johns.
10) Expo is okay.
Negative comments
1) My Garmin stated I ran 26.6. Hmmm? Really? I tried to hug the corners too.
2) Food...very bad. No bagels. Only a banana and a Cliff bar (Mojo). Good...but I want a bagel.
3) The start...pushy runners trying to get to the front...how do we fix this? Limit the field size? Start on a wider street?
4) Standing in line for a photo. Really? We just ran a marathon? We want to lie down. Minimize the lines.
5) No ice. A nice touch at the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon is ice wraps at the end of the race and a cold towel.
The run itself was great. The waterstops and volunteers were great. The bands, though they seemed few and far between, were great.
But the finish, what a complete "Cluster Flub". Why would you have the entrance and bag check on one side of the course and the finish area on the other side of the active course and only a tiny temp footbridge connecting them? We waited an hour for the line to start to go down but it still took 20 minutes to cross. And then the Jet Blue bag check was mayhem. Fortunately for me someone was able to grab my bag because it was up front, otherwise it would have taken hours to get retrieve. Oh and the Cal Dreaming tent was unmarked and at the back where it was almost impossible to find.
One more thing. The start was a mess as well. What's with the self seeding of corrals? That was stupidity at its finest. Pushing and shoving, and people climbing the fences. What a joke.
The organizers need to get their act together.
So I finished the Cal Dreaming series and I'm glad I never have to run LB again! Don't expect a return runner for this event.
And I intend to send a note to Jet Blue to let them know that they sponsored one heck of a mess.
After losing 100 pounds in 3 years, I decided I would start to events like this now and then. The bike tour was my first-ever event of any kind and I have to admit that I enjoyed it thoroughly. The course was great, well-marked, and volunteers were all fantastic.
My only complaints:
- The barricades on Shoreline Drive near the finish line. There was no warning and when you're nearing the end with the adrenaline pumping, swerving around barricades and slowing down is the last thing on your mind (at least it wasn't on mine).
- The sudden finish. Even with the barricades in place to slow you down, cyclists almost immediately had to stop once they crossed the finish line.
- Like Running Bull 2 stated, the course may have been a bit longer. My Garmin also read 26.6 miles at the end of the ride.
- Limited food choices. I ended up going elsewhere for a (cheaper) bite to eat.
Other than that, a great time for me. I will be doing it next year and look forward to squeezing more in between now that I've experienced the thrill of it all.
I second all the reviews! Been running since 1979. Even those early runs were better managed. I know it's hard to get volunteers but obviously more are needed. Make a donation to a non profit club and get their members to volunteer. The seed yourself wave start was a disaster. SF marathon had to show your number to enter your proper corral. No pushing and shoving. Could hardly believe that line to walk up and over the foot bridge. Beyond bad. Not sure that wasn't a safety hazard in itself? How about the elderly parents who could barely manuever it. The traffic getting out of Long Beach was beyond horrible. The one lonely police officer at an intersection off 7th street was not paying attention and not keeping the traffic moving.
I want to end on the good: The food trucks rocked! Glad you advertised it and I remembered to bring some $. What a treat Seabirds was. I liked getting a bag of food rather than everyone grabbing free for all (but I did miss oranges). The food at Buono's (sp?) was great and a deal for the price the night before. The course was interesting.
For all the other bad reviews, I agree and don't need to repeat. I would probably not run this again. I entered because of CA Dreamin series.
This was my first full marathon after running 4 half marathons. Overall I had a good experience with the race, which a large part of it was completing the race in a good time for me. The course itself was very nice and scenic, thought there was a good amount of water, powerade, and energy gel stations. The course entertainment seemed to be very few and far between. I actually really liked the pre-paid parking. I arrived early and had no problems parking, took a nap in my car before the race, and was able to get out of Long Beach very quickly.
My daughter participated in the Kids Fun Run on Saturday October 16th and she had a great time. I think some of the same organizational issues with this race happened in the full marathon. They had everyone sign up over the internet to ensure there were not to many people, however at the race all you did was sign a blank paper. The race was supposed to be 6 years and over so my 4 year old did not participate, even though I found out that many other 4 year olds just signed up on the day. It just seemed very disorganized in the planning, but my daughter had a blast and loved the medal she received.
The main issues that I had with the race was the following:
1. The post race food was very dissapointing. I desperately craved a nice big bagel, but it was not in there. There should have been more items in the bag.
2. Jet Blues Bag Check was the worst experience of all. I was dead tired and had to stand and wait for about 30 minutes before finding my bag. I waited a very short time because some how one of the workers found my bag amongst the pile of hundreds of other red bags. It got so bad the volunteers had to call over the LB Police to try to regain control.
3. My Garmin GPS watch showed a total of 26.6 miles, slightly longer than the expected 26.2
Even though there were some issues with the race, I had a great time. I would run this race next year.
I personally had a great time running this race, it certainly was the flat fast course that was promised. Beautiful views around the shoreline.
While the beach path was a nice thought, in practicality it isn't the most ideal. It is concrete the entire way which is a knee shredder. Besides that, it is just too narrow to handle the traffic. There is no room to weave around slower runners; you're trapped at the speed of the pack. A bit frustrating.
I'd rather run up and down Ocean Blvd than run on this beach path. The beach path may be the reason I would opt not to run this race again next year.
My husband and I rode in the Bike Tour which started at 6:00AM, an hour before the marathon runners took off. Typically there is a "bottle-neck" effect in most large organized bike rides at the starting point. This occurs when everyone is bunched up together trying to get out of the starting gate. Somehow, the L.B. ride managed to avoid that inconvenience by having us leave in waves. It worked! Take off was pretty smooth and the rest of the ride was awesome. Even though it's only a 26.2 mile ride, it's so worth the effort. The ride was well supported, there was staff/law enforcement at all of the intersections stopping traffic, we started the ride at dawn and got to ride next to the ocean and watch the sunrise, and the route was well marked. It was fun to roll in and receive a medal and a little fruit bag. Thanks, LBICB for hosting such a cool ride!
LB was the third marathon I have run in the last year. I LOVED this marathon. Outstanding crowd support, beautiful course that really is quite flat compared to the other courses I have run (including two great half marathons). Well organized - except for the Jet Blue bag pick-up, which was an absolute disgrace. The only other gripe I had was all the walkers at the end. After running 23 miles you don't want to dodge the walkers that are taking up the flattest part of the road. Maybe this race is trying to appeal to too many groups. Honestly, I thought it was very well done. (and the amazing weather was appreciated!)
It was my second marathon and I loved it. I think it was very well organized, I liked the snack bag at the end, there was plenty of space to sit after the race, and we didn't have any problems to get out. It was also nice that they gave out the warming "blankets" since it was pretty chilly. The volunteers were awesome and the course was nice. I didn't check any bag so I can't say anything about that. I also love the website it was very easy to read and I like the runpix results on the website it is a cool feature. I can't say anything bad about the marathon it was everything way better than the first marathon I did. I can recommend it.
This was my first event in Long Beach - nice course for the 1/2 marathon. BUT - since I had been in previous 1/2's and fulls, I had something to compare it to - this was my husband's 1st big event so unfortunately, he didn't know any different.
Bag check in and out was ridiculous - I have NEVER seen anything like it! Why in the world would the bag check in folks make you fill out ANOTHER tag with your bib number on it, when we already had an extra tag on our bibs?!? Why in the world did it take us 1 1/2 hours to get our bags at the end?!? Utter and complete chaos - I was tired, hungry and really annoyed! And the food - nothing to write home about. Now why would I want to drink a cold beer on an empty stomach?!? No bagels, no oranges - very disappointed at the post run food. I agree with one of the previous comments - so many of the spectators, and 5K participants got ALL of the food (like the pizza) with NOTHING left for the 1/2 and full marathoners?!? Don't think I would participate in this event again - as there was not much incentive.
Good bike tour.
This was the second time I've run this marathon. Last year went fine, but this year was a disaster with the number of problems in the start and finish area. The bag check needs a bigger area so bags can be kept in numerical order. The long wait because of the chaotic search for bags is unacceptable. The start areas need access from the side to avoid having to squeeze through thousands of runners in later waves. I missed the first two waves because people were packed in and either wouldn't or couldn't move out of the way. And what were spectators doing in the start area? The post-race food bag is a great idea that prevents people from taking enough to fill their pantry, but a banana, an apple, and two mini-size Clif Builder bars seems pretty skimpy. Was this to drive business to the food trucks? Get some food trucks with healthier food. The best part of the start/finish area was the good number of port-a-potties. This is a rarity at running events. Two on-course comments: 1 - Powerade sucks. This is a non-carbonated soft drink, not a sports drink. The second ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. 2 - The spectators, cheerleaders, and band at Cal State Long Beach are awesome.
Like the course, but agree that the bag drop/claim process needs improving. Felt sorry for the young people working the pick up--they were needleesly overrun. Having to stand in a long line to go over the single file bridge was frustrating. I don't remember that in '08. Liked the prepaid parking. Could of had better drinks at the finish. Keep spectators out of the wave ques. If the price doesn't go up I'll probably be back.
Pre-race, I had arrived early, so I had no trouble getting into the start area in an appropriate spot for my pace. The course itself was great - flat, scenic, and full of spectators and cheer-ers. Also, water and port-o-potties were plentiful. Post-race, I had an excellent massage. However, leaving the finish area via the brdige was an exercise in patience. I finally figured out that I could walk a loop around...but if I wasn't familiar with the area, how would i know this. Better direction here would have been great. Also, the bag check was chaos. I jumped in to help locate my bag, and it was found in some random location. Third, supposedly the Long Beach Bus system was free to bib-wearers, but when I tried to board post-race, the driver was adamant that marathoners were not free. So overall, I would run this race again, but I would hope the post-race logistics would be improved in the future.
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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Editor's note: This is the fourth and final installment
of January's Learn to Ski and Ride Month series.
When I consider the options for entertainment in winter, I typically think of the ski resorts.
And when on-snow entertainment isn't quite satisfying, maybe I turn to soaking - if I want to drive an hour or two to find hot springs.
I admit, I'm letting my snow snob instincts kick in right now, but sometimes, I'm simply not drawn to the hard-pack. Don't get me wrong, fast groomers are fun. But I'm like a gnome - I like the trees.
Where can I go when the trees aren't quite skiable? Where can I go when the wind is whipping and I'm not so sure I want to scoot my skis around a mountain?
Well, this January, I turned to snowkiting as a possible option.
If you've driven to Breckenridge lately, you've passed by Farmer's Korner, which is often the site of Anton Rainold's Colorado Kiteforce snowkite lessons. You'll see massive kites in the air and probably wonder what's going on.
I can start by saying that even the introductory session - the one where your snowboots stay on and all you're doing is figuring out how to fly the kite - is fun. Rainold designs that portion of the course to get his students familiar with the way the kite works, including how to turn it, how it feels when it accelerates through the "wind window" and what to do when the kite's about to crash (amazingly, all you do is let go! The kite system does the rest, allowing the kite to flutter to the ground in a surprisingly calm manner).
The wind died before I could advance to the larger kite and, eventually, see what happens when I put skis on, but Rainold and I agreed that for those looking for an alternative to the slopes, it can be fun to just get out in an open space and get to know the basics of snowkiting.
While we waited for the wind to pick up again, we chatted about how snowkiting can fit so many needs and desires. Like the family who has varying ability levels. Perhaps the kids are still in ski school but mom and dad want to ski harder runs. That can split the family up, but a snowkiting lesson can put everyone in the same place, doing different things. Often, Rainold said, kids end up having so much fun that their parents stop what they're doing to watch and take pictures.
Even beginners can try snowkiting, because it can be tamer than what we see on YouTube. Rainold gives a lesson on the basics of using ski and snowboard edges, and then lets the wind do the rest. A beginner can harness in, catch the wind, and drift downwind before letting go and hiking back to do it again. The way the kite works, the beginner isn't threatened by it taking off and dragging them across the snow, uncontrolled.
I wish I'd been able to see what it's like to snowkite on skis. Being an advanced, curious and adventurous skier on the mountain, I'm intrigued to know what it's like to catch the wind - and catch air - and cruise across a lake or use a kite to maneuver the backcountry. Though, I knew that wasn't going to happen on my first day out.
Still, snowkiting hasn't lost its luster for me. I'm still intrigued, and one day, maybe I'll give it another shot. Until then, it's off to take advantage of any number of other Summit County activities - including learning to telemark ski or snowboard - before the snow and chill depart.


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SANTA CLARA -- Day 2 of the 49ers' mandatory minicamp meant another day without tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone, who are mired in contract disputes.
Coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated his disappointment in the duo's absence but declined to elaborate on his remark Tuesday, that Davis and Boone weren't following the "49er Way."
"I was disappointed in the decision to not come to the minicamp," Harbaugh said Wednesday. "I didn't call anybody out. Some said I did. I thought that (interpretation) was ridiculous."
Davis and Boone risk getting fined up to $70,000 each if they also miss Thursday's minicamp finale.
Harbaugh wanted to keep the focus on those players at camp than the two who aren't.
"To answer the three, four, five follow-up questions, it gets to be badgering, it gets old," Harbaugh said. "I covered it thoroughly yesterday and I don't feel there's anything more to say about it at this time."
For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CamInman.


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"Revolution" Ends, "TMNT/Batman:TAS" Begins in IDW's November 2016 Solicitations
Comic Books
Showing results 124-163 of 397
Following yesterday's Ninth Circuit loss, Stan Lee Media won't be able to insert itself into Disney's Spider-Man dispute with a theater company.
As Disney and Stan Lee Media argue their case in one appeals court, another has dealt a setback to the failed dot-com's feud with Stan Lee.
It turns out that $3.75 million listing isnât for the legendary creatorâs home, but instead for another lot he owns. In fact, thereâs no longer even a house on it.
When word surfaced that Stan Lee has put his home on the market for $3.75 million, some speculated about his finances. Of course, theyâre not the first.
The Los Angeles walled and gated home of legendary creator Stan Lee is on sale, listed for a mere $3.75 million.
Stan Lee Media returns to court in its latest attempt to sue Stan Lee for millions in profits and ownership of his Marvel co-creations.
A recent fan theory suggest that Stan "The Man" Lee been secretly playing a cosmic character throughout his memorable Marvel film cameos.
Creators address importance of Banned Books Week! CBLDF's Charles Brownstein talks censorship! Interviews with Stan Lee, Robert Venditti and Van Jensen! More!
Doyle estate wants justices to rescue Holmes from public domain! Spotlight on Stan Lee! Interviews with Alison Bechdel and Scott Allie! Plus much more!
James Gunn has posted a photo of Stan Lee's original "Guardians of the Galaxy" cameo: a part of the Collector's massive museum of oddities.
Stan The Man shares stories new and old as he recounts Spider-Man's inspiration, promotes a Black Widow movie and recalls his favorite cameos.
During a weekend appearance, the legendary creator happily agreed to undergo the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Stan Lee has canceled his appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego after reportedly losing his voice due to laryngitis.
Fans welcome Lee with gold-and-green shield! Anti-Muslim Chick tract sparks complaint! Frank Miller would like to write Captain America!
Stan Lee himself has officially announced the next picture book from Stan Leeâs Kids Universe, the childrenâs imprint founded in 2011.
Organizers dub it "the largest event of its kind ever held in the U.K.â! John Carpenter and Eric Powell on "Big Trouble in Little China"! Stan Lee and Chris Claremont talk X-Men!
She-Hulk co-creator Stan Lee has responded to screenwriter David S. Goyerâs suggestion that the character was created as âa giant green porn star."
A mustache-less Stan Lee held court at C2E2, sharing stories from his career, hinting at what's to come and teasing his next Marvel movie cameo.
At C2E2 2014, Stan Lee confirmed he has a mystery cameo in "Guardians of the Galaxy," contrary to earlier reports.
As "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" hits theaters, we look at his comic book history and the best writers to command the Sentinel of Liberty.
Did Stan Lee coin the term "'Nuff' Said?" What drove John Byrne off "Uncanny X-Men?" Was Larry Hama forced to add words to a silent "Wolverine" issue?
The United States Postal Service has teamed with Sony Pictures to promote Priority Mail and "Amazing Spider-Man 2" - and theyâve enlisted Stan Lee, too!
In an in-depth interview with the magazine, Stan Lee discussed his former artistic collaborators, "Avengers: Age of Ultron," his net worth and more.
A cameo from Stan Lee is not planned for "Guardians of the Galaxy," but Brett White has some ideas just in case Marvel's plans change.
Jimmie Robinson recalls the pioneering cartoonist who inspired him! Eric Stephenson on Image and diversity! Plus, Juanjo Guarnido, Stan Lee and more!
Forbes has named Stan Lee among its most influential celebrities of 2014, a list led by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and George Lucas.
Stan Lee, the king of Marvel cameos, is set to appear in an upcoming episode of "Agents of SHIELD" in a "big role."
Did Stan Lee debate Fredric Wertham? Was there a Conan comic two decades before Marvel's? And what's the surprise in 1999's "Doctor Strange" #2?
As Stan "The Man" Lee turns 91, the comics legend fulfills his wish of reaching a million Twitter followers. ROBOT 6 has more.
Who are the greatest writers to guide Spider-Man's adventures? From the "Amazing" to "Spectacular" and "Ultimate," CBR breaks them down.
In North Carolina, it's NC Comicon vs. Comic Book City Con! Tunisian president says he'll free jailed cartoonist -- eventually! Interviews with Stan Lee, I.N.J. Culbard and Joshua Hale Fialkov! Plus more!
The 25th season of "The Simpsons" premieres Sunday and features Guillermo del Toro, the "Futurama" cast, Stan Lee, a "Homeland" parody and more, according to longtime showrunner Al Jean.
Ignatz Awards ceremony celebrates women cartoonists with all-female presenters! Interviews with Stan Lee, Warren Craghead, Ali Ferzat,and Colleen Lynne Cox! SPX from two perspectives! Plus more!
Success of inaugural Salt Lake Comic Con fuels another push for mega-hotel! Interviews with Art Spiegelman, Stan Lee, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Chris Duffy and Charles Forsman! Plus more!
A federal judge on Thursday dismissed Stan Lee Mediaâs multibillion-dollar lawsuit against Disney, potentially ending its long and confusing legal battle to claim ownership of Marvel characters co-created by Stan Lee.
Marvel, TT Games and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have released a new trailer and screenshots for "LEGO Marvel Super Heroes" featuring the legendary Stan Lee as a playable character.
Jack Kirby, who, with Joe Simon, created the genre of romance comics before co-founding the Marvel U with the likes of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, would have turned 96 today. ROBOT 6 has suggestions on how to celebrate.
Fantastic Four and X-Men co-creator Stan Lee kicked off Torontoâs Fan Expo with teasers about upcoming projects and stories from the creation of the Marvel Universe.
Stan "The Man" Lee has his own signature cologne and CBR has teamed up with JADS International to give away 5 bottles in our latest contest. Click to learn how to win, true believers!
Archives: All | Comic Books | TV/Film | Video Games | Web Comics


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McMahon is willing to take on America's toughest problems
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August 30, 2016
ABC's 'This Week' will be moved from its normal time slot Sunday, May 27.
It normally airs 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., but is being moved to 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., due to the Indianapolis 500 being televised.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Subaru Recalls Cars With Remote Starters
Published: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 11:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 11:23 p.m.
DETROIT | Subaru of America is recalling more than 47,000 cars and SUVs with remote starters because the engines can start on their own.
The recall affects some Legacy and Outback cars from the 2010 to 2013 model years. Also covered are the Impreza from 2012 and 2013 and the XV Crosstrek from 2013.
Subaru said that if the key fob is dropped, it can malfunction and start the engine. The motor will run for up to 15 minutes, but could continue to start and stop until the car runs out of gas or the fob battery dies. If the cars are parked in a garage, there's a risk of carbon monoxide buildup.
The cars all have automatic or continuously variable transmissions. Subaru dealers will replace the fobs free of charge.
The company said Thursday that there have been no issues with carbon monoxide.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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It's about getting to know the singers on 'This Is Me' night. They have to fire off five things we don't know about them in 20 seconds and they chose their songs to reveal even more about themselves.
Dexter Roberts sang Chris Young's Aw Naw
Malaya Watson sang Bruno Mars' Runaway Baby
Kristen O'Connor sang Kelly Clarkson's Beautiful Disaster
Ben Briley sang Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues
C.J. Harris sang Darius Rucker's Radio
MK Nobilette sang Allen Stone's Satisfaction
Majesty Rose sang Janelle Monae's Tightrope
Jena Irene sang Coldplay's The Scientist
Alex Preston sang Jason Mraz' The Beautiful Mess
Jessica Meuse sang Shinedown's The Crow and the Butterfly
Emily Piriz sang Pink's Glitter in the Air
Sam Woolf sang Matchbox 20's Unwell
Caleb Johnson sang Rival Sons' Pressure and Time


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MARIETTA - Marietta Memorial Hospital is looking to reduce the number of positions to deal with changes in how health care is being provided, but is not planning layoffs for the time being, officials said.
Hospital officials have been meeting this week with staff throughout the organization to discuss changes in health care delivery nationwide and how those changes may affect local operations, said Jennifer Offenberger, director of marketing and public relations for the Memorial Health System.
''We have been meeting with staff throughout our organization this week to talk about today's health care environment and what steps our organization will be taking to ensure that we remain a strong system that provides care locally in our region,'' Offenberger said Wednesday.
Many issues are impacting the health care industry and providers are being challenged to refine how they deliver care, she said. Officials cannot attribute one specific cause for the changes.
Cuts in Medicare and the baby boomer generation getting older and needing more access to care are part of the hospital's need to redesign its processes, Offenberger said.
''We're challenged to improve quality and service while simultaneously reducing costs,'' Offenberger said. ''Hospitals across the country are faced with these same issues.''
Staff are worried some people might be losing their jobs.
Offenberger said that is not the case.
''Our message to our staff, is to explain that we must be proactive now, and prepare for the future in which we'll have significant reimbursement cuts from Medicare and other targets we must meet to be reimbursed,'' she said. ''Our goal is to take advantage of the growth we've been experiencing the past several years and anticipate again this year.
The hospital has plans to reduce labor costs, including new staffing models, improving processes while having zero waste and providing tools and automation that support the employees while continuing to grow the hospital's services, she said.
''We're also looking at a reduction of labor through natural attrition and early retirement opportunities,'' Offenberger said. ''We believe, working together and implementing these things, in concert with our growth, we'll be in a position to avoid layoffs and to continue to provide the personal care and services we want for our community into the future.''
Officials did not have a specific number of positions that will need to be eliminated.
''A specific number is challenging to quantify at this time,'' Offenberger said.
Memorial Health System recently began work in Belpre on the third phase of the expansion of the medical campus on Farson Street, which will include a free-standing, 24-hour emergency department and endoscopy services.
''When a need is indicated, we will hire thoughtfully as we move into the future,'' Offenberger said.
The Belpre Emergency Department is scheduled to open in 2014. Officials expect it to be staffed in one of three ways. First, existing employees from the emergency department wanting to transfer to the location. Second, hiring emergency trained nurses as the staffing need dictates, and third, by reassigning current employees to the new location.
''As we adjust our staffing models and improve our processes, we will have a portion of labor that will be reassigned to other areas of our health system,'' Offenberger said. ''One factor that differentiates us from other hospitals is our employees; they are our greatest asset.
''These are uncertain times and we are confident that with the support of our employees we will be able to face these challenges and provide the exceptional care our community needs,'' Offenberger said.


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A beloved character of American literature will come to life in a musical that Fine Linen Drama is presenting later this month and early next month.
Thirty-five experienced, talented local actors, ages 8-21, will white wash fences, explore caves and portray Mark Twain's "hymn to boyhood" during seven performances of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" at the Cedar Street Playhouse.
Performances will take place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-2, and Thursday through Saturday, Oct 3-5, each night at 7 p.m. On Oct. 5, there also will be a 2 p.m. matinee performance.
Tickets range from $3 to $5 for students and $7 to $10 for adults and are available online at www.finelinendrama.com or by calling 1-800-806-1915.
The musical, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," opened on Broadway in 2001. Ken Ludwig, the author of the Tony Award-winning "Crazy For You" and "Lend Me a Tenor," adapted anecdotes from Mark Twain's book, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" for the musical, which is set to music by Nashville songwriter Don Schlitz, who composed Kenny Rogers' signature song, "The Gambler."
Also coming up from Fine Linen Drama is "Charlotte's Web" to be presented Oct. 10-12. Details are at the website www.finelinendrama.com.
Location, ST | website.com


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When Negotiations Go Wrong
For most professionals, negotiation is standard operating procedure: receive a job offer, respond with a counter-offer, and then engage in a little back-and-forth until the parties arrive at an outcome that satisfies them both.
But sometimes negotiations go spectacularly awry. The higher-education blogosphere has been on fire this week since a young philosophy professor's offer of a tenure-track job was rescinded after she started what she probably assumed would be a typical process.
The academic, who was referred to as "W" in the original post on the blog Philosophy Smoker, asked in a brief email for five sweeteners, including a salary bump to $65,000 (it's not clear what the original offer was), a pre-tenure sabbatical, and a semester of maternity leave.
Her would-be employer, Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, responded by withdrawing its offer, noting that her requests indicated the philosopher would be happier at a larger and less "student centered" university.
What went wrong?
Many observers suggest that, even in the age of Lean In, sexism was at play, especially given the request for maternity leave. Indeed, if W were a man and had asked for all the same sweeteners, minus the maternity leave, would he have been so handily dismissed? We'll never know in this specific case, though plenty of research suggests that women negotiate less, and are viewed as too aggressive when they do play the game.
Deborah Kolb, an expert on negotiations and gender and an emeritus professor at the Simmons School of Management, says the not-quite-negotiation involved errors on both sides, and some had nothing to do with W's sex. In fact, she's seen offers retracted from plenty of cocky male M.B.A.'s who made excessive demands and were laughed out of a job.
She offered a few suggestions on how both sides can improve their odds of coming to a successful arrangement:Do your research and then put your requests in context.
- If you want a higher salary, show why it's reasonable – for instance, others at your experience level, whether inside or outside the company, earn $5,000 more than what the firm is offering.
- Understand your bargaining position. This applies to each party in a negotiation. In a weak job market, no matter how terrific they are, candidates can only ask for so much. Similarly, employers all hunting for the same few data scientists might have to pony up more than they planned to keep their prospects from heading to the nearest competitor.
- If you're the employer and a prospective worker makes what seems like outlandish requests, don't just close the door and declare that person dead to you. Maybe there was some miscommunication or poor setting of expectations. Simply say "We're really surprised at this response" and leave the next move in the candidate's hands. Chances are, says Kolb, she'll backtrack and return with a more reasonable request.


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About the Book
"Daphne Kalotay captivates in a soaring debut novel. An elegant, compelling puzzle of family, memory and solitude that brings to life modern-day Boston and postwar Russia through a profound love story. Graceful, moving, and unexpected."
—Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
In Russian Winter, the beautiful debut novel by critically acclaimed writer Daphne Kalotay, a famed ballerina's jewelry auction in Boston reveals long-held secrets of love and family, friendship and rivalry, harkening back to Stalinist Russia. Called "tender, passionate, and moving" by Jenna Blum, the New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, Russian Winter is a perfect choice for fans of the novels of Debra Dean (The Madonnas of Leningrad), Ann Patchett (Bel Canto), and Ian McEwan (Atonement).
A mysterious jewel holds the key to a life-changing secret, in this breathtaking tale of love and art, betrayal and redemption.
When she decides to auction her remarkable jewelry collection, Nina Revskaya, once a great star of the Bolshoi Ballet, believes she has finally drawn a curtain on her past. Instead, the former ballerina finds herself overwhelmed by memories of her homeland and of the events, both glorious and heartbreaking, that changed the course of her life half a century ago.
It was in Russia that she discovered the magic of the theater; that she fell in love with the poet Viktor Elsin; that she and her dearest companions—Gersh, a brilliant composer, and the exquisite Vera, Nina's closest friend—became victims of Stalinist aggression. And it was in Russia that a terrible discovery incited a deadly act of betrayal—and an ingenious escape that led Nina to the West and eventually to Boston.
Nina has kept her secrets for half a lifetime. But two people will not let the past rest: Drew Brooks, an inquisitive young associate at a Boston auction house, and Grigori Solodin, a professor of Russian who believes that a unique set of jewels may hold the key to his own ambiguous past. Together these unlikely partners begin to unravel a mystery surrounding a love letter, a poem, and a necklace of unknown provenance, setting in motion a series of revelations that will have life-altering consequences for them all.
Interweaving past and present, Moscow and New England, the backstage tumult of the dance world and the transformative power of art, Daphne Kalotay's luminous first novel—a literary page-turner of the highest order—captures the uncertainty and terror of individuals powerless to withstand the forces of history, while affirming that even in times of great strife, the human spirit reaches for beauty and grace, forgiveness and transcendence.
Educator and Librarian Resources
Critical Praise
"An exceptional debut novel. . . . Delving into Nina's life with the Bolshoi Ballet, her life among the Soviet Union's artist community and her escape from the Stalinist regime add glamour and historical flavor to this novel of secrets, intrigue and wonderfully described priceless gems." — USA Today
"With sure and suspenseful artistry, Daphne Kalotay intersperses the unfortunate and tortuous histories of Nina, Elsin, and their artist friends with new discoveries and disclosures. The several stories draw together in a conclusion that is surprising, fitting, and satisfying." — Boston Globe
"[A] magnificent tale of love, loss, betrayal and redemption. . . . The emotional center of the book holds everything together. . . . [A] final riptide of revelations leaves the reader profoundly moved." — Washington Post Book World
"This tale of a Russian ballerina who defected to Boston is a history lesson inside an evocative novel about art and betrayal." — O magazine
"Part romance, part mystery, this elegant debut captures the danger—and refuge—of love in Stalin's era." — Good Housekeeping
"RUSSIAN WINTER. . . is engaging and affecting. It could well be the debut novel of the year." — Philadelphia Inquirer
"A complex story that, in the end, boils down to the simplest of elements: love, fear, disappointment and loss. An auspicious first novel, elegantly written and without a false note." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Kalotay has created appealing, well-rounded characters in well-researched settings. . . . This is a briskly paced, fresh, and engaging first novel dealing with the pain of loss and the power of love." — Booklist
"Kalotay has brought to life hidden worlds with the verve of an expertly executed tour jeté." — Maclean's
"Daphne Kalotay captivates in a soaring debut novel. An elegant, compelling puzzle of family, memory and solitude that brings to life modern-day Boston and postwar Russia through a profound love story. Graceful, moving and unexpected." — Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club
"Tender, passionate, and moving, Daphne Kalotay's debut novel about ballet, jewels, love and betrayal is also a delicious form of time travel. I loved it." — Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us
Product Details
- Imprint: Harper
- On Sale: 09/07/2010
- Trimsize: 6.125 in (w) x 9 in (h) x 1.45 in (d)
- Pages: 480
- List Price: 25.99 USD
- BISAC1: FICTION / General


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Home > News, Stories & Videos > News
October 11 was the International Day of the Girl. Experience shows that families and communities do best when girls and women are empowered through education to reach their God-given potential. Poverty, exploitation, and gender discrimination are the biggest obstacles to this goal, as illustrated by the story of Heang and her five daughters in Cambodia.
In Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, five girls sleep outside with their mother on an embankment near a river. Their dwelling has no electricity, plumbing, or walls.
The siblings are Sreynou, 9; Sreyny, 8; Sreyva, 5; Sreychea, 4; and Srey Poeu, 3. Their mother, Heang Neang, 32, is a widow whose husband died of malaria last year. She earns a meager $3 per day accompanying men at a karaoke bar.
While she works, the girls live on the street, begging for money from tourists or people walking at the nearby park.
Living on the street, the girls are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation — ordeals and experiences that no child should face. Sometimes, men try to use money to lure them into cars. Fortunately, the girls are wise enough not to fall into this trap.
For several years, World Vision staff members had talked to Heang about the importance of education and sending her children to school. However, the single mother was deeply reluctant — after all, she needed the money that her daughters earned from begging.
"My family is very poor; I cannot send my children to school," Heang originally said. "My children could help to earn money for living and support their younger sisters."
Tieng Chansopheap, a World Vision worker, says that the girls are inseparable, implying that if even one of them doesn't go to school, neither will the others. "Even though Sreyny and her sisters are facing a lot of difficulties, they love each other. Sreynouch or Sreyny have never [gone] anywhere alone; they always walk or do everything together."
Heang says she's proud of her girls. "Even though I am poor, my children are so cute and smart," she says. "Sreynou and Sreyny wander to beg for money at markets in the morning and come back in the afternoon. Sometimes each of them able to earn 10,000 riel a day (about U.S. $2.50), but sometimes they earn less."
Every week, children peers from World Vision's Bamboo Shoot children's center in Phnom Penh stop by to visit the girls and their friends. They teach Sreynouch, Sreyny, and their friends how to maintain basic health and hygiene — critical issues for children who dwell on the streets.
"My children take shower once or twice a day," says Heang. But a look at the children's dirty faces makes this claim hard to believe.
Slowly, World Vision's presence in the life of Heang's family is giving this mother a change of heart.
"If my children have knowledge, they will [have a] good future," says Heang. "Before, I insisted not [to] send my children to school, because I don't want to [be] far away from them, and I need them to help me to support the family.
"Now, I want my children learn skills. I want all children go to Bamboo Shoot center."
Living on the street, the five girls cannot avoid getting sick with ailments like fevers, colds, and coughs. In fact, they become ill so often that Heang sometimes has to borrow money to treat her children.
Such is the reality of a family trapped in vicious poverty. Heang admits that she has given thought to suicide at times — but her five daughters have given her the will to carry on.
And despite the bleak circumstances that have characterized their young lives, these girls have God-given potential that could be realized — if only they were given a chance to stay in school.
For example, Sreyny is able to speak some English. She uses it to ask foreigners for money on the street. She also has dreams for her future.
"I want to be a hairdresser," Sreyny says. "I can make other people's hair shiny and smooth."
But that's not all. "When I go to Bamboo Shoot center, please do not get me back," she tells her mother. "I want to get into Bamboo Shoot center because I want to learn [more] English."
In commemoration of the first-ever International Day of the Girl, October 11, World Vision seeks to raise awareness of the desperate circumstances that girls face around the world at the hands of poverty, discrimination, and exploitation — and how empowering them can benefit not just their families, but entire communities.
Visit the World Vision Blog to read more about our efforts to empower girls and women worldwide.
Please pray for girls and women who are trapped in situations of desperation and vulnerability because of poverty. Pray for the efforts of World Vision and other organizations to equip them to reach their God-given potential through education and other life-giving basics.
Make a one-time donation to World Vision's Girls and Women in Crisis Fund. Your gift will help us provide care to vulnerable girls and women around the world through interventions like education, vocational training, small business loans, counseling, and more.
Sponsor a girl in need today. Your love and commitment will help equip and empower her through basics like education, nutritious food, clean water, medical care, safe shelter, and more. Investing in the life of a girl means investing in the health of an entire community.


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At East Tennessee Children's Hospital, we are leading the way to healthy children through exceptional, comprehensive family-centered care, wellness and education. Our 152-bed hospital is certified by the state of Tennessee as the only Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center in East Tennessee and is accredited by the Joint Commission. Read more about our hospital >
Cumberland Avenue DetourPlease avoid Cumberland Avenue and use these directions for the quickest access to Children's Hospital.
Sign up for our NewsletterJoin our email list for news on important happenings at Children's Hospital, expert pediatric advice and information for parents.
Patient PortalParents can now access their child's medical records through the Children's Hospital Patient Portal.
Patient StoriesThese inspirational patients and former patients of East Tennessee Children's Hospital have decided to give back through volunteering and serving as spokespeople for our hospital.
Symptom CheckerCheck symptoms, get first aid advice and find the right dosage of medicine to give you child with our free pediatric symptom checker tool.
East Tennessee Children's Hospital is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt institution certified by the state as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center & accredited by the Joint Commission.
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