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Is there a way to change the colour used to outline the select box? I am colour blind and the community edition of QCad that I previously used had a [yellow? or green?] outline for the select box - I could see that easily. The Pro edition that I just started using has a very dark [brown or red?] outline that I can only see if I look very carefully. I'm not sure at times whether my selecting is even active.
I didn't see a control in the app prefs for this; and again, I'd muddle with the qcad.ini file but I don't know the semantics.
Thanks again for any help, and thanks for a great product at a reasonable price that runs on "the rest of the platforms."


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I was tired of being on a road bike, so yesterday I decided it was time to go for a mountain bike ride. One of my favorite trails in this area is Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort Texas. Just north of San Antonio, Comfort is right in the middle of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Flat Rock Ranch is a gem with over 25 miles of single track on 1100 acres of land. The trails were built by local mountain bikers, including me, and the land owner Jimmy Dreiss who also rides.
There are some great views from the tops of the hills at about 1900 feet, none of which I got a picture of because I was having too much fun. I invited a roadie friend of mine, Steve (Sanford), go along with us, and he although he was having a hard time keeping up, I think he enjoyed the ride. Steve had to stop and rest a few times as he is not used to different fitness level of mountain biking.
We met Denny, a long time mountain biking friend of mine, at the ranch. Denny missed shifted on one of the climbs and broke his chain. We had to call Jimmy to get us a chain tool, as none of us carry any tools to fix anything.
Me and Steve had to cut our ride short as it took Steve almost 2 hours to do the lower loop, about 16 miles, and it was starting to get hot. All in all, a great ride and a much needed break from the road bike.

subset: commoncrawl


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Product Description
Z-Color Margarita Glasses will thrill everyone who gets to drink out of them. They are a fun stem that swerves out to the side. It is a fun novelty glass for Margarita and other contemporary drinks . While the Margarita conjures up a certain panache and sophistication, there's no reason sipping one should be a serious affair. Libbey adds a touch of fun to the cocktail hour with this set of four Swerve Margarita glasses. The stem on each not only curves stylishly but attaches unexpectedly to the side, not the bottom, of the flared bowl.


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Definition of poke-check in English:
verb[with object] Ice Hockey
Poke the puck off the stick of and out of the possession of (an opposing player).
Example sentences
- He has one of the best gloves in the game and is a master at using his stick for puckhandling and poke-checking, as well as using his pads to direct rebounds past the on-coming offensive players to the safety of his teammates.
- Body-checking, poke-checking, defending the puck when skating, and even blocking are control commands available in addition to shooting and passing.
- 'I take some tape and make a big knob at the end of the stick, like goalies have a big knob so when they poke-check or whatever they're not going to lose their stick,' he says.
For editors and proofreaders
Syllabification: poke-check
Definition of poke-check in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.
= trending


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Hello TW Happys!Yes, its true and I am very happy to announce that I just produced and released my first Hollywood movie right here in Tokyo:"Never Say 'Never' Always Say 'Revver'" is a humorous promo for the well-known internet video sharing site: Revver.com located right on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. "Never Say 'Never' Always Say 'Revver'" was recorded live in Tokyo, Japan. Written, directed, edited and produced by Rob Pongi. Copyright (2007) by Rob Pongi. Used by permission and all rights reserved. Check it out here:"Never Say 'Never' Always Say 'Revver'"Stay tuned!Rob Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
Best Internet Videos of the Week - Internet Video Magazine (03-17-07)"I don't know how good this is but it is awfully goofy. "Never Say 'Never' Always Say 'Revver'" is Rob Pongi's humorous promo for his favorite internet video sharing company known as "Revver": http://www.revver.com which is located right on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. "Never Say 'Never' Always Say 'Revver'" was filmed on location in Tokyo, which, believe it or not, according to Rob, actually resembles L.A. in many ways! So, check it out!"Also, 'Rob Pongi's First Hollywood Movie' was recently blogged on 'Best Hollywood Videos'Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
NEWS UPDATE: 'Rob Pongi's First Hollywood Movie' is currently ranked as one of the top videos on the very extremely popular entertainment site: Craveonline.com About Craveonline.com: "Crave Online has all new features and original content. The site attracts over 1.7 million visitors monthly, who come for the latest in music, gaming, comics and film/tv news. CraveOnline.com is also a top video destination, where visitors can see the latest music videos, movie trailers, video game demos and funny videos. Check out the all new Crave Online and see what everyone is talking about.""Crave Online (Craveonline.com) is a next-generation male lifestyle site that covers topics that young men "crave." The site is dedicated to fulfilling every appetite for information, whether it is film, comics, games, sports, and more. Crave is a platform to provide users with high-quality professional content along with user-created content. It offers a blend of video and traditional editorial content. The site focuses on satisfying users cravings for all types of diversionary content."Source: CraveOnline.com re-launches with an all new site. Stay tuned! Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
Is You Tube just not for "You"? Is My Space not really "Your space" after all? Well, then come on down and check out the all-new Asia Online Video social network brought to you by yours truly - Rob Pongi - and now online and ready and waiting for your videos, photos, blog journals and Q&A sessions in the forums. Membership is, of course, FREE and available to any video creators and/or viewers interested in Asia. (No pornographers please!) So sign up right here right now: Sign Up - Asia Online Video and and let's VERY ENJOY A GREAT JOYFUL!See you all soon!Rob Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
FLASH NEWS: Rob Pongi was recently included in the Hollywood Up Close celebrity portal. (Discoverd 03-27-07):About HollywoodUpClose.com: "Launched on Feb 5, 2007, HollywoodUpClose.com, a division of PureVideo Networks, Inc., is the Web's most comprehensive portal to all things celebrity. The site features news, gossip, movie trailers, celebrity interviews, photo galleries, and red-carpet footage from an exclusive library of thousands of clips and other resources."Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
This new video release by Rob Pongi is the Tokyo Spring Music Video that is a happy, upbeat and very interesting look at some incredibly talented and truly amazing Tokyo-based musicians and bands playing live in public during the beautiful Japan Spring season. Filmed and edited by Rob Pongi. Used by permission and all rights reserved. Copyright (2007) by Rob Pongi. Check it out here:Tokyo Spring Music VideoIn the above still frame from this new video, a young Japanese woman is playing a very unique and dynamic electrical instrument known as a Moog Etherwave ThereminAsia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
NEWS UPDATE: Tokyo Spring Music Video was recently selected as "Multimedia Feature of the Week" on Bowienet the official website of Mr. David Bowie (2007-04-08). This is the 17th time one of Rob Pongi's videos has been featured by David Bowie's official website. Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
Iggy Pop Stage Dives On 60th BirthdayIggy Pop dives into the crowd during a performance with "The Stooges" on his 60th birthday at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California, April 21, 2007. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith REUTERSApril 22, 2007By Dean Goodman"SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Iggy Pop marked his 60th birthday on Saturday just like any other respectable senior citizen would."The eerily athletic "Godfather of Punk" stripped down to a tight pair of blue jeans and dived off the stage into the arms of his adoring fans during a concert in San Francisco with his reunited band the Stooges.""Towards the end of the 80-minute show, the crowd at the Warfield theater sang along as his bandmates struck up "Happy Birthday," and Pop was surprised as balloons bearing his image dropped from the ceiling.""A fan also handed him a white T-shirt inscribed "Birthday Boy Iggy," which the singer proudly displayed to his unimpressed bandmates.""Pop, whose real name is Jim Osterberg, seemed thrilled by all the attention, but did not dwell too much on the special occasion. He muttered a few thanks along the way before resuming his usual routine: manic singing and dancing, spitting into the crowd, scampering onto the speakers and throwing his microphone stand around the stage.""During the song "No Fun," he invited fans in the mosh pit to jump onto the stage, and generously shared his microphone with the motley troupe he termed the "Bay Area Dancers.""Pop no longer carves up his chest with a steak knife, rolls around in cut glass, smears himself in peanut butter, or follows a drug regimen that makes Keith Richards look like a choirboy. But the Michigan trailer-park kid otherwise outruns rockers one-third his age." Continued...Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
FLASH NEWS: Rob Pongi Featured by Revver in Hollywood! (04-23-07)Located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Revver is one of the first video-sharing websites to monetize user-generated content through advertising. Revver's system is often compared to Google's Adwords, but for video rather than websites. And with this recent development Rob Pongi will be sharing the spotlight with other world-famous internet superstars including AskANinja, lonelygirl15, Blendtec and other very creative and highly entertaining online shows now featured on Revver. This top-level feature of Rob Pongi was officially announced on 04-23-07. The above shot is from the top of the "Featured Creators" section and the below graphic is from the Revver front page:Revver is.....".. a video-sharing platform built the way the internet really works. We support the free and unlimited sharing of media. Our unique technology tracks and monetizes videos as they spread virally across the web, so no matter where your creativity travels, you benefit."".. the viral video network that pays. We connect video makers and sharers with sponsors in a free and open marketplace that rewards them for doing what they do best."".. committed to the artist. You have something to say and we built our network to empower you to say it." Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog
War Birds Of Prey 喜乐吧视频搜索引擎 Xileba.com (Discovered 06-05-07)Asia Entertainment Online VideosRob Pongi Blog


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Dr. Cynthia L. Russell, a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Hannibal High School graduate, has been elected president-elect of the International Transplant Nurses Society. That post will lead to her installation as president of the society in the fall of 2013.
Russell, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, FAAN, joined the UMKC faculty earlier this year. She has previously served as Research Director and Research Committee Chair for the Society. At UMKC, her NIH funded research is focused on nursing interventions that lead to improved patient adherence with post-transplant treatment regimens.
"When patients receive a heart or kidney transplant, their life changes dramatically. Their quality of life is high, but many things need to be monitored closely afterwards," Russell said in a media release.
Because these patients feel better and visit hospitals and doctors' offices less often than in the past, some tend to be less vigilant about keeping medical appointments and taking their anti-rejection medications on a consistent basis, she said. Those medications also often increase cancer risk, so transplant patients have to be extremely careful about other cancer risk factors such as sun exposure and smoking; and be more focused on preventative factors such as exercise and screenings.
Russell, the daughter of Dr. Tom and Betty Fischer of Hannibal, is a 1978 graduate of HHS. Russell, who now makes her home in Columbia, Mo., received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Rush University in Chicago, and her PhD from Saint Louis University. She recently led a task force that published the "Scope and Standards for Transplant Nursing Practice and the Transplant Competencies."
Location, ST | website.com


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November 16, 2005
Neighbors are on alert after a home invasion early Wednesday morning. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office says the majority of them are drug related. But that's not the case of a new mother and her family living on Richmond Hill Road in South Augusta. That's where two masked men armed with a gun kicked in the door and demanded money. News 12 is on your side with ways to stay safe in your neighborhood.
"Oh, God I just knew we were going to die," said Sharon Williams.
Sharon Williams was feeding her 2-week-old baby at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning, her fiancé was asleep and her 11-year-old asleep in another room, when two robbers almost kicked the door off the hinges.
"They entered the bedroom they say this is the Sheriff's Department," Sharon said.
But it was not the sheriff's department, instead two robbers waving a gun and demanding money.
"I thought he was going to shoot cause the way he was waving the gun he was like give me the money. That's when I hit the floor with my baby in my arms," Sharon said.
"Normally, they do home invasions for cash, jewelry or things that they can turn into cash quickly," said Major Ken Autry, Richmond Co. Sheriff's Department.
The sheriff's department says a homeowner may or may not know the robber.
"May or may not know the person, but the person has some knowledge of the victim," Autry said.
Sharon says although their faces were covered, she recognized other features like their slim build and the braided hair.
"I've seen them. I've seen these little young boys, they have been riding up and down the street," Sharon said.
This is the second time her home was broken into in less than 6 months. And now neighbors like Bobbie Cliett are growing more concerned.
"This neighborhood isn't what we thought it was. It's definitely not," Sharon said.
And as Sharon works to secure her home again, she's also working to alert her neighbors.
"We are going to put some other things in plan, especially for my children," Bobbie said.
"I told them beware, I told them they kicking in doors and they robbing people, I said be careful," Sharon said.
The sheriff's office is looking for two black males between the ages of 15 and 17. They are described as having a dark complexion and having a slim build. One is 5'5" with a slim build with braids and wore a black t-shirt, black shorts, and black masks the night of the invasion. The other is 5'11" with a slim build and wore a white t-shirt and a red mask. Neighbors say they have seen these teenagers in the area before the robbery.


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I wrote a small script to print one drawing in several configurations regarding visible layers, scale and center (see file at closed feature request at http://www.ribbonsoft.com/bugtracker/in ... ask_id=505).
Two issues persist: points are not visible and blocks are either completely visible or completely invisible (blocks with multiple layers are visible even if some of these layers are frozen).
Do points and block require any special treatment?
Thank you for any help or suggestion.


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New Year keeps local police busy
162 service calls during holiday
January 2, 2013
PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg authorities were kept busy on New Year's Eve, answering over 150 calls and investigating a number of automobile accidents during the morning, afternoon and evening of 2012'......
The citizens of Parkersburg, with the help of our out-of-town workers, have provided employees of the police department with 63 vehicles. How many were being utilized at midnight on the busiest night of the year?
2 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
And it fails to come straight out,this article does,on exactly how many of those were total B.S. calls;Someones argument,music was loud,and believe this one or not,but I heard it; "some-one walked past my house,they need to be checked". This garbage is everyday,so it's a small wonder why these cops are in a bad mood most of the time.
5 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Our police department does a good job. 150 calls in one night for a small town like Parkersburg is incredible...and a shame. Sounds like we need to hire more officers. If the city decides to put an officer or 2 in each school and day care center to prevent another Sandy Hook the city will definitely need to hire more officers. Perhaps an increase in the user fee or a $500.00 tax on assault weapons can help defray the cost.
4 Agrees | 10 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Showing 3 of 3 comments


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After winning the title from fifth place in each of the last two seasons, the Rhinos have given themselves potentially an easier route to Old Trafford after a run of six wins from their last seven matches earned them a third-place finish this year.
Victory over the Wolves in Saturday's second qualifying play-off will put them within 80 minutes of a third consecutive Grand Final and give them the chance to select their semi-final opponents and Jones-Buchanan believes they are running into form at just the right time.
"People keep saying 'can you do it again' and that's half the enjoyment, half the fun," he said.
"Of course we can get there again. I don't think anybody would be overly surprised if we did.
"Statistically it would be an unusual thing to do to go on and get to another Grand Final, and certainly to win one again, but that's what sport's all about, it's what destinies and journeys are made of."
The losers of the game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium will earn a second chance to reach the last four but Jones-Buchanan is hoping the Rhinos can book their spot on Saturday and earn a week off.
"Momentum is a big thing in big games and this mentality of having to get over a defeat is not a great thing to have to do," he said.
"When you are in the play-offs, they are short weeks, they turn around pretty quick and the games don't get any easier so we want to go out there and put our best foot forward and have that battle-ready mentality by going out and doing a good job the first time around."
Warrington needed a second bite of the cherry 12 months ago after losing at home to St Helens in the qualifying play-off and skipper Adrian Morley is hoping they can take the alternative route to Old Trafford this time.
"The easiest way to do it is to win on Saturday," Morley said. "We'd much rather do it that way.
"Even though we get a second chance, we're not looking at it like that and I guarantee Leeds won't be. We'll be going into it with the mindset that it's all or nothing."
There will be no second chance for St Helens or Hull KR when they meet in Saturday evening's elimination play-off at Langtree Park.
Saints captain Paul Wellens says his side will draw encouragement from the achievements of Leeds after they claimed the "coveted" fifth spot in the table thanks to seven wins from their last eight matches.
"What they've shown is that it can be done," Wellens said. "At the start of the year we had designs on finishing much higher than fifth but, given the kind of injuries we've had this year and the amount of disruption, we're pretty happy with where we're at.
"We're certainly confident going into the play-offs."
Saints are close to full strength following the return from injury of England hooker James Roby while Hull KR have no fewer than nine players returning to their line-up.
The Robins are in particular boosted by the return of influential trio Michael Dobson, Josh Hodgson and Cory Paterson as they seek a fourth win of the season over their opponents.
"I'm sure they will be looking for some revenge," said skipper Dobson. "We've got to do the business again on Saturday.
"They're hitting form at the right end of the year and they've got most of their injured blokes back so it's not going to be easy but hopefully we've got the strike power to get over them."
- Sports & Recreation


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I have found this divice http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun_dvbt and would like to see the Streamed TV om my PS3. I wounder if the PS3 Media Server can capture the HDHomeRun stream and send it on to my PS3?
I'm very impressed with the PS3 Media Server, and have setup an dedicated Media Server (Streamer), that runs only the PS3 Media Server, and attached thar server with my HP HomeServer, where all my movies i located. Both servers and the PS3 is on the same Gigabit net, so the speed is optimal and every thing is working perfect.


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Monday, November 12, 2012
Hot or Not? Men with Tats (Tattoos)
WGB: I get a lot of feedback pro tattoo pics on the blog and some very vocal feedback against pics of guys with tattoos on the blog so let's end the debate with comments below.
25 comments:
It depends on the tat. If its art, it is super sexy. If it is well designed and executed, it makes me want to touch it, trace it, taste it.
- November 12, 2012 at 10:02 PM
Personally don't care for ink, but these guys are hot enough that it's silly to complain about it.
- November 12, 2012 at 10:14 PM
I used to love tats as they were rare and now not to have them is rare and I kinda like it
- November 12, 2012 at 10:20 PM
- SEAN said...
I second Anon. You have to have a good mix and you do.
Besides, if you went one way or the other then you'd have to choose between Ben Cohen and Nick Youngquest and that would be almost as hard as Sophie's Choice.
- November 12, 2012 at 10:28 PM
For me, personally, less is more.
- November 13, 2012 at 12:03 AM
This guy is to die for, tats are an art and he has done his as art. My BF is inked everywhere and I find it extremely exciting. I touch it, trace it and taste it. You did not ask about the nose ring, but it is sexy as well, on him. I think you continue to post inked dudes.
- November 13, 2012 at 12:29 AM
Tats are HOT
- November 13, 2012 at 1:38 AM
I don't like tatoos on a man. I'm not crazy about piercings anywhere but the ears. I really don't like nose rings. Yet I would do Mateus Verdelho in a minute. I think he is a very sexy man.
- November 13, 2012 at 3:57 AM
- Tamayn Irraniah said...
Couldn't agree more with the first Anonymous post. If it's really art, I'm all for it, but if it's another guy with the same tribal band tattoo, I'm not impressed.
- November 13, 2012 at 5:00 AM
I'll vote NO on tats. When mess up a perfectly good body?
- November 13, 2012 at 9:11 AM
When it comes to Tattoos the canvas is more important than the art. A beautiful body with tattoos is still hot. THis guy is hot but the tattoos are a bit over kill and the nose ring is a turn off. If it was just the arm tattoos and those at the waist it would be enough. The ones on his legs is starting to make him look like a doodle pad.
- November 13, 2012 at 10:26 AM
If the guy is hot, and has a good body, why not put some tats on him? As long as its not overdone. As far as the piercing topic is here, I'll add my two cents to that. They are a big turn off for me unless its ear piercings- and let me be even more specific- nothing that makes your earlobes three times their normal size. A simple stud is fine with me. Anything else, I'll pass.
- November 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Personally, I find tattoos on a guy disfiguring and a turn off. I put them in the same category as going on date and finding out the guy's a smoker. I think the same of piercings, a total turn off. Shaving one's chest or one's pubes off is another turn off.
Hmm, I wonder if all this is a reason why I'm single!
- November 13, 2012 at 12:09 PM
To me ink is a complete turnoff. It tells me that something isn't quite right about someone who would defile their body so extensively that way. I feel the same way about body piercing, except for the ear, but even then people get carried away. I find the human male body beautiful. Why deface it with nothing more than graffiti? Sorry, NOT hot but very tacky.
- November 13, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Tats are not for me, they are tacky and only for the local equivalents of US trailer trash. Any man with any ounce of self respect or esteem would not even have to think twice about having one. Here in the UK one of the first to sport many tats was Beckham, I think my point is made.
- November 13, 2012 at 4:35 PM
I love a guy with tattoos. But I like tats that are done with care and thoughtfulness about what goes where and how it all ties together. A bunch of weird random pictures doesn't work for me.
- November 13, 2012 at 5:34 PM
Self abuse is never hot!
- November 13, 2012 at 6:28 PM
- Lez Hard said...
with Tats, the soft and delicate harmony of the skin seems destroyed for ever, what a shame !
Even if they are well drawn, bodies looks less hot,and more ugly to me.
- November 13, 2012 at 6:49 PM
- Steven said...
For me tats are just another form of personal expression. Same as piercings, facial hair, style of clothing or even your haircut. Some people can carry off something bold and 'in your face' others can't. It you don't like something; don't do it. But don't criticize someone else for doing it.
- November 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM
For me, it depends on the tats and sometimes even the guy.
That being said, you post the photos you want to on the blog; I love your blog for the variety of topics and men! It wouldn't be as great a blog if everything you posted was the same!
- November 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM
I have found that those who self-mutilate (piercings, tattoos) have a tendency to engage in a whole variety of other self-destructive behaviors -- smoking, drinking, drugs and/or obesity. It is not logical to pursue someone with a death wish, lest you joining him on that trip. Peter, this is for you -- maintain your standards. There are far worse fates than being single!
- November 13, 2012 at 11:11 PM
- edmcan said...
Tattoos used to be the exception (and wildly hot) and now they are the rule (boring). They're trendy and not unique; not a great source of 'self-expression'. Find something unique and make it yours, not something embraced by the masses. That's 'self expression'.
- November 13, 2012 at 11:37 PM
- ChrisXXX said...
I like guy either way. I agree it's art. I also, agree that there is a good mix on this blog.
- November 14, 2012 at 9:52 PM
It was hot for a while, now it's just over done.
- November 16, 2012 at 6:21 PM
- Russ said...
I find a tat or two very sexy if they are well done. Overkill I find very unsexy. Sleeve tats in my opinion are overkill and completely turn me off. Not saying I would kick this guy out of bed, but I would find him much hotter with about half the tats!
- November 18, 2012 at 11:31 AM


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Nothing but overwhelming success with Chargers
ANSONIA -- It's a lingering, stinging feeling that just won't go away. Nearly 19 years since letting a deflected puck slip past him in goal, ending the top-seeded Lyman Hall boys hockey team's title quest with a 4-3 double-overtime loss to Westhill in a state hockey quarterfinal game, Thomas Brockett remembers the moment. He reflects on how it shaped his future brilliant high school football coaching career at the state's most heralded program, Ansonia.
"Until that last high school game, I had been 7-0 in overtime games as a starting goaltender," noted Brockett. "There was a pass in front of the net and the puck hit the post and trickled in on a redirect."
Though stunned, Brockett didn't remain on the ice at Choate Rosemary Hall too long.
"I don't believe in staying down emotionally too long," said Brockett. "I picked myself rather quickly. It's something that I still teach my players in this day and age."
Still, Brockett recalls keeping to himself hours later after the bitter defeat.
"I have always had a great support system with my family, but there wasn't much dialogue going on with me that night," said Brockett. "The only good thing that came out of the loss is that baseball season started the next week. There was never any time for me to sit around. I went season-to-season from the time I was a little kid."
Though he was a starting option quarterback at Lyman Hall and a center fielder in baseball, Brockett saw himself as a college hockey player. But his dreams were derailed when no offers came his way and a potential option, Milford Academy, dropped its hockey program just before his freshman year.
So the competitive Brockett changed gears and began to pursue his teaching degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Soon after, he began coaching football at his alma mater during his college years.
Not intimidated by the Ansonia mystique, Brockett interviewed for a teaching position and offered to be a volunteer football coach if a paid position wasn't available.
Bob Lisi, a former head coach with the Chargers and at the time an assistant principal, posed a pointed question to Brockett during the interview process.
"What would you do after 2 p.m. if you were a football coach?" Lisi asked.
Brockett, according to Lisi, responded by saying "I want to be a positive role model for the kids and do whatever I can to help now and in the future."
Lisi, acting for the principal, liked the answer and soon made a recommendation to hire Brockett as a physical education teacher. Almost instantaneously, Brockett joined the late Jack Hunt's football staff.
"Around that time, my high school coach, Phil Ottochian, wanted me to take over the Lyman Hall program at 22, but I didn't think I was ready," said Brockett. "At that point, I was already at Ansonia for a year as a teacher. I called Phil and told him that I had a chance to coach at Ansonia. Phil said, 'Go there. They will love you.'"
It wasn't long thereafter, Hunt and Lisi knew that they would be grooming Brockett as the next great Chargers' head coach.
In week 2 of the 2001 season after dropping a 14-12 decision to Derby, Hunt gave Brockett the control over the offense. Brockett's past option experience was the key with teaching a young sophomore quarterback, Kenny Tinney, the ropes.
"Jack had so much trust in me at age 23, and it was a little overwhelming, but I was so young and maybe naive, I found a way to block everything else out," said Brockett. "Jack gave me no limitations. He said, 'Just do it.' It was a great learning experience."
At age 27, Brockett became head coach when Hunt stepped down after 193 wins and seven state titles.
"Jack handed over the keys to me of the best football program in Connecticut," said Brockett. "I am indebted to him."
"We turned to someone young, enthusiastic and capable, and the biggest thing he was in the building," said Lisi. "The kids see him in the cafeteria, the hallway, in the gymnasium and classroom and most importantly, they knew that he cared about them."
Now, after eight seasons as head coach, 95 wins and just seven losses and guiding the Chargers to four state titles and a runner-up plaque, Brockett has put his stamp on the program.
"As long as people are coming into the football vocation, like Tom Brockett, it will remain strong in the state," said Larry McHugh, the legendary former head coach of Xavier of Middletown. "I hope he will be around for a long time."
Reader Comments
The following are comments from online readers like you. In no way do they represent the view of The Republican-American.
Lee DiCorpo wrote on Nov 17, 2013 2:21 PM:
" As the eldest grandaughter of the late Jimmy Lee, I would like to thank everyone at the Republican and in the Waterbury area who voted for my grandfather in the Red Zone Coaches Roll of Honor. The very fact that 'Coach Lee' is still remembered nearly 35 years after his death is a testament to the coach and to the man! Thankk you for honoring his memory in this way. "
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FREMONT -- Scott Chan was crafting a successful career on the business side of the entertainment industry, holding the kind of stable job many in his topsy-turvy field can only dream of. But Chan, who grew up Fremont, still faced a major problem: It wasn't his dream.
He had used his bachelor's degree in economics to land a business development position at Runawaybox, an HBO-affiliated entertainment company in Los Angeles. There, he was tasked with figuring out how their short videos could find an audience online and beyond.
But when the small startup asked all employees to pitch in on video production, Chan quickly got bit by the creative bug.
"Early on, Scott was intrigued by YouTube and had an innate understanding of what they were doing," Runawaybox founder Fran Shea said.
Soon, creating videos and films wasn't what Chan wanted to do, he said, it was what he had to do to be happy.
"This was something I was genuinely passionate about," he said. "There's no money in the world that can give you that type of satisfaction."
In 2009, Runawaybox, also known as HBOlab, was sold. But by then Chan had was an aspiring video director who had founded Whirled, a creative advertising agency. Like any startup, there were challenges and uncertainty.
"I started it with no money, and we made no money the first year," said Chan, 33.
The fledgling company caught a break when it submitted a video to Google after the Silicon Valley giant launched a short-lived product called Google Wave. The product flopped but Chan's video, a film parody of Samuel L. Jackson's menacing monologue from "Pulp Fiction," caught the eyes of Google executives.
Since then, the relationship between the tech titan and Chan's boutique company has grown. He recently produced "Zeitgeist 2012," a Google-affiliated video chronicling the most newsworthy global events from last year. The nearly three-minute video instantly went viral and since has garnered about 13.5 million views. (Chan also made "Zeitgeist" videos for 2010 and 2011.)
"It's an exhilarating feeling that something you poured your heart and soul into can be appreciated like that," he said.
Among the millions of viewers were his parents, Steve Chan and Fremont Councilwoman Sue Chan.
"We love cheering from the sidelines, saying, 'Go, Scott!'" Sue Chan said. "We're very proud of him, and we hope Fremont will be just as proud."
The video director, now a Los Angeles resident, said he fondly remembers growing up in Fremont, where he attended Gomes Elementary and Hopkins Junior High before graduating from Mission San Jose High in 1996. During those formative years, he said he was "obsessive about film and music" -- twin passions that helped him produce videos on some of the world's biggest celebrities, including soccer superstar David Beckham and Lady Gaga.
"That's the trick of being Scott -- he can put a really good-quality video together with a high-value company and know what to do," Shea said. "That's a formula for success.".
His recent work has included a online broadcast in which users could directly ask questions of President Barack Obama. Chan also has worked with the Harlem Children's Zone, a nonprofit devoted to helping the most poverty-afflicted parts of the New York City neighborhood.
"It's a cool thing to help them tell their amazing story so people can help," Chan said.
Contact Chris De Benedetti at 510-353-7011. Follow him at Twitter.com/cdebenedetti.
Zeitgeist 2012


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ANTIOCH -- Many times retirees dream of sailing away once they are finished with the day-to-day tasks of punching into a time clock. For Matt and Judy Johnston of Antioch that dream became a reality in 1999. The couple sailed along the coast of South America over the next several years. Their experiences and thoughts from their journey are compiled in Matt Johnston's recent book "Sailing Elsewhere."
"As a young boy I was injured and laid up for a while. Someone gave me a book on Peru and I always thought that would be a fun place to visit," Matt Johnston said.
In 1996 Johnston retired on an early retirement option from AT&T. "For 15 years I put money into stock options to raise enough money for the sailboat," he said.
After spending the next few years learning how to drive the sailboat, Johnston and his wife headed out of the Richmond Bay Marina down the coastline of California to meet up in Southern California with a group of 126 other boaters to ride in the Baja Ha-Ha. The sailors left in mass for Cabo San Lucas.
"From there we were on our own," Johnston said. "About two-thirds of the boaters turned around and headed home."
The Johnstons' travels continued from there to Mazatlan where they stayed for 11 months working on getting a part for their boat that couldn't be found at that location. Staying so long gave the Johnston's time to explore the region on foot. This was generally the practice throughout their trip.
"We next spent a very hot summer in the Sea of Cortez," he said.
During their trip the couple left their boat at a couple of different locations and came home to spend time with family. They later went back to the boat and began their voyage again.
They visited El Salvador and spent several weeks in Guatemala and the Mayan Temples. On land they climbed a volcano, visited market places and toured the region's villages meeting all types of people.
For several months the couple visited the Panama Islands and the tropics of the Balboa region.
"The longest time at sea, 11 days, was spent in Ecuador area. For the most part the rest was only two or three days at sea," he said.
Their trip was spent hugging the coastline whenever possible.
The Johnstons visited the top of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Basin to Nopala, before they finally reached Peru. By this time the Johnstons had spent five years on their trip.
"That was a beautiful part of our trip," he said.
Other ports along the South American Coast included Galapagos, Marquesas, the Tuamotos, Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Cook Islands, Samoa and American Samoa, the Tonga Islands and the Marshall Islands.
At one point their 12 year-old grandson met up with them by plane and traveled with them on the boat.
By the time they reached the Marshall Islands it was 2008. In one instance of bad seas the steering went out on the boat and within seconds the boat sailed into a reef and was completely destroyed.
"We were picked up by one of the 10 richest men in Russia on his yacht," Johnston said.
They traveled with him for a time until they could find a tramp steamer that was delivering construction equipment to one of the islands in the area. They stayed on the steamer until they could get to an airport that could take them home.
During their trip Johnston sent regular emails to about 70 family members and friends letting them know in journal form about their travels. When he came home, he was encouraged by friends to publish his travels and compiled the emails and thoughts in "Sailing Elsewhere."
He also has a website, www.sailingelsewhere.com where he shares photos of his journey and other information. The book is available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites in paperback, as well as e-book format.
Since he lost his sailboat, Johnston said that he wouldn't purchase another one. He does continue to sail with friends; however, his wife, Judy, has decided that she's had enough with sailing to last a lifetime.
"I've been visiting Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Indonesia and Micronesia on other sailboats," Johnston said. "I have plans to continue sailing (with friends) and will return to Micronesia to continue taking Hawkeye (a sailing trail) farther west in 2013."
In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail email@example.com.


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by Nathan Gonzalez – Jun. 4, 2008 05:55 PM
The Arizona Republic
What started as a team-building exercise for a group of Procter & Gamble employees turned into a surprise set of gifts for deserving Valley children.
About 135 Procter & Gamble employees from throughout the country gathered Tuesday at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, where they assembled the bikes as part of a team-building exercise during a corporate training session.
None knew where the bikes would end up, until about 30 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix were led into the ballroom.
Firm's team-building exercise helps children
by Nathan Gonzalez – Jun. 4, 2008 05:55 PM


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WATCH: Security footage shows Ray Rice dragging his unconscious fiancee from an elevator
(Atlantic City, NJ) -- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is in trouble with the law. The "Baltimore Sun" says he along with his fiancee were arrested at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey over the weekend. Rice was charged and released on allegations of a "very minor physical altercation." The team's director of public relations says they are aware of the situation and that Rice and his fiancee both returned home.
Ray Rice -- Dragging Unconscious Fiancee ... After Alleged Mutual Attack - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe


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Darell Swam, 80, of Granite Falls passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Granite Falls Manor.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 5, at Granite Falls Lutheran Church, with burial will be at Granite Falls City Cemetery.
Darell Eugene Swam was born February 24, 1933 in Montevideo, the son of Henry and Alice (Skrukrud) Swam. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Maynard Lutheran Church. He grew up and attended school in Maynard graduating with the class of 1951. Darell proudly served his country in the United Sates Navy. In 1952, he completed Electrician's Mate's School-USNTC in Great Lakes, Illinois. Darell served on the USS Boxer aircraft carrier in the Pacific theatre during the Korean Conflict, receiving his honorable discharge in 1956. On October 23, 1954 Darell was united in marriage to Marlys Akre at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. To this union two children were born. Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy, Darell worked for Olson Electric in Granite Falls before starting his own business in 1960. He owned and operated Swam Electric as a Master Electrician for 43 years. Darell was passionate about restoring antique cars, especially brass era Model T Fords. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and flying small airplanes as a licensed pilot. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 58-years, Marlys, of Granite Falls; two children: Sharyl (Jon) Leinen of Victoria and Steven (Joann) Swam of Shakopee; and four grandchildren: Courtney Leinen, Stephanie Swam, Mark Swam, and Cameron Leinen.
Darell was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alice Swam, and his father and mother-in-law, Irvin and Evelyn Akre.
Arrangements are with the Wing-Bain Funeral Home of Granite Falls.
Online guestbook @ www.wingbain.com
Location, ST | website.com


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Parkview's boys basketball team put on a defensive showing on Friday as they jumped ahead of Neosho early and never looked back, downing the Wildcats 58-15 in a varsity game at Parkview High School.
The Vikings didn't allow more than six points in any quarter as the Wildcats moved the ball, but struggled to knock down shots. A 20-6 stretch through the first quarter put the Vikings in the driver's seat for good.
Erik Durham was an offensive force, amassing 21 points for Parkview while also turning in a solid defensive effort. DeSean McCrimmens and C.J. Green both pitched in 10 points in the victory while Darius Perry rattled in seven, Nate Haire three, Nathan Reichert four, Connor Ratcliff two and Autry Accord one.
Caden Hendricks led the Wildcats with three points while Chris Paullus, Kaden Roy, Darrian Guillory, Logan Stuart, Andy Lett and Lukas Werneke scored two apiece.
Neosho (0-6) entertains Aurora at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The Neosho junior varsity team lost a 59-56 thriller in double-overtime.
Location, ST | website.com


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The research in the Chemotaxis Signal Section is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying chemotaxis of eukaryotes. Our research strategy to define the signaling network controlling chemotaxis relies on the use of the genetically amendable model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. We are developing cutting-edge live cell imaging technologies that visualize signaling events in live cells in real time, constructing computational models to comprehend the signaling network as a system, and discovering novel mechanisms involving G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated cell migration. Our long term goal is to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying chemokine GPCR-mediated migration of immune cells and cancer cells.
Dr. Jin received his B.S. in biology from the Peking University, China, in 1984 and his Ph.D. from the department of biochemistry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers-UMDNJ in 1994. From 1994 to 2000, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the department of biological chemistry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Jin was appointed instructor in the department of cell biology and anatomy at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2001. In July 2001, he joined the Laboratory of Immunogenetics as a tenure-track investigator. In 2009, he became senior investigator at NIAID.
(From right) Xuehua Xu, Ph.D.; Youhong Wang, Ph.D.; HongYan Li; Nidhi Gera, Ph.D.; Yan Chen; Tian Jin, Ph.D.; Jianshe Yan, Ph.D.
Yan J, Mihaylov V, Xu X, Brzostowski JA, Li H, Liu L, Veenstra TD, Parent CA, Jin T. A Gβγ effector, ElmoE, transduces GPCR signaling to the actin network during chemotaxis. Dev Cell. 2011. In press.
Jin T. GPCR-controlled chemotaxis in Dictyostelium discoideum. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med.2011 Nov-Dec;3(6):717-27.
Xu X, Meckel T, Brzostowski JA, Yan J, Meier-Schellersheim M, Jin T. Coupling mechanism of a GPCR and a heterotrimeric G protein during chemoattractant gradient sensing in Dictyostelium. Sci Signal. 2010 Sep 28;3(141):ra71.
Isik N, Brzostowski J, Jin T. An Elmo-like protein associated with myosin II restricts spurious F-actin events to coordinate phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Dev Cell. 2008 Oct 14;15(4):590-602.
Fang J, Brzostowski JA, Ou S, Isik N, Nair V, Jin T. A vesicle surface tyrosine kinase regulates phagosome maturation. J Cell Biol. 2007 Jul 30;178(3):411-23.
Xu X, Meier-Schellersheim M, Yan J, Jin T. Locally controlled inhibitory mechanisms are involved in eukaryotic GPCR-mediated chemosensing. J Cell Biol. 2007 Jul 2;178(1):141-53.
Visit PubMed for a complete publication listing.
Chemotaxis. Cells migrate in a gradient of a diffusible chemoattractant.
Last Updated September 17, 2015


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Steve Harvey Is Crazy! Bobbi Kriss Is Beyond Happy! Sherman Hemsley
Steve Harvey is crazy if he thinks he can retire from stand-up! Come on man!!! LOL. Just know that whatever you do, I'm with you. Next Thursday, August 2nd, he will be doing his last performance. It's at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I can't be there but I'm glad it's on Pay-Per-View. It's called "Steve Harvey's Grand Stand-Up Finale" and airs live next Thursday, August 2nd at 11pm ET/8pm PT. Maybe you can do what I'm doing and order it and have a party. Let's send the brother out in style.
I want to thank you. All the messages you left for Krissi were amazing. You have no idea what this did for her. She was so happy, smiling like a five year old... LOL. I'm so proud of her. She is in both episodes tomorrow. It makes me feel so good that you all are so supportive. I told you she was good. Not only that, I told you that For Better Or Worse was a really good show. I want to thank all of you for watching. It's on tomorrow night at 9/8c on TBS, along with new episodes of House Of Payne.
Speaking of House Of Payne, Sherman Hemsley's last acting job was on an episode of House Of Payne where he reprised his George Jefferson character. He and Marla Gibbs were on the show and they were saying how they were the only two original living cast members from the Jeffersons. Sherman brought joy to millions, and I want to thank him for all the laughter he brought to our house. I celebrate your life, my friend. May you rest in peace.
Here is a short tribute video for Sherman Hemsley from when he filmed House Of Payne with us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8y6nPcwFng


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February 7th, 2012 marked the 200th birthday of one of the greatest writers the world has ever known, Charles Dickens. At this time we thought it appropriate to pay tribute to one of the most enduring legacies of his genius: the unforgettable characters he brought to life. With names like Toodle, Tappertit, and Tattycoram; Buzfuz, Bumble, and Bucket; by some estimates there are 989 named characters in his works.
Each of Dickens's novels is populated with a profusion of unique personalities who are animated by the power Dickens had of seeing his characters and making us see them. Driven by a fascination with human behavior and everyday life, and fueled by his gift for precise recall, Dickens often remarked that his characters and stories "took possession" of him.
Once the character had been dreamed up, Dickens usually had very specific opinions on how they should be illustrated. Given that he was writing in monthly parts, it was often difficult for Dickens to provide his illustrators with the final text. In many cases he would direct them as to which scene he wanted them to illustrate and then chastise them when they got the details wrong. The popularity of the illustrations, at a time when not many books were illustrated, cemented these characters in the imaginations of artists to come after, so that many of the later illustrations look much like the originals. The result is pure delight.
So welcome to the world of Charles Dickens! We hope that once you become familiar with some of these extraordinary characters, you will want to get to know them better, as Charles Dickens knew them, through his books.


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EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado - Everything is a matter of motivation.
Take Shannon Moller, executive director of the Vail Valley Soccer Club. She used to be a runner, but her porch swing's siren song was too much to resist.
"I lost the motivation to run recently," Moller said.
She found it again when someone suggested she run a marathon to raise money to send the Vail Valley Soccer Club's U17 boys team to the prestigious Las Vegas Mayors Cup College Showcase Tournament in February.
Moller's motiviation is simple.
"If I can get 100 people to give $100 I would raise $10,000 to be able to send this team to Las Vegas," Moller said.
Her Disney World Marathon is Jan. 13 in Orlando, which works out nicely for two reasons.
First Moller needs to train.
"This is my third marathon and trainings can be grueling," Moller said.
Second, this team is amazing. These kids played for this year's undefeated state champion Battle Mountain team. The Vail Valley Soccer Club version advanced to the regionals in Utah two summers ago and last year to the regionals in Denver.
They're helping themselves get to Las Vegas with raffles and anything else they can think of to raise some cash. And they're helping others. They spent several weekends helping build one of their teammates a Habitat for Humanity house.
More than 240 college recruiters were at last year's Las Vegas tournament, fishing for talent where the pool is deep. Last year saw 55 foreign teams and 29 U.S. teams play, and not every team is accepted.
"It's an honor we were accepted," Moller said.
As for Moller, every year for the past few years she ran a half marathon with some high school buddies. She did the Chicago and New York City marathons and swore she'd never do another full one again.
But never is a long time. Those high school buddies wanted her to run one more, so she signed up on the last possible day.
After a month of training, she remembered why she didn't want to run another one.
But she is running, and she will run.
"I believe sometimes the best soccer players can't afford the same opportunities as others and it is my job to raise money to make it happen," she said.
Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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CORPUS CHRISTI – Hameed Ali's three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out, and the Texas A&M – Corpus Christi men's basketball team fell to 66-64 to South Alabama on Thursday night at the American Bank Center. Terence Jones led the Islanders with 17 points and Chris Hawkins-Mast delivered 15 in the loss.
Nate Maxey had eight points and matched his career best with four blocks, while Myron Dempsey added three blocks and six boards. Hawkins-Mast led the team with eight rebounds, while Johnathan Jordan had four assists.
South Alabama got three players in double figures with Augustine Rubit leading the way with 13 points and eight boards. Dallas Jones added 11 and Freddie Goldstein posted 12. Antione Lundy led the boards with 10 for USA.
The Jaguars got out to a quick 5-0 lead, but the Islanders responded with a 7-0 run to take a 7-5 advantage. Jones buried a three-ball and Dempsey and Hawkins-Mast got buckets inside for the lead. But USA caught fire from the outside, slowly pushing the lead to 24-14 on the strength of scoring their first five triples.
Jones snapped the string with a three from the left corner, and the Islanders embarked on an 8-2 rally to trim the deficit to 26-22. The run continued, and culminated with another Jones trey that tied the game up at 30-30. USA was able to stem the tide, though, finishing the half with a 34-31 lead. Both teams were spectacular from long range in the first 20 minutes, with USA hitting 5-of-7 and the Islanders burying all four attempts.
Out of the break, the affair went back-and-forth over the first several minutes, but a three-ball from Jake Kocher tied the game at 42 apiece. But the Jaguars then rallied to push ahead with a 9-2 rally for a 51-44 lead, before Nate Maxey broke the skein with a layup to trim the deficit to five. The next time down the floor, Maxey finished off an alley-oop on a fast break to force a USA timeout with the lead down to three.
The battle continued over the next several possessions, with the Islanders countering every blow from the Jaguars. The Islanders finally trimmed it to just a one-point deficit on a Hawkins-Mast putback, but Goldstein's clutch three with the shot clock winding down pushed the lead to 61-57 with just under five minutes remaining.
The leads continued to flip between two and four when Hameed Ali banked in a desperation trey at the end of the shot clock to trim it to one. Again, though, USA had an answer, as Rubit finished off a three-point play to make it 66-62 in favor of the visitors. The Islanders trimmed it to two with 1:26 left, then got back-to-back defensive stops, the second on a Dempsey block, to hold the ball down two with 8.3 seconds left. But Ali's try was just off to the right, and the Islanders suffered the two-point defeat.
The Islanders will get right back to the court, as they are back in action Saturday afternoon against West Virginia in the opening round of the Las Vegas Classic. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT in Morgantown, and live video will be available on ESPN3 and ESPN Full Court. The game will also be carried on NewsRadio 1360 KKTX with the Voice of the Islanders Steven King on the call.


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February 12, 2013
WR Isaiah Ford of Jacksonville, FL has had an offer from USC since his tenth grade year and the Gamecocks are keeping in touch. He talked with recruiter Steve Spurrier Jr. a few days ago. "I like him a lot," Ford said. "He was telling me to keep working hard, stay in the weight room and the class room. He said I'd play the role (Alshon) Jeffery played. South Carolina is at the top of my list, if I did have one." Ford has not been to any junior days. He was invited to USC, Florida and Florida State for junior days but couldn't make it. He does plans to visit USC, North Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State. All but Florida have offered. He does not have a favorite. Last season Ford had 45 catches for 700 yards and 14 touchdowns.Tweet
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News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, Nov. 19, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A personal relationship is taking center stage as the city looks to award a multimillion dollar self-insurance contract.
There was a formal swearing-in process. Stinging allegations were made.
"You are walking into a contract dispute of $500,000 every year," declared Aetna representatives during an appeals hearing.
But it is an internal letter that could complicate the city's plan to bring in Blue Cross Blue Shield as a self-insurance provider.
"It has come to my attention that you were unaware that I am dating an employee of BCBS Georgia," said employee benefits consultant Lisa Kelley in a letter to Deputy Administrator Bill Shanahan.
"It stinks to high heaven," said Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason. "There have got to be thousands of consultants out there that we could have utilized for this process."
It is a $23 million contract. Aetna is appealing the process.
"My personal relationship in no way affects my ability to consult on behalf of Augusta Richmond County in a fair and unbiased manner," Kelley said. "He is simply one of 30,000 Wellpoint BCBS employees with no access whatsoever to your account or decisions made about your account."
Commissioner Mason doesn't buy it.
"I mean, think about that. That doesn't look good in anybody's eyes as far as I'm concerned," Mason said. "And certainly from a procurement standpoint, there is a problem."
It is a possible problem on style and substance with Aetna being the top rated and lowest cost provider.
"I'd like to know who is responsible for allowing this to happen." Mason said.
We took that question to City Administrator Fred Russell.
"Your recommendation is deny the bid protest?" we asked.
"Yes," replied Russell.
"Why?" we asked.
"Because we have done everything right," Russell said. "We followed all the rules."
So what about the possible conflict of interest?
"I do not think it had any impact on the decision," Russell said. "Anything further than that I am not going to comment on."
Russell contends BCBS could provide a greater level of continuity for employees. BCBS is the current provider for workers.
"I hear all of that junk that is being thrown our way in terms of reasoning, but it doesn't fly," Mason said.
He worries the city might be setting itself up for a lawsuit.
"We probably will be heading for court once again," Mason said.
The committee took no action on Monday. It goes to the full commission on Tuesday.


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NEW: Pageantry and party for New College president
Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 12:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 12:23 p.m.
SARASOTA - It's a party that doesn't happen very often here.
For the first time since 1967 — and only the second time in the school's history — New College of Florida is throwing a presidential inauguration for its new leader Donal O'Shea, who started July 1.
The festivities include a Friday inauguration ceremony where O'Shea is expected to talk about his vision for the future as well as free lectures and panel discussions that lead up to an Inauguration Ball Saturday, where tickets cost $350 each.
"We're particularly thrilled we're introducing Donal O'Shea to the community and celebrating he's joining us. There's an objective to take it up a notch," said Felice Schulaner, a 1981 New College graduate who is now the chair of the New College Foundation's board of directors. "This is a real opportunity for people to get a vision of him and his leadership and get excited about the next chapter of New College."
On Friday, O'Shea is expected to receive the historic presidential medallion and then give a speech detailing his plan for New College's future. The inauguration ceremony, which runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m., will also feature the faculty and delegate procession in their academic robes as well music from a student A cappella group and the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.
"The hoods, the gowns and all that, there's a certain amount of dignity to it, a certain amount of formality," said New College spokesman David Gulliver. "It should be a pretty special event to watch."
The Inauguration Ball, the only event not open to the public, is a fundraiser to raise money for the college to pay for scholarships, operations and other needs. The event, paid for entirely by private and corporate sponsors, runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
"We're not spending tuition dollars or state funds or anything like that," Gulliver said on paying for the ball.
For more information on inauguration events, including times for the lectures and panel discussions, visit the New College web site.
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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Why Sputtering Israeli-Palestinian Diplomacy Is Better Than None At All
There is nothing on earth that is simultaneously as fruitless and as essential as keeping the Israeli-Palestinian "peace process" going.
Year after year, administration after administration, the U.S. has invested diplomats' time and America's credibility in a seemingly endless quest for a deal that will end one of the modern world's most intractable problems: the impasse between Israel and the Palestinians seeking their own state. And periodically, some in Washington wonder what the point is, and suggest that the effort is not only a waste of time but is distracting attention and energy from more worthwhile efforts.
Except that history shows time and again that the one thing worse than a sputtering Israeli-Palestinian peace process is no peace process at all. In a time of tension, having some diplomatic process going provides a dash of hope, a kind of relief valve for the anger that always lies just below the surface, and another reason not to let a cycle of mutual recriminations get out of hand.
This all comes to mind because, at the moment, a rapid escalation of Israeli-Palestinian tensions coincides with the virtual collapse of any peace process between the two sides. The lack of a diplomatic track makes the situation all the more incendiary.
The collapse of the peace process didn't directly cause the current spike in tensions, of course. The initial spark was the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, apparently at the hands of Palestinians, and then the apparent reprisal murder of a Palestinian youth, allegedly by Israelis bent on revenge.
It is a time when some healthy, ongoing diplomatic dialogue might be helpful in keeping explosive emotions in check. But as it happens, the surge in tension coincides precisely with the demise of any serious effort to keep alive the search for peace between the two sides.
The denouement of the latest cycle in the diplomatic process came just days ago, when Martin Indyk, the Obama administration's special peace envoy, resigned his post, making no secret of his frustrations.
In an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, Mr. Indyk said that "a deep, deep skepticism" has taken root among both Israelis and Palestinians, particularly among younger Palestinians, and a "deep loathing" between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
The process, in short, wasn't going anywhere, just as it hadn't gone much of anywhere for former Sen. George Mitchell, the Obama administration's first Middle East envoy. In an op-ed published in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz Tuesday, President Barack Obama said he's prepared to resume the diplomatic effort: "When the political will exists to recommit to serious negotiations, the United States will be there, ready to do our part."
But for now that will doesn't seem to exist, and the collapse of the peace process just adds to the feelings of despair and seething anger.
"I fear the worst here," Mr. Indyk said. "What you've got now is…a more rapidly deteriorating situation in which all of the worst fears and worst assumptions about the other side are being confirmed."
Secretary of State John Kerry has absorbed some criticism and even ridicule for pushing hard to revive and the push ahead the search for a deal between israel and the Palestinians. But in the Middle East, running in place is better than moving backwards, frustrating as that reality may be.


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- Tea Pouches
- Loose Tea
- Iced Tea
- Teaware
- Gifts
- Sale
- Why Mighty Leaf?
Curve Tall Tea Mug With Infuser - 15 oz
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There were 79 bookings at the San Joaquin County Jail in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Saturday. At that time, there were 1,455 people held at the jail, which has an official capacity of 1,411. When the jail is full, some inmates may be released early.
Weapons arrest: Deputies arrested Larry Buchanan Jr., 52, after finding a gun in his vehicle during a traffic stop shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday near Interstate 5 and Monte Diablo Avenue. Buchanan was stopped for having expired registration and was later found to be driving with a suspended license. Deputies discovered a chrome semiautomatic pistol tucked between the driver's seat and the center console.
Arrests: Kathleen Wilson, 33, and Tommy Lozano, 43, were arrested on suspicion of fraud shortly before midnight Friday at a motel in the 15600 block of Harlan Road in Lathrop. An online service provider advised the hotel that a fraudulent transaction had taken place on a stolen credit card. Authorities searched the room Wilson and Lozano were staying in and found drug paraphernalia as well as additional items related to identity theft and fraudulent credit card transactions.
The California Highway Patrol did not submit an incident report for the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The Stockton Fire Department responded to 124 calls for service in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Saturday, including seven vehicle accidents, 124 medical calls and four structure fires.
Location, ST | website.com


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Chamber issues fraud advisory
Published: Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 12:52 a.m.
The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce is advising area businesses that the chamber is not soliciting advertisements on magnets through Universal AdCom of Arlington, Texas.
When the chamber offers advertising opportunities, members are notified in advance of a campaign, officials said.
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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December 29, 2005
Your New Year's Eve drink in South Carolina may be different than one on New Year's Day. News 12 is on your side with how South Carolina bars are preparing to use free pour alcohol.
At Aiken's Westside Bowery, owner Sam Erb puts out the last of his mini bottles. Starting New Year's Day, free pour bottles are legal in South Carolina.
"This is a day we've been waiting for. It's taken us almost 16 years to get to this point," Erb said.
But now it's time for bars across the state to accommodate.
"What we'll be doing is adding speed racks through out the front, changing the back to a tiered thing to house the large bottles," Erb said.
For the first few months of the year, most bars will use mini bottles and free pouring bottles as they use up their old stock.
Look for some new choices because South Carolina bars will be able to make drinks they couldn't with mini bottles.
They may be small bottles, but they make a big drink. In a White Russian you have vodka and kahlua. Using mini bottles, you have to pour the whole thing and this is how much alcohol is in it. With the new free pour this is how much alcohol is in it. It's cheaper and safer.
Erb says he'll feel better sending customers home.
"You drink three of these, you go on the streets and you could get a DUI. You have 3, safer free pour drinks and you're not," Erb said.
It's a taller choice that may be a safer state.


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- NFHS approved.
- Currently Unavailable
Perfect practice ball for college, youth or high school match play. Predictable, soft ball that is made to last season after season.
BLADDER: Latex with synthetic valve.
Two year manufacturer warranty.
Note: All of our balls are shipped deflated. This helps in keeping our shipping costs low, savings that we can pass on to you.
Standard Ball Sizing
Size 5: ages 12 and up
Size 4: ages 8-12
Size 3: ages 8 and under
Size 1: skills/practice
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Forest City Disc Golf course offers a wide variety of terrain over the 21-basket course covering approximate 57 acres. Located just east of US Highway 69 in Pammel Park and adjoining East Woods Park (divided by the Winnebago River). The first ten poles have relatively flat terrain with a few trees but water is always around with several ponds and a river that all come into play. Cross the swinging bridge for Poles 11 thru 21 this portion of the course offers elevation changes and more trees including 5 fairways that go thru the woods.
Red Tees – 4,290'
White Tees- 6,120'
Blue Tees- 7,320'
Long 720' ( flat open)
Short 145' ( vertical uphill wooded)
How to get to FCDGC:
Coming from I-35 take exit 203 follow state highway 9 west approximaty 14 miles and the highway turns into a four lanes and you will see a Pamida sign at the top of the hill. Turn left (south) right before the Pamida sign, This is Golf Course Road and take it ½ mile to the 3-way stop. Turn right (west) on to J-street, cross over the bridge and turn left (south) to enter the park.
Coming from Highway 69 Turn east at the J-street traffic light. Then take the first right (south) to enter the park . Note if you crossed the bridge you have gone too far.
updated map (2011):
Low Round (21 poles Blue Tees): -9
Greg Schawarz, Minneapolis MN 9-5-09 Tree Town Open
Low Tournament Score (42 poles Blue Tees): -13
Chris Claring, Central Iowa 9-12-10
Low Round (21 poles White Tees): -6
Brian Voss Forest City, IA 9-15-09 League Night
Low Tournament Score (42 poles White Tees): +2
Chris Gorman (Belmond, IA) 5-8-10 Battle at the Bridge (NIT)
First Ace
Jim Politis ( Mason City, IA ) #8 White tee 260' June 15, 2010 League Night[/b]


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Binge drinking may be frequently celebrated in pop culture and joked about on social media, but during Alcohol Awareness Month, Delta Dental warns consumers that alcohol abuse can be extremely harmful to oral health.
April is also Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and heavy alcohol consumption is one of the major risk factors for oral cancer. It is estimated that in 2013 there will be more than 36,000 new cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed in the United States, and about 17 people will die from this disease every day.1 In addition, certain popular adult beverages – such as Long Island Ice Teas, piña coladas and energy drink-and-vodka concoctions – contain large amounts of sugar, which causes tooth decay, while others (like red wine) can stain teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that other short-term risks of binge drinking include car crashes, violence (including child abuse), risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. Long-term risks include liver disease, cancer, stroke, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), binge drinking means drinking to the point that one's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels reach 0.08g/dL.2 For women, this usually occurs after about four drinks in two hours, and for men, after about five. By the CDC's definition (four or more adult beverages in one sitting), more than one in eight women binge drink and twice as many men binge drink as women do.3
Not surprisingly, the age group with the most binge drinkers is 18-34 adults. However, this cultural problem extends beyond college kids and twentysomethings. According to the CDC, nearly a quarter of all adults in the U.S. (more than 38 million) binge drink about four times per month. Drinking to excess causes 80,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.3
Drinking, like most other things, is best done in moderation for both your oral and overall health. For example, drinking the occasional glass of red wine (which contain heart-healthy antioxidants like resveratrol) may be beneficial for lowering LDL cholesterol and helping prevent clogging of arteries.4
1 American Cancer Society. Oral Cavity and Oropharngeal Cancer. Accessed March 2013. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/oralcavityandoropharyngealcancer/detailedguide/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer-key-statistics
2 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH). Moderate & Binge Drinking. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking. Accessed March 2013.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Binge Drinking. http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/bingedrinking/. Accessed March 2013.
4 Wu JM, Hsieh TC. Resveratrol: a cardioprotective substance. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2011 Jan;1215:16-21.


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The Big BlackBerry Buyer Revealed
TORONTO– Earlier this month, in an effort to show that its newly released smartphone was gaining traction Research in Motion announced that "an established partner" had ordered 1 million BlackBerrys, without disclosing the name of the partner or details of the order.
Jeff Johnston, an analyst at Detwiler Fenton & Co., believes the order came from Brightstar Corp., a large Miami-based company that distributes smartphones to retailers. Another industry source also said the order came from Brightstar.
Representatives from RIM and Brightstar declined to comment. Brightstar works with most smartphone makers, retailers and carriers, including current smartphone market leaders Apple and Samsung Electronics providing supply chain logistics and distribution support.
If the order did come from Brightstar — which represents multiple carriers and retailers in countries around the world – it isn't quite the same vote of confidence as if it had come from a major carrier in a country where BlackBerry sales have lagged.
RIM says the order is the largest such order in the company's history, but didn't say over what time period the order was for or for which devices. Despite the lack of details, RIM shares jumped more than 8% on the day of the announcement.
Mr. Johnston thinks the order will be spread out over multiple quarters.
On Friday RIM's newest smartphone, the all-touchscreen Z10, went on sale in the U.S. nearly two months after its initial launch in markets like the U.K. and Canada. The company is also launching a phone with a physical keyboard, called the Q10, later this spring.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup called the launch disappointing, citing poor positioning and marketing support at the stores it checked. Monday afternoon, RIM's shares were down about 10% from where they closed last Thursday.
RIM has launched a full-court press to sell its new phones, backing them with its biggest ever marketing push in an effort to earn back some of the smartphone market share it has lost over the past several years to the likes of Apple and Samsung.


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5|25: Celebrating Five Years of Autism Science Day 15: Maternal Autoantibodies as Potential Risk Markers
The foray into the intersection between autism and immunology has borne many interesting results throughout the years, the latest of which is the discovery of maternal antibodies to fetal brain proteins. Three research articles published in 2008 from two groups of researchers from University of California-Davis/MIND Institute and Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University, reported the presence of "autoantibodies"(antibodies developed against self) in the blood of mothers who had previously given birth to children with autism.
In the ongoing search for biological risk-markers of autism, the two groups independently reported that abnormal antibody proteins were present more often in the blood of mothers who had given birth to children diagnosed with autism than those who had not. Both teams found that mothers whose children have specifically presented with a regressive form of autism have antibodies that bind to as-yet unidentified proteins present in fetal brains. In a third study, also from the MIND Institute, researchers found that exposing pregnant rhesus monkeys to purified antibodies isolated from the sera of mothers of children with autism resulted in offspring that developed extremely unusual stereotypic behaviors.
Maternal antibodies have been previously implicated in other conditions such as the movement disorder Myasthenia Gravis and Grave's disorder, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. In these diseases, an autoimmune condition in the mother can affect the child because antibodies directed against self proteins can cross the placenta to affect the developing fetus, likely by binding and disrupting the action of the proteins recognized by the antibody. However, the specific meaning and mechanism of action of the autoantibodies found in the mothers of children with autism is still a mystery.
Given the overarching need to find biomarkers that can help parents diagnose their risk of having a child with autism, many follow-up studies are underway to determine the significance of these maternal antibodies. Foremost among them is the identification of the actual proteins targeted by the antibodies, which would provide critical knowledge about the mechanism by which fetal brain development is disrupted. Meanwhile, these findings represent important knowledge that can be used for risk assessment in the future, particularly by women planning pregnancies. And although the correlations found apply only to a subpopulation of autism spectrum disorders, they represent a group for which an intervention can be devised when the pathological role of these antibodies is understood. A role for the immune system during brain development, and in particular, in disorders such autism, is an area of investigation that has remained far less explored than others. However, the year 2008 showed that it is an area rapidly gaining momentum and that should provide many more insights in the upcoming year.
Since this story was first run: A potential connection between ASD and autoimmune disorders has grown stronger with the 2009 publication of a study that made use of the nationwide psychiatric health registry in Denmark to explore family histories. Among several new links, researchers have discovered a connection between maternal rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk for ASD in the child.
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The Dish: Naan
Flying » In-flight Caterers
June 1, 2009
April 1, 2009
The Dish: Nigiri Maki Chef Galine at Chefs de France on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten begins making this tantalizing Japanese platter by rolling sushi rice between his palms. Then he drapes the sushi with a thin slice of squid, octopus or eel and binds it together with a strip of nori, or edible seaweed.
February 1, 2009
The Dish: Lobster Popcorn with Lemon Butter Lobster and popcorn both improve with butter, and when you combine all three ingredients, you're on the road to culinary heaven. This labor-intensive dish starts with boiled lobster, which is shocked in an ice bath after cooking. Then the tail is sliced into bite-size medallions.
December 1, 2008
The Dish: Sea Bass Papillote
October 1, 2008
The Dish: Gourmet Cupcakes. With more than a dozen variations, there's something to satisfy the most sophisticated taste. Imagine a double-chocolate cupcake with imported French chocolate; a rich red velvet cupcake with cream-cheese frosting; or perhaps a tiramisu or key-lime variant.
August 1, 2008
The Dish: Tortilla Soup. Seasoned chicken stock is the foundation of this Southwestern staple, to which executive chef Emiliano Ramirez adds sautéed celery, carrots, yellow and green squash and fire-roasted tomatoes. Next come strips of chicken breast that Ramirez has grilled separately.
June 20, 2008
The Dish: Roasted farm-fresh New England veal tenderloin coated in a crust of puree of fennel, garlic and sage. The veal is centered with steamed Maine lobster served with cognac butter.
June 1, 2008
The Dish: Salad Niзoise, featuring seared ahi tuna on a bed of butter lettuce, surrounded by steamed red potatoes, cooked and refreshed green beans, tomatoes and a boiled egg. The dish is topped off by capers and kalamata olives and a dressing prepared from white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, pepper, garlic crushed with salt and extra virgin olive oil.
August 1, 2007
The Dish: Filet of Minnesota walleye pike encrusted in pumpernickel, served on a bed of cranberry, wild rice with mixed fresh greens and rustic bread.The Caterer: Atiki's Flight Catering, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago, (888) 856-7884, www.atikiscatering.com.
June 1, 2007
The Dish: Roasted garlic toast points with a Caribbean shrimp seviche and candied lime. The Caterer: Fivestar Gourmet, Detroit, (248) 666-3630, http://www.pentastaraviation.com/private-jet-catering.html
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WALNUT CREEK -- As of Wednesday, downtown -- and much of the rest of the city -- is officially smoke-free.
While there are still a few places in Walnut Creek where one can light up, a controversial ordinance adopted in October prohibiting smoking throughout the city is now in effect.
The law bans smoking in and around multiunit residences, in the downtown area, in all recreational areas and at all commercially zoned properties. Perhaps easier to remember are places the ban does not apply -- single-family homes, some public sidewalks outside downtown, as well as public and private golf courses.
For the past few months Matt Huffaker, assistant to the city manager, has met with property and business owners to inform them of the new ordinance and teach them how to comply.
Signs have gone up throughout the city saying where smoking is prohibited. They provide a phone number for the no-smoking hotline where people can file a complaint.
"We really are not sure how many calls we will get," Huffaker said. "We know in other cities that they didn't have a wave when it first started, but time will tell."
Those who wish to complain also can go online, and there is even an app called "SeeClickFix" which can be used for submitting complaints. A temporary city employee will man the hotline, deal with complaints and, if necessary, alert the city's code enforcement officers.
Violators can be cited with fines starting at $100 for the first infraction, $300 for the second and $500 thereafter. After that, the new law gives the city attorney power to bring a civil suit against an offender.
Huffaker stresses that the law is not intended to make the city money but instead is a way to deal with a public health threat. Citations won't be issued right away, he said.
"We realize this is a new law, and our goal is to work on educating first and issuing a warning," he said.
While the law may be in effect now, Councilman Justin Wedel is working to get part of the law overturned. He believes making it illegal to smoke inside multifamily units violates people's property rights. He is trying to get an initiative on the November ballot to undo the ban.
For more information, go to www.walnut-creek.org/nosmoking.
Contact Elisabeth Nardi at 925-952-2617. Follow her at Twitter.com/enardi10.


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You wouldn't know it to look outside, but baseball season is here: it sneaked in this past weekend as pitchers and catchers reported for most major league teams. Yep, we Giants fans had a scant three months of offseason to enjoy that world championship, and now it's back to the grind.
But the minor leagues have begun preparing for the new season as well, and that means not only pitchers and catchers, but the really important players - the promotions staff. Minor league marketing is just as important as the game on the field, and the various front office personnel are already busy dreaming up ways to get behinds into seats in towns such as Fresno, Reno and Savannah, Ga.
And one can always count on the Fort Myers Miracle to come up with something unusual. The Miracle, a Single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins playing in the Florida State League, is planning a Marco Rubio Water Bottle Giveaway Night this season.
When will they hold this gala promotional event? That's still up in the air, because they've invited Sen. Rubio to throw out the first pitch at that game, and would plan it around his availability.
The promotion is the brainchild of Miracle President Steve Gliner.
"The idea really came about while I was watching 'The Today Show,'" Gliner told me by phone. "They had a two-minute recap of all the late night humor about the water bottle incident, and it seemed like a fun thing to get in on, since Rubio is based in Florida and it's in the news."
Of course you recall Sen. Rubio's televised speech last week, in which he gave the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union address. It was during Sen. Rubio's remarks that he made a slow, awkward lunge for a water bottle, and proceeded to guzzle the liquid while on camera. The move quickly became social media fodder, and then an object of fun for most of the late night talk show hosts. NBC's Brian Williams dubbed it "The Aqua Lunge," and "Saturday Night Live" devoted a skit to it.
All of this made it perfect for the Miracle, who love to transform social trends into marketing tools. Among past Miracle promotions have been Billy Donovan Night (in which fans could attempt to negotiate their way out of the price of their ticket, just as the University of Florida men's basketball coach got out of his NBA contract with the Orlando Magic to re-sign with the Gators) and Mike Tyson Ear Night (fake Evander Holyfield ears, with a bite missing, were distributed).
"We're still working on it, but I'm sure the bottles will have creative labeling of some sort," Gliner said. "It's hot in Florida during baseball season, and any time you can combine hydration with current events, it's a good thing."
What else will happen on Marco Rubio Water Bottle Giveaway Night? From the Miracle press release:
"In an effort to keep the field saturated, the Hammond Stadium grounds crew will participate in a mid-game rain dance because even the Earth needs a drink on a hot day. Fans can expect to make a big splash with a stadium-wide game of Marco Polo.
Of course, the Miracle will extend an invitation to Sen. Rubio to throw out the first pitch, provided he uses the rosin bag beforehand and is thoroughly hydrated.
May I suggest a dunking booth? That may be the only thing that will do the trick.
- Rick Chandler is a columnist for NBCSports.com and author of the NBC Sports Blog Off the Bench. Contact Rick at firstname.lastname@example.com


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PALO ALTO -- The turnout for Apple's (AAPL) release of the iPad Mini on Friday morning was -- just like the new 7.9-inch tablet -- noticeably downsized.
The early-morning lines outside stores in Silicon Valley and across the world were uncharacteristically short for an Apple launch, leading some to speculate that Apple fanboys and fangirls are growing weary of frequent and hyped product upgrades. Since the first iPad hit stores more than two years ago, competitors have emerged with 7-inch tablets priced $100 cheaper.
Analysts project modest sales for the Mini this weekend, and for the fourth-generation iPad also released on Friday. By 7:30 a.m. Pacific time, a half-hour before the Palo Alto store opened its doors, about 35 customers had lined up -- a fraction of the number who scooped up the third-generation iPad on its launch day.
Brad Peterson of Los Altos was first in line at 2 a.m. When he saw the empty sidewalk outside the Apple store on University Avenue, he thought he had the wrong day.
"I go to these things all the time, and (2 a.m.) usually gets me somewhere in the middle of the line," he said.
So he pulled out his third-generation iPad -- one of about eight tablets he owns -- to confirm the date, and with a quick Google (GOOG) search discovered that turnout was low at stores across the world. Reuters reported that crowds waiting for the newest iPad were smaller than for previous launches from Sydney to Amsterdam, with staff at the Hong Kong Apple Store appearing to outnumber customers waiting in line.
Jeff Wang turned around and went home after he found the Palo Alto store deserted at 10 p.m. Thursday night. Wang, of Saratoga, came back at 2:30 a.m. to secure the second spot in line, bewildered that there weren't already hundreds waiting by that hour.
"The last couple times I came around 11 p.m. the night before and the lines were long," Wang said.
Mike Smithwick, a San Jose app developer who waited towards the end of the line, suspected that some Apple fans had their fill with the first three releases.
"I think everyone is lined out," he said.
The iPad Mini is Apple's answer to popular 7-inch tablets like Amazon's Kindle Fire and Google's Nexus 7. But Apple priced its smaller tablet entry much higher than those competitors -- the device starts at $329, while other 7-inch tablets can cost as little as $199.
For some customers, the bigger turnoff is that the Mini is now only available on Wi-Fi; the company will release a version that connects to cellular networks in a couple weeks, when some expect to see an uptick in sales.
Analysts doubt Apple will perform as well with this launch as it has previously, with Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster -- an Apple bull who typically offers the highest projections for Apple sales -- forecasting opening-weekend sales of about 1 million to 1.5 million for the Mini.
BTIG research analyst Walter Piecyk said the sales total Munster predicted would be a disappointment.
"We believe Apple's first weekend sales of the iPad Mini needs, at a minimum, to top the 3 million first weekend sales of the iPad 3 in order to demonstrate that the management team can execute on ramping supply of new products and to provide some evidence that there is adequate demand for a smaller iPad at these price points," he wrote in a note Friday morning.
However, lower opening-weekend sales could help Apple avoid disappointing consumers. When the iPhone 5 debuted in September, Apple sold a record 5 million of the devices in the first weekend, but still couldn't meet demand because of production delays.
IDC analyst Ryan Reith cautioned Friday not to dismiss the Mini's popularity because of short store lines. Many customers will likely order online, he said, and others will wait until closer to the holidays.
Short lines didn't mean Apple fans were short on excitement. The modest crowd in Palo Alto joined Apple staff with loud cheers when the store opened its doors two hours early for the event. Many walked out minutes later with a grin and two Minis -- the limit for each customer. Peterson said the Minis were an early Christmas gift for his two teenage daughters -- although he had a few hours to play with the tablets while the girls were in school.
"December 25 is pretty arbitrary," he said. "Apple decides when Christmas comes in our house."
More than a few New Yorkers can expect a Mini under the tree this year. About 600 fans braved the power outages, gas shortages and hobbled transit systems left by Superstorm Sandy to line up early outside the Fifth Avenue store, according to a Bloomberg report. The New York flagship sold out of the Mini just hours after opening, and blogs and Tweets indicated that a smattering of stores across the globe had sold out by the afternoon. However, it's unclear how much stock the stores had to begin with.
Friday was the first Apple launch event for Christian Lindholm of Finland -- the startup developer couldn't resist picking up a couple Minis while in California on business.
"I have to do it in Silicon Valley," he said. "This is the store to do it. It's the grandfather store; sort of in Steve's hood."
Like others at the store, he owns a third-generation iPad -- released just seven months ago -- and won't be buying the fourth anytime soon. Several customers said they were unimpressed with the upgrades and unwilling to pay another $499 to $699 just months after the previous version was released.
Said Lindholm: "It doesn't feel like a fourth generation. It feels like a 3.2.
Staff writer Jeremy C. Owens contributed to this report. Contact Heather Somerville at 925-977-8418. Follow her at Twitter.com/heathersomervil.