text:
The weather for this marathon was great. The cold weather is perfect to run in. I agree about the above, not as many cheering people for us at the finish line. 26.2 miles is quite a way to go and anyone completing it deserves some loud cheering! Other than that, everything went well. I was a little disappointed in the food though. One BBQ sandwich and a small cole slaw? I figured there would be more than that. I had to go to Taco Bell afterward and get full again ...
My ninth year at Mercedes - 7th as the balloon lady. Needless to say I love this race as I keep coming back year after year! I love the medal and the shirt. Cotton shirts are okay, but I wear my technical shirts as much or more, and not just for races. I was so far behind that I had no problems with getting my finisher shirt. I missed most of the post-race, but that comes with the territory. Congrats to all the finishers! One more thing. Please tell friends who are thinking about this race that the 6-hour time limit is a REAL time limit, not like some races that SAY they have a 6-hour limit but pull police and volunteers earlier than that. If you stay ahead of the balloon lady, you will be supported the entire time! I love the Birmingham police - they are the best!
This was a decent race. There seemed to be a lack of organization on what to do with the runners at the start...they put us all at the start line and said no more run outs at 6:55, then Mercedes guy told us we were starting at 6:56 but then we all stood around for about 7-8 minutes...not a huge deal to me cause I'm from MN so the cold didn't bother me but some of the others were getting kind of cranked about making us stand and waiting for TV after they had herded us all into the starting chute.
Good race though overall for the size. Shirt is cool. Plenty of aid along course.
THANK YOU, great "balloon lady"! You are awesome! Although I just heard of your name "balloon lady" but haven't seen you yet because I fnished behind the 4:00 pacer ladies. My RR friend said you were just right behind him. You all the good runners but willing to sacrifice to be the "volunteers". Due to the economic downtime, we do get a lot of cut - everywhere in the country. However, teh Mercedes Marathon Spirit is keeping strong. I love the medal and tech shirt because this was just the 2nd one to me and I got many cotton shirts already. Solute to our "balloon lady"! I will come back for MM run again if my Lord let me and help me so. Cheer! X:D
You're right. This year's organization was a bit dissolute than last year's, probably due to short of voluteers. There were no carrols to seperate the different pace runners, maybe due to less runners so no need to do so. The start time was very close, if not exactly, to the time mentioned in the final instruction email and website - 7:03, however, the guy at the microphone confused runners a bit and not many people heard the guy shut, not by the microphone and too small, people get stoalled for a few seconds and start to run when the gate keepers shouted, run, run, run! then "stampede" happened! Welcome, Vikingman! Bamian welcome U!
I was pleasantly surprised with the race. For a small to mid-sized race, it was great coming from a guy from out-of-town with 20 races completed. The race was well organized, the volunteers, police and residents exhibited southern hospitality at its best. Even though there were no corrals at the start, there was no shoving or pushing at the start of the race; and even throughout the race I did not encounter groups running 4 to 5 abreast. And being able to stay inside the auditorium before the race was an added bonus.
Areas the organizers may want to consider improving:
1) I asked six volunteers at the expo exactly where the start was and no one knew the street or intersection of the start only that it was in front of the auditorium, which did not help when you don?t know the location of the auditorium. (The map I had was not that detailed.)
2) No one at the expo knew the requirements for bag check. Turns out you can use any bag and label it any way. Some races are very specific on bag check and I try to avoid surprises the morning of the race.
3) A couple of the roads were in pretty rough shape, especially 1st Ave S (I think)
4) Volunteers had abandoned the GU station at mile 20, but a resident had stepped-up and was trying to fill in.
5) The post-party was impressive, but as the marathoners arrived, it was packed. The lines for a massage or beer were too much for me. I gave up and went back to the hotel.
Overall a good race and I would consider it again, but put the finisher shirt in the expo bag.
As a race volunteer and marathon finisher I would like to say congrats to Birmingham Event team for a great race! If you have not volunteered for a race like this you have no idea how much work goes into an event like this. As you are posting complaints and suggestions consider how YOU can make a difference. If you don't think there was enough encouragement on the course, get your family and friends out there next year. If you don't think the expo was organized, volunteer next year. If you want 2 shirts or more "loot" in your race packet, help bring in more corporate sponsors. Most of all, keep in mind this race benefits several charities. We ran for them - not for a t-shirt!
This was the second time I have run Mercedes. The first was the full marathon in 2007. That was my first marathon ever and I had a blast. Loved the course even with all the hills. I did the 1/2 this year. Did not enjoy the course as much as the previous one. Don't think I would have wanted to run it twice!
I have run for years and know how much work is required to put on a small race much less one as big as the Mercedes. I work as a volunteer often in local races. I am not sure how many years the MM has been run in Birmingham but I observed several kinks that I would have thought would have been worked out by now.
1.) I like the fact that I can walk to the starting line from the host hotel. My question is whether the Sheraton knew they were the "host" hotel. They seemed to be unaware that there was a race going on. They were not able to give informed information or directions.
2.) The bottleneck at the end of the race was unnecessary. Put the shirts in the bag. I missed the long sleeve shirt. The hat was small even for a female. I like the fact that the shirt was gender specific but I like the simpler logo of previous years. I like to get a shirt that I will actually wear again. With jeans no less.
3.) Will not do the Carbs for a Cause again. Not enough food and no vegetarian option. I don't mind giving a donation but I counted on that being my pre-race meal.
4.) Again, no vegetarian option at the post-race meal either (surely I was not the only runner there who eats vegetarian?!)
There was plenty of water and GU on the course for me.
I love a cool/cold weather race and Birmingham is convenient so I am sure I will be back.
This was my first 1/2 Marathon and it was an overall great experience. I wish the miles and running times were more clearly marked. It seemed as though it was marked for the full marathon but not the 1/2. When the miles were marked they were few and far between. I liked the fact that the finisher t-shirts were gender specific, but I would have preferred the process of handing them out to be more organized. They could have been in the bag or in a more spread out area. After running I didn't enjoy being packed in line waiting to get my shirt. Also, I think there should have been more port-o-lets at the start/finish line. The Auditorium lines were very long and we could only find two port-o-lets outside. The post race meal was somewhat of a let down. I understand the convenience of a bagged lunch, but more variety would have been appreciated. Many families/children attended and a kid firendly meal would have made for a more pleasant time. As I said, overall it was a great experience. The volunteers were helpful and nice and the course was challenging but not too difficult. I would consider running in the Mercedes 1/2 Marathon again.
This was my first half and I had a blast!!! Plenty of water stations, the course wasn't too hilly and the volunteers were wonderful. Great job!
The 2010 Mercedes was my first marathon. I'm thrilled that it was. The event was top-notch. Lots of water, gu, food, candy. Every mile had a huge sign and a clock to show my time. I also thought there were plenty of portapotties too. The hills weren't as bad as I'd been told. Thanks for flattening the course out a bit! I don't plan on ever running another marathon but I'll be back for the Mercedes Half in the future. I had a great experience.
I would like to note that I did volunteer to help. When I arrived at my scheduled time (which I drove 45 min for) I checked in and noone knew where I was to go, etc. I went to the area where I
had volunteered for and everyone looked at me like I was crazy or something. I explained that I had volunteered for this time and they told me they did not need my help and sent me to another area
where I was also not needed - just seemed to be in the way. I stayed for a while, but left. I was very disappointed in this. I am new to the area and was trying to be helpful and hopefully meet some new people. I did run the half and it was ok, but very disorganized. Everyone on the race course was great - I do not think I would volunteer again just because I felt out of place and not everyone was overly friendly. I also ran the 5K Sat morning and it was fun. I did have someone from the running club approach me and invite me to join - however - if the volunteers at the packet pick up were any
indication of how I would be treated as a new member - I think I would decline.
This was my first marathon and it was a fantastic experience that I will remember forever!In my opinion,it was top notch from beginning to end.The weather,volunteers,expo and race direction was great!My only small complaint was I had rather had a cotton long sleeve race tee than the cap.But,I'll still wear it anyway.Great job guys and I'll see you next year!
This was my first 1/2 marathon and I had a great time. The course was runnable, but challenging to a newbie. Plenty of water stations. Weather turned out to be perfect. The only complaint was the organization for getting the finisher t-shirt. The congestion, and the fact that the women had to cross over the men's line to get out of the corral was poorly set up. But I will be back for sure....maybe for the full next year!?
It was my first marathon and a very memorable one. Everything was well organized and there were plenty of water, powerade and GU on the course. The drum band on the course was so cool as were all of the people along the route to support us. There was a nice setup afterwords that was accommodating for me and my family. The free beer has never tasted as good as it did after the race! Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for all of your help!!
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


text:
"Who makes those sexy and sassy wide-leg jeans that Eva Mendes sports in your Would You Wear It" gallery?- Danielle
Jumping on the wide-leg jean bandwagon, Eva Mendes showed up at the Grindhouse L.A. premiere in a pair of Diane von Furstenberg's "Gavin Jeans" in indigo, $325, available at dvf.com. The "Gavin" jean is right off the runway with a high waist and super wide-legs. For the same look, but for half the price try this other celeb favorite from Seven for All Mankind. Seven's "Ginger" jean in Daytona carries the same wide cuff, high waist and super flare for $143 at nordstroms.com — and we've already spotted them on Liv Tyler and Lindsay Lohan. Or really save on these wide-legs from forever21.com for only $30.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Record Staff
There has been much coverage in the news recently about the recent theft of a number of Newton Chamber Bucks. The crime was swiftly investigated and a suspect is already in custody. The Newton Chamber has established additional safeguards and is confident that their program is safe for participation and will continue to be a strong benefit for the Newton community. However, the incident may have caused some to question the security of our Hesston Chamber Buck program.
To Read More See This Weeks Print Edition


text:
- Vitamin Guide
- Health Conditions
- Health Centers
- Diet & Weight Loss
- Herbal Remedies
- Current News
- Food Guide
- Recipes
Sour cream must contain at least 18% milk fat by weight to carry this designation.
This version of sour cream is made from half-and-half.
These sour cream versions are made from half-and-half and milk.
This is a designation for fat-free sour cream, which is typically made from skim milk.
This variety is often labeled "sour cream alternative."
This product is made with skim milk and vegetable oil.
Copyright © 2015 Aisle7. All rights reserved. Aisle7.com
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
Learn more about the authors of Aisle7 products.
The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.


text:
JACKSON COUNTY- The SOJC Dinner/Dance is Saturday, February 23 at McCoy's Conference Center.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour.
Dinner will follow at 7 p.m.
The dance portion of the evening will be from 8 to 10 p.m.
The theme of this year's event is "Camelot." Those wishing to dress in period costumes are certainly welcome.
The cost is $30/person or $55/couple, a table for eight is $220. There will be a "Cash Bar Only."
If anyone would like to sponsor a table and sell tickets to fill that table, please contact Frank Nester at the number on the bottom of this article.
Pat Boyce, is also collecting items for the silent auction and door prizes.
Those who would like to donate an item such as, hand made jewelry, Sell 31, Tastefully Simple, Vera Bradley, Pampered Chef, or crafts or for more ticket information or to volunteer, please contact Frank Nester for more information at (304)-273-2022 or (304)-481-4099).
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Prices and availability are subject to change from the time and date that you print this page.
8/28/2016 8:20:31 PM. For Customer Service, please call 800.606.6252
Pickup Check store pickup options
steel worker. Sleek steel ledge with black zinc finish elevates everything from books to barware. Minimalist two-tier design hosts larger objects bottom, smalls up top.
Pick up tips for decorating with black and white on Idea Central.
Details and Dimensions
bent metal black wall shelf. 48"Wx10.25"H
- Handmade
- Steel with black zinc finish
- Wipe with damp cloth
- Made in India
Overall DimensionsWidth: 48" Height: 10.25" Bottom ShelfDepth: 9" Top ShelfDepth: 4.5"
Return/Exchange Policy
At CB2, we stand behind the quality of our products and want every purchase to be a positive experience. We will do our best to make things right if you are not satisfied.
non-furniture items
We will accept returns and exchanges of non-furniture items if they are returned within 90 days of customer receipt, a valid proof of purchase is provided, and items are returned in good condition (unused and unwashed).
stock furniture, rugs and rug pads
If you are not satisfied with your Stock furniture, rug or rug pad purchase, you must contact us within 7 days of delivery or pickup to arrange a return. The item must be returned within 30 days of delivery or pickup. The item will be inspected upon return, and a refund amount will be determined based on its condition. For furniture orders placed online, please call us at 800.606.6252. For orders placed through a store, please contact the store where the sale originated.
special order upholstery
We require a 50% deposit for all Special Order upholstery. This deposit is nonrefundable after a 72-hour change/cancellation window. These items are made to your specifications and cannot be returned or exchanged.
our designers recommend
cellar wine rack$49.95
roadhouse leather chair$249.00
guapo desk$499.00
stainless steel spheres$14.95 - $29.95
fuze grey dining table$999.00
chord pendant light$79.95


text:
First thing I noticed was a lot of Tie-Dyed and Grateful Dead T-shirts on our kind of people. The Place was filled with around 400 bodies, and it had to be right at full - strange I thought - for an unknown band from VERMONT... The music on my tapes told me of the influences on the members of this band. I heard the typical things - Zappa, Prog Rock, a Psychedelic sensibility, all wrapped up with an educated mindset and a twisted sense of humor. They seemed to play *with* music in a sense of child-like wonder at the limitless possibilities. (Big Ball Jams were an example). I had gained a passing knowledge of some recognizable songs like Bouncing, Llama, Lizards, and others like Foam and Stash had yet to really find their places in me. Well this live set put me on a direct course with PHiSh headed out to Gamehendge.
Set 1:
The Landlady showed it's quirky TV-theme-song character, then blazed into a neat, clean
My Sweet One ("and if your dog or cat ever dies, I'll buy you a Ewe" - priceless).
Up next was Divided Sky which eventually came to be a powerful representation of essential PHiSh. The band sounded HUNGRY for new listeners, and TIGHT from long stretches of non-stop touring and rehearsing. The "Somewhere over the Rainbow-esque" figures around the break were beautiful: familiar yet new - a theme which would continue as I dug deeper into their material. Trey's soaring PAF-ish leads in the Sky outro had me instantly. Where had this band BEEN all my life?
Quirky Geulah Papyrus occupied a space all it's own. Music without a category: it's just PHiSh. "Expanding exponentially like some recursive virus..." who the hell else had words like that to music like *this*? It took a King Crimson to get this kind of reaction out of me.
Chalkdust Torture was a relatively new piece that straight ahead ROCKED, yet never lost the oddball character of the band. I was growing gills quickly. A Simpson's theme "secret" riff popped up in the jam and the band + a few fans yelled out "D'OH!" Another perfect move.
You Enjoy Myself - what can I say? Well I knew the intro from my tapes and those of my tape God. Then it seemed to go it's own way on a white-funk adventure. I was hearing elements of the Progressive Rock I grew up with like Yes, Crimson, Genesis - but never overt - more like implied and they knew how to use restrainti paying homage. They were wrapping me up in the daily paper and getting me ready to be filleted. WAAAAAAAA... BOY! MAN. God. Sheeeeeeit... The vocal jam was called "A pubic hair in your Coke" by Anastasio.
Lizards and Llama again played out as music with no recognizable identity or category, yet it all felt so oddly *familiar*. Tape God simply smiled knowingly. The Lizards Coda was going to be my new theme song for a while. Llama made me run out of breath. This band was playing *TIGHT*
The song I had been able to sing along with came next - Bouncing Around the Room. I thought it to be nicely crafted and fun.
Runaway Jim was another I felt like I knew already, but the extended jams easily sent me off into a "what song was this?" space cruise.
***Nice set of music there - and the packed dance floor was in constant motion. Not like a typical "whatever" concert crowd that's too cool to appear having fun, these people were letting the music move them around. Played with focus and purpose all the way through - I detected no weakness, or hesitation. They were on a *mission*.
Set 2
The Curtain - here we were again mining Prog Rock quarries looking for totally new gems.
Cavern was another new song that had a fun sing-along outro that was easy to ad-lib over. (A penile erector..) So far there was not one piece that had me drifting towards boredom -NO! It was a sensory smorgasboard.
Foam - this odd song with it's descending riffs and staccato vamps really felt strange to me - like the first time I had Mediterranian food. It wasn't *bad* it was just so very different that it took some time to get familiar. The jam out of the song structure then took me on it's wings and flew me high. It wasn't long before I'd be disappointed they didn't play Foam as often as they had back then.
David Bowie. I had no idea what this was, but it had me once again in Prog Rock ecstasy, and the wild ending... I had no idea this music existed.
The Mango Song -it would be several more years before I got a handle on this one, but the accessible, endearing melody made it comfortable to lean on or take a nap in - like a sturdy hammock.
A dark and heavy Sloth further fortified my view of this band's wildly wide range of material and styles.
Poor Heart, Magilla, Possum ... whoah - again with the stylistic divergence yet no trace of discomfort in moving around and about like this. So many rock bands have a limited dimension whereupon all songs sound kinda the same. Not so this PHiSh. Luckily, I had been prepared with a background of adventurous music from Zappa to the Grateful Dead, Bluegrass to jazz-Fusion, modern Symphony, and music from other planets.
To further hammer the point home, the encore was a double of acapella Sweet Adeline - purty as can be like a Barbershop Quartet - then slammed into BBFCFM (look up yer acronyms kids) which can only be described as PHiSh's attempt at PSYCO-PUNK homicide-rock.
Sadly, of set 2, only Bowie and Mango are available in circulation. The set 1 and 2 tracks of set 2 are solid sounding SBD recordings - a great listen every time. I do hope that someday Kevin Shapiro discovers the missing tracks, but I suspect it was lost at the source. It's a rare show, and attendees were also rare. I like to think the band had a good time in our little corner of the country. Without realizing who it was - I did get to briefly see Trey's beloved dog Marley who was right by the entrance to the venue in one of the 2 vans the band was still using to schlepp across the country before the record deal earned then real Tour Busses.


text:
Men's Fraternity
All men are welcome to join us on Thursday mornings, beginning Thursday, January 9, for Men's Fraternity.
We meet at 6:00am in the College Street Cafe at our Downtown Campus.
We will be studying "The Quest for Authentic Manhood".
Our first week will be an intro week and we will start the study Thursday, January 16.
This 24-session study focuses on the primary issues that shape a man's life; explores in depth the biblical concept of manhood; and finally provides practical building blocks for any man to use to construct a nobler, more satisfying manhood.
Topics include: Season's of a Man's Life; Uncovering a Man's Wounds; Defining Manhood; Deepening the Marriage Relationship; Raising Sons and Daughters; and Developing a Manhood Plan.
For more information, please contact Jamie Ginn at 864-554-4335.
Each man will need to purchase his own Men's Fraternity workbook.
Hope you will join us!
Location : Downtown Campus
Contact : Jamie Ginn 864-554-4335


text:
Related Cos. closed Sept. 26 on a $90 million transaction to acquire the assets of Base Village from the group of four European banks that was holding it. The deal settles all lawsuits between Related and the banks and transfers the titles of the Viceroy Snowmass, retail units, unsold Capitol Peak and Hayden Lodge condo units, the Arrival Center, parking garage, and other land parcels to Snowmass Acquisition Co. LLC, an entity of the former owner created for this purpose. "It's a huge positive for Snowmass," said Mark Lewis, a broker associate at B.J. Adams and Co. "It's almost the end of a long, bad chapter in Snowmass' history."Lewis said Base Village will only move forward now, however "we don't know what that's going to look like.""The product mix that was approved is not what the marketplace is going to want (today)," he said.Mayor Bill Boineau said he's anticipating what the developers are going to present to the town. "Some of the assumptions prior to this thing failing ... I think there are a number of things that are going to be desired to be changed by the community and the developer," he said.The company can now begin what Dwayne Romero, president of Related Colorado, calls "forward progress" with the stalled development. The first step includes some physical improvements, mainly to the Arrival Center, which the town just approved a building permit for this week.Those improvements include constructing an asphalt drive, with parking and interior work, so that skiers can be dropped off and walk through the transit center to access the plaza. The work will take some traffic pressure off drop-off spots up Carriage Way Road, including the Treehouse, and improve guests' experience this ski season, Romero said. "The race is against the clock," he added. The next big priority will be to market and sell Viceroy condominium units this winter. "Obviously from an offering point of view, as is typical, we'll organize a very nice and competitive set of representative residences that will be actively marketed, and we're going to clearly present those ... as opposed to just dumping all of those in the market at once," Romero said. That's along the lines of what Lewis was hoping to hear. "The marketplace already has a big supply of condominium units for sale," he said. "You don't want the appearance of over-supply and demand."Romero said Related is still conducting an analysis to determine pricing for the Viceroy residences. He said the prices will be "representative of where the market is today" and at a level that "speaks both to value but also speaks to an enjoyment and a full fulfillment of the experience." Lewis expects the prices of the residences to be different than they were previously. Many of the condos were under contract before 2008, but since then a majority of the buyers have successfully sued to get out of their contracts and get their money back, according to the Snowmass Sun.The majority of the other residences in Base Village, in Capitol Peak and Hayden Lodge, have already been sold. Nine units remain developer-owned, and Romero said the company will look to put a selection of those on the market as well.Owners of some units in Capitol Peak and Hayden have seen a drop in the value of their units. Lewis pointed out that the overall marketplace in Aspen/Snowmass has also lost value from the high place it was at before. "It's just like a stock," he said. "It's worth something one day, then it changes the next day." "Unfortunately it has lost a lot of value in these past years," Boineau said. "I think the price point is going to be lower for the new product."SUBHEAD: The price on forward progressRelated WestPac, an entity of the New York-based company, originally bought the property for $169 million in 2007, according to the Snowmass Sun. Related Cos. defaulted on a $520 million loan from a division of the German Hypo Real Estate Group in 2009, and an entity of that company began foreclosure proceedings on Base Village in 2010. Hypo and three other European banks, which submitted the only bid to take control of the property last November, were seeking $507 million from Related at one point in 2011. The transaction that closed last week had a price tag of $90 million, according to Pitkin County public records. B.J. Adams broker associate Andrew Ernemann said that's likely a sign of the market value being lower, but also a sign of more realistic expectations from the banks about how quickly Related can sell condos and at what price level. "I don't think it does anything with the value of the property," Lewis said. "The value is different from what it was ... (but) the banks aren't in business to hold property." He said the property remains the same and still offers the same customer experience. "In that aspect, it doesn't lose value," he said. County public records also show a loan of close to $150 million taken out by Snowmass Acquisition Company LLC. The lender is German American Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of "... Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp. and based in New York City."SUBHEAD: Community impactThe price of the transaction directly affects the town's Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund. The Financial Advisory Board recommended that if the acquisition closed, the town should replenish its contingency with that tax revenue and create a fund for replacing capital assets at the recreation center. The RETT fund supports recreation, trails, and bus purchases. Boineau said he would like to discuss using that revenue toward some things the town has put off, such as replacing some buses. "Let's be cautious and find some things we've been putting off," he said. The town council met to work on the 2013 fiscal budget on Sept. 25 and is slated to read a resolution adopting it on Oct. 8. Boineau said the investment by the new owners of the Westin and the close on Base Village "boost what Snowmass has to offer."Ernemann called movement in those two properties, as well as investments on the mountain by Skico, a "triple threat."He said the only negative commentary he's heard is some skepticism about Related being back at the helm. Ernemann thinks Related is the best fit though because the company is familiar with the project and can "hit the ground running.""I think you have a local team, led by Dwayne Romero, that really all along have known what they need to be doing," he said. Ernemann thinks that local teams carries more weight in the leadership on the project than in the past."The town, buyers and sellers of real estate, I think everyone has such a better perspective of what the future of Snowmass can be," he added. "It's great news for confidence, not just business confidence, but overall the psyche of everyone that does business, everyone that owns property in Snowmass."email@example.com
Back to: News
October 2, 2012
Follow News


text:
The process of buying a new Mercedes-Benz car or truck can seem overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. Edmunds.com can get you started on the right track with a convenient directory of Mercedes-Benz car dealerships in and around Fairfax, California. Compare online price quotes on the new or used car, truck, SUV, minivan, or wagon of your choice to locate the best deals. Edmunds.com makes it easy to find trusted Mercedes-Benz car dealers in Fairfax, saving car buyers time and money on what will be an important purchase.
Non Display Review Name "We purchased a CPO C250 from a nice sales lady named Veronica Cheung the other day. She is fair, patience and professional, She made a stressful proce"... Read more Review by: ryiu
Non Display Review Name "Bought a car from George Nijmeh, he was professional and made us comfortable with our transaction. Thank you for the great experience!!" Read more Review by: Mila921
Non Display Review Name "My wife and I are expecting so we ere looking to trade in our old SUV and get a Pre-Owned SUV. I search online and came across a good deal on a SUV a"... Read more Review by: shishkabobee
Non Display Review Name "Omar and Abe were very professional and not pushy. I had no trouble taking advantage of the price promise certificate that I got from Edmunds.com I"... Read more Review by: aj600
Non Display Review Name "We recently leased our new Mercedes from Fletcher Jones Mercedes. We primarily went there because we had heard re excellent service by David A. He mad"... Read more Review by: adurna195


text:
Even as a lifelong sports fan and an incidental jock myself when I was in school, I have long since begun to wonder if the undue emphasis on athletics in our culture has detracted from the academic mission in institutions that are supposed to be educating American teens.
Amanda Ripley has a PROVOCATIVE ARTICLE on this matter in The Atlantic:
The United States routinely spends more tax dollars per high-school athlete than per high-school math student�unlike most countries worldwide. And we wonder why we lag in international education rankings?
Every year, thousands of teenagers move to the United States from ...
Read more


text:
(This column originally appeared in the San Jose Mercury News on Aug. 16, 1989)
OXNARD -- There are 80 players in the Raiders' camp here, but only one whose passion for bringing back the good, old days runs as deep as yours.
Todd Christensen wants to be an Oakland Raider again.
There aren't many Oakland Raiders left in activity, three to be exact -- Christensen, Matt Millen and Howie Long. A couple of others, Marcus Allen and Vann McElroy, were Oakland property but never played a game until after the team moved to Los Angeles.
Long might want to be an Oakland Raider again, too, but he's being difficult these days, and those who haven't found him unapproachable have found the question goes unanswered. Oakland is not a subject he chooses to discuss at this time. Maybe he doesn't want to come back. Soup commercials don't come easy in the East Bay.
Millen says he certainly wouldn't mind coming back, and you figure deep within No. 55 the fires burn brighter. Publicly, Millen says he would "look forward" to being an Oakland Raider again, that he would "welcome" it. "But, " he quickly adds, "it's not like I make those decisions."
Christensen, the big tight end, rambles right on by that obstacle and then lowers a shoulder into the subject.
"It'd be a thrill, " he said. "While the organization left on terms of animosity, it wasn't as if (the fans) were angry at the players. It'd be a thrill, if only for a weekend. . . . Of course, it would prove Thomas Wolfe wrong."
You'd expect that kind of answer from Christensen, both for its passion and its intellect. This is a football player on whose coffee table sits a biography of Thoreau. (Did you know Thoreau's given name was David Henry but he changed it to Henry David to sound more like a writer? You could look it up; I'll take Christensen's word on it).
Of the few Oakland Raiders who remain, Christensen is the dean. He was there the longest -- three seasons -- before the Raiders went south, and he still hasn't forgotten one game from his first season of wearing silver and black. It was at the Coliseum against Cleveland in 1979. Christensen was an obscure special-teams player, signed in September after being dumped by the New York Giants after being dumped by the Dallas Cowboys. But no Raider was obscure back then.
"I remember I came out to the parking lot after that (first) game, and I saw these four or five people staring at me. 'We wanted to talk to you, ' they said. I couldn't imagine why. And one of them says, 'That was a hell of a block you made on that punt return.' " Christensen is amused, and to this day amazed.
He doesn't expect many of his current teammates will be able to grasp the significance of Aug. 26 in Oakland, when the Raiders return to the Coliseum for an exhibition game against Houston. He doesn't expect them to comprehend the roar that will accompany the Raiders' first steps onto that gridiron since 1981.
The Raiders have had their troubles in L.A. -- a 20-27 record the last three seasons -- but Christensen doesn't buy the Distractions-of-Going-Hollywood theory. There are simpler reasons for the Raiders' troubles, he says. And, by the way, he has a question.
"What if we move back to Oakland, and we're losing? Are they going to say we've gone Hayward?" And then Christensen goes off, as he often does, on a wonderfully wacky tangent. "We'll all be driving pick-ups, " he says, "and we'll have gun racks on them. We'll all be going bowling on Friday nights. The Raiders have gone Hayward."
The Raiders will be in that locale soon, if only for a weekend, and Christensen wouldn't miss it for the world. But he might miss it for reasons beyond his control. Three months ago, Christensen woke up jaundiced and full of pain. His gall bladder had to come out. Monday, he was finally able to join the team in full-scale workouts.
Gall bladder trouble; it makes a man sound old. But Christensen, not surprisingly, feels his 33 years in other ways.
"I'll tell you what makes me feel old, " he says, "and that's when I'm taking the baby sitter home and a Chicago song comes on the radio and I ask her if she likes Chicago and she says, 'I don't know; I've never been there.' "
Well, Todd Christensen has been to Oakland and he wants to come back as badly as you want them all to come back.
Contact Bud Geracie at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/WakeofWeek.


text:
In Their Own Words – Georgia's Story
This "In Their Own Words" is by Paula, a mother in Brazil. She requested her daughter's approval before writing this story. They agreed to call her Georgia to pay homage to her favorite movie director, George Lucas. This story was translated from Portuguese.
When my daughter was first placed in my arms I noticed a unique and exotic beauty, a different kind of beauty. "Different" has been a key word in my life for nearly 22 years. There was something mysterious about her development, which was not only intriguing, but also concerning. I shared my fears with my husband, who did not notice anything different about her. To a certain extent he was right. Georgia was delivered through natural birth at 45 weeks and 5 days. By 3 months of age Georgia had a firm head, and by 7 months she could sit without any support. It wasn't until years later that I found out that sitting in a "W" position was not appropriate.
Back then I did not know her diagnosis; I was living in a seesaw. At times I would feel restless and fearful, at others blissful. I was happy when Georgia crawled at 11 months, and when she began to walk at 14 months. Little did I know that her walking rhythm and speed were not appropriate.
My fears and anxiety were increased by our aloof relationship. I breast-fed her until she was 7 months, how could she refuse my touch? Why would she reject my arms yet embrace a stranger's arms?
I was intrigued by her fine motor skills. She did not use her thumb to grab a toy. When her attempt to get a toy had failed, she would then use her thumb and pointer, her pincer grasp, to get a toy.
I took Georgia to regular appointments with her pediatrician who claimed that she was fine, and reminded me that not all children have the same developmental pace.
I was visiting my mother with Georgia, then 8 months old, when the power went out. We placed some candles around the house; I put Georgia on the table and tried to call her attention to a candle's light. I noticed that her eyes were pointing in different directions. One eye looked straight ahead, while the other eye turned inward, at this moment I yelled for my mother: "Mom, I know what Georgia's problem is! She is blind! That explains everything." We desperately called a friend of my mother's, who was an ophthalmologist, and asked him if he could examine Georgia right at that moment.
I was much calmer when we left the doctor's office. He told me that Georgia could see from both eyes, but she had divergent strabismus. We visited a few other ophthalmologists who agreed on the diagnosis, but not on the treatment. Some recommended surgery, while others recommended orthotic therapy to strengthen her eye muscles. We opted for orthotic therapy, which worked on improving the eye's stability and balance, and on enhancing the integrity of overall eye muscles alignment. A few hours a day, seven days a week Georgia wore an eye patch on the eye that was considered to be working well, to force the malfunctioning eye to work more and, therefore, improve its sight.
By the time Georgia was a toddler she developed myopia and began to wear eye glasses. After a few years I decided to have her reevaluated and the new doctor suggested that we change the lenses sphere which practically cured her of the myopia. Since then she made great progress on making eye contact. However, at times when she felt tired she would avoid eye contact. There was no explanation for her inability to sustain eye contact.
At around this time I took Georgia and my elder son to a birthday party. At the party a man who was a retired pediatrician approached me and said: "Your daughter should see a orthopedist." When I asked him why, he replied: "Because when an orthopedist sees your daughter, he will tell you that she actually needs a neurologist." When I asked him what was Georgia's problem he remained silent. At that moment I felt awful, like the world had just fallen on me. We left the party immediately. I felt vulnerable, emotional. I felt sad, enraged, and regret. I thought: "what if he is right?" Deep down I knew something was different.
The next day I took Georgia to see her pediatrician. I told him what had happened the night before, and shared my fears and concerns regarding her development. I spoke about her apathy towards me, could she be deaf? I asked him to help me find a diagnosis and to referrer me to a competent neurologist. He gave me a few referrals, and told me that Georgia was not deaf.
I took Georgia to a myriad of orthopedists that had divergent conclusions on her diagnosis and treatment. Some suggested that she should undergo surgery and remove one of her foot's ligaments. They claimed that by doing that her posture would be improved and she would be able to have more control over her body. Some doctors mentioned low muscle tone, which I thought was a consequence rather than a cause. Other doctors recommended physical therapy to strengthen her leg and eye muscles. I opted for physical therapy because it is less intrusive and aggressive.
I finally managed to get an appointment with a neurologist, who examined her and concluded that she had Borderline Disorder. He explained to me that Georgia's nervous system was developing very slowly, and that was the reason for her developmental delays. He claimed that she needed more stimulation and asked me to do so, in other to help speed up her development. The neurologist requested several exams, which indicated that all was well. Then he requested a CAT scan of her brain. The CAT scan showed a discrete ectasia of lateral ventricle. When my husband asked the doctor for further clarification he said that he could not say anything else without making additional exams. He told us that it might be nothing or it might lead to hydrocephalus, and the only way to know would be by performing regular CAT scans. My world was wrecked, once again. When we left the exam facility we went back to the office of the neurologist who had requested the exams, who said not to worry, because Georgia had a very little likelihood of developing hydrocephalus. He explained that she was too old to develop such a condition. Nonetheless, he requested a CAT scan to be done twice a year, and measured her head every three months.
This was our annual routine until she turned 7 years old, and because the results remained steady, from there on, she was only required to have a CAT scan every three years. But I still wondered: Could this really be the cause of her developmental delays? What about her fine motor skills? The doctors always told me that nothing was related.
I decided to resign from my job as a lawyer. I bought an apartment in Sao Paulo, where I lived with the children, and my husband stayed in our suburban home. We saw him only twice a week. I thought that by living in a big city I would have better access to top-notch doctors and treatments.
When Georgia was 11 months old, she received physical, occupational, speech, and hydrotherapy therapies three times a week. I sent her to a nursery school. I wanted her to engage with other children.
When her school friends could not come over for the weekend, I would invite her friends from acting school. I believe the acting classes played a major role on improving her social skills. I used any excuse to have a party, any holiday or religious celebrations. Children always came wearing a costume related to the occasion. I was always involved in her play. I wanted to make sure that she was not left out, nor would she withdraw from her friends.
Georgia learned how to read and write when she almost 6 years old. She always enjoyed reading and has an excellent memory. She displayed great interest in history and geography. She was slower taking school exams and doing homework, but she never showed any learning disability.
Before I forget, Georgia began speaking when she was 2 years old. She never learned how to ride a bike or dress up her dolls. However, she was very knowledgeable on the subjects she liked; sometimes she showed even greater knowledge than the adults around her. Georgia easily learned how to swim, but she struggled to learn how ski.
Georgia is a sweet and caring young woman. She enjoys social situations. But was not always like that. During her adolescence she experienced stages of irritability and anger. She refused to go out with her girlfriends, and eventually they faded away. During this time she was unable to make new friends, or keep the friends she already had. Her girlfriends began to flirt with boys and go out at night. Georgia, however, never showed interest for boys. She had a few crushes that never evolved into relationships. From time to time I noticed, and encouraged, great progress in her social life. Many times Georgia isolated herself from family and friends. When we were going to see a movie or a play she constantly asked to stay home, but I never allowed that.
Georgia's answer to everything was "no." So I accommodated our life style to keep her around us. We only had one television in the house, so that we could learn how to share. Share not only the television but also life. If she wanted to read in her bedroom, I would ask her to read in the living room, so she would stay with us. I always kept her busy so that she did not spend much time without an activity. The only way she would join the family activities was by obligation, but I did that because I knew that at the end, despite the stress to get her in the car, she always had a good time.
Georgia did not have a diagnosis for many years. In fact, it was only a few years ago that I learned about her diagnosis. Georgia has Asperger syndrome. Only four years ago I heard that autism was a spectrum disorder.
For much of the past 20 years, my main focus has been my daughter. Sometimes I felt guilty for not spending as much time with my elder son, who was only a year and an half older. I felt guilty for not demonstrating how much I loved and cared about him. I was very lucky, because he never complained; he noticed and understood that his sister needed the extra care and attention. Today he is a 24-year-old man and he is an amazing human being. I also have two younger neurotypical sons. I must confess that I was quite apprehensive during the last two pregnancies, because I suspected Georgia's problem was hereditary since I have an uncle who is "different." But I am so grateful that today at 15 and 18 years old, they are amazing brothers and have nothing but love, acceptance and respect for her.
I never had a doubt about having a big family. All of my children are unique; they live in their own universe. As a mother I try my best to treat them equally. I always give the same advice to my children: Try your best to achieve all that you want in life, but never hurt yourself or others while doing so.
Today Georgia is 22 years old. She is attending college with a major in cinema. Her interests have not changed, but evolved. She likes history, but not just any history, British history. About a year ago we talked to Georgia about her diagnosis. I hesitated to talk to her about it, because I was afraid she would lose her desire to live and chase her dreams. I was afraid she would lose her motivation to overcome the obstacles and even her own self. After we talked to her about it, she decided to stop her treatment with her psychiatrist. After 14 years of weekly sessions she decided she was ready to walk on her own. When I asked why, she replied: "I always wanted to know what the problem was. Now that I know what the problem is, there is no need to continue the therapy sessions." Her psychiatrist helped not only Georgia, but also the whole family so although I was hesitant, I respected her decision.
Besides attending college, Georgia still sees a team of therapists who support her development. She receives therapies twice a week. She also has a tutor who helps her with her college assignments. Georgia does Pilates and aerobic exercises twice a week. She receives hippotherapy, and takes English classes. She has been to a myriad of classes, such as piano, violin, guitar, ballet, and pottery. She recently got her first job! She works in a pet store and has had two cats and many dogs.
Georgia gets to decide who needs to know that she is on the spectrum, and gradually she is learning how to deal with it. I think I can say today that among all mistakes and good decisions, telling her the truth about her diagnosis was a great decision. Although she knows there is no cure for her disorder, she continues to overcome her obstacles. Georgia still has lot to accomplish and improve, but she has amazing passion and I know she will accomplish her long-term objective to be as independent as possible.
As her mother, I have learned to handle and control my anguish. I try not to worry about the simple daily problems. Among the many things I learned from Georgia, I learned that some problems have no immediate solution, so all we can do is manage these problems in the best possible way.
Georgia has taught me to be patient, objective, happy and empathetic. During my journey I have met children, parents, and even entire families who struggled with the same issues, the same fears, anxiety, anguish, and even worse problems than I had. Most of them did not have the same financial and educational resources that Georgia had.
Like the adage says, "no pain, no gain." Today I am one of the co-founders of a charitable organization for autism. The experiences I had made me realize that we must work for a common good. Each one of us can do something to promote change. One step at a time and love will keep us together.
"In Their Own Words" is a series within the Autism Speaks blog which shares the voices of people who have autism, as well as their loved ones. If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to email@example.com. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
September 17, 2010 at 4:01 am
I enjoyed reading your story very much, thanks for sharing it.
September 17, 2010 at 11:31 am
Thenk you for your uplifting story, it's nice to hear positive, strugglling parents making it agaist all odds.
September 17, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I need some help, my son Luke has autism we are convinced as well as the people who spend everyday with him however when the county worker came to diagnose him she said he was mentally retarded not autistic because I quote "he is too friendly" Luke has fits if his routine is not followed, he still has a vocabulary of about 35 words, I am sure he says more than that but they are illegiable. He hits himself and bites himself when he is frustrated. I dont know what to do! He is in special classes but I dont think he is getting everything he needs because I do not believe he has the correct diagnosis. If you have any resources that might help please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com. Thank you so much ~Jessy
September 17, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Hi Jessy,
I'm not sure who the county worker is that you refer to here, but you'll need to take your son to a medical doctor to get an autism diagnosis. Start with your pediatrician and ask that they refer you to a specialist who knows about autism — a behavioral pediatrician, neurologist, etc. My daughter was not diagnosed until age 8, but she has still never been given an IQ test, because the school officials who work with her fear she too would be labeled "retarded" because she doesn't understand the testing procedure or loses interest in the test and answers anything she thinks of. Keep searching until you find someone you trust to help you get the right diagnosis, whatever that is, and then make sure you are ALWAYS your son's advocate. Autism or not, if you feel he needs more at school, get in there and fight for what he needs. Good luck!
September 18, 2010 at 4:43 pm
My Grandson is also very friendly but has Aspergers. He was labeled mentally retarded at school also until he was diagnosed with Aspergers. He had many autistic tendencies when he was little but with much therapy he is doing really well at ten years old. Don't give up until you feel comfortable with the diagnosis. You know the most about your child. Vicky
September 17, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Every time I read a story such as Georgia's I'm reminded of my 16 year old son, whose story is so similiar. So many things are the same, sitting in the W-shape when he was learning to sit up, and on until he was much older, and staying on one subject and being so smart about those few subjects that interest him. It is funny that even though I know his diagnosis, that it surprises me, how similiar it is, yet took so much testing and time to diagnose!!! As if it were such a foreign disorder, or perhaps just that doctors don't seem to want to believe, that this child has that disorder!!! It just amazes me to read other stories and say to myself, that really is my son, how come it was so hard to see. By the way, he's in the 10th grade now and gets to go to a technology class that he loves! His diagnosis is actually PDD-nos because so many of the "things" he does can be picked from each of the lists of the autistic spectrum. Just for an example, I didn't realize that his "gait" was not "normal" until, my sister pointed out that he "walked funny". It had not really occurred to me that, lining up his toys was not real play, until I was told, because, I thought he was playing, after all, he seemed to be entertained and happy. He was very happy, just being left alone, I didn't know any better. But, he does make friend now, keeping them is another story! He loves playing his guitar–and I have certainly encouraged every opportunity to play music! Some things that do make him happy, why not let him do it? Some things have been very, very hard to get done for him or to get people to accept, or to understand, but it has been very, very worth it!! Thank you for your story–this helps me.
September 18, 2010 at 10:49 am
I don't know were you live but in KY we have regional child development centers that will test children and get you to experts such as the Weiskopf Center in Louisville which specializes in Autism. Trust your instincts. The testing they do involves several people over number of appointments. No one can fairly judge your child on one short visit. You know your child better than anyone else. If he is 3 or older check with your local school system. They are required to test and serve all children. For a younger child, try the First steps program.
September 18, 2010 at 11:19 am
To the lady who wrote this wonderful article……..
I sure appreciate your sharing of your innermost feelings as I myself have a son aged 12 who had been diagnosed with mild ASD. It sure beats me when i think of writing about my feelings but reading about your commitment has made me decide to do something more, not only for my son but for others facing the same situation.
Thanks and all the best for a brighter future for you and your family.
September 19, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I enjoyed reading your blog. My daughter is seven and has rcently been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Much of the characteristics you talk of in your daughter, I find in mine. I often wonder what she will be like when she is an adult. I worry so much about her future. But it is nice to hear stories of children with an ASD that grow up and are able to follow their dreams. She wants to do something with horses, from the time she could speak, my daughter has had an interest in horses. I am also curious to know if anyone else's child with an ASD has epilepsy? She has been diagnosed with complex partial siezures.
September 19, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Yes, when my son was six years old he had his first seizure, a Christmas I'll never forget. It was Christmas Day 1999 and his dad went to check on why he hadn't gotten up yet, called me in there, and when I entered the room I saw him, shaking on one side and slobbering out one side of his mouth; i immediately turned him to his side and slightly held him till he quit seizing. From that point, when the doctor could see him and get an EEG ordered, he was etc, he was diagnosed with complex partial epilepsy, and the wonderful thing is he presently has had no seizures for five years or so, he takes seizure medicine that helps blanket the ADD meds he takes, but there were only a minimual ammount of "spikes" last time he had an EEG. Things are OK, for us at the time!!!


text:
|NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.), 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 05/15/2012. For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds, visit http://bit.ly/ultimate-birthday-party-official-rules. Sponsors: 1) Melissa & Doug, LLC, P.O. Box 590, Westport, CT 06881. View Melissa & Doug's Privacy Policy, and 2)Party City Corporation of 25 Green Pond Road, Suite 1, Rockaway, NJ 07866. View Party City's Privacy Policy.
Ultimate Birthday Party Sweepstakes! You Could Win $500 in Toys and Party Supplies
April 16, 2012 by
I had got my granddaughter the Butterfly Spoon and Fork Set with the Tumbler Glass for Christmas. At the time she was to young to understand the concept of using them. She now knows how to use both they are just the right size for her little hands. Thank you so much for making great quality products for my granddaughter.


text:
The global marketplace is a remarkably diverse arena. At MasterCard, we believe firmly that in order to address these diverse needs, we must ensure the demographics of our suppliers reflect those of our customers. In 2001, we launched the Supplier Diversity Program so businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans, as well as small businesses, would have equal opportunity to participate in our procurement process.
In addition to making good business sense, this program offers several indisputable benefits:
- Developing an inclusive, competitive, and enhanced supply chain
- Enhancing our brand-building efforts
- Creating a competitive advantage
- Strengthening the communities in which we operate
The merits of the program can further be seen in its results. Since its inception, we have experienced consistent growth in not only the number of diverse suppliers providing goods and services to MasterCard, but also in the level of our spending with such suppliers.
Additionally, suppliers who subcontract work to minority-, women-, and veteran-owned enterprises, or use such enterprises to provide goods and services contributing to their business, will be viewed as supporting and adding value to the MasterCard Supplier Diversity Program as a tier 2 prime supplier.
Our commitment to supplier diversity runs so deep at MasterCard that we are continually searching for new ways to advance the program.
Some initiatives now under way include:
- Providing educational opportunities to diverse suppliers who are currently working with us
- Conducting ongoing supplier education programs with our own employees
- Reaching out to potential diverse suppliers through advertising and trade fairs among other methods
MasterCard is also a member and active participant in several diverse supplier organizations:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association
- St. Louis Minority Business Council
- Minority Supplier Development Council of New York and New Jersey
- Women President's Educational Organization
- Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
As our program has expanded globally, MasterCard has also become a member of:
- Minority Supplier Development - UK
- Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council
- WEConnect (Women in Enterprise Connecting to Contracts) Canada
- WEConnect Europe
Although it has never been a goal of MasterCard to seek accolades for our Supplier Diversity Program, we are nonetheless proud to have received recognition for our efforts from a number of notable sources. They include honors from DiversityInc and Diversity Plus Magazine.
The stature of MasterCard Worldwide's Global Diversity and Inclusion Council (GDIC) reflects the value the company attaches to diversity. The Supplier Diversity Program at MasterCard is just one element of our broader strategy to address diversity, which we define as a concept that extends beyond gender, ethnicity and age to include different thoughts, skills, experiences and backgrounds. As such, we believe diversity represents the root of the insight needed to develop innovative solutions to our customer's evolving payment needs.
Overseeing the execution of this strategy is the task of our Global Diversity and Inclusion Council (GDIC). Chaired by our Chief Executive Officer, this body acts as essentially a board of directors that provides direction to our Global Diversity Office to ensure the principles of diversity are embedded throughout the organization.
The GDIC's members are drawn from all of the company's business regions: North America; Latin America/Caribbean; Europe; and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
They regularly evaluate different programs, partnerships and other proposals that are presented as potential means of enhancing shareholder value.
To learn more about the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion section.
Our wide variety of purchasing opportunities includes business and consulting services, marketing, software and more.
Human Resources
- Outplacement
- Relocation
- Staffing/Recruiting
- Talent Management
- Training
- Contractors
- Contracts
- General Counsel
- Intellectual Property
- Legislative
- Litigation
- Regulatory
- Cardholder
- Car Service
- Holograms
- Insurance
- Meetings and Events
- Outsourcing
- Translation
- Travel
- Accounting
- Human Resources
- Operations
- Technology
- Strategy
- AV Equipment
- Construction
- Design
- Furniture
- Logistics
- Maintenance
- Managed Services
- Rent/Lease
- Security
- Supplies
- Utilities
- Advertising
- Branded Merchandise
- Creative
- Fulfillment
- Interactive
- Market Research
- Media
- Printing
- Promotions
- Public Relations
- Sponsorship
- Trade Show Events
- Digital
IT Equipment
- Desktop
- Laptop
- Lease
- Mainframe
- Maintenance
- Midrange
- Peripherals
- Server
- Storage
- Cabling/Installation
- Circuit Requests
- Maintenance
- Router-Hub
- Service
- Development
- Maintenance
- Network
- Security
- Web Design/Hosting/Maintenance
- Maintenance
- Mobile Device
- Pagers
- Phone Systems
MasterCard looks to several highly respected certifying organizations to assure that we work only with qualified suppliers.
MasterCard is open to partnering with any potential supplier, regardless of its size. However, to be considered a diverse supplier, a company must meet the following basic qualifications:
United States
Diverse Supplier Qualifications
- Be a for profit enterprise, regardless of size, that is located in the United States or one of its trust territories that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens that identify as an ethnic minority, woman, or veteran.
- Be recognized by a certifying agency. These agencies include
- National Minority Supplier Development Council
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council
- Other federal, state, and/or local government agencies
- Other certifications may be recognized on a case-by-case basis
Small Business Supplier Qualifications
For a company to be considered a small business supplier to MasterCard, it must likewise meet certain qualifications. They are as follows:
- Be a for-profit enterprise that operates primarily in the United States or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor.
- Be certified by, and eligible for assistance from, the Small Business Administration.
- Meet the numerical size standards defined in the Small Business Size Regulations.
United Kingdom
- Be a for profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United Kingdom, which is 51% owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority or woman.
- MasterCard works with the following independent agencies to verify the ownership status of businesses (Certification). For information on certification please contact the following agencies:
- Be a for profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in Canada, which is 51% owned, operated and controlled by a Canadian citizen that identifies as an aboriginal, visible minority or woman.
- MasterCard works with the following independent agencies to verify the ownership status of businesses (Certification). For information on certification please contact the following agencies:
MasterCard is committed to providing minority-, women-, veteran-owned and small businesses with an opportunity to participate in our procurement processes. Companies that meet the necessary sets of criteria and are interested in exploring opportunities to participate in our procurement processes are invited to visit our website and complete the Online Supplier Profile Form.
While this does not imply a promise of business from MasterCard, we will certainly review your profile and contact you if further information is needed.


text:
Woman With Cat
Photograph by Daniel Gautreau, My Shot
People reveal as much about a destination as its architecture and landscapes. Flip through this gallery for tips on taking the best people photos while traveling.
Here, a colorful Havana woman enjoys an enormous cigar. The smokes are one of Cuba's defining symbols—"Havanas" are renowned worldwide and have special cache among many aficionados in America, where their import remains illegal.
Photo Tip: If you are making an outdoor portrait and don't have the natural light you want, pose your subject in open shade, preferably in a setting that has something to do with the message you are trying to convey.
Cowboy Hats
Photograph by Priscilla Pompa, My Shot
A girl wears several hats in the town of Humahuaca in northern Argentina, where people revere the traditions of their rugged ancestors.
Photo Tip: When shooting portraits, try different perspectives, says photographer Richard Nowitz. "But in general, get in close, shoot tight, and keep your backgrounds clean."
Classic Car, Cuba
Photograph by Glen Mitchell, My Shot
A proud owner poses with his classic car in Trinidad, Cuba. Fans of Detroit's golden age find heaven on Cuban highways, where necessity and invention combine to keep vintage American models rolling decades after they came off the assembly line.
Photo Tip: Don't be shy. If you approach people in the right way, they'll usually be happy to have their picture made. Joke around with them. Tell them why you want to make the picture. Practice with people you know so that you are comfortable.
Mambukal Mudpack Festival
Photograph by Alfonso Lizares, My Shot
Held at the height of monsoon season, the Mambukal Mudpack Festival in Murcia, Negros Occidental, celebrates the harmony of man and nature and encourages environmentalism among young people. To get in the spirit, participants cover themselves with the rich soil known as Mambukal clay.
Photo Tip: Take advantage of overcast conditions. Although it is less dramatic than late or early sunlight, cloudy weather offers soft, even lighting, free of harsh shadows, which can be ideal for portraits, rendering even skin tones, and can enhance saturation.
Farmers, France
Photograph by Kiritin Beyer, My Shot
The number of French farming villages has dwindled, a consequence of mechanization, increasing job opportunities in cities, and other factors. Many traditional villages continue to struggle, surviving solely because of tourism.
Photo Tip: Chat up the locals in small-town diners and cafés, and tell them you're looking for a farm to photograph. An invitation may result more readily than you'd expect.
Bamboo Transport, Philippines
Photograph by Ted Madamba, My Shot
Laden with bamboo and workers, a converted World War II U.S. Army jeep carries its load out of the mountains near Tangub, on the island of Mindanao.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: You can use foreground elements to lead your viewers' eyes into the frame and to your subject. They can be almost anything from a leading line to objects that either literally or graphically reinforce the message of the image.
Monastery Window, Myanmar
Photograph by Alistair McIntosh, My Shot
An oval window frames a young monk at Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung monastery in Myanmar.
(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)
Photo Tip: Frames can be literal or subtle. Using frames adds depth to the image and helps focus attention on the main subject.
Henna Hands, India
Photograph by Petra Warner, My Shot
The hands of a woman in Jaipur are covered with mehndi patterns painted with henna. Trendy in recent years, the lacework decorations are part of a 5,000-year-old tradition of creating designs to ward off evil or declare one's happiness.
Photo Tip: For everyday pictures such as portraits and views, use shutter speeds of 1/60 of a second to 1/250 of a second.
Diwali Festival, India
Photograph by Joe McNally, National Geographic
Two women in Jaipur hold candles to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Observed over five days throughout India, it marks, among other things, the start of the new business year and the victory of light over dark.
Photo Tip: Festivals, parades, and similar events offer an ideal chance to photograph people at their most colorful and at a time when everyone expects to be photographed.
Samburu Wedding, Kenya
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic
In keeping with tradition, Samburu families arrange marriages for their daughters when they're as young as ten. The entire community celebrates during several days of elaborate ceremonies designed to counteract superstitions and bring the new couple good luck.
Photo Tip: Your compositions should be strong and uncluttered, but also strive to have a depth of content in a single image.
Bicycle Rider and Dog
Photograph by Ricardo Beron, Your Shot
An old man merrily rides his bike with his buddy. The expressions on their faces make them very common, comfortable, and happy. The blue background on one corner makes the scene urban and his glasses and jacket give away the European feel.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
Photo Tip: To stop a racing car, or someone riding a bicycle, start with a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second.
Food Truck, Hawaii
Photograph by Susan Seubert
Locals grab lunch from a food truck in Kahakuloa Village on the rugged north shore of West Maui, Hawaii. Kahakuloa has been occupied by Hawaiian people since around 300 B.C. Its population hovers around a hundred, most of whom are direct descendants of the village's original inhabitants.
Photo Tip: Good travel photography is about the experience of a place—not just the landscape but people engaged with the landscape.
Amish Boys, Pennsylvania
Photograph by Monte Morton, Your Shot
Amish boys riding a wagon at the Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, Annual Mud Sale. Mud sales have been a regular event here in Lancaster County since the mid-1960s. These auctions help local volunteer fire companies raise much needed funds. The late winter and early spring dates work out best for local farmers because they have more time available before the spring planting. Since many of the items are sold outside during potentially muddy spring conditions, the event is called a mud sale.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
Photo Tip: When shooting group portraits use your imagination. Find a way to relate the group to an environment that expresses something about what kind of group they are. Do it literally, humorously, dramatically, or by complete contrast. Get ideas from them.
Beauty Pageant, Mongolia
Photograph by Christopher De Bruyn, My Shot
A young woman in an elaborate traditional headdress participates in a beauty pageant in Darhan, one of Mongolia's largest cities. Nearly half of all Mongolians live in cities; a third (about one million) live in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
Photo Tip: Remember that you can use depth of field creatively by using a wide-open aperture to isolate your subject. Your subject will stand out sharply as the rest of the image surrounding it remains pleasantly blurred.
Skateboard Park, California
Photograph by Norma Warden, Your Shot
The curves and valleys of this skateboard park in Venice Beach, California, drew my attention. Despite the speed and daring of the skaters, it had a soothing effect.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
Photo Tip: When you would like as much depth of field as possible, remember that the depth of field extends farther behind the point of focus than in front of it. If you focus one third into your subject, you will know that the depth of field will extend by equal amounts before and after the point of focus.
Boys, Angola
Photograph by Miguel Costa, Your Shot
These kids are the local fishermen's sons, at a remote beach, south of Luanda, Angola. Though these families live with very few resources, their smiles are always there, special whenever a visitor comes to the beach.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
Photo Tip: When shooting group portraits, make use of the environment. Instead of having everybody clump together for a group shot, look around for a setting that will allow for good spacing and posing of the group—and the added feature of showing their surroundings.
Circus Clown, South Carolina
Photograph by Jeremy Lock, Your Shot
Perolito the clown applies his makeup in his trailer about an hour and a half before performing under the big top during the Cole Bros. Circus on March 26, 2010, at the Ladson County Fairgrounds in Charleston, South Carolina. It takes Perolito, a third-generation clown, 30 minutes to apply his makeup.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
Photo Tip: The "environmental portrait," which shows a person in his or her surroundings, is a mainstay of travel photography and is frequently used in the pages of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Photograph by Alison Wright
Young monks don sunglasses before dozens of butter lamps at Swayambhunath Stupa, a Buddhist temple in Kathmandu Valley. The gold-spired stupa is also known as the "Monkey Temple," named for the population of rhesus monkeys that roam its grounds.
Photo Tip: Your subject doesn't always have to be in the center of the frame and looking directly at the camera.
Mongolian Man
Photograph by Charles Meacham, My Shot
A man in western Mongolia wears a fur-trimmed hat as protection from the bitter cold of winter. Sprawled across mountains and plateaus, Mongolia has an average elevation of 5,180 feet (1,580 meters).
Photo Tip: Light coming through cloud cover is diffuse and useful for shooting portraits. So is the light in open shadows.
Featured Photo Tips
Popular in Photography
Special Offers
National Geographic
Subscribe to National Geographic magazine and save. Print and digital editions available for as little as $12.
Nat Geo Photo Workshops
Shop National Geographic
Victorinox Swiss Champ Multitool


text:
Anonymous: Agree. This sucks. I've had mine for a year and it's damage several of my clothes. I try to wash a twin size comforter, pull it out and it's all wet except the middle is still bone dry. Dec 15, 11
Anonymous: These washers are junk! Whirlpool won't stand behind them at all. I have been having a F1 error and have found hundreds of others on the internet and now realizing many friends have had the same problem. Many I have read and some I have talked to say that Whirlpool fixed theirs at no charge, they are wanting to charge me for the same service. I will NEVER buy anything else Whirlpool again Dec 27, 11
Anonymous: I have had mine for a year and every piece of clothing and sheets are twisted in perfect knots every time. whats up with that engineers?? Jan 2, 12
Anonymous: Complaint on Whirlpool Washer and Dryer. We bought a set of Whirlpool Cabrio high efficiency washer and dryer because the sales person said it was a great new technology that was energy efficient, used less water, and did an outstanding wash and dry. WHAT A JOKE!!!!! After one week of using them I can tell you that the washing machine and its design are defective. We have had problems with the water level; large loads promptly get out of balance and of course, the machine stops. At the end of the wash the clothes are all tangled and twisted. They look like you have hand wrung them out-all twisted. So you put them in the dryer anyway, and sure enough they dry twisted and tangled. The washer is noisy, making all kinds of squeaking sounds during the wash cycle. This is a piece of junk!! As to the matching dryer, this also is a poor design. It also makes more noise than any other we have had in the last 50 years, and takes longer per dry too.We bought these units from ABC appliance in Wilmington Delaware. They say they can't help us, it is up to whirlpool to replace our units with something else, but they could send a repair man----RIGHT!! MAYBE IF HE COMES WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER. We don't want these defective machines repaired-no amount of repair can fix a defective design. So ABC's support is nonexistent. We suggest that you don't do business with them since they will not back their products. AS to Whirlpool-they want you to go through customer service and also send a repair man out---RIGHT AGAIN!! They refuse to refund our purchase price or even discuss. Well then, all of us who are dissatisfied need to get together and file a class action suit on whirlpool for defective products. If enough of us get together I'm sure there is a law firm that is interested. Let's get together -email me because "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." In the mean time spread the word not to buy Whirlpool products. Bill and Judy Strine email billsr@mediarealestatecom Jan 4, 12
Anonymous: I have had my washer for about a 18 months. This is by far the worst machine I have ever had. The clothes come out in knots, the machine goes off balance almost every time I use it. A BIG thumbs DOWN. Jan 9, 12
Christina Duncan: I am having similar issues and am ready to file a class action suit. Please contact me to do so 908 507-8575 cduncan@dhthomescom Feb 17, 12
Anonymous: Whirlpool sucks! We have a new washer less than two years old, then it suddenly started showing an error code and not finishing the cycle. We called Whirlpool and they said we could purchase an extended warranty for $300. We called an authorized repairman and he diagnosed it as a valve that caused water to get on the computerized part, a $600 part. We called Whirlpool to purchase the extended warranty and they said we were now ineligible since we had the problem diagnosed! WTF?! Will NOT purchase from Whirlpool again!!! Mar 15, 12
Anonymous: Ensure you are www.esoccerpro.com out with the latest Nike football boots, from the Mercurial, T90, Tiempo or CTR360 range.Nike MERCURIAL Vapor - The Mercurial range offers lightweight products for those who want to be first to the ball.Nike T90 Laser - The Total 90 range is for the all rounder looking for power and precision.Nike CTR360 Maestri - The CTR360 range is for the master who controls the game and drives the team forward.Shop for your football boots from our top brands. We have all the football boots your favourite players wear with the latest adidas adipure, adidas F50 adizero TRX and adidas Predator boot ranges Mar 17, 12
Wp2008: Hi Anonymous, Damian, Disappointed Buyer, and Christina Duncan. I am sorry to learn about the disappointment in your appliances. If you have further concerns I can address, please email your name, the site you were contacted on, your user ID name, your phone number, your address, the full model and serial number, and email the requested information to Whirlpool.Digital@whirlpoolcom. Apr 2, 12
Run an online store?
Use ProductWiki Connect for Merchants to enhance your product page and improve conversions.
ProductWiki Inc. © 2013. All rights reserved. ver: 4.1.6
Powered by Bootic Inc.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
SubscribeFollow Us
Get the free iPhone App!
Don't have an account yet? Create one!
Already have an account? Log In
Login normally by cancelling.
Enter the e-mail address you used to register with the site and we'll send you a new password.
We've noticed that you've made a few contributions, but haven't yet created an account.
Click here to register for an account.
Benefits of registering:
If you would like to continue without an account, just close this box and it won't reappear.


text:
Cool in the morning with lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Warmer during the day with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s.
No email address was supplied by
To complete your registration on this site, please supply an address.
Please confirm or modify the email address to which you will have subscription offers sent.
For a more personalized experience, please supply the following optional information.


text:
Read by TBA
Ken Follett's World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his magnificent new historical epic.
Watch a video
Watch a video
-The Huffington Post
"Follett's latest work is epic in scale, meticulously researched and deftly weaves together historical fact, fictional characters and engrossing storytelling."
-The Associated Press
"Fall of Giants stands with Ken Follett's best… Fall of Giants is classic Follett. It's long – almost 1,000 pages; it's populated with hundreds of characters whose lives are intertwined; it's set on a tumultuous world stage; it's a good read….Everything in this novel is oversized, from the scope of history it covers to the characters he creates. It's a book that will suck you in, consume you for days or weeks, depending upon how quick a reader you are, then let you out the other side both entertained and educated. That's quite the feat."
-USA Today
"A big Book, Follett's hugely ambitious saga is a sweeping success. Ken Follett has hit another one out of the park with the initial installment of the hugely ambitious Century Trilogy. His fans will rejoice at the richness, complexity, historical sweep and simmering lust in a saga spanning the years 1911 to 1923."
-Newark Star Ledger
"A dark novel, motivated by an unsparing view of human nature and a clear-eyed scrutiny of an ideal peace. It is not the least of Follett's feats that the reader finishes this near 1000-page book intrigued and wanting more."
-Chicago Sun-Times
"Follett's greatest virtue as a novelist that he has been able to bring forward a writing style he perfected in his earlier thrillers….Essentially, he's writing several interrelated books at once, without ever losing the inevitable forward impulse. And while it sounds bizarre to consider a book this huge a 'page-turner,' that's exactly what Fall of Giants is."
-The Seattle Times
Follett is particularly adept at balancing multiple storylines, patiently building a portrait of interconnected lives. And he consistently gets the physical details right… Perhaps the major reasons for the novel's ultimate success are Follett's comprehensive grasp of the historical record and his ability to integrate research into a colorful, engaging narrative."
-The Washington Post
"[Follett] meticulously reconstructs an era and leads us through the follies and occasional heroics of its protagonists real and imaginary. He is masterly in conveyers so much drama and historical information so vividly…Grippingly told, and readable to the end."
-New York Times Book Review
I've enjoyed immersing myself in the Middle Ages, and I know readers have been intrigued too, but it's not the only fascinating period of history. I wanted to give readers a similar experience with an era that their own grandparents and great–grandparents lived through. In a way, Fall of Giants is about understanding ourselves and where we all come from.
Many real historical figures appear in your novel, including President Woodrow Wilson and Winston Churchill. How closely did you follow the historical record in portraying them?
Several real historical characters appear in these pages, and readers sometimes ask how I draw the line between history and fiction. It's a fair question, and here's the answer.
In some cases, for example when Sir Edward Grey addresses the House of Commons, my fictional characters are witnessing an event that really happened. What Sir Edward says in this novel corresponds to the parliamentary record, except that I have shortened his speech, without, I hope, losing anything important.
Sometimes a real person goes to a fictional location, as when Winston Churchill visits Tŷ Gwyn. In that case, I have made sure that it was not unusual for him to visit country houses, and that he could well have done so at around that date.
When real people have conversations with my fictional characters, they are usually saying things they really did say at some point. Lloyd George's explanation to Fitz of why he does not want to deport Lev Kamenev is based on what Lloyd George wrote in a memo quoted in Peter Rowland's biography.
My rule is either the scene did happen, or it might have; either these words were used, or they might have been. And if I find some reason why the scene could not have taken place in real life, or why the words would not really have been said—if, for example, the character was in another country at the time—I leave it out.
As you portray the build–up to the First World War, there is plenty of blame to go around. It wasn't just German aggression, as so many of us in America and Britain learned in our school textbooks. Similarly, your wiser characters criticize the terms of the peace agreement that was forced on the Germans at the end of the war—humiliating and highly punitive terms that are now widely seen as helping to lead to World War II. Do you think some people will accuse you of being too soft on Germany?
I doubt it. Most people know history is more complex than good guys and bad guys. But few of us know why the First World War happened or why the Bolsheviks won the Russian Revolution. I want readers first of all to enjoy the story, but second to feel, when they put the book down, that they now understand things that used to seem incomprehensible.
Back in the early twentieth century, every major country seemed to feel that it should be the one issuing orders, and that the rest of the world should obey. Do you see any dangerous parallels between the behavior of nations then and now?
Then, now, and at every period of history, the lesson is that throwing your weight around isn't always the smart thing to do.
What role did the media in the freer countries like Britain and the United States play in the run–up to the First World War? Is that role substantially different today?
In most countries the hysterical patriotism and wildly inaccurate reporting of the press brought war closer. But, as you can see from what happens in Fall of Giants, media that is irresponsible but free is still better than media controlled and censored by the government.
In traditional histories of the early twentieth century, rarely is there much about the fight for women's suffrage, but you have made it a central concern of your novel. Why?
Of all the massive changes that took place in the twentieth century, the biggest was equality for women. My granddaughters' generation takes for granted a freedom that has reversed thousands of years of human history. This has had a greater effect on our lives than the storming of the Winter Palace.
Do you think it will surprise readers to realize how little freedom and equality women in Europe and America had in the early twentieth century? That an unmarried upper-class Englishwoman was not allowed to be alone with a man, for example, or that she had to ask her father's or brother's permission to get married—or that he expected to read all her mail?
Yes, it will surprise many readers, but more importantly I think they will relish the courage and resourcefulness of women in first getting around these restrictions and then abolishing them.
Politics is an important element in Fall of the Giants, and you're married to a politician who is a member of Parliament for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Did your relationship with your wife influence the view of politics that is presented in your novel? And is there anything of her, or other important women in your life, in your main female characters?
For the last thirteen years my friends have been running Britain, as members of parliament and peers and cabinet ministers. That has certainly given me a strong sense of the way political conflicts are resolved and decisions are made. The fact that Barbara has been part of the British government obviously gave me special insight. I could not have created a character such as Ethel Williams if I had not known Barbara.
With the Russian Revolution, you show how an uprising against the brutal regime of the tsar quickly led to the rise of the totalitarian Soviet dictatorship. But it may surprise readers to learn how much sympathy there was in Europe and the United States for the Bolshevik Revolution during its early days. How was that sympathy evinced?
Most people in Britain and the United States sympathized with the aims of the Russian Revolution at first. Soldiers sent to fight against the Bolsheviks mutinied, and dock workers refused to load ships with rifles destined for the opponents of the Communist regime. When the evidence started to come in that the Bolsheviks were as brutal and oppressive as the tsars, many people took a long time to be convinced.
Did it take the massive catastrophe of the First World War, in which more than ten million men died on all sides and all the major countries of Europe were brought to the brink of bankruptcy, to bring on the Russian Revolution and take down the old aristocratic order everywhere? Is this the "fall of giants" that your title refers to?
The giants that fell were the Austro–Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the German Empire, and the regime of the tsars. Yes, I think a cataclysm of some kind was probably necessary before those obsolete rulers would let go of power.
A television miniseries based on The Pillars of the Earth with a cast headed by Golden Globe winners Ian McShane and Donald Sutherland is set to be broadcast globally around the time that Fall of Giants is published. Were you involved in the making of the series? Are you pleased with what you've seen of it so far?
The series has a great script by John Pielmeier and a dream cast. My only involvement was to play the part of an Anglo–French merchant in one scene! I have now watched the first two hours and I'm thrilled with the result.
The publication of Fall of Giants will be a major international event, with simultaneous publication in at least fifteen countries. Is this the biggest publication event of your career to date?
I certainly hope so. I have never before committed to such an ambitious and wide–ranging project. It is probably the publication event of my life.
What are your writing habits? Do you write daily? Do you work from a detailed outline?
I usually work every day except Sunday, staring around seven o'clock, and writing, with the usual breaks for meals and so on, until five in the afternoon. I spend up to a year planning the book, producing a detailed chapter breakdown that I then follow pretty faithfully. I show my first draft to editors, family and friends, and experts such as historians or police officers, then I do a complete rewrite.
What in broad strokes is going to happen in books two and three of The Century Trilogy? When will they be published?
I'm working on the second book now. It begins in Berlin in 1933, with the rise to power of Adolf Hitler, and ends in 1949 with the exploding of the Soviet nuclear bomb and the beginning of the cold war. The third book will be about the cold war. If I can keep to my timetable, book two will appear in 2012 and book three in 2014. May we all live so long!


text:
Product DescriptionWedgwood Amherst Bond Coffee Saucer - For more than a decade, Amherst has effortlessly blended subtle, classic design with a contemporary twist. This Bond Coffee Saucer is finished in pure white fine bone china, accented by soft grey and black and finished with Amherst`s signature floral motif in shades of blue. Trimmed with lustrous platinum accents, it brings traditional, timeless style straight into the modern era.
- Bone china
- Handwash recommended
- Not microwave safe
- Not oven safe
- Height 1.5 cm
- Width 12 cm
Buy & Collect - FREE (7 days a week)
Order before Midnight for collection in store from 12 noon the NEXT DAY or on a day of your choice
(For Belfast and Dundrum please allow up to 48hrs for delivery.)
Standard - £3.50 (Monday to Friday)
FREE on orders of £50 or more. Delivery within 3 - 5 working days.
Next Day - £6 (Monday to Sunday)
Order before 7pm for delivery the NEXT DAY
(For Belfast and Dundrum please allow 48hrs for delivery.)
Next Evening - £8 (Monday to Sunday 6-10pm)
Selected postcodes only. Order before 6pm for delivery the following evening
Nominated Day - £6 (Monday to Sunday)
Same Day - £6 (Monday to Friday)
Selected postcodes only. Order by 12noon for delivery between 6-9pm.
Ireland - £3.50
FREE on orders of £50 or more*. Delivery within 3 - 5 working days.
Find out more about delivery and charges
We hope you will love your new things but if you don't, you are welcome to return your items free of charge. Here's how to do it:
To a Store
Bring your items and proof of purchase into store within 28 days from the day your parcel arrives, for a full refund via the original payment method.
By Post
Please send your return by post or courier within 28 days from the day your parcel arrives for a full refund via the original payment method.
Paypal Refunds
You will need to return your goods by post, if PayPal was your original payment method and you would like the refund back to your account. If you make your return to a store, we will only able to give you a House of Fraser gift card to the same value. You'll still have 28 days to return.


text:
Featured · Internet/Telecom · Regulation
Procrustes at the FCC
The Federal Communications Commission has a Procrustean problem. The agency would do well to acknowledge it as a means of reforming its regulatory process.
I borrow from FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen's address, "The Procrustean Problem with Prescriptive Regulation," delivered at the Free State Foundation's Sixth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on March 18. If you missed the conference and haven't seen the C-SPAN video of Commissioner Ohlhausen's speech or read it, you should. It ought to be required reading at the FCC.


text:
iTunesFS allows you to mount the "iTunes Music Library.xml" file as a file system, using the excellent MacFUSE (http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/). All playlists are exposed as directories, with their respective entries. Order of tracks within the playlists is maintained by prefixing the tracks with their playlist index.
Required OS: 10.5
Tags: itunes , macfuse , filesystem
4 Opinions
delt23, iTunes FS takes it further by mounting the entire iTunes library as a volume of its own, even containing your playlists. This is much more flexible than the simple drag copies that iTunes itself allows.
Cool app. Only minor quibble is that in iTunes playlists are hierarchical, whereas here they all get lumped together. Except for being an annoyance I suspect it could lead to problems if you have different playlists with the same name (e.g. "Top rated/Björk" and "Latest/Björk" which would all be lumped into the same folder).
Delt23, not from an iPod you can't. Pretty clever anyway.
I went to the homepage and I'm confused? I can drag and drop songs from a playlist to whatever finder folder I want? Why would this be necessary then?