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September 14, 2006
Richmond County Board of Elections director Lynn Bailey says three challenges filed in one year is very unusual.
News 12's Domonique Benn investigates how these challenges are costing and who's paying for them.
The latest challenge came yesterday when a woman by the name of Diane Moss filed a residency challenge against mayor Deke Copenhaver.
This comes on the heels of another mayoral candidate, Ronnie Few, being challenged about where he calls home.
And with the three challenges filed this year, the Board of Elections has had to search for money to process these challenges.
"It isn't something that happens very commonly," Bailey told News 12.
She says the costs of challenges are adding up and she has had to request additional money from city administrator Fred Russell.
"We have gone to the administrator and requested additional funding to pay for these attorneys' fees and other fees associated with conducting these hearings."
Russell has had to dip into the city's emergency funds to help pay for challenges like former commissioner Keith Brown.
Brown resigned his seat and dropped out of the upcoming mayoral race after questions about his residency.
With more challenges filed against mayoral candidates Ronnie Few and incumbent Deke Copenhaver, more money will have to come from the emergency fund.
"We're making efforts to make sure we don't spend any unnecessary, money but there is always things coming up like these challenges that have to be paid for and have to be funded," Russell said.
Once a challenge is filed, a special called meeting determines the validity of the claim. If it is found to be valid, a hearing is set.
Then the actual hearing takes place, like the one in which Keith Brown tried to defend his residency.
The challenge filed against Brown is estimated to cost the city between $6,500 and $9,000.
"It's expensive," Russell said. "A court reporter recording the meetings and stuff."
"The bottom line is, it was not included in the Board of Elections 2006 budget, so this would be additional funding in some form or fashion," Bailey said.
A hearing date is set for the residency challenge for Augusta mayoral candidate Ronnie Few. The hearing will be September 21. Two voters have filed challenges against Few's residency.
Every cost is different depending on how long a hearing takes.
There may or may not be a hearing in regards to Diane Moss' claim that Mayor Copenhaver does not meet the requirements for residency. First, a special called meeting will take place to determine the validity of Moss's claim.
On the challenge against Copenhaver's residency, Moss carbon copied another candidate, Steven Kendrick.
News 12 spoke with Mr. Kendrick, who says he doesn't know Moss, has never met her, and is not involved with this challenge.


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MARIETTA - It didn't take long for the bidding to turn fast and furious - and fun - Friday night at the 31st annual EVE Inc. benefit auction.
The fourth item up for bid in the live auction, a quilt made by Marietta resident Wendy Myers, caught the eye of both Belpre resident Eddy Biehl and Marietta resident Ethan Frank-Collins. The bidding went back and forth to around $300, before Biehl kicked it up to $400.
Both men continued in increments of $50 as the crowd of more than 200 people cheered. Finally, Biehl won by making it an even $1,000.
Article Photos
Photo by Evan Bevins
Auctioneers Charlie, left, Keelan McLeish, center, take bids, while Landon Kern, right, presents a remote-control car during the live auction portion of the 31st annual benefit auction for EVE Inc. Friday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta.
Photo by Evan Bevins
Marietta residents Mike Buell, left, and Jan Mason look at silent auction items during the 31st annual benefit auction for EVE Inc. at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta.
"It was a nice quilt, and somebody needed to get the auction rolling," said Biehl, 57.
And it didn't hurt that it was for a good cause - EVE Inc. is a domestic violence shelter and more, providing counseling, transitional housing and other services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
"They do such a great job for the community 364 days a year with such little notice," Biehl said. "For one night, we can give back."
Fact Box
Award Winners
* Employee of the year - Esther Carpenter, transitional housing program coordinator.
* Friend of EVE - Coldwater Creek.
* Volunteer of the year - Wesley McDowell.
Frank-Collins, 38, said he didn't feel bad about bidding Biehl up or not coming away with the prize.
"We're here for a good cause, so it's always nice to see people get into the competitive spirit," he said. "That's what makes an auction fun."
Myers said she'd only made quilts for family members before and was pleased with how much her donation brought in for the organization.
"We thought it was amazing," she said, sitting with her husband, Todd.
The auction is EVE's biggest fundraiser of the year, usually bringing in about $25,000, said Annelle Edwards, EVE's co-director.
"That we use to match other funds ... federal and state grants," she said.
Friday's auction was a bittersweet occasion for Edwards, since it was her final official act with EVE after a dozen years with the organization. She's leaving to become a professor in Ohio University's social work department.
"It's a mixed bag of feeling sad but feeling confident that it's going to continue" with great support from the community, Edwards said.
Edwards' longtime co-director, Janet Wells, will take on the director's title.
"It's been a really interesting blend of our skills to be co-directors," Edwards said. Now, "she's going to carry the torch for EVE."
After the annual presentation of awards, EVE board member Molly Varner presented Edwards with a wrapped gift on behalf of the board.
"You've done a great job," Varner said. "We'll miss you."
Honored as EVE's volunteer of the year was 16-year-old Warren High School student Wesley McDowell, who organized and, with the help of his troop, completed an estimated $3,000 in landscaping work at the local shelter. Shelter coordinator Shane Wisenburg described McDowell as a "somewhat quiet, thoughtful and never boastful young man."
McDowell said someone suggested EVE to him while he was considering what to do for his Eagle Scout project. Although his parents told him the landscaping work might be too big to take on, McDowell remained determined.
"These people, they do need this," he said.
McDowell said he was surprised to receive the honor.
"At first, I just thought my parents dragged me along to drag me along," he said.
Many of those in attendance Friday were regular participants in the event.
"We really like the cause and anything that helps contribute to it," said Marietta resident Tomeka Robinson, 28, attending with her husband Nicholas Parks, 33. "As well as you get some great stuff."
Lois Lukens, 60, had been away from Marietta for 40 years before returning two years ago. She attended the auction last year and now is hooked.
"I won't miss it," Lukens said. "Because I come with my friends and we have a good time."

subset: commoncrawl


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A blood drive will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Tahoe-Douglas Fire Station.
Each unit of donated blood can save up to three lives, according to a press release.
The drive will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the fire station on Elks Point Road. Reservations are not necessary, but can be made at www.bloodhero.com. To make a reservation, click on "Donate Blood," enter the code tahoefire, click on search, then select a time.


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- Jul 20:
- Comic-Con 2013: Jamie Foxx stands with Trayvon Martin's mom 'forever'
- Oakland: Trayvon Martin verdict spurs students, families to action
- Across US, people rally for 'Justice for Trayvon'
- Jul 17:
- Poole: Trayvon Martin case demands commentary from sports figures
- Criminal charges filed against 3 Oakland protesters in Monday's demonstration
- Jul 16:
- Public Forum: The slaying of Trayvon Martin, its aftermath and how media images impact perception
- Oakland's Youth Radio station suffers vandalism, continues focus on Zimmerman verdict
- George Zimmerman verdict is topic of Cal State East Bay gathering
- Stevie Wonder won't sing in Florida after Zimmerman verdict
- Oakland mops up after third day of protests
- Woman arrested for attacking 73-year-old musician on Hayward stage after song dedicated to Trayvon Martin
- Jul 15:
- Oakland merchants, mayor decry damage from weekend's protests
- Tammerlin Drummond: Zimmerman verdict shows insanity of Florida gun laws
- Chat transcript:: Zimmerman verdict sparks anger, property destruction in Oakland
- Jul 14:
- Acquittal in Trayvon Martin case prompts protests, debate
- Zimmerman acquittal hits Oakland hard
- Contra Costa Times editorial: Perhaps the George Zimmerman verdict can prompt a vital discussion on our criminal justice system
- Oakland: More demonstrations planned as property owners clean up after overnight protest
- George Zimmerman verdict: More protests planned for Sunday
- Jul 13:
- Antioch police chief writes lengthy message on Zimmerman verdict
- No arrests after Saturday night vandalism in downtown Oakland
- George Zimmerman trial timeline: How the case unfolded
- George Zimmerman found not guilty in death of Trayvon Martin
- Zimmerman cleared in shooting of Trayvon Martin
- No arrests after Saturday night vandalism in downtown Oakland
OAKLAND -- A crowd of several hundred people protesting the acquittal of George Zimmerman in Florida briefly shut down traffic on Interstate 880 during a lengthy march Monday evening, blocking numerous streets before a group of more than 100 people scuffled with police shortly after 11 p.m.
At least one person was injured when he was struck on the head with a hammer or a similar object. Witnesses said a protester was injured and writhing in pain at Broadway and 16th Street after apparently being struck in the shoulder by a police projectile.
The late-night skirmishes began after police charged at several vandals who smashed windows at the Men's Warehouse at 15th Street and Broadway.
Police deployed flash-bang grenades; protesters threw fireworks at lines of officers wearing riot gear.
Protesters later marched up Broadway and Telegraph Avenue, where people stood in front of bars and restaurants to protect them from window-smashing vandals.
A waiter was hit with what appeared to be a hammer while protecting the windows at Flora, a restaurant at the corner of Telegraph and 19th Street.
"Protesters with black masks approached the window and tried to bang at it," said bartender Phillip Ricafort. "(The waiter) said, 'Don't do that!' and the guy turned around and smacked him in the face with a hammer" or another metal object.
"It was gruesome," said Ricafort. He said his co-worker was bleeding from the face.
Vandals also targeted Flora's windows over the weekend; several windows were still boarded up.
The man's co-workers were helping him ice his head on a chair in the back of the restaurant as they waited for an ambulance. Police also stopped to check on them before marching on.
The evening began peacefully, though police were soon challenged as protesters shifted directions in an attempt to stay ahead of the officers keeping tabs on them.
Protesters chanted "Trayvon" as they marched through downtown Oakland and then around Lake Merritt. Several protesters wearing masks tagged buildings as they marched. An American flag was burned at the intersection of Lakeshore and El Embarcadero near the eastern tip of Lake Merritt.
The cat-and-mouse game between protesters and police extended to Twitter, where protest sympathizers listening to the police scanner reported police directives for marchers to read.
A mutual aid call from Oakland brought law enforcement officers from at least nine other departments, including the California Highway Patrol, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and police departments in Berkeley, San Leandro, Hayward, Pleasanton, Union City, Fremont and Newark.
Officials said they had arrested nine people, including one juvenile, on misdemeanor and felony charges ranging from assault with a deadly weapon to vandalism.
Of the nine suspects arrested, three were Oakland residents, according to Oakland police Officer Johnna Watson.
The protesters gathered around 6 p.m., rallying in Frank Ogawa Plaza before moving south and walking up onramps to Interstate 880 at Broadway around 7:15 p.m. Police quickly swarmed the onramp, herding protesters off the roadway and arresting at least one person before reopening all lanes around 7:30 p.m.
Several demonstrators linked arms in front of motorists, while others chanted "If LA can do it, we can do it too." One officer shouted at them, "You've got to go. You will go to jail."
The protest then moved through Chinatown, heading around the lake's west shore. Protesters were headed off by police as they attempted to walk onto Interstate 580 at Lakeshore Avenue shortly before 9 p.m.
About 250 demonstrators were still on the march around 10 p.m. when the group encountered police outside the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse. The group headed back toward downtown, where lines of riot gear-clad police attempted to cut them off as officials read dispersal orders over loudspeakers.
Protests also were reported in Los Angeles on Monday as the nation continued to deal with the acquittal of Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American teenager who was returning home from a trip to the grocery store.
The case prompted a national debate over racial profiling and the Saturday's verdict by a Sanford, Fla. jury prompted mostly peaceful weekend protests in San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In Oakland, however -- a city that has become accustomed to raucous demonstrations since Oscar Grant was shot and killed by a BART police officer four years ago -- nightfall led to rowdy, chaotic protests that, in a few instances, turned violent.
A loosely organized protest of about 150 people late Saturday night resulted in widespread vandalism, and a few protesters beat one man in a Broadway doorway near Frank H. Ogawa Plaza until other protesters ended the skirmish. The man was helped to his feet and did not appear seriously injured.
The group shattered numerous storefront windows, spray-painted buildings and a police car, and started several small fires in the streets. No arrests were reported.
Sunday's demonstration began peacefully with a two-hour afternoon march from downtown to West Oakland and back, ending with protesters sitting in the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway.
Hours later, a small group of protesters started heading north on Telegraph Avenue and quickly turned violent, attacking a KTVU photographer and a Bay Area News Group photographer who suffered minor injuries when he was kicked on the ground and his camera was ripped from his shoulder. Police made only one arrest, of someone who refused to disperse and did not have identification.
Businesses along Telegraph Avenue and Broadway took the brunt of the damage from the weekend protests, with 61 windows broken or shattered at 14 buildings, according to police.
Staff writer David DeBolt contributed to this story.


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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo (KKCO) It looks like this couple hit a grand slam!
Grand Junction High School baseball coach Donnie Alexander and Barbara Traylor Smith said their "I do's" Saturday night on the field in front of family, friends and fans.
Their relationship all started with America's favorite pastime.
"Donnie and I first met at JUCO," said Barbara.
Now, the local couple is hitting a home run for holy matrimony.
"I was coaching at Central Arizona College, and we actually won our district and came out here for JUCO. Barbara is in Rotary, and she's the host for the Western District," said Donnie.
As time went by, things got a little more serious. The couple set sail on a cruise to the Dominican Republic. Even co-workers saw how happy they were, they say.
"The owner of the company had asked me when I was going to marry Barbara and make her an honest woman," said Alexander.
Fast forward two years, when the couple planned another trip to the Dominican Republic.
"I said, Steve, remember two years ago on that cruise? You said, 'When am I going to marry Barbara and make an honest woman out of her.' I said, 'I think I'm going to take this opportunity tonight,' recalled Donnie.
He dropped to one knee and proposed.
Needless to say, Barbara was surprised.
"He totally got me. It was a total surprise and it turned out to be a fabulous evening," she said.
Then came the wedding planning and questions like who to invite, what to eat, and where to hold the ceremony.
That's when Donnie had an epiphany: why not at Suplizio?
"So I just threw it out there as a joke, and she kind of ho-humed about it in the beginning," said Donnie.
When Barbara started doing research on ceremonies being held at big league stadiums, she was sold.
"We just wanted everybody to have a good time, and we thought what better place than the baseball park," said Barbara.
"So we just thought lets have some fun with it and make it classy, but also bring the baseball theme into it, because that's how we met. Without the game of baseball, we would have not met each other," said Donnie.
There is one detail that makes this wedding that much more special.
"It's the first wedding at Suplizio ever," said Donnie.
Friends agree that the idea was more than just a base hit, and now this couple can make their way into the hall of fame.
"I love her very much. I can't wait to start this journey," said Donnie. "Its wonderful to be able to marry your best friend and I just couldn't have asked for anything more."
The couple held the reception in the VIP suites at the stadium where they were joined by all of their close friends and family. The bride says the newlyweds are having a honeymoon month. They are attending the Porks and Hops Challenge next weekend, Wine Fest, and an air show.
Then they'll finish it all up with a trip to Las Vegas.


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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If you had to pick the unhappiest member of the A's in the wake of Monday night's 3-2 loss to the sizzling Kansas City Royals, it would have been a tough call among Sonny Gray, Josh Reddick and Derek Norris.
But Gray probably took ugly-face honors. Disgust was palpable in his words and demeanor as he reflected on giving up the go-ahead single with two outs in the seventh inning -- on an 0-2 count, no less -- to the Royals' No. 9 hitter, Alcides Escobar.
"It's probably the best I've felt all year," said Gray (12-6), who took his second tough loss to the Royals in 11 days. "It's a hard one to swallow. Right pitch, wrong spot. It didn't matter if I would have located it, but I didn't, and he put a good swing on it."
Gray had thrown two curveballs in a row to Escobar and had him set up for a third, which was supposed to be in the dirt.
"He's just trying to bounce it to get the guy to chase and didn't get it all the way to the ground," said manager Bob Melvin.
And there you go. As the Giants learned so rudely over the weekend, there is very little margin for error at the moment against these Royals, who have won eight straight games, 16 of 19, and took over first place in the American League Central with their victory over the A's. Oh yeah, and just before the game, they traded for A's tormentor Josh Willingham, who homered against Oakland while with the Twins on Sunday.
Mistakes that might not have been so costly against another team came up big in the final analysis. In the first inning, Reddick weirdly flubbed a throw that allowed K.C. leadoff man Jarrod Dyson to advance to third, and Dyson subsequently scored on a double-play grounder.
"It's not a good feeling, it's pretty embarrassing, especially since it cost us a run," said Reddick. "When you lose by one run, it doesn't make you feel any better, especially the way our offense has been going. Defensive mistakes are pretty big right now, and for me, it's just something that never happens. It just takes that much more of a toll on you."
As for Norris, he had a chance to take both Gray and Reddick off the hook in the ninth after Josh Donaldson singled and Brandon Moss walked to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Melvin said he eschewed the sacrifice bunt with his big hitters coming up and the tying run already on second.
But then came the worst possible development -- Norris, who was hitting a remarkable .514 with runners in scoring position and less than two out (18 for 35) this year -- hit a one-hop double-play grounder to third, and closer Greg Holland then retired Stephen Vogt on a fly to center for the final out.
"He threw a two-seamer that looked good for 59 feet," Norris said. "It just took off inside and jammed me, double play. I pride myself on situational hitting. I feel I've done a damn good job of it, and to get an opportunity like that -- first and second, no outs -- a lot of people would bunt. But the skipper showed positive thoughts toward me and wanted me to hit, and I couldn't cash in. I've got to be better."
Perhaps the A's were being a bit too hard on themselves. After all, they did manage just three hits against four hard-throwing Kansas City pitchers who combined to strike out 10. Are these Royals for real? Melvin is at least convinced by the flamethrowers coming out of the bullpen -- Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Holland -- all of whom bring the heat in the 97-98 mph neighborhood. Herrera popped a handful of pitches at 100 mph.
"Those three guys are about as good as you get," Melvin said. "They don't worry about righty-lefty, they all get both out, and when they get to the seventh inning with the lead, they feel pretty good about it."
And even though he had control issues on this night, rookie starter Yordano Ventura was right there in the 97-98 Club as well. It offered the powerful notion that for all the talk about the Detroit Tigers, this is the team Oakland could have to deal with in the playoffs.
"That's a pretty good team, and their pitching definitely does help quite a bit," said John Jaso, who scored one of the A's two runs in the third. Jaso singled in front of Moss' two-out, two-run single that tied the score at 2-2. It was a good development for Moss, who had just one RBI since July 25 spanning 53 at-bats. But it was the only run-scoring hit the A's would get.


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As many of you noticed the forum crashed for an extended period this week. Our database is no longer big enough to handle the site and at some point in the very near future we are going to migrate to a bigger database.
At the same time we will be doing a major site upgrade and going to a newer format Forum.
We will keep you posted as to when this will happen, we will probably be taking the site offline for a couple days when we do decide to do this.
The Management


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Growing old gracefully in the world of the young
March 10, 2012
Four years ago, I penned this article. It is one I feel strongly about, especially since I am now four years older than that time in my life....
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Credit: White House photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama marked the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision--the Supreme Court decision guaranteeing abortion as part of a woman's right to privacy--with a statement calling on the nation to "recommit" to the principle "that every woman should be able to make her own choices about her body and her health," The Hill reported Jan. 22. "We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to protecting a woman's access to safe, affordable health care and her constitutional right to privacy, including the right to reproductive freedom," Obama said.
More News to Cheer This Week:
The Moroccan Parliament voted unanimously to amend a law that allows a man convicted of statutory rape to escape punishment if he marries his under-age victim, the New York Times reported Jan. 23. Without the marriage, the law, known as Article 475, mandates only a few years of prison and a small fine. With the vote, the terms of punishment remain, but the exoneration clause has been deleted.
Two Twitter trolls who abused a high-profile feminist who campaigned for women to be used on banknotes in the United Kingdom have been jailed, The Daily Mail reported Jan. 24. Isabella Sorley, 23, and John Nimmo, 25, both told campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez they wanted her to die in a series of vile messages. Sorley was given 12 weeks behind bars while co-defendant Nimmo was given eight weeks in prison.
President Obama launched an initiative that includes the creation of a task force to combat sexual assault, particularly on college campuses, the Associated Press reported Jan. 22. A new White House report found that 1-in-5 women have been sexually assaulted at college but that only 12 percent of student victims report the assault.
French lawmakers approved a controversial abortion bill that scraps a requirement for women to prove they are in distress to legally terminate a pregnancy, Agence France-Presse reported Jan. 22. The measure is a part of a broader legislative package on gender equality. Read more in the Women's eNews story "France Confirms Abortion Right as Spain Pulls Back."
A federal appeals court reinstated a portion of a 2011 New York City law that regulates crisis pregnancy centers, known as CPCs, the Feminist Newswire reported Jan. 22. The CPCs operating in New York City must now disclose whether or not a licensed medical professional works on-site at the facility. The disclosure must be posted in English and Spanish at their entrances and in their waiting rooms.
An Alabama women's prison is a "toxic" house of horrors in which "repeated and open sexual behavior" is the norm, federal investigators said, the NY Daily News reported Jan. 22. A Department of Justice investigation found that for two decades prisoners at Tutwiler Prison for Women have been subjected to all manner of humiliation.
The lengthy list of indignities includes officers forcing women into sexual acts in exchange for basic sanitary supplies, male guards openly watching women shower and use the bathroom, a staff-organized strip show and a constant barrage of sexually offensive language, according to investigators.
At least a third of the 99 employees at the prison with a population of nearly 900 have had sex with prisoners, according to the department.
More News to Jeer This Week:
Fifty-five percent of female soldiers in the German military say they have encountered some kind of sexual abuse at least once while in the armed forces, an internal study found, Agence France-Presse reported Jan. 24. The report prompted Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen to call for new measures to address problems faced by women in uniform.
Former Republican Arkansas governor and Fox News commentator Mike Huckabee asserted Jan. 22 that Democrats are telling women "they cannot control their libido" by offering no-copay contraception through the Affordable Care Act, Think Progress reported. Huckabee also likened Obamacare's expanded contraception coverage to a sugar daddy.
Tens of thousands of abortion opponents braved temperatures to dance, sing, pray and march up Capitol Hill for the 41st annual March for Life, The Washington Post reported Jan. 22.The 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade was also marked by a tweet sent out by Pope Francis supporting the anti-abortion marchers, the Associated Press reported. "I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable," he tweeted.
An extensive world report by Human Rights Watch found that the Afghan government under President Hamid Karzai had made a series of decisions in 2013 that undermined human rights, particularly those of women and girls, Al Jazeera reported Jan. 22.
A faction of conservatives planned on introducing a resolution at this week's meeting of the Republican National Committee urging GOP candidates to speak up about abortion and respond forcefully against Democratic efforts to paint them as anti-woman extremists, CNN reported Jan. 21.
Women represented only 15 percent of the attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this year, Quartz reported Jan. 21. Last year, 17 percent of participants at the invitation-only event were women.
Three out of four educated women in Iran are unemployed and have become housewives, the latest employment figures have revealed, according to a press release published by the National Council of Resistance of Iran on Jan. 20.
South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., is conducting an internal review after two women died from complications during childbirth in one month, the Associated Press reported Jan. 20. Hospital spokesperson Sarah Darcy said the two deaths, on Jan. 15 and Dec. 14 last year, appear to be unpredictable and unpreventable.
A global coalition of women's groups demonstrated outside of the U.N. Syria peace talks on Jan. 22. to call for an immediate ceasefire in Syria and for women to have better representation at the peace talks, CODEPINK announced in a press release Jan. 21. The coalition, known as Women Lead to Peace, called for a ceasefire in Syria, more humanitarian aid and the active participation of Syrian women in the peace talks.
The European Medicines Agency started a review of emergency contraceptives to see if they work less well in heavier women, the Associated Press reported Jan. 24. In November, French drug maker HRA Pharma announced its morning-after pill Norlevo was less effective in women weighing more than 75 kilograms (165 pounds) and that it didn't work for women weighing more than 80 kilograms (176 pounds).
The largest liberal "super PAC" in the country has begun raising money to elect Hillary Rodham Clinton as president, the New York Times reported Jan. 23. Clinton has not announced yet if she will be running or not for the presidential election in 2016.
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- Clothes & Accessories (4)
- Creative Recycling (1)
- Decorating (10)
- Dress Up (1)
- Games & Toys (5)
- Music (1)
- Nature Crafts (1)
- Puppets & Paper Dolls (5)
- Seasonal (22)
For a Valentine that keeps on giving, create a CD case and slip in copies of favorite songs, pictures and videos as a treat.
Watch Ni Hao, Kai-lan only on Nick Jr.
Print the Tolee Valentine CD Case Template. Cut out the heart shape and trace it once onto the red glitter felt and once onto the black felt. Cut out both felt hearts.
Cut out the Tolee decal. With glue stick, apply him to the front of the red heart.
From the black felt cut long narrow strips. Now, cut the strip into several small rectangles. Glue them around the perimeter of the red heart. Let dry.
Apply glue to the back of the red glitter heart along its perimeter, stopping at about two-thirds of the heart's height. Press the red heart on top of the black one. Let dry.
After creating a CD or DVD, slip it inside the heart. You can put a "To" and "From" sticker on the case if you like, too.
Show your kids how to tell time with this paper plate peek-a-boo clock!
Make a simple decoration that's SUPER cute
Use words--and make a face--to explore feelings together this no-sew pillow
An imaginative stage for your kid's imaginative mind
Say "ni hao" with the el-egg-ant springtime craft from Kai-lan
We'll shed some light on how to put recyclable jars to good use!
Nothing says "Gong Hay Fat Choy" more than these hand-made money envelopes!
Let sweet holiday wishes bloom with these simple, customized cookie boxes.
It's easy to stay warm when Mr. Sun is overhead
Pick, print, tape -- PRESTO! Enchanting lanterns to put on display!
Face those winter winds with a cheery smile from Kai-lan!
Turn your preschooler into Kai-lan's koala pal, Tolee!
Your kids will roar with delight once you transform them into this friendly tiger!
For the cutest costume at a party, come as Tolee!
A creative paper craft that becomes child's play
Take the game outside or inside and toss to your heart's desire
Your kid's kicks are kickin' with these decorative shoelace covers
Cool off with a little help from Kai-lan
A handy case with a friendly face!
It's perfect for your kids' Pop!
Make a super special card for Mom!
Kai-lan and friends are preparing for spring. Watch their garden grow!
Go, tiger! Step it up with a craft from Kai-lan's best friend
All aboard the Kai-lan Express! Next stop, fun and creativity for you and your child.
Let Tolee's favorite friend give you a hand at bathtime.
Jump in the tub with Hoho!
Make sweethearts super happy with this crafty card
Make your little sweetheart "super happy" with a treats-filled heart box!
Turn a "roarrr!" into a "purrr" with this cuddly pillow
Give your heart and your love to someone special this Valentine's Day.
Explore a new way to snack with Dora!
Every explorer will love these festive cupcake decorations!
Libby's lighting the way to a healthy snack!
Send guests home with favors that are sew silly!
Get the cupcakes in on the fun with these whimsical cupcake wrappers and toppers!
These goody bags are sew simple and sew sweet!
Your little Lalas will be sew excited to help create this party item!
Add some Lalas to your lollipops!
Celebrate summertime by crafting this 3D door sign
Kids are going to have sew much fun embroidering eggs!
Add some Easter cheer to your home with these egg wreaths!
Kids are going to have sew much fun with this cute embroidery craft!
Tick, tock, Dora and Boots are inside this clock!
Invite your child's favorite Nick Jr. friends to the kids table with this printable craft
Turn your paper plate into the perfect table topper!
Kids will FALL in love with this seasonal decoration
Greet visitors with a colorful display featuring your child's Nick Jr. friends
Kids can help get ready for the feast by adding color to this printable centerpiece!
This birthday banner makes it simple to deck the walls with the PAW Patrol!
Print, fold, and fill with finger-licking treats!
Create personalized "doggy bags" for PAWesome party guests!
It's a party with your favorite pups!
Top off your PAW Patrol themed party with these print & cut decorations
This goody bag is dressed up for Dad's special day!
Here's a printable purse that's fashionable & makes saving pennies fun!
Fill up Peter's wagon with enough coins to buy radishes!
Dress up cones with cute Nick Jr. characters!
Here's a printable purse that's fashionable & makes saving fun!
Lalaloops-ify your little doll with these printable picture frames!
Make a door sign that will bloom in any room!


text:
A letter writer challenged us to seek out the facts about our nation's Judeo-Christian heritage. I did and some surprising facts did present themselves.
Jeff gave a quote he claimed that came from George Washington that started out as, "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible...". The problem with this is that George never said any of that. Part of the quote even came from A Life of Washington (1836) by James K. Paulding.
Patrick Henry never said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." That came from a 1956 piece in The Virginian that was about Patrick Henry.
The most important fact to glean from our Founding Fathers is that within the two most important documents they were a part of, The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution, Jesus is not mentioned once in either of them.
He also mentioned the Washington Monument and the writings inside of it. What he neglected to mention is that those writings came on stones donated by Masonic Lodges from around the country. The United States Government did not endorse the writings of any of those stones. Did you know that one of the stones inscribed in the monument came from a Muslim leader?
Also did you know that John Adams signed a treaty that stated, "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion?". This was a treaty with the Tripolitanias that were Islamic.
I'm not trying to be hard on him. He is correct that the United States was founded on Christian principles but not at a government level. The average everyday citizen of the United States back then were Christians and lived their lives with that discipline. All the Founding Fathers did was to make it possible that the citizens of our nation can worship freely and to express those beliefs when they vote.
James Kendall
Walker, W.Va.


text: Is your mother-in-law a "Mothering Margaret" who can't seem to let go of her baby boy? Or an "Uncertain Sara" who is unclear about her new role as a mom to an adult child? Dr. Deanna Brann, a Tennessee clinical psychotherapist and author of "Reluctantly Related: Secrets to Getting Along With Your Mother-in-Law or Daughter-in-Law," developed these questions to see which category your in-law falls into.


text: Jack Cole was one of the most innovative cartoonists in the history of comics. In addition to creating Plastic Man, he gave a distinctive look to superhero, crime, and horror series for Harry A. Chesler, Busy Arnold, MLJ, and other Golden Age publishers. He eventually left comics in the early 1950s to draw "Females by Cole" for Playboy, and a syndicated comic strip, Betsy and Me. Inducted 1999


text:
SAN FRANCISCO -- After going more than seven years without beating Tim Hudson, the Giants made up for lost time Friday night. They tormented Hudson with hard hits and soft ones, with screaming liners and lucky bounces, and rolled to an 8-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves behind Matt Cain at AT&T Park.
How long had it been since the Giants toppled Hudson? The last time they did it, San Francisco batters included Lance Niekro, Pedro Feliz, and Todd Greene.
So, yeah, it'd been a while.
"Everybody knows what a great pitcher he his,'' said Marco Scutaro, who went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. "For us to have a big inning against him was big for Matt and this team."
In nine starts against the Giants since that April 8, 2006, victory, Hudson was 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA.
But then came Friday night's six-run fourth inning.
The Giants broke through with five consecutive hits, as Scutaro (single) was followed by Pablo Sandoval (single) and Buster Posey (RBI double) and Hunter Pence (RBI single) and Brandon Belt (RBI double).
Not all of those five consecutive hits were blistered: Pence's infield single was a tapper toward third, and Belt's double was a high-chopper that barely made it over 6-foot-5 first baseman Freddie Freeman.
But after all those years of frustration against Hudson, the Giants weren't about to throw those hits back. They're not accustomed to routs, against Hudson or any other pitcher, so the six-run rally was a welcome oasis.
"I'll say," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We don't get a lot of those games."
Cain chipped in at the plate, too, to keep the rally going. The Braves walked Brandon Crawford intentionally to load the bases and take their chances with a hitter who was just 0 for 11 with five strikeouts this season. Cain promptly slapped an RBI single through the right side to make it 4-0.
"I was just trying to make contact, and I wound up swinging at a really bad pitch," he said.
Scutaro capped the long rally with a two-run single, his second hit of the inning. Having recovered from a back problem that undermined his performance for most of April, Scutaro is now batting .487 (19 for 39) with nine runs during his 10-game streak.
"He's feeling better. I think we're all seeing that," Cain said. "He's got a lot of confidence."
Scutaro's hit finished Hudson, who gave up six earned runs over 32/3 innings.
Cain, in contrast, continued to snap back into his more familiar form. The three-time All-Star was 0-2 with a 6.49 ERA in April. But he's 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA over his first two starts of May.
Cain's only real stumble came in the top of the fifth, when he walked Dan Uggla and allowed Brian McCann's two-run home run into McCovey Cove. "I'm not happy with giving them two runs right off the bat," Cain said. "But you just keep fighting."
It marked the second time McCann hit Cain hard. In the second, the Braves catcher lined a comebacker off the pitcher's right hip. But Cain recovered, chased the ball toward the first-base line and threw out McCann at first. The health scare was brief: Cain said later it was only a "good bruise."
Cain stayed in the game to finish eight strong innings (114 pitches), sparing an overworked and short-handed bullpen.
"It's big, what Matt did for us tonight," Bochy said. "We needed a lot of length from our starter, and we would have really been scrambling (had he come out)."
What's more, Bochy thinks the right-hander is on the verge of turning things around, so long as Vogelsong dials back the intensity. "He needs to back off. He's pressing," Bochy said. "He's grinding too hard on every pitch."


text:
All you need is pasta and glue, and your dino designer can "cook up" this terrifying Triceratops!
Find the dino detective only on Nick Jr.
Print out the Dinosaur Triceratops Skeleton on regular white paper. Mom and Dad, you can help cut out the dinosaur along the dark outlines. Neatness doesn't count!
Paste the dinosaur to the construction paper. Press down and smooth out any uneven surfaces.
Little archeologists may want to color in the shapes of the same size with the same color crayon or pencil to help guide them when gluing. (This step is not essential, but it might help your dino lover to apply the same size pasta to the areas that feature the same color.)
After your child has colored in her dino, let her start applying the craft glue to one area at a time and placing the pasta on top. Try macaroni or penne for the thicker bones, but whatever pasta you have in the kitchen will work well. Press down firmly but gently on the pasta. It should dry in just a couple of minutes. Do one section at a time, to avoid getting too much glue on little hands.
Your dinosaur expert can experiment with pasta to her heart's content. This is free art, so anything goes. When she's done, add a title to the skeleton by cutting out the Triceratops label and pasting it on. Then, have the artist sign her masterpiece!
Get fancy. Add some pasta decorations and adornments to your dino digger's bone collage. We made a few trees, but kids' creative minds can conjure up a whole host of special backgrounds and flourishes. Post in a prominent place so everyone can admire this "pasta-saurus" created by your own kid.
Here's a cool craft kids can display in their bedrooms
Looking for Franklin gear? Cool beans! We've got the perfect iron-on decal
Picture this... your child's potrait "painted" by Frankin's Aunt T!
Your little one will be ready to go, after potty training play with Blue and Joe
Turn printables and pipe cleaners into a hanging craft with your dino fan!
Got a dino fan at YOUR house? Decorate kids' rooms with these Triassic triangles!
Kids will eat up the idea of dinosaur eggs resting in this sweet nest
Put those dinos in their place! It's a dino-packed scrapbook journal just for kids
Dinosaurs are on the prowl! Now your kid can can scope them out just like Dino Dan
Add a dash of dinosaurs to your family photos
Just a few scissor snips, and you've made these colorful dinosaur toppers in a snap!
Deck out your Dino Dan fan with these awesome dinosaur designs--so easy even a dinosaur could make them
Let's make some BIG music with Jack's colorful Easter egg
Curtain up on the most musical clubhouse around!
A concert T-shirt for your little fan!
All hands and tentacles on board to make this under-the-ocean outfit
Hot dog! It's Blue at the door for Halloween
Add a touch of Blue to your home decor
These are a few of MY favorite things!
Let the sun shine on Blue and you!
Pop up with sweet Mother's Day wishes from Blue and Joe!
Mom's got a clue that you love her.
Blue will be your child's constant companion all through the night
Learn to tell time with Tickety Tock
This sock was made for talkin'
Peek-a-Boo! It's Blue!
Paint your little pups Blue this Halloween
Save pennies (and that tissue box!) with Blue
Smiles from ear-to-ear
Explore a new way to snack with Dora!
Every explorer will love these festive cupcake decorations!
Libby's lighting the way to a healthy snack!
Send guests home with favors that are sew silly!
Get the cupcakes in on the fun with these whimsical cupcake wrappers and toppers!
These goody bags are sew simple and sew sweet!
Your little Lalas will be sew excited to help create this party item!
Add some Lalas to your lollipops!
Celebrate summertime by crafting this 3D door sign
Kids are going to have sew much fun embroidering eggs!
Add some Easter cheer to your home with these egg wreaths!
Kids are going to have sew much fun with this cute embroidery craft!
Tick, tock, Dora and Boots are inside this clock!
Invite your child's favorite Nick Jr. friends to the kids table with this printable craft
Turn your paper plate into the perfect table topper!
Kids will FALL in love with this seasonal decoration
Greet visitors with a colorful display featuring your child's Nick Jr. friends
Kids can help get ready for the feast by adding color to this printable centerpiece!
This birthday banner makes it simple to deck the walls with the PAW Patrol!
Print, fold, and fill with finger-licking treats!
Create personalized "doggy bags" for PAWesome party guests!
It's a party with your favorite pups!
Top off your PAW Patrol themed party with these print & cut decorations
This goody bag is dressed up for Dad's special day!
Here's a printable purse that's fashionable & makes saving pennies fun!
Fill up Peter's wagon with enough coins to buy radishes!
Dress up cones with cute Nick Jr. characters!
Here's a printable purse that's fashionable & makes saving fun!
Lalaloops-ify your little doll with these printable picture frames!
Make a door sign that will bloom in any room!


text:
The City Council passed two budget items on Friday to further study pedestrian, bicycle and transit mobility through the Montlake corridor. These studies will help the City determine the best options for integrating local transportation with WSDOT's plans for replacing SR-520.
The funding includes $160,000 for a transit reliability study to identify causes of delay and propose solutions along a 2.5 mile corridor — from 23rd & John on Capitol Hill to 15th & Pacific in the U-District. An additional $60,000 will go towards a pedestrian and bicycle feasibility study, looking at options to improve access over the Montlake Cut. Included are two counters to track walkers and bikers across the Montlake Bridge.
Transportation consultants Nelson/Nygaard will conduct the studies, following up their September report on triggers for a second Montlake Bridge that lead Council to delay construction plans for the foreseeable future. The report concluded that the Montlake Bridge is not the primary source of congestion in the corridor because it only carries around two-thirds of its theoretical limit (3500 vehicles per hour). Instead, congestion is caused by the many red lights, merge lanes, left turn lanes, bus stops, pedestrian crosswalks and so on, that lead to the bridge.
The September report also gave failing grades to the Montlake corridor for pedestrian and bicycle access — although not without an important caveat: there simply isn't enough data for reliable results. Thus, the new bike/ped counters will finally give planners the information they need to make evidence based decisions. Like the Fremont Bridge, Montlake will be wired to count bikes (likely with different equipment), setting up a foot race to be Seattle's top bicycling bascule bridge.
What to do then once the numbers are in? Nelson/Nygaard will specifically look at options to expand bike/ped capacity over the Montlake Cut — by retrofitting wider sidewalks onto the existing bridge, or by adding a second pedestrian and bicycle bridge next to the existing, or by building a fixed span across the east end of the Cut. Hard data will certainly help quell the inevitable controversies with all three of these options. The feasibility study is due in July 2013.
As a side note, here are results for this year's annual volunteer count of pedestrian and bicycle crossings of the Montlake Bridge:
7-9am: 358 peds + 281 bikes = 639 total
4-6pm: 481 peds + 402 bikes = 883 total
Of the cyclists, 22 were without helmets.


text:
Hello everyone!!
I'm training for a Triathlon for June or July of 2006. I am a plus size athlete still losing weight. I am 40 pounds lighter on my way to my 100 pound weight loss goal. I decided to do a Triathlon now instead of waiting until I lose the weight.
I start private swim lessons today with a guy who does and trains people for Triathlons. I started weight training last week. Have been taking spinning classes now for 5 months and can do the 90 minute class without dying now. I'm scared about the run the most. I will be doing a 5K this month and next and spend time on the treadmill at the gym.
My question is have any of you done this as an overweight person? Where can I find plus size triathon gear? Is Eric Harr's Triathlon training book a good one to read and train with? I don't have a lot of money, can I do this without a lot of personal training? Is this realistic or should I wait until I lose more weight? Any advice would be appreciated.
I'm gonna Tri,
"I only have good and great days." -Lance Armstrong
Congratulations on your incredible progress! I have a booklet called Lean for a Lifetime: An Athlete's Guide to Losing the Last Ten Pounds which I will be happy to send to anyone who emails me at email@example.com My wife and I have lost a combined 160 pounds using these methods, which work with your body instead of fighting it. The key is eating in a way that fuels your muscles for workouts, but doesn't fuel your fat cells.
You might check out my book the Triathlete's Guide to Run Training or my video about running technique, Evolution Running: Run Faster with Fewer Injuries. Both are available at www.Fitness-Concepts.com
The best advice I can give you is be patient and enjoy it! Enjoy the training process and being fit, but let weight loss be a fortunate byproduct, not the focus. It will continue to be a slow process, so don't be in a hurry.
Good luck and be proud of yourself!
Congrats! You've got the right idea: don't wait until you're a stringbean to race, race to become fitter. Anyways, I've found that it is easier to find XL, XXL tri gear than it is to find something to fit me (5'10 140lbs). Don't fear the run, walk if you must. As for personal training, I'm self-coached and trained. I regularly finish in the top 5%, almost always place in my age group, and sometimes win it. Knowledge is key, and if you don't have a lot of money (I'm poor too) a $20-$30 book and a library card is all you need to learn about the science of training. I recommend "The Triathlete's Training Bible" by Joe Friel and "Triathlon Training" by Michael Finch. Active's boards are a good resource as well. For your first tri, focus on finishing and comfort. Don't worry about lightning fast transitions, being at the very front of the swim start, and taking corners fast. That stuff comes later. Have a blast, talk to people, you'll definitely make some friends.
Have your cake and eat it too, metaphorically speaking that is of course. Lose weight and do the race.
My wife started off walking, then jogging to the corner, then farther. A few years later she is doing sub 4 hour marathons.
Don't get hung up on the gear. Whatever you buy now will not really fit you in a few months anyway.
Not that you asked but for myself I went psycho and really toned up. I only work out 1-2 per week BUT I do not eat ANY sugar. I cut it all out. I won't eat a cookie, Halloween candy, Thanksgiving pie. Nada. My kids make me a cookie that says love you on it; I won't eat it either. At little kids birthday parties, I wont eat their cake. In the last year I have had 3 M&Ms (I was damn hungry), and 1 bite of cheesecake (a girl begged me to eat it. I'm weak).
Sign up for a 5k or someting. Just start building.
BTY, dont get too bummed out when swimming seems hard. I swam in HS and had a really hard time after not being in a pool for 10 years. Put in the yards.
Thanks so much for the great advice. I found a place I can get some workout clothes. It's a website and catalog called www.junonia.com I know the clothes won't fit in a few months, but I need something to wear now. I'm tired of the xxl t-shirts and stretch pants. I feel cuter, so want to look cuter while working out. I've come along way to be able to say that.
I will be doing my first 5K in a long time on October 30th. I'm very excited about that and will try and do another in December. It gets harder to find them as it gets colder here in the Midwest.
I got my new bike on October 14, the day after my 32nd birthday. I rode 10 miles my first day, 10 miles this past Monday and 10 on Tuesday. I had to take a break on Wednesday cause I was not feeling well and today it was a little cold so I went to spinning class. I absolutely love my new bike.
Anyway, that's the update on how I am doing. I messed up a little in the eating area this week, but am back on track. Before I would have let that get me down, but I just picked myself up and am back to it.
Thanks again for all the good input and advice. Keep it coming.
I'm gonna Tri or die tri-ing!!!
Your Tri Newbie,
"I now only have good days and great days." -Lance Armstrong
There is a great book called "Slow Fat Triathlete". Can't remember the author's name but...her first name is Jayne. It is quite hysterical and it talks about her journey into the triathlon sport being a "big girl."
Anyway...good for you and good luck!!
What kind of bike did you get??
I have just lost alomost 50 pounds on my way to over 100 and have my first 5k coming up too. It is so much fun getting into shape and not feeling fat and tired all the time. My ultimate goal is also to do a triathlon in 2006. Keep up the good work!!!
www.aerotechdesigns.com has some big sizes for bike shorts and tops
This summer I did my first sprint triathlon. I have lost over 100 pounds and have been running for almost two years. I borrowed a bike from my daughter, and mixed and matched what I needed for clothes. The only things that I did buy was a water bottle for the bike and a helmet. I didn't want to invest money until I knew if I would like the sport. Now I am excited about next year and doing some better training. Just go with what you have. There will be people there with better and worst stuff then you have and there really is no uniform for the sport. It is fun if you can find someone to race with so you have some one to help you set up and share the experience with. Also if you have a chance check out the course before hand it sure helped me to know where to go and what the course looked like. Good luck you can do it cause I did.
Hey...the author of the book "Slow Fat Triathlete" is Jayne Williams. It is super easy reading and quite comedic!!
Congrats to all who have lost the weight you have!! It took me 2 1/2 yrs to lose 27 pounds!! My only goal is to NOT be a couch potato.
Some of you asked what kind of bike I got.
I wanted a bike that I could take on the trails and on the road, so I got a hybrid. It is a Trek 7500 FX. It is the closest thing to a road bike without being a road bike. It has thinner tires than a normal hybrid and it is stripped of all the shock absorbers etc, so it is lighter. Here is the link if anyone wants to check out my bike. I love it.
Things are going well this week. I did a 5k on the treadmill on wednesday night and did OK. It was under an hour. My first 5k was in over an hour. Sunday I'm hoping to get under 50 minutes. I'll let you know how it goes.
I read the book BIG FAT TRIATHLETE. It is a very good read and I also read WHEN BIG BOYS TRI. Another good read for motivation and encouragement.
Take care,
Another good book I forgot to list is YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THIN TO WIN. That is what really got me motivated back in 2000 to do my first 3 5K's.
Congrats on your success and pursuing your goal. The September and November issues of Bicycling magazine had some articles about larger cyclists and how they are using cycling to improve their health. As for gear (clothing) they mentioned AeroTech, Perfomance, and Mt. Borah. They should have web sites. You said you live in the Midwest, there is a sprint distance triathlon in central Iowa in early July, the Cornman. They also have an Athena division. I checked out your bike, good choice to get started, decent trail bike. Might be geared a little too low for racing with a 48 tooth big chain ring. Road bikes have a 52, 53, or even a 54 tooth for the upper ring. Keep riding while the weather holds (it's in the 70's today) and start saving up for the road bike you will want to get after you do a couple of these.
Hi, thanks for your comments. I'll check out the Iowa race. Thanks for letting me know. Also, thanks for the input about my bike. I have young kids and lots of trails and not sure I'll stick with the Triathlon thing. Those are the reasons I went Hybrid. If I think I'm going to stick with it then I'm definetely going to get a road bike. What kind do you think is good and not TOO expensive.
Thanks again,
Keep your eyes and ears open for someone who would be willing to sell an extra bike that they may have. Cyclists can be known to purchase new equipment often, so they might have a gently used bike. I got a one year old KHS road bike for $300. It was $800 new and is in great condition. Good luck.
Welcome to the club! You will find 98% of triathletes will embrace you and not only help you but cheer you on. I call myself a Super Clydesdale @ 6'3 and 350lbs I am usually the biggest out racing. I have done about 8 races including 2004 Escape From Alcatraz (for race overview and pics go to www.betacode.com ) This year I go for ironman Flordia. All I want is under 17 hours and a tattoo(When I complete the goal Triathlon is a great sport with great people (spectators, volunteers, and racers.) You are going to feel great when you complete your first race.
Best of luck and let us know how it's going,
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:
NEW YORK -- In the N.L. clubhouse before Tuesday night's All-Star game, the Giants' Buster Posey was asked which relievers he would enjoy catching. At first he indicated all of them, then said, "(Aroldis) Chapman should be fun if I catch him."
Posey got his wish when Chapman, the Reds' reliever who has been clocked as high as 105 mph, entered in the seventh.
He opened with a 100 mph fastball that went to the backstop. Chapman later hit 101 twice in striking out the Orioles' Adam Jones.
"It was fun," Posey said after the A.L.'s 3-0 victory. "I've caught guys in the upper 90s but never 101."
"I had chills when they introduced (Yankees' reliever) Mariano Rivera," Romo said. "To be honest, what I'll remember most is meeting Mariano, shaking his hand and telling him how much I respect him.
"He said, 'Thank you, Romo.' This guy's a legend of the game. That someone of that stature knows who I am means a lot to me."
"The whole week is a little draining," Balfour said. "It's high stress. I was a little amped up. I just told myself to get three outs."
He did, retiring the next three batters -- striking out the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen to end the inning.
X-rays were negative, and Cano said it was a bruised quadriceps.
"It's a little tight, I came out of the game because I didn't want to aggravate it," he said.
When asked if he'll play Friday in the opener of a series at Boston, Cano said, "Yeah, hopefully, yeah."
The five-time All-Star was hit by a 96 mph fastball from Harvey. N.L. catcher Yadier Molina of the Cardinals wrapped his arm around Cano, just in case. Cano blew a bubble as he was checked out by the trainers. He then went to first base but, after a strikeout by the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, limped slowly across the infield and heard from Harvey.
"He said 'My bad,' " Cano said. "I said, 'No problem.' He didn't want to hit anybody."
Harvey told FOX after he finished two innings: "I tried to go in. That sometimes happens. My apologies definitely go out to him."
Even in an exhibition, injuries are a risk. Most famously, catcher Ray Fosse's career was interrupted when he was bowled over in a play at the plate by Pete Rose in 1970.
Boston's Dustin Pedroia ran for Cano and remained in the game.
"We're pretty confident we'll have it in place for 2014," MLB Executive Vice President Joe Torre said before the game.
Video review has been in place for umpires on home run calls since August 2008. Commissioner Bud Selig initially wanted to add trap plays and fair-or-foul calls down the lines for 2013, but the change was put off while more radical options were examined.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


text:
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International shipping prices jacked!
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Strange Famous Forum
The General Forum
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 602
Location: Aus.
International shipping prices jacked!
So, economy shipping no loner exists from the US. This happened some time last year. If im not mistaken its across the board too, all overseas shipping has increased dramatically. Bummer. I got a single record from UK shipping for 13 pounds, whereas, if i remember correctly it used to be around 5-6. Got two books yesterday, ones quite a heavy tome (960 or so pages), both are hard cover. Still, 54US$ shipping is way too steep a climb.
Anyone ordered stuff from overseas recently in other countries (not Aus) suffering a weighty increase? Or just found postage prices in general to be hiked up?
Yes, its a first world problem i know. It will no doubt encourage people to buy things through middle men even more. What next, taxed garage sales?
Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:21 pm
Sage Francis
Self Fighteous
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21790
They just keep going up all while cutting back on staff and days of service over here. No improvements are being made anywhere from what I can tell.
I'd like to address this from SFR's standpoint as it's really frustrating for someone who runs a business that relies heavily on direct sales to fans. We do our best to keep everything as cheap as we can due to how the overall cost of things can get high when shipping is included. But it's a lose/lose most of the time because a lot of people attribute the final cost as price gouging on our part (which is ridiculous when we're selling CDs for the same price they were 20 years ago,) but we have to field tons of questions from people in regard to the shipping prices. And at the end of the day, I'm sure most people don't even bother with the emails...they just flat out give up on trying to attain the product.
Something else I've noticed recently with international shipping is how much longer it's taking for packages to reach people. It was especially bad during the holiday period, but it's not just during the holidays anymore. Fuck, I remember instances when a person in Ireland would receive their package from us within the same week it was ordered. Now it's taking about 3 weeks. And again, we end up having to field tons of questions from concerned customers in regard to their package and when/if it will arrive. This is understandable, but it takes away from a lot of the other things we need to be doing.
Oh hey, look that...a rant. haha. I guess it's fresh on my mind. Back to work.
Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:10 pm
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 683
Location: The Netherlands
I am one of the people who have questioned the shipping costs (The Netherlands). Only that I thought SFR was being ripped off by their postal service, not because I thought you guys were making money of it.
I know you guys can't do anything about it, so it is nice to read you are just as frustrated (probably even more, since it is costing you guys you're well deserved business). Just now I pre-ordered Sick to D(eat)h, which was shipped 17th of december and still isn't in.
As always, you guys quickly responded to my inquiries, and I know its on its way. Really nice you take the time to respond that quickly and check statuses and stuff.
It does make me more hesitant to buy, which I really hate. The one thing that does keep making me order is the "extras" you have: the pre-releases, the signed stuff, the SFR-extras for purchase (instrumentals). That might help convince people to still order for you when in doubt.
Anyways, appreciate the great service.
Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:26 am
Mark in Minnesota
Joined: 02 Jan 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Saint Louis Park, MN
It's never been clear to me why online stores like SFR and Fifth Element Online aren't partnering with equivalent Internet retail boutique outfits headquartered Europe, swapping product on a consignment basis, and acting as fulfillers for the partner's product on that continent. There are still issues like VAT to deal with, but there just isn't a lot of value added by having every shipment worldwide originate at the headquarters for the retailer. I mean, other than having random memorabilia from Sage's house end up in your mailer.
(EDIT: I used a forbidden four-letter word in this post and the forum dynamically edited it to "gnarly" for me. I am now using the word 'memorabilia' instead.)
Last edited by Mark in Minnesota on Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:23 pm
Sage Francis
Self Fighteous
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21790
I've looked into it a couple of times. I feel that the overall costs and limitations make it not worth the risk to work with an outside party who sources material from other outside parties. Hell, the costs I was quoted for shirts made it look like people would end up spending almost the same amount of money for their order...and we'd be making less.
We could have certain albums available through a boutique outfit in Europe and maybe a select few shirts, but the pace at which things move here with us carrying various items from a bunch of different artists along with bonus materials (stickers, patches, 7"s, etc), many of which are limited, we've decided it's best just to keep everything in house. We *are* the boutique company and we provide a special service which, by default, offers a personal touch.
Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:04 pm
Mark in Minnesota
Joined: 02 Jan 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Saint Louis Park, MN
Ah. Risk.
Got it.
Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:26 pm
Sage Francis
Self Fighteous
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21790
Yes, risk. And what would look to be like an overall loss of profit. But risk too.
Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:34 pm
p00ny tang
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 6413
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Find a zealous fan in the UK.
Convince them to do it for free out of their basement.
Kinda like a street team; but a house team...
Problem solved.
Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:54 pm
SFR announcement
Joined: 26 Jul 2004
Posts: 997
We couldn't even find someone in our own hometown to do that for money, nevermind having someone in the UK doing it for free. haha. It's all good though.
For now we'll stick with the old system. In the meantime, I encourage the entire world to holler at the postal service and tell them to get their gatdang shit together.
Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:08 pm
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 602
Location: Aus.
Today i asked whats with the dramatic increase in international shipping prices at the post office. He didn't really seem to know why, and assumed that its the economy, fuel prices, blah blah, and that OZ followed suit from the US.
Then i remembered reading something last year about how the postal system is dwindling because of email and the internet. No doubt parcel deliveries have increased a lot though, so as that's now becoming the main means for revenue, they've decided to milk it. To compensate for losses. Something like that.
Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:58 am
Mikal kHill
Joined: 29 Jun 2002
Posts: 6849
Location: http://mikalkhill.com
I fucking hate it and it definitely means people just buy the digital stuff and don't order shirts or physical cds as much as they would. The USPS sucks on a multitude of levels.
Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:55 pm
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 602
Location: Aus.
Well i just hit the news today and they were talking about cuts to the postal service. They said now its more or less just a courier, thus there's no point in it being government owned and it will sooner or later become privatized.
Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:13 am
Joined: 04 Aug 2006
Posts: 4545
Location: Switzerland
I don't know if you can blame the USPS as much as you can blame people for not wanting to spend the extra cash. So many of us are conditioned to think that shipping should be free if your purchase is over $20. That is great for online giants like Amazon, with their nice in-house logistic centers. And that has killed it for other online retailers who would love nothing more to please their customers, but simply can't afford to.
And it isn't like the USPS is making huge profits...or small profits.
I honestly don't mind paying shipping fees as long as they are in a very tight window with the actual shipping fees the seller pays. Nothing worse than paying $15 for shipping and then seeing the $6 stamp on the box.
Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:53 am
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I have downloaded the demo editition of RC 4 on Windows XP, and opened a dxf file with some greek text but the text is incomprehensible. The dxf was created with qcad 2.2.2 demo version. If I try to modify the text with the edit tool, the text is garbage in the text tool window too.
The font used was unicode.
A file created in qcad 3 is also not properly displayed in qcad 2.2.2
Files created with qcad 2.2.2 are properly displayed in community edition in Linux
I would gladly upload example files.
I am very happy that version 3 supports windows fonts and dwg files.
I hope you find some time to see to this matter.
Thank you very much.


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leg.donor wrote: im waiting for someone to post some crazy documentaries. the doll sex one and the woman who marries the eiffel tower were some of the best i've seen. i want more suggestions like that.
Mrs. Doubtfire wrote: DON'T EVER WATCH DEAR ZACHARY!
That movie is utterly devastating. It comes out of nowhere, too.
(It's actually really good, but I just wish I'd had a better idea what I was getting myself into.)
Consider yourself warned...
Disharmony wrote: HUGE collection of free documentaries: http://documentaryheaven.com/


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Lucrezia Borgia (concert version)
Pictures / Videos
Gaetano Donizetti (1797 – 1848)
Concert version
Melodramma in a prolouge and two acts; Libretto by Felice Romani after Victor Hugo; First performed on 26. December 1833 at Milan; Premiered at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on 27. April 2013
In Italian language with German surtitels
|Andriy Yurkevych
|William Spaulding
|Don Alfonso d'Este
|Alex Esposito
|Lucrezia Borgia
|Edita Gruberová
|Pavol Breslik
|Maffio Orsini
|Jana Kurucová
|Jeppo Livoretto
|Paul Kaufmann
|Aposto Gazella
|Andrew Harris
|Petrucci / Un coppiere
|Seth Carico
|Oloferno Vitellozzo
|Jörg Schörner
|Simon Pauly
|Rustighello / Un usciere
|Álvaro Zambrano
|Astolfo / Una voce di dentro
|Tobias Kehrer
|Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin
|Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Love, hatred, revenge, a missing mother who turns up at the end and, most of all, lashings of poison - such are the ingredients of this tragic, oft melodramatic story adapted by Gaetano Donizetti, from a play by Victor Hugo, for the opening of the 1833 season at the Scala, Milan. Problems with his librettist, differences with the actress playing the title role and not least the cuts demanded by the censor gave the composer more than his usual share of problems, and the cool reception by critics on the opening night did nothing to improve things for Donizetti. But audiences raved about the opera from the start; there were 33 performances in the first run alone! LUCREZIA BORGIA ranked with LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR as one of his greatest triumphs in his own lifetime. And the piece's runaway success was not just down to the material, whose legendary Renaissance duchess, the illegitimate daughter of the future Pope Alexander VI and an influential member of the infamous Borgia family, continues to give flight to the fantasies of writers, playwrights and cineastes like few historical female figures before or since; its popularity was rooted above all in the music. Grandiose tableaux, uplifting ensembles and dramatic final scenes make of LUCREZIA BORGIA a feast for the singers and one of the composer's most enthralling works centring on strong women characters. The title role in this Deutsche Oper Berlin production is taken by the supreme interpreter of Donizetti's women in the present day - the Slovakian soprano Edita Gruberova.
Accompanying Programme
Accompanying Programme
Introduction (in German language): 45 minutes before beginning; Rang-Foyer


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Connecticut gun-control deal pushes customers to buy 'anything semi-automatic'
NEWINGTON, Conn. — Customers packed gun stores around Connecticut on Tuesday ahead of a vote expected to bring sweeping changes to the state's gun control laws, including a ban on the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown shooting and a new classification for more than 100 types of guns as banned assault weapons.
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Sherry Archie
For The Lancaster News
Add a little holiday sparkle to your landscape for you and your guests to enjoy. No matter the weather outside, a few decorative touches can greatly increase the beauty and enjoyment of your winter landscape.
Try one, two or all eight of these tips to improve your landscape's winter appeal.
About five years ago, Mark and Sharon Rallings decided to overhaul the landscaping in their 30-year-old yard at 2124 Robert H Kirk Road.
They added a front porch large enough to accommodate rocking chairs and a bench, re-established their flower beds, reshaped their sidewalk and revamped their patio where a gold fish pond once existed.
Sherry Archie
wning a house on a corner lot sometimes creates a landscaping challenge for a homeowner. Lewie and Robin Pitts of 1329 Somerset Drive stepped up to that challenge, creating a beautiful view from all three easily-visible sides of their yard.
Janesta Williams of Green Gardeners Garden Club and Cecile Flanders of the Lancaster Garden Club enjoyed the view so much they selected the Pitts as the winners of the September Yard of the Month.
An inviting front porch and yard filled with an assortment of blooms and foliage at the home of Tony and Nancy Snipes caught the attention of Sara Phillips, Leaf & Petal Garden Club member. She selected their home, at 1970 Robert H. Kirk Road, as the August Yard of the Month.
"From the white crepe myrtles that frame the driveway to the front plantings highlighting the front porch, this yard is well kept and full of color," Phillips said.
Gregory A. Summers
For almost four years, Sally Deese had an unused gift from her neighbor in the backyard of her Four Oaks farm in the Buford community.
At one time it was a bale of hay just sitting there.
But now, the bale of hay in wrapped in vines producing round, ripe and great-tasting watermelons.
Psychologists have long delved into people's memories trying to identify early events that influenced later behavior or choices.
I clearly remember attending a birthday party when I was four years old.
Several games were played and when I won one, the prize was a very small pocket-sized book about trees. All of the pictures were in full color and I spent hours turning the pages, amazed to see flowering trees.
My favorite was one with big white flowers that I now realize was a Southern Magnolia.
Bertha Harris of Catawba will turn 100 years old on Saturday, June 29. On her birthday, devoted family members and loving friends and neighbors from her church community will gather for a day of celebration in her honor from 10 a.m. to noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1989 Reservation Road, Rock Hill. The public is invited to attend the gathering.
Barbara Westbrook
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
This familiar scripture – known as the "great commission" – was given by Jesus to his disciples. He wanted them to devote their lives to teaching His Gospel to those who would accept and follow Him.
Copyright © 2016
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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POSITION: Left Wing
SHOOTS: Left
BIRTHPLACE: Winkler, MB, CAN
DRAFTED: undrafted
|Last game: Scored the game-winning goal and recorded three shots, June 4 @ OTT
2007 Playoffs:
- T-4th in the NHL in game-winning goals
- Collected two assists for his second multiple-point performance of the postseason (also Apr. 19 @ MIN in Game Four of CQF) and collected three shots, June 2 @ OTT
- Scored a goal with three shots, Apr. 29 @ VAN
- Collected an assist with a +1, Apr. 25 vs. VAN
- Recorded two assists, Apr. 19 vs. MIN
- Scored the game-winning goal, the fourth goal in his postseason career, Apr. 11 vs. MIN
Playoff Experience:
Was recalled on April 27 and played in each of the Ducks final 13 playoff games in 2006 ranked 1st in shots (41) and plus/minus (+10) among rookiesranked T-1st in assists (6) and T-2nd in points (9) among rookiescollected an assist in Game 3 of WCF, May 23 @ EDMhad a three-game assist streak (1-5=6), May 7-11recorded a goal and an assist with a +2 in Game 4 of CSF, May 11 @ COL earned three assists (tying a franchise playoff high and setting a rookie franchise high) in Game 3 of CSF, May 9 @ COL collected his first career NHL playoff point with an assist in Game 2 of CSF, May 7 vs. COLmade NHL playoff debut in Game 4 of CQF, Apr. 27 vs. CGY.
2006-07 Regular Season:
Appeared in his second NHL seasonamong NHL rookies, T-2nd in goals, 3rd in PPGs...3rd in GWGs...2nd in shots...5th in pointsLed all rookies in road goals (19), T-11th overall in NHL in road goalsfinished the season 2nd on team in goalshad 10 goals (10-2=12) in his last 19 gameshad eight multiple-point games this season, all two-point effortsscored two goals, including the GWG, Mar. 28 @ CHIholds rookie records for most goals, points, PPGs and shots in a seasonbroke franchise record for points by a rookie (41, Chris Kunitz, 2005-06) with his 26th goal of the season, Mar. 18 vs. LAhad a four-game goal streak (5-0=5), Feb. 26-March 4, the longest by a rookie in club historybroke franchise rookie goal record (19, Chris Kunitz, 2005-06) with his 20 and 21st goals of the season, Feb. 26 @ SJ


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'American Idol': Who Was Voted Off?
Things were pretty clear-cut on "American Idol" tonight, but some of the choices were a little tough as some favorites got the boot. Five stayed, five were sent home. A new twist tonight: Idol solicited Tweets and relayed responses about whether or not viewers agreed with the judges' words.
Melinda Ademi came out first tonight. The reviews from the judges were guarded and friendly, but not flowery. Mariah and Keith both agreed Melinda's nerves might have gotten to her and Randy thought her moments weren't big enough. But Nicki didn't give any polite small talk. "All I could think of was Angela's performance last week," Nicki said.
Returning contestant Candace Glover vowed to step it up this time out. Her rendition of 'A Natural Woman' was stepped up. Keith gave her a standing ovation, and commended her on the song choice. Nicki said she was perplexed as to why Candace got cut last year. Randy, defending the cut, said last year was a different year and that Candace was one of his favorites this year. Mariah said, "Very nice darling."
The judges were impressed with 15-year-old Juliana Chahayed who played her guitar as she sang a Demi Lovato tune. Keith acknowledged her nerves and Randy liked that she stuck with what she's good at and didn't try to be anything else. Nicki took note of Juliana's "signature voice. I could picture myself at your show." Mariah said she wrote down the word "celestial" to describe this young singer.
"Only Girl" was Jett Hermano's choice tonight and her unique adaptation, sung while behind the piano, made her a standout. Keith said it was another level of sexy for the song. Nicki liked it too, but said she was waiting for it to climax to something and it never got there. Randy felt the same way. "When the tempo came in I was like, yo, come on." Mariah's comments, measured and friendly, said she wasn't so bothered that she didn't go "sick" at the end.
Cristabel Clack wowed the judges with her range, forcing Randy to his feet at the end of her performance. "Gosh, I love your voice, that thing in there. That soul croaky thing in there." Before Nicki even spoke, Keith said, "Ahh, Nicki…" anticipating a contrarian opinion. Nicki didn't love the rasp tonight, saying it was out of control tonight. Randy disagreed, "I love the rasp." Mariah danced around a compliment, responding to an audience "I love you" shout out and gave a nod to the back-up singers, but not really saying much of substance.
We saw a potential final four tonight. It takes a certain artist to draw one of Nicki's standard lines out, but Aubrey Cleland did it. "I am obsessed with you," she said. Then Nicki and Randy got into it, arguing about just how great Aubrey was exactly. Keith loved her, and Mariah said the contestant was "limitless."
Rachel Hale showed a different side of herself, but Keith worried that the song "got on top of you." Nicki wanted to know where "this burst of crazy confidence" came from. Rachel said prayer brought it on. Randy liked the relief from the night of ballads. Mariah said a bunch of words, but said very little except that she hoped Rachel would stay. She says that a lot.
Breanna Steer's performance of 'Bust Your Windows' worked bigtime for the judges. "Sexy on a stick," said Nicki, and then told her to get with Aubrey and form a group. Randy said he would sign her immediately. Keith seemed a little traumatized about an ex-girlfriend and a related incident, and believed Breanna could bust the windows out of his car.
Tennessee's Janelle Arthur worked the crowd, but the performance didn't work for Keith. Nicki, not so much either. "It felt a little bit flat." Randy worried tonight wasn't her night and maybe her song choice wasn't great. Mariah, like the other judges drew on past performances, worried to, the song wasn't strong for her.
An odd, but colorful song choice from and odd, but colorful performer. Zoanette Johnson sang 'Circle of Love' from the musical "The Lion King" and it was hard to tell if the ovation from the judges was mocking or genuine. But they love this contestant for her spirit. Keith tried to speak, but the crowd was going so crazy he couldn't get a word in. When he finally did, he said, "I love that I have no idea what you're going to do and I feel sometimes you don't either." Nicki said, "Who gonna check you boo, you just served it." Randy acknowledged that many of us out in TV land might be wondering why Zoanette is still on the show, but he explained how infectious this girl is and that she is bringing "everything to us."
No tie-breaker required for the judges picks.
Going home: Melinda, Juliana, Cristabel, Jett, and Rachel.
Staying on for another week: Zoanette, Aubrey, Candace, Breanna, and Janelle.
The boys are up tomorrow night and then next week, the finalists are chosen.
Were you surprised by any of the decisions? Follow Stephanie Krikorian on Twitter @stephiekrik.


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Appeals Court Revives New York's 'Taxi of Tomorrow'
A New York state appeals court on Tuesday breathed new life into the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow, ruling against an industry group suing to stop a New York City mandate that would require taxi owners to purchase a specific vehicle.
In a 3-1 decision reversing a lower-court ruling, an Appellate Division panel decided in favor of the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission's plan for the "Taxi of Tomorrow," a signature initiative of then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The plan to require New York City taxi owners to begin replacing their vehicles with the Nissan NV200 invited legal challenges from the industry. In a lawsuit filed last year, the Greater New York Taxi Association, which represents a group of taxi fleet owners, argued the city's regulator had overstepped its authority in requiring the gas-powered minivans. A state Supreme court judge later sided with the association.
But the appeals panel found the Taxi of Tomorrow plan to be a legal way to "produce a 21st century taxicab."
The taxi plan's future remains unclear. Steven Mintz, an attorney for the taxi-fleet association, said he was disappointed with the court's decision. The association could take the case to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. "We're exploring our further appellate options," Mr. Mintz said.
Meera Joshi, who is chairwoman of the TLC, said the agency was still reviewing the ruling and its implications, but was "gratified by this latest decision upholding the TLC's regulatory authority."
Nissan praised the court's decision. "Given the specific NYC taxi research and development that Nissan conducted— including crash testing with the installed partition—we are confident that the Nissan NV200 taxi provides a solution that is optimal in safety, comfort and convenience for passengers and drivers alike," the automaker said in a release.


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How might Orange County's 21 legislative districts look if drawn strictly to comply with the law and neutral redistricting principles, with no thought of helping incumbents or keeping a Republican majority?
A SUNY New Paltz research center has come up with one possibility, drafting what it calls an "impartial" Legislature map to fuel discussion as county lawmakers scramble to adopt new district lines in time for elections this year for all 21 seats.
The model offered by SUNY's Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach differs in several significant ways from the Republican-drawn redistricting proposal lawmakers are now considering.
One is that it was devised without any political considerations, such as the addresses of current lawmakers and potential challengers, or the numbers of enrolled Republicans and Democrats in each district. Existing district lines, in place since 2005, were ignored.
Another is that it tried to form compact districts in which municipalities and unincorporated hamlets are kept intact, avoiding the contortions that result when politicians draw legislative lines with partisan goals.
Joshua Simons, a CRREO research associate who specializes in redistricting, says he drafted the proposal in two days last week, using census data and mapping software. He and Gerald Benjamin, CRREO's director, had spoken at a public hearing on March 11 to critique the proposed map Republicans released only three weeks ago.
In the meantime, the county has revised that proposal to address what lawmakers saw as the most pressing concern that Benjamin, Simons and other speakers raised: the risk of getting sued for failing to create districts in which minority groups held a majority.
Posted on the county website Wednesday afternoon, one day before a scheduled discussion of the maps, was an alternative plan making adjustments in the Middletown and Newburgh areas. Most notably, the revisions included a proposed district entirely in the City of Newburgh with a 59 percent Hispanic population.
The changes were made to ensure compliance with the 1965 federal Voting Rights Act.
The Legislature's Rules, Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which endorsed the original proposal last month, is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Thursday to discuss the new version.
The initial plan, drawn by Legislature Chairman Michael Pillmeier and fellow Republican Legislator Katie Bonelli, was made public Feb. 27, leaving little time for debate.
Lawmakers now must either adopt some form of that proposal or reject it and start over, perhaps following CRREO's guidelines.
The drawback to starting from scratch is that lawmakers probably would be forced to run in their current districts this year, but then face another round of elections with new lines next year.
The Legislature's Democratic minority leader, Jeff Berkman, whose caucus could have fared worse under the Republican plan, expressed misgivings about CRREO's "impartial" map, mainly its handling of his home city. He noted that both Middletown districts in that proposal included parts of the Town of Wallkill, leaving the possibility that Wallkill residents could represent both.
"It's like you exchange one priority for another," he said.
Location, ST | website.com


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1. Guinness Store House
This is expensive (adult tickets are €;13.50, or almost $19), but no trip to Dublin is complete without a visit. Simply every tourist in Dublin seems to come here at least once. The Guinness Storehouse is a hugely impressive building: the core of the building is in the shape of a giant pint glass, and consists of seven floors. Along each floor, you get to see the process of how Guinness is made. The top floor, which has the Gravity Bar, is the most fun: with a complimentary pint of Guinness, you can get the most spectacular view of Dublin, which is worth the admission price alone.
2. Kilmainham Gaol
This museum is a must for history buffs. Kilmainham Gaol tells the story of Irish history: a lot of Irish nationalist leaders were imprisoned there over the years, and most famously, the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed there. Although this is located about a 15 minute bus ride from the city center, you can make a day of it by also visiting the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art.
3. Trinity College Dublin
Of course, this is best known for the Book of Kells, but it's worth going here to look in the Long Room, the room in which the book is held, which is just as impressive. (This was the inspiration for a room called the Jedi Archives, in a scene from the movie, "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.") It is also well worth taking one of the guided tours around the College: every building seems to have an interesting story behind its - the college was founded it by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 - and the tour guides always seem to add a little dramatic flair to their tours. The campus is especially amazing during the summer: a popular activity among its students is to sit out outside the Pavilion Bar (known as "The Pav"), while watching a game of cricket.
4. Phoenix Park
This park is the largest urban enclosed park in Europe, and is more than twice the size of New York's Central Park. As with all outdoor pursuits in Ireland, the rain can be a real downer for a day here. But on a good day, this park is a real treat. It's the location of the residence for the President of Ireland, ras an Uachtaráin, as well as Dublin's zoo.
5. National Gallery of Ireland
Although Dublin now ranks as one of the most expensive cities in Europe, at least entrance to this museum (for the permanent exhibition) is free. The museum collection includes some 2,500 paintings and around 10,000 other works in various forms. Major Irish work includes that of Jack B. Yeats (the brother of William Butler) and of Louis le Brocquy, Ireland's greatest living artist
6.Leinster House
This is the home of the Irish parliament, and is a truly magnificent building, full of history. Although admission is free, tours for this have to be arranged in advance: according to this Leinster House website, visitors from outside Ireland must contact their embassies or honorary consular representative, who can then contact the events desk of Leinster House.
7. Croke Park
This is the headquarters of the main sporting body in Ireland, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), who are in charge of the two ancient Irish sports, hurling and Gaelic football. As well as being the spiritual home of Irish cultural nationalism , it is also the fourth largest sports stadium in Europe - a remarkable achievement for amateur sports. Croke Park can be something of a gem for tourists in Dublin, for the very simple reason that it doesn't seem to be heavily promoted by the GAA with tourists - so if you can get to see a game, the chances are that you will be one of the few tourists there. Tickets for games toward the end of season (around August) can be hard to come by, but there are usually plenty of tickets for the games at the start of the season, around May. It is also well worth coming here to visit the GAA museum and for a tour of the stadium.
8. St. Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest church, and, given its close proximity to Dublin's City Center, a visit here is an essential part of any Dublin tourist itinerary, no matter how short their stay. Unsurprisingly for a church that was founded in the 12th century, there is plenty of history here - Jonathan Swift, the author of "Gulliver's Travels", who was the dean of the Cathedral from 1713-45, is buried here. St. Patrick's Cathedral also hosts choral concerts regularly, which are worth keeping an eye open for. If you do get tickets for a concert here, it is strongly advisable to bring a cushion, as sitting on the hard wooden benches for over two hours can be a fairly numbing experience otherwise.


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