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Harvest of Hope sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds from the 10,000 Sunflowers project for Harvest of Hope are available as bird feed for donations through American Flags and Poles, 276 Front St., Marietta.
The seeds have been bagged and are being both displayed and stored at the former Rags to Riches storefront near American Flags and Poles. Seeds are available in lunch bag and grocery bag sizes. Any donations for the seeds will support Harvest of Hope, a community nonprofit focused on helping lower income people grow their own vegetables and food recovery from groceries and farms for area food pantries.
For information about acquiring the seeds or about next year's planting contact Roger Kalter, 373-1784 or email@example.com
Fish and game club plans chili cook off
The Washington County Fish and Game Club will hold its first chili cook off at the clubhouse in Whipple from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The trustees will provide the chili and the public will vote. The event is free with donations accepted. There will be a 50/50 drawing and music.
For information: Jean Ann Myers, 336-7266 or Jay Hart, 629-8227.
St. Luke's Episcopal fall bazaar Saturday
The annual fall bazaar at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 320 Second St., Marietta, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be a raffle, used book sale, baked and canned goods, lunch of homemade vegetable soup, cheese and ham salad sandwiches and homemade pie and tombola, a game of chance. There will also be crafts and antiques.
Fulda church plans annual dinner
St. Mary's Church in Fulda will serve its annual Sauerkraut and Bohnen Brie Dinner Sunday. Serving time is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The menu will include pork, sauerkraut, Bohnen Brie, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, applesauce, rolls and dessert.
There will be bingo from 1 to 3 p.m., a craft table and a raffle drawing at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public.
The church is located seven miles east of Caldwell, off Ohio 564 on Fulda Road.
From local reports


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Order Reprints
Journal: Sensors, 2010
Volume: 10
Number: 2752
Article: A Time Tree Medium Access Control for Energy Efficiency and Collision Avoidance in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kilhung Lee
Link: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/10/4/2752
MDPI provides reprints in high quality with convenient shipping to destinations worldwide. The articles are printed in on premium paper with high-resolution figures. Our covers are customized to your article and designed to be complimentary to the journal. These reprints are ideal additions to your portfolio. Copy details: 135g/m2 paper, 2x stitched, full colour and glossy finish, orderable in quantities from 10 to 1000.
If you have any questions, or special requests, please write to firstname.lastname@example.com; we are happy to provide you with the information you need.

subset: commoncrawl


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DEC 03, 2013 - Fast Company
A Must Read - Share
And four ways it hinders it. Here, we consider the evidence on both sides.Earlier this year, Yahoo put an end to employee telecommuting in the name of innovation. Company CEO Marissa Mayer was attacked as someone who opposed work-from-home options, but the decision was her effort to emphasize face-to-face interactions over digital ones. The company's internal memo stressed the "insights" that come from "physically being together."Read Full Story
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Our take: After months of comparing take home exams, Harvard officials are investigating more than 100 students for plagiarism. In recent years several other institutions, including the ACT and SAT, have dealt with similar large-scale cheating scandals. Bloomberg reporter John Lauerman explains the scandal:
About 125 Harvard University undergraduates are being investigated for plagiarism on a final exam earlier this year, the most widespread cheating scandal in living memory, college officials said today.
All the students, who were in a course with more than 250 enrolled, will face hearings before Harvards Administrative Board, Jay Harris, dean of undergraduate education at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based school, said today in an interview.
Harvard professors confirmed the copying after months of reading through the take-home exams beginning in May, Harris said. Those found to have plagiarized may be required to withdraw from school for a year, Harvard said in a statement.


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About the profile areas
The 2011 population for Coomera is 8,793, with a population density of 3.60 persons per hectare.
Location and boundaries
Coomera is bounded by the locality of Pimpama, Yawalpah Road and McCoys Creek in the north, the Coomera River in the east and south, and the Pacific Motorway in the west.
Name origin
Coomera is thought to be named from an Aboriginal word for a wattle tree.
2011 Usual residents
Land area
hectares (24 Km2)
Population density
persons per hectare
Settlement history
Settlement of the area dates from the late 1860s, with land used mainly for timber-getting, grazing and sugar growing. Population was minimal until the 1880s. Significant development did not occur until the 1960s. The population increased substantially from the early 1990s as large numbers of new dwellings were added to the area, with the most rapid growth between 2006 and 2011.
Land use
Coomera is a rapidly developing residential and tourist area, with a marina in the south-east.
Major features
Major features of the area include Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, TAFE Queensland Gold Coast (Coomera Creative and Coomera Marine Campuses), Coomera Waters Marina, Gold Coast City Marina, Coomera Village Shopping Centre, Coomera Sports Park, Billabong Ponds, Melaleuca Lagoons, Natures Escape, Butterfly Park, Colman Road Reserve, Figbird Park, Pine Tree Hollow Park, Turquoise Parrot Park, Viney Park, William Guise Foxwell Park and several schools.


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Here's how RW members rated this race (84 votes).
In short: Lovely flat course, shame about the rain!Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: A quick, flat course with PB potential.In full: A bit disappointed with sign posting on arrival at the start. Joined a small posse of other runners looking for toilets and race HQ. The course around the town could have done with a few more marshalls but that said, a good course ideal for first timers and a PB.Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: Freindly, low key event but v.quickDate of review: October 5, 2008
In short: Nice flat, fast course - PB for me! Shame about the weather but what do you expect for Oct in England!! Nice medal too :O) Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: Great Race - Shame about the weather!In full: My first 1/2 marathon race - and my local one was very enjoyable. My only gripe would be that the first drinks station was very early - at about 2 miles, the second was at about 5, but was not handing out water meaning that I had to wait until about 7 miles for my first slurp!Apart from that, I really enjoyed this race. The weather was rubbish, but I think that the rain actually helped. Nicwe medal. Would definately do this again!Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: great run got a pb Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: A fast, friendly, low-key event In full: A very pleasant morning out. Organisers of all ages seemed to shrug off the atrocious weather and go to extremes to help out. Thanks, small boy who sprinted after me with some water after I botched the pick-up!Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: Fantastic really enjoyed the raceDate of review: October 5, 2008
In short: One again a well organised race, over a good course.Date of review: October 5, 2008
In short: Lovely friendly scenic raceIn full: Well organised friendly race- good for first timers- flat as a pancake although the weather may have slowed some today- I flew the first half and then met the headwind on the way back. Masses of marshalls, good enough water points, nice finishers medals and generous wine and trophies for category winners. Bit hairy getting to the finish with traffic and supporters milling around the final corners and footpaths but nevertheless, well done to all.Date of review: October 5, 2008
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SEP 16, 2013 - Huffington Post
A Must Read - Share
LOS ANGELES -- A former music industry executive is in critical condition in Los Angeles after authorities say his girlfriend's suicidal ex-husband held him and the woman hostage for more than five hours and cut him with a machete.
The couple was held hostage early Sunday at the woman's Woodland Hills home, police Sgt. Alex Kim told City News Service. The victim, Jerry Sharell, was cut several times on the neck, Kim said. Sharell worked with the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and Motley Crue during a career as music executive dating back to the 1970s.
The woman eventually was able to get away and
Read More
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Lead Levels Exceed Federal Limit in Some STL Schools; Audio ExcerptSt. Louis Public Schools will spend up to a million dollars to fix a lead problem in some of its schools.
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Cardinals Lose 10-6, Wainwright Says 'It Wasn't My Night'; Audio ExcerptThe struggles for Adam Wainwright continue as the club's ace pitcher lasted just five innings in a 10-6 loss to the Mets on Thursday night at Busch Stadium.
Blues Name Pietrangelo 21st Captain in Franchise History; Audio ExcerptDefenseman Alex Pietrangelo will assume the role of captain for the St. Louis Blues in the 2016-17 season. The team announced the designation Thursday, with a month remaining until preseason games begin.


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India's largest companies have delivered their judgement on the country's top business schools.
Vintage counts in education and hence the term Ivy League, which refers to old buildings draped in ivy. Ahmedabad's arid heat is not very conducive to the growth of ivy, but IIM-A nonetheless holds on to its top ranking.


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"Everyone who's anyone was hobnobbing with industry icons and trendsetters to 'raise their bar'." – Shari Kennedy, Lead Bartender, In The Mix Pub – Nesquehoning, PA
"What you get from this show will pay off for many years to come." – Heath Campbell, Owner, PV Wings N Things – Pahrump, NV
"This one-stop conference expertly covers the entire operations of your establishment." – Mary Butler, Manager, Havana Club & Grill – McAllen, TX
"The Nightclub & Bar Show opened my eyes to a whole new experience we can offer our customers and ways to keep them coming back while gaining new customers every day." – Erika Seneca, Marketing Manager, Armor Inn Tap Room – Ellicottville, NY
"Stretched my vision, reaffirmed the things we are doing right and provided solutions for the things we need to improve on. Returned and immediately started planning the expansion of our bar to serve more patrons." – Dave Dayler, Owner, Saloon on Calhoun with Bacon – Brookfield, WI
"The Nightclub & Bar Show is essential for the growth of your venue! The resources and access to industry professionals is invaluable to a successful business!" – Michael McCray, Director of Operations and Production, Beta Nightclub – Denver, CO
"I came to this show because I want to be on the cutting edge of creating value for my customers and to differentiate my business from my competitors. Mission accomplished!!!" – Bill Dubiel, Owner, Chill – Montclair, NJ
"The NCB Show was an excellent forum to brush up on core principles, learn tips and techniques helping others achieve success and discover the latest innovations in products and technology impacting the bar business." – Darrell O'Brien, Director of Operations, Moose International – Mooseheart, IL
"The 30th Anniversary Nightclub & Bar Show was very informative, meeting peers in the industry from other parts of the US and sharing ideas to seeing some new innovative cutting edge products on the showroom floor was just another added value why we should attend. Worth the trip!" – Robert Gleim, General Manager, Bamboo Willie's Beachside Bar – Pensacola, FL


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Download citation file:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Boston, MA 02215
Requests for Reprints: Pamela S. Douglas, MD, Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Manning and Douglas: Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of sustained arrhythmia, is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality from stroke and systemic thromboembolism. Several large, randomized, multicenter studies have documented that systemic warfarin anticoagulation reduces thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation by two thirds [1–2], presumably because of warfarin's efficacy in inhibiting thrombus formation within the stagnant left atrial appendage. Long-term warfarin therapy, however, is associated with the cost and inconvenience of monitoring and high morbidity and mortality. These effects are especially prevalent among elderly persons, a population at high risk for thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation [3]. The identification of subgroups at high and low risk for thromboembolism and further understanding of the mechanism of thromboembolism in persons with atrial fibrillation would therefore be valuable.
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UPDATED: Mad Men season seven start date
Mad Men's final season will start on Sunday the 13th of April on AMC and on Wednesday the 16th of April on Sky Atlantic...
UPDATE: Mad Men's seventh season has been confirmed to start in the UK on Wednesday the 16th of April on Sky Atlantic.
Partners are requested in the Conference Room immediately. AMC has announced that the seventh season of Mad Men will debut on Sunday the 13th of April.
The days of the show may be numbered, but there's still fourteen gloriously boozy episodes to go yet. Fans will recall the recent announcement that the final season will, like AMC stablemate Breaking Bad, be split over two years. Season seven part one will run this spring, while part two is planned to follow in 2015.
We await news of a UK air date, but if things follow the season six model over here then Sky subscribers will be able to see it just days after our US chums on Sky Atlantic.
Read more on Mad Men here
Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.


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Tomatometer Watch: Will Toy Story 3 Stay Perfect?
"Toy Story 3" is not only one of the season's most anticipated movies, but the critical success of the first two toy-filled adventures give this sequel the unenviable, yet very enviable distinction of having to maintain what could be the most dominant streak of freshness in Tomatometer history. At the time of publication, "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" have combined for 214 reviews, all of which have been fresh. So while Woody and Buzz are no strangers to pressure and in fact, appear to do their best work under extreme circumstances, the film's level of critical and fan expectation is unprecedented. In this third and possibly final installment, a misunderstanding between Andy and his mom sees the toys wind up at Sunnyside daycare, which initially seems like a joyous, utopian retirement where they'll experience the excitement of being played with when Andy goes to college. However, the toys discover that this move came as a result of a misunderstanding and is not the vacation they thought it was. Before you take a trip into the walls of Sunnyside with the beloved cast, find out if the critics think "3" takes the series to infinity and beyond, and if the spotless Toy Story streak continues with this next installment.Back to Article


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Hayward's Douglas Morrisson Theatre has always been a pleasant place to attend shows -- the park that surrounds it has a calming presence, and the company seems to take a serious but laid-back approach to the business of staging plays.
It was all business, though, at the theater last weekend -- the vibe was excited and a little tense in the lobby before curtain time.
"I never get nervous like this," said artistic director Susan Evans, "tonight, though, certainly is different."
That's because the company was premiering San Jose playwright Scott Munson's new adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband," which sets the comedy in Washington, D.C., in 1959 instead of London in 1895.
No matter how much you try to be nonchalant about it, a world premiere of a new play, even a new adaptation of a classic play, is different. Fortunately, it all worked -- Wilde's world of arched eyebrows and gossip blended beautifully with D.C.'s world of politics and scandal.
When the play opened in London in January 1895, Wilde was in the center of his own scandal, having gone on trial for "gross indecency" (i.e., homosexuality). The scandal cut short the runs of "Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest." Wilde was eventually sentenced to prison, an experience that broke him. He died five years later.
England in those days was awash in its belief that it, by the grace of God, was destined to remain great and powerful forever; it's an attitude we see in abundance at a party at the Chiltern residence in 1895 London (in Wilde's original version) and 1959 Washington, D.C. (Munson's update). The dates, locations and attire have changed, but not much else has. The machinations of sex, politics, money and power flow as lavishly in the 1950s as they did 60 years earlier.
For example, when Rosalind Cheveley (Cynthia Lagodzinski) wants to have a defense contract issued at a certain time, she visits Robert Chiltern (Craig Souza), not because he is particularly powerful, but because she happens to hold evidence that in his youth, Chiltern took a bribe, and the revelation would be explosive enough to destroy him at midcareer.
It is upon this hook that much of the plot spins, as Chiltern agonizes over what he can do to keep his job and his good guy reputation. He's hardly alone; during a party, the guests, whose tentacles reach deep into Washington politics, produce many such dramas that have both political and matrimonial consequences, just as in the Wilde original.
The acting in this "Ideal Husband" is terrific, as is the direction by Evans, who not only commissioned Munson's script, but held workshops, readings and discussions throughout most of last year.
Munson's script, for its part, is a captivating adaptation. One of his smartest moves was to create the role of Roosevelt, a black butler who takes the place of all the servants in Wilde's play, and whose comments do much to advance the story. Roosevelt, played with tongue firmly in cheek by Myers Clark, is a fine and funny addition to the show.
Contact Pat Craig at firstname.lastname@example.com.
By Oscar Wilde, adapted by Scott Munson, presented by Douglas Morrisson Theatre
Through: March 2
Where: 22311 N. Third St., Hayward
Running time: 2 hours
30 minutes
Tickets: $21-$29,


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To a Skylark
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Analysis: Calling Card
Intense, Philosophical, Emotional Poems About Nature
Percy Shelley got a lot done in a really short life (check out our Shmoop Guide to Shelley for more on that). He wrote many kinds of poems, so in a sense, he has many calling cards. Still, there are also some big themes that carry through. A lot of his work focused on the poetic expression of big ideas and even bigger feelings. In many poems (like "Mont Blanc," "The Cloud," or "To Night"), his subjects come from the natural world. He doesn't just try to describe nature, though. What he really cares about is the way that our feelings and our ideas flow from and back into nature. So, if you're reading a poem that tackles the big issues of the connection between the human mind and the natural world, chances are good that you're dealing with Mr. Percy Bysshe Shelley.


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Some gift cards expire, but not all. Gift Card Girlfriend has the full answer.
Image credit: I like via photopin cc
The short answer to this question, "Do gift cards expire," is that some gift cards expire, but not all. Retailer gift cards, such as Starbucks, Target, Best Buy and so on, rarely have expiration dates. Bank-issued gift cards such as Visa® or MasterCard® often do. To find out if your gift card expires, read the terms on the back of the card. By law, if a gift card expires, the issuing company must clearly disclose the expiry date on the card or the card's packaging. For a more detailed explanation, read below.
Federal Gift Card Laws
In 2009, President Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (a.k.a. CARD Act) into law. This law, which mostly deals with consumer protection from credit card companies, also included new rules for gift cards. Some highlights of the new rules are as follows:
Good for Five Years
Gift cards cannot expire any earlier than five years from the date of activation or the date on which money was last loaded onto the card, UNLESS (listen up!) the terms of expiration are clearly disclosed prior to purchase. Typically, that means companies will print the expiration time-frame on the card itself or the carrier holding the card at the time of purchase. To see if your card will expire, read both the front and back of the card to find the terms. If you don't know when the card was activated or you can't find the terms, call the issuing company.
No Fees for One Year
Gift cards are exempt from dormancy, inactivity or service fees unless the card has gone unused for a year and the non-use fee terms are clearly disclosed prior to purchase. No more than one non-use fee can be imposed per calendar month. If you haven't used your card recently, check the balance. Use any remaining value quickly to stop potential inactivity fees. (Follow these tips if you keep forgetting to use your gift card.
Load Fees Allowed
Activation or reload fees are allowed if the fee amount (or explanation of how the fee will be determined) is clearly disclosed prior to purchase. Are you seeing a pattern here? Expiration dates and any potential fees must be clearly specified.
Phone and Promotional Gift Cards Not Covered
Prepaid phone cards, promotional gift cards, loyalty cards and paper gift certificates are not covered by these rules. If you receive a gift card without paying for it (e.g. cable company sends you a free gift card as a thank you for switching services), pay close attention to the terms. (More information on promotional gift cards here.)
State Laws Are Often Better
State laws, if more stringent, take precedence over federal. Check your state gift card laws to learn more. In California, for example, store-issued gift cards cannot expire, and if the balance on the gift card is less than $10, you can cash it out. Knowing my state laws has helped me get the best value for my gift cards on more than one occasion.
Predicting Expiration
A fairly sure bet is that your retailer gift cards will not expire. Target, for example, boasts, "No Expiration. No Fees. No Kidding." None of their gift cards have activation fees, expiration dates, or non-use fees. Visa gift cards, on the other hand, typically do have an expiration date. Personalized Visa gift cards At GiftCards.com have a seven-year expiration, and the expiry date is printed on the front of the card. (Read our FAQ for more details.)
What You Really Need to Know
The answer to the question, "Do gift cards expire?" really means asking the question, "Does MY gift card expire?" or "Does THIS gift card expire?" By law, gift card fees and expiration dates must be clearly written on the card and must be disclosed before purchase. No surprises. If you can't find these terms on the card you're considering, don't buy it. If you are wondering about the terms on a gift card you already have, then read it—front and back. If you don't find the answer, call the issuing company. A few minutes of investigation could save you from having an expired gift card declined at the point of sale or from losing the value of a gift card you haven't used.
If you have other gift card questions, add a note in the comments below or leave a message on @GCGirlfriend on Twitter.
Happy Gift Carding!
~Shelley Hunter, Gift Card Girlfriend


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Rudder Cable Incident, Rans S-7
If you're on Facebook, you may already know about my incident while attempting to depart my airport yesterday evening. I want to thank all my Facebook friends for your comments, especially your suggestions and recommendations. It's pretty amazing that I can have a problem, post pictures on Facebook and have real time, immediate, knowledgeable and useful information just that fast. You ... Read More »


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The process of buying a new Lexus car or truck can seem overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. Edmunds.com can get you started on the right track with a convenient directory of Lexus car dealerships in and around Abell, Maryland. Compare online price quotes on the new or used car, truck, SUV, minivan, or wagon of your choice to locate the best deals. Edmunds.com makes it easy to find trusted Lexus car dealers in Abell, saving car buyers time and money on what will be an important purchase.
Non Display Review Name "I was looking for a new Lexus (ES-350) and knew exactly what I wanted in terms of colors, options, etc. I put out several inquiries with dealers askin"... Read more Review by: Larry9999


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As one might predict Cameron does nothing to represent the interests of those that he purports to represent, there is of course no money in that sort of thing for Dave and his cronies.
via RT
After years of unsuccessful attempts to find jobs, thousands of UK construction workers have found out why. Skilled engineers have discovered their names were on an "employment blacklist" – an illegal document which shattered their lives.
MAD MEN Cameron and his cabinet sidekicks have vowed to 'kill off' the workplace 'health and safety monster'. But they are happy to overlook police and security service complicity in blacklisting of trade union safety activists, and have ignored calls for a public inquiry.
The prime minister has said the police should investigate police complicity in the blacklisting of trade union and safety activists. The response came in parliament this week after two Labour MPs had called separately for a public inquiry into revelations from the Information Commissioner's Office that information held by covert blacklisting outfit The Consulting Association could only have been provided by the police or security services.
Michael Meacher has written to home secretary Theresa May demanding a public inquiry into the construction blacklisting scandal. Trade website Construction Enquirer reports that the former Labour cabinet minister tabled a question in parliament last week "to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will set up a public inquiry into recent allegations that (a) the police and (b) the security services supplied information to the Consulting Association leading to the blacklisting of up to 3,200 building workers."
The call follows revelations during a recent employment tribunal pursued by blacklisted worker Dave Smith. The MP also asked "if she will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation and possible prosecution the 44 construction firms listed on the Consulting Association database as having used the services of that organisation to blacklist up to 3,200 building workers."
Michael Meacher is the second Labour MP, after John McDonnell, to call for a full public inquiry. A 21 March question in the House of Commons from McDonnell on the topic received a response from the prime minister.
The Labour MP said: "When 3,000 people, mostly celebrities, had their telephones hacked, the government set up an inquiry under Leveson. When 3,200 trade unionists have been blacklisted, and many have lost their livelihoods, the Home Secretary simply suggests that they go to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Why is there one route to justice for celebrities, and another for working people?"
David Cameron responded: "There is one law that has to cover everybody in this land, and if there is any accusation of wrongdoing, that is something that the police, who are completely independent of the government, can investigate. That is what should happen."
It is not that the prime minister is unconcerned about workplace health and safety. With the economy going down the pan, Cameron has designated health and safety his whipping boy. In a 5 January speech to "small businesses and entrepreneurs" he described it as 'monster' he intends to 'kill off'. Hazards magazine reported this "topped off a display of ministerial bloodlust that had continued seamlessly from late 2011, with no opportunity to foam dyspeptically about the menace of safety passed over.
"As well as the prime minister, his deputy Nick Clegg, the Chancellor George Osborne and business secretary Vince Cable all joined the parade of very mad men." George Osborne returned to the theme in his 21 March budget statement. Deregulation of health and safety got top billing in his announcement of "supply-side reform of the economy."
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We demonstrate a coherent lidar that uses a broadband femtosecond fiber laser as a source and resolves the returning heterodyne signal into N spectral channels by using an arrayed-waveguide grating. The data are processed incoherently to yield an N-times improvement in the Doppler measurement of a surface vibration. For , we achieve a sensitivity of 153 Hz, corresponding to a motion, in 10 ms despite a signal that is speckle broadened to 14 kHz. Alternatively, the data are processed coherently to form a range image. For a flat target, we achieve a range resolution, limited mainly by the source bandwidth, despite the dispersion of 1 km of optical fiber in the signal path.
© 2006 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article


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White House, Republicans Tangle Over CFPB
WASHINGTON – With House Republicans planning to bring up legislation targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week, the White House Monday launched a pre-emptive attack, saying it was a waste of time given the pressing need to raise the debt ceiling.
White House spokesman Jay Carney opened his Monday briefing with reporters by taking aim at the measure, sponsored by Rep. Sean Duffy (R., Wis.), that would allow other federal financial regulators to delay or quash rules issued by the CFPB, the federal consumer watchdog created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
The measure is one of only a handful of items House GOP leaders have formally scheduled for debate this week. Strategically, this week's action gives the House an issue to debate while Republican leaders finalize their strategy for raising the nation's borrowing limit. The House Republican conference is slated to meet Monday evening to feel out their rank-and-file members on a possible package of policy options.
More In CFPB
- Critic of Student Loan Industry Returns to Federal Government
- Conservative Group Launches Ad Campaign Attacking Consumer Finance Watchdog
- Hillary Clinton Backs CFPB in Main Street-Wall Street Debate
- Senators Warn Wall Street: No Free Ride on Small-Bank Bills
- Richard Cordray, Tim Pawlenty Bury the Hatchet
- Obama: 'My Credit Card Was Rejected'
Mr. Carney said lawmakers' attention should be focused elsewhere.
"Instead of ensuring that our bills are paid and obligations met and that we do not default, and instead of helping achieve opportunity for all Americans by extending emergency unemployment insurance or by raising the minimum wage … this week, House Republicans are trying to move a bill that would weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau," he said, noting that President Barack Obama would veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
The measure is part of a broader GOP effort to inhibit or otherwise curtail the authority of the CFPB, which Republicans say is an unaccountable bureaucracy that restricts consumers' credit choices and hurts banks by subjecting them to new regulations. Since the CFPB was created as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, Republicans have tried to weaken the authority of its director and rein in its authority. The legislation is not expected to get traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
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An injured Kirk Gibson hitting a pinch-hit walk-off home run off in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Joe Carter crushing a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series. Becky Marx sending one over while trailing UCLA to tie the game and get University of Michigan back in the title hunt at the Womens College World Series. These home runs are seared into my memory. They repeatedly make highlight reels and are iconic in the world of sports. But a home run in the recent Western Oregon and Central Washington softball contest perhaps should be celebrated above all.
A post-season appearance hinged on the outcome of the game. Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky had never hit a home run in her career. Tucholsky came to the plate in the top of the second inning of the second game with two runners on base and a 0-0 score. She had just three hits in 34 at-bats this season, but she drove a pitch over the centerfield fence.
In her excitement, she missed first base on her home run trot and reversed direction to tag the bag. She tore a ligament in her knee in doing so and crumbled to the ground. While she crawled back to first base, her two teammates crossed the plate, leaving her the only offensive player on the field.
The umpires confirmed that the only option available under the rules was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single instead of a three-run home run. Any assistance from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out.
And then an opposing player, Mallory Holtman, asked if it would it be OK if she helped carry her around and touch each bag.
"Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me," Holtman explained. "She hit the ball over her fence. She's a senior; it's her last year
I think anyone who knew that we could touch her would have offered to do it, just because it's the right thing to do."
Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky off the ground and supported her weight between them as they began perhaps the longest and most crowded home run trot in the game's history.
Accompanied by a standing ovation from the fans, they finally reached home plate and passed the home run hitter into the arms of her own teammates. Then Holtman and Wallace returned to their positions and tried to win the game.
Central Washington did rally for two runs in the bottom of the second, but Western Oregon held on for a 4-2 winthe winning run a result of one of the most astounding acts of sportsmanship I have ever seen.
Check it out, and add this home run to the list of most memorable ones you have ever seen:
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WASHINGTON - The congressman who led a four-country trip that kept Rep. Steve Stockman mysteriously off the grid for much of January defended the Houston-area lawmaker.
"I don't know why people were so concerned about it. Maybe they can't get over the fact that he'd rather be watching out for his country than watching out for his election," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.
Stockman is trying to topple Sen. John Cornyn in the March 4 GOP primary. Candidates with as big a deficit in statewide name ID and campaign cash ($7 million to $32,000 at last report) don't usually drop out of sight with so little time to reach voters.
But he disappeared suddenly and without explanation, missing 17 straight House votes, and continues to duck reporters. Critics see a pattern of bizarre behavior from Stockman, who was elected in 1994, lost his seat, and made a surprise comeback in 2012.
For more than two weeks, he and aides refused to explain his absence or say where he was or what he was doing.
News accounts from Cairo confirmed that he was part of a six-person congressional delegation (known as a "codel") who had met with Egypt's interim president and defense minister. The 10-day trip wasn't announced until it ended on Monday; the group also went to Israel, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Rohrabacher chairs a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, and Stockman serves on the committee.
"This codel accomplished more than almost any other codel I've ever been on," Rohrabacher said late Tuesday, interviewed at the Capitol after President Obama's State of the Union speech, which Stockman left early in protest. "We were on the front lines of the war against radical Islamic terrorism and the front lines of what's really important, and Steve Stockman was out there doing that."
The meetings with Egyptian leaders were especially important, he said: "We were there bolstering their strength, and their confidence in the United States and in the Congress. And Steve was playing a really significant role on that. He played a really significant role all the way through our codel."
In Israel, the group visited an Iron Dome anti-missile site. "It was very inspiring. We had talks with Israelis and were briefed on their struggle against radical Islamic threats," Rohrabacher said.
The group also met with government and military officials. They also learned about a project meant to replenish the Dead Sea with water from the Red Sea.
In Russia, the group had hoped to meet with President Vladimir Putin but he was occupied with preparations for the Sochi Olympics.
"We met with their space people. A lot of our efforts in Russia were science oriented. But we were also discussing the Olympics and security matters," Rohrabacher said. "Steve has NASA in his district and we spent a lot of time talking about cooperation, space cooperation with Russia, as well as water and nuclear energy and issues like that."
While in Russia, Rohrabacher told a Russian news agency that many Americans don't view Edward Snowden - the NSA leaker who is enjoying asylum in Russia to avoid U.S. prosecution - as a bad guy.
Rohrabacher, elected in 1988, said he supports Stockman over Cornyn in the primary.
"Yes I do. He's been a good friend. He's aggressive and he's a creative thinker. Yes, he does the unexpected, but maybe people want to have someone who is not just toeing some pre-existing rules that congressman and senators have to act this way," he said. "He breaks the mold. That's OK. Sometimes that's a good thing."


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August 2005
History tells us that the first Norman invasion of Ireland commenced in 1169. It seems unlikely that any of the invaders took the time to dwell on the possibilities inherent in riffle shuffling a pre-arranged deck of cards. That came 789 years later, a continent away, in more peaceful times. But that too was a kind of Norman invasion — in this case, of a stimulating new idea into the world of card magic.
Riffle shuffling a deck of cards refers to dividing it into two (not necessarily equal) packets, and then dovetailing those together — perhaps using the thumbs to release the cards — with no particular regularity. This type of shuffling is often thought to help randomize a deck, yet a single riffle shuffle can lead to some quite predictable results. It can be used to "reveal" some surprising mathematics, which we explore below.
"For this trick I need three volunteers, which is quite a coincidence, as 3 is the first odd prime, and this is all about prime numbers, oddly enough." As you speak, you should casually do several overhand shuffles of the type which merely cycle the cards around. The first volunteer is handed the deck and asked to perform a riffle shuffle. Take the cards back and fan them towards the audience, stressing the random ordering present, commenting, "I forgot to mention that it's important that all volunteers can tell at a glance if a number is prime or not, I hope that's not a problem." Place the deck out of view, either under a table (if you are seated) or behind your back.
"In mathematics we often prove that two sets have the same size by establishing a one-to-one correspondence between them, that's exactly what we are about to do now. It is popularly believed that there are more composite numbers than primes, but we claim that on the contrary, exactly half of the numbers are primes. Jacks and Kings are primes of course, having values 11 and 13 respectively, and Queens are composites, since they count as 12."
Slowly bring forward pairs of cards, one by one, as if you were doing some difficult mental (and/or physical) gymnastics before making each selection. Hand them to a second volunteer, and ask that person to confirm that each pair consists of one prime and one composite value. Bring forward several pairs like this, as you build up confidence. Nothing can go wrong. Stop when you have made your point; few audiences will want to see you run through all of the cards.
Conclude, "As you can see, we have found a natural one-to-one correspondence between the set of primes and the set of non-primes. Hence, the density of primes is exactly one half."
Finally turn to the third volunteer, "I know what you're thinking: there's some potential here. Perhaps some corollaries? Maybe, `The set of primes is finite'? Or a deep connection to the Riemann Hypothesis? Good luck!"
This trick is actually quite easy to do, thanks to two key facts. The first, which few realize, is that in our context the density of primes is one half: in a standard deck, the prime values are 2, 3, 5, 7, J, K, and the composites are 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, Q. Six of one, half a dozen of the other! Omit the Aces to cut down on arguments over whether 1 is prime or not...
The second key ingredient is that riffle shuffling isn't all it's cracked up to be. Karl Fulves has pointed out that early in the 20th century, O.C. Williams went public with the basic fact that a single irregular riffle shuffle falls far short of randomizing a deck of cards, contrary to most people's intuition. In the 1920s and 30s, this observation was expanded on by Charles Jordan, and in the late 1950s Norman Gilbreath and others rediscovered the principle and took it to new heights. It's the 1958 incarnation that we refer to as the First Norman Invasion; a more common appellation is the (First) Gilbreath Shuffle Principle. (Yes, there was a second one a few years later, which is actually a generalization of the first one. We'll explore that one here in 2006.)
Arrange the deck at the outset, to consist of alternating prime values and composite values, skipping the Aces. (This effect could, for instance, be done as the follow up to a four Aces trick). Casually fanned to the audience, no pattern will be obvious. Proceed as above, first overhand shuffling as mentioned to give the illusion of card mixing, before having a volunteer do a single riffle shuffle.
Take the cards back and fan once more, pausing at two adjacent cards which are either both prime or both composite, as you comment on how jumbled the deck now is. Here's the secret: cut the deck between these two cards. It is essential that you end up with either primes at the top and bottom, or composites at the top and bottom; if this is the case when you get the cards back, no cutting is necessary.
Place the deck out of sight. If you merely take pairs off the top (or bottom) every time, then each will automatically consist of a prime value and a composite value. That's all there is to it!
This was initially conceived and performed using a more well-known division of the cards, into two like-sized packets: reds and blacks. Karl Fulves has it in his More Self-Working Card Tricks (Dover, 1984), where he remarks: "This routine was independently devised by Gene Finnell, Norman Gilbreath and others." Gilbreath's discovery was essentially this trick — and the title "Magnetic Colors" is his.
Why does it work every time? We provide an explanation at the end below, but recommend that readers first try to think it through for themselves. Simple, elegant expositions can be found in Chapter 9 of Martin Gardner's New Mathematical Diversions from Scientific American, which was originally published in 1966 (and is now available from the MAA), and in NG de Bruijn's "A riffle shuffle card trick and its relation to quasicrystal theory," Nieuw Archief Wiskunde (1987). (Gardner had first brought "Magnetic Colors" to the public's attention in his June 1960 Scientific American column.)
"We're going to do an experiment here, and see if this deck of cards knows any mathematics. Can somebody get a pen and paper, please?" Overhand shuffle, and fan the cards, commenting that they are well mixed, some face up, others face down. Give them to a volunteer, who is invited to riffle shuffle. Take the cards back, fan them towards the audience again so that all can see how "random" they are, and then place them out of view.
Bring forward three pairs, in quick succession, and throw them on the table, noting, "Look, three pairs all facing the same way, amazing isn't it?" Then drop some cards on the floor, clumsily. Reprimand yourself, saying, "Too late now, we'll never know which way those were facing. Let's try again."
The next pair proves to consist of two cards facing different directions, which you comment on. Then you produce four pairs facing the same way. It's time to suggest that the second person keep track of these details on paper. Recap, "We started with three pairs facing the same way, then we got a pair facing opposite ways, then four more facing the same way. Write down 314 please." Continue, until three more numbers have been generated, namely one, five and nine. Have 159 written down beside the 314. Then step back, and gasp, "I don't believe it! Remember I dropped some cards after the first string of three pairs facing the same way? Let's put a marker, a period, after the 3 you wrote to denote that. Do you notice anything? Three point one four one five nine! It's as easy as π."
Actually, any numerical sequence, such as a house number or telephone number, can be spelled out in this trick. At the outset, the deck is arranged so that it alternates face-up and face-down cards. Casually fanned to the audience, clumps are likely to occur, and the arrangement will not be obvious. Proceed as above, this time cutting (if necessary), after the second fanning, to ensure that the top and bottom card are facing the same way.
With the cards hidden, take pairs off the top, one at a time. If brought forward as they are, all such pairs would consist of one face-up and one face-down card (in some order). By silently turning one of the cards over, you can convert any such pair to one whose cards face the same way. In this manner you can control the outcome for all pairs produced, to generate the digits of π or any desired number. The decimal point gag depends on your "clumsily" dropping an even number of cards, so as not to disturb the order that remains after the riffle shuffle.
This was inspired by "The Hustler" from Peter Duffie & Robin Robertson's Card Conspiracy Vol. 1 (Duffie & Robertson, 2003). The idea of using face-up and face-down cards in place of red and black in the Gilbreath context goes back as least as far as Nick Trost in 1964.
We wrap up with a simple item based on a principle which the Norman invaders of 1169 may well have conceived of, before they started marrying the locals and assimilating into the general population. The deck is shown to be well mixed, and is split between two people, who are encouraged to shuffle further. Each person now peeks at the top card of their pile and memorizes it, before exchanging cards and shuffling again. Finally, the two piles are recombined, and the cards cut several times. You take the deck back and fan it publicly, rapidly pulling out two cards and placing them face down on the table. Have the two selections named and the cards turned over.
This trick would be very easy to do if one person got all red cards and the other all black cards. The selected cards would break these runs in the reassembled-and-cut deck you look through. However, this would necessitate your being the only person who got to see the card faces. The prime and composite division used earlier, perhaps lumping in the Aces with one group just for the fun of it, removes the REDS factor (Risk of Embarrassment, Detection and Shame), should anyone glance at faces (yours or the cards').
This is based on "Double Location" from Scarne on Card Tricks (Crown, 1950) which uses even/odd cards. Like the separation we suggest, this yields slightly lopsided packets, of twenty-four and twenty-eight cards, respectively. Scarne credits the idea of proceeding from a colour-separated deck to a (single) location to Martin Gardner.
(Based on de Bruijn's treatment of the first Gilbreath principle.) Let's go back to the original concept where the cards alternate red and black. There are two cases to consider, depending on whether the bottom card of the two packets being shuffled have opposite colours or not. In the second case, where both cards have the same colour, simply ignore one of them entirely, which means that the finished shuffled deck is "out of sync by one": taking off the bottom card of this shuffled deck will reduce to the first case, and cutting the deck between two like-coloured cards has an equivalent effect.
There are three things to keep track of: the initial two packets, held in the left and right hands, which we assume consist of alternating cards with bottom cards of different colours, and the stack of shuffled cards, which starts off empty. Consider the situation after the first two cards have fallen. If they both came from the same hand, then the stack of shuffled cards consist of a pair of oppositely coloured cards (in what order we cannot say), and the remaining left and right packets still alternate in colour with bottom cards of different colours. But the very same observation is true if the two fallen cards came from different hands! This argument continues to hold for each successive pair of fallen cards; hence the shuffled cards consists of unmatched pairs as claimed.
Norman Gilbreath lives in Los Angeles with his family and may be contacted through his web site yourmindtrip.com. On most Friday evenings, he may be found at Hollywood's Magic Castle, giving impromptu performances of his original creations.


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BENTON -- Some Scott County towns and schools are taking advantage of the opportunity to secure grant funding to improve transportation options for pedestrians and bicyclists.
During Thursday's Scott County Commission meeting, county developer Joel Evans informed commissioners he attended a Transportation Enhancement Funds Workshop hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation on Wednesday. This district has about $2.8 million to award to local public agencies for projects to construct sidewalks, trails and bike lanes and to make ADA improvements to existing sidewalks, according to Evans. Ł
"It was a very positive workshop," he said. "The Department is required by federal statute to spend a certain amount on pedestrian and bicycle improvements."
For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition..


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Access member benefits and ADA policy
Purchase ADA products
Attend ADA's premier event
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Find evidence to support your clinical decisions
Take advantage of endorsed, discounted business products
Make a difference with dentistry's premier charitable organization
Find oral-health information for the public on ADA's award-winning site
Learn about the examinations used in licensing dentists and dental hygienists
Explore CODA's role and find accredited schools and programs
Learn about ADA CERP recognition, look up CERP recognized CE providers and find CE courses.
View the campaign and resources for children's oral health
Visit the Ad Council's children's oral health website
Sign up your 2016 Give Kids A Smile events, or learn more about how you can help underserved children in your community. Read more.
The ADA Foundation offers a variety of funding opportunities to help dental students succeed. Read More.
In 2015, the ADA Foundation provided more than $850,000 in funding to help improve the public's oral health. With your support, we can do more. Donate now.
The ADAF's dental research enterprise has been hailed as one of the most productive in the world and has in many respects revolutionized the practice of dentistry. Read More.
Semi-annual Grant Program for Access to Care
Faces of Give Kids A Smile
"One of our more anxious kids was eventually so captured by our enthusiasm that he wanted to be a dentist by the end of his visit." - Adam Saltz
Dr. Nathan Suter, Dhwani Joshi Named ADA Foundation Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award Recipients (PDF)
Risk assessment and sensitivity meta-analysis of alveolar osteitis occurrence in oral contraceptive users (JADA)
Emeritus scientist develops novel dosimeter through enamel research (ADA News, 6/3/2016)
Report your actual numbers for your 2016 Give Kids A Smile program
Download ADA Foundation, Give Kids A Smile, and Dr. Anthony Volpe Research Center brochures
July 29, 2016: Application deadline for the Semi-annual Grants, Access to Care program
September 2, 2016: Application period opens for the Predoctoral Dental Student Scholarship Program, the E. "Bud" Tarrson Dental School Student Community Leadership Awards, and the Dr. Thomas J. Zwemer Award
October 7. 2016: Application period opens for the Semi-annual Grant Program: Education
December 1, 2016: Application deadline for the Dr. Ray Bowen Student Research Award
The ADAF Dr. Anthony Volpe Research Center is active in nano-science and tissue engineering research, with several recent studies focusing on molecular and cell biology.
A recent U01 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) along with a joint ADAF, ADA, and Colgate-Palmolive Company initiative, help support the future success of the VRC's research efforts.


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Weekly Roundup March 4
Taylor Swift got playful with her animated hosts, Phineas and Ferb, on the popular Disney Channel show, Take Two With Phineas and Ferb.
Willie Nelson recently headlined a unique festival at SeaWorld Orlando called Bands, Brew & BBQ. Right before his concert, the country legend got the chance to meet one of SeaWorld's flippered friends, Seamore the sea lion.


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Before we enrolled Angela in preschool we made the decision to not sent Angela to a specialized school but rather embrace the concept of inclusion -- simply including her with typically developing peers in a normal classroom environment. Of course, it was not the preferred method by the team of professionals who evaluated her, after all she is multi disabled and kids like Angela don't typically go to typical schools. But the idea of Angela in a classroom segregated away from her peers in a natural environment made me so uneasy. Why? Why should it be that way? Just because that was the way it had always been done? If a typical classroom environment hasn't been proven to be a bad placement, why should a group of professions simply assume that it's wasn't best for Angela.
Anyway after talking with the team they agreed to make it work. Angela attended a typical community preschool with her nurse and all therapists came into the classroom and provided services in the typical classroom environment. Angela did awesome. She is a very social little girl and she thrived. However, at the end of the year I still had a difficult time picturing Angela in a kindergarten classroom. We hadn't even touch academics with her - we spent most of the year just getting her to stay focused and not stim in her environment.
Fast forward to the beginning of this school year. I knew right away that there was no way we would put Angela in a MDS or multiple disabilities classroom. There was just no need. Angela needed to be with peers who she could model after. We requested that Angela we placed in a typical Kindergarten classroom, with a very smilier set up to what we had in preschool.
The school was rather hesitant at first. I went into her first IEP meeting raving about how smart Angela was and how she was really a typical five year old in regards to cognitive ability. Ha! I'm not sure exactly what they were thinking but I can only imagine. Looking at Angela, you at times wouldn't realize that she is a brilliant child. After all her body is rather broken. It's simply a fact. I hate CP. I hate that it limits her in so many ways and most of all I hate that it limits the way other's view her based on her outward appearance.
The first few months in Kindergarten were rather rough. Of course its a difficult time for all the kids but for Angela is was even more difficult. But slowly she began to show the school staff her true self and they have gained an excitement for watching our little girl grow and learn.
I don't take for granted the amazing school district we attend. We gave up so much to move to this area and attend this school and I have no regrets. Kindergarten looks a bit like this for Angela: She goes in the same door as all the other kids in the morning -- we don't take advantage of any type of special drop off or pick up that makes it easier for us -- so much learning happens in all aspects of life, even learning to walk a bit farther or waiting in line. She stays in with her kindergarten class for all but 30mins a day, when she has special one on one instruction with the special education teacher where they can work on literacy. All her therapist come into the classroom and work with Angela beside her peers. She does leave the classroom at times for therapy but it's not the norm. Although Angela is tube fed she enjoys lunch with her peers in the cafeteria. I've been told kids fight over who gets to sit next to Angela! She goes to all specials and of course her favorite time of the day is recess.
The kids love Angela -- but not in a class mascot type way -- they truly see her as a kid just like them. I love hearing stories from my nurses about what the kids love to do with Angela during the day. They all take turns pushing her chair, being her reading buddy, playing with her at recess -- so many amazing stories.
The MDS teacher adapts all the curriculum for Angela. Everything. She puts so much work into each assignment and makes sure that Angela can access it and get the main concept each project is trying to teach. Angela is learning so much. She has demonstrated knowledge of all her letters and numbers, is gaining some math skills, recognizing rhyming patterns, knows her colors and is learning to recognize high frequency words -- just like her peers.
Angela utilizes assistive technology throughout her day. Her books are programed into her iPad and she uses a switch the access a sequencer so that she is able to read and turn pages. She uses a ton of low tech flashcards to pick letter and numbers when asked to identify them. It's really mind blowing. It's so crazy to think back to this time last year-- I was so worried about how she would do.
Once again she has beaten the odds.
Inclusion is amazing. I realize it's not for everyone and I realize that it can be a touchy subject, but I also firmly believe many people just assume it will not work and don't even try. The easiest way is not always the best way. There are so many things we could do to make our children's lives easier -- but without a bit of a struggle growth sometimes can't happen.
"When inclusive education is fully embraced, we abandon the idea that children have to become 'normal' in order to contribute to the world…We begin to look beyond typical ways of becoming valued members of the community, and in doing so, begin to realize the achievable goal of providing all children with an authentic sense of belonging."
--Norm Kunc
"When inclusive education is fully embraced, we abandon the idea that children have to become 'normal' in order to contribute to the world…We begin to look beyond typical ways of becoming valued members of the community, and in doing so, begin to realize the achievable goal of providing all children with an authentic sense of belonging."
--Norm Kunc


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ISIS is a Mobile Wallet application that was created by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The product will initially launch on October 22nd in the selected markets: Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX. ISIS aims to be similar to Google Wallet as you'll be able to turn your smartphone into a virtual wallet and use it in combination with your NFC-enabled device to pay for your purchases. Here's some more details about ISIS:
- Virtual Cards: As expected, Isis will hold virtual versions of credit cards, an Isis Cash Card (prepaid card), store loyalty cards, and a section for special offers and promotions.
- Bonus Cash: When you first activate Isis, there will be a $10 bonus card for you to use. If you want even more cash, you can upgrade the Isis Cash Card to "reloadable" status which will land you an additional $15.
- Security: If your phone is lost or stolen, you can call Verizon and they will freeze Isis from working.
- Merchants: Isis will work at merchant locations that use Visa PayWave, MasterCard Paypass, Discover Zip, American Express and Google Wallet.
- NFC-SIM Cards: From what we have been told, Verizon will use new NFC-SIM cards on their Isis approved devices. We aren't sure why they aren't satisfied with simply using the on-board NFC chip, but this likely creates an additional level of security. It's also a level of security that they can have intense control over, I would assume.
- Devices: The official "Isis ready" device is the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. As you will recall from this morning, the device is set to receive an update to make it Isis ready. Additional devices will be made available at a later time, but you should note that not all NFC phones can support Isis. If you live in a trial market and purchase an Incredible 4G LTE on or after October 22 (launch day), it will be activated with a new NFC-SIM card. If you already own an Incredible 4G LTE and live in a test market, you will be able to obtain an NFC-SIM to replace your current SIM.
- Incredible 4G Purchase + $50 in Cash: From October 22 to November 20, you can buy an Incredible 4G LTE and receive a $50 Visa Pre-Paid card. From what we understand, you will have to activate Isis and submit a rebate form in order to get the card.
What do you guys think about ISIS? Do you think it can compete with Google Wallet or do you guys see now use of this because of the availability of Google Wallet?
source: Droid Life
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Source: Android News, Rumours, and Updates


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Flip Wilson: What you saw wasn't all you got
Forty years ago, Flip Wilson was the biggest thing in television.
In its first two seasons on NBC, "The Flip Wilson Show" was the second-most watched program on TV. His comic characters spawned two of the medium's hottest catchphrases, "The devil made me do it" and "What you see is what you get!" (The latter lives on in its acronym, a computer application that allows you to see what a document you're working on will look like - WYSIWYG.) He jump-started the careers of the two biggest names in comedy, George Carlin and Richard Pryor. In January 1972, Time magazine had him on the cover, calling him "TV's First Black Superstar." »Read Full Article
Justin Moore, Randy Houser and Josh Thompson playing The Rave Nov. 29
Justin Moore, pictured here opening for Eric Church at the Bradley Center last October, is returning to Milwaukee as a headliner in November. Journal Sentinel photo by Michael Sears. »Read Full Blog Post
De-lovely cast lifts Cole Porter revue
Summing up Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim recently wrote that "technically, in both music and lyrics, no one is better than Porter and few are his equals." With all due apology to W.S. Gilbert, nobody wrote better list songs. Nobody wrote double entendres that are so clever and fun. And only a select few have ever written love songs that can match the likes of "So in Love."
All of which goes a long way toward explaining the ongoing appeal of a Porter revue like "Red, Hot and Cole." Debuting in 1989, it was staged at Elm Grove's Sunset Playhouse in 1992 and at the Broadway Baby Dinner Theater in 1996. Now it's back at Sunset, in a production directed and choreographed by Elaine Parsons Herro, who also co-directed the Broadway Baby version. »Read Full Article
Burnhearts, ex-Roots chefs want to open a restaurant in former Mama DeMarinis in Bay View
The owners of Burnhearts bar are seeking a loan from the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. to turn the former Mama DeMarinis building in Bay View into a restaurant with the ex-Roots chefs, now cooking at Odd Duck.
The nonprofit lender will consider the request at its Tuesday meeting. »Read Full Blog Post(2)
Tosa All-City Read program picks 'Rocket Boys,' 'Hollow Earth'
The Neighborhood Association Council of Wauwatosa has picked two smart, entertaining books for its All-City Read program: Homer H. Hickam Jr.'s memoir "Rocket Boys," and the fantasy novel "Hollow Earth" by Tosa resident Carole E. Barrowman and her actor brother John.
While "Rocket Boys" was the pick for adult readers (13 and older) and "Hollow Earth" for middle-schoolers, skilled younger readers can also appreciate Hickam's book, and many adults would also enjoy the Barrowman siblings' novel. »Read Full Blog Post
Muses inspire Milwaukee Ballet murals
Special Note: This is the first in a series of posts from artist and Art City contributor Stacey Williams-Ng who is working on a series of murals for the Milwaukee Ballet. The "Painting the Muses" series will take us inside the process of one working artist. In this case, Stacey is working on a complex project for the public, from people on the street to young, leaping ballerinas. We will post them on Monday mornings.
Blind Boys of Alabama, David Cook, Trombone Shorty playing Milwaukee shows
A top trombonist, an "American Idol" champion and a decades-old gospel institution are all performing in Milwaukee in November, a spokesman for the Pabst Theater group said.
The Blind Boys of Alabama, with origins dating back to the late 1930s, will perform at the Pabst Theater Nov. 8. »Read Full Article
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Pan-Roasted Alaska Salmon with Champagne-Caper Vinaigrette
Todays dinner-party-perfect recipe comes to us courtesy of the Test Kitchen at Sunset magazine: Western America's largest-circulation regional magazine, with monthly issues devoted to travel and recreation; garden and outdoor living; food and entertaining; home design, remodeling, and projects.
Rice pilaf and asparagus or artichokes would make good accompaniments, and the suggested wine is a Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine. Prep time for this luscious recipe is about 25 minutes.
Pan-Roasted Alaska Salmon with Champagne-Caper Vinaigrette
Serves 4
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons organic extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1‒2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons drained capers
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
Sea salt and organic black pepper
4 Alaska Salmon fillet portions (6 oz each)
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Nutrients per serving: 527 calories, 40 g total fat, 6 g saturated fat, 69% calories from fat, 126 mg cholesterol, 35 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, .3 g fiber, 306 mg sodium, 31 mg calcium and 1.3 g omega-3 fatty acids.
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