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Highlights and Lowlights of Citigroup's Earnings Call
Citigroup announced a radical change in its business model, hiving off around $850 billion of troubled assets into a "bad bank" called Citi Holdings that also would include $301 billion of assets "ring fenced" by the federal government, which is providing a guarantee. The bank held a morning conference call with investors and analysts, hosted by Chief Executive Vikram Pandit and Chief Financial Officer Gary Crittenden.
Here are highlights of the call below.
We didn't start the fire
Vikram Pandit: As you all know, the new management team has been here for a little over a year, working on your behalf. As you also know, we came into this with a lot of embedded challenges. We recognize what we needed to do and we started to act quickly. For much of the year, we have been dealing with dysfunctional markets, which deteriorated even further after Labor Day, but we kept working through all the dysfunctionalities.
What does this Citi Holdings do?
Citi Holdings would include consumer mortgages, private-label, credit cards and then the
brokerage and asset management businesses.
Can someone clear out all this clutter in that box labeled "universal bank"? Thanks.
Pandit: Considering that the dysfunctional markets and the extent to which the world has changed, as well as the progress we had already made, we have come to some conclusions about our future. First, there are businesses that we had exited, such as traditional asset management. But then we inherited some from acquisitions, so, for example, we still have a few retail asset-management businesses that are not core to our long-term strategy.
Secondly, the funding markets have changed and may have changed for the foreseeable future and we have to consider the impact on our strategy. We have concluded that certain aspects of our sales and trading business and our consumer lending businesses will be more challenged in this environment and need to be restructured.
Thirdly, we have a pool of assets that are not necessary to our business. This includes the ring-fenced assets with the U.S. government loss sharing. Some of these we have highlighted to you previously.
Fourthly, we like the Smith Barney and Nikko Cordial businesses. They are good businesses and believe they have considerable value, as evidenced by the transaction we just announced with Morgan Stanley. But they do not really add sufficiently to our global strategy and they do add to management complexity.
We continue to divest nonstrategic businesses, such as our German retail banking operations, and we expect to record gains on these transactions, which will benefit revenue.
C'mon, Hank, do we really have to do this?
Pandit: [In reply to a question about whether Primerica would be sold.] What I can tell you is that's a terrific business. It has got a great leadership team. We value Rick and John enormously and the contribution that they make to the Company and that is a great business and there are other great businesses in the Citi Holdings franchise. It includes Nikko Cordial. It includes our CitiFinancial business in North America. There are some really outstanding businesses in Citi Holdings and we are in no rush to necessarily separate ourselves from these businesses. But we clearly have a long-term plan and today is kind of the first step in the process of clarifying how the Company evolves over time.
Hello, cruel world
Pandit: We have also come to the conclusion that our competitive advantage is our global presence, which is rich in history and relationships. We have an irreplaceable franchise and this is the heart of our Company….
Don't forget the true distinctiveness of our corporate investment bank comes from the multinational clients we have around the world and, therefore, we are going to have an increased focus on some of the larger companies that need our services even more. And really the overall focus is that our distinctiveness is our globality and we want to serve those clients that value it most.
Is Hank Paulson your daddy?
Meredith Whitney, an analyst with Oppenheimer, asked: So one last final question, which is given the fact that the government has obviously put a lot of money into the Company, have they in any way said they want you to limit your risk exposure overseas and is that why loan balances have pulled back dramatically because otherwise you are taking on risk beyond the US and providing liquidity beyond the US consumer? Do you follow?
Pandit: Meredith, the answer to that is no and flat-out no. I don't even know how I would qualify that, but it's no.
Glenn Schorr of UBS, asked: Vikram, did the government have anything to say about the Smith Barney decision? Maybe put it another way, was the Smith Barney deal decision solely that of Citi management team?
Pandit: We made that decision. That is clearly true. It was our decision, very clearly. (technical difficulty). Somebody's BlackBerry, sorry about that. But you know about regulated banks and financial institutions. We constantly talk to our regulators, but that conversation is different from decision-making. We made this decision.
Okay, we're not Goldman Sachs. We get it. We're not investing our own money any more.
Pandit: We have and will continue to exit several forms of proprietary risk-taking. [Deal Journal translator: proprietary trading, or "prop trading," as it's often called, is the business by which Wall Street firms invest their own money in stocks, bonds, companies, or real estate. It was, for years, the engine of Goldman Sachs's earnings growth, which led many rivals to follow suit. Late last year, Morgan Stanley shut down most of its prop trading activities. Citigroup is following suit.]
Where we continue to take principal risk, we will only do so when we have proven teams and a clear source of advantage. We have reduced the capital in the Securities and Banking business significantly. The balance sheet in this business is down approximately 25% since the beginning of 2008 and we intend to operate the Securities and Banking businesses within Citicorp with approximately $700 billion of assets…..
The second factor to consider when thinking about revenue is approximately the $2.5 billion of negative revenue from private equity and equity investments. To the extent that equity markets recover, these valuations could improve. Adjusting for the above items would bring you to revenues of $21.2 billion for the fourth quarter….
Our focus is going to be much more streamlined, market-making prop trading only where we do have the right teams and really an advantage. But overall effort to manage it with a much smaller amount of assets compared to where we have been. All that focus is still there.
What is the government paying for, again?
Chief Financial Officer Gary Crittenden: Slide number 10 provides the assets on the covered assets for which we have a loss-sharing agreement with the US government. On November 23, we announced an agreement with the U.S. government to share losses on approximately $306 billion of securities, loans and commitments backed by residential and commercial real estate, among other assets. That agreement has now been finalized to include $301 billion of assets.
The agreement stipulated that while these assets would remain on our books, they would be ring-fenced… Under the agreement, Citi assumes the first $30 billion of pretax losses in addition to our existing reserves and assumes 10% of the remaining losses above the amount [of $301 billion].
Since the announcement on November 23, we, along with the U.S. government, have
concluded a detailed review of the composition of the covered assets.
There are three factors under the current agreement that most affected this composition. First, assets originated after March 13, 2008 would be excluded. Second, any foreign assets under a fairly broad definition of the term foreign would be excluded.
The final factor, which was a term added subsequent to September 23, is that the loss sharing is determined on a portfolio basis. In other words, gain on the recapture of the liquidity premium and the recoveries related to the covered assets are netted against the covered losses across all of the assets in the portfolio. As a result of this final condition, certain mark-to-market assets, such as the ABCP CDO super senior portfolio, which totals approximately $9.9 billion, have been excluded from the ring-fenced assets. What we have shown here is a breakout of these assets by loans, securities and unfunded commitments.
There are four main categories of the assets in this portfolio — first, $192 billion of funded consumer loans comprising primarily of first and second mortgages; second $26 billion of corporate loans, including leveraged finance and commercial real estate loans; third, $32 billion from various corporate securities; fourth, $51 billion of unfunded commitments, primarily home-equity and other corporate lines. Only $5 billion of the total corporate portfolio consists of mark-to-market assets. You can look at our website and you can get additional information on this loss-sharing agreement. As I mentioned, as a result of this loss-sharing agreement, we will have a reduced risk weighting against the assets that are in this portfolio.
Subprime, always with the subprime
We started the quarter with a total subprime exposure of $19.6 billion and we ended with $14.1 billion as shown at the bottom of the last column.


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Bridgeport Equipment reported Friday that a white male suspect stole merchandise from the store and fled after being stopped by an employee.
Jacob M. Schaffer, 26, last known address 330 Fourth St., Marietta was arrested Sunday at that location for violation of a temporary protection order and taken to jail.
Officers investigated a report Sunday of a five-year-old male being found playing in the 400 block of Fort Harmar Drive. The child had a small cut on his foot from stepping on a rock. The parents were located 45 minutes later. This investigation continues.

subset: commoncrawl


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Donald E Skinner, 1946
7th Avenue
DUI 1st
Tamario Portis, 1994
19th Street
Poss of Marj
Lamar Phillips, 1984
42nd Avenue
Disorderly Conduct, Public Drunk
Demarrco S Jimerson, 1991
16th Street
Nicholas O Warren, 1992
27th Avenue
DUI, Other, traffic
Fredrick McCoy, 1987
Town Road, DeKalb Ms
Poss of Marj, Poss of C/S
George L Bagwell, 1945
3rd Ave South
DUI 2nd
Sedric L Walk, 1974
15th Avenue
DUI 1st, traffic
Samoan L Silliman, 1989
Knox Road
DUI 1st, Poss of Marj
Samoan L Silliman, 1989
Knox Road
Child Endangerment/DUI, traffic
Kmondrae D Curry, 1992
50th Avenue
Breanna Brown, 1993
Old Marion Road
Disturbance of a Business, Malicious Mischief
Lorzeno Clayton, 1991
19th Street
Alfred Watts, 1987
71st Place
Telephone Harassment, traffic
Michael Dunnigan, 1972
34th Avenue
Domestic Violence 2nd
Riana L Carr, 1992
Valley Road
Fighting in Public
Marshall Spires, 1958
St Paul
DUI 1st, False Info
Marshall Spires, 1958
St Paul
Poss of Para, Contempt, traffic
Andrew Hubbard, 1979
1st Street
Disorderly Conduct, False Info
Andrew Hubbard, 1979
1st Street
False Info , simple Assault Threat
Dorothy M Anthony, 1985
Front St Ext
DUI 1st, Child Endangerment, traffic
Robin B Milstead, 1985
Branch Estates Rd.
DUI 2nd, Other, Poss of Para traffic
Gladys Rush, 1955
34th Avenue
Tracey D Miles, 1979
59th Avenue
Disturbing the Peace, Trespassing
Jomeaka Monroe, 1983
23rd Street
Cruelty to Animals, No Shelter/Dog X2
Lakime J Jones, 1988
41st Avenue
Antonio Williams, 1976
Antioch Road
Public Drunk
Deanna R Gully, 1988
Poss of Marj, Poss of C/S X2, Disorderly Conduct
Jermaine Seals, 1977
35th Avenue
The following were reported to the Meridian P.D. from the time period of Friday at 00:01 to Sunday at 23:59.
Residential Burglary
800 block of Fulton, nighttime
4000 block of 36th Avenue, nighttime
3200 block of 12th Street, daytime
3100 block of 16th Avenue, daytime
7100 block of 80 west, daytime
4000 block of 38th Street, unknown time
1100 block of 46th Avenue, nighttime
2000 block of 33rd Avenue, nighttime
400 block of 47th Avenue, nighttime
2400 block of 39th Street, unknown time
7800 block of Old 8th Street Road, daytime
Commercial Burglary
100 block of South Frontage Road, nighttime
2000 block of 45 north, nighttime
Auto Burglary
3800 block of Davis, nighttime
300 block of 40th Avenue, nighttime
5000 block of 39 north, nighttime
4500 block of 39 north, nighttime
500 block of 45th Avenue, nighttime
3900 block of Davis, nighttime
Stolen Vehicle
600 block of 55th Avenue, key used, recovered, daytime
1200 block of NFR, key used, 2013 Ford F150, white, no tag
700 block of 19 north, daytime, recovered
5000 block of 1st Street, key used, recovered, nighttime
On Saturday at 1515 hours, a lady reported to Police that she had been robbed at gunpoint by two black males that she had given a ride. She stated they were in the area of 22nd Avenue and 22nd Street when both men attacked her in her car, pulling a handgun and grabbing the steering wheel, causing her to wreck. They fled the scene on foot. She received minor injuries and there is no further.
On Sunday at 1540 hours, a man selling produce in the 1900 block of 10th Avenue was robbed at gunpoint by a small framed black male who fled on foot after the robbery. The victim was uninjured and there is no further.
Sunday night at 2139 hours, two men were robbed in their home in the 300 block of 60th Avenue. According to the victims, a black male knocked on their back door and when they opened it in came in and assaulted them with a pistol and stole their money before fleeing on foot. They received minor injuries and there's better description of the suspect. No further
7-12-13, 152 calls for service
7-13-13, 167 calls for service
7-14-13, 155 calls for service
On Sunday, Meridian Police arrested 24 year old Sean E Vicini of Acworth Georgia and charged him with Felony Shoplifting. Bond was set at $10,000.
On Friday, Meridian Police arrested 28 year old Steven L Smith of Louisville Ms and charged him with Receiving Stolen Property. Bond was set at $20,000.
On Friday, Meridian Police arrested 20 year old Cornelius Kincaid of Lena Ms and charged him with Receiving Stolen Property. Bond was set at $20,000.
On Friday, Meridian Police arrested 19 year old Ian M Fortenberry of Philadelphia and charged him with Aggravated Assault. Bond was set at $200,000. Authorities had been searching for Fortenberry since last month after his two co-defendants were arrested for this same charge.
On Friday, Meridian Police arrested 54 year old Anderson J Nash of Meridian and charged him with Aggravated Assault. This arrest stems from the shooting incident Thursday night where a man was shot in the leg on 9th Avenue. Bond was set at $50,000. The victim is recovering from his wound.
Captain Dean L. Harper
Chief of Detectives, Criminal Investigations Division
Meridian Police Department


text:
For years, he resisted suggestions by anyone, fans, friends, music industry heavies or whatever, to return to anything in his past including the 1950s Quintet material he did with Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and others. Discussing that in his 1988 autobiography, he was insistent on not looking back, suggesting he was proud of the material and realized fans appreciated it but told them to"buy the record."
He took a different view when longtime friend Quincy Jones and the late Claude Nobs, founder and director of Montreux, conceived it as a Gil Evans tribute. Evans had died three years earlier. The original arrangements were reconstructed. A group of musicians dedicated to playing Evans' music were assembled, along with heavy hitters like drummer Grady Tate and saxophonists Benny Bailey and Kenny Garrett.
Miles was clearly fragile so young trumpet giant Wallace Roney, sat alongside him, ready to jump in. At times it was painful to hear Miles reach for notes he would have once easily have grasped; at others, however, a certain nobility emerged as he found other paths to articulate.
"Boplicity," from Birth of The Cool.
"Summertime" from Porgy & Bess.
"Miles Ahead"- the album's title track
Interestingly, after Montreux, at concerts with his own band and guests, he revived other tunes including:
"All Blues" From Kind of Blue
Steve Grossman on tenor, Bill Evans on soprano (yes, there were two of them--the pianist died in 1980) and Chick Corea on electric piano. He hadn't played it in years.


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Fight Club
by Chuck Palahniuk
Fight Club Chapter 17 Summary
How It All Goes Down
- In this chapter, we get to see Project Mayhem's recruitment process.
- (1) They have to keep five hundred dollars cash on their persons for burial money.
- (2) They have to bring all items (and only these items) on a list, including clothes, coat, towel, cot mattress, and plastic bowl.
- (3) They have to wait outside the Paper Street house with no food or shelter for three days, while being berated by Tyler.
- Guys do it. And before they know it, the basement is full. The house is a soap factory.
- Marla comes over and can't figure out what the heck is going on. Even our narrator isn't exactly sure what the point of all this is.


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*Please note, Saturday nights are usually busier than Friday nights. The wait could exceed 2 hours. If you have a curfew, baybsitter, etc., please plan ahead. Lines are typically a bit shorter if you arrive right away at 7pm. We do not issue refunds. Once you've purchased your wristband, you are welcome to use any unused tabs on a different night.
We're Trying it Again For 2015!! - VIP tickets available! Want to catch all of the action but don't want to wait forever in line? Buy a VIP ticket and cut straight to the front of the line!
*Only 100 VIP tickets will be sold per night. VIP ticket holders will wait in a seperate VIP line from general admission. VIP tickets do not provide immediate entrance, only reduced wait time. Wait times may vary.
Scream Acres will be open from 7pm-11pm EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT in OCTOBER! Last admission sold at 11pm.


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Messi Joins Kobe Bryant In Turkish Airlines Commercial
A new ad was released by Turkish Airlines to celebrate the addition of Lionel Messi, soccer great and Barcelona legend as a brand ambassador for the company.
Other brand ambassadors for Turkish Airlines include basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
The commercial shows an eager young sports fan willing to get an autograph, who's being lured back and forth through a Turkish Airline plane by Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant.
Each of the two athletes tries to outdo each other by showing their skill in juggling a basketball or a football, and when all else fails they resort to more unconventional methods, that include balloon animals and card castles.
The commercial will be visible worldwide by the end of this year. This is the continuation of a very visible ad campaign starring sport greats like Kobe Bryant, that should increase the airlines exposure and sales.
Other than their marketing campaign, rumors that a potential deal is about to be made between German giants Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines should mean that the future is quite bright for the Turkish carrier company.
The potential deal will give each company more exposure to both European and Middle-Eastern markets a move that is sure to increase sales on both sides. So the Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi ad may be the first in a long line of commercials to increase the companies visibility.


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Announcement Portraits, just full of personality! Order now for Christmas! Pets, People, Weddings, Houses - bring them to tears! (In a good way! :D) Oil Paintings & Watercolors
Portraits, just full of personality! Order now for Christmas! Pets, People, Weddings, Houses - bring them to tears! (In a good way! :D) Oil Paintings & Watercolors
ashleynicole1986 on Aug 17, 2016
We are so amazed and happy with the portrait of our Boston terrier Zeke. Robin was able to capture his personality to a tee in the painting! We could not be happier. Thank u Robin, u are truly gifted!!
Elizabeth Johnston on Jul 21, 2016
Words cannot express how incredible this painting is! Robin absolutely nailed every detail and we could not be happier.
Bethany Yirkovsky on Jul 15, 2016
I order a lot on Etsy, and of all the vendors I habe worked with, Robin has been my favorite. After our young rescue dog, Rocky, unexpectedly passed away in May, I contacted Robin to create something that would allow us to look over to "his spot" and see his sweet face. From the soulful eyes to the speck of black in his white fur to the beautiful shiny coat, she captured our Rocky for us in the most beautiful way. Robin also was very much a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to having her create something for us again down the road.
Pet, People and House Portraits in Oils on Canvas, Watercolors and Colored Pencil
I love to paint and am a full time portrait painter. I've won local awards, but my favorite recognition, is when I'm selected to draw or paint someone's pet or house or loved one. They make such great gifts, and I love being "in on" the process. Unlike many artists, I absolutely love the commission process. I guarantee my work 100%, if you are the first person to not love your portrait, just return it to me in perfect condition and I will refund you.
My husband, John, is a wonderful artist and draws the beautiful sepia and white portraits, and helps me with the initial stages of painted portraits. He also paints signs and event illustrations for weddings, showers, proposals, anniversaries. John also takes care of all the back room work.
All of our art is original, made the old fashioned way with brush or pencil in hand, not computer generated anything! I love to capture the personality of people and pets, and even houses seem to have a personality! *
See a selection from my portfolio of finished works here at http://CustomPortraitArt.etsy.com and on my site: http://RobinZebley.com
How to order: Simply send me photo(s) in an Etsy Email, purchase the listing that is the type and size you want, and you are automatically next in my queue. Or, contact me if you want to discuss or have any questions, no obligation, of course! I retain the copyright of my paintings. If you'd like to use my art, I may permit it, just ask!
I'm on Instagram: @robin_zebley
My Art and Animal Blog: http://ArtAndAnimals.blogspot.com
My site is RobinZebley.com
Visit my other shops: AnyOldTime.etsy.com, VintageArtShow.etsy.com, and RobinZebleyArt.etsy.com
*No returns accepted for Event Art* , of course.
Shop members
Robin Zebley
Owner, Creator
I'm Robin, I have been drawing and painting pet portraits for about 12 years for customers all over the world. Also do house portraits, really fun! I add in pets whenever! Glad you stopped by.
Studio Dog And Art Critic
I watch her paint and draw other people's pets and houses. Sometimes I pose for her. And I walk her every day. I got her a spot on FYI Philadelphia TV show with me AND my portrait. I was put on Etsy's front page. All this makes her happy! Sarge
Creator, Assistant, Shipper
I design and create event art, draw sepia portraits on toned pastel paper with white highlights, assist in initial steps in preparing portraits, add lettering, wrap, pack, ship, order supplies and otherwise help Robin.
Shop policies
Payment options
- Accepts Etsy gift cards
Returns & exchanges
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Privacy policy
- To communicate with you about your order
- To fulfill your order
- For legal reasons (like paying taxes)
More information
Frequently asked questions
How Long Does a custom portrait it Take?
That varies as my queue changes daily, but most of the year, it's 3 to 5 weeks. November to March, sometimes longer. I work 5 days a week so can sometimes squeeze in a rush, just contact me.
How Do You Ship?
I ship USPS Priority Mail with tracking, fulling insured, with signature confirmation. I can upgrade to Fedex 2 day or overnight, just contact me for an exact quote for shipping from my door to yours.
Custom and personalized orders
My custom portrait paintings and drawings are 100% guaranteed. I have never had a return in over a dozen years of painting portraits, but if you're the first not to love yours, just return it to me in the same condition sent and I will refund you 100%.
Custom and personalized orders
"Event" art packages are not refundable. These are the packages of multiple illustrations of a couple or honoree's journey through their relationship or life that are part of a engagement proposal event, wedding or shower, anniversary, or retirement party.


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- Color
- Mcra
MCRA (Midnight Cowboy Rides Again)- Light champagne with more glitter
Richer and smoother, Urban Decay's velvety formula delivers insane performance.
Urban Decay's mind-blowing formula delivers unmatched performance in a stunning array of shades. We created an Eyeshadow formula that will blow your mind.
Formula Benefits:
Inspired by NYC subway tokens, our gorgeous gunmetal compact allows you to pop your shadows out, and pop them into a Build Your Own Palette. (It's easy¿no melting, magnets or breakage.)
|Polyethylene Teraphthalate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Talc, PTFE, Zinc Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, May Contain:, CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77000 (Aluminum Powder), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake)
Yes, you can still use all of our shadows wet or dry!
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 1 customer
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
By Cindy
from Lakewood, CO
describe yourself Trendy Style
- Applies Smoothly
- Blends Easily
- Great Color
- Highly Pigmented
Best Uses
- Everyday
- Going Out
- Work
Comments about Urban Decay Eyeshadow, Mcra, 1 ea:
Beauty.com abbreviates this color name to Mcra and/or MCRA. It actually means Midnight Cowboy Rides Again. Nothing wrong with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow; it is a wonderful product. I just wish the full name had been displayed. I ordered Mcra thinking it was a new color. When I received it and saw the full name, it was a total drag because I already had Midnight Cowboy Rides Again. Face Plant!!
- Skin Tone:
- Medium
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
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Photos: 11 community stories you should care about
Photo: RON HEFLIN/Special Contributor
Vernon Jones' appreciation for square dance calling didn't start with his internationally known father, Jon Jones. It started with a dare. "Somebody bet me that I couldn't call a singing call, and I told them 'Yeah I could.' So I did, and I've been calling ever since." He's now the caller for the Dixie Chainers Square and Round Dance Club in Farmers Branch. In 2011, he was inducted into the Texas State Callers Hall of Fame.
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Sat 05/Apr 2008
Fri 11/Apr 2008
Sat 12/Apr 2008
Thu 17/Apr 2008
Fri 18/Apr 2008
Sat 19/Apr 2008
Sun 20/Apr 2008
Wed 23/Apr 2008
RA staff look back at the week that was in Miami during the Winter Music Conference.
Todd L. Burns hikes up to Sullivan, New Hampshire, population 746, to catch up with viola disco producer Kelley Polar.
RA staff pick out the ten top festivals happening around the world this month.
Chalets, bingo and techno. Happy camper Lee Smith goes raving at the English seaside for Bloc Weekend 2008.
Mohson Iqbal talks Detroit, acid research and teshno with Spectral Sound up-and-comer Seth Troxler.


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Police in northern Vermont say a suspect is in custody following a four-hour standoff in Newport.
Click here to view photos from the scene on your mobile device.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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HUge congratulations from a Leeds follower, and hope to God we are visiting you in the Premiership after next season ! {:+ )
thanks leeds fan. the saints always do it the hard way, but i'm glad they are up, made me cry with pride. i hope leeds give neil warnock a chance. he has the experience to get you out of the league and then you can sack him. premiership here we come. we can stop the spurs fans nicking our song, we are marching on and on.


text: Exclusive Special Offers in San Francisco Both business travelers and family vacationers will be drawn to our rewarding email offers. Along with saving money on excellent lodging, you'll be treated to up-to-date information on an assortment of area attractions, including the Palace of Fine Arts and the Presidio. Just fill in the information below to allow us to bring you the services and packages you find most appealing, then check your email for value travel deals at our hotel. You'll even be entered to win a free night's stay just for signing up!


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Charth Vader, the alter ego of Stohl's youngest child, hangs out at an arcade.
Ashly Stohl's "Charth Vader"
March 04, 2014
I was first introduced to Ashly Stohl's work through a mutual friend, Aline Smithson. I saw some very interesting photographs of Skateboarders from Cuba and California, but I was immediately taken with her Charth Vader images. I thought they were cute, charming and funny. Once I learned about Charlie's vision issues I understood the photographs were about a lot more then just humor and fun. Ashly addresses this in our interview. I present to you the words and photographs of Ashly Stohl.
DC- Okay, the first question must be...Who is Charth Vader and is he friend or foe?
AS- Charth Vader is the alter ego of Charlie, my third and youngest child. Charlie is the baby of the family - he's sweet, funny, and lighthearted, but he has always been obsessed with Darth Vader. Just like his brother, Charlie is visually impaired. He has a condition called Ocular Albinism, which means that even with glasses, his vision is limited. While this can be a great disadvantage, it makes him "see" the world in a totally unique way.
Charth Vader is a little guy in a big world, and is constantly frustrated by how little power he has. He is willing to use his Jedi powers to get what he wants. I think that Charlie is going to need that kind of persistence in life - hopefully for good, not evil.
DC- Tell me about the origin of the Charth series and where you see it going.
AS- This project started as a joke. In between shooting, promoting, and showing my work, I started taking pictures of whatever Charlie was doing in this Vader mask. These pictures got more attention than my "serious" work, and were so much more fun to shoot! We started a blog, and an Instagram, and it took off from there!
Right now, I am finishing up shooting for a Charth Vader book. The profits from the book will be donated to the Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which is one of the leading centers of it's kind in the world. Charlie understands that we are doing this to help other kids with problems similar to his. It's been a great way to teach him about helping others.
DC- Its imagination time now Ashly. You can visit three cities in three different eras and you get to bring a camera with you. Where and when do you go and what do you photograph?
AS- 1. Brooklyn when my grandfather was a kid. I'd like to hang out with him, get in trouble, get a egg cream, and then a hot dog at Nathans. Maybe I'd skip the flight home and go get a job with Weegee.
2. Venice Beach in the 1970's.
3. I don't know - can I do something more productive with your time machine, like stop the Holocaust or 9/11?
DC- I really like your skate boarding photos from Cuba and Venice, California. You seem to be very "inside" with the skaters. Were you a skater? Whats the deal?
AS- I don't know if I would say I'm "inside" - more like always on outskirts. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Venice beach every weekend to rollerskate, and I would watch the skaters there. My elementary school was a famous secret skate spot, and when I was rollerskating there after school, they would climb the fence and skate. It seems like I've always been there on the periphery, watching skateboarding but never participating.
There's something wild and free about skateboarding that I love. You can see someone's personality in how they skate. I love photographing people moving, and doing something with passion; that's what excites me.
DC- Name your five favorite foods and five foods you would never eat.
AS- Food has everything to do with context - the company and the setting are as important as what you're eating. That said, here are my top 5:
1. Pierogies at Veselka
2. Guacamole and chips (with a margarita, preferably outside on a summer night)
3. Peanut butter
4. Chocolate, preferably combined with #3
5. Tacos - off a taco truck or a stand. Not so much in a restaurant.
1. Raisins
2. Raisins
3. Raisins
4. Raisins
5. Raisins
Thank you Ashly Stohl!
More photos from the "Charth Vader" series:
All photos © Ashly Stohl 2014
© Andrew Paul LeonardAppeals Court Upholds $1.6 Million Infringement Verdict
Camera Review: Fujifilm's X-Pro2
© KLEA MCKENNA/COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND VON LINTEL GALLERYPDN August 2016: The Fine-Art Photography Issue
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text:
But as the game progresses and he keeps announcers stocked with the numbers for their broadcasts and ends the game with a complete listing of both teams' every play, he is welcomed with open arms.
Dorton smiles. He has gone through this scenario time and again since he became part of the team to track the Dexter Bearcats' game stats.
Originally working with Alan Hedrick, the two would follow the games along the sidelines. "We would keep it by hand, calculating the yardage," recalled Dorton.
While that system worked well, it also took time. Dorton said they often wouldn't finish until early the next morning. "We thought there had to be a better way," he said.
Hedrick began researching various computer programs and eventually found Sydex Sports. The company offered computer software for statistics on several sports, but what caught their interest was the football program.
Using their own money, they purchased the program, loaded it on Dorton's laptop computer and began moving their statistics keeping into the computer age.
Six years later, Dorton is now heading up the stats, using a revised version of the same software.
"We are totally thrilled with the quality of statistics we get out of the program," said Dorton, who pointed out revisions over the years have expanded the program making it easier to use.
Although there is a little more manual work up front, Dorton said he can now keep statistics for the Bearcats and their opponents. The final six or seven-page product not only lists each player's yards rushing, passing, tackles, etc., but also includes a play-by-play of the action.
With a click of his mouse, Dorton marks the ball's location at the end of the play as the computer automatically calculates yardage. Putnam tracks whether it was a pass or a run and the players involved, passing the information along to Dorton.
"The best thing is when we get done or even at half time we can print off statistics for the radio announcers or the coaches. The newspaper guys love us because they don't have to keep statistics anymore," said Dorton.
With the computer, he said, the risk for human error is reduced.
However, anyone who works with computers knows they have their own glitches. The printer has run out of ink and Dorton recalled the game where his laptop simply "froze" and they couldn't load in the statistics as the game progressed. The next day, the duo sat through the game film, logging each stat as if they were at the game.
Keeping statistics requires a dedication to be there every Friday night. Rarely does Dorton miss a Bearcat game, even when he tries.
When his wife was pregnant and the birth of their child was near, Dorton took a Friday night off to be at home. "They couldn't get anyone to fill in, so they called me from a cell phone from the press box. I sat with the phone, did stats and printed it off," he said. "You know, it is kind of funny with the new technology, you don't even have to be at the game. Of course, that isn't way we like to do it but it offers that option anyway."
With the ease of the program and the quality of the end product, Dorton is surprised more schools aren't using it. He noted Kennett High School is now using the same software.
"I would encourage anyone who is looking at providing better statistics for a team to give this program a try. It is inexpensive, easy to operate, it just takes a little effort to make it work," said Dorton. "When you compare what we did when we kept statistic by hand to what we put out now - we print out punt averages, return averages, compile lists. We are keeping more statistics then ever before."
A final advantage comes at the end of the season. While Dorton stores the season's summaries to maintain a historical record of each season, he also provides a complete lists of stats on the Bearcat players. Dexter football coach Aaron Pixley uses this information to promote his players for honors.
"I think statistic-wise, you can't beat it. It is a great program and he does great job," said Pixley. "When we go to all-conference meetings, it is so easy to break out each and every football player I have to get kids nominated."
Those record disks will keep totaling up. Dorton said he has no intention of stopping. "We just really love Bearcat football and we enjoy keeping the stats," he said. "This is a labor of love and I have no desire to sit in the stands."


text:
By Ted Belman
Original Link:
Since resigning from her governorship last July, Sarah Palin hasn't made a false move. This is surprising for someone who is more passionate than cautious and one reputed to be...well, you know, a dummy.
Her book tour went exceedingly well. She has received thousands of invitations to speak, notwithstanding her $100,000 price tag. She continues to raise huge sums of money for her sponsors and draw sellout crowds. Her policy announcements have been spot-on, whether delivered in her speeches, interviews, or Facebook posts.
Because of her charge of "death panels" to decry Obamacare, she more than anyone is responsible for the overwhelming majority now opposed to the law. Although Obama's supporters denied such "death panels" at first, many experts now openly admit to them.
In foreign affairs, she coined the Obama Doctrine as "coddling your enemies and alienating your friends." This characterization is now commonplace. Palin also decried Obama's statement that the U.S. would not retaliate with nuclear weapons if it were attacked by WMDs and suggested that the U.S. was asking to be hit. Obama, in his non-response, replied with "I really have no response to that. The last I checked, Sarah Palin is not much of an expert on nuclear issues." And "What I would say to them is, is that if the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff are comfortable with it, I'm probably going to take my advice from them and not from Sarah Palin." Palin came back, quick as a flash, sarcastically honoring "the vast nuclear experience that he acquired as a community organizer, part-time senator, and full-time candidate." Within hours, Obama was retracting his original statement.
Finally, Palin has come down squarely on the side of Israel, Israel's right to expand, and a united Jerusalem. She fully supports Israel's right to self-defense and said that we shouldn't be second-guessing her. Such policies are the polar opposite of what Obama is pushing for, and the former enjoy the support of a large majority of Americans.
Palin's energy policy of "Drill, Baby, Drill" and "all of the above" also has broad support. She was the first to attack Obama's proposed drilling legislation that she characterized as "Stall, Baby, Stall." This support is rapidly decreasing in the wake of the disastrous explosion or malfunction of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, which promises a looming environmental disaster for America's southern coastline. But Palin is sticking to her guns, if you'll pardon the expression. She didn't retreat. She reloaded and reaffirmed her support for drilling despite the risks. Sarah Palin lived through the Exxon-Valdez disaster that devastated her home state of Alaska. As fate would have it, she was responsible for finally bringing Exxon to judgment when she was governor after a twenty-year battle. So she knows the devastation firsthand and will do everything she can to minimize the risk. But still, she wants to "Drill baby drill."
A recent Gallup Poll showed for the first time that more people think that abortion should be illegal under all circumstances than legal under all circumstances. This can be due only to Palin's unapologetic pro-life stance.
Ever since the presidential election campaign, Palin has been advocating lower taxes, as opposed to higher spending, as the path to job growth. According to a recent Rasmussen Poll, Americans agree with her by a margin of 2:1.
Arizona just passed a controversial immigration law. Obama attacked the new law and called on blacks and Latinos to get out the vote. Sarah Palin, in a recent interview with Sean Hannity, came out in full support of the new law and attacked Obama for not fulfilling the federal responsibility of protecting U.S. borders. She also attacked him for racist comments he had made pitting Latinos and blacks against other Americans. In the interview, Palin effectively contrasted his remarks with her calls to all Americans to solve their problems together. Once again, polls show overwhelming support for the new law.
During the debate on financial reform, Palin came out against institutionalizing "crony capitalism." When Obama said America is a military superpower "whether we like it or not," Palin said she was taken aback by his comment. She said, "I would hope that our leaders in Washington, D.C. understand we like to be a dominant superpower. ... I don't understand a worldview where we have to question whether we like it or not that America is powerful." These positions were well-received.
When Rev. Franklin Graham was disinvited from the Pentagon's National Day of Prayer services for having made politically incorrect attacks against Islam, Sarah Palin was the first, and maybe only, political leader who came out in support of him. She is not a slave to PC and will not mince words when placing blame, just like Graham didn't. Palin will fight to restore and protect freedom of speech. Americans appreciate this, as they desperately need to be able to candidly criticize any ideology they consider harmful or inferior.
Many of her detractors cite negative polling numbers to discredit her. They should be ignored Public Policy Polling found in a poll reported on April 15 that:
Sarah Palin now lags Obama only 45-47 after showing deficits of eight or seven points in each of the last three months. Both Obama and Palin have increased their base support, but Palin now trails Obama among independents 39-46 versus 35-49 in March.
As this poll demonstrates, Palin is quickly gaining support among independents. Give her another three months, and she will be leading Obama. And do not forget the growing enthusiasm gap as reported by Politics Daily:
"While voters are about evenly split about whether they support the Democrat or Republican in this year's congressional elections, the Republicans have opened up a 20 point "enthusiasm gap" when it comes to how eager they are to go to the polls, according to Gallup's daily tracking polls conducted between April 1-25."
This growing gap is due to the Palin factor. She energizes her base as no other today can.
The left has done its best to demonize, ridicule, and reduce her, to no avail. The more that fair-minded Americans hear her, the more they are drawn to her. They no longer listen to Obama, but they do listen to her.
Not only are Americans embracing her message, but so are Europeans,
The leader of the Conservative Party in Britain, David Cameron, won the third debate, by all accounts, in the leadup to the British Parliamentary elections. The reason, according to one pundit, was that Cameron went "Palin" and not "Frum."
"There were no mentions of worthy 'Big Society' concepts, no vacuous 'vote blue, go green' slogans. Time worn, winning Tory messages were pitched; tougher immigration rules, tackling welfare dependency, lower business taxes, sound money and smaller government. Result? Clear win for the Tory leader."
Cameron also supports Israel and favors Britain withdrawing from the EU.
During the next six months, Palin will continue making speeches and supporting candidates of her choice. She will be coming out with a book on policy in the fall and will do another book signing tour. Then she will be off to Europe to visit with political leaders and stir up the people. I predict that huge crowds will embrace her and her message. No doubt, she will also visit Israel with her entire family, where they will be mobbed. It will be a media feeding frenzy.
A strong embrace in Europe and Israel will give her an enormous boost in America.
Ted Belman is the editor of Israpundit.
Click to view image: 'Sarah Palin'
By: copperdog3
In: Other
Tags: Palin, Obama, Isreal, Arizona, nuclear, death panels
Views: 7535 | Comments: 24 | Votes: 1 | Favorites: 0 | Shared: 1 | Updates: 0 | Times used in channels: 1
Anybody that gives this loon, or these loons, the writer and Palin, any credibility whatsoever is an idiot.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(5) | Report
He "predicts Palin will be emraced in Europe?" That is optimistic the media will tear her apart.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(3) | Report
Comment of user 'klaus123' has been deleted by author (after account deletion)!
- Comment of user 'klaus123' has been deleted by author (after account deletion)!
Palin's energy policy of "Drill, Baby, Drill" and "all of the above" also has broad support.
Sarah's feigned sympathies towards those in the gulf region are disingenuous at best. Her constant harping of Drill, Baby, Drill during the campaign and her silence on wishing for more drilling truly does show her misinformed she is.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(3) | Report
So, she dropped out of school, twice. She couldn't finish her term as governor, yet there are still people that want her to run for president?
Posted May-4-2010 By
(3) | Report
Arn't hotdogs also on a roll??
Arn't hotdogs smarter?
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
Since resigning from her governorship last July, Sarah Palin hasn't made a false move?
Someone lives in a cave.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
Cameron favours withdrawing from the EU ?
By Ted Belend .
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
She's not in it to help anyone but herself and she'll never be accepted by anyone other than the right wing of America. The rest of the mentally competent world laughs at this woman. That said, I really would like to see her run in '12. Maybe people will actually consider a third party with her in the mix.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
It'd make for much needed comedic relief, wouldn't it? She's a bad political joke. LOL
The only real question I have about this woman is When the hell is she going to do something useful and pose NAKED in a Playboy video?
Posted May-4-2010 By
(1) | Report
All a matter of money I suppose. I wonder how much it would take? She's a good looking lady, no doubt. I just can't get over how ridiculous some folks are in voting with their dicks. Palin, Bachmann...really fellas?! I can't take seriously anyone who will rely on their imaginary friend for guidance in policy decisions.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(3) | Report
Idiots love an idiot.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
Comment of user 'gregory_peckory' has been deleted by author (after account deletion)!
Exactly. She's making money for herself and her employers. She could give two, possibly three shits about her fan base.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
I don't care what anyone says, I want to see her naked.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(1) | Report
I really don't like this woman, but I certainly wish I was making the kind of money she is.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(1) | Report
"Although Obama's supporters denied such "death panels" at first, many experts now openly admit to them." lmao another teabagger on crack apparently. these people crack me up. if you repeat lies enough it does not make them true douche
Posted May-4-2010 By
(0) | Report
My favorite line........
"Many of her detractors cite negative polling numbers to discredit her. They should be ignored Public Policy Polling found in a poll reported on April 15....."
Who the fuck wrote this ridiculous piece of shit??????
Posted May-4-2010 By
(0) | Report
I also got a kick out of this one....
"Although Obama's supporters denied such "death panels" at first, many experts now openly admit to them."
After reading through this I have no doubt palin herself wrote this piece, or more likely, dictated it to her illegal alien secretary.......
Actually, there is so much crap in this post it's hard to pick favorites.
I laughed all the way through.
Thanks for the comedy CDog.........;o)
Posted May-4-2010 By
(0) | Report
drill baby drill!!
Posted May-4-2010 By
(0) | Report
I just love some of the comments Palin draws. If she were half as stupid as the posters around here say she is, how can she doing as well publicly as she is? She is making a money as fast as she can cash the checks. Pretty nice work if you can get it.
Honestly, I have no idea what kind of President she would make. I do know this: she has more experience than our current stuffed shirt. That said, I'm not sure she will run. She is having more fun, making more money, and a lot fewer headache More..
Posted May-4-2010 By
(-2) | Report
dumb as she is, she would have still been a better president than the miserable failure on office now...
Posted May-4-2010 By
(-4) | Report
Nope, if she was under half the pressure and criticism that Obama is under, she would have abandoned ship by now.
Posted May-4-2010 By
(2) | Report
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text:
Research Update: Edison SpA May 03
- May 2003
- Standard & Poors
On May 30, 2003, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BBB' long-term and A-3 short-term corporate credit ratings on Edison SpA, Italy's second-largest energy utility. The ratings were removed from CreditWatch, where they had been placed on Nov. 15, 2002. The outlook is stable. The CreditWatch resolution follows Standard & Poor's reassessment of Edison's credit quality, based on the group's new business plan, recent disposals, and confirmed shareholder support. The ratings reflect Edison's strong business position, which are underpinned by cash flow support from regulated energy supply contracts (expected to generate about 60% of total EBITDA until 2004), an adequate plant portfolio, and competition's slow progress in Italy's energy markets. These positive factors are offset, however, by the higher...
Companies mentioned in this report are:
- Edison SpA
- Electricite de France S.A.
Action: Review
Standard and Poors RatingsXpress Credit Research provides in-depth coverage of international corporates, financial institutions, insurance companies, utilities, sovereigns and structured finance programs. RatingsXpress Credit Research lets users determine the credit rating of holdings and identify key factors underlying an issuer's creditworthiness, distinguishes the different risk exposures for new and existing deals, and provides an understanding of how their analysts interpret key regulatory, political and environmental events and their economic impact.
Product Type: Research Update
Research updates complement media releases. They offer more depth and detail than summary analyses by incorporating all information published in the media release. They are more up to date than summaries in that they are published simultaneously with media releases. SHOW LESS READ MORE >
- Edison SpA
- Electricite de France S.A.


text:
U.S. House Slated to OK Federal Funds for New College of Florida
(July 17, 2007) – Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL 13) has secured key approval of federal funding for New College of Florida. The congressman announced today that the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act includes $575,000 in federal funding the freshman lawmaker requested for the public liberal arts college.
"New College is an independent public honors college of national recognition," said Buchanan. "It is poised to become an information hub for all the higher education institutions and the citizens of the counties they serve. This funding will enhance educational resources available to students, faculty, staff and the community as a whole."
Dr. Gordon Michalson, president of New College of Florida said, "As a national leader in undergraduate research education, New College of Florida has an established record of making excellent use of federal funding for targeted, high-quality research efforts. We are very grateful to Congressman Buchanan for his advocacy of our mission and his efforts on our behalf."
The House is expected to pass the annual education-health-labor spending bill within the next two weeks. It includes the following district projects sought by Buchanan for New College:
* $100,000 for a Smart Library at New College to help engage and enhance the digital assets available to students, faculty, staff and the community at the Jane Bancroft Cook Library;
* $225,000 for Public Archeology Laboratory equipment to help collect, preserve and present the region's history and heritage; and,
* $250,000 for a Strategic Languages Resource Center to provide digital resources, facilities and administrative support for language instruction and learning in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
# # #


text:
Economists now are forecasting slower economic growth for the second half of the year, and perhaps next year as well. As part of that slowdown, many investors are questioning if the strong corporate earnings from the second quarter will weaken as well.
Apparently, corporate executives aren't so worried. Insiders have begun buying shares of their own companies at the fastest pace since May 2008, according to an analyst by the market research firm Trimtabs. A year ago, insiders had all but stopped buying, and many were selling. The flow of insider money can be a significant indicator of stock movement. Insiders always seem to manage to sell ahead of big stock drops, and always seem to buy at opportune times.
If they're buying now, it could be a positive sign for earnings, and ultimately stock values.


text:
For years Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown and the Middleton Doll Factory in Belpre were staples of the Mid-Ohio Valley tourism industry.
That's no longer the case, as Fenton remains in business but has discontinued its traditional glass making operation and Middleton closed in March 2010, but area officials say there are still plenty of attractions to draw tourists to the area.
One not yet open but coming soon is the Colony Theatre, located at 222 Putnam St., Marietta. The theater has been undergoing an massive restoration for years.
Article Photos
KEVIN PIERSON The Marietta Times
Hunt Brawley, director of development for the Hippodrome/Colony Historical Theatre Association, displays one of the old film projectors in the theater, located at 222 Putnam St., Marietta. The theater is expected to be one of the big tourism draws for the area in the future.
"That will be a magnificent addition to the community that will be a draw because of its size," said Terry Tamburini, executive director of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. "You never replace things like Fenton and Middleton, but that's going to be a step in the right direction."
The Colony Theatre has been undergoing substantial renovations since 2004, when a nonprofit group was formed dedicated to its restoration.
Once completed, the Colony is expected to have roughly 1,000 seats and hold 100 events a year ranging from plays and musicals to weddings and dance groups.
Fact Box
A longtime businessman in the Marietta community, Dan Stephan found himself in charge of a historic treasure 25 years ago.
Owning and operating Peoples News, Stephan purchased the adjacent building in 1987 with the idea of making a parking lot.
"I just couldn't bring myself to tear it down," Stephan said.
That building, the Colony Theatre, has become one of Marietta's most talked about treasures, and is expected to be a big part of the future of tourism in the area.
In 2004, Stephan donated the theater to a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the building, which opened in 1919.
Q: What has been your involvement in the Colony Theatre restoration?
A: I've been chairman of the board since the inception, which was in 2004. I'm still chairman of the board.
Q: What all has gone into restoring the Colony?
A: I kept up part of it. In the time I owned it, I repaired some roofs. Then the first big project we had, we got a grant from then-Senator (Mike) DeWine. He got us a grant from Save America's Treasures to put a new roof on, which we did. That was close to $200,000. There was no heat in it. The electrical, its still there, but it all needs to be replaced.
The building has been sitting empty with no heat in it. That caused deterioration of the walls and ceilings and stuff. We had two big projects after that.
We spent a ton of money on design and architectural work and engineering work that people have donated money in town for. That's an expensive proposition because there were no plans or anything of the building. It all had to be started from scratch.
We've done two major projects that we got grants for and donations. We replaced steps in the front lobby. They had been torn out previously in the 1950s, or 1949, they remodeled it. Before then it was called the Hippodrome Theatre. They changed the name in 1949 to the Colony Theatre. They had a big contest to name it. They tore out part of the steps going up to the lobby to expand the concession stand. So we replaced those steps plus we remodeled the downstairs bathrooms.
The other big project that was done has been asbestos removal. We got a grant from the state for that. It was about a $400,000 project to clean all the asbestos out of it. When that was built, asbestos was the thing to do because it was fire retardant. It was in the plaster and in the caulking and every place. That's all been done and the building is essentially asbestos free now.
We've also done restoration of the asbestos fire curtain, which we discovered many years after we were in there was hanging above the stage. It's a beautiful, painted fire curtain. It was made of asbestos, so we had to have that all sealed and treated.
Q: What are some of the ways you think the Colony can help tourism in Marietta and the Mid-Ohio Valley?
A: I've been around Marietta all my life. The tourist business has always been good. The biggest complaint I always heard was, well, there's nothing to do in the evening unless you want to go down to a bar or something.
We think that when we get the theater operational and have a good program that appeals to all segments of the population that we will have an attraction that will not only bring people that come on their own to Marietta, but also I think bus tours and things like that.
With the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre right across the street, and now the Adelphia and some of those kind of places, we could essentially have like a mini-Cleveland playhouse square. You have a group of performing arts places that would make a viable downtown attraction that would go a long way to entice tourists to spend more time.
Q: What are some unique features about the Colony you think people aren't aware of?
A: The first thing is the size of it and the size of the stage. When it was originally built it was built for live performances. At that time, the touring companies would travel around from town to town and present live performances.
Originally there were 1,100 or 1,200 seats in that theatre. The new projections will have just under 1,000. Looking at it from the front it fools you, the size of the auditorium.
I think that is one of the unique features of it because there's no place in the region of that size. You can have a high school gym or auditorium, but you don't have all the amenities of a theater, the acoustics and the sound system. That kind of lighting, all that creates the ambiance of the theater experience.
Kevin Pierson conducted this interview.
Dan Stephan
Age: 75.
Residence: Williamstown.
Family: Wife Rita, three sons.
Education: Marietta High School and Marietta College graduate.
Experience: Owned the Colony Theatre from 1987 to 2004. Family has owned Peoples News since 1929.
Renovation to the theater has taken some time, but the Colony could open within a year.
"I think their opening, hopefully early in 2013, is going to be a big deal for downtown Marietta and Putnam Street. I look forward to that. I think it's definitely going to be part of what helps build an entertainment port in our area," said Jeri Knowlton, executive director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
An entertainment district is well within the realm of possibility, with the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre as well as the Adelphia music hall already in Marietta, noted Hunt Brawley, director of development for the Hippodrome/Colony Historical Theatre Association.
"With the Colony Theatre of 1,000 seats right across from the MOVP with about 300 seats you really have different programming opportunities and something that could work very well together," Brawley said.
Located midway between Second Street and Third Street, the Colony and MOVP theaters also provide another potential for the outlet of energy from Front Street activities.
"You really have a complete downtown and something that is quite vibrant, really right up into the college campus," Brawley said. "(The Colony) can do amazing things. The statistic we throw around a lot is that for every dollar you would spend on a theater event you probably spend 2.8 dollars in the community."
That type of investment is a welcome addition to an economy that's been struggling, officials said.
Another big draw for the area is a result not of what's being added to the Mid-Ohio Valley, but what's already here.
Wayne National Forest is another popular target for tourists as it offers recreational activities ranging from boating and camping to horseback riding and hiking.
"On and on the list goes with what those opportunities are. Fishing, hunting, we have a ton of opportunities with the natural resources we have available to us," Knowlton said.
Wayne National Forest also offers a scenic byway with covered bridges on Ohio 26. That route is popular with motorcycle riders and provides another outlet for recreation, said Gary Chancey, public affairs officer for Wayne National Forest.
Leith Run Recreation Center is a popular draw for its versatility in the forest.
"It's one of our popular attractions in the Wayne National Forest because it's multipurpose. You can go fishing there. You can camp. There are lots of opportunities there," Chancey said.
Kinderhook horse trails is another potential area for recreation and opens April 15 to horse riders, mountain bike riders and hikers.
Last year, a boat launch facility was added just outside New Matamoras.
"We encourage folks to take a look at local resources before venturing out on a long trip," Chancey said.
Along with standard fairs and festivals like the Riverfront Roar, Sternwheel Festival and Washington County Fair, there are more opportunities for recreation than ever before, officials said.
"I think we have an array of things we can pursue," Tamburini said.
Mid-Ohio Valley attractions
The Colony Theatre - set to open sometime possibly within a year, this theater could be a catalyst for downtown Marietta.
Wayne National Forest - outdoor activities are a popular draw. With activities ranging from boating, fishing and hiking to horse back riding, the Wayne National Forest is another big draw.
Fairs and festivals - events like the Riverfront Roar, Washington County Fair and Sternwheel Festival continue to be popular draws for tourists.


text:
Saturday's historic qualifying final at Simonds Stadium is a source of soaring pride for Geelong
- From: Herald Sun
- September 06, 2013
THROUGH five weeks of blandness from the nation's politicians, you could trust Ross Lyon to provide the best reminder of what's been missing - Paul Keating's acerbic tongue.
Faced with the unexpected prospect of a final at Simonds Stadium, the Fremantle coach was typically deadpan delivering his biting condemnation.
"At the start of the year you thought if you finished third you wouldn't be playing in a regional centre, you'd be playing in a metropolis at world-class venues."
It dripped with sneering derision.
His campaign drew popular acclaim. The elders called it scandalous that such a showpiece would be staged in a backwater.
The snobs and elitists clattered ceaselessly in protest.
'Biggest game in Dockers' history'
It was argued, with a straight face, that Geelong had too much of a home ground advantage and thus it should be void.
Then there were the tens of thousands of faceless fans who would be locked out.
Yet every member of both teams who applied was granted a ticket and 4000 more went to an eager public.
In the current climate, if the football commentariate were asked for an opinion on breathing, most would stand bitterly opposed to the concept.
On the other side of the divide - and election day not only excuses but demands rampant parochialism - it is a moment of affirmation.
For the true believers Saturday's historic qualifying final at Kardinia Park is a source of soaring pride.
The conceit of the poorly pitched debate has been to mistake Geelong as a Melbourne club in the national construct, thus denying not only its geography but its history, struggle and triumph.
At the turn of the century the Geelong Football Club was an anachronism, a remnant of a suburban competition that ultimately went broke.
In the expansion of teams and the rationalisation of grounds, Geelong was left teetering on the edge of irrelevance and extinction.
It was a financially crippled club playing out of a dilapidated ground too far from the epicentre.
The league wanted the Cats to play out of the new stadium at Docklands.
But what then would have been the point of masquerading as Geelong?
Frank Costa and Brian Cook didn't stand belligerently against progress. Instead they came to embody it.
Today the scope of the recovery comes into plain sight on approach to the city.
With its light towers in place, Simonds Stadium rises like a grand cathedral on the landscape.
It is a monument that seems to define the town.
A ruddy old country ground is now a stadium.
But the charm is to retain its heart and authenticity - the intimacy cherished in a provincial environment.
Thanks to the endeavours of its football team, Kardinia Park fulfils its destiny years ahead of the wildest dream.
It is a day to embolden a region that remains engulfed in the troubles of modern economic reality.
We may be a small town but we're a great one, too.
The town of the Geelong Terror, George Watson, and the Prince of Goalkickers, Phil McShane, as foundations were laid in the 1880s with seven VFA premierships in nine years.
Of Reg Hickey, who ended the 39-year premiership drought the year prosperity came to Geelong and Ford opened its factory.
Fred Flanagan's invincibles when Russell "Hooker" Renfrey and Bernie Smith set the town abuzz.
The '60s boom as the Alcoa smelter fired and Polly Farmer and Denis Marshall were imported from the west.
A place where odd things could happen.
Larry Donohue booted a ton. Gary Sidebottom missed a bus. Brian Peake caught a chopper. And Mark Jackson roamed free.
In exile, we turned to religion. The Messiah and Buddha and God.
In the crash of '91 a hardy people found solace plastering stickers on every bumper: Bugger Pyramid. Get Ablett back.
And the people did endure until finally the town and its team were chosen.
Thrice blessed now with a forging appetite for a fourth premiership.
What the narks have missed, history will capture.
Saturday is a rich landmark in the story of a heartland best understood through the slogan coined by Bob Davis: Our Town. Our People. Our Football Club.
Gerard Whateley broadcasts on ABC Grandstand and co-hosts AFL 360 on Fox Footy.
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have__spell_whateley of Melbourne Posted at 1:25 PM September 07, 2013
If Geelong is not a Melbourne club, Gerard, they should not be playing home games in Melbourne. Classic case of AFL's golden child being looked after again. How you are not embarrassed to publish this one-eyed, biased piece of tripe is beyond comprehension.


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2:14 minutes
Since marrying her husband, Kevin, Georgia radio personality Sasha the Diva says Kevin and her son Dominique have clashed over who they believe is the true man of the house. Their disagreements are threatening to tear Sasha and Kevin\'s marriage apart. Watch as Iyanla reveals why marriages can only be destroyed from the inside out.


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Centra Implements New Tobacco and Nicotine-Free Hiring Policy
Issue: March 2012 by Lynchburg Business in Archives, Healthcare
Whether or not you use tobacco products may now determine whether you can be employed by Centra, the largest healthcare system in Central and Southside Virginia. Centra has been a tobacco and nicotine-free workplace since May 2007, when it banned the use and sale of tobacco and nicotine products on all Centra properties. Now, Centra has begun a policy, implemented March 1, to not hire users of tobacco and nicotine.
Jan Walker, Centra Vice President of Human Resources, says the decision was made with the health of Centra employees in mind.
"As part of its mission to build healthier communities, Centra recognizes the importance of its staff's health and well-being and its responsibility to maintain a culture of wellness for its staff, volunteers, patients and visitors," Walker said. "The health risks and related costs associated with tobacco and nicotine use have caused Centra to focus on this initiative."
Centra is one of a growing number of healthcare systems that are banning tobacco and nicotine use by their staff. Walker says the new policy is designed to result in a healthier workforce and to contain the costs of providing healthcare benefits to its employees and their dependents.
"Nicotine-free hiring is the latest in a national trend among businesses, with hospitals and healthcare systems leading the way in Virginia and other states," Walker explained. "Centra joins other healthcare leaders, including the Cleveland Clinic, Humana and Bon Secours, in promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing healthcare costs with its tobacco and nicotine-free hospital campuses and affiliated properties."
Centra employees who currently smoke will not be affected by the new policy. However, they are being encouraged to end their use of tobacco and nicotine products, and free classes are offered to help them kick the habit.
"Centra pays for the first six weeks supply of nicotine replacement therapy for employees with reduced co-payments for continuing therapy," Walker said.
The first several visits for confidential addiction counseling are also available at no cost to all employees through Employee Assistance of Central Virginia.
According to the American Heart Association, smoking is linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and other chronic lung diseases and is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke causes 443,000 premature deaths and costs the nation $193 billion in health bills and lost productivity annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Secondhand smoke alone is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths among U.S. nonsmokers each year and smokeless tobacco is linked to cancers of the esophagus, larynx and stomach.
As a result of widespread information regarding the health risks of smoking as well as thousands of smoke-free workplaces, the number of smokers is declining nationwide. The CDC reports that 19.3 percent of U.S. adults smoked last year, down from 42.4 percent in 1965.
To aid in the declining trend of tobacco and nicotine use, Centra's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program offers a six-week Be Tobacco Free clinic for employees and community residents who are seriously considering a tobacco-free life. Be Tobacco Free captures both smoking and chewing tobacco. A free hour-long Be Tobacco Free class also is offered the second Thursday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. at The Cardiovascular Group in Lynchburg. The class covers quitting options, why people use tobacco, triggers and coping techniques, getting support, nicotine replacement therapy, withdrawal symptoms and other healthy choices. To register for the one-hour class or the six-week series, call (434) 200-3812 and leave a message.
For more information about Centra's new tobacco and nicotine-free hiring policy, visit www.centrahealth.com.


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Definition of apparent in English:
1Clearly visible or understood; obvious: [with clause]: it became apparent that he was talented for no apparent reason she laughed
More example sentences
- The dangers were most conspicuously apparent in the vast sums being made from India.
- Similar interest in evidence based public policy is apparent in other countries.
- This reassurance gap is a national phenomenon, which is very much apparent in Cumbria.
evident, plain, obvious, clear, manifest, visible, discernible, perceptible;
unmistakable, crystal clear, palpable, patent, blatant, writ large
informal as plain as the nose on one's face, written all over one's face
1.1Seeming real or true, but not necessarily so: his apparent lack of concern
More example sentences
- Nationally there is also growing concern at the apparent ease with which real guns can be bought.
- We all end up paying more to avoid a problem which is normally more apparent than real.
- In each case our being embodied explains the confusion of apparent with real properties.
seeming, ostensible, outward, superficial;
supposed, alleged, professed
Late Middle English: from Old French aparant, from Latin apparent- 'appearing', from the verb apparere (see appear).
Words that rhyme with apparentarrant, transparent
For editors and proofreaders
Syllabification: ap·par·ent
Definition of apparent in:
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I was 29 years old when my gray-haired surgeon looked at me from across his desk and said, "I'd recommend a mastectomy." My dad, seated to my left, exhaled hard. To my right, my mom sat in silence. Family history had repeated itself: My grandmother underwent a mastectomy at age 39. Now it would be me. But in the four days since my diagnosis, I had researched and stumbled upon a choice my grandmother never had.
"It's OK," I said to my dad. "They can rebuild me."
They did. In one nine-hour procedure, a cancer surgeon performed a skin-sparing mastectomy, removing the nipple and tissue inside my right breast but leaving most of the skin intact. Then a plastic surgeon performed a free-flap reconstruction, extracting a portion of my stomach skin and fat and microscopically reconnecting it to my chest. Later, he reconstructed the nipple. The result was a breast that looks and feels like…my breast.
In the 14 years since, my reconstructed chest has seen me through highs and lows: confident in an evening gown while reporting from the Oscars as a TV correspondent; sorrowful, at times, when standing naked under bright bathroom lights, the faint scars tracing my areola reminders of invading disease and scalpels. Yearly screenings send my heart pounding, but my surgery has helped me be hopeful about the future.
Of course, some women don't want any kind of reconstruction, sometimes due to health reasons or as a matter of preference. But women who do choose it report significant, lasting psychological benefits, in a way that transcends physical beauty, according to a study by Amy K. Alderman, M.D., assistant professor of plastic surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. "Women tell me they feel whole again and more able to put cancer behind them," she explains.
Which is why I'm alarmed that many women don't know that options like the one I selected exist. Nearly 70 percent of women eligible for reconstruction aren't informed of their reconstructive options, according to a 2007 study by Dr. Alderman. Almost 65 percent of general surgeons said they believe patients lack interest in reconstruction, and less than one in four consistently refers breast cancer patients to plastic surgeons.
Meanwhile, plastic surgeons often limit the time they devote to cancer patients, because they tend to lose money treating them. Insurance reimbursements—which are roughly based on what Medicare pays—are paltry. In the case of free-flap surgery, plastic surgeons can charge $7,000 to $25,000 per breast; the average Medicare reimbursement in 2007 was $1,737. As a result, some doctors won't accept insurance for reconstructive surgeries, forcing patients to pay out of pocket. Others steer patients toward more profitable types of reconstruction, regardless of what's best medically, says Mark Sultan, M.D., my reconstructive surgeon and chief of the division of plastic surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Insurers reimburse implant reconstruction at roughly the same level as a flap, but surgery takes only about an hour. "Doctors may think, Why do a six-hour operation when I am paid the same amount for a one-hour implant?" Dr. Sultan says. "They may convince themselves, consciously or unconsciously, that the patient is a better candidate for an implant."
In this climate, a mere 16 percent of women with breast cancer receive reconstruction at the time of their mastectomies, Dr. Alderman found; and only 10 to 15 percent of mastectomy patients get it later. The numbers also show vast regional and racial disparities, as black and Hispanic women are half as likely to receive reconstruction as whites are. "What's the 'right' rate?" Dr. Alderman asks. "It's when women are well informed and each chooses the option that's right for her. I'm not sure that's happening."
When Robin Miller, a 50-year-old dot-com employee in Los Angeles, contemplated surgery for her stage II breast cancer a few years ago, "I couldn't bear the thought of losing a breast," she says. So she readily agreed when her oncological surgeon suggested a lumpectomy, common for women with tumors smaller than 4 centimeters. (Miller's was 2 cm.) She was given the option of mastectomy, but she recoiled at the idea. Her doctor didn't discuss immediate reconstruction, nor did Miller get or seek a referral to a plastic surgeon.
Two years later, Miller befriended Edith Speed, who had had the same cancer as Miller but opted for a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. "We were in her kitchen, drinking coffee, and I asked if I could look," Miller says. "She pulled up her shirt. Her breasts had less scarring than I have." Tentatively, Miller asked if she could touch them. "I can't believe these aren't real!" she exclaimed. "I'm OK with what I have, but had I known, I would not have been so terrified of a mastectomy."
For certain women, especially those whose tumors are large relative to their breast size, "breast conservation" surgeries can be anything but. Nearly a third of lumpectomy patients are unhappy with their cosmetic outcomes, according to a 2006 study by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Talking to a cosmetic surgeon as early as possible can help women choose the procedure that is best for their situation, but Dr. Alderman found that's not happening—although women doctors in her research were twice as likely to refer patients to plastic surgeons as men were. "Many general surgeons want to do their surgery and move on," Dr. Sultan says, and they assume the patient can get reconstruction later.
But "later" might never come, says Andrea Pusic, M.D., a plastic surgeon at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City: "Psychologically, there is a fork in the road, and once women go past it, they don't come back." A second surgery, with its costs and stress, can be less than appealing. Immediate reconstruction generally allows for "a better cosmetic result with fewer scars," Dr. Alderman adds. "The patient wakes up with a breast or in the process of getting a breast, so it cushions some of the psychological trauma."
The best approach for patients may be a breast-care team: a general surgeon, a plastic surgeon, an oncologist and a radiation therapist, or another mix of specialists who can come together to offer evaluations. It's an approach now used at major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in New Hampshire. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has an optional class for women considering reconstruction and their loved ones, so no one lacks for information. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has also launched a reconstruction-awareness campaign at PlasticSurgery.org. "Some patients feel it's somehow shameful to consider reconstruction when you should be thinking only about surviving and getting home to your kids," Dr. Pusic says. "Sometimes women need to be taken by the hand and told, 'It's all right. We want you to survive the cancer, but we also want you to overcome it.'"
Lower your risk for breast cancer
Prevent it Eating a diet high in white breads, pastas and other simple carbs can raise your risk for the disease, says a study in the July International Journal of Cancer. Stick with hearty whole-grain carbohydrates to protect breasts.
Screen it Your yearly ob/gyn checkup or allover physical should include a breast exam. From age 40, schedule annual mammograms. If two or more first-degree relatives have had breast cancer before age 50, consider genetic counseling.
Spot it Alert your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts, including…
- A lump or swelling.
- Skin irritation or dimpling.
- Discharge other than breast milk.