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Skip to comments.Fading Away: Aging congregation, demographics, force church members to face an uncertain future
Posted on 01/17/2010 8:30:13 PM PST by hiho hiho
There is no hospice for congregations facing the end of their days. No advanced directives telling caregivers when to take action and when to let go.
Dying people make out wills to direct the inheritance of their remaining possessions, but there is no legal equivalent for a dying church. Jewish tradition directs fathers to write ethical wills that explain the values by which they have led their lives, to be read by their children after they pass.
But when a church dies, there is no one left to do the reading.
On a chilly Sunday morning, congregants of Eastminster Presbyterian Church gather together to pray in their Northeast Halsey Street chapel. They shed their heavy coats and hats and set them on empty seats. Smiles abound. Many seem to visibly relax as they greet old friends with a gentle hand on a shoulder or a quick embrace. Here they have found sanctuary.
And, too, the people of Eastminster are more vulnerable than most to the harsh realities of an unforgiving Columbia River Gorge wind. They are old.
Thirty-five years ago, Eastminster was a vibrant church, with two services because the sanctuary was not large enough to contain the crowd. In 1972, the church had 450 members and 250 children in Sunday School.
This Sunday, there are fewer than 30 people attending services. The congregations average age, according to the churchs latest survey, is 79.
In February, the churchs Session essentially its board of directors will meet in the culmination of a three-month process intended to guide Eastminsters future. The most likely option is that some plan will be put in place leading to the closing of the church.
Portland is often referred to as the least-churched city in the country, and while national statistics show a few areas of New England and the West reporting similarly low or even lower numbers of religious observance, Eastminsters story is a tale about local attitudes toward organized religion and spirituality.
There are explanations for Eastminsters failing attendance and unsustainable economics, and for the fact that none of the adult children of these elderly parishioners are bringing their own families into the church where they grew up. Those same explanations have been cited in dozens of local churches that have either sold their properties or evolved into different entities.
Eastminsters pastor, Brian Heron, says he knows of two local Presbyterian churches that have closed in recent years, and he estimates that at least a dozen others are facing similar situations.
Theyre all just hanging by a thread, surviving month to month, year to year, Heron says.
David Leslie, executive director of nonprofit Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, a statewide association of churches, says there is no precise count of how many Portland-area churches have failed, but many are searching for new models as a way of staying alive. Some rent space to community organizations; others have sold their buildings to nonprofits and simply pay rent to hold services.
Leslie says it is likely that in the future there will be church buildings shared by three or four congregations.
Some of the failing churches are simply victims of changing neighborhoods, Leslie says.
At the base of this is the eternal reality that nothing is permanent, Leslie says. You look around Portland communities, some neighborhoods were middle class and they became lower income, and some of those neighborhoods became high income. A lot of it is demographic change, economics shifting.
If the question comes back to why are some of these churches on life support, I think the fundamental question is how in tune are they to the question of who is my neighbor? Is the church a place that is doing constant outreach to the neighborhood and the people who are around the church?
Like a family That, more than any other factor, helps explain what has happened at Eastminster. The church last year adopted a slogan, A Caring Community in a Changing World. For most of the past 55 years, that caring has been focused in one direction inward. In the process, congregants neglected the invigoration that comes from opening their doors to the world outside.
Barbara Rock, Eastminsters last remaining charter member, remembers the day in 1954 when a minister knocked on her door saying he wanted to start a church in her neighborhood. By the end of that year a charter had been signed by about two dozen people in a makeshift chapel in her basement, with curtains hiding the plumbing pipes, a picture of Jesus temporarily attached to a curtain and a gathering of children off to one side.
It was like a family, Rock says. All young couples with little children, and we all had the same things in common not much money and the church was our social life.
In 1960, Rock moved to Northern California. When she returned in 1983, going back to Eastminster felt like coming home. She loved the fact that the church looked exactly the same as when she had left. New faces and new programs to attract young members were not what she was hoping to find.
We were looking for a haven. We were looking for peace and our friends, Rock says.
Jerome and Lucile Harden needed and found comfort in the Eastminster community when their daughter Debbie died suddenly in 1991. Church members brought meals to their house and all the companionship the couple needed. Friendships deepened.
Having dealt with a much greater loss, the Hardens are able to face possibility of Eastminster closing philosophically.
I personally dont really see us surviving, says Jerome. Its sad because that building, that community, has been a part of our life for 30 years. But that doesnt mean you stop living. Life goes on.
Longtime congregant Walter Lersch says hiring Heron was among the best moves ever made by the Eastminster parishioners. But it happened way too late.
When our children were little I saw the problem. I felt we were going to die, Lersch says. A lot of people had left, and nobody new was coming in. This was 20 years ago.
Lersch and others say there were discussions, but nobody in the congregation was willing to take the lead toward a more open and inviting church. The parishioners of Eastminster grew old together.
But new members did not solely have to come from the outside. There were always those children.
Weve lost two generations, Lersch says. Weve lost our own children, and we have lost our childrens children.
Going through cycles Lersch and his wife, Florence, met at Eastminster. She was in the choir and he started attending services on his own in 1978. They raised their children there, among them daughter Christine Yanik, who has children of her own with husband Grant.
Christine says she would never raise her two children there, though she reluctantly allows her parents to take their grandchildren to Eastminster some Sunday mornings.
In some ways, the reasons Christine gives for rejecting Eastminster put her smack in the middle of her own generation and Pacific Northwest attitudes toward religion. She and Grant talk about believing in a divine being, and exploring their own version of spirituality, combining elements of Wicca, Buddhism and other religions they have studied.
Nearly all their friends classify themselves as spiritual without formally attending a church, synagogue or mosque.
What Christine found most off-putting about Eastminster is the very thing that Barbara Rock longed for when she returned from California, and found at Eastminster familiar faces, familiar liturgy and real community.
Everything goes through cycles, Yanik says. Youre born, you start to grow, you get smarter. With that comes maturing and change. Eastminster never changes. It never grew; it never matured.
All those years Christine saw her parents comfort other congregants during times of need, and finding fellowship with their Eastminster friends. But it always seemed to her that, given the message of the religion, it wasnt enough.
She heard the minister talk about welcoming in the stranger, and taking care of the poor. But Yanik didnt see that happening through church activities. Nobody was offering to shelter the homeless on Burnside, or feed the hungry of outer east side Portland.
Theyre very good about taking care of each other, but its taking care of each other, not helping take care of the community, Yanik says.
Lersch says his daughter could be right, and that he has learned a lesson, even if it may be too late to save Eastminster.
We understand now that our community changed and we didnt, he says.
Changed thinking Ironically, Eastminster has changed. Three years ago, the church hired Brian Heron to take them through the process of either facing its final days, or emerging as something different. Members of Eastminster didnt just want to let their church die, Heron says. At the very least they wanted to leave a legacy, something to mark what they had been.
Heron talks to congregants about learning to let go of their church as they have known it. Years ago, in California, Heron ministered in a hospice, helping dying patients through the last days of their lives. He knows this process. But he isnt ready yet to declare Eastminster lifeless. Not quite.
Maybe theres another congregation out there, he says, which lacks a building but could supply members in the space-sharing model predicted by David Leslie of Ecumenical Ministries.
Maybe a younger, homeless congregation will come to worship with the members of Eastminster, and eventually take over the building.
Maybe all of this could be combined with using Eastminsters three acres of property and empty classrooms for community gardens and housing the homeless, and make up for some of those years when such ideas were largely ignored.
Heron has also introduced a much more progressive, and liberal form of Christianity to Eastminster, and has found his ideas welcomed. The traditional Sunday morning Bible reading now is accompanied by a second reading from sources that have included Buddhist text and childrens books.
Im just amazed at how our thinking has changed, says Florence Lersch about Herons leadership.
On Feb. 14, Eastminsters three months of introspection and planning culminates in a meeting of the churchs governing Session. Whatever is decided, the choice need not be viewed as tragic, or even failing, says Heron.
Part of (Christianitys) story is a story of death and resurrection, Heron says. Were trying to trust that process. We dont have to fight death. We can face it, we can move through it, and live through it gracefully and see what new life looks like on the other side.
Frankly I think if you change the church to suit the neighborhood you're saving a building, not a congregation.
There's your problem right there.
**a second reading from sources that have included Buddhist text and childrens books."**
No wonder it is fading.
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I'm sorry, but I find most of mainline Christianity to be self-rightous atheism at heart. No wonder people aren't flocking to it.
Must be PCUSA....I think the PCA's are growing...
I grew up in the Presbyterian church, taught Sunday School there as a teenager, was married in that church and took my kids there. Back in the 80s, some of the high school age SS class material had evolution information. That church isn't dying, it's growing. But as I grew older (and up) and really started listening to the sermons, I started to feel totally worthless and that there was really no hope.
Perhaps its just that the minister made me uncomfortable, although I could never put my finger on *why* and the pillars of the church think he is the greatest thing ever sent to them. Maybe I was just not meant to be a Pres., I don't know. But that's why I stopped going. It didn't seem to a very happy or hopeful place that he's talking about. I'll never be as perfect as I supposedly should be. So why bother?
Yes, and sometimes it's not so much the church's message (as in my case) but the people. You get people who have attended a church for years and when there is new, fresh blood that starts attending it's 'We've always done it this way' etc etc. My cousin was instrumental in setting up a youth groupo and revitalizing the choir and music for her new church when she moved. But then people complained that she was 'running it all' (even tho' no one else stepped up to start or help with this).
Sometimes you get the feeling that those who are able to help with more stuff in the church are fairly smug about their 'higher Christian status' as I call it.
Reading a few lines of a beautiful bit of Buddhism isn't going to ruin a church. Many parts of many religious readings and texts are considered world literature.
Perhaps its just that the minister made me uncomfortable, although I could never put my finger on *why* and the pillars of the church think he is the greatest thing ever sent to them. Maybe I was just not meant to be a Pres., I dont know. But thats why I stopped going. It didnt seem to a very happy or hopeful place that hes talking about. Ill never be as perfect as I supposedly should be. So why bother?
Sounds like the typical works-oriented church. The sermons will usually describe great works from the Bible, and end with an exhortation for the flock to "go and do likewise".
IMO, we should learn in church that we are indeed "worthless", but we should also learn that you are not capable of being otherwise. They should then stress that belief in Christ provides the righteousness that we all lack. We then will feel compelled to give thanks and worship the God who saved us even though we did not deserve it.
Where are the people?
At the contemporary church, where they have a rockin' good time in the song portion of worship and a message that hits hard with truth and hope.
"Eastminster Presbyterian Church, located in Wichita, KS, is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)"
"Ill never be as perfect as I supposedly should be. So why bother?.
That's the whole point. You will NEVER be perfect. We are saved by grace, despite how rotten we are. The punishment we deserve for being far less than perfect was taken by Jesus on the cross. It is His gift to you. Take the gift. Embrace it. Tell everyone about it.
Beautiful as some Buddhist texts might be, they make a poor substitute for the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and thus have no place in Christian worship.
Three acres of property in the middle of Portland is a gold mine. They should sell the building and divvy up the money to fun their retirement. (Not sure who owns the church?).
Lots of empty churches in Portland, that is for sure. On the other hand their are so many people going to church in Beaverton that the police come out to direct traffic every Sunday. I think the believers have moved out of the city, which is now full of Wiccans, as the article explains.
Not too many families want to send kids to Portland public schools.
Except the article is about a church in Portland. What happens when you call bingo but you have the wrong spot marked? :-)
I didn't feel that way when I went to church. Listening to sermons, it felt pretty useless to try. I'm not sure that's how you should feel when you go to church.
Nah. I stopped going years ago. I wanted to be inspired. Not depressed.
The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
Conquer the angry man by love.
Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness.
Conquer the miser with generosity.
Conquer the liar with truth.
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
I fail to see how something like that would close a church. Aren't those pretty much in keeping with Christian ideals? If someone quoted them but didn't say they were Buddhist, I doubt any Christian would have a problem with them.
" It makes one no less a Christian to understand the differences and similarities in other religions. That is not a conversion to what they believe and a rejection of ones Christianity, but rather a strengthening of ones own beliefs."
I wholeheartedly agree.
I'd be thrilled, because they would be coming closer to Truth. But then again, Buddhism doesn't express itself in an exclusive manner like Christianity does.
I think to reject such as this out of hand is something that is short-sighted. It makes one no less a Christian to understand the differences and similarities in other religions. That is not a conversion to what they believe and a rejection of ones Christianity, but rather a strengthening of ones own beliefs.
Pointing out similarities and differences is laudable, but that doesn't make it right to put the writings of pagans (righteous ones perhaps, but pagans nonetheless), on the same level as divinely-inspired Scripture. In addition, there are some teachings/presuppositions of Buddhism that are in complete contrast to Christianity - which can be the beginning of weakening one's Christian faith.
Understood in a completely Christian context, that particular passage seems fairly harmless, that I will agree with. It isn't in open contradiction with Scripture (though I might say that the highest quality is seeking to serve God; serving others flows from serving God).
But that still doesn't mean that it should be read from the pulpit in a Christian Church in a manner that makes it seem equal to Scripture - because it isn't Scripture. There is plenty of beautiful poetry and beautiful wisdom in the writings of the Old and New Testaments.
As a former Presbyterian (PCUSA), I could tell you that the property is not owned by the church, but the Presbytery, which is the local organization of churches.
I left my former church (PCUSA) for reasons such as this. I come to church to hear the Gospel, not other religious teaching. If I were interested in other religious teachings (which I am from an informational perspective), I would read a book or take a continuing education course. Churches are for leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ — not making sure they understand Buddhism.
This is why "mainline" churches are dwindling. They have lost sight of their mission.
"I didnt feel that way when I went to church. Listening to sermons, it felt pretty useless to try. Im not sure thats how you should feel when you go to church."
I don't mean to be glib here and I know this question could be taken that way. I mean it as a serious question. Useless to try what?
I didn't leave my church, it left me.
The sermon on global warming & saving the poor dying polar bears did it for me.
Holy Rosary, not far from downtown Portland, packs 'em in pretty good.
But it's not watered-down, liberal Christianity, which is what you find at these dying congregations.
"She and Grant talk about believing in a divine being, and exploring their own version of spirituality, combining elements of Wicca, Buddhism and other religions they have studied."
Why not worship Zero, your true god?
When liberalism starts creeping in, it affects everything just like a runaway cancer.
This is very sad but is representative of why many parts of Western Civilization is dying. Recognizing that is the first step to turning things around.
lol. You're right. Who'd think there would be two Eastminster Presbyterian Churches?
Here ya go:
Try a Southern Baptist church. There are many, many ex-Presbyterians who have joined, including myself.
Read by a sodomite.
Buddhism is not a religion per se. It is more of a philosophy.
I would not welcome Buddhist readings in my church, neither Islamic nor Hindu. If one wants to understand the differences and such, there are plaenty of books to read, those 'teachings' do not belong in Christian worship.
Similarly, I 'll warrant that in your local mosque, not only would proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind not be appreciated, it might be met with physical 'resistance'. If a 'philosophy' wants to also discuss Christ, I say more power to them. But non-Christ teachings do not belong in church.
By whom?
Yup. Clearly they weren't able to recruit new members to their church, and the lame preaching may be part of the reason. You'll note that churches with dynamic preachers and vigorous instruction in the Scripture rarely have any trouble attracting parishioners. The churches near me that preach the Gospel have jammed parking lots for numerous services and have to keep building larger and larger facilities to accommodate the crowds that demand to hear the Word.
Buddhism may have wisdom to impart to us, but people who come to church, particularly older people, are probably going to the trouble to come out on a Sunday morning because they want some direction on how to grow closer to the Lord our God. Buddhism by its very nature is not going to teach that. Neither will material from children's books. You, Tainan, may like to hear these things, and that's your right, but it's evident that this church died because only a few people liked what they were hearing and learning there.
I just went to their site and looked at one of their sermons from last year. There were no references to any Bible scriptures. The pastor mentioned Jesus once in passing. And the majority of the sermon was about current political events. People don't go to church for that. They go (or should go) to hear God's word preached. These liberal churches are dying because the people are flocking to real churches where God's word is preached.
You mean the one with no doctrine that sings five contemporary feel good worship songs, followed by a sermon from the celebrity Pastor that makes the congregation feel great about themselves.
No harm or foul on you r witness, we all should be doing that, as well as we can, in ways Christ would.
The article was about the spreading or teaching or reading of alternative 'faiths' in a 'Christian' church. That is just not a good thing at all, seems to me, that would more than constitute a 'luke warm' church, which Christ says (in Revelation) makes Him want to vomit it from His mouth.
Church should be for preaching the Gospel and Christ. Not giving equal time to other religions or philosphies that lead people to Hell. Buddhism is great, as long as you are willing to go to Hell believing in it. As is Islam, or Hinduism or Gaia worship or Wicca. Pick your poison.
Apparently it's preordained as to whether we're going to heaven or hell. So I needn't bother. I can just have wicked fun either way, my fate is out of my hands. So I may as well whoop it up. ;)
Actually, my religious beliefs have doth suffered a sea change, into something rich and strange. I am perfectly happy with where I am in relation to God.
ELCA in Everett, WA - the guy quoted from an Anne Rice novel (Road to Canaan). The two liberal pastors there are always quoting Wobegon or some other crap piece of fiction, the intern they have is quoting scripture.
The guy quoting from Anne Rice was a guest preacher. He's got a PhD I guess and spoke about the Jesus' first miracle. He called out Pat Robertson as a heretic, then had the temerity to MENTION the ELCA decision on human sexuality, and then WHIFFED ON IT!!
He said its not the job of lutheran colleges to TAKE A POSITION ON SUCH MATTERS. So, if you are keeping score - Pat Robertson - heretic. ELCA for turning homosexuality into another of God's consecrated forms of marriage? - No comment.
Guy was a winner.
"Apparently its preordained as to whether were going to heaven or hell. So I neednt bother. I can just have wicked fun either way, my fate is out of my hands. So I may as well whoop it up. ;)"
I generally regard that as a bad idea; although the thought does cross my mind. The biblical support for predestination is pretty spotty.
"Actually, my religious beliefs have doth suffered a sea change, into something rich and strange. I am perfectly happy with where I am in relation to God."
Question for all of us is: Is God happy with where we are?
Thanks for letting me post Christian stuff without getting all crabby at me. :) God bless.
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Skip to comments.When squirrels attack! Theres a medical code for that. (New ICD-10 coding system)
Posted on 02/15/2014 9:22:20 AM PST by Innovative
Reolubin is one of the countrys 186,000 medical coders who work in the back offices of hospitals. Its her job to translate doctors scribbles into diagnosis codes. Those are sent to insurance companies, which use them to determine how much to pay hospitals for care.
With 14,000 codes, ICD-9 seems puny by comparison. The new manual explodes that code set to 68,000 much more granular and detailed terms to define very exactly and specifically what ails us.
There are different numbers for getting struck or bitten by a turkey (W61.42 or W61.43). There are codes for injuries caused by squirrels (W53.21) and getting hit by a motor vehicle while riding an animal (V80.919), spending too much time in a deep-freeze refrigerator (W93.2) and a large toe that has gone unexpectedly missing (Z89.419).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Doctors have to spend money on administrators to handle this and have to see more patients, resulting in less time per patient, just to pay them, to satisfy the government bureaucracy.
More "benefits" of Obamacare...
In before the squirrel grenade link!
Live gerbil inside rectum ? RG1 (Richard Gere-1).
Question about medical coding:
Have you heard of a scenario in which the attending physician/health care specialist is deliberately vague about a diagnosis because to be more specific (and accurate) in coding would require a new protocol and more troublesome paperwork?
My first job at the hospital for which I worked (for 20 years) required me to refer occasionally to the ICD-9,the version before the current one.This volume contained about 20 pages of just fevers...the names of some of which were hysterical.But admittedly,experiencing the fevers themselves probably wasn't much fun.But my favorite one,name-wise,was "Bwamba Fever".
A battle hardened big-city ER nurse I once worked with told me once of all the "foreign objects" that she's seen inserted in people's private areas.My favorite one was light bulbs.
Noooooo, but there are separate codes for bites to the left buttock and right buttock...
Squirrels, nature's little speed bumps.
But seriously, do squirrels carry rabies? I'm pretty sure turkeys and moose do not. I know that in some states squirrels are vectors for the plague. I've watched way too much "House."
Koro is also known as shrinking penis, and it is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
The syndrome occurs worldwide, and mass hysteria of genital-shrinkage anxiety has a history in Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the United States and Europe, the syndrome is commonly known as genital retraction syndrome. The condition can be diagnosed through psychological assessment along with physical examination to rule out genuine disorders of the genitalia that could be causing true retraction.[
What about gophers? Do they get their own code?
I talked to one, too. She said the gay "patients" were the worst with inserted objects they couldn't get out.
The Use It or Lose It Syndrome.
The CS series (as in Carl Spackler).
My personal is injury by falling spacecraft subsequent care. Like that's surviveable..... And docs have to know this as well. Coders can't do it all. However coders have been working with this for years. We will be lucky if we get a 2 week education/rollout period. Most of my time is no longer spent taking care of patients. It's dealing with garbage like this. But pick the wrong code out of the 68000 you don't get paid. Or you go to jail..... I'm retiring as soon as the last kid is out of school
A vet told me no. Years ago my kids were attacked by what I thought was a rabid squirrel. I dispatched him and took the carcass to a vet for an autopsy to see if it was indeed infected.
He said that the autopsy revealed that parasitic worms had devoured so much of the squirrels brain that it drove it insane. He also said that it probably got it from eating cat poop.
I'm an insurance fraud investigator and have done quite a number of provider fraud cases. On pretty much any Health Insurance Claim form, there are two sets of codes:
1. The diagnostic code (as discussed in this article) which is drawn from the ICD-9 (and now ICD-10). "ICD" stands for International Classification of Diseases, and is established by the World Health Organization.
2. The procedural code or "CPT code" which is the Current Procedural Terminology established by the AMA.
In short, the first code establishes the provider's diagnosis of what the problem is, and the second is the procedure rendered to treat it. A quick example would be a diagnosis of, "laceration," and a procedure of, "sutures." In theory and generally in practice, the procedure should be directly relevant to the diagnosis.
When providers want to play fast and loose, in my experience, it is easier to fudge with the procedure and not the diagnosis. The diagnosis is something that can be relatively easily and objectively confirmed or denied (with some ambiguous exceptions like fibromyalgia and some other soft tissue injuries). The procedural code is what generates the billing and there is more room for manipulation. Whether or not a procedure is appropriate or not becomes a more subjective matter of medical opinion.
Two relatively common scams are known as "upcoding," and, "unbundling." Upcoding is billing for a more extensive or complex procedure than was actually performed. For example, a new patient visit/exam should require more of a physician's time than a routine return visit since the physician will want to collect and review the new patient's full medical history and conduct a comprehensive examination. Sometimes physicians will bill for a more extensive exam than was actually required or performed. "Unbundling," is when there are specific codes for more elaborate procedures that may involve multiple lesser procedures. For example there is a specific code for stitches/sutures. If somebody comes into an ER or doctor's office with a gash that needs five stitches to close, the doctor will do the stitches and bill for the suturing. Virtually all invasive surgeries will mandate sutures to close as part of the surgical procedure, and the codes for those surgeries are supposed to include the closing sutures as part of the surgery, but some physicians or their coders will "unbundle," and bill the code not just for the surgery, but bill the separate code for sutures as well. It would be something akin to buying a car, 'as is' off the showroom floor, and then having the dealership bill you for the car with an extra charge for the tires.
How about a can of shaving cream .
Wow. Cat poop parasitic worms. Mr. Mercat and I are sure that the few squirrels brave enough to live close to our house are insane and/or extraterrestrial aliens. We figure that they go up into the messy nests in the tippy top of the trees (we've seen more squirrels go into those than couple possibly fit) and then teleport to the mother ship. Our dogs and cat keep them in some control.
Thanks for the information.
Well, while interesting and peculiar, I could have happily lived without this information...
I would not be able to refrain from laughing if I worked in ER and had a patient with a can of shaving cream up his butt. I'd probably ask, "Did you give any thought at all as to why you were doing this? Have you considered mental help?"
As an easy solution to most fraudulent health charges: have the patient pay the bill instead of some middleman! The patient knows what was done so there's little provider temptation to slip in charges for what wasn't done. And the patient won't have to pay to support the middlemen he didn't need. And in truly free market the provider savings from not having to convince the middlemen will be passed along to the patient as well.
I am a professional hospital medical coder. As much as I ABSOLUTELY HATE OCare: The new coding set (ICD-10) has been in the works long before OCare. Actually its implementation has been postponed twice already. A version of ICD-10 has been in use worldwide, except in the US, for quite a while. It was postponed due to the enormous expense to hospitals, doctors offices, insurance companies, and the US govt (medicare). The main problem now is that setting the start date of 10/1/14 on top of a mandated electronic record and the OCare milehigh stack of regulations,it will financially ruin many healthcare providers. The change from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10 is like changing from English to Russian. The codes, code fields, and root word definitions are changing. At my hospital, we are already spending hours and hours taking on-line courses to learn the new system. It is costing the hospital a lot of money; the IT (info technology) dept is also greatly impacted by this code set change.
So although OCare didnt dream this up; it will help bankrupt and destroy our healthcare system.
Of course the US version, has many more codes than the international version. I haven't check to see if there is a specific code for squirrel bite; but there has been codes for injuries caused by animals for years .Just gotta love those statistics. /sarc
BTW, there are codes for getting stabbed by knitting needles, while falling off a chair in an office....
It also represents a concept that has survived past when it is needed. In the early days of computing, databases, and even manual statistics it was important to have a single fully descriptive code number. That code number could be used by simplistic software, or even manual sorting systems, to select a group of patients in the exact same circumstance - i.e. they got bit on the thumb by a squirrel.
But as anyone who has used Google knows, today computer systems can aggregate data from multiple sources, and certainly from multiple fields on one record. So there is no need for a fully descriptive code, and instead partial codes can be used, or even descriptive words.
The theory behind the fully descriptive code is that it serves as a filter, and once coded everyone knows exactly what the data means. But of course that is not true. Coding mistakes get made, and the kid who thought it was a squirrel who bit them might actually have been bitten by a chipmunk, or a weasel, or maybe even the neighbor's cat that they weren't allowed to play with so it was safer to tell mom a squirrel bit them.
ICD-10 is a great example of a bureaucratic mindset imposing costs where they aren't warranted, and imposing a standard on the market that may not be the best solution.
Thanks for your insights.
The tradeoff is benefit vs. cost — how beneficial is it to know whether you were bitten by a squirrel or a rat or breaking down the diagnosis to tiny details — vs the enormous cost of implementation and development of a system to assign different reimbursement values for the different codes, etc.
BTW the article mentions the specific code: "There are codes for injuries caused by squirrels (W53.21)"
It's a system run amok.
In general principle, I agree. There will be numerous cases however, where that's neither pragmatic nor possible. Namely, I'm thinking of injury claims arising from personal or commercial auto, general liability or anywhere else the injuries were sustained as a result of another party's negligence. If you go to a store that has an improperly maintained staircase which gives way while you're on it and you break your ankle, you're not going to want to, and may not even be able to, pay that bill out of pocket, and it's reasonable for you to expect that store (or by extension their carrier) to cover your medical bills.
I can't believe it's taken them this long to finally get to ICD-10. I worked for BC/BS in the 80s and 90s and we used ICD-9 way back then.
Trust me, laughing is the last thing on your mind. Dealing with these folks is not a lot of fun. And usually they want to tell you how it got there. I dont' care and dont want to know. Trust me.
How much time does it take to look up a code? Wouldn't "bit by a squirrel" be faster?
These new FReepers have no respect for tradition.
It was a squirrel and must have been trying to run across the road when it encountered the car. I really was not going very fast, but there was no time to brake or avoid it -- it was that close! . I hate to run over animals, and I really hate it on a motorcycle; but a squirrel should pose no danger to me.
I barely had time to brace for the impact. Animal lovers, never fear. Squirrels, I discovered, can take care of themselves!
Inches before impact, the squirrel flipped to his feet. He was standing on his hind legs and facing my oncoming Valkyrie with steadfast resolve in his beady little eyes. His mouth opened; and at the last possible second, he screamed and leapt! I am pretty sure the scream was squirrel for, "Bonzai!" or maybe, "Die you gravy-sucking, heathen scum!" The leap was nothing short of spectacular. He shot straight up, flew over my windshield, and impacted me squarely in the chest. Instantly, he set upon me. If I did not know better, I would have sworn he brought 20 of his little buddies along for the attack. Snarling, hissing, and tearing at my clothes, he was a frenzy of activity. As I was dressed only in a light T-shirt, summer riding gloves, and jeans, this was a bit of a cause for concern. This furry little tornado was doing some damage!
Picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and leather gloves, puttering at maybe 25 mph down a quiet residential street, and in the fight of his life with a squirrel.
And losing...
I grabbed for him with my left hand. After a few misses, I finally managed to snag his tail. With all my strength, I flung the evil rodent off to the left of the bike, almost running into the right curb as I recoiled from the throw. That should have done it. The matter should have ended right there.
It really should have. The squirrel could have sailed into one of the pristinely kept yards and gone on about his business, and I could have headed home. No one would have been the wiser. But this was no ordinary squirrel. This was not even an ordinary angry squirrel. This was an EVIL MUTANT ATTACK SQUIRREL OF DEATH!
Somehow he caught my gloved finger with one of his little hands; and, with the force of the throw, swung around and with a resounding thump and an amazing impact, he landed squarely on my BACK and resumed his rather antisocial and extremely distracting activities. He also managed to take my left glove with him! The situation was not improved. Not improved at all. His attacks were continuing, and now I could not reach him. I was startled, to say the least. The combination of the force of the throw, only having one hand (the throttle hand) on the handlebars, and my jerking back unfortunately put a healthy twist through my right hand and into the throttle. A healthy twist on the throttle of! a Valkyrie can only have one result.
This is what the Valkyrie is made for; and she is very, very good at it. The engine roared, and the front wheel left the pavement. The squirrel screamed in anger. The Valkyrie screamed in ecstasy. I screamed in - well, I just plain screamed.
Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a slightly squirrel-torn t-shirt, wearing only one leather glove, and roaring at maybe 50 mph and rapidly accelerating down a quiet residential street on one wheel, with a demonic squirrel of death on his back.
The man and the squirrel are both screaming bloody murder.
With the sudden acceleration, I was forced to put my other hand back on the handlebars and try to get control of the bike.
This was leaving the mutant squirrel to his own devices; but I really did not want to crash into somebody's tree, house, or parked car. Also, I had not yet figured out how to release the throttle. My brain was just simply overloaded. I did manage to mash the back brake, but it had little effect against the massive power of the big cruiser.
About this time, the squirrel decided that I was not paying sufficient attention to this very serious battle (maybe he was an evil mutant NAZI attack squirrel of death); and he came around my neck and got INSIDE my full-face helmet with me. As the faceplate closed part way, he began hissing in my face. I am quite sure my screaming changed intensity. It had little effect on the squirrel, however. The RPMs on the Dragon maxed out (since I was not bothering with shifting at the moment); so her front end started to drop.
Now, picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a very raggedly torn T-shirt, wearing only one leather glove, roaring at probably 80 mph, still on one wheel, with a large puffy squirrel's tail sticking out of the mostly closed full-face helmet. By now, the screams are probably getting a little hoarse.
Finally, I got the upper hand. I managed to grab his tail again, pulled him out of my helmet, and slung him to the left as hard as I could. This time it worked - sort of.
Spectacularly sort of ...so to speak.
Picture a new scene. You are a cop. You and your partner have pulled off on a quiet residential street and parked with your windows down to do some paperwork. Suddenly, a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a torn T-shirt flapping in the breeze, and wearing only one leather glove, moving at probably 80 mph on one wheel, and screaming bloody murder roars by, and with all his strength throw! was a live squirrel grenade directly into your police car.
I heard screams.
They weren't mine.
I managed to get the big motorcycle under control and dropped the front wheel to the ground. I then used maximum braking and skidded to a stop in a cloud of tire smoke at the stop sign of a busy cross street. I would have returned to 'fess up (and to get my glove back). I really would have. Really. Except for two things.
First, the cops did not seem interested or the slightest bit concerned about me at the moment. When I looked back, the doors on both sides of the patrol car were flung wide open. The cop from the passenger side was on his back, doing a crab walk into somebody's front yard, quickly moving away from the car. The cop who had been in the driver's seat was standing in the street, aiming a riot shotgun at his own police car.
So, the cops were not interested in me. They often insist to "let the professionals handle it" anyway.
That was one thing. The other?
Well, I could clearly see shredded and flying pieces of foam and upholstery from the back seat. But I could also swear I saw the squirrel in the back window, shaking his little fist at me. That is one dangerous squirrel. And now he has a patrol car. A somewhat shredded patrol car, but it was all his.
I took a deep breath, turned on my turn-signal, made a gentle right turn off of Brice Street, and sedately left the neighborhood. I decided it was best to just buy myself a new pair of gloves. And awhole lot of Band-Aids.
true. Very true. We have data entry people freaking out over the code changes. They don't even choose the code; just enter it. They'll just have to pay more attention.
I deal with InPatient stays. Many codes for each stay!!!. It really doesn't make much difference to me which code set we use. The general coding guidelines aren't changing.
In a hospital setting the MD would dictate a discharge summary that says, "bite injury on left pick-a-body-part by a squirrel and sutured the bite..." The coding analyst must take the words and turn them into codes. My experience in the hospital that I work for....the doctors have better things to do than worry about codes. The problem is that reimbursement by insurance companies and medicare or medicaid are based on the specific codes and RULES governing how they are used! You wouldn't believe the number of RULES and MORE RULES we have to follow. And you guessed it, the rules are always changing from year to year. Good thing I like my job...most days
Make a movie of it, bet you would get a lot of hits. :)
IT wasn't a regular squirrel! it was an EVIL MUTANT ATTACK SQUIRREL OF DEATH!!!!!!
—— Have you heard of a scenario in which the attending physician/health care specialist is deliberately vague about a diagnosis because to be more specific (and accurate) in coding would require a new protocol and more troublesome paperwork? ——
Or a doctor prescribing drugs for off- label use?
Thanks for that hilarious story! The whole family enjoyed it.
While I do t have to supply the code I have to know the exact wording. For example but by squirrel and attacked by squirrel may be 2 different codes with dramatically different remuneration. One word may literally be thousands of dollars difference in how a hospital is reimbursed. And coders cannot supply the word or infer it if I have not stated it that way. Treating the same patient can literally be reimbursed multiple ways with thousands of dollars difference. The hospital I work for would like to be paid enough to keep the doors open and is looking to me to get the coding right. It's a ridiculous game, and once docs and hospitals figure it out, Medicare and Medicaid change the rules sometimes literally with 2 weeks notice...
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subset: commoncrawl


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Star Reefers swung to a $124 million net loss in 2011 from an $89,000 profit a year ago, as the Norwegian refrigerated ship operator was hit by record low freight rates and increased competition from
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I'm going nuts with this white heavy chesse discharge! I have to go and wash myself everytime I go to the restroom because of this plus the itchiness! My doctor told me to apply Monistat but I'm scare to use or take any over the counter medication
Does anyone is going through the same thing or it's only me? Have you use any medication or just trying to ignore it and be with it until its gone?
I heard putting plain yogurt may help ...
Thanks for any advises


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African Social News Network and Events
"It seemed as though I was dreaming. However, reality pointed to the fact that someone had been intimate with me moments earlier." Seventeen-year-old Tracy Mupunga of Village 1 under Chief
Madyangove's realm utters these chilling words as she points to the homestead where an in-law (name supplied) is alleged to have used supernatural powers (juju) to get the home's daughters-in-law into a sub-conscious state before being intimate with them.
Like the others, Tracy believes she is a regular victim of the perverted powers. She is married to the last born in the family, Omega, and stays in the village.
Tales around the strange occurrences sounded frivolous at first. However, a string of such preternatural happenings convinced all family members that the mischievous in-law was up to no good.
The family, including his wife and five sons, recently enlisted the services of a faith healer to rid the home of the charms.
The man who is at the centre of the controversy, however, says his enemies were behind the scandalous allegations.
Tracy was initially cautious about divulging details of the strange occurrences.
"Regai timbodya; tohwa zhara. Tabva kumunda. Mukawanikwa muri pano hapadyiwi ropisa (We want to eat first since, we are coming from the maize fields. There will be mayhem if you are caught here)," said Tracy, who had just returned from a nearby maize field with her mother-in-law.
She appeared frightened, but opened up all the same. "I got married to Omega late last year and that is when I came to this homestead.
"A fellow daughter-in-law, Mercy, told me she suspected this man (name supplied) possessed powers which enabled him to sleep with women sub-consciously."
Mercy said she sometimes dreamt of the in-law being intimate with her. She would wake up each time with evidence pointing to intercourse.
She said she found her undergarments torn in some instances, something the other married women in the home testified to.
"I was in the field, weeding maize, when he passed by. He gave me some instructions that confined me to a secluded place on the periphery of the field," said Mercy.
"Suddenly, I became dizzy. I felt that someone was having sexual intercourse with me. I felt incapacitated, a phenomenon known as madzikirira in Shona.
"By the time I regained consciousness, my undergarments were missing. There were also clear signs that I had been sexually abused."
Her mother-in-law said they had to enlist the services of a local prophet after numerous sexual assault reports from her daughters-in-law.
She alleged her husband wanted to stab the prophet.
"After attempts by my husband to stop the cleansing ceremony organised by our sons, threatening to knife the prophet, he left for an unknown destination," she said.
"He only returned two days later. However, the prophet had managed to recover a number of charms, which, he said, were used in the perpetration of the said sexual offences."
Omega said the family resolved to "move on with life".
"The prophet assured us that he had managed to get rid of the devilish charms. So, we decided not to report the matter to the police or village court for the sake of family unity," he said.
"We would like to forgive him (the in-law) for his misdeeds only if he desists from dabbling in those charms and apologises to all those who suffered because of his evil ways."
Contacted for comment, the accused in-law said it was common practice for African families to have "defensive mechanisms" such as charms.
"Hakuna musha usina makona pamaramiro echivanhu (There is no home without these protective charms)," he said.
A criminal lawyer, Mr Tawanda Maringe, said such cases were "misrepresented" under the Witchcraft Suppression Act
He said individuals could now report cases involving suspected witchcraft following the repeal of provisions of the Act.
"The major obstacle is the burden of providing proof or evidence in court," he said.
via B24
Views: 1116


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How much time would it take for a theme to be accepted into wordpress directory. I have been working on a couple of themes and submitted them to wordpress yesterday.
I tested them with theme_test_unit_data, and the results were fine. I am just wondering when will my theme be accepted, How long does it take ?


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Blog Posts in Category: Rob Everts
September 24, 2012
Get Real UNH is a small student organization on campus but they have a big goal. Their mission is to have at least 20% of all UNH food be local, fair trade, friendly to the environment or humanely produced by 2020. In addition, they would like to create a community that cares enough about these criteria for food to act on it. What you probably do not know is that you may have already engaged yourself in Get Real UNH by going to the Local Harvest Fest. This was in inaugural event in their "Food... Read More
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The Importance of Smoke Free Campuses There are currently 1,... Read more
Making Contraceptive Use More Affordable and Accessible Today in America, women have the... Read more
Eating Locally Can Be Healthy and Delicious Looking to eat fresh foods that are organic and full of... Read more


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One person was injured Wednesday in a two-vehicle collision in Marion County involving a Campbellsville teen.
According to Kentucky State Police, Johnathon R. Colvin, 17, was driving a 1999 Dodge east on Campbellsville Highway, when he attempted to avoid colliding with another vehicle.
However, Colvin lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center lane and struck a westbound 1995 Dodge, driven by James Richardson, 65, of Lebanon. The collision occurred at 4:08 p.m.
Adair County used a 14-0 run after the game was tied at 6-6 and downed the visiting Campbellsville High School Lady Eagles 63-56 on Friday night.
Coach Cameron Jackson's club fought back to within six (36-30) on a three-point play by Ashyya Robinson in the third quarter and were within seven (60-53) with 1:04 left in the game after Bronte Karr's block jumper from a pass by Amber Gamboa.
Freshman Tiffany Slone, who hit four first-half treys, led Campbellsville with 22 points while seniors Gamboa had nine and Karr and Danielle Morris eight apiece.
Taylor County High School's boys' hoop squad won a pair of games around a 20th District loss at Adair County.
The Cardinals fell to the Indians 64-54 in a make-up clash in Columbia on Monday.
Chase Cox and Lloyd Stotts hit a pair of free throws each to knot the score at 51-51 with 1:25 to play. However, Adair County used a Corey Helm lay-up, a three-point play from Darren Ballou and eight more free throws to post the triumph.
Chase Cox led Taylor County with 22 points while Leonard Macon had 13 and Michael Coulter 11.
Campbellsville University (21-3, 6-0 Mid-South) started the second half on Thursday with an offensive explosion, and the Lady Tigers outscored the Golden Bears 22-3 to extend their 11-point first half lead to 48-17.
Campbellsville's Melly Heaton netted 16 points on 6-14 shooting with four of those baskets coming from three-point range to lead the Lady Tigers.
Ashley Blaney led WVU-Tech (2-20, 0-6) with 12 points while Sharnage Young added 11 for the Golden Bears.
Campbellsville played at Georgetown on Saturday and hosts Pikeville on Thursday (6:00).
West Virginia Tech got a slow start on Thursday against the Tigers of Campbellsville University.
However, a three-point bucket by Sam Robertson at the 15-minute mark put the Golden Bears up 9-8 and Tech never looked trailed, winning 75-59.
The Golden Bears shot well from the field with Tech shooting 44 percent for the game while holding the Tigers to a frigid 25 percent in the second half and 34 percent for the Mid-South Conference contest.
Taylor County fought off a pesky Marion County team to post a 53-33 road win on Friday night.
Chase Cox led the Cardinal arsenal with 21 points while fellow senior Leonard Macon added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Another pair of 12th graders, Chris Thomas and Shane Morris, collected eight and six rebounds, respectively, while junior Lloyd Stotts dished out five assists.
Taylor County's game with Christian County, rescheduled for tonight, will now be played this Saturday afternoon at a time to be announced later this week.
Adair County led 18-3 at the first-quarter stop and finished undefeated vs. 20th District foes with a 51-38 triumph over Campbellsville on Friday night in Columbia.
Three-point baskets by Morehead-bound Darren Ballou and Corey Helm sparked the fast Indian start while Nick Fudge's steal and lay-up began the second quarter.
The lead was still 17 for Adair before Michael McCubbin stole the ball and hit a three-pointer just before the first-half horn sounded.
The local sports schedule for the next few weeks is:
Tuesday, Feb. 10
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL — Campbellsville at North Hardin (7:30), Washington County at Taylor County (6:00).
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL — KSD at Campbellsville (7:30) and Washington County at Taylor County (7:30).
Thursday, Feb. 12
UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL — Pikeville at Campbellsville (8:00).
UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL — Pikeville at Campbellsville (6:00).
Dr. Jarvis Williams, assistant professor of New Testament and Greek at Campbellsville University's School of Theology, will present the next faculty colloquium at CU today in Room 15 of the Administration Building.
The colloquium is titled "Maccabean Martyr Traditions and Paul's Conception of Jesus' Death in Romans Reconsidered:
Insights from Maccabean Martyr Theology?"
The public is invited to the free colloquium, which is at 4 p.m.
Campbellsville University art professor, Linda J. Cundiff, who is chair of the department of art at CU, will host an art exhibit through Feb. 6 in the Art Gallery.
A reception in her honor will be Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Art Gallery. The public is invited to attend free of charge.
Cundiff, who has taught at CU since 1982, will display pastel paintings, prismacolor drawings, acrylic paintings and pen and ink drawings.
Cundiff said the pieces in the exhibit are recent work and most have not been exhibited elsewhere.
Copyright © 2016
The Central Kentucky News-Journal is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Campbellsville, KY and the surrounding area.


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Manchester United Message Board
A Yahoo! User Apr 9, 2009 02:36 Flag
nothing ever changes
after sunday the board was eerily quiet as abus had a bad afternoon and could not bring themselves to comment, we get a fortunate draw last night when we should have been heckled for losing, and they are back in their droves. even gooner fans are on here, and they aint won nowt yet and aint won nowt for 3 seasons.
they got a cheek that lot.Sort: Newest | Oldest | Most Replied Expand all replies
A Yahoo! User Apr 9, 2009 06:18 Flag
what makes me happy is seeing dicks like you trying to belittle a far superior club than yours, i could go into a timewarp for 10 years and you would still be playing catch up. fabongrass, cant be that great otherwise you would have won something in the last 3 seasons. thinking back when it was united and arsenal fighting for the league, we still their and still winning them but you going backwards as you been overtaken by 2 sides, and you think wenger is god. that my friend is why when it comes to laughing stocks, your the biggest ones.
FABONGRASSS FABONGRASSS Apr 9, 2009 02:41 Flag
We were the better side when we last played you lot though huh?
happy happy
joy joy!
- 1 Reply to FABONGRASSS
A Yahoo! User Apr 9, 2009 02:46 Flag
and last season we hammered you 4-0 and done you in the league, and won a prem, you beating us 2-1 in novenber has not really done anything to your standing in the prem. but little things i suppose.........................


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- Overview
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Bell Sweep Race HelmetA consistent winner on road and mountain bike circuits, the Sweep race helmet continues its legacy of clearing out the competition. Bell's top-of-the-line Twin Axis Gear fit system adjusts vertically and circumferentially to give you a super precise fit. 20 channeled vents actively direct airflow over the head and out the rear for cooling performance. Fusion In-Mold Microshell with In-Mold Bottom Wrap and Internal Reinforcement achieves a feathery curb weight without compromising one bit of durability. All this, plus a bevy of top-level features, makes it easy to see why the Sweep is a racer favorite.
- Fusion In-Mold Microshell is the result of an in-molding process which bonds the helmet's Microshell to its EPS foam layer for a sturdier, more solid helmet
- Internal Reinforcement is a fortified composite skeleton which allows for bigger vents, more advanced styling and lighter weight, while still meeting stringent safety standards
- In-Mold Bottom Wrap bonds the Microshell material to the lower half of the helmet to cover what on most helmets is the less durable, exposed EPS foam
- 20 huge channeled vents bring cool air in through the front, allowing it to pass over your head and then flushes warm air out of the rear ports -- so YOU stay cool and your HEAD stays cool
- Variable Position Visor allows for 15° of horizontal adjustment by using an imbedded clutch mechanism that holds the visor firmly at the desired angle
- Twin Axis Gear fit system adjusts to the head on 2 axes -- circumferentially as standard fit systems do, but also vertically to better accommodate differences in the up-down position of the occipital lope
- Fit system arms are co-molded with soft rubber and positioned higher to better accommodate eyewear
- Cam-Lock levers adjust the straps around the ears
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- Suggested Use: Road Race, MTB XC Race, Cyclocross, Triathlon, Enthusiast Road
Bell Sweep Race Helmet
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- vents:
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- 297g
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Markdown Madness: Event dates are 8/25/16 – 9/5/16 only. Offer is valid in-store, online at PerformanceBike.com or by phone at 1-800-727-2453. Online, percent discount is taken at checkout. Discounts apply only to specified categories and/ or brands as noted. All bikes are priced as marked. Promotion excludes taxes, gift cards / eGift cards, Spin Doctor Services / Service Plans, Team Performance® memberships/renewals, paid training fees, and shipping and handling on web/phone orders. Some brand and/or item exclusions may apply – visit Terms and Conditions for details. Promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Sorry, no rain checks. Photographic, typographic and pricing errors are unintentional and subject to change.


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Venice attorney to replace Staub in Sarasota
Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 7:44 p.m.
Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Venice resident Christine Robinson to the Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday, ending a three-month search that included more than 30 applicants.
Robinson, a 36-year old attorney and county planning board member, will replace County Commissioner Shannon Staub, who announced in September that she was vacating her seat early to spend time with family.
Because Staub, a Republican, has two years left on her term in office, Crist had the authority to appoint a replacement until the next regular election in 2012.
In picking Robinson, Crist, who has just a month left in office, selected the wife of one of his closest political allies, stirring accusations of political cronyism. Robinson's husband, Eric, is one of Crist's close friends and volunteered on his failed U.S. Senate campaign. Eric Robinson is also the former Sarasota County Republican Party chairman.
"I knew as soon as there was an opportunity, she was going to get it," said Sarasota Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters.
Robinson got the nod over a list that included former North Port city commissioners Vanessa Carusone and Barbara Gross, Republican party activist Walt Augustinowicz and former county commissioner Paul Mercier.
Gruters said he knows Crist is a fiercely loyal guy, and would look to give the post to Robinson. Crist was a Republican until changing to an independent when he lost the U.S. Senate GOP primary.
Christine Robinson said she knows that criticism will be out there, but insists she earned the post, which pays $77,547 a year. She said she has the education background, public service history and experience in the private sector to do the job well.
"I think I have a well-rounded background for the position," Robinson said.
During her four years on the county planning board, Robinson, a Republican, said she gained valuable experience sifting through land-use policy -- a critical function for a county commissioner.
Though Robinson has lived in the Venice area since 2001, she and her husband own a house just outside of commission District 3. In order to meet the residency requirement, the Robinsons are renting a home in District 3 until their home in Venice sells.
Others in the running for the position say Crist should not have picked someone who does not permanently live in the district, which includes all of North Port, Englewood and part of Venice.
"We're talking about a carpetbagger here," said Augustinowicz, an Englewood resident. "Crist picked someone from outside the district to represent us."
This story appeared in print on page BN1
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Waffle House Test Kitchen
Welcome to the Waffle House Test Kitchen, where Customer favorites like the Peanut Butter Waffle and our premium line of salads were born!
As our Regulars know, we don't like to fix what isn't broken, but we are continually working to make sure we keep up with ever-changing Customer tastes. Occasionally, that will lead us to a new product introduction.
Please click on the links below to learn more about the menu items we are currently testing and give us your feedback. While in test mode, items can only be found in certain areas and restaurants. So if you walk into a Waffle House and happen to stumble on a new item, who knows…with your help, one of the items may make the menu!
Current Test Kitchen Items:
A smooth and flavorful coffee extract with fresh milk and a splash of sweet Vanilla poured over ice…delicious! We are currently testing Iced Coffee in a few of our Atlanta area restaurants. Regardless of the cooler temperatures, the Iced Coffee is doing well and is receiving positive feedback on the taste! Let us know what you think in the quick survey. Find the list of locations here.
SAUSAGE, SCRAMBLED EGG and CHEESE HASHBROWN BOWLS
What are Hashbrown Bowls? The Sausage, Scrambled Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Bowl is new meal concept that layers a large order of hashbrowns, two slices of cheese, an order of scrambled eggs, a full order of sausage and also served with toast or biscuit. This meal option is served in a new, large bowl that has been selected especially for this new menu item. For a limited time, you can find the Sausage, Scrambled Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Bowls only at the following locations listed here.
Want to add a little sweet to your savory? Try our new Blueberry biscuits on your favorite sandwich! Also substitute as a side bread option along with your favorite breakfast or dinner meal! This new Test Kitchen item is currently being tested here.


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The Fujifilm X100S aka The Best Camera I Ever Owned aka The Only Leica A Photographer Can Afford is now available in black. And unlike the overpriced special edition black X100, the black X100S is neither a special edition nor more expensive – it's just a regular alternative colorway for the camera.
Graphite iPhone 5S Compared To Black iPhone 5 In New Hands-On
At this point, we're pretty confident that Apple will unveil two new colors for the iPhone 5S: a gold/champagne and white model, and a graphite and black model. If you're wondering how the latter will look against the existing black iPhone 5, then this new hands-on video should give you a good idea.
Apple's White iPad Mini Sold Out Within Minutes, Now Ships In Two Weeks
When Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPad mini at 12 a.m. Pacific, I visited the store a few times to see how quickly it sold out. I didn't buy one; I have a third-generation iPad and decided I don't need another one. But I was curious.
To my surprise, at 12:03 a.m. Pacific, the white iPad mini had already sold out in the United Kingdom. Only the black model was available for November 2 delivery. And just over ten minutes later, it was a similar story for Apple's U.S. online store.
New iPad Hits Apple Online Store's Refurbished Section With $50 Off [Deals]
If you're been waiting to get the new iPad from the refurbished section of Apple's Online Store in an effort to save some cash, then today is your lucky day. The latest device, which is the first and only iPad to get a high-resolution Retina display, is now available with $50 off.
New iPad Shipping Delay Reduced To 7 Days In Europe
Despite its focus on a speedy international rollout for the new iPad, which has seen the tablet hit 57 countries in just over one month, Apple is still keeping on top of demand and working to reduce shipping delays in its initial launch territories. After delays dropped to just 3-5 days in the United States last week, customers in Europe are now facing a wait of just 7 days.


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Study: Americans workinkg less than generations ago
Click play to watch the report from Action News
no: In bed with Putin, invites Russia to hack into our Homeland Security, FBI and CIA , now he is going to meet with Nieto to negotiate his cut on the Drug Cartels income if he let's them tunnel and ride through into California, FACILITATE HUMAN TRAFICKING TO AND FROM THE STATES AND MEXICO, AND OPEN new channels for KiddIe Porn - he has used this BOGUS RUN FOR PRESIDENCY TO ACCESS, CONNECT AND CUT DEALS WITH OUR ENEMIES AND SELL OUR NATIONAL SECRETS AFTER HIS SECURITY BRIEFING (Big Mistake and now we will all have to suffer the consequences of this CON MAN and SECRET DRUG LORD - TRUMP has pulled the wool over American eyes by creating this big uproar that "he" was planning on building an imaginary wall - TRUMP THE TRAITOR needs to be handled exactly as a TRAITOR TO AMERICA should be - he is a home-grown terrorist in disguise - a WOLF in sheep's clothing - SELLING OUT AMERICA ALREADY - PIECE MEAL TO RUSSIA, KOREA, MEXICO, CUBA, MIDDLE EAST, PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, IRAN and CHINA. Thank you GOP FOR CREATING THIS MONSTER!!


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Million Dollar Baby (2004)
The Best Film of Eastwood's Long Career
3 March 2005 - 2 out of 5 users found this review helpful.
The first third of "Million Dollar Baby" plays out slow and indifferent. But through a series of poignant and insightful scenes midway through the film morphs into an emotional powerhouse. Traditionally, Eastwood was never able to construct great pieces of storytelling with great character acting. He only recently was able to assemble inspired pieces of narrative cinema with "Blood Work" and "Mystic River" but this film handily outshines them both. Pay attention to the back-story involving Eastwood's character's estranged relationship with his daughter and it amplifies the dramatic pull of his relationship with Swank's character. It's the best film Eastwood has ever been involved with. Ultimately, it's a must-see.
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No Touchdowns Scored for this player
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Michael Shane Hollis
Position: K
5-7, 179lb (170cm, 81kg)
Born: May 22, 1972 in Kellogg, ID
College: Idaho
Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 22 (4371st overall since 1960)
High School: Central Valley (WA)
Twitter: @KickMan
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Fallbrook School of the Arts is dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of the picturesque Village of Fallbrook by providing arts education to every age, skill level and socio-economic group. We offer classes and workshops in ceramics, printmaking, jewelry making, classical drawing, fiber arts, oil/acrylic/watermedia/pastel painting, and paper arts. In addition, sculpture and welding classes are offered at the California Sculpture Academy located on the campus.
Fallbrook School of the Arts is a non-profit arts education facility serving culturally diverse individuals of all skill levels, children to adults. It is our mission to offer classes, workshops, seminars, exhibitions, studio space and additional activities that are designed to increase the cultural and educational life within the community. We strive to make Fallbrook School of the Arts an arts destination dedicated to creating harmony through arts education.
We are located in the historic downtown district in the Village of Fallbrook within walking distance of shops, restaurants, the Fallbrook Art Center, the Brandon Gallery, and other galleries.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Brian Bateman was born in 1961. He has a strong art background with a B.A. in commercial art, graduating from the Central Academy of Commercial Art in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1982. Over the years he has worked with the Chicago Historical Society on various projects ranging from depictions of the American Revolution to the Civil War. His past professional experience also encompassed the art field as an Art Director and Lead Designer at various agencies and studios around the country. He now lives in Southern California and is an active participant in the aviation art circle as well as various organizations around the area. Currently Brian is a volunteer of the Confederate Air Force - San Diego - Air Group One, also a member of the AIGA, and the AFA, ASAA, Fallbrook Artists Guild Member, and the OPA.


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Welcome to the site. If you are a member please login or register a new account. Registration allows you to access some exclusive downloads, participate in polls, post comments and more..
The A-Team Resource Page
The A-Team was a hit television show from the mid-1980's. It was about a crack commando unit who were wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit.
In the show The A-Team help people who are faced by individuals out to hurt or kill them. The A-Team is pursued by the military who want to capture the A-Team to bring them to trial for the crimes they didn't commit.
The A-Team is made up of four main characters, the leader being Hannibal Smith (played by the late George Peppard), B.A. Baracus (played by Mr T.), Templeton 'Face Man' Peck (played by Dirk Benedict) and Howling Mad Murdock (played by Dwight Schultz).
The show spanned five seasons and during the first four the A-Team are on the run from the military, but for the fifth season they are captured and sent on 'suicide' missions.
What's This Site About?
This site was created as a resource for the A-Team. Here you will find many things not available on any other A-Team site on the internet. To browse the site, choose one of the sections at the top of the page. Inside each section you will find many sub-sections.
The site contains the latest A-Team related news, loads of information, excellent rare downloads, and a few interactive sections where your input is preferred.
Why Register?
Registration opens quite a few options for you on this site. Registration is free and only takes about one minute to complete. You will also be able to comment on most pages on the site, rate images and more. You can register here if you are not already a member.
|Latest Images:
Can you build a propane-powered log cannon with tools found in any lumber yard?
Does putting dynamite under a manhole cover reduce its lethality?
Updated today : Episode guide, minor updates.
Happy 30th birthday.
Also regarding updates, quotes are being added frequently as well as various updates to the new episode guide.
Source : www.LanceLeGault.com
Related Links:
Official Site
I am hoping also to add pictures for every episode eventually and also quotes from every episode too. If anyone wants to help out please let me know either by email or via the site discussion link.
Even if you want to submit episode reviews, anything is welcome.
Charles Napier played the role of Colonel Briggs. He passed away of Wednesday October 5th 2011. Rest in peace.
His obituary is here : http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x7...-man-dies-at-75
What is your favorite memory from your time spent on the set of the A-Team?
"They day they fired Melinda Culea. Just Kidding. My favorite memory is the first day I worked on the show (I wasn't in the pilot) and George Peppard was watching me work and after a scene he came up to me and said,"Great. I'm glad you are here. Now we have a hit." Incidentally, he was never that nice to me again."
Which person did you get along with most, George Peppard, Mr T or Dwight Schultz, why?
"Got along with all of them. Loved all of them. But Dwight and I became and remain very close. I respect him on many levels. As an actor, intellect, father and most of all for his passion for life. A difficult guy to be around as his very presence challenges you. Rare. And wonderful."
If you are not playing the part of Face Man in the new A-Team movie, who would you choose?
"I will not be playing the part of Face Man. That I can guarantee. They would rather have Brandon de Wilde (and he's dead.) than me. I can't think of anyone. Mel Gibson would have been great but he and I look the same age and so asume he is now too old in studio's eyes. Owen Wilson comes to mind. And one of the actors from Friends TV show, can't remember his name.
The one who got married on the show. Tallest of the bunch. Name escapes me. Not the slouchy one, or the one with the spikey hair, think his name is Mathew Perry, but then it might be the "other" one. Brad Pitt is not good enough at light comedy. George Clooney is too self confident. Faceman was always "off balance" and considered himself to be better at everything than he actually was. A basic low self esteem issue. A (very) young James Garner would be perfect. Better yet, Jack Lemon."
I have also added a load of A-Team related clips, interviews, adverts, etc to the video gallery.
If you know of more please add them using the YouTube BB Code.
Above without the spaces.
YouTube Channel
There is also a link at the bottom of everypage.
You made The A-Team last year. Will there be a sequel?
"I don't think there is going to be. But i'd love to do one. It was a fun ride, and it wasn't as hammy as the series, which was a good thing. But the powers that be released it during the World Cup, which was very insprired..."
I thought the movie was great, i would love to see a sequel too, but unfortunately the box office receipts will probably mean that we won't see another.
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5
The A-Team complete season boxsets were updated in 2010. I think you will agree that the new design is much better.
Mr T takes a look at some of the craziest clips from around the world. Watch as tyres, alcohol, and people's general stupidity lead to some very funny accidents.
Have watched the first couple of episodes and the clips are really funny. Mr T makes a good host too and there are a few A-Team related comments too.
Official BBC Webpage - Watch episodes and clips online.
There is still lots of information to be added, but we will get there in the end.
New members are welcome to register and submit comments and hopefully more interactive features will be enabled in the future.
Support The Site:
BOOKS » A-Team War Stories
A collection of four action-packed standalone prequel stories to this summer's most anticipated movie! Co-written by Chuck Dixon (G.I. Joe) and Erik Burnham (Nanovor: Game Day), A-Team: War Stories gives fans a look at the team before it was a team, showcasing individual wartime adventures of Hannibal, B.A., Murdock, and Face. Together or alone, one thing is guaranteed when these four are involved: high-explosive excitement!
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Kurdistan Region-Iraq News in brief
Kurdistan Region-Iraq News in brief
28, 2012 - Sulaimaniyah,
Erbil-Hewler, Duhok, Kirkuk, Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'
Miss Beauty of Kurdistan
Region will be chosen today
Erbil: The head of the committee for Hala Hawler's
Festival announced that Miss Beauty of the Kurdistan
Region will be chosen Thursday in a pageant at
Rotana Hotel. Sirwan Tofiq said: "A committee from
Lebanon is invited to choose the Miss Beauty and is
headed by Miss Poland 2005 Agata Wozniak. "Forty
three contenders participated in the competition and
only 12 made it to the final. Miss Beauty will be
chosen from among these 12 finalists." Three of the
finalists are Kurds from European countries and the
others are from the region's provinces. This is the
first beauty pageant in the Kurdistan Region.
Main Kurdistan opposition
party, Gorran, supports early elections as "final
Erbil: The Kurdish Gorran (Change) Movement supports
staging early national elections if it is the final
solution for settling the current political impasse
in Iraq, said a senior party official. Gorran
welcomes any solution for breaking through the
crisis the country is experiencing, said Mohammed
Tofiq, a spokesperson for Gorran. Yesterday Iraqi
Prime Minister called for early elections. At the
same time he renewed calls for holding talks and
promised reform in all the institutions of the
state. This is while the MPs are preparing to
interrogate Maliki over "constitutional violations."
Under article 62 of the Iraqi constitution, the
House of Representatives cannot be dissolved while
the House proceeds to interrogate the PM. Efforts to
bring down Maliki have been intensified recently and
key leaders as Iraqiya List Leader Ayad Allawi, Sadr
Current Leader Muqtada Sadr and Kurdistan's
President Massoud Barzani, support the campaign.
Kurdistan government and
private sectors concentrate more on industry,
agriculture and tourism sectors, says Barzani
Erbil: Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Nechirvan
Barzani said the government and private sectors from
now on will concentrate more on industry,
agriculture and tourism sectors. Barzani and his
deputy Imad Ahmed met with a number of the region's
investors in the Ministry of Council's building,
according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional
Government. In the meeting, both sides discussed the
situation of investment in the region and methods to
enhance it. They also talked about the managerial
and legal problems faced in their work. Barzani
said: "The regional government supports investors
and works to eliminate the barriers facing
investment in the region." aknews.com
Iraq's Foreign Ministry
denies member involvement in money transactions
Erbil: Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied
that its members are involvement in illegal money
transactions abroad. The ministry's website reported
that the transparency association in Iraq said on
al-Sharqia TV channel that Iraq's diplomats and
officials in the country's Ministry of Trade carried
out illegal money transactions. The ministry said:
"These rumors are baseless and untrue and not based
on any evidence." aknews.com
Barzani Rejects Calls to
Meet With Maliki
Erbil: Political leaders and officials have tried to
persuade Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani
to talk with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki,
but Barzani still refuses dialogue with a man he
accuses of totalitarianism and the cause of Iraq's
political crisis. Maliki became prime minister with
the consent of Barzani and his allies following
Iraq's 2010 elections, but his failure to fulfill
the terms of the Erbil Agreement has compelled the
Kurds, Iraqiya bloc and Sadr Movement to demand a
withdrawal of confidence from him. Arif Tayfur,
deputy Iraqi parliament speaker and member of the
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) political bureau,
says, "A lot of efforts are made to normalize the
political process in Iraq and make Maliki and
Barzani talk, but until now the efforts have been
futile." Tayfur says there are no guarantees that
Maliki will ever fulfill his promises. "He has not
done it for six years and he has constantly
attempted to add to the crisis." Mala Bakhtiyar,
director of the executive committee of the Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan (PUK), requested in an open
letter last week that Barzani agree to talk with
Maliki. The Islamic Republic of Iran also requested
through their consulate in the Kurdistan Region that
Barzani resolve problems by "talking with Maliki."
According to Tayfur, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
is among those who have asked Barzani to meet with
Maliki. "There are a number of political partners
Barzani needs to consult with before accepting to
sit down with Maliki." Tayfur said....rudaw.net
Kurdistan's parliament to
proceed with first reading for making Sulaimaniyah
the city of culture
Erbil: The Kurdistan Region's parliament is
proceeding with the first reading of the draft law
for making Sulaimaniyah the city of culture in the
region, said the media advisor to the parliament's
speaker. In the session, the first reading of the
draft law will be presented. Then the next debate
will be the release of the end of the second
meetings in the third election of the Kurdistan
parliament, added the advisor. aknews.com
Kirkuk Kurds leave
integrity committee meeting over Kurdish language
Erbil: The meeting between Iraq and Kirkuk's
integrity committee was held in the city's
provincial council on Monday but the Kirkuk Kurds
left the meeting due to a lack of Kurdish language
on the meeting's bulletin board. The Kirkuk
Brotherhood List (KBL) held a press conference after
leaving the meeting. ember of the city council Ahmed
Askari said "We are in support of the elimination of
corruption in Kirkuk but we left the meeting because
the tablet meeting was only written in Arabic
without respecting the other three languages in the
city." According to law, everything in Kirkuk must
be written in four languages, including Arabic,
Turkish, Kurdish and Suriani, added Askari. "This is
the second time this conduct has been repeated. We
agreed that the bulletin board should be written in
four languages but the managerial board of the
meeting didn't comply with its obligation.".......aknews.com
Memorandum signed between
Iran and Kurdistan Region's provinces
Erbil: Memorandums of understanding have been signed
in Krmashan between 12 border provinces of Iraq and
Iran, among them Erbil and Sulaimaniyah. Erbil
governor Nawzad Hadi said the memorandums of
understanding were signed between cities bordering
Iran and Iraq in a conference in Iran in the
presence of a number of Iran's government officials.
"The conference was held to strengthen economic and
trade relations between both parties and to solve
border crossing barriers like roads and customs."
Erbil province in the past signed a memorandum with
west Azerbaijan. This time the province signed a
memorandum with Krmashan and Khozistan. The
conference was held in Krmashan in Saturday and
Sunday. Trade exchange between Iran and Iraq
reached $5bn (5.8tr IQD) last year. aknews.com
Anti-smoking law issued
Erbil: The website of the secretariat of the Iraqi
Council of Ministers reported the issuance of
anti-smoking law no. 19 for the year 2012. The
department of citizens' affairs and public relations
explained that the law aims to protect people from
the dangers of smoking and reduce the proportion of
smokers by setting standards for anti-smoking, said
the general secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
The law covers smoking in public places within the
governing bodies and ministries and departments,
educational and health, institutions, airports,
companies, factories and airports in all provinces
of Iraq. The law will take effect on September 30
after 90 days from the date of publication in the
Official Gazette. aknews.com
Kurdistan's Electricity
Ministry announces creation of five power plants
Erbil: The Kurdistan Region's minister of
electricity has announced the creation of five
hydropower and gas plants in the region. Yassen
Shekh Abubakir Mawati said the ministry has plans to
implement the project soon. The project includes
creating three hydropower plants in Deraluk-Rashawa
Dam, Mandawa-Kopala and Taqtaq. Mawati said: "The
ministry is set to create two gas power plants with
200-megawatt capacity each in Qaladze and Harir." Aknews.com
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