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LOS ANGELES — Scary and bizarre.
That just about sums up the Los Angeles Auto Show for the Detroit automakers, which opened last week.
Well, aside from Ford, which rolled out its 2011 Ford Fiesta to huge fanfare. And as evident by many of the attendees I spoke with at the show, continues to gain ground in the mind of consumers.
For GM and Chrysler, however, the LA show is a sign that the two automakers might need to seriously rethink their strategies on a number of fronts when it comes to connecting with consumers in key markets such as California.
Why here? Well, for starters Los Angeles is by far the largest market in the U.S. for new cars. It also represents every major segment when it comes to new automobiles ranging from affordable compacts to premium luxury rides. In addition, California is the largest market for hybrid and electric vehicles, which clearly seems to be where the future of the auto industry is headed.
In short, if you're a major automaker and you can make it in California, you can make it anywhere. And after spending some time with some LA auto show attendees, it's clear that GM and Chrysler are still struggling with how to really connect with some key consumers.
I guess, last week's breaking news on the eve of the LA show's opening that GM's CE0 Fritz Henderson was being ousted and then his daughter's reported rampage on Facebook (more akin to a reality show) should have been an indication of the troubles still prevalent with GM.
Much as last week news that Chrysler's national dealer network is calling for the company to pull ads like the new "I Live. I Ride. I Am" Jeep spots and Chrysler's "World Without Walls" campaign — arguing that they fail to help sell vehicles is an indication of the troubles still prevalent with Chrysler.
A dance routine at the GM display booth for the Chevrolet Volt, which GM announced will roll out in LA, evoked the same kind of response from some attendees. "It's just so random," said a show-goer. "That's not going to help sell cars.
It seems to be an ongoing struggle for GM — exactly what can they do to break through to consumers.
There are also questions about whether some of the GM product unveilings at the LA show, like the Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruse, can help the company regain market share.
Even the new Cadillac CTS Coupe, one of my personal favorite unveilings, didn't seem to generate the response among show-goers that it'll need to compete when matched against luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
For Chrysler, the question at the LA show was when are they going to showcase any new vehicles?


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Terrie Schulman, 55, a resident of Fairmont, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 22, 2013, in Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
She was born July 27, 1957, in Elkins, a daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson Doerr and Rella Jo Taylor Doerr, who resides in Elkins.
She was married to Earnest Claude Kelly, who preceded her in death.
Article Photos
In addition to her mother, she is survived by one son, Cassandrew Kelly; and one daughter, Stacy Schulman, both of Fairmont; two brothers, Lanny Doerr and wife, Paula, Elkins, Jeffrey Doerr and wife, Cheryl, Clifton, Va.; two half-brothers, Joe Doerr and Carl Doerr, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two sisters, Jodi Jones and husband, Joe, of Montrose, and Diane Doerr Noronha and husband, Joseph, of Belington; and one half-sister, Donna True of Pittsburgh, also survive.
Terrie was currently attending Fairmont State University, where she was majoring in the paralegal program. She was active in the Students in Free Enterprise at Fairmont State University.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Steven Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in the Elkins Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Schulman Family at PO Box 724, Fairmont, WV 26555 in memory of Terrie.
Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Terrie Schulman. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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May 3, 2013, 09:44 AM
Just a quick question. I'm getting a new holster for my XDM. I need to know if XD and XDM specs are interchangeable. I guess the answer is probably posted somewhere but this is my favorite site, the only one I post on. So thanks Scott


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on November 3, 2012 - 12:28 AM
, updated November 3, 2012 at 12:29 AM
The Hallmark Channel isn't waiting for the 12 days of Christmas to share the holiday spirit. Starting tonight, the network continues its tradition of original holiday programming with the premiere of the first of 12 new movies. These films will debut at 8 p.m. Saturdays and most Sundays through Dec. 15.
Also in keeping with the Hallmark tradition, the movies feature familiar faces (Teri Polo, Lacey Chabert, Andrew McCarthy); are big on family, romance and the meaning of the holidays; and are as cozy and comforting as a cup of warm cocoa on a cold winter night. To that end, Hallmark is again using its sentimental Christmas TV ratings system, with the movies designated S for Santa, T for Christmas Tree, J for Joy, F for Family, H for Hope and P for Presents.
Starting things off at 8 tonight is "Christmas Song," starring Natasha Henstridge and Gabriel Hogan as Diana and Ken, music teachers fighting for their jobs at a recently merged private school. They are, of course, opposites. The restrained Diana teaches classic fundamentals to her girls ("B-minor is the key of patience," she stresses); the outgoing Ken appreciates modern rock as he helps his guys find the music in themselves. (They often pound out their feelings on percussion instruments, much to the chagrin of the girls and their teacher in the neighboring classroom.)
Only one of their jobs can be saved and that will be the winner of a televised Christmas Carol contest, with a top prize of $10,000 going to the school. Of course, the pair of two-student teams are as opposite as their teachers: the party girl is teamed with the shy girl; the rich, arrogant jock is with the reserved new kid in the wheelchair. By the end, teachers and teens alike will learn not to judge people, the benefits of working together and possibly enjoy a touch of holiday romance.
Premiering Sunday is the sweet charmer "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade."
The likeable Autumn Reeser is Emily, the energetic coordinator of the Chicago Thanksgiving parade. She is rattled by rich development consultant Henry (Antonio Cupo), who was hired to increase the parade's profits. Emily sees the parade in its joyful role of a holiday tradition, uniting family and community; for Henry, it all comes down to dollars and cents.
Though it's set in modern day, this movie has a decidedly old-fashioned touch thanks to Emily's penchant for wearing vintage clothing (for a surprisingly touching reason) and the fun, retro score.
It's not the holidays without the requisite new take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Hallmark's latest comes in "It's Christmas, Carol" on Nov. 18. Emmanuelle Vaugier is Carol, the tough CEO of a publishing company who is visited by the ghost of her former mentor and boss Eve (Carrie Fisher).
Of course, we've seen it before, which is why this version is refreshing: It not only has a good sense of humor (including a "Star Wars" joke), but it pokes fun at itself by acknowledging the myriad versions of the Dickens' tale. "People have been coming down to help for generations, Chuck was just the first guy to write about it," Eve says to Carol who proclaims Scrooge was "bullied" into changing.
For the truly sentimental, "The Christmas Heart" on Dec. 2 is a close relative of those serious dramas produced under the Hallmark Hall of Fame banner. Just days before Christmas, a family faces tragedy when their teen son is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and needs a heart transplant. Teri Polo gives one of her most dramatic performances as the mother praying for a miracle.
This script is strongly based in faith, and also posits the ideas of goodness in all people and self-sacrifice – all fitting for the Christmas season. But, even though we forgive holiday films when they become too outlandish, this movie has an unecessary "jump the shark" moment that is truly unbelievable.
Here's a quick look at the other new Hallmark films:
"The Wishing Tree," next Saturday: Jason Gedrick plays a teacher who helps some of his troubled students regain their confidence by volunteering at the Wishing Tree, a fundraiser for families in need.
"Matchmaker Santa," Nov. 17: A young baker (Lacey Chabert) becomes stranded in a small town with her boyfriend's assistant (Adam Mayfield) and, with the "help" of a mysterious mall Santa and an odd cast of locals led by Florence Henderson and John Ratzenberger, might just rediscover Christmas magic.
"Naughty or Nice," Nov. 24: Humbug Krissy Kringle (Hilarie Burton) accidentally gets Santa's "Naughty or Nice" book and uses it for the wrong reasons. Will she learn the errors of her ways? Gabriel Tigerman, Matt Dallas, Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross co-star.
"Hitched for the Holidays," Nov. 25: File this in the "hiring a temporary girl/boyfriend to take home for the holidays genre." Joey Lawrence does the hiring; Emily Hampshire is the young woman who takes him up on the job. Will their fake feelings lead to real love?
"A Bride for Christmas," Dec. 1: Jessie (Arielle Kebbel) is a thrice-engaged woman who swears off serious relationships – until she meets charming ladies' man Aiden (Andrew Walker). But this could be another heartbreaker: it's all part of a bet Aiden has with co-workers.
"Come Dance with Me," Dec. 8: A financial investor (Andrew McCarthy) trying to make a good impression on his girlfriend and her wealthy father signs up for ballroom dancing and learns more than he bargained for from his instructor (Michelle Nolden).
"Help for the Holidays," Dec. 9: When one of Santa's elves (Summer Glau) is sent to Los Angeles to give a family a holiday wake-up call, she'll learn a lesson or two as well. Co-starring Eva La Rue and Dan Gauthier.
"Baby's First Christmas," Dec. 15: Casper Van Dien and Rachel Wilson play feuding colleagues who have to learn to get along in time for their nephew's birth on Christmas.


text: With Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson, G. I. Gurdjieff intended to "destroy, mercilessly . . . the beliefs and views about everything existing in the world." This novel beautifully brings to life the visions of humanity for which Gurdjieff has become esteemed. Beelzebub, a man of worldly (and other-worldly) wisdom, shares with his grandson the anecdotes, personal philosophies, and lessons learned from his own life.The reader is given a detailed discussion of all matters physical, natural, and spiritual, from the creation of the cosmos to man's teleological purpose in the universe. This edition of Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson–the first single-volume paperback to appear in English–restores the original, authoritative translation.


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Friday, September 30, 2016
training : diabetes cme/ce online education : self-monitoring blood glucose
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose
This training provides a comprehensive overview of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and diabetes, including sample protocols and a case study. Evidence-based clinical indications for using SMBG meters and guidelines, implications for changes in practice, and steps clinicians can take to address common issues with SMBG are also covered.
CME/CE credit is available. Please review the CE Information [PDF - 119KB] prior to starting the course.
Accredited Sponsors: IHS Clinical Support Center and Nutrition and Dietetics Training Program.
NOTE: Access to this information is not restricted; however, the information found here is intended as an educational resource for medical providers. If you have questions or concerns about how any of the information relates to your own care, please contact your medical provider.
* denotes current video
Requirements: You must have a computer with broadband Internet access. For the best experience viewing the videos, use
Internet Explorer 7 or greater and Flash 8 player. Click on the "Flash" icon to install the player, if necessary. If you have any
trouble viewing the video trainings, contact us at for alternate viewing options.
Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention | Phone: 1-844-IHS-DDTP (1-844-447-3387) |
This website may require you to download plug-ins to view all content.
Accessibility · Disclaimer · FAQs · Website
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of Information Act · HIPAA · No Fear · Contact
Indian Health Service (HQ) - 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 - Find a Mail Stop


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Closed Captioned
Meet Matt Rota and learn about pens, ink and brushes and how to handle them. He'll also help you avoid some common mistakes.
Discover the line variation and mark-making possibilities of pen and ink as you define a sketch with inked contour lines.
Learn to build form and dimension with hatching and crosshatching. Choose to work from Rota's provided portrait or use your own.
Explore smooth brushwork as you create texture and shadow with dry-brushing and ink washes.
Using both pen and brush, explore space, depth and scale as you render a landscape.
Enhance your pen and ink drawings with watercolor. Rota demonstrates how to use color in harmony with linear marks to add emphasis and mood to your piece.
Combine elements of multiple photographs to create new, imaginative compositions that tell a story. Rota shows how to choose your horizon and work from there to build up your drawing with both pen and watercolor.
"Matt's professional presentation is exactly what I have been looking for to help amp up my 'plein air' studies for a more successful and enjoyable result. He articulates purpose and clearly demonstrates the components of a successful composition, including value, shape, and line using pen and ink as well as simple watercolor techniques. You could not learn as much in a week-long workshop! This video is definitely a worthwhile investment that I will refer to often. Thanks, Matt, for taking the time to share your knowledge and talent. Not everyone can teach...but you do it eloquently!"
- picaza2115289


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It's one of America's strangest ghost towns -- Centralia, Pa. Click here to see the rise and fall of this once-thriving coal town.
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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Most Searched
'I speak Hindi and always laugh. But when I offer biscuits to the neighbours' children, they don't accept.'
26 Jun 2016 06:47 GMT | India, Racism
A look at China's ghost towns and the bad debt they represent. Plus, why the work gender gap is still prevalent.
Business & Economy, China, Gender
As Mexico reels over the disappearance of 43 students, Fault Lines unravels years of crime, corruption and impunity.
Humanitarian crises, Human Rights, Latin America
Al Jazeera investigates the shocking truth behind a deadly Israeli attack on a US naval vessel.
Israel, Politics, United States
TechKnow looks at the controversy surrounding psychedelic science and asks if a party drug can help cure trauma.
Health, PTSD, Drugs


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The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificate, associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.
The University of Texas at Brownsville website uses Javascript.
To access this page as it is meant to function please use a Javascript
enabled browser.


text:
Hire Purchase is a smart choice if you want to own a truck through regular repayments without investing all of you capital at once.
A Finance Lease will enable future reductions to your tax bill when greater profits are expected.
Volvo Contract Hire combines all the benefits of a leasing agreement with a top class service, repair and maintenance plan. You get all the benefits of use without the risks of ownership.
A tax-efficient plan if you want the truck to earn money as you pay for its use, but don't want the problem of disposal.


text:
6pm Transfer Placement Testing
- When:
- Location:
- Business Center
- Room:
- 015
- http://www.ubalt.edu/alc
- Description:
*This test is not for freshmen. Freshmen should call 410.837.5383 to schedule their test.*
· RSVP required; please do so below (if there is no RSVP window below, the test if full and you should call 410.837.5383 for options). SEATING IS LIMITED, so PLEASE show up or cancel with advanced notice through your confirmation email or by calling 410.837.5383 so that other students can reserve your seat.
• Bring your STUDENT ID NUMBER, any photo ID and pencil to the Business Center, Room 105, a few minutes before the test start time (late arrivals will not be admitted)
• Click here for more information about the test and how to prepare
• Sample questions (not indicative of all possible question types
- Contact Name:
- Achievement and Learning Center
- Contact Email:
- email@example.com
- Contact Phone:
- 410.837.5383


text:
Closed Captioned
Take your next big step into quilting proficiency as Frieda Anderson shows you how to create a beautifully quilted surface using your home sewing machine. Frieda eliminates the fear factor by guiding beginning machine quilters step-by-step through setting up your materials and workspace, practicing more than a dozen filler stitches, and binding and finishing for a polished final result.
Complete written instructions are included for piecing the cute "Home Sweet Home" quilt design. Once you're ready to turn your pieced top into a finished quilt, Frieda joins you on the Craftsy platform as you set up your work space for free-motion success, then sandwich and baste your quilt. You'll learn 14 different free-motion quilting variations, plus a fast, neat and easy binding method.
Meet your instructor, hand dyeing artist and quilter Frieda Anderson. Receive a brief overview of the class and learn helpful tips on how to set up your work station and machine for comfort and efficiency.
Discover Frieda's professional basting tips that will leave your quilt pucker-free! You'll be amazed at what you can achieve with spray sizing and paper clips as you fold, iron and pin your quilt in preparation for quilting.
Let's get stitching! In this lesson, Frieda explains how to stitch in the ditch to create an anchor before demonstrating Loop-the-Loop, Frog Eggs, Curly Ques and Stippling.
Move from round stitches to angles as you practice various ways to pivot. You'll stitch Stars, Bark and Frieda's Me, Me, Me designs on quilt sandwiches until you're ready to add them to the class project or a quilt of your own.
Discover the fun of cluster stitches as you gain confidence in your machine skills! Frieda shows you how to create Flower Clouds, Onions and Trippy Flowers, offering great tips along the way.
Experiment as you recreate Baptist Fan stitches, working on the traditional method, a beautiful variation and different ways to implement them into your quilts.
Learn how to make a variety of stitches with the aid of marking tools! Frieda walks you through each step of creating beautiful open feathers, feathers with spines and more that can be pre-planned and changed to your heart's content.
Turn finishing from a chore into a delight as you learn how to apply binding, press and finish your quilt with time-saving tips from start to finish. Frieda finishes the class with a trunk show of stitching techniques and design details that are guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing.
"I am learning so much from this class. Frieda is a terrific teacher and has a great sense of humor. I've admired her quilts for a long time and am happy I purchased this class."
- Karma48


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LGBTQA Services
West Chester University
Aneesah Smith
Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
for LGBTQA Services and Special Projects
233 Sykes Student Union
Fax 610-436-2480
LGBTQA Services works closely with the LGBTQA Student Organization to create a safe space for individuals to talk and explore their thoughts and feelings about sexual orientation, sexuality, and gender identity. The coordinator of LGBTQA Services is the advisor to the LGBTQA and assists the group in creating a warmer campus climate for everyone.
The LGBTQA Student Group office is located in 233 Sykes Student Union.


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More Jed than You Can Shake a Bat At
ESPN Chicago radio's weekly Saturday Baseball gabfest, "Talking Baseball", found Jed Hoyer hitting the airwaves one more time. Questions covered Scott Baker's status, Scott Feldman's rotation status, Wrigley renovations, Hot Prospects (Soler and Baez), Cub interest in Michael Bourn, trading a certain reliever (Carlos Marmol) and what's life with Theo really like. Finally, Jed's comments as he faces off vs. Theo in the bunting contest. All that, plus a few post interview caller questions that hosts Bruce Levine and Fred Hubner try to field. Official Scorer: Bruce Levine need a catcher's knuckleball mitt.
A really full transcript after the jump.
Bruce: Lets start out with your pitching staff. One of the keys to your pitching staff may not be ready according to Dale Sveum, at the very beginning or may be a week or two behind, that's Scott Baker. How do you look at Scott's progress starting right now? I know we all watched the side session from him the other day, where do you think he's at, at this point?
Jed: I still think he's getting his legs underneath him. He's been throwing a lot, getting used to be back on the mound. We're trying to keep an open mind. Not putting dates on it. We feel really good about his progress. The rehab guys and trainers are doing a really good job with him. He feels great. All the reports every morning are very positive. We're not going to get married to any one date on the calendar. We're confident he'll have a really good season for us. We also feel like we'd rather have him miss a start early in the year and have him healthy at the end, as opposed to rushing him back. We're going to be patient. Luckily, we have the depth to be able to do that.
Fred: Was it surprising at all, Jed, that Dale made the announcement earlier this week that Scott Feldman is going to be in the starting rotation? Did it surprise Travis Wood and Carlos Villanueva?
Jed: Well no, we talked to Scott this winter and with Scott, one of the big things when we signed him, was that he wanted to go to a place where he was going to be in the rotation. He was confident that he would be a starting pitcher and not be bounced around. We signed him with that understanding that he would come in and be in the starting rotation. He's a guy we're going to put in the rotation and hopefully he'll have a lot of success there. It was one of those things where the announcement was almost common-sensical. People made a big deal out of it early in camp but you know what, those things have a way of working themselves out. There will be injuries. There will be guys who are slowed up and you never seem to have enough depth. So I'm not all that concerned about having too many guys.
Bruce: Jed, Tom Ricketts will talk about the renovations of Wrigley Field with the media after he talks with the team collectively tomorrow morning. From your perspective and from Theo's perspective of having the ballpark up to snuff to entice people to come to play in Chicago, how important is that to have the batting cages, to have the you know, bigger clubhouses, the weight room facilities, where a team actually feels like they are home when they are at home?
Jed: I think it's really important. Obviously, players love playing for the Cubs. The history here and the fans are a big enticement. I don't think we can take advantage of that forever. At some point when you are playing at a facility that's probably not as good as these guys played in at high-A or double A that becomes a challenge. Wrigley Field is a museum and it's a great place to play, the seating bowl is wonderful but going underneath, going into the clubhouse, the batting cage in RF are just not up to snuff. I can't imagine a reason why a team like the Chicago Cubs wouldn't have A+ facilities. We're building a brand new facility in the Dominican, we're building a great facility here in Mesa. We took a tour of that the other day and that's going to be fantastic for fans and for the players. I feel like the third part of that stool has to be renovating Wrigley. To me it's a must. I think they've pushed that project off 20 years by now. It's time to get up to what teams and players are used to. I think we can do that with a little bit of help.
Fred: Jed, we hear so much about this Cubs organization trying to build with their draft picks and we'll get to some of those guys because there are already people talking highly about Jorge Soler and comments that Dale Sveum made about him and things like that. How difficult is it for you as a GM to prepare for a season when, I don't know, maybe I'm stepping over my bounds, but you don't think you can win this year, win it all I mean?
Jed: Well you go into every single season knowing that probably 28-29 teams if things break right have a chance. I don't think there was a person who thought Baltimore was going to make the playoffs and take it to a division series 5 game last year. I don't think anyone gave Oakland a chance even as late as in June. I've been a part of teams that weren't expected to do well and had really good seasons. I kind of like it from a clubhouse standpoint because the players do get a chip on their shoulder when people say they can't compete. With that said, it's really exciting to be here and see our young players. You never want to take your eye too much off the present but it is nice to see the young players here in camp, get to know them a little bit. Obviously watching these guys take BP or ground balls, ultimately it's not baseball. We need to see these guys in games and have them develop. It's certainly nice to have them in one place.
Bruce: I get in trouble with people in my chats and sometime on these shows, people who tweet with me and things like that, I've told them that you and Theo pretty much insist on your hitters get 500 AB in AAA. They seem to think that's depending on the individual. Does it depend on the individual? Is that a hardened rule for you guys that your young players are that game ready to get to the next level?
Jed: I think it's important to take that last step and really finish a player off from the development standpoint. I'm not going to sit here and say there isn't an exception but that's certainly what we'd like to accomplish. I think you look at Rizzo, he really gained a lot from going back to AAA last year. It's hard not to imagine a hitter not gaining a lot from that last step. I don't know exactly how many at bats Mike Trout got in the minors but they sent him back down for awhile last year to get some seasoning. I do think that is an important step, important to finish these guys off. One organization that does a brilliant job of getting their prospects ready is Tampa. They never rush guys. They always make sure guys get plenty of at bats or innings pitched at the higher levels. They seem to step in and be almost seamless. That's really the goal is to step into the big leagues and have as seamless a transition as possible. If you rush guys through the upper minors it's hard to have that (seamless transition).
Fred: Now that he has signed with Cleveland. There are Cub fans and myself wondering how much you were trying to get Michael Bourn?
Jed: There was dialog with Scott Boras about that. I think Michael Bourn is a really good player. Great defender, great base runner. By all accounts he had a great makeup. Se he was a player we talked about. I would not classify the interest, we didn't get that far down the road. We didn't get that serious. But certainly given the quality of player he is we did have dialogue. To be candid, the draft pick was a strong consideration. We need to build from within. We need to have a robust draft this year given where we are picking. The money is really important with those draft picks. It wasn't the entire consideration but I've said in the past, we're not averse to giving up draft picks but it would be a lie to say it wasn't some kind of consideration when it came to the last free agents here on the market.
Bruce: Jed, how open will you guys be to trading and to being proactive If a Billy Beane or a GM comes to you and says " need a relief pitcher bad, my guy is breaking down". We're already seeing it in a couple of camps where closers are breaking down and you have a guy who you want as your closer but is in a free agent year. How much does that come into play and how open would you be to move a relief pitcher if you got the right young players back?
Jed: I don't want to answer that question specifically to Carlos. In general, we have to be open minded towards acquiring really good young talent. Talent that will be here for a long time. A lot of fans got used to and enjoyed watching Paul Maholm pitch and so did we. Getting 6 years of control of Arodys Vizcaino was absolutely the right move and if we have the chance to get really good prospects that could be here for a really long time and would be a part of the really great next Cubs team, then we'd have to be open minded to doing that.
Fred: Dale Sveum used the comparison being a right handed Cliff Floyd when he saw Jorge Soler taking batting practice. What were your thoughts when you first saw Soler and your thoughts on him now?
Jed: The first time I saw him was in the Dominican, I think it was right before Thanksgiving in 2011. He's an exciting player. Great body, incredibly strong, really good bat speed. He's got some work to do. He got some mechanical adjustments he needs to make. The tools are all there. Certainly, there is a willingness to be a really good player is there. It's hard. I'm sure Javy Baez will come in today to take BP and people will be really excited to watch him. He can put on a show in batting practice. While it is fun, we do have to temper our excitement realizing these guys have a lot more plate appearances in the minor leagues. They are really skilled, we are excited about them but we do have to temper our excitement about them watching them take batting practice.
Bruce: In closing with you, people ask me this all the time. What is the relationship like between Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer? Obviously, you've been friends a long time. You've worked together many years throughout your baseball careers. Are there days where you sit around talking about moving players or adding players where you have respectful disagreements and can that get to any level that you want it to?
Jed: Yeah, most days we have respectful disagreements. I think that's why we work together well. We've been doing this together for a long time. At this point, it's almost second nature, our dialogue, our way to get along. We disagree all the time. We are in complete lockstep about how we want the organization to go forward, where we want to take it, how we want to get there. From a philosophical standpoint, we're completely in agreement. From individual players, individual moves we'll disagree. A lot of times the other person will take the contrary side to make sure the person has though through it well. I think we play off each other well in that regard. It's really nice to have comfort with the person you work with closely. Any job, any profession, when you've worked with a person under pressure, you quickly learn how much you trust that person and with Theo we've been doing this so long together that there is complete trust. We've got a great relationship. That doesn't we don't disagree, doesn't mean you don't have some really heated debates.
Fred: Jed, will there be any trash talking today? If I'm not mistaken, you're going up against him (Theo) in the bunting contest today.
Jed: I'm sure there will be. This isn't the first time, playing pickup basketball or football or whatever. We've played a fair amount of sports against each other. It should be fun, this bunting contest. I'm sure Dale enjoyed pairing us off against each other in the first round. Hopefully, he'll get a good matchup out of us.
Bruce: My money's on you. You actually played.
Jed: Well we'll see. Hopefully, I'll make you some money.
Bruce: Jed, thanks for taking some time out on a Saturday morning, we appreciate it and we'll see you over at the camp. Thanks again.
Then there was the post-interview Cub discussion...
Fred: If the Cubs were closer to contending this year do you think they would have made a bigger push for Bourn?
Bruce: I think if he was 26 years old they would have signed him.
Fred: So you're worried about his last couple of years?
Bruce: Yes. He's 31. For the first time in his career, if you look at his stolen bases, they are down a little. He stole over 40 but his caught stealing was way up there, more than it ever had been. Those are tell-tale signs that a speed player might not be a speed player in a year or two. If that's the case, you don't want to be paying him for the 3rd or 4th year. When he's not the player you thought you were getting. A lead off man who can impact the game with his speed. If not impact the game on the bases but in the outfield where he lead all major league outfielders in putouts last year. Those are two key elements and I just think he was a little bit too old to offer him a long term deal. The year before, when Prince Fielder was around, if Fielder was around this year at age 27, I think they would have been serious players on him, because they are starting to identify some of they players they are looking at toward in the future now.
Fred: C'Mon. They have Dan Vogelbach. They are not interested in anybody else at first base.
Bruce: You can never have enough good players, right?
Fred: You can always move some.
Caller (Paul): Jed mentioned Michael Bourn had great makeup as a player. What do you think he means? AJ had great makeup. Soriano has great makeup but they are very different players.
Bruce: That's GM speak. A lot of it is hard to interpret. For instance on AJ, if you are talking about great makeup, you are talking about a guy who outworks everyone else, who has his head in the game and is one of the brighter guys in the game. When you are talking about Bourn, you are a good clubhouse guy. Also that he is a guy that would seamlessly fit into the Chicago Cubs because of the skills he's looking for as a person and as a player. I believe that's what they are talking about with Bourn. If he were 27-28, I believe they would have made a real strong run at him. At 31, you have to assume that the attrition will catch up to his legs sooner or later.
Same caller (Paul): Do you think Soriano has great makeup in the same way?
Bruce: I never heard it until last year. Then we all of a sudden hear the manager, the GM and the President of the team tell us what a fantastic guy he is. How impressive he is with his work ethic. We always knew he was tremendously liked by the other players, that was always a given. We never heard how hard he worked or how he improved so much.
Caller (Steve): The Cubs put together a roster of guys that they could trade. One year guys that all have something to prove. What if they prove it. What if they are within this extra wild card game when July rolls around? Will they dump everybody?
Bruce: What do you feel as a Cub fan, would you prefer that they start adding now before they feel they are ready to compete every year?
Same caller (Steve): My thoughts are you have to go for it if you are close to that extra wild card game. What we'd be giving up would get us five prospects. There would be 5-6 guys that we are looking to dump. Scott Feldman starts out great. Baker comes back. Soriano has another good year. Schierholtz, Hairston, DeJesus.
Bruce: It's a scenerio that certainly would disappoint Cub fans if they didn't try to hold on to them or add if they were competitive. Fred, my guess is they would not. These one year guys are just that. If they could continue to add players for the future. The only exception is Matt Garza. If he continues to pitch tremendously well and shows that he is over the elbow problem that he had last year, they would definitely consider at age 29, signing him to an extension rather than trading him. If that doesn't work out, he's gone, he'd be traded at the trading deadline.
Caller Steve is getting to
Caller Steve is getting to something I think is key since the post CBA agreement rules changed. Teams can't spend more on the draft so they have to spend more on players they can flip for prospects. Clearly this is the strategy Jedstein has adopted after they purged whatever trade material they had in 2012 (Dempster, Soto, Maholm). Soriano was going to SF and Garza was hurt.
2013 is a new year so if they aren't competitive look for more prospects. Like caller Steve, I wonder what happens if they are competitive? Ah, it happens every spring.
Thanks for that doctor
Thanks for that doctor
"Mat Gamel (MIL) had to cut
"Mat Gamel (MIL) had to cut Saturday's workout short after aggravating his surgically-repaired right knee."
too bad the cubs don't have excess 1st options to trade. with c.hart also injured they can't afford to lose gamel to start the season.
...and he's out for the
...and he's out for the season. burn.
they're now looking at a slew of under/practically-not-qualified options.
shame the cubs don't have a spare 1st to kick to them in trade.
fwiw, MLB Network spring
fwiw, MLB Network spring training TV schedule as of 2/14 (more games/times may be added)...
some trash talk by the Cubs
some trash talk by the Cubs regarding the bunting contest...
Theo wins, then loses. Also
Theo wins, then loses. Also Theo and a title IX reference when his secretary (Hayley DeWitte advances farther than Theo in the tourney).
"The most important match of the year was the first one," Epstein said of beating Hoyer. "I've got to get better — better than Jed, which isn't saying much.
and the Theo bunting video...
Jed's losing bunt...
"Title Nine is a good thing," Epstein said.
Videographer Nate Halm beats strength coach Tim Buss to get the play in 64th spot.
as soon as d.oday (BAL) signs
as soon as d.oday (BAL) signs his contract (2/5.8m) this will be the 1st year where no players went to arbitration.
It's hard to believe that MLB
It's hard to believe that MLB is going to let Jeter play from now on with performance-enhancing screws and plates in his ankle, butt hey, I guess once a guy gets that big, the rules don't apply anymore.
they even let some guys play
they even let some guys play with vision enhancing plastic eyewear that enables them to see better than they can naturally.
soon we're going to have guys who are 90% cyborg out there. we need to put an end to this crap.
I know your post about PES&P
I know your post about PES&P is tongue and cheek. Once a fracture is healed the hardware doesn't do much other than irritating the nearby soft tissues. The hardware holds a fracture in position while it heals but if a fracture does not heal in a timely manner the hardware often breaks. Once the fracture heals the bone takes over most of the local stress so the plate usually won't break but it can shield the bone to a small extent and be a stress riser at the end of the plate, making that area a bit more susceptible for a fracture.
So no, having a plate in Derek Jeter's ankle is not really a Borg enhancement. On the other hand, the plate Don Zimmer has in his head...now that's an enhancement!
...and here comes science to
...and here comes science to once again ruin a perfectly good angry rant. Science is the worst thing to happen to this country...a bunch of socialist commie nazis ruining everything with their college trained indoctrination factories. Wake up sheeple.
Thank you Crunch - best laugh
Thank you Crunch - best laugh today LOL
...that I had :)
...that I had :)
Thanks for the factual
Thanks for the factual sobering educational intelligent informative and not at all funny information.
Nick Cafardo has a few Cub
Nick Cafardo has a few Cub mentions...
4. David DeJesus, CF, Cubs — While there's more focus on where Alfonso Soriano might be dealt, don't forget DeJesus. The former A's outfielder is a pretty good player who would fit a few teams, including the Phillies, Orioles, and Red Sox. DeJesus could be a nice midseason chip for Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein.
9. Bronson Arroyo, RHP, Reds — He has been such a consistent pitcher for the Reds, but the feeling is (and Arroyo said as much last week) that this could be his last year in Cincinnati. One major league source figures a perfect fit would be the Cubs, as a strong veteran presence in their rebuilding effort. Arroyo has never been injured and also enjoys a strong personal relationship with Epstein.
Just heard on 670 The Score
Just heard on 670 The Score Matt Garza "tweaked something" in his first bullpen and training team was working on him. Anyone else hear anything re this report?
current weather patterns over
current weather patterns over central AZ show the sky descending at approximately 100mph.
according to ESPN it's in his left side. even if it's his oblique, that's still not a good injury to have even if it's better than the arm.
"Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza left the field with an apparent injury to his left side as he prepared to throw batting practice during the first full-squad workout for the Cubs on Sunday.
Garza was warming up on the mound but left with a trainer while stretching out his left side."
"Carrie Muskat [email protected]
"Carrie Muskat [email protected]
Garza sidelined with mild lat strain. #Cubs will know more Monday. Not believed to be serious"
I miss Rich Harden
I miss Rich Harden
Garza estimated he was
Garza estimated he was throwing 80-to-85 percent and felt something like a cramp. He faced Javier Baez, Steve Clevenger and Christian Villanueva before stepping out during Jorge Soler's turn.
Obviously Jorge Soler is too intimidating for normal men to face.
Obviously Jorge Soler is too
Obviously Jorge Soler is too intimidating for normal men to face.
Jorge Soler is Cuban for Chuck Norris?
Tony Campana was Designated
Tony Campana was Designated for Assignment last Sunday (2/10), so the Cubs have ten days (until Wednesday 2/20) to either trade him to another club, give him his Outright Release, or send him outright to the minors.
However, tomorrow (Monday) at 2 PM (Eastern) is the actual deadline for the Cubs to trade Tony Campana. That's because if he isn't traded by 2 PM (Eastern) tomorrow, Campana must be placed on Outright Assignment Waivers so that either waivers are secured or he is claimed off waivers on Wednesday (the "waiver ride" takes 47 hours), and a player cannot be traded while is on Outright Assignment Waivers.
Note that if Outright Waivers are secured (if he is not claimed by another club for the $20,000 waiver price), Campana can be outrighted to the minors, and if he is outrighted, he does NOT have the right to elect free-agency because he has not been outrighted previously in his career, he has not accrued at least three or more years of MLB Service Time, and he is not a "Super Two" player. And if he is outrighted, he would not be eligible to be a minor league free-agent until after the 2014 season, although he would be eligible for selection in the December 2013 Rule 5 Draft if he is not added back to the 40-man roster in the meantime.
More fun times for BoSoxhttp:
I'm stoked about Scott Baker,
I'm stoked about Scott Baker, actually... I think he'll be great. A Cub pitcher that can consistently throw strikes, how cool would that be? I only hope he stays healthy.
Big Fat Tony to the Dbacks
Big Fat Tony to the Dbacks for a couple 17 year old pitchers.
Eric Leal and Jesus Castillo
Eric Leal and Jesus Castillo
Eric Leal, RHP – Age 17 - The 6'3″ 180 pound Venezuelan went 6-2 with a 2.44 ERA and had an impressive 70/11 K/BB rate over 70 innings in his professional debut. He should join Benitez in the AZL in 2013, though I would not be surprised to get a look at him in the NWL early next summer either.
Jesus Castillo, RHP – Age 17 – This 6'2″ 165 pound Venezuelan is the youngest of the group of pitchers on the Diamondbacks DSL team. He didn't turn 17 until the season was over in late August. He went 2-4 with 5.40 ERA to go with a 41/17 K/BB rate over 46.2 innings. There's a good chance that Castillo will spend another season in the DSL.
...i can't find info about what they throw or how hard they throw it.
Pretty good, I think, that
Pretty good, I think, that they got anything for him. AZ Snakepit ranked Leal as the team's 35th best prospect last summer.
I'll probably never fully
I'll probably never fully understand the Byzantine nature of MLB player transactions, but did Arizona make this move because they really wanted Campy and knew they wouldn't be able to get him on waivers? I guess so. Future Cubbery - they'll show him how to hit/get on base, and he'll steal 200 bases during the next 2 years.
I jokingly suggested trading
I jokingly suggested trading him to Dbacks after they traded Upton because he was "not grindy" enough.
jed/theo seem be settling in
jed/theo seem be settling in for the long haul...this isn't the first time they've targeted players who don't have a chance of being MLB-ready for another 4-5+ years.
Recent comments
j.buchanan with a nice start...5ip 2h 1bb 3k, 0r/er
zobrist with 2HR and a double through 8
heyward 0-4 :(
Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales
Soler likely to return Sunday, Maddon says
Right now, I'd like to see the Mets first, Giants 2nd.
I believe that since most of the team from last years' NLCS is on the squad this year, they will really amp their game up even more to kick their ass in payback for 2015.
The Giants just do not have the depth in years past, and I think all things equal - and at Wrigley - they could handle them.
I do not want to see the Cards, period. Or their fans, media, or Joe Buck.
I don't want to play Braves in the first round. Any friggin team in the league can win 3 of 5..I hate the first round. Furthermore, I wanted to play the Marlins in 2003 and the Mets over Dodgers last year.
With that said in reverse order:
3. Cardinals: It will be devastating to lose in the first round, but even worse to their main rival. It is increased incentive for the Cardinals, especially after last year. Cards would have nothing to lose, Cubs have everything to lose.
2. Giants: Rotation in the playoffs scare me a bit, but what a lousy team.
1. Mets--because of the losses in the rotation
2. Giants--because they're not the team they were BUT they maybe have bullshit even-year magic?
3. Cardinals--because rivalry and not making the playoffs hurts them more than losing in the NLDS plus getting eliminated by them in the playoffs would make for horrible sports commentary next throughout next season.
Who's asking?
CLE/DET rained out last night already, possible rain-outs in New York (vs. Baltimore), Boston(vs. Toronto) and Philly(vs. Mets) this weekend too.
Not only games involving playoff spots that would need to be played, but any that involve home field advantage.
I got the first one! Second one I'm not even sure what even/odd betting is.
any opponent preference for NLDS?
Mets are down to 1 great pitcher instead of 4. Syndegaard may pitch Sunday which means if Mets win the WC game, he'd be set up for Game 1. There's a chance they clinch a spot by Sunday so he'd pitch the WC and then we'd probably get Colon for Game 1. They've certainly had the hottest bats over the last week and month out of the WC options.
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness
Hopefully Pirates don't call up A. Lincoln.
j.buchanan going friday...should be...baseball...or something like it.
Wow. I didn't know they could do that.
Nice for Willson, not so much for Addy.
Game is officially called...also officially a tie.
Stats count, no make-up date of course.
Yeah -- seeing the weather -- I hope KB and Rizz are inside, wrapped in blankets and drinking hot chocolate.


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Signs of the False Teacher
When it comes to false teaching, what matters is not really the form of the words spoken but their content and the intent behind them. Sometimes truth must be presented with harsh words, but often it can be conveyed with ...Read More
Avoiding False Teachers
No matter how biblically faithful its confession and creeds, no church or denomination is immune from false teachers. If church leaders will not keep watch over the orthodoxy of their ministers and if congregations refuse to be on watch for ...Read More
Twisting the Truth
How familiar are you with the creeds and confessions that your particular church or denomination follows? While these statements of faith are always subject to the final authority of Scripture, they were written to help believers understand what the Bible ...Read More
Christ's Word and the Believer
Paul closes out Colossians 3:17 by reminding us to do everything in the name of Jesus. This entails not merely an action accompanied by an audible expression of "in Jesus name"; rather, to do something in His name is to ...Read More
The Distortion of Lawlessness
Of all the types of antinomianism, we are perhaps most prone to look for loopholes in the law of God. So, for instance, we may excuse certain behaviors because there is no express command in Scripture against them, even though ...Read More
Human Precepts and Teachings
Scripture is actually a repetitive book, and we have seen a glimpse of this in Colossians 2 as Paul reminds us over and over that our obedience to law can do nothing to free us from evil. The Bible needs ...Read More
Dead to the World or Alive?
Out of His great love for us, God warns His people against legalism and false religious practices because hoping in rules, astrology, and other false spiritualities only gives Satan and the flesh more influence over us. But when we pursue ...Read More
Ascetism, Angels, and Visions
While it is easy to see that heretics are sinning when they look down in judgment on others, it is more difficult to root out that same sin in ourselves, for the basis of our judgment of others may be ...Read More
God in Christ
To say that all we need is Christ for growth in grace is not somehow to make the Word of God, the sacraments, or the church superfluous. Jesus, by His Spirit, dwells in us, but remaining sin means that we ...Read More
Human Philosophies
God prescribed food laws and other ritualistic observances for old covenant Israel, so we know that these practices are not inherently evil. They only become wrong when they become ends in themselves (1 Sam. 15:22–23). We might not be tempted ...Read More


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|Mapping the Nanoscale Landscape
For the first time, researchers have successfully mapped the chemical structure of conjugated polymer blend films with a spatial resolution of better than 50 nm using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM). This is not just another application of STXM. It is a breakthrough experiment on several levels. Correlating local composition to electronic/optical device characteristics will pave the way to characterizing a whole new class of materials with STXM—multicomponent organic electronic devices that have intrinsically nanoscale dimensions. Understanding where charge transport and recombination occur in these materials helps explain the efficient performance of polymer-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and will lead to a new avenue of research on organic electronic devices, supporting emerging technologies such as molecular computing and promoting increased efficiencies in existing organic technologies (organic LEDs and solar cells).
Conjugated polymer blends are good candidates for low-cost optoelectronic devices due to their stability, efficient electroluminescence, and photovoltaic performance. Spin-coating demixes the two polymers, producing a distributed heterojunction structure with interfaces for charge recombination (LEDs) or charge separation (solar cells). These films, however, have a complex nonequilibrium structure, making device function interpretation difficult.
To better understand this structure, an international group of scientists performed STXM measurements at Beamline 5.3.2 at the ALS on blend films of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-N-(4-butylphenyl)diphenylamine) (TFB) and poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT). STXM, in conjunction with the chemical sensitivity of near-edge x-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, allows for quantitative determination of submicron polymer blend composition.
At a lateral resolution of 50 nm, the researchers mapped three thickness layers of subsurface chemical structure (65 nm, 95 nm, and 150 nm). Within the enclosed TFB domains, there is little lateral variation in composition (e,h). In the F8BT region, however, F8BT concentration near the domain interface is high (d,g), measuring 90% (although a TFB wetting layer between blend and substrate indicates this concentration is even higher). F8BT concentration falls to 60% further from the interface and into the domain. The domain interface measures 200 nm, but may be sharper due to additional three-dimensional structure. Such a large decrease in F8BT concentration is not caused by the presence of a TFB surface capping layer, since it would be too thick. These features arise from variations in bulk intermixing between F8BT and TFB.
These results will help clarify nanoscale mechanisms of electroluminescence in LEDs based on these blends. Previous studies showed that injection of electrons from a cathode is most efficient into an F8BT-rich domain near a domain interface not covered by a TFB capping layer. The injection of holes in contrast is facilitated by a TFB wetting layer that covers the entire anode, providing efficient injection across the plane of the device. As demonstrated here, however, the F8BT-rich domain is almost pure near the domain boundary, thus the efficient injection of electrons into the near-domain F8BT-rich region is accompanied by efficient charge transport through this almost pure bulk region of the film. Charge capture is then facilitated by charge recombination at either the interface between the micrometer-sized domains or at the horizontal interface between the TFB-rich wetting layer and the nearly pure near-domain F8BT-rich region. As injection of electrons and electron transport are efficient only near the domain interface, both charge capture mechanisms could explain why electroluminescence is only observed near the micrometer-sized domain interface by optical microscopy.
Interfacial enrichment of F8BT, which facilitates efficient charge transport, and interface sharpness, which promotes charge capture and recombination, help explain the efficient performance of TFB/F8BT-based LEDs and demonstrate the exciting potential for this technique to probe the composition, morphology, and electronic processes of polymer films.
Research conducted by B. Watts, L. Thomsen, W.J. Belcher, and P.C. Dastoor (University of Newcastle, Australia); C.R. McNeill and N.C. Greenham (University of Cambridge, U.K.); and A.L.D. Kilcoyne (ALS).
Research funding: U.K. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Australian Research Council, and Commonwealth of Australia. Operation of the ALS is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
Publication about this research: C.R. McNeill, B. Watts, L. Thomsen, W.J. Belcher, N.C. Greenham, and P.C. Dastoor, "Nano-scale quantitative chemical mapping of conjugated polymer blends," Nano Letters 6, 1202 (2006).


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on February 12, 2013 - 12:24 AM
March 19, 1920 – Feb. 10, 2013
Florence Catherine "Peg" Gerken helped deliver countless babies during a nursing career that spanned more than two decades. But she put that all aside to raise five children in between her stints as a nurse.
Mrs. Gerken died Sunday of a heart attack in Our Lady of Victory Home, Lackawanna. She was 92.
Born Florence Burfield on Buffalo's East Side, she graduated from East High School and Mercy Hospital Nursing School.
She worked as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital before meeting her future husband, Joe Gerken, shortly before the start of World War II. The couple courted for four years while Mr. Gerken served in the Army.
They married in 1947 and moved to Hamburg, where Mrs. Gerken devoted the next 20 years of her life to raising her five children. She then returned to the nursing world, serving for 16 years as a registered nurse in the "preemie" ward at Our Lady of Victory Hospital.
She was a devout New York Yankees fan and loved to garden, complete crossword puzzles and spend time with her grandchildren, her son Joseph said.
Her husband of 50 years is deceased.
In addition to her son Joseph, she and is survived by two other sons, John Patrick and Thomas, and a daughter Mary Burr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road, Orchard Park.


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text:
Note: This is a guest post by Erin Polley, AFSC Program Coordinator of the Indiana Peacebuilding Program and the "If I Had a Trillion Dollars" Youth Film Festival. Submissions are now being accepted for films created by youth which explore how they would allocate the money that has been spent on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq differently. - Lucy
Since the start of the Afghanistan war in 2001, we've reached many grim milestones: Over 6,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of thousands wounded, and millions of Iraqi and Afghan civilian casualties. In September 2010, our nation reached yet another sad milestone—a $1 trillion debt for the total cost of the two wars.
During the course of these two wars, AFSC has tried to raise awareness of the human and economic cost of war using art like the exhibition on the human cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, "Eyes Wide Open" and the art exhibit, "Windows and Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Afghanistan." The "If I Had a Trillion Dollars" Youth Film Festival engages young people in the national conversation on the cost of war through filmmaking.
In the past two years, over 250 young people across the country have answered our call, "What would YOU do with a trillion dollars? If you had all the power, what would YOU do for your community, your nation, your world?" Over 80 films have been submitted, featuring themes on healthcare, education, the environment, and cancer research, exposing what one group called "The Real Crime of America."
In this short film, Olney Friends School students in Ohio stage an interrogation of the federal government. They ask a man in a suit and tie, "Where's the money? We know the government has spent over $1 trillion on war efforts in the Middle East over the past 10 years!" The government official claims to know nothing about where the $1 trillion has gone, but the interrogators press on. They point out the civilian death toll as evidence the money has gone to war. They share some ways that money could have been better spent on the needs of our communities—doubling cancer research, a global immunization program, universal preschool for American children, and a peacekeeping effort to stop the genocide in Darfur.
Finally, the government official breaks and sheepishly admits that the $1 trillion went to war. The interrogators celebrate and arrest their captive for what they call, "the real crime of America."
This was just one of the many videos chosen by the IHTD selection committee. Along with the producers of the other selected videos, the Olney Friends students were invited to Washington, D.C. to attend leadership training and lobby day led by AFSC and our partners at National Priorities Project on Tax Day 2012.
Fifty-one youth attended, and they made over 27 visits to legislators to share their videos and discuss the federal budget priorities in their communities. One participant from Chicago shared this reflection of his opportunity to visit Washington: "How many 18-year-old black males in my neighborhood get a chance to see the skyline of a city 39,000 feet in the air? How many of them sat outside the gates of the White House taking pictures and making memories that will be told to children and grandchildren to come?"
This year, we are hoping to bring even more youth with us to Washington to share their videos and to engage legislators in what they see as the high priorities of their communities.
We are hoping that Quaker meetings and churches will invite their youth to create and submit videos and that some of these young people will join the festival on tax day.
By empowering youth with the opportunity to speak truth to power, we believe we are working with the next generation of peacemakers.
For more info on the "If I Had a Trillion Dollars" National Youth Film Festival, please visit www.ihtd.org. There, you can view past entries, download a federal budget curriculum, and submit your entry for the third annual festival. Erin will be on a call for Quaker meetings and churches on November 7th at 7 p.m. to discuss the program and curriculum. Contact Lucy if you'd like information on how to join the call. The deadline for film submissions is Jan. 11, 2013.


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All the equipment was manufactured in Bellmer Vaahto´s workshop in Hollola in Finland.Read more
HP and KBA has announced plans to develop the HP T1000 Simplex Color Inkjet Web Press, a high speed, high volume, 110-inch -wide (2.8 meter) web press for pre-printing of corrugated top liner. This will enable corrugators to combine many individual jobs together on a roll or across rolls for short, mid or long runs. Unlike traditional analog pre-print, every box can be different.Read more
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) today signed an agreement with investment company CoBe Capital for Heidelberg to acquire the European Printing Systems Group (PSG) headquartered in the Netherlands. Both parties have agreed that the purchase price will remain confidential. Through this acquisition, Heidelberg is significantly expanding its services and consumables business.Read more
MeadWestvaco Corporation, a global leader in packaging and packaging solutions, today launched Packaging Matters, the company's third annual study of the impact of packaging on product satisfaction and consumer purchasing behavior. This year Packaging Matters examined the attitudes of consumers in five markets (Brazil, China, Germany, France and the United States) across 11 FMCG product categories (food, beverage, personal care, etc.), offering brand managers key insights on how to increase the impact of packaging for their business.Read more
Mondi Containerboard's Fruit Logistica workshop, entitled "Paper based packaging - what's in it for my business?", was a resounding success. The company launched its new quality and sustainability brand aqua protec to a broad audience, while its Corrugated Packaging segment highlighted the customer advantages of paper-based packaging from a converter's point of view. During the event, Mondi's experts also performed a live-lab show demonstrating ProVantage Kraftliner Aqua's excellent water resistance, and unveiled the findings of a recent sustainability survey.Read more
ESPOO, Finland, March 2, 2015 (Press Release) -
Valmet will supply an OptiConcept M containerboard production line for Yuen Foong Yu (YFY) Packaging Inc. for the company's Xin Wu site in Taoyuan County in Taiwan. The new production line will produce high-quality fluting grades out of 100 percent recycled raw materials. The start-up of the new machine is scheduled for the third quarter of 2016.
The order is included in Valmet's first quarter 2015 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.Read more
Reducing complexity and optimising potential will be a key focus from lead partner DS Smith at this year's Resource event. DS Smith will launch its exclusive report 'The Power of Less: Where Packaging's role in a circular economy becomes clear' at the event on Tuesday 3rd March at the event which runs 3rd-5th March.Read more


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Wars we wage in dairy and agriculture
Wars we wage in dairy and agriculture
Have you ever been in the middle of a huge mess or fight with no exit door? But when you think about it, you're not exactly sure what got you into the chaos in the first place?
For those of us in agriculture, it sometimes feels like we're in one of those messes daily. I was reminded of this when reading the Miner Institute's monthly Farm Report. The Farm Report (read it at http://www.whminer.com/farmreport.html) is a monthly magazine put together by the fine people at the William H. Miner Institute in Chazy, N.Y. In addition to covering events at the farm, new research, and area events, there are always some interesting pieces of advice or interesting notes from some of the staff.
This month, the interesting note that caught my eye was a quick summary of an article of the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, dated February 10, 2011 on page A4. I will quote the Farm Report:
Preliminary data from a University of Miami study, presented at the recent
International Stroke Conference:
Over a period of nine years and involving 2,500 adults over 40 years old,
those who drank diet soda daily had a 48 percent higher risk of stroke or
heart attack than people who drank no soda.
An editor of the Farm Report continued on by comparing this to what would happen if something like this was found about milk; front page headlines, "PETA in ecstasy, and 60 Minutes camping at the lead researcher's door." The editor also commented that this article was in a small box at the bottom of a much larger article.
Would you bet against that theory?
We have often talked to farmers who would rather ignore, for good reason, much of the background noise that takes place in the industry. This noise includes political debates of our future pricing plans and counter-cyclical defense measures, misleading animal rights organizations, and new environmental regulations that cost money and might not be that environmentally friendly in the first place.
If you paid any attention to the newspapers or the online world in the past few weeks, you may have noticed a renewed fight on the chocolate milk front. Another undercover animal abuse video (although this time the videographer evidently took part in the abuse) was also revealed.
How on earth did we get into these messes? More importantly, how do we get ourselves out? We need to be active in our communities, be good neighbors, and share the good news of dairy online, in schools, and anywhere else we have the opportunity. These tangles may not be totally our fault, but they are at least in part due to our negligence. If you need help or want to get involved, contact your local promotion agency, or check out http://www.dairyfarmingtoday.org/.
(To read more on the chocolate milk controversy check out the following articles:
General article about the controversy:
A Q&A about chocolate milk with a pro and con participant:
Article against chocolate milk:
Article for chocolate milk:


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Adlington brings swimming to Coventry
25th May 2012
Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington joined a group of lucky school children this week to launch the British Gas Pools 4 Schools initiative at Barr's Hill School in Coventry.
Rebecca, who in just two months time hopes to become the first British swimmer ever to defend two Olympic gold medals, joined the children in a special assembly followed by a world class demonstration in the pool.
When I was at school we all had the opportunity to get in the pool and it's shocking that so many children are now leaving school unable to swim.
The scheme, which is supported by British Gas, Speedo and the ASA, brings an innovative portable pool to the area to teach hundreds of local children to swim for free.
The pool is returning to Coventry for the third time, recognising the cultural barriers to increasing community participation through new opportunities in the pool.
For many children who took the lessons this was their first experience of getting in the pool to learn this vital life saving skill, despite swimming being a statutory National Curriculum subject.
Recent research undertaken by Kellogg's and the ASA as part of the 2012 School Swimming Census has revealed that one in three children in the UK leave primary school unable to swim, and with drowning being the third most common cause of accidental death in children it is now even more important than ever to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to learn.
Adlington is urging parents to ensure their children learn to swim and said "When I was at school we all had the opportunity to get in the pool and it's shocking that so many children are now leaving school unable to swim.
"I think that every child should have the opportunity to have swimming lessons which is why I think the British Gas Pools 4 Schools scheme is so fantastic.
"Swimming is such an important life skill and parents should ensure that their children learn at school or through private lessons and I really hope that the Olympics will inspire people into the pool."
FInd out more about school swimming in our Parents section.Selwyn Calvin, Headteacher at Barr's Hill School added "Having a swimming pool on our doorstep is a fabulous opportunity for both our students and the community we serve.
"The ability to swim is a life skill which everybody should have and we will be encouraging as many students as possible to take advantage of the lessons.
"The school is used throughout the week by community groups including supplementary schools at weekends who are also keen to take advantage of this facility.
"We are grateful to the support of the Coventry Sports Foundation who have been great in helping to put a swimming programme together for all users with their staff providing instructors and life guards to help us make the most of the facility."
The 12m x 6m portable pool was built by Total Swimming which is headed up by Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry.
It will also be available out of school hours so its benefits can spread throughout the whole community, providing a range of activities from swimming lessons to mini-polo and aqua-aerobics delivered by experienced teachers.
More than 3,400 people in the local community used the pool during its previous two visits to the Coventry area.


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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Crawford captures fishing title on national TV
Congratulations to fisherman Patrick Crawford and his family.
Patrick is the winner of Animal Planet's Top Hooker competition. Top Hooker is a reality fishing show that featured 10 contestants, all with fishing backgrounds, in elimination challenges that spanned eight episodes.
Crawford, who runs Allure Fishing Charters (allurefishingcharters.com) and is sometimes known as Captain Cocky, won a giant trophy, $30,000 cash and a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
Patrick deposited the cash in a college fund for his daughter, pulls his boat with his new truck and has a display case for his giant trophy.
Best wishes to Patrick, his wife Breanne and their daughter Medda. Enjoy more details of Animal Planet's Top Hooker competition by visiting animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/top-hooker online.
Young Gardeners Workshop
There will be a Young Gardeners workshop on Aug. 9 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. with the Berkeley County Library System located at the Daniel Island Branch for ages 4-8. Join local author Vijaya Bodach and learn about plants, how to build a sunflower house, and how to plant a pizza garden.
Come listen, learn, look, and touch. Light refreshments will be provided.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to Gary Grunsky, Bennie Hale, Priscilla Lail, Sheila Moody, Jennifer Moody, Jerry Morris and Robert Wadford.
Prayers and Get Well
Take time out of your busy day to pray for and to offer best wishes to Elma Atkins, David Ayers and family, Metro Borop, Ruth Brassell, Virginia Butcher, Frank Conrad, Patsy Daniels, Janet Davidson, Sandy Faber, Wayne Gamble, Claudia Guerry, Dorothy Harris, Louise Harris, Sharee Holcomb, Gail Humbert, Lonnie Kessler, Starr Kessler, Laverne Krivohlavek, Earline Brown-May, Mark McGue, Louise McMakin, Betty Rich Morris, Betty Patz, Jane Player, Louise Rich, Dick Robson, Peggy Schipmann, Robin Schriver, Thelma Schurlknight, Flint Swasand, Margaret Thronberry, Ginny Tucker, Ray Wadford, Billy Weatherford, Mae Welch, Norma Winn and for any unspoken prayers needed.
Bless our troops and their families, for the selfless acts they perform for us. Keep in prayer Gov. Haley and family, all Veterans, SC Masons, SC Order of the Eastern Star, Rainbow families, and our school system.
Heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the families and friends of Antonio Simmmons.
Have a blessed week! If you have news to share, contact Betty Delk at firstname.lastname@example.com before Noon on Wednesdays, the week before all scheduled events. Mail items to 195 Crest Lane, St. Stephen,SC 29479; or call 567-4370.
© 2016 The Berkeley Independent an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
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Rudy Colombini and the Unauthorized Rolling Stones will bring the songs of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to the South Shore Room this week.
Tuesdays' performance by the San Francisco band launches a series of Tuesday night tribute shows at Harrah's Lake Tahoe.
The shows also include nods to Jimmy Buffet, Santana, David Bowie, the Beatles and Tom Petty.
"The Unauthorized have shared stages with or opened for some of the biggest names in Rock, including The Beach Boys, Elton John, Journey, Sheryl Crow, Molly Hatchet, Pete Best, Taylor Dayne, Gary Wright, Al Stewart, Ambrosia, Chaka Khan, and more," according to the band's press kit.
"Frontman and founder Rudy Colombini is widely regarded as the most visually accurate 'Mick' in the business and is also an accomplished original artist, having two of his recordings reach top 40 status in the Adult Contemporary category."
The band has played venues including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Great American Music Hall, PacBell Park and Hard Rock Cafe.
"They have become something of a legend in their home town of San Francisco," according to the press materials. "Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown was quoted as saying 'I love the Unauthorized Rolling Stones,' and former Mayor and current Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed his love for the band many times."


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Fire investigators said a home in Colfax is a total loss following an early-morning blaze Monday.
The fire started in the home just after 3 a.m. Monday. Three people were inside and were able to escape safely.
At least one dog was killed in the fire and a second dog is missing.
Occupants of the home told KCRA 3 that they believe the fire might have started outside the home.
The home is located on Culver and Oak streets in Colfax.
Mobile users: Go to Pics & Video tab for a slideshow


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Chris Schneider/Associated Press file photo
Chris Schneider/Associated Press file photo
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. � Dexter Fowler no longer is the precocious prospect brimming with potential.
At 26 and entering his fifth full season in the major leagues, the Colorado Rockies� center fielder is a seasoned veteran.
�I was walking in, and I said �I feel old,�� Fowler said after a conditioning session this week at the club�s spring training facilities. �I�ve been in this organization since �04, so it�s home.�
The Rockies have staked their present and near future on the lanky Fowler after avoiding arbitration and signing him to a two-year, $11.6-million contract earlier this month.
Fowler always has shown the potential to be an impact player but finally became a more effective and productive player in 2012 when he set career highs in hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average (.300) and on-base percentage (.389).
The Rockies certainly feel good about their investment after his breakout season, and the feeling is mutual. He�s glad to be in purple and black for two more years with the organization he�s been with since 2004.
�It�s awesome, and it�s an awesome organization. This is home. This is what I know,� Fowler said. �I�m going to try to go out and build upon where I am now. I understand this is a business, but at the same time, you�ve been here your whole career coming up in the minor leagues, and you see these guys, and this is what you know.�
New Rockies� manager Walt Weiss has held individual meetings with his players since the outset of spring training and said of Fowler: �He�s a dynamic player � skills across the board, established himself as a very good player in this league last year. (We were) just talking about not settling and keep shooting for great because he�s got that kind of ability.�
Weiss is trying to help his player take the next step. He brought in a guy who�s had success at the major-league level as a leadoff man, original Rockies player Eric Young, to work on base-stealing and bunting with Fowler. Young arrived Monday and got right down to business on a back field with Fowler and others.
Weiss said Fowler�s height and long legs could be what prevents him from stealing more bases. After swiping 27 as a rookie in 2009, Fowler was down to 12 the last two seasons.
�Maybe it�s a little bit tougher with a guy that is that long to accelerate to steal bases, but he�s shown he can steal bases,� Weiss said. �And we�re going to give him the freedom to do that. He�s got to get comfortable, get a feel for it, pick his spots. That�s the next level for him; that�s part of it.�
Fowler got stronger and worked on his speed in the offseason. He also experienced a major life moment: marriage. The Fowlers went to Paris for their honeymoon and did some more traveling.
There also were things going on around Fowler which he couldn�t control. Several reports said the Rockies were shopping him to other clubs for a potential trade, although their high asking price showed they weren�t really that motivated to move on without him.
�You can�t take things too personally,� Fowler said. �The fortunate thing is that people want you, and you have a job.�


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Dennis "D.J." Jaros, 69, of Port Byron, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis. Services were held Friday, March 1 at Zion Lutheran Church, East Moline. Burial was in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. A visitation was held Thursday, Feb. 28 at Gibson-Bode Funereal Home, Port Byron. Memorials may be made to the family.
He was born on Oct. 21, 1943, in Chicago, the son of Jack and Doris (Phillips) Hickson. He married Raeleen Gerlach on Jan. 12, 1974, in Port Byron. He drove truck and also worked as an auto mechanic. He loved to ride his motorcycle and to fly his plane. He belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Survivors include his wife, Raeleen Jaros of Port Byron; his children, Darren Jaros of Geneseo and Patricia (Nathan) Zahringer of Moline; two grandchildren, Adrianna and Myles Zahringer; brothers, Al Jaros, John (Lori) Hickson, Thomas Hickson, Joe (Darlene) Hickson, David Hickson and sisters, Gail (Skip) Anderson and Cathy (Jim) Bladel. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Calvin Jaros; a sister, Cynthia Jaros and a brother, Steve Hickson.
Location, ST | website.com


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Margaret Lee Lowe Binns, 98, a former resident of Shepherdstown, passed away in Annapolis, Md., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.
She was born May 30, 1914, the oldest daughter of the late John D. Lowe and Ella Lee Walper Lowe, and was a member of the Greensburg United Methodist Church.
Her late husband, Otway P. Binns, was a retired colonel in the U.S. army. The family was stationed in locations nationally and internationally.
She is survived by a daughter, Georgia Christensen (Steve); grandchildren, Gabrielle Carsala (Eric McKown), Michael Binns Jr., and Christopher George (Andrea); great-grandchildren, Alaina Reilly, Carsten Reilly and Lydia Reilly; brother, William Lowe; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to those previously mentioned, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Binns Sr.; brothers, Randolph Lowe, Ken Lowe Sr., Eugene Lowe, and John Lowe Jr.; and sisters, Dorothy Lowe and Virginia Ramsburg.
A memorial service was held Nov. 18 at Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2171 Greensburg Road, Martinsburg. Internment was at Elmwood Cemetery.


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Communication with humans and animals
The alphorn has long been a tool used by shepherds. It was used to call the cows from the pastures and into the barn at milking time. An engraving from 1754 shows a shepherd using the alphorn to motivate the cows to cover the last steep stretch on their big climb up into the Alps. A glass painting from the Emmental Valley dating back to 1595 shows the alphorn being blown, probably to pacify the cows during milking. The blowing of the alphorn in the evening is also a traditional theme in art. This sound served as an evening prayer, and was mainly practiced in the Reformed cantons, while in the German-speaking Catholic cantons in Central Switzerland, the call to prayer was preferred. The main function of the alphorn was, however, for communication with the herdsmen on the neighboring Alps and with the people down in the valley below.


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CHARLES TOWN - There are certain items that cannot be added to the piles of overflowing trash in West Virginia landfills. These unwelcome items come in the forms of television sets, computers and microwave ovens.
In efforts to keep the ground water clean, in 2010, the West Virginia State Legislature passed a bill which banned electronics from landfills, because equipment of that kind contains a lot of heavy metals and toxic chemicals that can leech into the ground water.
Three years later, the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority has obtained grant funding for an electronics recycling program, although it does not have the ability to collect the items out in the community.
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Over the last three years, the Saint Andrews Mountain Community Center has collected more than 5 tons of electronics for recycling.
Saint Andrews Mountain Community Center is providing an opportunity for the community to bring in their electronics, which volunteers will then take to be recycled.
"We've been doing this for three years, and in those years we have collected over 5 tons of old TVs, computers and other electronics," said John Maxey, director for the center. "We've seen just about everything you can imagine. We have photographs of antique computers, so many that we could have made our own museum."
The community center sets up a truck and trailer across the parking lot and accepts almost all forms of electronics that county residents can bring in. Maxey said the items are then delivered to the county's solid waste authority, but the electronics' circle of life does not stop there.
Fact Box
E-Cycling Event:
Saturday, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Saint Andrews Mountain Community Center
Parking area on the Blue Ridge Mountain at the intersection of Mission Road and W.Va. 115 (Old Route 9).
The electronics are packaged up at the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority and delivered to a UNICOR facility, which is a division of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The items, once thought to be trash, are used to train inmates eligible for the reentry program.
"Inmates that are non-violent and need skills, they teach them electronics and how to dissemble under the supervision in the prison," Maxey said. "(The inmates) take the equipment all apart and break out the various components, be it led, copper or even gold."
This electronics recycling event comes right on the heels of the beginning of the statewide program Make It Shine, which is a focused on cleaning up West Virginia in preparation for Earth Day on April 22.
Maxey said a bill currently in the legislature attempts to revoke the ban on electronics in state landfills, the reason, he says, is because many say the items are difficult to collect.
By revoking the ban, the state faces the possibility of toxins leaking out from electronics into the water as was initially concerned.
"We have some of the most beautiful streams and rivers in the country, right here in West Virginia. We bring tourists in for rafting the rivers, and it's a big deal that we protect what we have," Maxey said. "It's protection of our economic development and protection of our water."
Staff writer Michelle Horst can be reached at 304-263-8931, ext. 138, or www.twitter.com/mhorstJN.


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Weld County Commissioners Doug Rademacher and Bill Garcia invite local residents to share their views, questions and concerns about Weld County government with them at their quarterly office hours.
The commissioners will be available from 4-6 p.m. April 12 in Conference Room B of the Weld County Southwest Services Complex, 4209 Weld County Road 24∏ in Longmont.
Residents are invited to drop in to the meeting or chat online with the commissioners. To chat online, go to www.co.weld.co.us and click on "Weld County Chat."
For more information, call the commissioners at (970) 336-7204.


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LANAI CITY - So far, Lanai residents give billionaire Larry Ellison a thumbs up for the improvements and changes he has brought to the island since buying the vast majority of it a year ago.
Residents expressed their appreciation for the efforts of one of America's richest men, who has reopened a long-closed community pool, built a new playground and basketball court, spruced up buildings around town and provided more jobs for residents - meaning more money for them and the island.
But amid their gratitude, there is a looming uncertainty about the future of their island community and the impacts of the software guru's plans. Those plans include a new, third resort, a desalination plant, a new airport runway and additional housing on an island that about 3,000 people call home.
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Diane Preza, who was born and raised on Lanai, said she is appreciative of what new Lanai owner Larry Ellison has done so far for the community, such as reopening the community pool and building a new playground. But as she picked flowers from her yard in Lanai City, she admitted having "mixed feelings" about Ellison's future plans.
The Maui News / MELISSA TANJI photo
Medical assistant Janice Mamaclay (center) said she is pleased with what Larry Ellison and his company have done for the island, such as building the covered shelter she is sitting under with friend Ramon Ramirez (left) and her father, Aniceto Valorozo. The three were sitting on a new picnic bench in Dole Park in the heart of Lanai City.
The Maui News / MELISSA TANJI photo
Reynold "Butch" Gima
"It seems like he's cleaning things up," said resident and teacher Diane Preza. "There are more cars at the grocery store."
"Personally, I still have mixed feelings about the (future plans)," she said while picking flowers in her yard in Lanai City earlier this month.
Preza, who was born and raised on Lanai, is worried about how the influx of new workers to the island could negatively affect the community, noting that when resorts were built in the past the new faces who came to town were accompanied by money, drugs and other social ills.
"I'm really worried about that," she said.
Preza also is "undecided" about how she feels about the new proposed Kahalepalaoa Village Retreat Resort at the old Club Lanai site on the island's isolated windward shoreline. Plans call for 100 hale units, a beach club and 50 residential rural estates while also preserving the windward shoreline's open space and wilderness, according to Ellison's company, the newly named Pulama Lana'i.
"I don't want it to be another Kaanapali," Preza said referring to the West Maui area lined with hotels.
"This island is special because of its raw beauty. When you make things accessible it detracts from all of that," Preza said.
Medical assistant Janice Mamaclay, too, has mixed feelings about the new ownership.
As she sat in Dole Park in the heart of the town, Mamaclay said that "before we didn't have this," pointing to the overhead shelter over a new picnic table where she was taking a lunch break with her father and a friend. Ellison has added the shelter and new picnic tables and spruced up parts of the park.
So far, Ellison's purchase of the island has been "good for people," said the seven-year Lanai resident, who moved from the Philippines.
"More business coming in, jobs," Mamaclay said.
Her support for the improvements came with a caveat.
While more people moving to the island may not be a bad thing, especially for business, she didn't want the population growth to overwhelm the infrastructure of the tiny island, as well as impact the island's character.
"At least the culture needs to be preserved," Mamaclay said.
It's been a little more than a year since Ellison, Oracle Corp.'s chief executive officer, bought 98 percent of the island from another billionaire, David Murdock, whose privately held Castle & Cooke Inc. sold more than 88,000 acres on Lanai.
The deal in June 2012, valued reportedly at "hundreds of millions of dollars," included the island's two luxury hotels - the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele - two championship golf courses and other assets. Murdock had controlled those Lanai assets since 1985.
Since the sale, Ellison has said through his company officials and personally to Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa that his vision for the island is for it to be self-sustainable, powered by solar energy, and supportive of organic farming.
Since the sale, residents such as Richard Doolin, who works at Lanai City Service & Dollar Rent A Car, a combination of businesses including the island's only gas station, have been waiting to see what Ellison's plans are.
"Everyone was just waiting to see what he going do," said Doolin, a 15-year resident of Lanai.
What has happened is that "people that wasn't working is working again," he said.
Doolin said that he's heard "plenty rumors" of what could happen next but isn't concerned.
"Always can adapt," he said after having lunch at the Blue Ginger Cafe.
He did warn that with the possible influx of new people there will be "some good, some bad," and that the growth could tax the tight housing situation. He expects housing to become even more scarce and for prices to climb if the population grows.
Larry Boldosser, who retired to the island two years ago, said that prior to Ellison's purchase, residents were saying:
'' 'We need more work. We need more industry.' '' People were leaving the island because of the lack of work, said the former Oregon resident and construction manager, who lives in the Manele area.
But soon after Ellison's purchase last year, "things started to pop," he recalled.
"Within a few months people were saying, 'We're working too much,' '' Boldosser said before boarding the Expeditions ferry from Lahaina to Lanai recently.
Besides increasing employment, the company worked to improve the beauty of the town, starting with its own headquarters.
"Central (company headquarters) is a thousand times nicer," he said, referring to its new roof and parking.
"It's just exciting for everybody," Boldosser said.
When Murdock was in control, he let things fall to the wayside, and "it just looked ratty," Boldosser said of the town. "He basically let it stop and let it rust. It's just fresh and nice looking now."
The present is fine but, like other residents, Boldosser has taken a wait-and-see approach to the future of the island.
"It's not going to happen for 30 years," he said of the building out of Ellison's vision.
Ellison's not waiting though. The new island owner is "not fooling around. He's moving ahead," Boldosser said, adding that Ellison is not doing it alone and appears willing to work with the locals.
Reynold "Butch" Gima, who was born and raised on the island and is a community activist, agreed that Ellison has brought change and fixed things that Murdock had neglected. He said there is a deep contrast between the management styles of the two men and offered up some positives of the new owner.
He applauded Ellison's selection of former Lanai resident Kurt Matsumoto as his chief operating officer for Pulama Lana'i. Gima said, the group Lanaians for Sensible Growth was started by several other Lanai residents in the mid-1980s. Matsumoto "understands how the community operates" and that the company is not micromanaged as it was under Murdock and Castle & Cooke.
Overall, Gima said, he likes parts of Ellison's vision.
"I like his philosophy of becoming a self-sustaining island, and he's brought in and hired/contracted several nationally renowned experts in different disciplines to help them accomplish this," Gima wrote in an email. "The capital he had brought to Lanai . . . has been obviously well received. There is hope on the island; the despair and depression have lifted for now."
But like many other residents, Gima said that there is concern about the socioeconomic impacts that may be on the horizon, as he reflected back to the 1980s and '90s when the resorts were being built and new people came to the island.
"To their credit, Pulama Lana'i is working on mitigating some of these impacts by collaborating with community organizations, instituting measures learned from the mistakes of Castle & Cooke and doing their best to communicate with the community on the upcoming changes," said Gima, a social worker for the state.
He added that there is more transparency with Pulama Lana'i compared to Castle & Cooke.
Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama, who holds the Lanai residency seat, echoed some of Gima's views, offering a mixed bag of applause and caution.
"I can say Kurt Matsumoto is very sensitive being a former Lanai boy. He and his team are trying to put together the best plans to mitigate the situations that may arise," Hokama said.
The council member said that he told the company that he wants to make sure that Lanai businesses benefit from the new construction and development and that local companies are patronized.
"We are going to be watching carefully if our businesses are given those opportunities," Hokama added.
He said Pulama Lana'i has been put on notice regarding how construction and new workers to the island could impact the island socially, economically and environmentally. The county is keeping an eye on the situation and how a growing population may increase the need for county services, such as police and fire, he said.
He would like to see better communication, though.
"We had occasional discussions about the company's efforts on Lanai, but I would say it's not consistent, as often as it should be," he said.
Overall, Hokama said, what Ellison has done so far has "been very positive for the island," citing bringing back workers and driving down unemployment. But he added that Ellison's work so far can be considered basically catch-up, cleaning up things from the last owner, adding that Ellison has done a good job of that.
"For some people, one year is a long time. For me, this is still a probation period," said Hokama.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.