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A Seducer Unmasked in a Moonlit Garden.
The Marriage of Figaro is of endless appeal to audiences and scholars alike. It is psychologically insightful and politically daring, yet affirmative in its transcendent depiction of redemptive love – and filled with beautiful music. Fast-rising baritone Zachary Nelson, who riveted audiences as Angelotti in Tosca last summer, sings Figaro alongside exciting debutante Lisette Oropesa and Santa Fe favorites Susanna Phillips, Daniel Okulitch and Keith Jameson. John Nelson conducts.
8:30 pm: June 29; July 5, 10
8:00 pm: August 3, 8, 13, 20, 23
Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Performed in Italian
Act I
Figaro and Susanna, the servants of Count and Countess Almaviva, are preparing for their imminent wedding. As Figaro measures their assigned quarters for a bed, Susanna reveals that she is being pursued by the Count despite her engagement to Figaro. Dr. Bartolo and Marcellina enter, conspiring to hold Figaro to a contract he made to marry Marcellina if he failed to pay back a loan. Next comes the pageboy Cherubino; he tells Susanna of his desire for all women, especially the Countess, just as the Count arrives. Cherubino hides and overhears Almaviva's attempted seduction of Susanna. Don Basilio's arrival forces the Count into hiding as well. The indiscreet Basilio talks of the Count's love for Susanna and Cherubino's love for the Countess. Enraged, the Count emerges from hiding, discovers Cherubino, and attempts to end the boy's flirtatious ways with an army commission to be effective immediately.
Act II
The Countess plots with Susanna to expose her husband's philandering. Susanna will write the Count agreeing to a rendezvous, but they will send Cherubino in her place, dressed in women's clothes. As they work together to disguise Cherubino in drag, the Count arrives and Cherubino hides in a nearby closet. The Count, hearing noises, suspects their ruse and leaves to fetch tools with which to break open the door. To escape, Cherubino leaps out the window while Susanna takes his place. When the Count returns and finds Susanna in the closet, he is forced to apologize. Figaro arrives, then the irate gardener Antonio, whose flowerbed was destroyed by Cherubino's leap. Figaro quickly claims that it was he who leapt from the window, but the Count is suspicious when Antonio produces Cherubino's dropped army commission. Marcellina, Bartolo and Basilio burst in, demanding that Figaro honor the contract for marriage.
Act III
Figaro stalls Marcellina by telling her that he is of noble birth and cannot marry without his parents' consent. As proof he reveals a birthmark on his arm — whereupon Marcellina realizes that she and Bartolo have found their long-lost son. With the Count still intending to bed Susanna on her wedding night, she and the Countess come up with a plan to thwart him. To bait their trap, the Countess dictates a note for Susanna to pass the Count after the double-wedding of Susanna to Figaro and Marcellina to Bartolo.
Act IV
Figaro encounters Barbarina, the gardener's daughter, who inadvertently reveals that Susanna has received a message from the Count. Figaro assumes the worst, and decides to catch his errant wife when she arrives for her tryst in the garden. The Countess and Susanna appear in each other's clothes, and a series of mistaken identities ensues. The Count attempts to seduce "Susanna," who is actually the Countess in disguise. Figaro eventually realizes his wife is faithful and the Count is publicly embarrassed when he accuses Figaro of romancing his wife, only to find out it is Susanna. Chastened, he begs for the Countess's forgiveness, which she bestows.


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A hoss is a level higher than a boss. In other words, the guy who gives orders for others to give orders in order to give other people orders and so on and so forth. If you are a hoss, you are a level one beneath God. A hoss is pretty much a divine, or glorious, bad ass mother fucker.
George Washington was a hoss as he whooped Englands ass and lead America into a state of supreme glory. (boss) (bad ass Mofo) (leader) (winner) (overlord)
Hammy the Glorious가 작성 2011년 05월 30일 (월)
One who is a Bad Ass that can basically do anything he wants. He is usually loved by all and a ladies man. Also, a name for a friend, or to describe a friendship. Hoss is a compliment. Plural form Hosses.
Mihalik is such as Hoss. He destroyed his competition in track and picked up the hottest girl in school.
Matt and Sean are hosses. They're always tearing shit up together.
Matt and Sean are hosses. They're always tearing shit up together.
TeamSolid가 작성 2011년 06월 02일 (목)
(US, slang, Northwest) A Car.
Some guy: That's a real boss hoss.
Some other guy: It sho is.
Some other guy: It sho is.
Derwos가 작성 2011년 09월 11일 (일)
Someone who plays football or rugby and resembles a wild boar, commonly in a southern background and from an anglo-saxon family. They are husky and can leg press 1000+. They are also hardasses can truck through anything. A sign of a hoss is having a full grown beard and being huge.
Look at that hoss on the field, he is untacklable
Wildwood Creeper가 작성 2011년 04월 20일 (수)
putting in a large dip or chew,chewing tabacco
oh man i could go for a big hoss right now
woodfield가 작성 2010년 04월 28일 (수)
A massive wad of chewing tobacco, generating lots of saliva and a protruding lower lip.
You should have seen mike at the bar last night, he had the biggest hoss in!
Jesus christ, he's hossing at a funeral...
I'm hossin' nice right now!
I need a hoss.
Jesus christ, he's hossing at a funeral...
I'm hossin' nice right now!
I need a hoss.
Gator Faced가 작성 2011년 07월 13일 (수)
Person: someone who is the best at something.
Action: to be the master at doing a specific action.
Action: to be the master at doing a specific action.
Person: Stephen, he a Hoss at everything math.
Action: "Wesley hossed eating me out last night"
Action: "Wesley hossed eating me out last night"
einsBAMF69가 작성 2010년 11월 15일 (월)

subset: commoncrawl


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quote Anime2234xD that's the best "You can get this song on DDR!" ^^; your friend is lying. This is the COMPLETE song list. No more then the songs listed are in the game.My friend said you can get Chop Suey from System of a Down on this game..I doubt it, he's probably lying.
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The kind of guy that will drop his mates at the last minute and take a dildo in the ass.
Kevin was supposed to meet me here but he hooked up with a bird and decided pulling a holden was a better idea.
από inked_matt 6 Ιανουάριος 2012
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Fitness Photos
Photos: Heavy weights, tough competition at CrossFit Wylie's weightlifting championships
Photo: Stewart F. House/Special Contributor
Brandy Carr (left) of Rockwall and Lauren Webb of Rockwall react during a lift at the Crossfit Wylie Olympic Weightlifting Championships held in the Crossfit gym in Wylie on Saturday, December 21, 2013.
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Source: Dell
quote: Does anyone was really thinking that Windows 8 will bring people in drove to update their pc/laptops ? Windows 8 is such a radical move and bring nothing enticing to that platform. Why change your machine if W7 does everything you want just fine.
quote: If you have Win7-64, there's no reason to upgrade to Win8 Pro unless you have a touchscreen.


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'Ero' | Slim Fit, Italian Linen Cotton Ombre Button Down Shirt by HUGO
Style No. 50260385
Free Shipping
- This shirt by HUGO is crafted from the finest Italian linen-cotton for superior comfort and features a shorter length (74 cm/29.1 in) for a more casual look. An ombre finish creates a standout style.
- Model is 6'2" with a 31" waist, 40" chest, and is wearing size L.
- Slim fit
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- Italian linen-cotton


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It's difficult to weigh the true benefits and costs of the American lawn. Turf is certainly not the most water or time efficient form of landscape to be sure, but there is no doubt that a green lawn is a cultural standard. Before we pass judgement on this element of our culture, let's learn a little about the history of turf in the US.
From The lawn: a history of an American obsession by Virginia Scott Jenkins, Smithsonian Institution Press, c1994.
A History of Grass in the US
We didn't always have a love affair with our lawns. In fact it wasn't until the industrial revolution that lawns became practical for most Americans. Lawns were seen as a luxury expense for only the wealthy who could afford grounds keepers to maintain the fine bladed plants using scythes. Not everyone wanted cattle or sheep grazing in the front yard to keep the green stuff at a manageable height as did Woodrow Wilson while occupying the White House. Sheep on the White House lawn? Actually, it was an effort to draw attention to what could be done to free up men to fight and help with shortages of wool during World War I. The wool was auctioned off for $100,000 and given to the Red Cross.
The green lawns so common today didn't exist in America until the late 18th century. Instead, the area just outside the front door was typically packed dirt or some form of cottage garden, a mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. In England, however, many of the wealthy had sweeping green lawns across their estates. Americans with enough money to travel overseas returned to the U.S. with the English example firmly planted in their imaginations. Reproducing the English lawn wasn't as easy as they had anticipated. Grasses native to America proved unsuitable for a tidy and well-controlled lawn, and our climate was less than hospitable to the English grasses.
By 1915, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was collaborating with the U.S. Golf Association to find the right grass—or combination of grasses—that would create a durable, attractive lawn in a variety of climates. Included in the testing were Bermuda grass from Africa, blue grass from Europe, fescues, and bent grass. Fifteen years later, the USDA had discovered several useful grasses and turned their attention to the creation of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers for them.
The right grass wasn't the only problem facing those wanting the perfect lawn. There was also the challenge of providing sufficient water to keep the grass green in summer. Cutting the grass was a challenge, as well. English lawns were trimmed with scythes, an expensive process that required a certain amount of finesse, or by grazing livestock on the greens.
Mechanical mowing came about early in the 19th century and there is a general agreement that an Englishman, Edwin Budding, an engineer at a textile mill, developed a cylinder, or reel-type mower. It was a series of blades arranged around a cylinder with a push handle patterned after a machine used in a cloth factory for shearing the nap on velvet. In 1870, Elwood McGuire of Richmond, Indiana designed a machine that basically brought push mowing to the masses. By 1885, America was building 50,000 lawnmowers a year and shipping them to every country on the globe.
For the average American, the invention of the garden hose and the rotary mower made the lawn a more realistic option. Until then, lawns were too impractical for most families. With most of the necessary tools and types of grass seeds, the average homeowner was now able to grow a lawn of their own. Still, it wasn't a widespread practice until The American Garden Club stepped in. Through contests and other forms of publicity, they convinced homeowners that it was their civic duty to maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn. So effective was the club's campaign that lawns were soon the accepted form of landscaping. The garden club further stipulated that the appropriate type of lawn was "a plot with a single type of grass with no intruding weeds, kept mown at a height of an inch and a half, uniformly green, and neatly edged." American thus entered the age of lawn care.
Today, U.S. homeowners spend over $17 billion on outdoor home improvements. More than 26 million households hired a green professional, according to a 2000 Gallup survey and this number is expected to grow. Your little patch of green has become a big business and for good reason. Landscape improvements and maintenance, including lawn care,
The Benefits of Turf
Turf grass is one of the most resilient and useful features of the landscape. It creates a great play space. It's great for kicking a ball, walking barefoot, and it creates a relaxing space of natural beauty. Lawns have a cooling effect and prevent runoff and erosion of topsoil. Turf can function as a fire retardant around buildings and can increase filtration of water and clean the water as it passes through. Turf absorbs noise, cutting excessive sound and turf can reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Turf thatch acts as a barrier deterring chemicals from entering the soil profile. Well maintained home lawns can help reduce annoying insect pests while providing a place for family fun and entertainment and can add 15% to the selling price of a home. Some turf grasses also have the ability to go "dormant" during droughts and then recover.
While other plants and landscape options can serve the same function as grass, few offer the same recreational opportunities or have the same universal acceptance.
The Costs of Turf
Turf grass requires substantially more water and maintenance than many other plants. To keep grass healthy it must be watered, fertilized, aerated, and mowed. All of these cost money. The actual costs vary depending on the type of grass, cost of water, climate, mowing equipment, method of fertilization. It has been estimated that it costs more than $1 per square foot per year in some regions to maintain turf grass - after all costs are figured in. While your costs may be quite different, it is important to consider these costs when deciding between turf and other plant materials.
Other issues associated with maintenance of turf include the substantial amount of air pollution caused by gas powered lawn mowers and the water pollution caused by excessive use of fertilizers and herbicides. The American way of maintaining a lawn is hardly a benign activity.


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Visiting a friend, the reality star was photographed on Thursday cheerfully displaying her left hand – and her bare ring finger.
This isn't the first time that a ring-less Wilkinson, 29, has been spotted since news broke about her husband's alleged infidelity: She's left her wedding band at home on other occasions, including while out partying with some girlfriends just after she learned of Baskett's alleged affair.
Putting on a brave face hasn't been exactly easy for Wilkinson. The stress of her marital turmoil has affected her physically and emotionally, and according to a source close to Wilkinson, "she's done [with the marriage].
Despite the status of their union, it is still all systems go for the two of them when it comes to filming their reality show, which is due to return this fall.


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bleach is my all time best show i would watch bleach all day
rukia is my favorite character on bleach I will devour their hearts and crap out their souls. They will all taste oblivion....which tastes just like red bull...which is disgusting. -O'malley (RvB)
mine is that what seems like a retarded espada that talks in sighs "Lord please forgive us for the truspasses that we are about to commit!!" - Dead Leaves, #777
wonderweiss, i can't wait to find out what his role in all this is. i like it in later episodes were he follows tosen around.
My fav character is definitely Kisuke UraharaLove... is just a different kind of pain.
thats it idk abt the characters
good show
I like Gin more than wonderwiess
The Greatest Clan In Death and Universe... The Zombaukto Clan


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January 6, 2014
LIA's Monthly Economic Report- January 2014
By: Dr. John Rizzo
The US economy continued to show improvement. The unemployment rate fell to 7.0% in November, while retail sales grew at a robust pace of 0.7%. Consumer confidence is up, and optimism about the job market is at a 5-year high. Housing prices showed strong gains as well. Existing home sales fell, however, a pattern which may reflect rising mortgage interest rates, limited inventory, and tighter credit markets. Inflation remained quite low.
Despite the lack of any inflationary concerns, the Federal Reserve elected to taper its economic stimulus program, reducing its bond purchases to $75 billion in December, down from $85 billion. Fortunately, the financial markets and economy withstood this economic policy change well. Most of the economic news regarding the economy was favorable, and the stock market reached record levels in December.
The unemployment rate fell to 7.0 percent in November on higher than expected hiring of 203,000 workers. This is the lowest unemployment rate in five years. Moreover, the labor force participation rate rose as did the average length of work. Jobless claims during the third week of December fell by 42,000 over the prior week, to 338,000. Although jobless claims have moved higher since September, the level is still consistent with growth in jobs.
The US economy increased jobs at an average monthly rate of 204,000 from August through November. This compares quite favorably to the more sluggish average monthly growth of 159,000 jobs from April through July. Moreover, many of these new jobs were in higher-paying industries. Construction companies created 17,000 jobs and manufacturers added 27,000.
And improvements in consumer confidence about hiring bode well for continued jobs growth. Data from the Conference Board indicate that optimism about the job market is at a 5-year high.
For complete report click here.


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The letter from Fred Spurck in Tuesday's A-T was encouraging, as more and more people are not only waking up but are speaking out.
When most of us look for a provider or services, we generally look at their history and track record and talk to those who have dealt with them in the past. We scrutinize their guarantees and how well they have honored their promises and commitments and weigh their previous successes. We carefully read the contract and even go so far as to have an attorney approve it before we sign to protect us from possible fraud hidden in the "fine print."
Now, let's take a look at universal health care, or if you prefer, the Affordable Care Act, (which is neither universal not affordable) and is commonly referred to as "Obamacare." This was soundly rejected by the people of Ohio, as well as many other states, but governing against the will of the people, as usual, this administration is determined to ram this abomination down the throats of the American people, "for their own good"!
In addition, the very people who seek to impose this law on us are themselves exempt, along with favored unions and businesses that have been granted waivers because it is too expensive or inconvenient! The latest are the congressional staffers seeking a legislative "fix" to exempt them from the mandate and, three weeks ago, representatives of three large labor unions fired off a hard letter to Democratic leaders in Congress, complaining Obamacare would "shatter our hard-earned health care benefits" and create "nightmare scenarios" for their members. The National Treasury Employees Union - the union that includes employees of the Internal Revenue Service - is asking its members to write letters to their congressmen, stating they are "very concerned" about legislative efforts requiring IRS and Treasury employees to enroll in the Obamacare exchanges.
Some Republicans have joined Democrats in efforts to exempt staffers from Obamacare, but not all. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina recently said Congress should have to live with the same law that everyone else does.
"I have no problem with Congress being under the same guidelines," Burr said. "I think if this is going to be a disaster - which I think it's going to be - we ought to enjoy it together with our constituents."
A spokesperson for the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Republican Dave Camp of Michigan echoed Sen Burr's sentiment.
"If the Obamacare exchanges are good enough for the hardworking Americans and small businesses the law claims to help," the spokesperson said, "then they should be good enough for the president, vice president, Congress and federal employees."
You might recall at the time this was passed, Vice President Joe Biden was caught on an open mike remarking to President Barack Obama, "This is a big f--ing deal," Those are possibly the truest words our articulate V.P. ever uttered. That is exactly what it is!
D.F. Heimrick,


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DeLand, Fla. - Stetson's Luis Jacobo has been named the Atlantic Sun conference Newcomer of the Week for the week ending February 28, 2011. It is the second Newcomer of the Week award of the season for the freshman forward out of Sanford, Florida.
On Saturday in the final game of the year Jacobo scored a career-high 28 points and equaled his career-high of 11 rebounds en route to his second double-double of the season. He was 8-of-19 from the field, 5-for-9 from 3-point range and a perfect 7-for-7 from the line. Jacobo also added three assists, two blocks and a steal while playing all 40 minutes of the game. The 28 points was also a team-high scoring total for any Hatter this season. Stetson won the game 70-62 at home against Jacksonville.
On the week Jacobo averaged 19.0 points, eight rebounds, and 2.5 assists to take home the award. He finished up his first season 3rd on the team in scoring at 9.2 points per game and in rebounds with 4.0 per game.


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But it hasn't been an easy road from feeling hurt to feeling healthy, Burke told PEOPLE at the ESPY Awards Wednesday night.
"Five years ago, I got criticized by the press, like Howard Stern, about being too fat. But it's another thing when your fans say to you, 'Oh my god, you look like you're dying,' " the Dancing with the Stars pro said. "It hurt."
"I've had to change my lifestyle. I'm happy. I'm eating well. I'm working out every day. And I'm more responsible. I used to go out every single night in my 20s. It was one big party. And now, that's not the way I want to live my life," she said.
"When you change your lifestyle, your body changes. I'm completely healthy. My curves are never going to go away. Have I lost weight? Absolutely. But not in an unhealthy way. I want everyone to know that. I love my fans. But words are hurtful, especially coming from people you think always have your back."
To stay in shape, Burke says she's training, but not dancing, in the off-season.
"I'm taking care of my body. Eighty percent of it is what you eat and what you consume. It's all about portion control. I'm not on a diet. I'm not on Atkins or anything. It's just the fact that I'm eating right."
As far as advice for those who can relate to her struggle?
"Just keep moving on," Burke says. "At the end of the day, life is in front of you. You're going to hit the lows of the lows. But you'll be able to grow from that."
Reporting by MATTHEW COLE WEISS


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Question: My father-in-law has myeloma and may be a candidate for a stem cell transplant. I am pregnant. Can my baby's umbilical cord blood be used for his transplant?
Answer: First, let us provide some background information, and then you will better understand the answer to your question. The standard type of transplant used for myeloma patients involves harvesting and then reinfusing the patient's own stem cells after high-dose chemotherapy. This is called an autologous transplant, with "auto" referring to "self," the source of the stem cells. This procedure is generally well tolerated by myeloma patients and, on average, provides a remission of 18 to 36 months duration.
Transplantation of stem cells from a matched donor is called an allogeneic transplant, and its use in myeloma patients is still considered experimental. Because they are more fragile in the transplant setting than patients with other hematologic cancers, myeloma patients almost never undergo full allogeneic transplant with high-dose chemotherapy because the risk of death is considered too high. Instead, researchers have developed the "mini-allo," a procedure in which lowered doses of chemotherapy are given to a patient prior to an infusion of stem cells from a matched sibling donor. The mini-allo is best performed on a patient with a low tumor burden, so it generally follows within 3 to 6 months after an autologous stem cell transplant. The desired result is to produce just enough graft versus host disease (GVHD) to allow the donor stem cells to fight the myeloma. Too much GVHD can kill the host, or leave the host debilitated. That is why in most cases, only the blood of a perfectly matched brother or sister can be used. Even then, clinical trials of mini-allo have reported treatment-related mortal-ity (death) as a result of GVHD to have occurred in 12-17% of patients involved in the studies. There is little long-term data on the patients who have had a mini-allo because it is still a relatively new procedure, and one that should be performed in the context of a clinical trial.
The use of umbilical cord blood in the allogeneic transplant setting is still experimental. There are two problems:
One group of researchers recently reported results from a program in which umbili-cal cord blood was collected and used for transplantation in a sibling that has a disease and would benefit from a stem cell transplant. Data from 21 patients has been collected. The average age of the recipient of umbilical cord blood was 6 years. One-quarter of recipients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The rest of the recipients had other cancers or non-cancerous conditions that are treatable with stem cell transplants. None had myeloma.
Another group of researchers analyzed data from studies including umbilical cord blood transplants in 171 adults who were primarily diagnosed with leukemia. These patients did not have acceptable donors for allogeneic stem cell transplants and underwent transplants with umbilical cord blood. Following the cord blood transplant, acute GVHD occurred in approximately 32% of patients, and at 2 years, the incidence of chronic GVHD was 36%. Death related to the transplant procedure was 51%.
If you still wish to store the cord blood "just in case" for the future, there are private firms that provide this service. You may also wish to donate the cord to the Red Cross.


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Z: The open source generation | Opensource.com
Z: The open source generation
Generation Z is beginning to join the workforce. This age group--born between the early 1990s and early 2000s--has never really existed in a world without the web or lacking the widespread use of cell phones, laptops, and freely available wireless networks and digital media.
The combination of job changes caused by technology's impact and the employment issues that come with an economic recession makes finding work a very different experience for Generation Z--vastly different what their parents, grandparents, or even siblings went through. And the workplace is finding that dealing with these hyper-connected Internet-generation "kids" greatly changes the game.
Transparency, self-reliance, flexibility, and personal freedom are all non-negotiable aspects of Generation Z's work ethic--and properly harnessing those qualities improves the working world for all of us. Ignoring them--or worse, trying to force-fit them into a traditional job environment--could result in peer frustration, reduced productivity, low morale, and a lack of employee engagement. So how do employers properly address this generational shift?
Generation Z and the NC Institute of Emerging Issues
A recent business focus group, hosted at Red Hat and sponsored by the North Carolina Institute of Emerging Issues, brought together representitives from different employment sectors to address this generational gap.
Each year, the Institute chooses one discrete issue, a common challenge confronting the state workforce. And this year's topic is Generation Z (defined as those who will be 18-30 in the year 2020) and the impact these young workers will have on the coming business environment.
More than a dozen representatives--from organizations like Golden Corral (food service), Elster Solutions (technology), the Durham Bulls (minor-league baseball), Fidelity Investments (finance), Capstrat (marketing and design), Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (healthcare), Community Partnerships (social/education), Civil Engineering (land development), and Red Hat (technology)--discussed what they had seen (and what they predict) in terms of hiring and retention of this coming-of-age generation.
Generation Z today
Anita Brown-Graham, director of the institute since 2007, opened by framing Generation Z's plight. They are, she emphasized, the first generation in the history of the US to enter the workforce under expectations that they will be (on average) less well-off than their parents. The lack of jobs and the difficulty finding a good job fit means that many in this generation can expect to spend more time job-seeking or job-jumping and are less able to sustain themselves as independent households.
Through question-guided discussion, it was agreed that the technology skills Generation Z exhibits can be a great advantage for employers. For these young peers, connectivity and the use of modern media is as natural as breathing. Any parent with a teenage child can likely attest that their offspring connects with others in ways that are immediate and on-going.
But sometimes, like in an example given by one speaker, their methods seem a little strange. She noticed a change in her teenager's online status (from single to 'in a relationship' on Facebook), and was surprised. She'd heard nothing about a new beau, so she asked her child about this development. Her daughter responded, reassuringly, that the relationship was not a real one--only her "online persona" was involved.
Instant and text messaging, social media, and online networking are ubiquitous to Generation Z's social, personal, and emerging professional lives. They do not have to learn the communications skills that pre-Internet generations struggle with, and technology is already integrated into their daily routines.
The example of the 'online persona' relationship also illustrates the easy way that Generation Z divides and assumes social roles based on setting--and the (sometimes mistaken) expectation that others would also understand this segregation.
Looking ahead to Z's tomorrow
This led to another question from Brown, "Are there soft skills that are lacking?" By this, she meant communications skills. The discussion continued, and it was clear that the seeming lack of skill really boiled down to two things: expectation and presentation.
The hiring managers present were very wary (and very aware) of Generation Z's use of social media tools and their casual attitudes about both knowledge and commentary. Online communities and the persistence of their content make knowing more about prospective and current peers exceptionally easy. The Internet makes general knowledge almost immediately accessible. This breeds a new familiarity--with information and with each other. As a result, generation Z expects to be informed, to be allowed to respond, and to have their responses heard and acknowledged.
This kind of exchange is welcomed in many workplaces today, but some companies still restrict employees, either by disallowing the use of certain kinds of communication, or by enforcing rules regarding what can be said, publicly or even privately (internally).
Neither of these kinds of restrictions, it was noted, are particularly effective. An employer that banned personal web-surfing from company machines found that employees merely moved their online activity to their phones--and an employee sneaking off to the restroom with their phone took more time away from business than one opening a quick email window. Another that restricted public discussion of certain topics would hear about frequent (and often incorrect or inflammatory) private discussions that spread like wildfire.
The benefits (and perils) of being Z
Many on the panel admitted: There are obvious benefits to generation Z-style communications. But moving toward that kind of openness is hard work. Convincing entrenched management that established practices can and should change is no easy task. Avoiding conflict in open spaces can be difficult. Being more personal without losing important forms of privacy can be tricky.
One group member described the pushback she experienced when creating a website that allowed open internal discussion. They envisioned a useful communications tool, where questions could be asked and answered and minor issues solved before they became problems. But their executive board did not see it that way. They feared people would post distracting commentary or damaging misinformation or that corporate decisions would be challenged.
After their project debuted, a challenge was issued and a heated discussion took place. It involved a rapid-fire exchange between an associate and an executive--one of the same executives that had expressed reservations. But after some arguing, the two parties came to a more civil exchange, and the problem was addressed openly. Others that might have groused in private about the same issue saw their concern brought to management. Executives, though unsettled, were at least aware of the disagreement, and could react to it. They allowed the system to remain.
Brown said:
"Z wants to know: How do I fit in? Why do I have to do this? Why does it have to be done by then?"
And though these statements were initially framed as self-interest from a generation accustomed to instant gratification, a closer examination reveals that Z is not the only group that benefits from knowing those things--from being invested in those things--within corporate culture.
We all have access to more knowledge and more business technology tools. What we do not have is more time. If it is self-interest that makes crucial arguments and ideas come to light--and creates processes that are faster and a better fit to how we live--then shouldn't we all want to work like Generation Z?
More information
If this discussion interests you, the NC Institute of Emerging Issues will host the NC Emerging Issues Forum on February 6-7, 2012 at the Raleigh Convention Center. You can find out more at the Institute's website.
Recordings from previous years' Emerging Issues Forum can be found at the PBS UNC-TV site.
7 Comments
" the first generation in the history of the US to enter the workforce under expectations that they will be (on average) less well-off than their parents."
Didn't they say that about Baby Boomers, Gen-X, Millennials...??
That was certainly said about (so-called) Generation X in the early 1990s. What I don't know is whether the recovery from the early 1990s recession led to the disappearance of such statements - I assume it did.
Building a successful company culture that utilizes the strength of Generation Z employees will be the biggest challenge, especially among the more traditional companies that will see large retirements in the next 10 years.
Formost, there is no gen Z. The X was a roman numeral for 10 or the 10th generation since the founding of the US.
We all evolve with the environment at our disposal. I hope that in the fututre that there will be open source available and that those opportunities will not be killed off by a large, bully closed source company.
Great article. The more I read about the possibilities of open source in business, the more I want to learn about starting my own open source business. Do you know of any entrepreneurial resources based on the open source model?
i am a teenage born in generation y,and i say that some of this infomation is true but not true. like we were born in t he early 90's an early 2000's but i dont th ink we enter the workforce unexpectedly


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Thank you for visiting navy.com – the official recruitment site of America's Navy. We have recently made technological updates to our site in an effort to provide a better interactive experience. To enjoy the best possible experience, we recommend that you consider upgrading to one of the following versions (or higher) of any of these popular browsers:
If you're looking to learn more about becoming part of America's Navy, right away you'll want answers to some pretty important questions. Do I qualify for Navy service? How long would I be required to serve? What's the actual process of becoming a Sailor? What kind of training could I expect to undergo?
The answers to these and other questions depend upon a variety of factors, including whether you're new to the military, whether you're currently serving in the military or whether you've previously served in the military. And beyond that, are you interested in serving full-time in the Navy or part-time in the Navy Reserve?
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All members of the Navy and Navy Reserve are Sailors, first and foremost. Beyond that, Sailors are classified as either Enlisted or Officer. Find out why and what it means.
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Top Definition
act of being a dumb shit. the word originated from a boy by the name of roy hutton. he had a speech impedimant and tried saying dumb shit... but it came out dumbsheet.
im not the dumbsheet, dumbsheet... your the dumbsheet, dumbsheet.. your the dirty dumbsheet.
作者 dumbsheet 2009年8月23日
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Other collegiate sports
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I found a special section on poker
Posts: 0 - Why no special sports section bridge? Why no special sports section bridge? Maybe because we need to strengthen the view that the construction of false idea of fast money is very convenient for...
Penn State Altoona Softball
Posts: 0 - The womens softball team is scheduled for their home opener today, 3/17, at 3:00 PM against Penn State Harrisburg. Several talented local players on the team. Go Lions!
Caravan sales
Posts: 0 - Static Caravans are usually about 40 feet long, and have ample space, this photo is of a living area in a standard caravan.


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Federal Financial Aid Programs
The Federal government has a myriad of grants, scholarships and loans (i.e. Pell Grants, Work Study, Perkins Loan, etc.) available to qualified students who have financial need.
Students should fill out the FAFSA to be considered for any of these financial opportunities.
Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register on–line at www.sss.gov/regist.htm
These programs are awarded exclusively by the financial aid office at the individual UH campuses. Check with the financial aid office where you plan to attend for more information on availability of funds, eligibility, deadlines and required forms.
Federal Scholarships and Grants
For information about the opportunities listed here, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Federal Work Study
Under the Federal Work Study Program, you can work part-time to earn money for your education.
The FWS Program provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school, helps pay your educational expenses, is available to undergraduate and graduate students, available to full-time or part-time students, administered by schools participating in the FWS Program and encourages community service work and work related to your course of study, whenever possible.


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on October 27, 2012 - 4:18 PM
One man suffered a deep laceration near his left eye when he was struck by two bottles in a Main Street nightclub in the city's University District early Saturday.
Northeast District police said Ali Omer, believed to be in his mid-30s, was in Northside Nightclub when someone threw a bottle, and when the club's staff tried to take him outside for medical assistance, another bottle struck him in the left side of his head, causing pain and swelling.
Omer was treated in Sisters Hospital, police said.


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The IIEC is introducing a new program for its members to help individuals seeking to establish a new global business.
The object of the GMLCP is to provide individuals a structured environment that takes them from conception of the business through its first year of sales.
Contact Information:
International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
Suite H3A
301 Mexico Blvd
Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: 956-882-4119
Fax: 956-882-4122
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The University of Texas at Brownsville website uses Javascript.
To access this page as it is meant to function please use a Javascript
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Dr. Berit Spieker, DVM, Associate VeterinarianDVM, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Spieker was born and raised in a lovely city in northern Germany and then moved to the United States with her husband. Prior to veterinary school she gained practical experience as a Veterinary Assistant in several branches of veterinary medicine including general small animal practice, small animal emergency, equine and holistic veterinary medicine, and exotic animal veterinary practice. Dr. Spieker completed her veterinary degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, temporarily leaving her immensely understanding husband behind to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Spieker currently enjoys working as a general small animal practitioner at VCA Misener-Holley Animal Hospital and she is a member of several veterinary medical associations including the American, the Illinois State and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.
In her "spare time", Dr. Spieker enjoys horseback riding, spending time with her cat and cockatoo, and volunteers at shelters and another animal hospital. She also spends time traveling, sailing, and biking.


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Restoration of a second log cabin is about a quarter complete at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve.
Known as the Hoepf-Elchert cabin, the structure is the third building in the Seneca County Park District's historic village area. It was donated by Hank Elchert and his mother from its longtime location east of New Riegel on TR 94.
Another family that wishes to remain anonymous donated $10,000 toward reconstruction costs as a memorial for a deceased son.
Article Photos
The cabin as it looked before it was dismantled.
Zeiter Blacksmith Shop, Hedges-Miller cabin and the start of the Hoepf-Elchert cabin as they stand Monday in the historic building area at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve.
The roof waits to be returned to the top of the log sides.
The money will cover most of the estimated $12,000 cost, said project chairman and park district board member Roy Zinn. The remainder is being taken from funds left over from the first cabin restoration.
"That's projected based on the other cabin," he said. "But the last roof was donated. This one we have to pay for."
Zinn said a good portion of log reconstruction is complete after it was dismantled earlier this summer.
"We completely tore it down, marked the logs and moved then on a trailer," Zinn said. "We took a lot of pictures and marked each log (in) two different places in case we lost one mark."
Instead of deconstructing the roof section, Zinn said Clouse Construction employees used their equipment to remove the roof and the first round of logs in one piece.
"We now have that tin off the roof and those roof rafters are mortise and tenon," he said, which is an old method of joining wood at an angle using a mortise hole cut into the wood and fitted with a tenon cut from the adjoining piece.
The roof is held in place by wooden pins at the four corners.
"That's why we moved it from the pin on up," Zinn said.
Volunteers have put in 1,019 hours so far.
"On this project, we've had more of a mix of volunteers," he said. "And we have companies that help us. It's really nice to have a community that supports us like that."
The Hoepf-Elchert cabin won't look identical to the Hedges-Miller cabin, which was the first to be restored, Zinn said.
"The idea is, these are not going to be two alike log houses," he said. "They are going to show some differences in how log houses were erected 150-some years ago."
The square footage is similar to the first cabin, he said. Both are 18 feet by 22 feet.
But the Hoepf-Elchert cabin is one row of logs higher than the first. The 10th row of logs allows the upper floor to be higher.
A majority of logs in the cabin are beech, with some white oak and walnut.
"There wasn't one beech log in the Hedges-Miller house," he said. "The bottom line, as I understand it, is you wanted logs that were roughly the same size to maintain the same height all the way around. There was also the issue of close proximity."
Several original logs were too rotten to be reused, he said.
"We're replacing logs with white ash because Roland (Zimmerman) and I both have trees that are dead or dying from emerald ash borer and because we have those to give to the park district," he said.
The logs and lumber are being cut at Kenneth Detterman's sawmill.
"We're six rounds up on a 10-round house," he said. "We were marveling as we cut two notches (in new logs). They used axes, and we're doing it with chain saws and wood chisels. A wood chisel is still the way to get exactly what we want. A hammer and a sharp chisel."
Other parts also needed to be replaced.
"The floor joists were deteriorated to the point that we are using barn beams out of a barn up north of here," Zinn said.
On the second floor, joists are being cut for new replacements.
Zinn said he hasn't done a lot of research on the cabin's history yet, but he plans to.
"A granddaughter of a lady who was, I think, born in this log house is a resource I've got to investigate further, as well as county land records," he said.
The house was built by Frank X. Hoepf, who emigrated from Germany. He farmed in partnership with Andrew Elchert, Hank's great-grandfather.
At one point, the Hoepf farm - and the house - was sold to the Elchert family.
"Seventy years ago, it was moved, skidded, by Hank Elchert's father from its site back in the woods and moved closer to the road," Zinn said.
The second cabin restoration is part of a long-range plan to create a historical village.
"When we only had Garlo (as the only park), and about the time we got Forrest (Nature Preserve) 10 or 11 years ago, we got a grant and hired a firm to plan that high-use area at Garlo as a historic area," Zinn said. "There's an overall plan to it."
The first historic building erected at the site was the Zeiter Blacksmith Shop in 2004. It was donated by the children of John Jacob "Jake" Zeiter from southeast of Bloomville in Bloom Township.
"We moved it and reconditioned it," he said. "Inside, we have a forge from the same Elchert family (that donated the log cabin under restoration)."
There also are two smaller forges.
The first log cabin restoration began in spring 2010, and the majority of the 1850 Hedges-Miller Cabin was completed in 2011. The cabin was donated to the park district in 2002 by Dorothy Miller and stored until funds were available for restoration.
The park district is open to the donation of more log houses, but they must come with funds for restoration.
"The timing has to be right and the financing has to be right," he said.
"It's Roland and my dream to have a log barn," he added. "However, you got to do one thing at a time."


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The top 10 films of 2012, according to AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire:
1. "Argo" - Directing just his third feature, Ben Affleck has come up with a seamless blend of detailed international drama and breathtaking suspense, with just the right amount of dry humor to provide context and levity. The story of a rescue during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis sounds like eat-your-vegetables cinema, and mixing it with an inside-Hollywood comedy sounds impossible, but Affleck and screenwriter Chris Terrio pull it all off.
2. "Beasts of the Southern Wild" - This is sheer poetry on screen, one of the most visceral, original films to come along in a while. The story of a little girl named Hushpuppy living with her daddy on a remote, primal strip of eroding land in the southernmost reaches of the Louisiana bayou is so ambitious and so accomplished, it's amazing that it's only director Benh Zeitlin's first feature.
Article Photos
The Associated Press
Daniel Craig starred as James Bond in "Skyfall," the most critically acclaimed film in the history of the series.
3. "Skyfall" - One of the best James Bond films ever starring the best Bond yet in Daniel Craig. It's also the most gorgeous installment in the 23-film franchise, with Sam Mendes directing and Roger Deakins as cinematographer. It's full of the requisite thrills but also complicated and meaty, featuring an agent who isn't always slick and doesn't always have the answers in hunting an elusive cyberterrorist (a fantastic Javier Bardem).
4. "Holy Motors" - Yes, this is a capital-A art film, one that challenges the viewer and leaves a lot of room for interpretation, but that's part of the adventure. Denis Lavant gives a tour-de-force performance, assuming nine different roles as a mysterious man who travels around Paris in the back of a limousine all day, carrying out various assignments. Hop in and buckle up.
5. "Zero Dark Thirty" - A huge achievement from both technical and storytelling perspectives. Following the Oscar success of "The Hurt Locker," director Kathryn Bigelow reteams with writer Mark Boal to tell an even larger and more complicated story: the decade-long hunt for Osama bun Laden. The attention to detail, to getting it right each step of the way, is evident in every element.
6. "The Master" - Paul Thomas Anderson has created a startling, stunningly gorgeous film, with impeccable production design and powerful performances from stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. But this story of a wayward man and the charismatic cult leader who guides him is also his most ambitious film yet.
7. "The Imposter" - A gripping documentary about a missing boy filled with the kind of twists, turns and dramatic character revelations of a page-turner mystery. Director Bart Layton takes a story that was already fascinatingly weird to begin with and makes it even more compelling by structuring it as a shadowy film noir.
8. "Moonrise Kingdom" - If you love Wes Anderson, you'll love this: The best of what he can do is vibrantly on display. The contradiction inherent to all of Anderson's films - the juxtaposition of the meticulous artificiality of the settings and the passionately wistful emotions that are longing to burst free - is at its most effective in a while in this tale of first love.
9. "Oslo, August 31st" - A film of quietly intense precision and vividly honest humanity. Anders Danielsen Lie gives one of the great, underappreciated performances of the year as a heroin addict who's allowed to leave rehab for the day to head into the Norwegian capital for a job interview. It's a performance of both subtlety and darkness, as director Joachim Trier leads him down an unpredictable and poignant path.
10. "This Is Not a Film" - Veteran Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's homemade documentary is simultaneously depressing as hell and brimming with hope and defiance. It finds beauty in the mundane and even boring details of daily life. Panahi shot it over the course of a day in his Tehran apartment while under house arrest and had it smuggled out in a cake. The most modest film on the list but also the most important.
The top 10 films of 2012, according to AP Movie Writer David Germain:
1. "Moonrise Kingdom" - Wes Anderson presents a wondrous romance about two 12-year-old runaways seeking refuge from life's cruelties and disappointments. Newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward beguile us with performances precociously passionate yet disarmingly innocent, complemented by a group of sweet adult sad-sacks - Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis and Edward Norton - who find respite from disillusionment with a glimpse through the kids' pure eyes.
2. "Life of Pi" - A film about a youth alone on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger has no business working. But Ang Lee adapts Yann Martel's introspective novel with inspired narrative wiles and glorious visuals presented in 3-D that lovingly enfolds and enlarges the action. Newcomer Suraj Sharma is a marvel as the teen cast adrift.
3. "Zero Dark Thirty" - Kathryn Bigelow follows her Academy Award triumph on "The Hurt Locker" with a docudrama of even greater ambition and scope. Collaborating again with screenwriter Mark Boal, Bigelow crafts a studiously detailed, relentlessly paced chronicle about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Jessica Chastain is ferocious as a CIA analyst tracking bin Laden with almost blind obsession.
4. "Argo" - Ben Affleck surges forward as both actor and director with this true-life story of a CIA operative who concocted an incredible ruse to free six Americans from Iran disguised as a movie crew after the 1979 embassy takeover. The film has it all - smarts, suspense, dark laughs, exacting attention to period style.
5. "Searching for Sugar Man" - Imagine the bitterness of the true artist who fades back to obscurity after being on the verge of stardom. Now imagine a soul so noble that bitterness never enters the picture. That's a guy who truly deserves another chance. Singer-songwriter Rodriquez gets just that as Malik Bendjelloul's inspiring documentary recounts apocryphal rumors about his fate - then reveals what really happened.
6. "Rust and Bone" - Jacques Audiard delivers one of the oddest of screen couples in this deeply involving and completely unpredictable romantic drama about a whale trainer (Marion Cotillard) who loses her legs in an orca accident and a negligent single dad (Matthias Schoenaerts) training as a mixed martial-arts fighter. Audiard and his devoted stars find so many moments of grace and pathos that the relationship grows from tenuous to genuine with complete conviction.
7. "The Master" - Good thing Joaquin Phoenix's retirement turned out to be a hoax. He does his best work ever in his return to the screen as a volatile World War II vet who becomes both disciple and antagonist to an L. Ron Hubbard-style cult leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman, in a performance rivaling his own career high in "Capote").
8. "Lincoln" - Few performances qualify as monumental. That's the best word to characterize Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, though. He vanishes into the president's awkward, folksy, melancholy spirit, creating an unforgettable portrait of greatness that pretty much puts to rest any thought of another actor trying his hand at a serious portrayal of Lincoln for a good long while.
9. "West of Memphis" - This is a vote not only for a film, but for artists who joined in protest to save three men from prison after they were convicted in the 1993 slayings of three Cub Scouts. Inspired by an earlier documentary about the case, Peter Jackson and wife, Fran Walsh, bankrolled their own investigation and produced this new film by Amy Berg. The story's enthralling, the climax triumphant.
10. "Looper" - For someone who thinks Bruce Willis' "Twelve Monkeys" is the defining time-travel flick, it's irresistible to see him in another clever, careening tale of time-hopping. Joseph Gordon-Levitt wonderfully channels the younger Willis as a hit man whose latest assignment is to snuff his older self.
- The Associated Press


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Hospice, established in 1991, was started in Barbour County by a caring group of citizens who recognized people in their community who were dying of non-curable illnesses in their homes, in hospitals, often left alone and isolated.
Through hard work and constant nurturing, Mountain Hospice grew and expanded to provide hospice services to a growing number of terminally-ill patients and their families. Since 1994, the agency's hospice services have been added to six more counties: Mineral, Randolph, Tucker, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Grant and Mineral.
Mountain Hospice remains committed to serving veterans in a number of ways.
Article Photos
Submitted photo
Mountain Hospice staff and volunteers reach out to the community in a number of ways, from working with all veterans to taking part in parades. The agency serves Barbour, Mineral, Randolph, Tucker, Pendleton, Pocahontas and Grant counties.
The agency works with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, by reaching out to veterans and educating them about benefits, resources and preparations for the elder years.
This program focuses on recognizing the unique needs of America's veterans and their families, community providers, in partnership with VA staff, while accompanying and guiding them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.
We Honor Veterans also provides tiered recognition to organizations that demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving care for veterans. Partner organizations assess their ability to serve veterans and, using resources provided as part of the program, integrate best practices for providing end-of-life care to veterans into their organization.
Mountain Hospice has reached the highest level - four stars - through the We Honor Veterans program, increasing access and improving quality of care for veterans.
In order to reach that highest level, Mountain Hospice had to: provide veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers, and identify patients with military experience; build organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans; develop and strengthen relationships with VA medical centers and other veteran organizations; and increase access and improve quality of care for veterans in its community.
Hospices can "earn their stars" and matching logo by completing activities for each of the four levels of commitment. This enables VA staff and veterans to easily identify hospices that have made a commitment to offer veteran-specific care and services provided by a competent and highly skilled work force.
Mountain Hospice also received a national reaching-out grant in December 2010, and it was the only hospice in the state to do so.
Mountain Hospice took honor in reaching out to all veterans, starting within its service area first and then reaching out to other areas in the state.
Since the grant was awarded, Mountain Hospice has achieved recognition through hard work, dedication and commitment, making sure veterans know where to turn for answers with end-of-life decisions, VA enrollment and community resources.
Any clubs, groups, churches or businesses that would like to schedule a presentation about Mountain Hospice can contact Shannon Gear-Putnam at 304-823-3922.


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on June 15, 2013 - 7:54 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — Lululemon has had a rocky few months. Now it's looking for help. According to a new CEO job ad it's posted, it's seeking a leader who can hold a headstand for at least 10 minutes, communicate in Sanskrit and down wheatgrass and tequila shots on Fridays for work-life balance.
The unusual ad comes as the Canadian company's shares have slid 19 percent after it announced Monday that its current CEO plans to leave. In March, Lululemon suffered a public relations nightmare after pulling too-sheer yoga pants from shelves.
Lululemon posted a sign on its Facebook page and in stores Thursday reading "CEO Wanted, Apply Within." A job listing on its website says, "You report to no one, you are the CEO (duh)."
Link to ad: http://www.lululemon.com/about/careers/job-details/?jobId=006856


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1ASFK01297-Subframe Bushing Kit Front Pair
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2000-2007 Chevy Monte Carlo Front Subframe Bushing Kit Pair1ASFK01297-678791
Part Details
- Front / Rear Location: Front
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Replace your damaged or missing subframe bushings with this high quality replacement kit delivered to your door!
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How a £1m donation will be impacted by the tax relief cap5
Confused by the tax relief cap and how it will affect donations by higher-rate taxpayers? The British Red Cross provides a breakdown of the numbers.
Current system
Under the current system a donor receives a tax relief on donations that they have made to charities. Note that this is a tax relief and not a tax reclaim. This means that it reduces the amount of income that they pay tax on, they do not make a 'reclaim' in the way that charities do to get their element of the gift aid benefit. A donor has no personal tax benefit from making a donation as the relief is directly linked to the donation made. The aim of the relief is to ensure that people are not additionally disadvantaged by making a donation by having to pay tax on the money that they no longer have and have not benefited from as it has been given to charity.
In the case of giving of shares, the donor receives relief on the total amount given to the charity so the full amount donated is removed from their income before the tax calculations are made.
In the case of donations made under gift aid, the situation is a little more complicated as the charity has already claimed the tax at basic rate paid by the donor so this amount is removed from the relief provided to the donor as otherwise the Treasury would be disadvantaged by the tax being double-counted in the reclaim by the charity and the donor relief. This means that the donations are effectively being made partly out of the donor's gross income and partly out of their net income.
Here is an example. A 45 per cent taxpaying donor makes a gift to charity of £1m under gift aid:
Charity claims in gift aid
£1m gift x 20/80 (basic rate tax – see figure 1 below for how this is calculated)
Charity receives
£1m gift + £250,000 reclaimed
Donor gets relief of
£1,250,000 x 25 per cent (45 per cent – 20 per cent already claimed by charity)
Net cost to the donor
£1m - £312,500
The cost to the donor is £687,500 for making a donation to charity of £1,250,000 (ie 55 per cent of the amount the charity has received).
Prior to April 2012, donors were able to donate their tax relief to charity through their tax returns. If they did this then the cost to the donor would have been £1m and the charity would have received £1,562,500 (£1m donation + £250,000 gift aid reclaim + £312,500 in relief donated by the donor). The facility to donate this tax relief has now been removed from the tax return system so the donor has to make another donation under gift aid if they want to donate the relief in this way. In theory, the charity could then claim gift aid on this donation and the process above would be repeated in the same way with the donor receiving relief again.
Figure 1
This is made from the net income, so instead of multiplying by 20 per cent it is necessary to multiply by 20/80 or 25 per cent. £250,000 tax is 20 per cent of £1,250,000 (gross) but to get from £1m (net) to £1,250,000 (gross) it is necessary to add 25 per cent to the net
Proposed system
The current system has been challenged – partly due to the complications in calculations, partly due to difficulties for higher-rate taxpayers who do not complete tax returns to receive relief because they pay tax via PAYE, and most recently with the suggestions of tax avoidance through giving with the proposal of a new cap on donations relief in the 2012 Budget.
If the framework is changed so that all donations are made from the net income (ie after the donor has already paid tax) and the charity is able to reclaim all the tax paid then there are no risks of tax avoidance, but donors are still able to give without being disadvantaged beyond the cost of the transaction – but the charity will receive the full gross donation amount. This would simplify tax returns as donations would effectively be taken out of the self-assessment system.
In this case, using the example previously, the donor could make a gift of £687,500 and the charity could then claim £562,500 (£687,500 x 45/55 – see figure 2 below for how this is calculated) which would make the donation received by the charity £1,250,000. Alternatively if the donor made a gift of £1m then the charity would claim £818,181 which would make the donation received by the charity £1,818,181.
Figure 2
As with the previous example for the basic rate calculation in figure 1, 45/55 is the calculation for the tax reclaim for a 45 per cent donor on a net donation to make it the value of a gross donation.
There are already mechanisms in place and tight auditing of charity gift aid claims so tax avoidance should not be an issue. The only challenge is then to find the best mechanism for the notification of higher-rate taxpayers and process for managing the claims and processing. This needs further development to identify the most efficient process for HMRC and charities to manage. Consideration also needs to be given as to the treatment of donations of shares which are currently outside the gift aid scheme.
Place a comment
B Gower
24 Apr 2012
I too am confused
I understood that HRT relief was based on the concept of the difference between basic rate and the higher rate. This proposal seems to assume that all the income is taxed at the higher rate - in the example at 45%. But what if the donor is just over the tax border - say at £160,000. If I understand it correctly, some of his income would be taxed at 20%, most would be taxed at 40%, and only £10,000 would be taxed at 45%. However, the example quoted seems to indicate that the charity would received a contribution of the donor's (effective) tax relief, based on 45% applied to the whole donation
Mark Astarita
Director Fundraising
British Red Cross
25 Apr 2012
Response to [B Gower]
Yes there is movement between tax bands and yes people loose jobs, move up a band, stop paying basic rate etc. We claim gift from 87% of the population on the standard rate currently without the movement in and out of tax bands proving a problem. We can never know all the movements that go on in a persons life let alone their tax affairs. Again some goodwill from government will go a long way.
Short of a consolidated GA rate (which would be great but unlikely for now to achieve concensus) our ideas add value to charities large and small and have to be worth exploring.
If we get capped we as a sector will be poorer. If the status quo remains we get the same. If charities not individuals can claim the high rate relief millions more will go directly in to good causes.
John Godfrey
Managing Consultant
Artful Fundraising Pty Ltd
23 Apr 2012
My confusion remains. The piece says, "If the framework is changed...".
Is the author describing the effect of the proposed tax relief cap or some other hypothetical change?
Mark Astarita
Director of Fundraising
British Red Cross
24 Apr 2012
Response to [John Godfrey]
Yes it is complicated anything about tax always is. There will be a need to sit down with HMRC and all work togeather to try to make a system work for all. Specific mechanisms will be looked at in more detail.
Right now the debate to be won or lost is the principles of the hypothetical change to the framework for charities to be able to receive the tax we are seeking agreement on at this stage. The devil is not in the detail if there is goodwill on all sides and everyone want's charity to be the winner not the loser.
Henry McLaughlin
23 Apr 2012
Mmmh, except you miss out the point that the Treasury misses out on this potential income because it has gone to a charity and therefore has to be made up by ordinary taxpayers.
Why should it be assumed that because you are wealthy you have a better idea of how to spend money than that democratically decided?
I'm not convinced that 'charities' such as Eton are somehow preferable recipients of public spending.
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CITR will be included in cap on tax relief, confirms Treasury
Bubb: Charity Commission should have defended tax cap claims
Tim Yeo MP: Keep up the pressure on tax relief cap
Tax expert says campaign against tax relief cap is 'a storm in a teacup'


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A tale of hope for the Amazon - from Wigan
26 June 2012
The town of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, is thousands of miles from the Amazon rainforest.
But students at St Marks CE Primary School in Wigan have been inspired by the Amazon's plight to help protect rainforests – and have won the WWF-backed Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge 2012 for their amazing efforts.
The Challenge, which is open to students aged 8—14, has resulted in a brilliant response from schools right across the UK. Young people get to investigate how the food we eat, the stuff we buy and the energy we use has an impact on rainforests and climate change – and then take action to make a difference.
It's all part of Sky Rainforest Rescue, WWF's joint initiative with Sky to save one billion trees in the Amazon.
Monkey Shoppers & Tiger Munchers
St Mark's winning teams, the 'Monkey Shoppers' and 'Tiger Munchers', impressed judges with their inspirational activities ranging from collection boxes for recyclable materials, fashion shows using recycled material, and displays on re-using, to growing herbs in a sensory garden, talking to staff and pupils about Fair Trade goods, and holding a Fair Trade stall for children, parents and visitors.
Over the two years of the Challenge programme, nearly 18,000 students have taken part in rainforest-themed assemblies, over 4,000 students have learned about deforestation, and some 27,000 students and approximately 13,700 student family members have been surveyed on their knowledge of rainforest-friendly products and behaviour.
Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge is a partnership between Sky, WWF and Global Action Plan.
The Challenge results
Overall winner and English winner – St Marks CE Primary, Wigan
Scottish winner – 'Staffin Scorpions', Staffin Primary, Portree
Welsh winner – 'Energy Rescue', Rhymney Comprehensive, Rhymney
Northern Irish winner – 'The Forest Rangers', Gillygooley Primary, Omagh
Highly commended – 'Ecobugs', Netherfield Infant School, Mansfield; 'The Capuchin Crew', Sir Harry Smith Community College, Peterborough; and 'Year Five Explorers', Spring Grove Primary, Isleworth
Each of the country winners get £1,000 and the overall winners will enjoy a special Sky studio tour.blog comments powered by Disqus


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ERS Stockholm 2016
Last week we had a wonderful congress in Stockholm
Photo's of the meeting will appear soon
Where is the next course suitable for you?
Tribute to Tony R. Bull
Tony Bull died in London on 19th April 2016 at the age of 81. He has made an extraordinary contribution to rhinology and will be sorely missed.
Surgical Education State of the Art
Creating and sharing information is changing.
The ERS wants to become a platform for rhinological education – using all the digital tools available 2014 - digital, multimedial and cloud based. Video, digital books and mobile devices, just to mention a few, have new places in learning and teaching.
For a start we are happy to be able to share 9 of the best presentations of our ERS congress 2014 in Amsterdam with you, not as a Powerpoint or Pdf but as webcast. Our intention is to share more presentations over the next weeks, probably with even more functionality in the video's themselves (search function…) Follow this link …


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on February 12, 2013 - 12:39 AM
Dear Dr. Zorba: One of my neighbors told me that taking over-the-counter Prilosec is no good for my bones. I have been taking it every day for years to keep away the upset stomach I seem to get every night. The drug is a godsend, but I certainly don't want my bones to melt away. What's a girl to do? – Suffering Sally
Dear Sally: Your neighbor is right. Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, the "purple pill" Nexium, Prevacid and the other drugs in this class may interfere with calcium absorption and, therefore, be a contributing factor in hip fractures.
In fact, a study that got a lot of play in the media earlier this year showed just that. Post-menopausal women who took PPIs were much more likely to have a hip fracture. That's a big deal, so I went back to the study to see what it examined.
Researchers mined the data from the famous "Nurses' Health Study." They looked at 80,000 post-menopausal women from 2000 through 2008. They found that women who took PPI drugs day after day and also smoked were 50 percent more likely to have a hip fracture.
But did you see the "and" in that sentence? The PPIs-and-hip-fracture connection held true for smoking women, not with nonsmokers. Smokers are, by the way, at greater risk for osteoporosis to begin with.
Because of studies like these, the FDA has put a warning on prescription PPIs noting that they may cause hip fractures. Interestingly, the FDA did not demand this warning be put on labels for over-the-counter Prilosec or Prevacid.
The drug companies contended that the over-the-counter labeling says these drugs should be taken for no more than two weeks, so the additional warning was not needed. But, in fact, many people take the over-the-counter medications every day because these drugs work – and because they're often cheaper than getting them as a prescription.
I think the FDA should demand the hip fracture warning also be on the label of over-the-counter PPIs. But who am I to demand?
Another risk that may be associated with PPIs is pneumonia. Several studies – not all but several – noted that those who take PPIs every day are more likely to develop pneumonia. These drugs stop all acid from being produced. The theory is that we need some acid in our stomach, and more importantly in the esophagus, to be able to wipe out bacteria that might get into our lungs and cause pneumonia.
This is still just a theory. Recent studies have not proven it, so the jury is out on this.
The latest thinking by many in the field is to take PPIs if you need them and stop if you don't. Not everyone needs them every day and we doctors have been willy-nilly in prescribing them as a matter of routine.
So I have two suggestions: First, stop taking PPIs for a few days and see if you need a daily dose. Some people do and some don't. You might get by taking them less frequently.
Or consider taking over-the-counter Zantac, generic. This drug, at 150 milligrams twice daily, is highly effective for many people with gastroesophageal reflux disease and other stomach ailments. It works in a different way that's safer. It has not been shown to interfere with calcium absorption or to increase the risk of pneumonia.
My spin: Every drug has effects and side effects. Sometimes taking a drug holiday or switching to a different drug might be the answer. Stay well.
Dr. Zorba Paster is a family physician, university professor, author and broadcast journalist. He also hosts a popular radio call-in program at 3 p.m. Saturdays on WNED.


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Top Definition
The act of tongue-fucking an anus while simultaneously making fencing, or other sword-fighting maneuvers, with the recipients penis. Typically done while the recipient is standing.
This allows for Rusty Sword Fights.
This allows for Rusty Sword Fights.
Yeah, while I love Jen and all, she's more of a Trombone player, while Phil is a natural Rusty Sword Technician, I think I'm going to choose him for the Rusty Sword Tournament coming up.
dari Samael11 Rabu, 10 Oktober 2012
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
Dried, yet stilled brown, dog shit, found lying on the lawn or side of a footpath.
"AAAAH! Rusty sword!"
"e.. GAD!"
"e.. GAD!"
dari Bastardized Bottomburp Selasa, 25 Maret 2003


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Source: Defense News
quote: Personally I don't see why (or maybe they do), they don't have a redundant fail safes on board that do the best they can to self destruct under certain circumstances.
quote: By the time the truth comes out, we'll all be much older.
quote: ...have a redundant fail safes...


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That's probably why so many people fantasize about their dream boss, who typically comes in one of two varieties: 1) the completely oblivious simpleton who lets his staff get away with murder because he doesn't know any better and 2) the super nice boss who would never dream of yelling or asking you to break a sweat in the performance of your duties.
"Hey dude. If it's not too much bother, when you're done with Minesweeper can you show me how to work the copier again? Thanks, buddy."
But I have to tell you, whether you've just entered the job market or are struggling in this awful economy, those are not the bosses you want. You want a boss who is super smart, super good at the job and super demanding. You want a boss who is much better at your job than you. A boss who will notice every single mistake you make and call you out on it. A boss who is so impressive that his or her abilities will fill you with self-doubt. Why? Well, I could explain that thoroughly in a conversational-style essay, or I could put it in list form so those of you reading this on a smartphone while defecating can jump around and miss points between wipes. Hmm, what's that, Internet? Ah. List it is!
Here are the five reasons you want a super demanding and competent boss:
#5. They Don't Hide Information Due to Insecurity
Here's a lesson I've learned. It doesn't matter if we're talking about a political administration, an investment company or a corner store bodega -- most people obtain and increase their power by controlling information. Those who rise to the top often are not the smartest or best, but the most intent on acquiring an unfair advantage. They covet information. They hide details, no matter how small.
"No one shall know the secret of what condiment Mr. Penske prefers on his sandwich!"
In my life I've met no shortage of people who make a calculation before divulging any and all information. I have a word for these people: weak, pathetic, shameless, scared assholes. Is that more than a word? Sorry. Odds are at least half the people reading this column fall into this category. You know you're not actually smarter or better than your peers, and you need every advantage to succeed. If that means coveting some bit of data you've gathered to create the false appearance of being smarter, you'll do it. You don't believe in a meritocracy, where talent is rewarded, because you know you're really not that talented. Personally, I find living in such a way utterly exhausting and embarrassing, but it really does seem to be the norm. And those of you who don't play these games could well suffer because of it.
Even worse, so often these scared, game-playing pricks end up becoming the boss one day. After all, knowing the limits of their talents and living in fear of those who can call them out on it makes them desperate to be the boss. That way they can't get fired. But even when these crafty fuckers make it to the big time, they're still not content. All that fear and paranoia now get directed below. They hide information from their own employees. After all, if they expose their subordinates to the same information they have, they might get shown up. Outshone from below. If they were content to hide data from their peers, do you think they'd have any problem withholding facts from underlings like you? You don't even have a corner office with a pretty ficus plant.
I don't know why this popped up when I searched "ficus plant," but there are decent odds your boss has one of these in his office, too.
So they keep those details about the client secret. Or they fail to disclose how the other pieces of the machine fit with the part you're working on so they can watch you spin your wheels in a vacuum, polishing your little section just before they sweep in and explain why your tiny efforts could never fit into a larger whole.
But a Frighteningly Talented Boss ...
Know who doesn't pull shit like that? People who are really smart. People who know they're the best. They're so confident no one could solve a problem as well as they that they have no compunction giving their employees all the tools to shine. After all, why would someone that smart want to waste vital hours out of every day manufacturing games to make others fail when they can spend that time just doing a job well? Is it hard to work for someone who's possibly smarter than you and fully aware of it? Yeah, especially if they're arrogant about it. But the five minutes a week you'll groan to yourself about the size of your boss' ego will never devour your soul like working for someone who needs to maintain power through deceit.
#4. They Don't Create Fall Guys
Here's something else about bosses who are too aware of their failings: They make mistakes. All the time. But if others find out, well then they might not get to be the boss anymore. They might have to sit in a smaller office like yours, completely devoid of ficus plants. This is why lesser bosses always create distance between their decisions and any project that must ultimately be accomplished. The more distance they create, the more people fit between them and the end result. And the more people between them and the end result, the more people they can blame for something going wrong.
Dumb bosses create fall guys. Could that fall guy be you? Of course it could. That fall guy can be anyone except the boss and anyone with the ability to fire him or her. That leaves you.
It also could be any of these people, but odds are, eventually it will be you.
Well, wait a minute you say. If they create more distance, then isn't it also harder for them to take credit? Harder, yes. But not impossible. After all, when the project's done they'll probably just scoop it up for the presentation. Or if you're presenting, they'll swoop in with a criticism about how this project didn't jibe with some other bit of information they never told you about in the first place. (See #5 and try not to start drinking.)
But a Frighteningly Talented Boss ...
A truly competent boss got where he or she is by doing the job better than anyone else. That boss won't want anything substandard under his or her watch. It bothers such bosses. Makes them feel bad about themselves. They'll want to see the project before it's due for that presentation, and you'll curse them because now you've just been deprived of a day to get something done. But you should be grateful, because if it's wrong, they'll tell you to set it right and the project will get done without some poor sap having to fall on his sword to make the big guy look good.
#3. You Know Where You Stand With Them
The funny thing about no-good, treacherous, game-playing hack bosses? So often they're, like, super nice! After all, they have to be. Having everyone like them is a trick they used to become boss in the first place. And they need to be able to rape you for their benefit on a moment's notice. How are they gonna do that if you walk around all distrustful with a clenched anus all day? (That's not sexist. Metaphorically, these bosses engage exclusively in anal rape, regardless of gender. Also, female bosses use a strap-on with a smiley face emblazoned on the head.)
Due to current obscenity laws, I have redacted the smiley face strap-on. But I've used a smiley face to do so for the convenience of your imagination.
I always laugh and shake my head when I hear people say they want a boss who's "nice." Then the people at the bus stop usually look at me weird and ask me to stop eavesdropping and go back to my paper-bagged booze. Still, the point is the same. Nice means nothing. I once worked at a place that was super nice. In my four years there, I almost never heard anyone yell. About anything. Lots of firm handshakes and bright smiles. And when nice people are nice to you, it's very nice and you can say "Wow, this is so nice." But y'know what else? Sometimes things get not nice, and when that happens, do you know what those people do? They still act nice! And "act" is the vital word in that sentence, because none of the act is true and most people never see the knife in the nice guy's hand.
That warm sensation you feel is my smile. Also, the shiv I've just jabbed between your ribs.
This nice place I worked practically laid off an entire department across several offices. Hey, these things happen -- especially in a recession. So these nice people laid off gobs of people. So many that some statistics put them at third in layoffs in the entire country in their industry. Oh, and because they were so nice, they also issued a press release that said they weren't firing anyone. They claimed the layoff rumors were completely untrue. And then after that, because they were so nice and never yelled, they made the people they laid off sign confidentiality agreements saying they wouldn't talk about the layoffs or they'd lose their severance pay. Isn't that nice? I mean, that way anyone looking for a job would appear to have been fired for their own incompetence, because no boss would ever tell the press there were no layoffs when so many people had been laid off. Certainly not one that nice. This is a true story, even though the behavior is so cartoonishly evil I would never include it in a novel because a reader would never believe it. (Not even in my forthcoming novel, Notes from the Internet Apocalypse. Thank you.)
But a Frighteningly Talented Boss ...
Given all of the above, I'm actually a fan of bosses who yell. I don't really trust anyone until I've had at least one good disagreement with them. It's best to see people at their worst on occasion. And in bosses and friends, I still believe distance grows not so much from things said in anger, but from those left unsaid. The unspoken words and phrases build a wall of hurt and insecurity that makes a friend an acquaintance. And in the case of bosses, it makes a wall that obscures the wrecking ball that's coming toward your head.
I'm not saying abusive dicks are great. But raised voices and reprimands don't have to be the same thing as abuse. It's always best to know where you stand, and so often, "nice" people are just not good at that. Smiles and silence come easier than honesty.


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UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State white-clad throng of fans got more than they bargained for with the Nittany Lions' 43-40 four-overtime victory over Michigan on Saturday night, and the Lion coaches got more than they expected in a huge group of visiting recruits.
While it's not unusual for prospects not to make it because things come up at the last minute, Lion recruitniks received a pleasant surprise when the word broke that uncommitted four-star Virginia senior defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi had decided to venture to Happy Valley to take in the game with approximately 100 other high school stars who are thinking about wearing blue and white at Beaver Stadium in the future.
"This was the most crowded the sidelines had been since the Ohio State game last year," Scout.com Penn State recruiting analyst Greg Pickel said. "A lot of times, guys wake up Saturday morning, they had a tough game the night before, they decide not to come. But they got the guys they wanted here. And it was a good crowd. It was not filled with walk-on type guys.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Penn State recruits watch the Nittany Lions' four overtime win over Michigan.
"There was some good, good talent here. I think that's a positive for a team to get its best game and its best recruits at. I think it was a good turnout."
The group included a pair of players taking official visits: New Jersey tight end Mike Gesicki and New York defensive tackle Thomas Holley. Both are consensus four-star recruits and both appear to be looking at either Penn State or Ohio State as their eventual college.
"This is Penn State's biggest chance to sell him," Pickel said of Holley.
Also on hand was New Jersey outside linebacker Jason Cabinda, who verbally committed to Syracuse before receiving a scholarship offer from Penn State. Cabinda did well at the Nittany Lions' summer camp and many who report on recruiting think it is highly likely he flips his commitment to Penn State.
The surprise visitors were Nnadi and New Jersey wideout David Njoku, a Rutgers recruit. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Nnadi has scholarship offers from a vast array of colleges, including Florida State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Penn State was involved with him early in the process but then the Lions and Nnadi seemed to part ways.
He only returned to the radar when the NCAA gave the Lions some of their scholarships back for the next three years.
"There didn't seem to be a lot of chance that he'd come here, and then he decides to come up today," Pickel mused.
There also were a large number of underclassmen led by Baldwin offensive tackle Sterling Jenkins, Central Valley defensive back Jordan Whitehead, Philadelphia defensive back John Reid, Maryland defensive end Darius Fullwood, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt running back Andre Robinson and Virginia offensive lineman Austin Clark who were believed to be on hand.
"This was sort of focused on [2015]," Pickel said. [Whitehead] seemed to be enjoying himself. He's a big-time player, and getting him here was big, because he doesn't go on a ton of visits."
The prospects and their families gathered in the recruit lounge above the media room. Although regulations don't allow him to discuss specific prospects, O'Brien was asked about them and what a game like Saturday's means for recruiting.
"You come to Penn State, you get to play in front of 100,000 fans and you get a great education," O'Brien said. "Hopefully things worked out tonight in that realm, too."