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Drowning Mona
More so than with other films, it's usually a bit difficult to place one's finger on exactly why dark comedies frequently fail. I think it comes down to this: film directors, actors, and pretty much anybody having to do with filmmaking in Hollywood has become so accustomed to kissing the ass of the audience and trying to fit their film into some sort of convenient package that they've lost their ability to be cruel, sickening, and offensive. This is why I believe director Nick ("Laws of Gravity") Gomez should be sodomized by a Puerto Rican gorilla.
At some point during "Drowning Mona," Nick came to the unfortunate conclusion that the audience would actually give a crap about the mystery of who killed Mona Dearly (Bette Midler), the least popular resident of Verplanck, New York. The candidates are Bobby Calzone (Casey Affleck), Mona's husband, Phil (William Fichtner), her son, Jeff (Marcus Thomas), and Phil's lover, Rona (Jamie Lee Curtis). Investigating the crime that emerges after Mona drives her Yugo off a cliff is Chief Wyatt Rash (Danny Devito), whose daughter, Ellen (Neve Campbell), is about to marry Bobby.
Apparently, Yugo made Verplanck some kind of testing town, so everybody drives a Yugo, which yelled "loser" louder than any other car since the Corvair. Watching people drive around in Yugos gets old when it becomes a substitute for humor. In other words, somebody figured that the Yugo would solve any problems they might have had with plot or character development or writing since the audience would be so overcome with amusement from watching the Yugos that they would forget the simple fact that the film was deteriorating into a big pile of dung.
And here's a simple principle which the filmmakers seem to forget: stupid people do stupid things. This is something of a tautology that the audience implicitly understands. So, it gets just a bit old when you rely on these stupid things for your laughs, because after the first five minutes, it's pretty much a given that the lovely people of Verplanck are going to remain stupid for the entirety of the film. Thus, in the end, Gomez turns to the mystery of Mona's death for help because he has nothing else.
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|Young to lecture at SSU on history of outdoor protests
Beyond an urban oddity, the Occupy Movement camps that sprung up across the nation in the fall of 2011 referenced a longer history of camping and sleeping outside in American history, from Civil War veterans, national park vacationers and homeless transients.
"By camping out in public places, the activists wanted to draw attention to the issues of political marginalization and rising wealth inequality," says Phoebe S.K. Young, Associate Professor of History at the University of Colorado.
Young will present "The Occupy Movement, Outdoor Politics, and the History of American Camping" in a special lecture today, March 14, from noon-2 p.m., in Salazar 2025 at Sonoma State University. The event is hosted by the History and the Anthropology departments and the School of Social Sciences.
"Although the tent appeared simultaneously obvious, audacious, and natural, the tent is key to understanding the movement's resonance in American political culture," she says.
Her talk will suggest how the tent evoked ways in which nature and outdoors have served historically as critical space for negotiating public belonging and national identity. It is part of her new project "Sleeping Outside: The Public Nature of Camping in America." Young is the author of "California Vieja: Culture and Memory in a Modern American Place."

subset: commoncrawl


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Venus Williams nearly at full strength after dominating Alize Cornet at the Australian Open
- From: Herald Sun
- January 17, 2013
THERE might be fitness doubts about her younger sister but Venus Williams last night showed she is again nearing full capacity.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner overcame a slow start on Rod Laver Arena to take care of France's Alize Cornet 6-3 6-3.
Williams, 32, missed a large chunk of last year because of injury and is slowly starting to get her career back on track although she faces a much tougher task in the third round against No.2 seed Maria Sharapova.
"I'd better bring my best game against her," she said about coming up against her long-time Russian rival.
Williams is playing in her 13th Australian Open and is hoping that's her lucky number given she's never been successful here with her best result being runner-up to her sister in 2003.
She will have to eliminate momentary lapses of concentration which crept into her game at times against Cornet who led early in both sets before faltering.
Sharapova, who hasn't lost a game in her opening two matches, said despite Williams only being seeded No.25 at the Australian Open she remained one of the best players on tour.
"There are certainly no secrets coming into that match-up," she said. "We've played against each other many times.
"Despite the fact that she might not be seeded high or didn't play for a little bit, she's still a very experienced player and a tremendous athlete. I hope for a great match."
Serena rolled her ankle badly in the opening round but has declared herself fit for her second match against Spain's Garbine Muguruza. She is also scheduled to play doubles with Venus later in the day.


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RENEW Success Stories
How businesses used RENEW to help reduce waste and improve their bottom line.
Since 1989, the more than 500 RENEW exchanges have:
- diverted more than one billion pounds of materials for reuse or recycling by industries;
- saved facilities more than $27 million in disposal costs; and
- helped facilities earn close to $15 million (since 1996) from the sale of recyclable materials.
RENEW Success Stories
A chemical manufacturing plant transfered 18,000,000 pounds of heavy oil type by-product to a fuel blending distributor. The chemical company earned $1,000,000 in revenues for sale of the by-product which would otherwise be stored at the facility and eventually go to a waste management facility. The by-product is blended with other liquid hydrocarbons by the distributor and sold to power plants to be used as fuel.


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In this 2008-2009 academic year, the President's Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff celebrated its 10th anniversary.
During the summer of 1998, Clemson University President Constantine W. Curris created the Commission. The Commission was formed in response to requests from the University's Black Faculty and Staff Association, led by Barbara Hamberg who was Association president, and with the approval of the Clemson Faculty Senate and the Classified Staff Association.
At the Commission's first meeting in September 1998, President Curris emphasized the importance of access and diversity to the campus and the future of the state of South Carolina. He indicated a need to reassess progress in promoting access and equity for black faculty and staff.
After President Curris left the University, the Commission continued to perform its work with the support of President James F. Barker, who has championed many of the proposals the Commission has put forth. He has praised the Commission and its efforts to incorporate its mission into his One Clemson vision.
The Commission is charged with documenting the status of black faculty and staff and advising the president and Administrative Council with specific recommendations for increasing diversity and enhancing the quality of life among black employees in the University's workforce. To address its charge, the Commission adopted the following strategic tasks:
The Commission's organizational structure consists of 13 members — six faculty, six classified or unclassified staff and one Administrative Council member — who are appointed by the president. Commissioners are appointed to a three-year renewable term.
These are the first Commissioners appointed to serve:
Bruce W. Ransom, Chair
Jessyna M. McDonald, Deputy Chair
Herman Green
Almeda R. Jacks
Carlos A. Hill
Claudette Alexander-Thomason
Gussie Pinson
Juanita Clinkscales
Rosa Grayden
Raymond Mc Gill
Peter Skewes
James S. Simmons
Calvin L. Williams
Commission Chairs
Bruce Ransom, 1998-2001
Jessyna McDonald, 2001-2003
Isaac Wallace, 2003-2005
Abel Bartley, 2005 to present
Over the years, the Commission has worked within the framework of its duty as a fact-finding and advisory organization.
Abel Bartley, History Department and Pan African Studies, Commission Chair
Sandra Parker, Publications and Promotion, Commission Deputy Chair
Isaac Wallace, University Libraries
Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, Athletic Department
Rosa Grayden, Sociology
Phil Grayson, Athletic Department
Gail DiSabatino, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Curtis White, Agriculture and Biological Engineering
Cathy Sturkie, Faculty Senate
Shirley Timmons, School of Nursing
Michelle Martin, Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Constancio Nakuma, Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Services
Drew Lanham, Forestry and Natural Resources
The Commission held its 2009 Open Forum on April 2, 2009. The University's new chief diversity officer, Leon Wiles, is the keynote speaker.


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text:
Your Travel Starts at Ernakulam, Kerala, India. It Ends at Valluvally, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
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© 2011-2016 distancesfrom.com. A softUsvista Inc. venture!


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Condusiv's Diskeeper15 prevents degradation in Windows performance and associated storage by preventing fragmentation from occurring at the Windows level in real-time, before files are written in a performance-penalized state.
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text:
Begin Your Search
WineAccess Travel Log
Read stories from the world's greatest wine trails.
More About This Wine
Related Products
Additional Vintages
Other Wines from this Producer and Vintage
91 Points | Stephen Tanzer's IWC - March/April 2013
Bright yellow-gold. Textbook viognier scents of poached pear, peach, violet and honey, with a spicy overtone. Sappy and penetrating, offering juicy pit fruit and orange flavors and a touch of candied ginger. Closes smooth, sweet and very long, with resonating spiciness and strong cling.


text: On Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:37:53 -0500, John Aldrich <jmaldrich at yahoo.com> wrote: 1. wavelength = 300 / frequency in MHz 2. yes. however there might be a harmonic on the other that can be used. > Quoting Andrew Rodgers <acedrew at acedrew.com>: > >> If you do use aluminum foil make sure you place it at least a half wave >> length away. The closer to an even divisor of the wavelength, the better >> the performance. >> >> > Two questions...first, where does one find out the wavelength of the > radio signal and second, if you're using a multi-band radio, does that > mean multiple wavelengths? > _______________________________________________ > Chugalug mailing list > Chugalug at chugalug.org > http://chugalug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/chugalug -- Using Opera's mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/


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Hey Instagramers, take a look at this one!
NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, Expedition 34 commander, watches a water bubble float freely between him and the camera, showing his image refracted, in the Unity node of the International Space Station.
This sure beats a picture of pancakes with an X-Pro II filter on them if you ask me.
Jessica L. Tozer is a blogger for DoDLive and Armed With Science. She is an Army veteran and an avid science fiction fan, both of which contribute to her enthusiasm for technology in the military.
Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.


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Boos & Applause
March 15, 2014
Editor's note: During the course of a week, issues are covered that might not lend themselves to full editorial comment, but they are worthy of The Inter-Mountain weighing in — pro, con or neutral....
How TYPICAL!
Democrats create a MESS. Democrats yell for HELP! Democrats FORCE taxpayers to pay for Democrats STUPIDITY!!!
Vote Conservatively next time. Weed out the embeciles in the Democrat party. (That would include nearly 100% of them!)
0 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Applause to actual sunshine, which local residents glimpsed sporadically this week, along with higher temperatures that actually reached 70 degrees Tuesday. By Wednesday night , however, the temperature had dipped back down to 10, amazingly. Winter isn't letting go of us just yet, but we've - finally - seen the light at the end of a long, dark, cold tunnel.
According to the democrat socialists after spending all night discussing the 'global warming' crisis (lolol) I guess they didn't read this! The "crisis" is in their inability to tell the truth!
0 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Why in the wide, wide world would the taxpayers of WV and non-residents of Elkins & Randolph County have to pay for the closing of the Elkins-Randolph County Landfill?? You built it, with much grant (taxpayer)money, much fanfare and chest beating, then it was obviously mismanaged and became useless then closed. To pass the financial burden on to the taxpayers and non-residents of Randolph County is wrong-headed and wrong on so many different levels.WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! And, you Mr. Editor are also wrong for praising and endorsing this boondoggle!
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Fu Hao
a Chinese king's wife who led troops to war. Her tomb contained records of her life and times
Chines philosopher who stressed the need to respect tradition; his teachings discussed the right and wrong uses of power
Han emperor who ruled china from 140 B.C. to 87 B.C.; he set up a system of schools that prepared students for government jobs
Chinese emperor who founded the Qin dynastyand unified china with a standerdized system of writing and money; his tomb contained the famous "clay army"
Han Gaozu
a farmer-turned-general who, in 206 B.C., overthreww the Qin dynasty; he founded the Han dynasty
Alexander the Great
king of Macedonia who conquered Greece, Persia, Egypt, and the Indus River Valley; his conquests spread throughout parts of three continents
Athenian general who led Athens during the war with Sparta; he made sure that poor as well as richcitizens could takepart in government
Greek philosopher who discussed laws, customs, values, and religion with students; accused of urging young people to revolt, he was sentenced to death
Roman generalwho defeated Hannibal in the battle of Zama outside Carthage, North America. in 202 B.C.
King John
King of England from A.D. 1199 to 1216; in 1215 he signed the magna carta, giving more rights to British nobles
Queen Elizabeth
queen of England from 1558 to 1603; the English Renaissance flourished during her reign
Polish astronomer; in 1514 he discovered that Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun


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CA gun laws to be "rewritten" and "simplified"
Social Situations
> CA gun laws to be "rewritten" and "simplified"
September 29, 2006, 09:10 PM
If you enjoyed reading about "CA gun laws to be "rewritten" and "simplified"" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join
today for the full version!
September 29, 2006, 09:25 PM
Bakersfield, yep.
incidents like the 1967 protest at the Capitol where the Black Panthers
carried guns Wow, race had nothing to do with that:rolleyes: .
"Rewritten" and "simplified", sure. "Better", "same", or "worse"? Start writing letters now.
September 29, 2006, 09:28 PM
It has potential to be a good thing, but it also has the potential to make things worse.
September 29, 2006, 09:33 PM
rewritten;NO CITIZENS WILL BE ALLOWED TO OWN,BUY ,SELL,TRADE,TRANSPORT,USE,TOUCH OR LOOK AT ANY FIREARM:evil:
September 29, 2006, 10:31 PM
I'll believe it when I see it.
September 29, 2006, 10:55 PM
They can start with "Shall Issue..."
September 29, 2006, 11:01 PM
yeah, and the IRS has "simplified" Tax Law several times in the past years, but its more complicated now than ever...
September 29, 2006, 11:02 PM
Why does this make me think of the Simplified 1040-Super-EZ form?
You know, the one that has only one field to fill in: How much money did you make last year?
And it has only one instruction: Send it in.
But maybe I'm a bit cynical about our authoritarian police state legislature.
Did you know you can't smoke in a public park or on the beach here in San Diego? Park, BTW, includes Balboa Park, which is a pretty big part of the center city, and not really a "park" as you might think of it.
In the neighboring town, Del Mar, though, you can't legally smoke anywhere in public, including in your own, enclosed vehicle. I know someone who was pulled over and ticketed for having a cigarette in his enclosed SUV while driving through town -- this was his only violation.
California is not the same state I grew up in, that's for damn sure.
September 29, 2006, 11:06 PM
"Okay, let's take a look at these assault weapons laws. How can we simplify 'em?"
"How about, err, 'any centerfire rifle which has a flash hider, a bayonet lug...' -- well, wait."
"No, no, too similar - we need something like 'any centerfire rifle with a forward pistol grip...' ehh..."
"Y'know what, we're trying to simplify here, so let's simplify. 'All centerfire rifles' good with you guys?"
"Capital. There we go, then."
Color me cynical.
September 29, 2006, 11:35 PM
with statues written in response to incidents like the 1967 protest at the Capitol where the Black Panthers carried guns
Yup, and the law was signed by Ronald Reagan.
Creeping Incrementalism
September 30, 2006, 02:36 AM
There is no way to simplify California gun laws without making a broad swath of things either legal or illegal. Without some significant changes in the legislature, gun owners will get nothing, but will hopefully be able to stop any major new bans.
I thought the part about of the article that said, "They likely also would have to go up against police organizations, who are "pretty happy" with state gun laws." The Attorney General's Firearms Division can't even get the gun laws straight. The cops sure as hell can't get it straight, but the funny thing is, that doesn't even matter, as the way the situation is here, L.E. will seize anything they want, and hold it for anything from a week to... basically forever, if they can find even the most pathetic pretense of a crime, and hold the firearm as evidence, and never try the case.
September 30, 2006, 02:55 AM
"It's a substantial body of law," Sterling said. "Staff will have to do
quite a bit of initial legwork."
I'll fix it:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Problem solved...:banghead:
September 30, 2006, 09:19 AM
This sounds more like "Feel good" legislation! What with the almost unanymous vote that it received, you KNOW that it won't benefit gun owners!
Also, even if they "simplify" the laws, it will make it more difficult to defend yourself in court! It will come down to a, "You should have known exactly what you violated....the law was simplified for YOUR benefit!"
Add to that, a few years down the road, the "simplified" laws will be deemed as being "too vague"....so they'll spend even MORE time and our tax dollars on "amendments", and even re-writes of legislation, just to "clarify things"!
September 30, 2006, 03:29 PM
I think we need to work with the legislators to get them to define what the gun laws are supposed to do.
All the things in the Penal Code are supposed to deal with punishing 'bad' behavior, and discouraging 'bad' behavior by threat of punishment; of course, not everyone can be discouraged.
In general, I think gun laws are supposed to keep guns away from those 'we' have good reason to suspect will misuse them - children, mentally ill, violent criminals* - and then, to punish misuse, just as laws against robbery and murder punish behaviors.
'safe gun' lists do not do either of those - they interfere in product liability law, where if a firearm really is dangerous to its user/owner, there might be a civil liability of the manufacturer. If California really wants a safe gun list, let them buy their own experimental copies and create a banned lst of those which fail simple safety checks. The presence or absence of 'loaded chamber indicators' and 'magazine disconnects' are not safety issues.
Restricting features of firearms do not do either of those. The AW list is conceptually a mess; I'll just stop there...
I think we'd be better off with essentially non-negotiable sentence enhancements for the actual use of firearms in committing crimes (and not the idiotic things like trading a gun for drugs counting as using a gun in a crime!).
My basic principle: a law must be shown to actually make Californians safer, via a mechanism which is understood, and with repeatable measurements that demonstrate a change in behavior which reduces injury to the public. Or: "If you can't prove it helps, don't do it."
Now, if only we can get the Perata's and Koretz's of the state to accept some such governing principle.
(* yes, I do subscribe to the idea "if we can't trust them with guns, why are they out of jail?", but most people don't, and I don't see that changing.)
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Tuesday Tech Tips March 18, 2014Posted by Judy Deichman in Check this out!.
Tags: Lexiles, Literacy, Reading, Websites
A great new, free resource to promote reading and literacy is available for all school librarians to use in their schools…. It is www.newsela.com !  It is a partnership between major US newspapers, the Associated Press, and the website authors.  They provide non-fiction articles on various reading levels for students to read about current events and take a short quiz afterwards.  The beauty of this site is that students choose their own reading selections.  We all know that when we get to decide what we will read, we have a more vested interest in that particular article, well the same holds true for our students.  Subject headings include: War & Peace, Science, Law, Kids, Money, Health, and the Arts.  The articles are presented on 5 different grade levels/lexiles and instantaneously switch between levels.  You can set up classrooms and the students create their own user id and password.  Reports can easily be generated to show student participation, progress, and possible need for intervention.  A great formative assessment.  The quiz structure is tied to the Common Core and allows for specific reading skills to be targeted.
Check it out! Â Your students will love having a choice!
No comments yet — be the first.


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CORNHOLE EVENT TO HELP MAN: McDonald resident Jeff Joseph suffered a stroke two years ago and is in need of a kidney transplant. A cornhole tournament benefit for Joseph will be take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave,. Contact Diane Hughes at email@example.com to register a team or call 330-530-3612.
BLOCK WATCH TO MEET: The Girard city second ward block watch will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Girard Free Library.
ASSOCIATION TO MEET: The Newton Township Cemetery Association will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the township administration building. The 2014 calendar will be available by calling Lois at 330-872-3116. Plans are being made for another cemetery walk in the fall at the North Canal Street Cemetery.
PRODUCE TO BE AVAILABLE: Humility of Mary Health Partners has partnered with the Lake-To-River Cooperative to bring fresh produce to its employees and the public through farmers markets in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Several area farmers will sell locally grown, sustainable produce. Items will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday and June 28 and July 19 at Courthouse Square in collaboration with Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership. Free parking is available in the Franklin Street deck off Main Avenue.
PHYSICS ACTIVITIES: The OH WOW! Roger and Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science and Technology, 11 W. Federal St., Youngstown, will display Physics Toys for children of all ages from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today and Thursday in the lobby. Various toys will demonstrate the laws of physics.
Also being planned is a Passport to Fishing experience at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm. Call 330-740-7106 to register.
HISTORY DAYS AT MUSEUM: The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will hold free, hands-on history activities from 2 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 14 at the Arms Family Museum of Local History, 648 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Each week will offer a different historical theme, including "Celebrating the Fourth," "My Town, Your Town, Youngstown" and the "House that Olive Built." There will be various activities including arts and crafts, games, toys, artifacts and dress-up clothing. Programs are free to the public. Call 330-743-2589.
Celebrate Recovery 101, 6 p.m., The Movement, Eastwood Mall in Niles. Chaplain Bob Ross, 330-553-2644, or Chaplain Rodger Crites, 330-360-7928.
Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Sts. Mary and Joseph social center, state Route 534 and Maple Street, 330-872-1828.
Tuesday Morning Recovery, 10:30 a.m., Meridian Place, 1184 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
Attitude of Gratitude, 12:30 p.m., Beatitude House, 1370 Tod Ave., Warren.
Women in Progress, 7 p.m., Serenity Place, 21 E. Broad St., Newton Falls.
Tuesday Night Surrender, 7:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.
Nicotine Anonymous, 5:30 p.m., St. Joseph Hospital Warren Room, Eastland Avenue, Warren.
Celebrate Recovery, 12-step faith-based program, 6:30 p.m., Fowler Community Church, 4651 state Route 305, 330-550-3393.
Smalltown Recovery Al-Anon Family Group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Kinsman Presbyterian Church, 6383 Church St.
Kickin' It In Kinsman, a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Kinsman Presbyterian Church, Church Street.
American Legion Riders 700 (motorcycle club), 6:15 p.m., at Howland American Legion Post 700, 8273 High St. N.E.
Girard-Liberty Rotary, 6 p.m., Amen Corner, 21 W. Main St., Girard, 330-539-5837 or 330-545-5694.
Girard-Liberty Kiwanis Club, 6:30 p.m., Golf Dome, 1300 N. State St., 330-545-1338.
Parents of Murdered Children, Trumbull County Chapter, meets 6 p.m. at the American Red Cross Chapter House, 661 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren.
Food Addicts Anonymous, 7 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Call 330-793-1599.
Al-Anon, 9:30 a.m. basement, First Presbyterian Church of Warren, 256 Mahoning Ave. N.W., 9 a.m. beginner's meeting.
Urban 4-H, 5:30 p.m., Mahoning Valley Hope Center, 3217 Surrey Road, Warren.
Alzheimer Assistance and Referral Network Support Group, 6 p.m., Girard Public Library, 105 E. Prospect St.
Minute by Minute group of Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m. closed discussion, First Presbyterian Church of Warren.
Champion Rotary Club, noon, Wayside Inn.


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AllAboutTRH EXCLUSIVE: Jennifer Dalton Playing Both Sides In Regards To Teresa Giudice And Melissa Gorga Feud!
As most of you know, RHONJ stars Teresa Giudice and her sister in law Melissa Gorga are having their share of problems. Season 5 is currently filming and the whole cast is back! Teresa Giudices friends Jennifer Dalton and Kim D are appearing as "friends" of the housewives while Danielle Staub will appear in 4 episodes!
An insider close to the cast tell AllAboutTRH EXCLUSIVELY that Jennifer Dalton is playing both sides when it comes to Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice. "Jennifer got on the show because of Teresa. They were really good friends before Jennifer got married and had a baby. They sort of drifted but always remained friends and now Jennifer is on the show because of Teresa. Jennifer has been playing both sides regarding Melissa and Teresa. She hangs out with both of them and tries not to get in the middle. It does get irritating because no one likes when someone plays both sides and that's what Jennifer appears to be doing throughout filming!"
Do you think Jennifer should only be loyal to Teresa or is it better that she's friends with Melissa?
Category: Melissa Gorga, RHONJ, Teresa Giudice, Top Story
Comments (90)
Melissa would take a picture of her s h I t if she that it's in magazines ! She's so transparent! Her past is Coming full circle! She tweets if she has her period! What's that Melissa? Rock-a-bye baby !! Try to explain that?
Why is Melissa hanging around kim d? Kim must have the goods on the gorgas!!! I also rumors or the truth that Melissa/Jordan has been bugging playboy to let her pose for the magazine!
Melissa Gorga has one friend that she uses as a prop. That Maria Chappa woman who was a supposed fundraiser for Mitt Romney. Wonder if Melissa is a closet Republican. I suppose I could hate her more than I do now.
I think the only true friend that "may" be seen on the next season is Elvira. She is very classy and honest. I read that statement she put out to the media after Melissa disgustingly lied and accused Teresa of hurting her in the parking lot after Gia's last bday. This woman is a genuine friend. I also heard that she is "unpaid". Whether she's cashing in or not she seems to care deeply for Teresa and her children.
"She hangs out with both of them and tries not to get in the middle."
Sounds like a grown ass woman being a grown ass woman to me. If she likes them both, then she can hang out with them both. Good God.
This " source" does say that and more, like she is playing both sides, etc.
I don't know if this Jennifer is doing this( playing both sides) I hope not. I'm waiting until the season airs to see whats what.
I will respect this woman ( Jennifer) if she does not involve herself in Teresas and Melissas issues, like Cracker Jac and Meatball Manzo did
I feel for Teresa I really do and I love her family and for Jen to do that too Teresa is straight out "wrong" its like saying Here We Go Again , Melissa go away and find yourself an maybe a real friend, leave others alone . God, " Melissa needs everything Teresa has even her friends but again if Jen was a real friend of Teresa's an knows what she's been through she wouldn't be doing what shows doing in the First place, RIGHT !!
I am not worried Teresa has proved she can stand up to all of them. She needs her own show
AGREE !! a 101% I hope it happens for .
For Teresa [[=
jennifer's hubby looks like a down low brother, no way is he a multi millionaire new jersey real estate developer,i can;t find anything about him, i bet he was an extra in puffy combs vieos.
I bet this season will start out as usual, then veer toward making it seem Bravo is playing fairer with the Giudices, but not for long. Just long enough to keep Tre's viewers watching and hoping it's real. But in the end it will devolve into another Tre bash-fest.
So I won't be tuning into Bravo.
Melissa claims that she was never invited to Gabriellia birthday party. I hardly doubt that considering how much Teresa involves all the family together…to ya'll believe her.
Wow i said in the last post the broad would try to say she was never invited to gabriellas bday to make herself look like a "victim" again! I was so right! LOL
This chick is predictable for real. She calls Rox young and immature. I guess I am young and immature considering i am 25..no hunny you are just to damn obvious
Jennifer Dalton ?@flygirljennifer
@ReadMyRealMind @stark3923 you cannot believe everything you hear! I love Gia and all the girls as if they were my own. Xx
Why do u people believe everything you read? Anyone can submit a fake story.
Lol she arguing about not copying Teresa, yet she tweets a half hour later about dance moms.. what a joke she is!
This chick is getting positive press, and if something doesn't go her way. you watch and see, she'll go all coco on you lol
Everyone Melissa True Colours are coming out I am going copy her tweets. And Rox she calls you a Joke!!
Melissa Gorga ?@melissagorga
. @Realitytea Mary's stories keep getting more & more biased. & sources are always way off. Hmm wonder who she talks to?
Melissa Gorga ?@melissagorga
. @Realitytea my book is about staying sexy & being fit as well. Just started working out now? Seriously. Have you seen my press page?
@Realitytea you should check it out.. http://www.melissagorga.com/press/ T always prides herself in interviews, she never had to work out until now.
. @Realitytea Get the facts before just trying to make up these ridiculous stories. Thx
Ty Turner ?@TyTurner92
@melissagorga @Realitytea U need to correct allabouttrh they have some ridiculous stuff about u!!
Melissa Gorga ?@melissagorga
@TyTurner92 @Realitytea could care less about that one… Such a joke..
Debbie LoBiondo ?@DebbieLoBiondo
@melissagorga I get it maybe the facts are not factual are they ever with any blog but why mention T in this tweet..just saying….
Melissa Gorga ?@melissagorga
@DebbieLoBiondo because of what the article is about..
Alejandra Plantillas ?@AlejandraPlant1
@melissagorga @Realitytea so now you're bashing T to defend yourself.
Melissa GorgaVerified ?@melissagorga
@AlejandraPlant1 @Realitytea bashing?? Oh lord..
MeHo is ridiculous! She talks crap about Roxy being a joke? MELISSA IS A JOKE! Just look at her!
What has she done or accomplished? GOLD-DIGGING AND WHORING WHILE F'ING A MAN for a pair of stilettos is all she's accomplished.
Being a great mother? Yeah, I don't know about that. Partying comes before her precious children.
DOES SHE HAVE ANY MORALS?? Not even close! She doesn't even respect herself or her body to even have morals.
MeHo loves fighting and dissing Roxy who is over 10 years younger than her??? Why? At least Roxy calls her out on all of her bullshit. Roxy already has a successful website and making over $8,000 a month on this website. She's studying full-time, working hard, making money, and doesn't threaten people because she has A LIFE.
Does MeHo even love and respect her husband and the Gorga family? HELL NO. She'll destroy them all for fame and money.
Roxy has too much love and respect for her family to even do stuff as degrading as her!
MEHO, GET OVER YOURSELF! 🙂 You're the joke! That's why we laugh at you!!!!! LMAO.
It's so funny the way Messy gets so defensive when Bloggers blog about her and she finds what they blog umm not flatering..LOL.. She and her sisters have been like this since she has been on the show. I always laugh when she goes off on RT ( Mary ) and AATRH (Rox)
Actually Rt made a crack about her Chanel bag being rented..OMG it was a joke, and Messy answered a tweeter when they asked about it( jokingly) " Oh thats funny I didn't even think you could do that,, Umm a castmember publicly files BK, and I have have to rent a handbag?"
Damn, Ouch!! See..That B, has to take it there for for freakin reason!
BTW Messy. you could be talking about your bestie Cracker Jac with that slam also.. You B!!
Rox, hopefully you do not care too much , but Melissa just happens to be talking smack to and about Realitea( spell?) and someone tweeted her about her setting you straight, LOL and referenced this site ( which I hold dear to my Housewives heart ) as a "joke".. You really should not give her any more publicity in the future. She sucks!
I don't want to make accusations just yet. We will find out eventually. They way you know someone is to see if they are consistent on the show and off the show. I didn't fall for Melissa because she is not consistent. Just wait and see truth always comes out somehow.
I love Teresa, but I think it's so silly when people expect grown adults to choose a side in fights that don't concern them. I think Teresa and Jacqueline/Caroline falling out had a lot to do with the fact that they were constantly butting into Teresa's family problems and eventually picked sides. I mean, as much as I love Teresa, she is terrible at articulating and her temper can be scathing at times. Melissa, on the other hand, is stupid but good at articulating so she can spin whatever story around and make herself the victim; she's good at manipulating.
Jennifer may be brought on as Teresa's friend, but that doesn't mean she has to insert herself into the family feud. Grown adults can be friends or friendly with people who don't get along and it doesn't mean they're playing both sides.
Teresa please open your eyes Hun!
Did anyone see the us magazine website. Mel is getting a lot of positive press. Miss Andy wants to shove MeHo down our throat. First impressions are everything. She will always be the famewhore who convinced her husband to air out the family dirty laundry so she can have a music career. Why a book or a workout CD? Because she did not sell enough CD to get a record contract.
Seriously these are grown ass people. This is not a secret that jennifer is friends with melissa-they HAVE been friends since melissa joined the family. I dont think its fair for jennifer to get involved in a family situation because first off-its none of her business and doesnt imvolve her
second off-what happens if the girls make up with each other? Jennifer will be the odd girl out because she picked a side. Shes being actually a GOOD friend to not pick a side in this stupid pity fight ANYWAYS! what are they even fighting over again?!?!??
Yes melissa is wrong in a lot of situations but for you to ask your friend to pick a side its just wrong. If you cant make it work with someone then leave the situation alone and move on!!!!
I think they all have to talk to one on another its part of the show. besides she knows teresa for a while so who care.
I dont even think its that SS. danielle didnt have to talk to anyone she didnt want to. At the end of the day jennifer is friends with both of them. Its not okay for both mel and tre to make jennifer pick sides. Its none of the friends problem nor business. Its a family issue. Its already worse enough that caroclown and jaqaholic got involved with tres family problems. I respect jennifer for not taking sides. BUT-if i do see jennifer talking crap about tre in her interviews on the show, i would not trust her. Im not gonna jump the boat because we have no idea whats going on right now. I think she is just a friend thats butting out and i respect that. She wouldnt want to be caught in the middle IF tre and mel do make up. So i think her choice of staying out of it is very wise.
I dont even think its that SS. danielle didnt have to talk to anyone she didnt want to. At the end of the day jennifer is friends with both of them. Its not okay for both mel and tre to make jennifer pick sides. Its none of the friends problem nor business. Its a family issue. Its already worse enough that caroclown and jaqaholic got involved with tres family problems. I respect jennifer for not taking sides. BUT-if i do see jennifer talking crap about tre in her interviews on the show, i would not trust her. Im not gonna jump the boat because we have no idea whats going on right now. I think she is just a friend thats butting out and i respect that. She wouldnt want to be caught in the middle IF tre and mel do make up. So i think her choice of staying out of it is very wise.
Does anyone else ever think Kim D. has a kind of reptilian look about her? Always picture a lizard in my mind when I see her. Kind of fits her personality I guess.
Wow!!! She really does look just like a lizard!!!!
Melissa is always wearing the same clothes.
Ms. Dalton is on the show for one reason- fame and money. She knows she will get more screen time and controversy if she plays both sides instead of just being Tre's friend–that is what Bravo tells them. Why do you think Brandi of RHBH has fought with a different housewife or husband nearly every episode this season- guaranteed camera time on her and securing her future on the show. These new women who join the shows know the Bravo game and formula and play it for all it is worth. Melissa is the master of this.
Do you really think Melissa showing up in a red and black outfit at a kids birthday party where everyone was asked to wear white as part of the theme was an accident. Pulease! Goodness forbid famewhore Melissa let the focus of the night be on her beautiful nieces-she is not capable of suck kindness even for one night. Justice will be years from now when Melissa's kids will see online how awful their mother was to their cousins they love and their grandparents.
No. Justice will be when her two sons marry a woman trashy just like her. It will happen because karma is a bitch
I'm calling a bit of BS on this source. Of course she's around both of them, she's on the show. The show consists of set up scenes to maximize the drama so if they are filming (or shortly before filming) of course Melissa & Jennifer would be seen together. That's their job.
After reading about last season (I kept my promise not to watch one episode), there is absolutely no "reality" left in this show. I read about it because I'm a Teresa fan and used to love the show seasons 1 & 2. I keep hoping it will be more tolerable.
Jeeezzz I hope you guys are right and she isn't on "Melissa's side" secretly…..but with bravo editing, they could make her look like she is 2-facing Teresa, when she really may not be. Hate how they edit and target people, Teresa – last 2 seasons.
I'm not one of those ppl that believes that if I have a problem with someone, my friends should automatically dislike that person as well (if that person hasn't done anything to them). I think it's fine of she's friends with both as long as she doesn't stir the pot to cause even more drama between T & M. Judging from the pics, Kim D is stirring the pot enough as it is.
What I don't understand is why these women have to go at each other at a CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY party. If you have bad blood, just bring your kids and stay in a corner and shut up OR don't come at all! It was Gia and Milania's day but like everything these women made it about them. They are making things worse than it really is every time they keep addressing it. We know these women are never gonna get over the whole "you called me a stripper so I'm going to destroy you" crap so just cut your loses and move on! I don't understand how someone can dwell on negativity for so long. If what Teresa said wasn't true then why are you feeding the hate? At the Posche Fashion show last year when Tre told her what was going down, she should've just said "That guys full of S#$%@ I wasn't stripper, so stop thinking I was" and moved on, not made a spectacle out of the whole thing. Melissa says that it's hurting her children, by the time Antonia is Gia's age, RHONJ will probably be a thing that is long forgotten so why does she care? Jennifer probably hangs out with both of them cause the whole feud is ridiculous! She looks like she's not a s%^#-taker and she's sitting there wanting to punch her way out of that room. In my opinion, Tre should STOP trying! Since when are side pieces (like Melissa) main character material? I don't know if Bravo is making Tre the odd man out in order to give her and her family their own show, like they did with Beth or if they're going down the Jill route(which I would hate) And this whole workout, pop-star, author bull is going to fall through cause as you can see it's mostly ONE housewife of some cities that are relevant and thats NENE, Beth and I can't think anymore but SORRY MElissa but Tre already took the NJ spot, no matter how hard you try! While main predators make the kill, theres always a scavenger looking for scraps.
Beacause they are filming a TV show. If they came to the party and nothing "happened" and they all behaved liek adults.. it would not make it on TV LOL
I never really understood why any of the HWs have their children's parties on the show when they know they are expected to fight and possibly ruin it. Not to mention if the kid is shy around camera's it could be uncomfortable. Usually the parties revolve around the women too and are not as focused on the kids. Who knows though maybe Teresa sets up a second party sans filming where there's no drama. That would be nice for the girls, 2 parties ha.
Arg, no apostrophe should be in the word "cameras". Drives me crazy when I do that even if no one else cares.
The "source" said she doesn't want to get in the middle. How do you get playing both sides out of that? That's called being an adult.
Actually this source says both.
I guess we will see whats what when the season airs.
That is what I was saying. The source said both sides, but right it the following sentence, I am assuming for an example, they say she hangs out with both and tries not to get in the middle.
First it says that she doesn't want to get in the middle, but then says she is playing both sides.. Thats what I mean by the source saying both thngs.
So to me it kinda sounds like this source is friends with both Teresa and Melissa ( and Jennifer) and maybe has heard Jennifer being 2 faced, maybe going back to both saying this one said this that one said that? I don't know, just guessing..
Anyway I will see when the season airs if Jennifer is going to be a Cracker Jac Laurita. LOL.
I have said all along that actual friends of Tre filming with her would be be better than "paid friends". "Paid Friends" are going to follow the Bravo lead. I hope I turn out to be wrong, I guess time will tell.
That said, maybe this Jennifer did not want to add any more drama to a kid's party. Possibly, she might have some class.
Do you think its curious that we have seen photos and stories about all the housewives even the friends of housewives.. but NOTHING on Kathy? Not a single leak, source, photo on kathy in regards to filming. Or did i miss something ?
I haven't seen anything on her, but I'm not surprised. Kathy is really just a peripheral character. If she isn't socializing with the rest, I wouldn't expect to see much of her.
I am curious how the season will go. Will it be full of made by Bravo situations? I am struggling to think of what any of the RHONJ are doing that might be interesting. I don't follow the Twitter and this is my main source for HW, so I am sure I don't know all. I just know that their family, friend drama is long played out.
I'm not surprised because no one cares about Kathy. Why she is still on this show is a mystery to me. She literally serves no purpose. She's a complete waste of air time.
Glad to find this out now so I don't have to bother watching the new season. Not sitting through anymore Teresa bashing. Simply REFUSE to do it.
Me either. If its another season of Teresa bashing I wont be watching. Last season was not fun to watch it was stressful. I use to watch the episodes reruns when i was stuck doing laundry (lol) but last season was so dark and dirty that I could not stand to watch the episodes more than once. I wont watch at all next season.
I love Teresa but, Melissa and Teresa are sister in-laws. So nobody wants to get in the middle of a family feud. Jennifer saw the fans turn on the Manzos and the Lauritas went they got involved and turned their back on their friend, Teresa. This is Jennifer's first year and she want's the public to see her for the person she truly is not to be judged on witch side of the Gorga and Guidice feud she plans to take. Jen is not going to make the same mistake that Jac did, she will stay neutral.
As the others have said, WATCH YOUR BACK Teresa!
Great. Another Jac.
It sure sounds like it, Jac is exactly like Kim G!! And Kim D for that matter.
NO, nobody like Jacko.
Jacko was Teresa's friend for 15 years, they were really close and Jac betrayed her in the worst possible way by telling the world things that were told to her in confidence.
I don't think Teresa would ever trust anybody the way she trusted Jac, at least nobody who is in a reality TV show.
ITA!!! Jax is awful! Even if you stop being friends, how do you start telling all of her secrets? Jax is so immature! I do hope that between last seasons gang up and all of the rumors out there, surely Tre will be on her toes!
She should stay loyal to Teresa plain & simple!
Agreed!! I cannot watch another season full of idiots ganging up on T for no reason at all. WE need to see someone have T's back.
Brandi started off as Adrienne's "friend" on RHOBH and look where that went? I don't think Teresa and Jennifer were truly "friends," otherwise she wouldn't be hanging out (alone, I presume) with Melissa. Not getting involved in their issues and hanging out alone with someone are 2 different things. Don't get involved, but don't go and hangout with your "friends" enemy who puts out bad press about her and makes ridiculous statements. Show some loyalty.
I guess this depends on if she's a full housewife or just a friend. If shes a full housewife she is contracted to appear with all the housewives and interact with them when producers tell her to.
Amen Heather! One grown woman demanding another not be friends with someone because they dont like them is ridiculous.
I am sure Teresa won't demand her that, this should come from her herself, without request.
Look at the example of Kim D. That harpy is still friends with Jacko and Carowhine and Teresa is still friendly with her. I just hope she wises up and never trusts her with any of her secrets, just for safety.
One thing is to be civilized but I just hope Jenn is not trying to promote her own agenda and going from one side to the other to instigate more fights.
Actually, if I've known and seen the antics between my FRIEND and someone who's hurting them, I wouldn't be friends with them. That simple. It's one thing to be cool with someone if they're harmless and didn't do anything to you, but we've seen Melissa destroy an entire family and ruin years of friendship. I've would've kept Melissa at arms length.
HMMMM….Tre just needs to watch her back…..Also, Kim D plays both sides too she is also good friends with Jac….just saying:)
Yep @ DLO
I agree.
UGH… just UGH!!! Here we go again! Watch your back Tre!
I think (I hope) Teresa learned her lesson from Season 4. Plus, if we are hearing about it, so is her management team.
As for Kim D and Jennifer Dalton, my god people are disgusting. There's immaturity and then their is just dirty rotten & scummy behavior. Those two are scummy.
Based on T's body language in recent pics, I think she's learned a few things.
I hope that you are right.
I think these are grown woman and can hang with who they want. This isn't high school.
And anyone that *wants* to hang out with trash like Melissa Gorga, is someone I woulndn't be missing.
That peeves me because Jennifer, being friends with T for awhile knows the history between T and Messy. She most likely played up to T get herself another 15 minutes! I guess her being on Pregnant in Heels on Bravo was not enough to find her another gig!
The sad part is all the blogs predicted this. All the blogs said that Jennifer would change sides once she was on the show. Interesting that its happening now. Makes you wonder who the source was behind the leaks
Oh yes, I forgot about that.
I remember that, and thought it was all talk.
Hmmmm, how interesting.
Teresa needs to watch all of them especialy that KimD, I don't trust that one at all, another site (RT) had pictures showing Kim talking to Mel, and then this photo of what looks like Tereas and Mel going at it again.
All of this transpired at Gia's birthday party. Teresa needs to stop inviting Mel to these events. When she has parties for her children's birthdays, it should be for CHILDREN ONLY. Mel started something at Gia's party last year as well, and then accused Teresa of grabbing her at that party, during the reunion.
Michers, I agree! I feel bad for Tre because this Jennifer person will squash Tre if Bravo and Andy tell her to just to stay on the show. I hate it when people have no loyalty to their friends and family. I've always been loyal to my close friends and family, and I just know Jennifer will turn against Tre just for her spot on the show.
Act civil, but don't act fake or play both sides, Jenn! Not a good sign…
Well I hope Teresa is ready for another season of " All out war on the Giudice family". I can't see how it is worth it to her to continue on a show where clearly her boss does not like her or her family. I'm sorry people but Andy can do all the interviews he wants and to get Teresa to say that he doesn't play favorites. Of course your employee will side with you Andy!!! I am so irritated with this network and how they set people up. I understand ratings but I have not seen a network treat an employee so bad out of all the housewives like they have Teresa and her family. Anyways theres my rant.
She probably can't afford to quit. She and Joe still have a large debt to pay off, don't they? She even said at one of her big signings that she would love to quit RHONJ and do her own cooking show. I think she stays because she needs to the money and the exposure for her products. You do what you have to so when you have a family to support and few options.
If it's true that Teresa is making about 500k for real housewives than that is hard to walk away from.
Well I cant afford to quite my job either, I don't know why people keep saying that like its a bad thing, most people would like to quite their jobs but can't so just keep trying to do the best they can, it is the way of life.
Teresa will never learn. Bravo keeps promising this an the other to get her on the show and then they stick it up to her so far …, Bravo promises friends and as soon as this so called "friends" make it into the show, they forget all about Teresa.
I agree that this is not high school and that anybody should be friends with anybody they choose, but the fight between Teresa and Melissa was so huge that unless you were living under a rock, you can't claim you didn't know about it.
I hope that this is just Jenn being civilized with Melissa and she should, but I have the feling that she might turn into a Jacko and turn her back on Teresa and join the bandwagon of "Teresa is awful and I can't be her friend" that Bravo so eagerly promotes.
We will have to wait and see.
I am so sick of bravo stuffing that disgusting trashbag Melissa down our throats. I feel sick to my stomach seeing her bothering Teresa again. Melissa is a miserable person and she will never stop causing shit.
Oh I agree david. Enough is a frickin 'nough already.
Go away Melissa
Go away Melissa


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Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has had problems moving in recent weeks. Speaking on his Thursday night radio show, the 81-year-old acknowledged one of his legs has been bothering him.
Now it appears Paterno may spend Saturday afternoon in the Beaver Stadium coaching booth when No. 16 Penn State (3-0) hosts 1-2 Temple. Kickoff is at noon.
Fightonstate.com, a respected Penn State football website, reported Friday that Paterno will be in the PSU coaching booth. The website attributed its information to football sources.
Reached Friday night, PSU assistant athletic director Jeff Nelson would not confirm that Paterno would be on the sideline and called the website report "speculation at this point".
Paterno broke his left leg and suffered ligament damage to his left knee during Penn State's road loss at Wisconsin in November of 2006. Shortly after that, PSU team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli performed surgery on Paterno's ailing leg.
During Penn State's 55-13 win over Syracuse last Saturday, Paterno was not moving well.
Stay tuned.


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ON WEDNESDAY, Paul Holmgren said it was "only a matter of time" before the Flyers would be able to re-sign forward Jake Voracek.
He wasn't kidding. It took less than 24 hours.
On Thursday, the Flyers signed Voracek to a massive, 4-year, $17 million extension. He will carry an annual salary cap hit of $4.25 million, a substantial raise from the $2.25 million he earned last season, his first with the Flyers.
While that might seem like a decent chunk of change up front, the Flyers are banking on Voracek's untapped potential toward the end of the deal.
Voracek, who turns 23 on Aug. 15, could put up a staggering number of points on the Flyers' top line.


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Just putting in time at the gym isn't enough. If you want amazing results fast, you need to put equal emphasis on how you work out. To ramp up your fitness regimen and get ripped quickly, here's what Jillian advises:
- High intensity interval training (HIIT). This simply means working short intervals of high intensity cardio into your strength-training routine. These cardio intervals can range from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. HIIT training enables you to burn more calories during your workout and hours after you've left the gym.
- Combination lifting. The concept here is combining two or more lifts into one exercise. For example, doing a squat at the same time as a bicep curl or a side lunge at the same time as a shoulder press. Because you're working multiple muscle groups together, you burn more calories in a short time.
- Circuit training. This keeps you moving from exercise to exercise with no rest in between. So if you're doing pushups, immediately go straight into a set of lunges. You've changed muscle groups, so you can rest the group you just exhausted, but still keep your heart rate up as you work your legs.
Now go get your burn on!
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Suzy Spafford says her life's purpose is to make people happy, and to share the joy experienced when one remembers what it is like to be a child. This simple premise conceals the labor of love behind the 200-plus characters she has lovingly created over the 35-year history of her company.
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UNFCCC Workshop Discusses Adaptation Technology Transfer
4 March 2014: The UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) Workshop on Technologies for Adaptation aimed to provide a platform to share experiences on the development and implementation of technologies for adaptation, and identify possible actions and recommendations by the TEC that could help promote and accelerate the development and transfer of technologies for adaptation.
The workshop, which took place on 4 March 2014, in Bonn, Germany, was organized by the TEC in collaboration with the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee (AC). It brought together around 70 participants, including members of the TEC and the AC, observers from UNFCCC parties, representatives of UN bodies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and resources persons. The workshop immediately preceded the Eighth Meeting of the TEC (TEC 8), which took place from 5-7 March 2014, in Bonn, Germany.
During the workshop, several speakers presented case studies on developing and implementing technologies for adaptation in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Participants exchanged views and ideas on lessons learned and barriers to, and enabling environments for, the successful implementation of adaptation technologies. Participants also suggested potential areas of action for the TEC.
Key issues discussed at the workshop included: factors for successful implementation and replication of technologies; integrated approaches; South-South transfer of know-how; opportunities for scaling up technologies; technology assessment; and capacity building.[IISD RS Coverage] [TEC Meeting Website]


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To the editor:
The religious liberty controversy that has been raging on the national scene for nearly two years has come to the Susquehanna Valley. Conestoga Wood Specialties, a Lancaster-based firm with two factories in Snyder County, is among several companies and nonprofit organizations attempting to avoid a key element of the Obama administration's health policy.
In 2011, the Obama administration issued what is referred to as the Health and Human Services mandate. This mandate requires that contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs be covered in all employer-provided health plans. While some media attention has been given to the mandate's threat to religious institutions that must now find a product contrary to their moral beliefs, little attention has been given to private employers who also wish to practice their faith freely. Many of these are now being asked to violate their consciences in providing health care that meets the guidelines.
Conestoga Wood Specialties and its owners, the Hahn family, filed a federal suit seeking protection against the federal mandate. They do not believe that destroying human life by abortion-producing drugs ought to be part of their company-provided health care. It is not just a minor matter of personal opinion, but a matter of life and death to them. The owners of Conestoga as well as many other business owners and a large percentage of the American population see this as an issue of the sanctity and nobility of human life.
The United States Congress passed what is known as the Hyde Amendment for decades to insure that no taxpayer would be forced to be involved in funding what many consider to be the death industry which is abortion. The current administration has taken an end run around this respect for individual conscience to force Americans to pay for this practice by including it in its health care policy.
The Administration has been forced to make some exceptions for religious institutions but the freedom of religion concerns go much farther than just religious institutions and churches. They have callously ignored the consciences and concerns of many, if not most, Americans in their actions.
Promises not to impose this kind of disrespect for human life allowed the Obamacare legislation to squeak by in the first place. Now those promises have been almost totally ignored. Another major national employer that has challenged this infringement by the federal government is Hobby Lobby. Again, this is a beneficial employer of thousands which desires to keep a clear conscience on this matter.
Randall Wenger, chief counsel of Independence Law Center has stated, "No one should be forced to violate their conscience and religious beliefs in the way they run their business." He went on to say, "The free exercise of religion, guaranteed in the First Amendment, is not something confined to the four walls of a church. In America, our Constitution guarantees to all the freedom to live out our faith according to our conscience in all areas of life."
Charles Proctor III, lead counsel in the Conestoga case stated, "As government grows and pervades every detail of life, we risk what happened in this case: The government telling citizens that they need to subsidize something as controversial as drugs and devices that can result in the death of a new human life - government must know that this creates a moral dilemma for millions of religious employers like the Hahn family. Government should not be in the business of micromanaging our lives in this way."
Our country is increasingly on a divided path. Consequently, those who have little or no religious faith, or whose beliefs conflict with traditional Judeo-Christian values are looking for more and more places to suppress religious freedom. We have seen an increasing number of clashes over a variety of religious expressions from the displays of crosses, Nativity scenes, and the Ten Commandments, to prayer in public gatherings and other public references to God.
Those who hold the Judeo-Christian values provide innumerable benefits to our society from encouraging good citizenship to the respect of all human beings as created as equal in the image of God, to the innumerable ventures both here and abroad. The Christian community responds to emergency needs of our country as quickly and effectively, if not more so, than our government agencies as seen in the aftermath of recent disastrous storms.
It is not to the benefit of our community to suppress the activities of Christian people who desire to freely and openly express their faith in word and action.
The federal government must be kept in check by the courts when it attempts to restrict the freedoms of its citizens, especially the freedom of religion, our very first right in the Bill of Rights. Since there is no compelling reason to excuse this imposition, the courts have a responsibility to stand up for the protection of religious liberty.
Rev. Glen Bayly
Mifflinburg Alliance Church


text: 000 FXUS63 KMPX 271218 AFDMPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 718 AM CDT TUE SEP 27 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 641 AM CDT Tue Sep 27 2016 Updated to include 12z aviation discussion below. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 330 AM CDT Tue Sep 27 2016 Surface analysis this morning shows deep stacked low over northern Lake Superior. MSLP in the center is down to 994mb while the upper low, nearly atop the surface low, is down to about 5400m (compared to heights in the 5700m-5850m range from central MN through the Dakotas). The stacked low is forecast to drift to the south through tonight, taking a position over the southern tip of Lake Michigan by daybreak Wednesday morning. As the low moves south, a noticeable trough axis will rotate around the western fringes of the upper low, sweeping across the MN international border around 21z then through southern MN by around 00z and into far southern WI and northern IA by 03z. The system will still contain plenty of moisture, obtained over the weekend from a tropical plume originating over Mexico. Putting the timing of these features together along with the timing of the arriving trough axis, the window from 18z-03z looks good for having scattered to numerous showers over eastern MN into western WI today. Not looking for much in the way of QPF, although far eastern portions of the WFO MPX coverage area (specifically the 3 Wisconsin counties of Rusk/Chippewa/Eau Claire) could receive up to one quarter inch of rain. The deep low will take on a more easterly component close to daybreak Wednesday morning, thus ending the precipitation chance by then (although precipitation is expected to largely end earlier than daybreak, closer to around 06z). However, clouds will hold strong over the area through daybreak Wednesday due to the close proximity of the large deep low. With additional and prolonged cloud cover over the area today through tonight, temperatures will run some 5-8 degrees cooler than seasonal normals for highs today and close to normal tonight. Highs will range from the mid 50s in northern and eastern portions of the WFO MPX coverage area with mid 60s in western and far southern portions. Tonight, lows will drop to the 40s. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 330 AM CDT Tue Sep 27 2016 The extended period can be characterized as dry and mild as a blocking type pattern keeps this region uneventful through the weekend. The aforementioned storm system in the short term will likely hold in the Ohio Valley through Friday/Saturday, and possibly longer depending upon the strength of an upper level ridge building across southeastern Canada. The latest NAEFS mean of all three 500/700/850 MB heights are outside climatological normals (Maximum Mean Heights) across southeastern Canada by the end of this week. This anomalous ridge will keep the storm system across the Ohio Valley from moving very little. Therefore, the mean upper flow over the Upper Midwest will be persistent (Weak - North- Northeast) once the storm system over the Great Lakes moves southward. Not until the Upper Ridge breaks down or weakens considerably will our weather change. I would not be surprised to see models trending toward the stagnate pattern continuing through early next week. Once the pattern changes and the upper ridge moves overhead, will the weather pattern change to more unsettled. The best scenario is to hold off on precipitation chances until late Monday/Tuesday. Past the 7 day period, longer range models (GFS/EC) are showing the mild conditions becoming cooler and more unsettled past October 5-6. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Wednesday morning) Issued at 641 AM CDT Tue Sep 27 2016 Deep low over Lake Superior will slowly drift south into Lake Michigan through tomorrow morning, making this feature the main player over the next 24 hours. Light rain showers over NE MN will also gradually drift south due to this system, likely impacting KMSP eastward. A few showers may reach KSTC but chances are low while both KAXN-KRWF are too far removed from the reaches of this system to see any precipitation. KRNH-KEAU may even have some stronger showers, possibly enough to reduce visibility down to MVFR levels. However, the main threat for MVFR will come from lowering ceilings associated with this system. The low ceilings look to move in later this morning into the early afternoon and remain there into the early morning hours before VFR returns along with high pressure. KMSP...Best window for showers into KMSP looks to be roughly 21z-03z. Not expecting anything heavy, no worse than 6SM visibility, but ceilings are likely to drop into MVFR this afternoon into the mid-evening hours. Breezy northwest winds can again be expected (but not quite as high as yesterday). Speeds will increase to around 15G25kt later this morning through this afternoon. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ Thu through Sat...VFR. NE wind less than 10 kt. && .MPX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... WI...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...JPC SHORT TERM...JPC LONG TERM...JLT AVIATION...JPC


text: Yankton City Employees Vote Down Contract Offer By Associated Press November 13, 2013 YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — Unionized city employees in Yankton have rejected a contract offered by the southeastern South Dakota city. Read More Category: Articles Tags: Contracts, Unions, Yanton Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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Pleasant Ridge Manor seeks up to $2.5M in gambling cash to fund upgrades
Pleasant Ridge Manor officials are looking to tap a new revenue source -- gambling revenue from Presque Isle Downs & Casino -- to help fund millions of dollars in upgrades at the larger of Erie County government's two nursing homes.
Erie County Council is considering a request from nursing home officials to borrow up to $2.5 million from the county's $6 million yearly share of what's known as "unrestricted" gambling revenue to fund the installation of sprinklers at the 312-bed Pleasant Ridge Manor-West in Fairview Township, as well as water system improvements in the area.
Pleasant Ridge Manor needs the money in relation to multimillion-dollar plans to close the 76-bed Pleasant Ridge Manor-East, in Millcreek Township, and merge it with the Fairview Township facility.
Council members, acting as Pleasant Ridge's board of trustees last week, passed a resolution in support of the loan, which would be interest-free and repaid in full by Pleasant Ridge Manor over several years.
County Council still must sign off on the loan at one of its regular meetings. Council is expected to discuss the issue at its Finance Committee meeting this afternoon at the Erie County Courthouse.
The county can use its unrestricted gambling funds for any purpose. Council could vote on the issue as soon as its next regular meeting, scheduled for Tuesday night at the courthouse.
Erie County Executive Barry Grossman, in a letter to council members this week, wrote that he supports the loan because the improvements could make the Fairview Township property more marketable for a future sale.
Grossman has repeatedly suggested that Pleasant Ridge Manor be sold or leased to a private operator to save taxpayer dollars.
But Grossman added: "My acquiescence to this request should in no way should infer that I support Erie County taxpayers subsidizing the operation of a nursing home."
Sprinklers must be installed at Pleasant Ridge Manor-West by August 2013 to meet a looming nationwide mandate, and that work is expected to cost more than $1 million.
Pleasant Ridge Manor is among scores of nursing homes nationwide faced with the new mandate, which was announced in June 2008 in response to nursing home fires in Nashville, Tenn., and Hartford, Conn., in 2003 that killed 31 people.
Further, County Council has been told previously by officials with the Fairview Township Sewer and Water Authorities that it would likely cost about $1.4 million to extend municipal water and sewer service to the nursing home, which currently receives water via a well system.
Pleasant Ridge's chief executive, Robert Smith, said that the loan would be paid back with proceeds from the planned $2.5 million sale of 88 bed licenses to Millcreek Manor, another local nursing home which has plans to expand.
Pleasant Ridge officials expect to get that money in late 2014.
The state Department of Public Welfare, which must sign off on such sales, rejected the original bed license deal, in part, because Millcreek Manor did not clearly show the transfer was necessary to ensure that an adequate number of medical assistance-certified skilled-nursing beds are maintained in the region.
Settlement talks are under way between Millcreek Manor and DPW.
Smith said the loan makes financial sense, because Pleasant Ridge Manor can avoid borrowing from a bank -- and paying interest on the loan -- if County Council signs off.
"My view is that it's a temporary loan, and the funds will be paid back," Smith said. "It's not a grant or anything like that."
County Council Chairman Phil Fatica agreed.
"It's a good deal that will help to improve everything there," Fatica said. "And Pleasant Ridge can pay it back at no interest."
Grossman said he reluctantly supports the loan request, because he realizes council members favor the move and "they would just go out to a bank to borrow the money anyway, and that would just cost the taxpayers more money."
Grossman is among those who have said that state government's financial problems could lead to cuts in Medicaid spending and reimbursements related to nursing-home care, as well as reductions in the number of skilled-nursing beds across Pennsylvania.
He and others want County Council to consider that when making decisions about the future of Pleasant Ridge Manor, because more than 80 percent of the residents at the nursing homes qualify for state medical assistance.
"We need a global, long-term plan here," Grossman said. "What is the fate of the county staying in this business?"
KEVIN FLOWERS can be reached at 870-1693 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNflowers.


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Duke University Health System Job Description
|Job Title: VP FINANCE & CHIEF ACCTG OFFICER, DUHS
|Job Code: 5522
|Job Level: N2
|Revised Date: 10/01/2012
|Supervisory Responsibility: Yes
General Description of the Job Class
The position will be responsible for the entirety of the Controller?s Organization within DUHS (i.e., no entity-level controllers), which includes full responsibility for all accounting and financial reporting activities and day-to-day execution of the DUHS treasury function. The position will ultimately be responsible for General Accounting, Financial Consolidations and Reporting, accounting policies and procedures, internal accounting controls, Reimbursement and Revenue Accounting, Patient Revenue Management Organization (PRMO) control functions, identification of risks and risk management processes related to the DUHS Finance function, and management of DUHS requirements for all finance and accounting areas shared with Duke University under the DUHS/DU Operating Agreement.
The primary responsibility will be to establish and maintain integrated accounting systems and policies across all operations and business units of DUHS, assuring the required high level of service from the University for shared functions is consistently achieved.
This is a highly visible position, as it is the number two position within DUHS Finance and, therefore, requires a tremendous amount of effort to coordinate and lead multiple divisions of the Controller?s organization, while also providing direction to the University related to DUHS? needs for shared services.
The position will be responsible for overseeing recurring financial analysis, statistical and FTE reporting, tax compliance and reporting, and multiple other finance and accounting functions. The position will participate in cost report preparation/review and ensure that necessary controls are in place to provide for compliance with government regulations and accurate accounting and reporting for settlement accounts.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
General Accounting:
Analyze actual financial results and budget variances for profit and loss, balance sheets and statements of cash flows
Provide full support for annual balance sheet and cash flow budgeting, to complement P&L and capital budgeting by entity Finance units
Ensure that reporting requirements are fully met
Control a rigorous close process with clear accountabilities, a well communicated calendar, performance metrics and cross-functional participation
Oversee DUHS consolidation process and ?top down? external audit
Analyze consolidated financial reports for DUHS and entities
Prepare Board presentations and reports for senior management using appropriate technology
Ensure timely and accurate financial and statistical reporting
Maintain an up-to-date and anticipatory knowledge of upcoming accounting, compliance and financial reporting changes, to include:
- International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) deliberations on municipal market regulation and reporting
- Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Internal Control practices
- IRS Form 990 reporting
- Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) Reporting
Reimbursement/Revenue Accounting:
Estimate and analyze contractual allowance, allowance for doubtful accounts and charity care write-offs for each entity
Support the preparation of Medicare cost reports for all DUHS entities
Third-party settlement estimation and accounting
Ensure strategic analysis and planning for governmental and other regulatory reimbursement changes
PRMO Finance:
PRMO financial reporting for DUHS revenue cycle
PRMO Quality Control group (i.e., quasi-internal audit function)
PRMO budget and accounting group
Policies and Procedures:
Review policies and procedures for Finance and Accounting functional areas to ensure consistency across DUHS business units
Challenge the University?s accounting policies and procedures as necessary, to ensure that both organizations are exhibiting progressive accounting ideas and embracing necessary system changes
Establish internal financial controls used to maintain integrity of all charts of accounts
Corporate Treasury and Cash Management:
Debt Management and Accounting
Plan, manage and execute all DUHS external borrowing and tax-exempt bond offerings, including coordination of investment bankers, bond attorneys, rating agencies and N.C. governmental units.
Ensure adequate post-issuance internal controls over tax-exempt bond proceed use and the ultimate use of tax-exempt bond financed property
Derivatives and Swap Management:
Plan, manage and execute all DUHS debt derivative and interest rate swap transactions, including coordination of investment bankers, derivative attorneys, rating agencies, etc.
Cash Flow Projections and Reporting:
Prepare daily cash and swap MTM reports
Prepare and maintain monthly cash flow and working capital projections for DUHS
Prepare monthly GAAP indirect-method and GL-based direct method cash flow reports for DUHS
Ensure that DU Treasury provides adequate service levels and reasonable controls over the debt payment cycle
Investment of DUHS Reserve Funds:
Coordinate directly with DUMAC on the accounting and reporting for the DUHS singleowner investment pool (HSP) managed by DUMAC
Provide liquidity and collateral management, working directly with DUMAC on DUHS treasury security and other transactions
Management of Shared Services with DU:
Responsible for ensuring that DU financial operations maintains adequate systems and appropriate internal controls to support DUHS? required service levels for the following functions:
- Procurement and Accounts Payable Sub-ledger
- Payroll and Human Resources support
- Fixed Asset Accounting Sub-ledger
- Commercial Banking Relationships
- Investment Management through DUMAC
- Capital Acquisition and Repayment
- Technology support for SAP R/3 system through Administrative Systems Management (ASM)
- Compliance with Credit Card Industry Privacy and Security Standards
- Tax Accounting and Reporting Including Annual IRS Form 990 Filing
- N.C. Sales and Use Tax Computation, Remittance and Rebate
Durham Casualty Company:
Responsible for the day-to-day coordination of essentially all Durham Casualty Company (DCC) transactions and activities to include:
- Planning and execution of all DCC Board meetings (with Bermuda insurance managers)
- Planning and execution of DCC?s annual external audit, GAAP financial reporting, and Bermuda statutory reporting
- Coordination of premium cycle with external actuaries
- Joint reporting of claims cycle with Clinical Risk Management
- Coordination of investment cycle with DUMAC (funds managed by DUMAC)
- Proper accounting for the reinsurance program, and coordination with broker as necessary
- Completion and filing of all required DCC tax returns and tax reporting
- Development of DCC annual budget
DUHS Board Committee Meetings -? Administrative Support:
Serve as primary staff for planning agendas for DUHS Compliance/Audit Committee and DUHS Finance Committee, and prepare/coordinate/compile all meeting materials for delivery to respective Committee members
Duke University School of Medicine (SOM):
Meet with SOM chief financial officer at least quarterly on accounting and finance issues that cross organizations
Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC):
Responsible for the compilation and review of quarterly Duke Medicine financial statements, to include DUHS, Duke University School of Medicine, and PDC financial results on a non-GAAP basis
Contractual Relationships:
Monitor financial results of non-consolidated, contractually related entities (e.g., Person Memorial Hospital)
Establish and maintain Service Level Agreements to address customer service issues and develop service level performance measurement and internal control expectations between DUHS and Duke University
Lead the DUHS Closing process
Serve as GAAP and FASB technical resource in conjunction with external auditors
Review work of and assist in training of staff
Recommend various personnel actions, including hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, transfers, vacations schedules and other pertinent tasks
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein
Required Qualifications at this Level
A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business or related field is required. An MBA is preferred.
At least 10 years accounting experience is required. Should possess financial and managerial reporting experience with GAAP, FASB and other internal standards.
|Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
CPA preferred
|Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills with relentless attention to detail.
Strong PC skills in applications such as Lotus Notes, Excel, Word, and other Microsoft applications are important, as well as the ability to perform in a high pressure environment, meeting frequent deadlines under extended work hours.
A leadership style that will enable this person to direct, supervise, and unite accounting staff in the management of accounting and finance issues
Administrative and organizational skills to plan, organize and make commitments to the system leadership, accounting staff and external constituents
Ability to work as a team player and partner with the DUHS Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer to represent the department at Board, Compliance/Audit and Finance Committee meetings
Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, Federal Income Tax rules and regulations, Medicare, Medicaid, and third party reimbursement, information systems applications for accounting and financial reporting
Knowledge of preparing monthly/annual Financial Statements, external audits, State/Federal tax reports, General Ledger and capital/operating budgets
Strong analytical and strategic-thinking ability
Capable of focusing long-term, with an exceptional grasp of the details and a strong track record for follow-through
Confident, engaged, and innovative possessing high energy balanced with high integrity
Possesses a strong business orientation to assist the health system in achieving and maintaining ongoing financial viability
Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with accounting staff and management at all levels of the organization
Strong communication skills
Role model for fiscal and corporate integrity
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.