text:
Johanna's Story
Johanna Johnston is a beautiful and creative young woman. She has a fitness model's body and a positive attitude toward life. But there's more to her story.
Inside Johanna's head, next to cherished memories of carefree days riding horses and thoughts about her meaningful relationship with God, is a tumor. It's an impenetrable, undefined mass that has, at times, paralyzed her vocal cords, impaired her hearing, prevented her from swallowing food and water, and kept her left shoulder immobile.
The neurosurgeon says she needs surgery, but she suspects it's her lack of insurance coverage that keeps doctors from scheduling her appointments.
Johanna Johnston has lots of questions and a beaming smile and an unwavering faith. She knows she will win this battle. She knows she will use this experience to enhance her Christian testimony and help others.
Her friends and family know this, too. They also know they need your help to make sure Johanna can reach her goals.
Severe food allergies were generally the most serious problem Johanna ever had to deal with in her life. That was, until the spring of 2013 when the headaches started. They were so intense, in fact, she woke up her parents one night to pray for relief from the pain she was feeling.
"I was guessing it was a migraine, even though I'd never had one before. It lasted for four days, and it felt like somebody took a spike and pounded it through my skull," says Johanna, a Goshen native who works as an Elkhart Truth graphic artist. "The headaches started to come and go then and I thought the worst was over. But one day, I went to get something down from a shelf and realized I couldn't raise my arm up to get it."
The symptoms seemingly changed daily. On Memorial Day weekend, she went to an urgent care center to seek a medical opinion.
"The doctor pretty much said I was imagining things," she says. "I went home and thought maybe I should go see an ear, nose and throat specialist because my throat was closed up.
"It got to the point where, I would take a drink of water or a bite of food and it would end up coming out my nose. Have you ever had an Oreo come out your nose? It hurts," she laughs.
The ENT saw evidence of vocal cord paralysis. Since that region is controlled by the 9th and 10th cranial nerves, the specialist sent Johanna for brain imaging.
The doctor's interpretations of Johanna's brain scans are distant and cold. The printed word has never been the welcome resting place of bedside manner, but rather a platform for Scrabble-winning words like "multilobulated" and "schwannoma." On July 9, Johanna arrived at the hospital for an MRI and some answers. The next day, she came back at the doctor's urgent request for a more in-depth CT scan.
Left temporal bone: Contained within the left jugular foramen there are is (sic) a 1.2 x 1.7 x 1.1 cm sized mass which produces total effacement of the left jugular vein at this segment. There is a small 2-3 mm calcification contained within this mass.
"I got the call – I knew it wasn't going to be good because it was after hours," Johanna says. "I'm by myself at work. He just said to me they found a mass. To be honest, I'm not sure what he said after that."
Johanna points to clumpy-looking white spot on the scanned image of her brain – "It's kind of looks like a spider climbed in there and made a web," she says. The medical professionals she's dealt with say it appears to be slow-growing, but they've quickly added they can't say that with 100 percent certainty.
She's become a voracious reader on the words doctors have used to define her situation. She spouts out terms and definitions like Wikipedia, but like that online encyclopedia, even she is left to wonder if the answers are absolutely correct or merely opinion with some sprinkling of relevant sources.
Differential diagnostic considerations would include schwannoma. Paraganglioma or glomus jugulare is felt unlikely given the lack of significant enhancement of associated bony destruction related to this mass. Meningioma is within the differential diagnosis…
The biopsy was the next step, and it didn't take place for another month and a half. When the time for testing came, the needle was inserted into her brain for four samples. All tests were inconclusive because, Johanna says, the doctors indicated the mass was too solid to collect enough tissue to examine.
Now trending toward late summer, Johanna had only one answer she could hold on to.
"Even before this began," Johanna says, "I was starting to realize my walk with God had become kind of stale. I was still reading my Bible, because I knew that's what I should be doing, but really I had started to pray that He would help make this come alive for me and make it real."
The uncertainty about the tumor in her head has made Johanna all the more certain of God's presence in her life.
"I now see in Scriptures things I never had before. It's so alive," she says. "There are so many stories in which the sick have asked for help, and in every instance, if they asked for healing, He gave it to them. The Bible is God's word, and He cannot lie."
Just prior to the headaches intensifying and her first trips to the doctor's offices, Johanna graduated from Southwestern Michigan College with a 4.0 grade average. May 2013 was supposed to mark the beginning of her adult life – she was making plans to job hunt in warmer climates and strike out on her own.
"Sure, it was frustrating. Who wouldn't be frustrated? I felt like a dog scrabbling on the kitchen floor, trying to get my footing and stand up," she says. "But, honestly, now I'm so at peace with the whole thing. Sure, this has momentarily delayed me from pursuing whatever my future plans are, but I have to deal with things one at a time. And I know in my heart God's got it handled."
To that end, she recently resumed a meaningful part of her life – her fitness regime. She's started doing bootcamp workouts in hopes of building back up the muscles she still struggles with resulting from the temporary paralysis. While she can lift her left arm straight up over her head, it's obvious she doesn't have the usual range of motion when reaching forward.
"I don't want to be the sick girl – I think that's why a lot of people still don't really know about the tumor. I don't want anything like that to be my identity, or something I use as a crutch or an excuse," she says.
"I don't want this to derail my life anymore. I just want to be me."
One day this past summer, John Johnston came home after work and saw something unusual waiting for him on the dinner table.
"Johanna said she'd been out shopping. I looked and it was a Superman watch," John says of the gift that uniquely clarified his role in this family crisis. "We'd watched some of the superhero movies as a family through the years, and we talked about the life lessons in those. But it was funny, looking at the watch and seeing that Superman emblem – I felt the Lord saying to me, as a play on words, 'Your job here is to watch, to know spiritually what is going on, and pray for Johanna to be strong and go deeper in her faith."
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." – Luke 21:36
"Throughout the whole situation, there has been plenty of opportunity to fear, to feel anxiety, to have negative thoughts, to think Johanna is going to die," John Johnston says. "In reality, God really has been good to our family. He has been bringing healing, and she has seen improvement in her symptoms. We've grown together as a family, and the church has closed in in support of us.
"This is a spiritual journey. As a dad, you sometimes have to act like you have all the answers. But I don't press with this. My role as dad, here, is to be strong in faith to stand and encourage. It's caused me to go deeper in my own personal journey, too."
As evidence of his role as family Superman, John acted immediately after Johanna shared the news a mass had been found. They embarked on the "Johnston Family Prayer Initiative Weekend," an open house to welcome support. It was the first of many outpourings – Johanna beams as she talks about the people she barely knew who called or visited to share words of encouragement.
Physically, she always has been strong. Her grip was once measured to be 40 pounds stronger than the average woman – and 10 pounds more than the average man. But emotionally, she had never faced such a test.
Her dad got the Superman watch. She needed a little reminder of her own, too.
"When I first found out about the tumor, I went out and bought myself some superhero shirts – it was just a joke with myself," Johanna says. "I did it so I would always remember that I'm stronger than I think I am."
Johanna has no insurance. She is part-time at The Truth and does not yet qualify for benefits, though the newspaper has tried to find her the additional work and hours.
Healthy and 25, medical insurance wasn't really at the top of her list of things to spend money on. She isn't on her parents' insurance, because they, too, are without – her dad has been self-employed in construction throughout her life. She likely wouldn't have asked for their help, anyway – Johanna is independent and wanted to pay her own way through college to start her adult life the right way.
The tumor changed everything, saddling her with thousands of dollars in bills and a pre-existing condition in a pre-Obamacare world. She's tried to look at the Marketplace options provided by the Affordable Care Act, but website glitches and the government shutout have stood in her way.
She carries on, calling doctors and waiting for responses. Existing bills from the biopsy total nearly $10,000, and the necessary surgery is expected to cost in excess of $100,000. However, she refuses to quit her job and simply fall into the government safety net of disability and Medicaid.
Her strength has inspired her church, Voice Ministries, and her friends to create "Walkin' With Jo," a fundraiser to help ease the burden of medical bills. The first fundraising event will be a walk-a-thon with a silent auction Nov. 3 at Concord Mall, the home of Voice Ministries.
"It is overwhelming to see who is stepping up to help," John Johnston says. "You can see the love and caring coming from people you don't necessarily rub shoulders with every day. It has shown us, as a family, that this crisis has really been a blessing in many ways.
"Sometimes, you get complacent in life. Your priorities settle to the bottom. We recognize this is life-threatening and serious, but ultimately, it is a good thing. It is a situation that has brought us more anxiety – and more peace – than anything we've ever felt. It's amazing. God is real, especially when you really need Him."
Faith has always been a tremendous part of Johanna Johnston's life. A brain tumor will not shake that foundation – if anything, it gives her a greater appreciation for the things she enjoys most.
"I love to ride my horse more than anything. Ever since I was a kid, I would just go with her on a gallop and forget about the world," she says. "It's when I feel closest to God – just me and her and Creation."
She pauses, but not in a sad way. Instead, it's reflective and peaceful.
"I'm out there a lot now."


text:
Fox & Friends
|Fox & Friends
Logo of the show
|Presented by
Steve Doocy
Ainsley Earhardt
Brian Kilmeade
|Country of origin
|United States
|Original language(s)
|No. of seasons
|New York City
|Camera setup
|Running time
|180 minutes
|Original network
|Fox News Channel
|Picture format
|720p (16:9 HDTV)
|Original release
|February 1, 1998 – present
|External links
Fox & Friends is a daily morning news/talk program that airs on Fox News Channel. The program—like most on Fox News—is considered to have conservative political leanings in its presentation.[1][2][3][4]
It begins at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time with the latest Fox News Live headlines and news of the morning and continues with a variety of segments including current events, interviews, updates of news stories with correspondents, right-leaning analysis from the hosts, and entertainment segments.[5][6]
Fox & Friends evolved from Fox X-press, Fox News Channel's original morning news program.
After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, an additional hour was added to the beginning of the weekday show, but branded as a separate show called Fox & Friends First. It was the first Fox News show to air live for the day, starting at 6:00 a.m. It was discontinued on July 13, 2008 and replaced with an additional hour of Fox & Friends[7] The Fox & Friends First title was reintroduced on March 5, 2012, also as a separate show airing one hour before the main three-hour program, but using a separate slate of rotating anchors.[8]
Characteristics of the show[edit]
At the top and bottom of the hour, the show highlights current 'Breaking News' after which a meteorologist in 'The Weather Center' reviews the national weather forecasts. If there are extraordinary conditions to be discussed, they refer to it as 'The Extreme Weather Center'. The show features a casual format with the hosts and guests typically sitting on the set's 'curvy couch.'[9]
After the show has ended for the day, a short online-only web show named After The Show Show which features behind-the-scenes footage not shown on air, is streamed on the Fox News website. It lasts from less than 3 minutes to 10 minutes.[10]
Recurring segments[edit]
- The 'Summer Concert Series' features a live music concert in the Fox News Channel Plaza each Friday from Memorial Day weekend though Labor Day weekend.[11][12]
- 'Normal or Nuts' is a segment in which psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow answers viewer questions posed via Facebook or Twitter.[9][13]
- On 'Rebuildiing Dreams', real estate attorney Bob Massey offers non-legal advice on buying, selling, listing and pitfalls related to real estate transactions.[9]
- 'So Sue Me' is a segment in which Peter Johnson, Jr. (an appellate and trial lawyer) offers his perspective on current events with legal implications.[9]
The New York Times has reported the show is one of the most successful on the network.[14] After the arrival of Elizabeth Hasselbeck in September 2013, the show climbed 23 percent in total viewers compared to its average for the third quarter of 2013, and 22 percent in the key 25-54 news demo. For Hasselbeck's first four weeks on the show, "Fox & Friends" averaged 1.226 million total viewers, up from the 1.058 that the show averaged for the third quarter of the year.[15][16] In comparison, morning shows from both CNN and MSNBC combined to average 792,000 viewers.[citation needed]
Political stance[edit]
The New York Times wrote that Fox & Friends "has become a powerful platform for some of the most strident attacks on President Obama."[14] The program has provided a platform for conspiracy theories about Obama's religion and, in May 2012, aired a 4-minute video attacking Obama's record as President.[14] The video was widely criticized as a political attack ad masquerading as journalism,[17][18] TIME television critic James Poniewozik wrote: "It's hard to imagine a more over-the-top parody of Fox raw-meat-hurling, fear-stoking, base-pleasing agitprop."[19]
In response, a Fox News exec vice-president 'disavowed' the video, blaming an associate producer and that the video 'slipped by' senior managers at the network.[20] Fox stated that the show was entertainment and "does not pretend to be straight news."[14] Citing anonymous sources, the New York Times reported that some reporters, producers and executives at Fox were 'embarrassed' by the show, which remains by far the highest-rated cable show in its time slot as of June 2012.[14]
On October 5, 2013, while covering the government shutdown which had led to the closing of a veteran's museum, presenter Kooiman claimed that President Obama had offered "to pay out of his own pocket for the museum of Muslim culture". The story seemed to have been sourced from a spoof news website National Report, and the following week an on-air apology was made for "reporting a story based on poor research that was not true".[21]
Regular contributors[edit]
Guest or substitute hosts[edit]
Former personalities[edit]
- E. D. Hill, Weekdays co-host from 1998 to 2006, replaced by Gretchen Carlson.
- Kiran Chetry Weekend co-host from 2005 to 2007
- Dave Briggs, Weekend co-host, left at the end of 2012 to join NBC Sports Network [22]
- Gretchen Carlson, Weekdays co-host from 2006 to 2013, replaced by Elisabeth Hasselbeck after moving on to host her own new weekday afternoon program The Real Story .[23]
- Alisyn Camerota, Weekend co-host, left on September 28, 2013, to be the co-host of a new weekday version of America's News Headquarters.[24]
- Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Weekdays co-host from 2013 to 2015, replaced by Ainsley Earhardt.
- Anna Kooiman, Weekend co-host from 2012 to 2016
- ^ Thompson, Ethan, and Jason Mittell. "Fox & Friends: Political Talk." How to Watch Television. 168-76. Print.
- ^ Nisbet, Matthew C. "Communicating Climate Change: Why Frames Matter for Public Engagement." Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 51.2 (2009): 12-23. (subscription required)
- ^ Meagher, Richard. "The "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy": Media and Conservative Networks." New Political Science 34.4 (2012): 469-84. (subscription required)
- ^ Stelter, Brian (July 9, 2013). "Conservative Voice Goes From 'View' to Fox News". New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
- ^ "TV Shows - Fox and Friends". TV Guide.com. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
- ^ Wemple, Eric (27 March 2013). "Fox News all day: Hard, and conservative". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Changes at Fox & Friends". TVNewser. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
- ^ "Fox & Friends First Goes on the Air". TVNewser. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Fox and Friends - Index". Fox and Friends. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ "Fox and Friends After the Show Show". Video Fox News. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ Vinson, Christina (23 May 2014). "Fox News' All American Summer Concert Series Features Exciting Country Artists". Taste of Country. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ "All American Summer Concert Series". Fox News Channel. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ "Celebrity Profiles - Keith Ablow". TV Guide. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Peters, Jeremy (June 20, 2012). "Enemies and Allies for 'Friends'". New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Fox and Friends' Gets Double-Digit Ratings Boost with Elizabeth Hasselbeck". THE WRAP Covering Hollywood. October 15, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- ^ "Fox and Friends jump 22% with Elizabeth Hasselbeck". Deadline Hollywood. October 15, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (May 30, 2012). "Obama Video on Fox News Criticized as Attack Ad". New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ Zurawik, David (May 30, 2012). "With Romney now official, Fox News gets shamelessly political". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (May 31, 2012). "Fox News Produces Greatest Fox News Parody Video Ever". TIME. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ Bauder, David (June 4, 2012). "Controversial Fox News video: personnel hardball?". BusinessWeek. Associated Press. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Fox & Friends Host Anna Kooiman Apologizes for Airing Phony Muslim Museum Story". mediaite.com. October 14, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "Dave Briggs Leaves 'Fox and Friends' With Emotional On-Air Farewell [Video]". Inqusitir. December 30, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Elisabeth Hasselbeck leaving "The View" to join Fox". cbsnews. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ Weprin, Alex. "'The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson' To Debut At 2 PM On Fox News September 30". mediabistro.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Fox & Friends at the Internet Movie Database
- Fox & Friends at TV.com
- Fox and Friends First
|Preceded by
Fox & Friends First
|Fox & Friends
|Succeeded by
America's Newsroom

subset: commoncrawl


text:
By Edward Byrne.
Turning Point. 102 pp. $18
Reviewed by Frank Wilson
Edward Byrne's sixth poetry collection is in many ways as mysterious and elusive as the permutations of light and shadow for which Byrne has such a canny eye.
In the opening poem, "Moonlight in the City," the speaker, remembering when he was an 11-year-old boy "not a block from the waterfront," tells how he "watched as a fresh wash // of moonlight began to flow over rooftops." It turns out the exact date is July 20, 1969, the date of the first moon landing. But some other details may be more telling than the triumph of the astronauts, namely, that the boy's father "was far away // again, driving deliveries along an interstate," and that his mother "was sitting alone at home."


text:
15 Colorful Kitchen Cabinets
From Dean Dowd on October 26, 2009 in Kitchen Remodel
Who could imagine that cabinetry might come in every color of the rainbow? Creative color combinations are delightful as well as inspiring. Heres to bright and cheery cook spaces! #1 - Painted with the color and finish of a red sports car, these metal cabinets offer a sleek appearance alongside stainless steel appliances. #2 - Wake up to piping hot coffee and these sunshine yellow cabinets, and youre bound to have a bright day! #3 - This cook spot radiates a rather sultry glow with deep reds and dramatic lighting. #4 - Made from eco-friendly wheat board, these cabinets are green in more ways than one. #5 - Just right for sunflowers. Powder-blue cabinets complemented by a checkerboard wall pattern give this kitchen an inviting cottage look. #6 - Chopping block countertops atop orange cabinets soften the color and warm the room. #7 - Indigo cabinetry is for the cook who serves wine, makes their own Crème Brule and seasons with thyme and rosemary. #8 - Leave behind the uneventful day and tiresome drive home when you walk into this zealous purple cook space. #9 - This splash of color was created with lots of masking tape, one weekends time and a toss up as to whether the cabinet makeover required more paint or patience. The end result is psychedelic and psycho-bright! #10 - Its not all about the cabinets. This Nova Scotia kitchen is colorful from top to bottom. #11 - Light turquoise cabinets are accented with red chair cushions for a cool contrast in color. Photo credit: RetroRenovation #12 - Neat as a pin and bright as a penny, blue cabinets are trendy these days. #13 - Take a deep breath and sit back to unwind in the distinction and boldness of this gray space. An area for cooking can be strikingly colorful without bright paint. #14 - Brighten white cabinets with a green island and some fun decorations. And dont forget the checkerboard floor. #15 - Refreshing as mint, this homeowner wanted the cabinets to match their toaster - and theyre right on.


text:
YOUNGSTOWN - Nurses at Northside Medical Center voted down the latest proposal by hospital management late Tuesday, officials said, authorizing the union to give a 10-day strike notice if necessary.
Eric Williams, president of the Ohio Nurses Association, which represents about 430 registered nurses at the hospital, said the vote was being termed the "final offer" by the hospital. The exact numbers on the vote were not available at press time, but Williams called it an "overwhelming" rejection of the offer.
"We hope the employers will continue to hear what the nurses have to say," Williams said. "The ball is back in their court. It wasn't the employees who pushed this as a final offer."
Article Photos
A view of Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, where nurses "overwhelmingly"?rejected the latest contract offer.
Williams said the nurses are open to continuing negotiations, but they will strike if necessary.
Nurses have been working for about a year without a labor contract. Williams declined to discuss terms of the contract proposal, but previously had said one of the key factors in holding out is a hospital plan in which nurses could be told not to come in or sent home on short notice when patient numbers dip.
Nurses could be called back if the patient count rises.
"The employees want to implement nurse rationing and that's a huge issue," Williams said. "It would have a big impact on nursing care for the patients. We feel that any economic issues can be resolved, but the patient care issues are huge."
The hospital has called the plan "standard practice across the hospital industry" and points out four other local bargaining units in the hospital system have ratified labor agreements in the past year with similar terms.
Late last week, the hospital announced it would lay off 77 full-timers or their equivalent, including about seven RNs represented by the ONA.
The hospital system cited national ''health care reform,'' ''federal budget sequestration'' and ''legislative mandates.''
The cuts come just weeks after administrators broke ground for a $20 million expansion at Northside aimed at adding new technology and attracting more patients, which union leaders claim is the real key to solving the hospital's financial problems.
The hospital was purchased from bankrupt Forum Health in 2010 by Tennessee-based Community Health Systems. The project is the most expensive at the hospital in the past 15 years.
Representives with the hospital were not available for comment late Tuesday night.


text:
The Japanese giant Sony has used thepress conference exhibition opening GamesCon currently taking placein Cologne, Germany to announce the price cut of its home console:the PlayStation 3. The flagship model of Sony has now sold 249 eurosinstead of 299 euros previously requested.
In the process, Sony has also providedan update on the prices of other consoles and accessories. A newmodel PSP, called E-1000, slightly redesigned will now be sold 99euros and the starter kit PS Move up the controller and the camera ischarged 59 euros.
Finally, the PS Vita whose output isplanned for early 2012 will be marketed in Europe for 249 euros, thenew price of the PS3. In all cases, the price drop of the PlayStation3 is expected to support sales for the holiday season and to avoidthat customers do not wait patiently for the Wii, the output of U isscheduled for early 2012.


text:
Idea of the Day: Plan B Won't Resolve the Fiscal Showdown
House Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) latest gambit to avoid making a deal to resolve the ongoing fiscal showdown would seriously damage the economy, raise taxes on millions of middle- and low-income families, and accomplish almost nothing to meaningfully address our long-term budget challenges. Other than that, it's a great idea.
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama made House Republicans an exceedingly reasonable offer that moved more than halfway between each side's starting bargaining positions. But instead of taking the deal or making a reasonable counterproposal, Speaker Boehner rejected the president's offer and instead turned to what he is calling "Plan B." Plan B's patina of compromise—it allows a portion of the Bush tax cuts to expire for those with incomes of more than $1 million—is merely a shell of a plan that is bereft of seriousness and does way more harm than good.
For more on this topic, please see:
- Plan B: Job Losses, Middle-Class Tax Increases, and Trivial Deficit Reduction by Michael Linden and Michael Ettlinger
To speak with our experts on this topic, please contact:
Print: Liz Bartolomeo (poverty, health care)
202.481.8151 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Tom Caiazza (foreign policy, energy and environment, LGBT issues, gun-violence prevention)
202.481.7141 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Allison Preiss (economy, education)
202.478.6331 or email@example.com
Print: Tanya Arditi (immigration, Progress 2050, race issues, demographics, criminal justice, Legal Progress)
202.741.6258 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Chelsea Kiene (women's issues, TalkPoverty.org, faith)
202.478.5328 or email@example.com
Print: Beatriz Lopez (Center for American Progress Action Fund)
202.741.6255 or email@example.com
Spanish-language and ethnic media: Rafael Medina
202.478.5313 or email@example.com
TV: Rachel Rosen
202.483.2675 or email@example.com
Radio: Sally Tucker
202.481.8103 or email@example.com


text:
Remember our giant shoot-'em-ups guide from a couple of issues back? (Snazzy, wasn't it?) We raved on about Activision's R-Type conversion a bit, didn't we? (Hardly surprising really - it is one of the best Speccy shoot-'em-ups ever!) Well, St Dragon, from new software label Storm, looks just the same - but with knobs on! MATT BIELBY just had to pop along to investigate!
There's quite a bit of explaining to be done right here at the beginning so you'll know what I'm wobbling on about, but I'm not going to do it. Pop over to the 'What On Earth Is...?' bit at the end if you're confused about Jaleco, Storm or whatever, but otherwise we'll dive in head-first - you'll have to pick things up as best you can as we go along.
Right, to the game itself. A picture's worth a squillion words (or so they say) so it might be wise to take a few ganders at the screens [Or, in our case, screen... - NickH] before we go any further. Back already? Okay. What did you manage to work out? If you said it's a horizontally-scrolling shoot-'em-up, then you're absolutely right (but I'm hardly impressed). A horizontal scroller with little space ships in it? Yes, okay. And one with a nifty metallic look to everything? Getting warmer, but I think you're missing something. Look, what if l was to tell you there's a giant alien spaceship on one level that more than fills the screen (and which you have to fly all the way around, destroying one bit at a time)? Sounds familiar yet? Yes! It's an unashamed R-Type clone, isn't it!? (But - I hasten to add - one of the best yet!) Hurrah!!
In fact, at first glance, St Dragon really does look just like R-Type with knobs on. Or rather, with a tail on. You see, your little spaceship is a wiggly dragon/snake-shaped doobrie, the tail being far more invulnerable than the head of the ship, so you can sort of wrap it round yourself when you're in real trouble, giving a similar degree of protection to the droid/ball thing you could stick on the front or back of your ship in R-Type.
Plot is of the standard 'quest against an evil empire' sort (though in this case you've got to rescue a giant space-dragon from the baddies) and that's really all you need to know. Oh yes, except (of course) that things really have moved on a-pace from the original R-Type, and the baddies in St Dragon do much more interesting and complicated things.
So, want to know more? Then come with me, let's nip on a train down to London (unless you live there already of course, in which case you can meet me at the station), make our way to the swank(ish) Storm offices near Clapham Junction, and take a gander for ourselves.
A chat with the crew
Dan Marchant is the software manager in charge of this project, so let's have a word with him first.
Hi, Dan! How's is going, matey?
Really well, actually. We've at last got a lot (though by no means all) of the graphics sorted, so things are starting to really come together. Up until now, instead of spaceships, we had all these rubbishy little sprites drawn by the programmer whizzing around all over the screen, including little messages like 'I can't draw' standing in for baddies and things. In fact (by a spooky coincidence) the programmer's just over there. He's called Andy Taylor. Why don't we pop over and talk to him?
And why not? What a splendid idea! Hello, you must be Andy. How's it going?
Oh, okay actually. We've at last got Virgin's Judge Dredd out of the way (the last game I programmed), so I'm concentrating totally on St Dragon at the moment. I've just returned to programming actually - Dredd was the first since some Codies budgie stuff about four years ago. I've been in Germany and all sorts since then. Sean McClurg (yes, like Doug McClurg from The Virginian and all those crappy monster films, fact-fans), did the graphics (he's an old budget man too) and I think Tony Williams will do the music.
Brillo. Any big problems with it?
Well, we realised quite early on that we'd never get it all in 48K, so it's 128-only game I'm afraid. You could call that a problem if you're a humble 48K Speccy owner.
I should cocoa! What else?
Well, the sprite system caused some probs too - there are some huge sprites in here, some half the size of the screen, which use up a vast amount of memory. The other thing is that in St Dragon each alien seems to make a much more complicated series of moves than in, say, R-Type, so we've got to try and reproduce them all, which is pretty complicated. That's all the really difficult stuff, I think. The rest was just very hard.
Erm, righty-ho.
... Storm?
A-ha! Now you're asking. Well, it's a software house, isn't it, and the reason you've never heard of it before is because it's new. Or rather, it's sort of new. You see, the company and people behind Storm have been around for quite a while now, it's just that they've always been a bit behind the scenes. Their proper name is actually The Sales Curve, and they're a bunch of programming and marketing people who've got very close ties with Accolade in the UK (in fact, they share the same offices), have produced hit games like Silkworm, Ninja Warriors and the upcoming Judge Dredd for Virgin in recent(ish) months, and are generally rated by 'those who know' as being worth watching over the next six months or so - they could well be rather 'big'.
Well, they're the coin-op people who came up with the original St Dragon machine, and they're fairly unknown too. Besides St Dragon, you may have seen their Porsche rally game Big Run, which allowed you to link up a series of machines to play your friends (we covered it in Slots Of Fun last year) or the super-sickly-cute Rodland, which is like Bubble Bobble crossed with My Little Pony. St Dragon will be the first of their games to be converted to the Speccy (that we can think of at least - let us know if we're wrong) but (spook!) the other two will be done by Storm later in the year.
...Dan Marchant?
He's just this blond bloke who works at The Sales Curve and who supervised the development of St Dragon. You don't need to worry about him too much.
Okay, Dan, can we go through all the different levels and the differences between them?
Level One
Sure thing. Okay, this first level (the one you can see in the Screenshots [or not, as the case may be - NickH]) is set over the surface of some alien planet. The baddies are of the mechanical crab, larvae, snake and insect vadety in the main - someone took weeks going through the coin-op giving names to them all and working out all their individual abilities! - but towards the end of the level you get the most spectacular baddies, which are these giant mechanical pumas, which leap at you and are very hard to kill. End-of level-guardian is a giant (mad) cow with rockets for feet. Bizarre!
Level Two
This one's in a sort of alien jungle, populated with mechanical jellyfish, butterfly and R-Type snake Iookalikes. There are some laser-firing rocks in here too, a wraith thing (which is like an evil mirror-image version of yourself), and a bizarre flying saucer at the end that splits in half and shoots a weird pattern of stars all over the place.
Level Three
This is more your traditional R-Type-style tunnel affair. There are slugs crawling along the floors and ceilings, giant laser ships that almost block your path, a bizarre thing that bounces along on one foot (and looks like a robotic version of one of those cartoons from Monty Python), and a rather indescribable end-of-level monster. What, you really want me to try and describe it to you? Oh, alright. It's sort of like an alien from, er, Alien, trapped in a test tube. The tube splits open, and it shoots fireballs which move in a sort of maze pattern, creating a weird network of flames which you've got to avoid. Actually, I find it totally impossible, this bit.
Level Four
This is set in space, with the baddies including alien spaceships that appear to be totally made up out of tubes. The end-of-level monster looks like an upside-down bath tub (or perhaps one of those old Mallard steam trains) and drops from the top of the screen, before spewing out various horrible, um, 'thingies'.
Level Five
We're not sure if we'll be able to do this one in the Speccy version yet, but, if we do, it's the one with a giant alien spaceship you have to fly around, making sure you don't get crushed at the edges of the screen, frazzled by the rocket motors or shot to pieces by the various gun eraplacements.
Level Six
A space port level with giant cranes and so on to avoid, big drill heads that drop from the ceiling, and a giant baddie that consists of loads of stars that bounce around the screen. One neat touch on this level is that you can see a massive graphic of the trapped dragon you've got to rescue (which looks like an organic, and five hundred times bigger, version of yourself) revealed slowly behind you as you progress. Finish the game, and you get a final screen of the two dragons flying off the planet together. (Well, you do in the arcade version anyway!)
|Matt Bielby has kindly authorised this site
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|READERS NOTE: The original YS articles on this site were written many many years ago, and should provide no indication WHATSOEVER of the author's present writing style. Judge these people on their current work, not articles they wrote decades ago.
|All original YS text is still copyright to their original owners, including BOTH publishers and authors. Permission has been granted to reproduce these articles by a few of these owners - if you see your work on here and would like it to be taken down, e-mail me and I'll do it straightaway. All other pages have similar restrictions - email me for more details.
None of the pages on this website may be reproduced in any way, nor sold to the general public (i.e. put onto a CD-ROM) without the consent of Nick Humphries and the author of each article. If you want to include any of these articles on a site or a CD, contact me for more instructions.


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|Mineral oils: processes and products patents - Monitor Patents
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Mineral oils: processes and products February patent applications/inventions, industry category 02/09Below are recently published patent applications awaiting approval from the USPTO. Recent week's RSS XML file available below.
Listing for abstract view: USPTO application #, Title, Abstract excerpt,Patent Agent. Listing format for list view: USPTO National Class full category number, title of the patent application. 02/26/2009 > patent applications in patent subcategories.
20090050521 - Composition of a superior lubricant or lubricant blendstock: A composition of a superior lubricant or lubricant component having a very high VI, a low cloud point, a difference between the T90 and T10 boiling points of at least 250° F. by SIMDIST, and a very low Bromine Number.... Agent: Chevron Corporation
20090050522 - Methods of improving thermal transfer within a hydrocarbon reformig system: A process for supplementing steam reformation with hydrogen, oxygen and heat from dissociation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Steam reforming suffers from starting the overall system in an endothermic manner which leads to long start times and limited turndown capability in delivering high quality hydrogen. Using a material such as hydrogen... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC
20090050523 - Olefin production utilizing whole crude oil/condensate feedstock and selective hydrocracking: A method for thermally cracking a feed composed of whole crude oil and/or natural gas condensate using a vaporizer to vaporize the feed before cracking same, recovering pyrolysis gas oil from the cracked feed, subjecting the recovered pyrolysis gas oil to hydrocracking to form a paraffinic hydrocracked product, and passing... Agent: Lyondellbasell Industries
20090050524 - Method for producing feedstocks of high quality lube base oil from unconverted oil: The present invention relates to a method of producing a feedstock for high-quality lube base oil from unconverted oil (UCO) obtained from fuel oil hydrocracking, and more particularly to a method of producing a feedstock for high-quality lube base oil by treating vacuum gas oil (VGO) or a mixture of... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.
20090050525 - Method for deploymerising residues containing hydrocarbons and device for carrying out said method: The invention relates to a method for depolymerising raw materials containing hydrocarbons, such as residues in a continuous process. To achieve a uniform operation using a comparatively simple technique, the raw material, which has been pre-heated to a liquid or pulpy consistency, is continuously injected under pressure into a reactor... Agent: Fay Sharpe LLP
20090050526 - Process for recycling an active slurry catalyst composition in heavy oil upgrading: The instant invention is directed to a process employing slurry catalyst compositions in the upgrading of heavy oils. The slurry catalyst composition is not permitted to settle, which would result in possible deactivation. The slurry is recycled to an upgrading reactor for repeated use and products require no further separation... Agent: Chevron Corporation
20090050528 - Low nox co oxidation promoters: Particulate compositions for promoting CO oxidation in FCC processes are provided, the compositions comprising an anionic clay support having at least one dopant, wherein at least one compound comprising iridium, rhodium, palladium, copper, or silver is deposited on the anionic clay support, and the composition is substantially free of platinum.... Agent: Albemarle Netherlands B.v. Patent And Trademark Department
20090050527 - Nochi reduction compositions for use in partial burn fcc processes: A NOx reduction composition and process of using the composition to reduce the content of NOx emissions and gas phase reduced nitrogen species released from the regeneration zone during fluid catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock into lower molecular weight components is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock... Agent: W.r. Grace & Co.-conn.
20090050529 - Fcc co oxidation promoters: Compositions suitable for use in FCC processes are provided that are capable of providing improved CO oxidation promotion activity along with NOx emission control. Generally, compositions are provided for promoting CO oxidation in FCC processes, wherein the compositions contain (i) a basic material support, (ii) at least one oxide of... Agent: Albemarle Netherlands B.v. Patent And Trademark Department
20090050530 - Process and apparatus for steam cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks: The present disclosure provides a process for treating a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: (a) feeding the hydrocarbon feedstock at a linear velocity equal to or less than 0.9 m/s to a first preheating zone in the convection section of a steam cracking furnace; (b) preheating the hydrocarbon feedstock in the first... Agent: Exxonmobil Chemical Company
20090050531 - Method for the production of synthetic fuels from oxygenates: Disclosed is a method for the production of synthetic fuels, wherein, in a first step, a gas mixture consisting of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and/or another oxygenate and water vapor is reacted at temperatures of 300-600° C. in order to form olefins with, preferably, 268 carbon atoms. In a second... Agent: K.f. Ross P.C.
20090050532 - Sot (shale oil technology): The proven success of this oil shale technology, including demonstration of the quality of its product, points to the feasibility of the commercial plants' technical functions. This retort system/refinery delivers a higher yield of crude oil and petroleum products both in terms of quantity and quality, utilizing a price conscious... Agent: Anthony Chirico
20090050533 - process for removing sulfur from a fuel gas stream additionally containing carbon dioxide and light olefins: Disclosed is a process for the removal of sulfur from a fuel gas stream that additionally contains carbon dioxide and a light olefin as well as an organic sulfur compound. The process includes hydrotreating the fuel gas stream followed by a catalytic reduction of the resulting hydrotreated fuel gas to... Agent: Shell Oil Company
20090050534 - Process for removing sulfur from separate less reactive and more reactive fuel gas streams containing organic sulfur and light olefins: Disclosed is a process for removing organic sulfur from more than one reactive fuel gas stream. A reactor vessel that is provided with at least one bed of hydrodesulfurization catalyst is used to hydrodesulfurize multiple reactive fuel gas streams with a less reactive fuel gas stream being introduced into the... Agent: Shell Oil Company
20090050535 - Reactor system, and a process for preparing an olefin oxide, a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate and an alkanolamine: s
20090050536 - Process for refining fats and oils: The present invention relates to a process for cooling fatty acid distillate from scrubbing section in a fats and oils refinery comprising cooling the fatty acid distillate by heat recovery in at least one heat-exchanging zone with refined oils having a temperature above about 50° C. heating the refined fats... Agent: Michaud-duffy Group LLP
20090050537 - Methods for reduction of pollutants from carbonaceous materials prior to combustion: Methods for reducing potential pollutants in carbonaceous materials such as coal, lignites and the like prior to utilization such as by combustion, the invention in preferred embodiments processes such materials by resonance disintegration including inter alia subjection to rapid pressure increases and decreases to reduce the materials to particle sizes... Agent: Kenneth Earl Darnell02/19/2009 > patent applications in patent subcategories.
20090045099 - Catalytic cracking and hydroprocessing process for high diesel yield with low aromatic content and/or high propylene yield: Processes for maximizing low aromatics LCO yield and/or propylene yield in fluid catalytic cracking are disclosed. The processes employ catalytic compositions that comprise a predominantly basic material and little to no large pore zeolite.... Agent: Albemarle Netherlands B.v. Patent And Trademark Department
20090045100 - Multi-stage hydrocracker with kerosene recycle: This invention relates to a multi-stage process for hydroprocessing gas oils. Preferably, each stage possesses at least one hydrocracking zone. The second stage and any subsequent stages possess an environment having a low heteroatom content. Light products, such as naphtha, kerosene and diesel, may be recycled from fractionation (along with... Agent: Chevron Corporation
20090045101 - Reduction of nochi emissions in full burn fcc processes: Compositions for reduction of NOx emissions generated during catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise (i) an acidic metal oxide containing substantially no zeolite, (ii) an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and mixtures thereof, (iii) an oxygen storage component, (iv) palladium and (v)... Agent: Beverly J. Artale W R Grace & Co.-conn, Patent Department, Legal
20090045102 - Method of altering a feed to a reaction zone: One exemplary embodiment can include a method of altering a feed to a transalkylation zone by changing a destination of a stream rich in an aromatic C9 for increasing production of at least one of benzene, toluene, para-xylene, and an aromatic gasoline blend. The method can include providing the stream... Agent: Honeywell International Inc Patent Services
20090045103 - Thermal coal upgrading process: A process for thermally upgrading coal in a vertical processor wherein the coal is gravity fed and a heated inert gas is introduced into the processor. The temperature of the gas, the size of the coal and the rate of movement of the coal are controlled to efficiently remove moisture... Agent: Antoinette M. Tease02/12/2009 > patent applications in patent subcategories.
20090038990 - Catalyst used for converting coal tar to diesel oil, its preparation method and use thereof: The present invention relates to a catalyst used for converting coal tar to diesel, the preparation method and use thereof The catalyst has a compound of iodine, an inorganic oxide matrix and the compound dispersed therein; or an inorganic oxide matrix and the compound dispersed therein together with a crystalline... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC
20090038995 - Method for reducing oil fouling in heat transfer equipment: A method of reducing asphaltene and particulate induced fouling during the thermal processing of petroleum oils utilizes resin extracts from HSDP crude oils to disperse and solubilize asphaltenes and disperse inorganic particulate contaminants such as salts and iron oxide. The extracts are essentially maltene fractions which may be separated from... Agent: Exxonmobil Research & Engineering Company
20090038991 - Extractive distillation process for recovering aromatics from petroleum streams: The invention also relates to an improved ED process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons. This invention is further directed toward the regeneration and recovery of the ED solvent utilized to recover and purify the aromatic... Agent: Law Office Of Spencer Chen
20090038992 - Process for the removal of sulphur compounds and carbon dioxide from a gas stream: A process for the removal of sulphur compounds and carbon dioxide from a gas stream comprising sulphur compounds including hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans, the process comprising the steps of: (a) washing the gas stream with an aqueous amine washing solution to remove hydrogen sulphide, any carbon dioxide, and part of... Agent: Shell Oil Company
20090038993 - Composition useful in the catalytic hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks, a method of making such catalyst, and a process of using such catalyst: A hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition that comprises a support material having incorporated therein a metal component and impregnated with a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition is useful in the hydrotreating of hydrocarbon feedstocks, and it is especially useful in applications involving delayed feed introduction whereby the hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition is... Agent: Shell Oil Company
20090038994 - High-solvency-dispersive-power (hsdp) crude oil blending for fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning: A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible and/or near-incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. HSDP co-blending for fouling... Agent: Exxonmobil Research & Engineering Company02/05/2009 > patent applications in patent subcategories.
20090032435 - Mitigation of refinery process unit fouling using high-solvency-dispersive-power (hsdp) resid fractions: Atmospheric and/or vacuum resid fractions of a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil are added to a blend of crude oil to prevent fouling of crude oil refinery equipment and to perform on-line cleaning of fouled refinery equipment. The HSDP resid fractions dissolve asphaltene precipitates and maintain suspension of... Agent: Exxonmobil Research & Engineering Company
20090032436 - Heavy oil treating method and heavy oil treating system: The invention is intended to produce high-pressure light fuel gas with good combustibility by contacting and reacting high-temperature, high-pressure water and heavy oil with each other in a contact-reaction unit to extract light oil components from the heavy oil and to remove metals. The high-temperature, high-pressure water and the heavy... Agent: Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge, P.C.
20090032437 - Catalytic distillation process for primary haloalkanes: A process for making primary haloalkanes by catalytic distillation of internal haloalkanes which comprises a) introducing an internal haloalkane feed into a catalytic distillation column; b) isomerizing at least a portion of the internal haloalkane feed in the presence of an internal haloalkane isomerization catalyst at a temperature at or... Agent: Shell Oil Company
20090032439 - Process for heating regeneration gas: Disclosed is a process for combusting dry gas to heat the air supplied to an FCC regenerator to increase its temperature and minimize production of undesirable combustion products. Preferably, the dry gas is a selected FCC product gas. Alternatively or additionally, dry gas from an FCC product stream is separated... Agent: Honeywell Intellectual Property Inc Patent Services
20090032438 - Process for recovering power from fcc product: Disclosed is a process for recovering power from an FCC product. The dry gas is combusted and combined with FCC regenerator flue gas to raise the power recovery capability of the flue gas. The flue gas can be used to generate electrical power or steam. Alternatively or additionally, dry gas... Agent: Honeywell Intellectual Property Inc Patent Services
20090032440 - Method of transferring particles from one pressure zone to another pressure zone: One exemplary embodiment can include a method of controlling a catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading based on an expected level of a catalyst in a downstream vessel for a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The method can include calculating an expected catalyst level in the downstream vessel based on... Agent: Honeywell Intellectual Property Inc Patent ServicesPrevious industry: Special receptacle or package
Next industry: Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
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Next Slideshow:
New Mexico's Most Wanted
2007: Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, recognized as one of the most accomplished and influential film directors of all time, dies in his sleep at the age of 89 in Fårö, Sweden. Some of his best known films include "Wild Strawberries," "Through a Glass Darkly," "The Virgin Spring," "Fanny and Alexander" and "Cries and Whispers."
Henry Ford is born, the host nation captures the very first World Cup, the USS Indianapolis sinks into shark-infested waters, and Hoffa goes missing, all on this day.


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Lesson Plan
Book Reviews: Online and Beyond!
- Grades: 3–5, 6–8
- Unit Plan:
In this unit, students will investigate three areas of the review genre: food, movies, and books. Ongoing formative assessment will guide the way in helping the teacher and students study, evaluate, and write their own reflections of literature and the world around them.
NCTE Standards:
- Students read a wide range of print to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world.
- Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print.
- Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
Students will:
- Evaluate and thoughtfully respond to literature and products through the craft of study.
- Read, review, and reflect on a variety of written works by professionals and peers.
- Understand the importance of written reviews in our literate lives.
- Recommend and persuade peers to read and try out different products and book selections.
- Use self-reflection and formative assessment to improve their quality of writing.
- Participate with an online book review community.
- Learn to think critically about objectively about ones own reading and writing.
- Use technology tools to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences
- Use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences
- Use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources
- Scholastic's online resource — The Stacks
- Writing with Writers Activities
- Scholastic's online book reviews created by students — Share What You're Reading
- Scholastic's video booktalks
- bookreads.com and goodreads.com — online book reviews
- Sample book reviews (PDF)
- Tips for writing a book review (PDF)
- Book review rubric (PDF)
- Book review template (PDF)
- Online book review rubric
- Setting the Stage (PDF)
- Plan a Plot Diagram (PDF)
- Optional: Angela Bunyi's book list of Student-Approved Books
Set Up and Prepare
The set up for this lesson will require time spent visiting the above internet resources. There is an abundance of wealth within these links and will allow you to modify your lessons as desired.
Step 1: The Final Frontier — Where No Other Writing Had Gone Before 1992
Assessment Note: This is a culminating unit lesson on review writing. A heavier weight and responsibility should be given to content and conventions. Individual conferences should continue to drive instruction for areas of need individually and one on one.
Note that this is not a spin on book reports, which are usually grounded in a summary report. Book reviews require higher-order thinking/application and assume a solid knowledge and understanding of the book. Through the use of ongoing conferences, we don't need to use a book report for assessing understanding.
- With the Space Odyssey music playing in the background announce to your class that you have reached the final "frontier" of review writing- the most important review writing of them all- the review study that is becoming popular online- the one they will need to know well for their remaining years on planet Earth- dramatic pause---book reviews. If your students groan, this would be a good time to explain the difference between a book review and a book report.
- Announce that you have saved the best for last, as your students' writing will reach new levels and go where no other students' writing had gone before 1994- the Internet.
- Start a conversation with your class on the importance of book review writing. Let this develop into the evolving importance of using technology to promote ideas, such as book selections. Ask students if they have ever read an online book review before. Have students share their experiences with doing so and share your own.
- On a blank piece of chart paper, write the following question: What makes a good book review? Allow time for students to discuss and post their thoughts.
- Pass out book review writing tips (PDF). Compare your thoughts with the printed review tips. What was missing? Use this information for an area of focus with instruction.
- You will want to follow this up with a visit to Writing with Writers under Scholastic's teacher links. This is a fantastic resource and should not be overlooked. Author Rodman Philbrick leads writers through a thorough step by step look at book review writing.
- Another fantastic resource is Scholastic's video booktalk series. What's especially nice about the reviews is that they are on popular books, short, but well written. Take time to show off this resource with students and invite them to visit the site at home if they would like some new book suggestions.
- Ask students to turn to a partner to share some of the ideas learned so far on book review writing. Listen in as students are talking and use this time to record what you are hearing and not hearing from the students.
- Have students return to their desk for a written reflection.
Step 2: Review of Reviews — One Small Step for Books, One Giant Leap for Readers and Writers of All Kinds
Assessment Note: This portion assumes that your students are completing weekly written reflections on what is being read in class and at home. Each of my students use the Reader's Notebook by Fountas and Pinnell to record their reflections.
Look closely at your students' selection of book reviews and responses. Sometimes poor writing is an indicator of a lack of understanding. Take this opportunity to consider meeting with the student individually to help select books of high interest and readability. You may need to give an informal running record if a student seems to be lacking comprehension of the book they are reviewing.
- Provide a copy of book reviews (PDF) for your students and share the resource links. The PDF offered here came from goodreads.com and bookloons.com. Within the first link I was able to find multiple reviews from registered visitors, as well as professional book reviews.
- Focus on multiple review listings for one particular book. Compare and contrast two reviews that provide different opinions. How are they alike? How are they different? Use this information to review the reviews. Review more reviews to see if there is a pattern. E.g. Do they provide a summary? Any spoilers?
- Continue reading book reviews for writing assistance. Incorporate saved book reviews written from former students, if that is available. Post your classes noticed patterns on chart paper (e.g. describes setting, has a central character, conflict, etc.) Utilize the plan a plot chart (PDF) if desired.
- Ask students to pull out their personal book responses and reviews. Ask students to read their own work with the eye of a reviewer. What do they notice? Have students record this on a separate sheet of paper.
- Have students select one personal book response to share with a partner. Have the partner take the separate sheet of paper and record their observations as well. If you are concerned that some of your students will be too critical, try implementing the two stars, one wish method. For every item you recommend for revision, you provide two things that they are doing well.
- Inform students that they will be reflecting critically on their own book review/response writing before writing a review that demonstrates their very best writing capabilities.
Step 3: Writing for the Web and Beyond — Blast Off!
Assessment Note: Although I stress being mindful of writing conventions for the audience, I don't expect my student's to master skills not addressed yet in the school year or that are developmentally inappropriate. If a student, for example, uses a compound sentence in their writing but forgets to place the comma, that's okay. You may determine during a conference that this is the one skill you would like to address with the student and make the corrections, but I am not advocating error-free writing for publishing. We use a "this is my best" approach for assessing where a student is during the school year.
- Remind students of the importance of revision and editing when publishing for an audience. Share an example of how a student piece (from another year) made it difficult to read and keep interest. Discuss how thoughtful consideration of conventions is a courtesy for readers and imperative for larger audiences. Set guidelines on convention standards for your group and assist your students with spelling strategies, such as circle and return, using a no excuse list for checking, and consulting their spelling dictionary.
- Pass out setting the stage to each student (PDF) as well as copies of the writing rubric for book reviews (PDF). Here is an excellent online rubric that you can complete and print quickly: Online book review rubric.
- Using the setting the stage printout (PDF), have students imagine the opening to a great movie. Remind students that a great beginning grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to read more. Hold a discussion on how writers set the stage by jumping into a scene of a story, describing what they see, or go straight to the action. Take a minute to look back at your movie reviews. Just look at the first sentence or two of the reviews you have collected.
- Have students take time to create their introduction using the printout.
- Have them pass it to a partner for review and suggestions.
- Review the rubric that will be used for assessing and ask students to give their best. Again, remind students that this writing is geared for a large audience and deserves the care of revision and editing.
- When students have completed their book review, log on to Scholastic's kids section and follow the directions for posting a book review online.
- Take the book reviews and include it with the others through a class magazine. A cover can be found here (PDF).
- Optional- In addition, start a conversation on the importance of book sharing with others in the classroom. Invite students to start sharing their reviews for your reading community. I have included a book review template (PDF) that follows the pattern of a popular bookstore.
- Optional- With the help of a green screen create a book review in the fashion of Reading Rainbow. Utilizing a green screen you can import a picture of the book for the background. More information on this can be found on my weekly blog site.
Supporting All Learners
Writing a book review allows students the support of writing about a book that meets their individual needs. From your students that are reading far above grade level to those who are not quite there yet, each child is able to write about a book that interests them as a reader and writer.
Correlating Standards (NCTE standards):
- Students read a wide range of print to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world.
- Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print.
- Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
Lesson Extensions
- Invite students to start sharing their reviews for your reading community. I have included a book review template (PDF) that follows the pattern of a popular bookstore. Post these recommendations, with the book, in your classroom.
- With the help of a green screen create a book review in the fashion of Reading Rainbow. Utilizing a green screen you can import a picture of the book for the background. More information on this can be found on my weekly blog site.
- See if you can pair up with a local bookstore to provide an area for displaying books with your student's reviews.
- Support reading reviews year-long by responding back in writing. This could simply be a post-it note placed in your student's reading log.
- Encourage students to place small notes of recommendation on or inside the sleeves of a book in the classroom. Students enjoy the nice surprise of an impromptu book review-a la post-it note.
Home Connection
The most important home connection you can make this year is helping students read deeply in and out of school. Help provide the resources as well as tips to creating a comfortable reading environment at home. When students authentically enjoy reading, they will want to share the good things that they are reading with others.
- For posting book reviews online, consider waiting until you have a scheduled visit to your technology lab. You can work with your coordinator to help work get published quickly and efficiently.
- For book report writing, I recommend incorporating other options that supports multiple intelligence research. This includes options such as acting out a scene in a book or creating a comic strip to demonstrate an event in the story.
- Provide flexibility in your schedule. If your students take the interest somewhere not planned, be open to shifting reviews.
- Does the writing sound authentic or like an assignment?
- What types of books are your students selecting for reviews? Use one on one conferences to evaluate book selections if they seem too easy or hard.
- Compare your notes from the first lesson on food reviews. How has the writing improved? What still needs to be focused on? This is a qualitative form of pre-test and post-test assessment.
Assess Students
Considering that we ask our students to respond and reflect to what they are reading on a weekly basis, all year long, I feel we need to provide the time and resources to show students what good review writing looks like, feels like, and sounds like ("If it sounds good, it is good!"). So when it comes to assessing students and this study, you are setting the stage for a year-long study and progression of assessment.
I recommend the continued use of individual conferences, small group discussions and talk, book talks, use of rubrics, and increased level of responsibility on conventions as the year progresses. Small, workable steps will aid in creating a steady progress for each of your students this year.
- Part of Collection:
- Subjects:Reading Response, Media Evaluation and Reviews, Persuasive Writing, Writing Process, Teaching with Technology
- Skills:Reading Comprehension, Online Sources, Spelling, Descriptive Writing, Persuasive Writing
- Duration:6 Days


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Poonam Pandey Detained for 'Indecent Behaviour'
By PTI - MUMBAI
Published: 03rd May 2014 09:16 PM
Last Updated: 03rd May 2014 09:16 PM
Controversial model-turned-actress Poonam Pandey had been detained for allegedly indulging in indecent behaviour in public, police said today.
The Thane Rural police had detained Pandey last night and later released her after issuing a stern warning.
The Mira Road police had received a call from a local resident last night that he had spotted a couple behaving indecently on the streets in Mira Road.
"We rushed to the spot and found that only Pandey, and nobody else, was present there. She was scantily dressed and considering the safety issues, we took her to the police station," a police official said.
"We immediately detained Pandey and booked her for behaving indecently in public under the Bombay Police Act.
However, we released her after issuing a warning," the official said.
The police also informed Pandey's mother about the incident and later dropped the actress to her residence in Juhu in suburban Mumbai.
However, the starlet later took to the social networking site and claimed that she was just listening to music in her car.
"Listening to songs in the car is not an 'indecent behaviour' pls stop spreading such kinda news about me," she tweeted.
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|SSU professor earns prestigious Cozzarelli Prize
Hanauer wins with paper on poverty and deforestation
Merlin Hanauer, assistant professor of economics at Sonoma State University, has earned the prestigious Cozzarelli Prize for an article demonstrating how protected regions – areas that have been closed off to protect the environment – have affected both poverty and deforestation in Costa Rica and Thailand.
The Cozzarelli Prize is sponsored by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) to acknowledge papers published during the year in PNAS that demonstrate the highest scientific excellence and originality.
Hanauer and his co-authors' article was one of six chosen for the award out of 3,500 articles published last year. It was awarded in the category of Applied Biological, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
In their research paper entitled, "Conditions Associated With Protected Area Success in Conservation and Poverty Reduction," Hanauer and co-authors Paul J. Ferraro and Katharine R.E. Sims addressed concerns about "poverty traps."
Governments which close off an area providing resources and land to a historically poor community may inadvertently develop restrictions which could act to keep them in poverty. The team found surprising results.
"Some of the poorest communities at baseline have actually had the most positive response to the establishment of protected areas," Hanauer explained in a podcast following the ceremony.
He and his colleagues have also created sustainability maps that show graphically where to place future protected areas to ensure both less deforestation and less poverty.
One of the primary goals of this research was to introduce a framework for studying protected areas which can be implemented worldwide.
The annual award was established in 2005 and named the Cozzarelli Prize in 2007 to honor late PNAS Editor-in-Chief Nicholas R. Cozzarelli. Prizes are awarded in the six broadly defined classes under which the National Academy of Sciences is organized.


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February 16, 2014 North Carolina defeated the College of Charleston 12 to 3 in baseball Sunday.
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Jewish students at mainstream schools around the country also produced outstanding results in their A levels.
Shaun and Ollie Newton, who attend Merchant Taylors' School for Boys in Northwood, Middlesex, both achieved A-level marks for fine art that put them in the top five in the UK.
Student Sarah Sklar, 17, from The Mount School in Mill Hill, North London, celebrated scoring 100 per cent in her Japanese A level - and completing it a year early. Speaking from Japan, where she is on holiday with her family, Sarah said: "When I phoned the school and they told me, I was shocked. It was hard work but worth it"
Commenting on the results, headmaster Stephen Wright said: "With the under-achievement of boys nothing short of a national scandal, we are delighted again that our boys get A-grades in nearly three out of every four exams they take."
Mark Harris, the first Jewish head-boy at the English International College in Marbella, gained As in maths, further maths and physics, with an average of 98 per cent across six maths modules. He has an unconditional offer to study maths at Imperial College, London.
Mark, a member of the Beth-El Synagogue in Marbella, where he was barmitzvahed in 2003, is also an accomplished pianist.
Jewish students at the Grammar School at Leeds (a recent merger between Leeds Girls' High School and Leeds Grammar School) also gained top results, with Jack Goldstein and Sophie Dapin both getting five A grades.
Sophie, who celebrated her birthday on the same day she received her results, described them as "a great birthday present".
The 18-year-old from Alwoodley, Leeds, studied mathematics, further mathematics, chemistry, history and general studies.
"As it was my birthday morning, I woke up really early and checked my results straight away on the website," Sophie said.
"I had worked really hard, but it was quite a demanding combination of subjects and there were a couple of exams I wasn't too sure about, so I'm very happy."
She will study for a degree in chemistry at Oxford University.
Alexander Margolin, 17, who also attends Merchant Taylors' school, achieved among the top 10 results in examination board Edexcel's economics AS-level exam. The 17-year-old from Radlett said: "I'm really delighted. It came as quite a surprise as I wasn't too sure how I'd done. But I worked very hard and I am very proud."
Despite his success, Alexander said he did not want to make a career out of economics. "It is just something I enjoy, but when I go to university I want to do psychology and cognitive neurosciences."


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Medical Benefits Guide (51 - 99)


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You, too, have a chance to perform at Summerfest.
The Land the Big Gig contest is open to all singers and musicians for a chance to win a share of $50,000 in cash and prizes.
If you are interested, upload a performance video to www.landthebiggig.com by May 13.
Online voting starts on May 15.
The top three finalists will then perform at Summerfest on June 27.


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If we are afraid, are we free? I appreciate Chris Martin's response to my letter about guns and fear. It reflects two fears that are common to many of us: the fear that we are helpless if people in the government don't share or even represent our views, and the fear that care of something as personal as our own eyes is out of our control and is going to cost us more money than we feel we have.
With regard to the latter, ever since I lived for a few years in a country that has universal health care, I have supported it for us in the U.S. as strongly as I know how. How can any of us feel free if we know that a sudden illness or accident or any kind of deteriorating health for us or anyone we are responsible for could mean bankruptcy, debt for life, whatever? If we were all willing to pay a little more in taxes, ALL of us could be free of that fear. It's complicated, of course, but other countries have worked it out, so I think we can, too, if we really believe that all of us are ultimately one and any individual's hardship is ultimately going to affect us all.
With regard to seemingly out-of-control government – local, national, global – isn't that what we have words and brains and hearts for? I have no faith in yelling and screaming and guns, but I have a lot of faith in people, especially when they reach out and are willing to discuss their views, ask for help, work together, and this is supposed to be a democracy, after all. It's so easy to be blinded by the fear of losing our own stuff and way of life and not realize that EVERYONE feels that way.
So let's talk a lot; let's even go out of our way to talk with people we may well disagree with. Let's tell our commissioners as many times as it takes and as many ways as we can think of together that the Legacy development is not what we want and is not good for the Valley. Let's open our minds and really learn about issues like universal health care instead of accepting whatever sound-bites the media feed us. Looking closely, we may find that we are always hamstrung by putting money above every other value – trying to make more, trying to avoid sharing what we have because of the fear that then we won't have enough for ourselves. "Enough" is a really flexible concept, especially if we're willing to share and be shared with.
So no, I don't think we can be free as individuals or as a community or a country as long as we're afraid. Sometimes people equate freedom with independence; I think there can be much more freedom in open and caring interdependence.
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas


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Richard "Rick" Ernest Howard, 51, of Amarillo died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Paramount Baptist Church with Dr. Gil Lane, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Quitaque Cemetery in Quita-que by Box- well Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle.
Mr. Howard was born in Jackson, Miss. He was a graduate of Plainview High School and West Texas State University. He lived 30 years in the Amarillo area where he was engaged in real estate, insurance and trucking.
He was also a member of Paramount Baptist Church for more than 30 years, where he had taught preschool. He married Beverly Rogers of Quitaque in 1971.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa Joan Howard in 1984; and his father, Dr. Fred D. Howard.
Survivors include a son, Randy Howard of Amarillo; a daughter, Ashley Noel Howard of Amarillo; two brothers, David Howard of Water Valley and Kenny Howard of Sealy; his mother, Sarah Howard of San Angelo; three sisters, Patricia Sikes of Herndon, Va., Katrinka Park of Brownfield and Belinda Smith of Austin; a special friend, Beverly Howard of Amarillo; and several nephews, nieces and in-laws.
The family suggests memorials be to Randy Howard and Noel Howard Scholarship Fund in care of Wells Fargo Bank, Attn: Paige Mills, 3429 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109.
The family will be at 6815 Rochelle Lane.
Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 23, 2002
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Supreme Court: 'Get a warrant' to search cell phones
WASHINGTON -- In an emphatic defense of privacy in the digital age, a unanimous Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that police generally may not search the cell phones of people they arrest without first getting search warrants.
Cell phones are unlike anything else police may find on someone they arrest, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. They are "not just another technological convenience," he said, but ubiquitous, increasingly powerful computers that contain vast quantities of personal, sensitive information.
"With all they contain and all they may reveal, they hold for many Americans the privacies of life," Roberts wrote. So the message to police about what they should do before rummaging through a cell phone after an arrest is simple: "Get a warrant."
The chief justice acknowledged that barring searches would affect law enforcement, but said: "Privacy comes at a cost."
By ruling as it did, the court chose not to extend earlier decisions from the 1970s that allow police to empty a suspect's pockets and examine whatever they find to ensure officers' safety and prevent the destruction of evidence.
-- Associated Press


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9 posts tagged with muppets and puppets.
Displaying 1 through 9 of 9. Subscribe:
You'll never look at puppet frogs the same way again.
Black Dynamite is COMING SOON to Adult Swim (who the PTC accuse of corrupting children - what part of the word ADULT don't they get? - but I digress). It's based on the blaxploitation parody movie and comic book of the same name, and the pilot posted online has a special treat for anyone who thinks MetaFilter loves the Muppets too much... the villain is That Frog Kurtis, leader of a familiar looking gang of puppets turned evil. Felt will fly, stuffing will be torn out and puppet ass will get kicked. Enjoy.
Muppets + Disney = Jim Henson's last Muppets project
The Muppets at Walt Disney World is a television special starring Jim Henson's Muppets at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This was the last Muppets project that Jim Henson worked on before his death. parts: intro 1 2 3 4 5 6 [more inside]
Making Puppets with Jim Henson
In a wonderful 15-minute video from 1969, a young Jim Henson shows you how to make puppets out of ordinary things. Yes, it's SLYT, but it's a really good SLYT, so I beg forgiveness.
I'd Be Lying If I Told You This Is The Best of the Muppets
Those wacky Muppets are like everywhere these days, right? (pre-vio-sly). But a part of the muppetty empire called Henson Alternative is working on 'more adult' concepts with unfamiliar felt, and hasn't seen too much success yet. Maybe that'll change with the puppet-celebrity game show that debuted last night: "Late Night Liars". Or maybe not. Here's a clip. [more inside]
Never Before, and Never Again
December 9, 2001, at a singular event called Muppet Fest, Muppet performers and special guests came together to perform a very special edition of The Muppet Show - a live performance. Until now, those of us who could not attend were only able to read the script, but recently a (slightly edited) video of this unique performance has turned up on YouTube: Part 1 [more inside]
Hollywood Muppets
It's been proven that people tend to look like their dogs, but startling new findings reveal a freakish resemblance between Hollywood celebrities and Sesame Street puppets.
Mah num ah num - The Muppets' musical debut
Mah num ah num (Google Video) - The Muppets debut their first music video in 1976.
Look up in the sky! It's a Bert! It's a Plane!
The aerodynamic qualities of Bert's head. G-cluster rockets constructed out of vintage Muppet toys compete for glory in the semi-annual Evil Bert Rocket Race. (Video available from 2002, 2004, and 2005) And of course, when you're ready for it, you can make your own. (via PuppetVision)
Are Ernie and Bert gay? What is Gonzo? Find out the answers (question 19 and 10, respectively) and more at the Muppet FAQ. Read the profiles of your favorite Muppets like Zoot or Animal. Or maybe you'd be interested in one of the Henson feature creatures and its background. Read about it. Explore the fascinating world of Jim Henson and muppets in general.
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text: Noting for the record for ladies who might see this post: 24 hour almost-Fast is done, and I feel much better for it. Now I didn't do zero calories--I had some heavy cream in my coffee, two bites of (damn tasty) non-optional social convention carrot cake made from scratch with organic ingredients by an amateur baker colleague, and a handful of raw milk cheese curds from the local dairy when the aforementioned sugar made me a little "top heavy". I doubt I even hit 400 calories before i broke my fast with some paleo-friendly chicken wings. I drank a ton of water, and most of my typical symptoms (bloating, crankiness, intestinal complaints, etc.) were less than usual. My rings even feel loose. Gonna try it again next month. :-)


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More than 70 classic cars showed up at Grand Prix Car Wash in south Gardnerville on Wednesday on their way north to the Reno Air Races.
The cars came from Southern California and Canada, and from some local car clubs as well, said Grand Prix owners Chuck and Jan Kriss, who provided the motorists with coffee and donuts.
"The camaraderie was great, and a good time was had by all," the couple said in a press release. "What is unique about this event is that all of these beautiful hot rods and show cars were driven hundreds of miles, whereas many show cars are trailered to events, and those cars are called 'Trailer Queens.' The reason they trailer them is that they don't want any road damage, or they are not dependable enough to make the trip. This group likes to enjoy their cars and drive them."
Because of the successful venue, the consensus from participants was clear:
"They want us to host this event annually," said Chuck and Jan Kriss.


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Deerfield Beach, Fla. June. 17, 2014– Roig, Tutan, Rosenberg, Martin & Stoller, P.A., a minority-owned litigation law firm, has announced five new partners. These promotions are a direct reflection of the dedication and hard work these attorneys put into the firm on a daily basis.
John E. Eckard, II, has been promoted to partner in the Orlando office of Roig Lawyers. John has been with the firm since 2012, where he concentrates his practice in the field of insurance defense. John has previously served as a Trial Attorney, in-house with one of the nation's largest insurance carriers. Prior to joining the firm, John maintained his own law practice where he focused on aviation law, insurance defense, and other civil litigation matters. John is a U.S. Army Reserves, Commissioned Officer. John earned his B.S., in Aeronautics from Dowling College, with a minor in Military Science from Hofstra University and juris doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Board Law Center.
We have surrounded ourselves with talented and well-respected attorneys, who provide our clients with exceptional legal counsel," said Michael Rosenberg, the firm's Managing Partner. "We feel that this group of attorneys exemplifies the type of quality and high professional standards that we hold for our firm".
For more information about Roig Lawyers visit www.roiglawyers.com.


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Episode 32
England are pegged back in Perth - the Podcast hears from skippers Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting and the key players in both camps ahead of the Melbourne Test.
Plus analysis and insight from Andy Flower, proud father Tim Tremlett, former Ashes hero Simon Jones.
England Women head to Australia for ODIs and an Ashes Test in the New Year - with England's Beth Morgan excited at the prospect of getting into international action again.
Download podcast MP3 file
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Late this afternoon, when I went out to walk our puppy one of the neighbors came over to tell me this news Apparently a bobcat has been sited within our development here in Riverview around one of our retention ponds, at the rear of several neighbors gardens.
Florida Bobcat
The Florida Bobcat (Lynx rufus floridanus) is known to be a warm-blooded, solitary, and territorial predator mammal. Although not as big as the Florida Panther the bobcat is usually around the size of a medium-sized dog. The bobcat is dark brown with black spots and striped bars which are most visible along their sides and legs. The backs of their ears are white with a black out line, their tails shorter having a white tip. Their under parts are also generally white with their fur being short, soft and dense. It should be noted that the bobcat has razor sharp teeth and retractable claws just like the house cats.
Bobcats are carnivores but considered to be generalists as they feed off many differing types of animals, their diet being composed of small mammals and birds although they have been known to kill smaller deer.
Bobcats are very active, spending 75%+ on the move. They tend to be most active around dawn and dusk, during midday and midnight they move the least. This activity is known as crespucular.
Due to its numbers in Florida, the bobcat is not listed as endangered or threatened.
Florida Bobcat
The University of Florida states:-
Conservation of Florida's carnivores is important for maintaining the complex ecological relationships that exist among predators and prey and herbivores and plant communities. Loss of top-level predators in ecosystems can have unpredictable results. Moreover, by conserving the large tracts of habitat required by carnivores, we ensure that sufficient habitat is preserved to support the many other species of plants and animals that constitute Florida's natural environment.
So what do you do if you see one
Remember the bobcat is a wild animal, who could be carrying an assortment of diseases. A veteran actually strangled a rabid bobcat to death in Pasco County. You can read the article here entitled Man Strangles Bobcat from the St Pete Times.
According to the FWC they should be left well alone as they have an unpredictable dispostion…. remember those razor sharp teeth and retractable claws mentioned earlier????
Refer the animal to your local county Animal Control Services Department rather than risk incident.
As we have said previously, as 'man' encroaches on these animals lands, we are likely to hear of more incidents with Florida's carnivores.
Pictures courtesy of FWC


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Taylor Momsen Continues Charm Offensive
Plus: Lea Michele will give up sleep to play Fanny Brice.
Plus: Lea Michele will give up sleep to play Fanny Brice.
Sadly for Jenny Humphrey naysayers, it's not bad.By Edith Zimmerman
She looks ... like Taylor Momsen.By Edith Zimmerman
"Make Me Wanna Die" doesn't make us want to die.By Edith Zimmerman
Plus: Robert Pattinson's failed rap dream.
Plus: Taylor Momsen has basically made the greatest album ever, claims Taylor Momsen.
Plus: Taylor Momsen basically the next Kurt Cobain.
Plus: Did Sammi "Sweetheart" and Ron Ron really break up?By Edith Zimmerman
Courtney Love is moving to New York City. At least that's what she told us in the bathroom last night.By Mike Vilensky
Plus: Taylor Momsen apparently doesn't follow Courtney Love's tweets.By Emma Pearse
Courtney Love took to Twitter to register her disappointment with the 'Gossip Girl' starlet.By Mark Graham
Plus: What did Mos Def learn from 'Dynasty'?By Emma Pearse
Plus: Daniel Radcliffe is above the law.By Emma Pearse


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El Paso is enjoying the nation's longest economic hitting streak.
The westernmost metropolitan area in Texas has added private-sector jobs in 26 consecutive months, a run that is unmatched by any other major market across the country.
On Numbers analyzed the employment streaks for America's 100 biggest metropolitan areas as of April 2012, the latest month for which official figures are available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . The goal was to identify those markets that are currently enjoying the longest continuous runs of economic growth.
Read the full Bizjournals.com article here.


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Kansas City police say they hope to foil a credit card scam where thieves cover satellite dishes with foil in order to block credit card information from getting out.
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What we've been playing this week.
Star Wars Force Unleashed Launch Zone
Sushi, sake and Dead or Alive.
The ups and downs of playing the virtual beautiful game.
When super powers make for great games.
Prepare yourself for the latest Wii action game.
Our pick of the titles that stood out at the German games convention.


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Sugar Mountain PR has announced their clients' GRAMMY nominations. This year's nominees reflect the range of sounds in today's family music scene:
Sugar Mountain PR has announced their clients' GRAMMY nominations. This year's nominees reflect the range of sounds in today's family music scene:
September 25, 2016 By Maddie Michalik Leave a Comment
Stephen Joseph has entered into a licensing agreement with Cardinal Industries for a variety of games and puzzles including cardboard, wood, and foam puzzles and playing and memory card games. All of the items will feature the art and imagery of the Steven Joseph brand. The Brand Liaison created the deal. Steven Joseph products will [...]
September 23, 2016 By Maddie Michalik Leave a Comment
First revealed at The Toy Insider's Holiday of Play event, the Bloxels Box Set will be available at major retailers nationwide on Oct. 1. From a partnership between Mattel and Pixel Press, Bloxels is a hands-on building system that lets kids create their own video games directly onto the physical Bloxels Gameboard, and then activate [...]
September 20, 2016 By Sara Touzard Leave a Comment
XYZPrinting's da Vinci Mini 3D Printer is now available online at xyzpring.com. The da Vinci Mini is a lightweight high quality, eco friendly printer that allows customers to print anywhere using Wi- Fi. Customers can use the 3-D printer to replace pieces of items around their home or create and invent new toys.
September 18, 2016 By Maddie Michalik Leave a Comment
MasterPieces Puzzle Co. will combine its new license for the game Spot It! with professional and collegiate sports organizations. MasterPieces received the license for Spot It! from Asmodee North America, and then teamed up with The National Football League, National Hockey League, and NCAA to franchise the card game. MasterPieces is also currently distributing the [...]
September 16, 2016 By Maddie Michalik Leave a Comment
CJ Products and Discovery Consumer Products entered into a licensing partnership for a series of Animal Planet Pillow Pets folding plush and Dream Lites. Pillow Pets Animal Planet Cubs will be available next year.
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