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They are the words every athlete dreads hearing -- "career-ending injury."
Lately, those word have been used to describe UNO power forward Talishia Young's right knee. Indeed, Young, a 22-year-old senior, will never play for the Lady Privateers again after suffering her second torn anterior cruciate ligament in 15 months.
But career ending? She refuses to accept that.
"My career is never over, " said Young, who said she plans to pursue a professional basketball career. "I'm a basketball lover. It runs in the family. I would never give up playing basketball, whether it's playing in the gym with a bunch of guys, just playing in general. That's my motivation. That's something I just love."
Young, the older sister of Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, didn't need a doctor to diagnose her latest injury. Playing against Arkansas-Little Rock on Jan. 13 at Lakefront Arena, Young drove to the basket, landed awkwardly and then crumpled to the floor in pain.
UNO's trainers initially told Young she had not torn her ACL. But she knew better.
"I kind of figured it was (an ACL tear) because I heard it pop, " Young said. "When I came down, my knee dislocated. So I actually kind of figured I knew what it was."
Young knew because she had been there before. During a practice in October 2008, she drove the lane and landed on top of a teammate, tearing the ACL in her left knee. She missed the entire season.
Young, who played at Heritage Academy in Metairie, devoted many grueling hours to rehabbing her knee so that she could play one more season for the Lady Privateers. But after 18 games this season, her UNO career was over.
"It's disheartening because I worked so hard last year to get back to playing this year, " the 6-foot-3 forward said.
"I think the best word for it is it's 'heartbreaking, ' " UNO Coach Amy Champion said. "And the amount of time that goes into rehab, especially for an ACL injury, is a significant amount of time. It's anywhere from four months to eight months, depending on how your body responds. And Talishia's body build, she has a thin frame, not a whole lot of bulk on her. And it's difficult for her to build muscle. So her rehab process actually took a little longer than most, even though she was in great shape going into the surgery."
Young finished 17th in school history in scoring (956 points), 11th in rebounding (630) and fifth in blocked shots (152).
She had an up-and-down senior campaign. Young opened the season with a 22-point performance against McNeese State, but later lost her starting position. She had regained it before the injury, and started nine games this season.
This season, Young averaged 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
"I think at first she was a little timid with the actual contact of the game, " Champion said. "The physicality of this game is great, and I think when she started out in the beginning of the season that she was a little timid, which I think every player always is. I think there's a huge hesitation there to get back in and go full contact after that type of injury and that type of rehab. But after she realized that the knee was stable and that it was secure enough to compete and take a few bumps, she never looked back."
Perhaps the toughest part about not finishing the season, Young said, was that she feels as though she has abandoned her team.
"I have a connection with them, and I felt like I was really part of this team, " she said. "I wouldn't say I was the star on the team or the main focus, but we all work together."
Young will undergo surgery Feb. 18. She said she expects the rehab process to be easier this time because she knows what to expect.
"You have to be very mentally focused to get through it, " Young said. "The pain is so severe when you're going through it -- doing the leg press and riding a bike and getting the range of motion and things like that."
Focus should not be a problem. Young said she is determined to play professionally, and knows that won't be possible unless she can first convince teams that she is healthy.
Pro basketball is nothing new in the Young family. Her father, Felton, was drafted by the Buffalo Braves in 1978. Thaddeus is in his third season with the 76ers.
Because their parents are separated, Talishia and Thaddeus grew up in separate cities -- Thaddeus in Memphis, Talishia in Metairie. But they have remained close, spending summers together and talking on the phone nearly every day.
"I think her brother has kind of been a role model for her, " Champion said. "He went off to Georgia Tech for a year and was drafted and has just made his life basketball. I think Talishia has aspirations to play professionally, and I think this rehab right now is going to be crucial after surgery."
Thaddeus said he was shocked when Talishia called him last month to tell her about her latest injury.
"I was just like, 'That's crazy, ' " he said. "I couldn't believe it, two in a matter of a year and a half. It's definitely a big thing with your confidence when you have to come back from those injuries."
But he's doing everything in his power to help Talishia extend her playing career, including hiring his personal trainer to work with her after surgery.
Thaddeus said he also has reminded his sister that she is young, and that her reconstructed knees could be stronger than ever.
"She's a highly motivated person, " he said. "That's the good thing about it. As long as she stays motivated and keeps trying to achieve her dreams and her goals, it's going to be great for her. She's tough."


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The Cactus Garden Gown
Florals are spring's perennial trend but this hand-drawn print has been supercharged with modernity.
Look closely, and you will find not the pretty posies of an English country garden but the bright botanicals of an Arizona desert – prickly thorns of cacti are juxtaposed next to their delicate flowers. The print was hand-drawn in the studio – hours were spent sketching and painting the perfect petal and spike of a cactus spine.
"The plant must be valued as a totally artistic and architectural structure." These words from German photographer Karl Blossfelt (1864 – 1932) inspired the studio's bold artistic interpretation of the minutiae of desert flowers. The inspiration continues through to the crystals at the waist – 34 jewels and gems have been fashioned into botanical shapes.
Bloom boldly this spring.

subset: commoncrawl


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Police said their gunshot tracking system led to the arrest of a 15-year-old in possession of a stolen firearm.
The city's Shotspotter indicated multiple shots fired in the area of 26th Street and Lauren Avenue around 4 p.m. Tuesday.
A victim at the scene told officers that a teenage boy shot at him while he was on his front porch.
The gunfire caused damage to the house and a nearby vehicle.
The 15-year-old was booked into the Douglas County Youth Center on counts of first-degree assault, possession of a stolen firearm, use of a weapon to commit a felony and two counts of destruction of property.


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schadenfreude: pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.
So I know just about everyone is talking about the NRA's crazy town response to the Newtown shootings. I think all that needs to be said about the speech delivered Friday is nicely summed up here.
Quite frankly, I'm shocked that anyone was shocked by that announcement. LaPierre has been spouting crazy for the NRA since 1991. Same song and dance, over and over again. It ain't about gun ownership…its about gun sales. Manufacturers pay the bills at the NRA. Don't forget it.
So aside from providing a distraction, the NRA event was irrelevant. Unfortunately for everyone, a distraction was needed, in the wake of the massive failure to herd feral cats, some called the display "a clown show".
It's important to remember is how we got here, where it started and who is responsible.
November, 2010 – A wave of of GOP wins in Congressional races, led by 40 candidates claiming "Tea Party" affiliations, leads to the composition of the US House of Representatives flipping from 255 Democrats to 242 Republicans.
August 2, 2011 – In the wake of a contentious battle over the debt ceiling limit, the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed with bipartisan support. The bill raised the debt ceiling and put in place a series of deep budget cuts and tax increases if the Congress could not reach an agreement.
66 Republicans voted against the deal, which would not have passed without Democratic support.
August 5, 2011 – In the wake of the vote on the Budget Control Act, Standard & Poor's downgraded the US Credit rating stating concerns with the current state of political affairs in the Congress.
February 2012 – Fed Chairman Ben Bernake coins the term "fiscal cliff".
July/August 2012 – On July 25th the US Senate passed a proposal that would have avoided the tax increase portion of the fiscal cliff. The proposal was rejected by the House on August 1st.
November 2012 – Elections result in more GOP moderates losing. Democrats gain 8 seats in House. Incoming makeup of the House: 201D – 234R. Incoming makeup of the Senate: 55D – 45R
December 2012 – Negotiations between Speaker Boehner and President Obama net a compromise. Said compromise not brought before the House. Boehner's bill pulled for lack of support. The House did pass a bill dealing with spending cuts, however that bill has little chance of passage in the Senate and faces a Presidential veto.
This list is hardly exhaustive, but mentions most of the highlights. Had Republicans not tried to make political hay over increasing the debt ceiling, we wouldn't be where we are today.
Now I want to be very clear here: while I do get some pleasure from the outright #FAIL that was the Speaker's effort to pass a watered down version of what he and the President were negotiating, I also understand that a failure to act by the end of the year will have some serious consequences for regular folks. Those consequences will be immediate for all of us, though many of them will have a limited impact.
If they fail to act, the payroll tax cut will disappear, the Bush era tax cuts will disappear, and some pretty stiff spending cuts that no one seems to want will be enacted.
What does this mean to you? Well based on the median household income you will see about $1000/yr less as a result of the payroll tax hike, about $1500 less as a result of the income tax hike, and a whole lot fewer services.
Interestingly, if the Obama proposal were to pass, a household making the median income would see a tax DECREASE of about $225/yr (payroll and income) rather than the increase of $2500 House Republicans seem to favor in the wake of their inaction. You can see how the fiscal cliff and the Obama proposals would impact your income here.
(Note: The tax calculator is provided by the anti-Keynsian, pro-business group The Tax Foundation. They bear responsibility for any inaccuracies.)
The financial impact of failure for household incomes is pretty dire. Considering that inflation adjusted incomes have been flat since 1967 for 80% of the population, losing $2500 for a median income represents a nearly 5% hit in real purchasing power. That's not going to be good for an economy that is just really starting to emerge from weakness. Add to that increased instability from a potential market panic and Joe 6-pack is going to take a huge hit.
Investors know this. They make lots of money knowing this. And while we haven't seen an increase in incomes to rival the increase in markets (1967 Dow was 825, 2012 Dow was 13190.84 as of the closing bell on Friday, a nearly 1600% increase), the panic that will ensue due to uncertainty if the fiscal cliff is not avoided will hurt average Americans more than investors, who will certainly lose wealth, but not much standing.
Investors have more ways to make money in the face of a market panic that regular folks don't, including betting on failure. This kind of risky bet is usually only played by the wealthiest individuals and huge investment houses. It may seem counter-intuitive and to fly in the face of what we consider to be patriotic, but remember, in the church of the almighty dollar, anything goes that makes you rich.
Plenty of folks profited from the pain of the Great Depression and the more recent "Great Recession". There will be winners if a huge market panic ensues come Jan. 2 as well.
Joe 6-pack won't be one of them, so don't even think about it.
I feel confident that a solution won't be found before the end of the year. The House Republicans don't seem to have the will to give any ground, and in their disarray they have given their Democratic counterparts some resolve to stand their ground. With 201 incoming votes, it will take just 17 Republicans to pass a Democratic measure…should it reach the floor. That seems like a possible scenario now that people are starting to point to conservative recalcitrance as the problem.
The Senate has already passed a bill, which was rejected by the Tea Party led House in August. The House could take the measure back up if they chose to. I can't imagine that happening before the end of the year. I just don't think the votes are there before the end of the year.
This means that a market panic is almost a certainty come Jan. 2. The next Congress convenes the next day. We'll see what they do, but I'm putting my money on passing something like the Senate proposal and dealing with the spending side later…probably right before the next debt ceiling vote which will need to happen before February of 2013.
In the current climate, I just can't see this leadership actually…you know…leading.
First of all, I think it was pretty courageous of Bob Costas to take on a controversial issue like gun control in the middle of a football game, and just hours after Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend and then himself. Surely he knew what he was getting into.
Unfortunately, I feel like Costas missed the larger discussion that needed to be had, both as it relates to Football, and society in general.
If you managed to miss his comments, I've included them below.
Its pretty obvious, on the surface anyway, that if Belcher didn't have a gun he wouldn't have shot anyone. Its anything but clear that, absent a gun, he or his girlfriend would have survived the events of last week. The circumstances that led to the problem, and the ones that brought the final result might not have been any different.
When things like this happen, the natural and easiest reaction is to go to the thing that "caused" it…in this case people pointed to the gun. A similar reaction has followed other events, like the 2011 shooting in Arizona that killed 6 and wounded 13 others including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
One thing that is clear, guns are not sentient beings. I think everyone on both sides of the debate can agree with that.
Since guns can't make decisions, blaming the gun is, by definition, missing the point. The old saying "people kill people" rings true here.
And while it is certainly easier to kill someone with a tool like a gun rather than say, a hammer, the result is the same. They're still dead.
I didn't hear a loud chorus of hammer control advocates speaking up when this guy killed his parents with one in 2011.
So maybe blaming the tool is misappropriating blame. The ease of use may play a role in the decision, but certain things have to be in place to even seriously contemplate the taking of a life. Maybe there's something else that binds these three cases together other than the fact that tools were used to kill someone.
Its hard for me to imagine what kind of thinking brings someone to the decision that taking a life is any kind of a solution. Absent the incredibly rare "kill or be killed" moments I can't imagine why anyone would even consider taking the life of another.
What I do understand is that considering murder as a solution is a pretty good indicator of some kind of mental health issue. What we learned in the wake of the Arizona shooting and the week since Belcher took the life of his girlfriend and himself, is mental health played a role in each.
According to reports, Belcher was struggling with head injuries and addiction. There are reports of domestic violence in the relationship. So do pervasive head injuries and violence in the home, coupled with addiction play a role in the taking of a life? Sure, but they're not the final determining factors. If they were, we'd see a lot more violent crime than we do.
There has to be more to it.
That's where things get complicated…much more so than dismissively blaming the gun. See, for someone to decide that taking a life is an option, they must first believe that there is no other solution. For someone to get to the point that taking their own life is the best choice, they must first believe there are no other options.
Of course, there are always other options, but those options can be lost in the haze of the moment, particularly in a society that places a fair amount of shame on mental health issues generally.
If we really want to see a decrease in violence, be it gun violence or any other kind, we need to focus on addressing mental health issues that lead to the violence rather than the violence or guns themselves. That's the root of the problem. And that's where Costas got it wrong.
Had Costas chosen to talk about mental health issues rather than the tool used in the violence, the size and scope of his platform might have opened up a discussion about role of mental health in the larger violence problem in our society.
That discussion is valuable, and something we, as a society need to start thinking about if we are serious about decreasing violence generally. An ounce of prevention…
Unfortunately, its just so easy and, to a certain degree, we've been conditioned to fall into the "blame the tool" argument that having that discussion right now seems as far away as a distant planet in another universe.
Costas was right about one thing. The outrage from this event has, just a week later, largely faded. We've already forgotten and moved on to the next outrage of the moment, in part because Costas chose an argument that pretty much everyone feels is unwinable and unproductive, and partially because that's just what we do.
Hopefully, one day, we'll make a decision to really start a dialogue about violence in our society, and work for real long-term solutions to the problem. That's not in our nature, but here's to hoping we start acting out of character soon. It would be a refreshing change.
We moved to the neighborhood after a difficult time in NW Arkansas. It was the mid-80's. A pack of cigarettes cost about $1.25. At the time, laws that required you to be 18 to buy cigarettes weren't enforced, and penalties hardly outweighed the financial upside of increased sales.
In my early life, my dad had smoked. He quit for good when I was 11 or 12. From my pre-teen perspective it was effortless. I had no idea how hard it would be to kick the habit later on in life.
Addiction is not just physical. There's an emotional side to addiction that's hard to explain. Part of it has to do with the rationale for smoking. Smokers regularly smoke to relieve stress or other emotional events. It can feel calming and comforting. This feeling of comfort is the first thing you miss when you decide to quit.
Over the years since the mid-1980's I've quit several times. In 1989 I quit for 8 months. That was by far the longest stretch I've ever made it through.
You're probably asking yourself why I started back. The answer is complicated and not something I really want to rehash, but lets just say I sought the comfort that I once had in the form of a cigarette. I think this describes all kinds of addiction.
I quit a couple of other times, usually for a month or two before falling off the wagon again. They say that after three days you've kicked the physical addiction. I don't know if that's right or wrong, but I can tell you you never kick the psychological addiction.
Back in October, after months of respiratory problems that began in earnest 8 months before, I quit again. My resolve was strong, the reasons were evident, quite honestly, it was easy…for a while.
The problem with quitting for purely health reasons is that once you start feeling better, your reason has gone away. The first month was easy. The second, as my health concerns faded, it became harder.
I was just days away from two months when I decided to buy a pack of cigarettes. I had been slipping for a couple of weeks, but managed to convince myself that it was temporary and I could get back on track at any time.
Now I'm not so sure.
Its not the physical addiction that I'm worried about, its the emotional dependency. That's the thing that I've never been able to kick. That's the thing that I think keeps lots of people from quitting…and not just cigarettes, any number of addictive substances.
I'm neither a professional addiction expert nor a prohibitionist. I don't think making something illegal stops anyone from attaining that something. This should be clear based on the success of our 40 year "War on Drugs" alone. Demand will primarily determine supply, though other factors may weigh in on that relationship as well.
What I do believe is that in our search for a quick fix to all kinds of problems, from addiction to education, we've squandered our most precious resource…time. For decades now we've known about the psychological…the mental health element to a vast array of problems in our country. For that time and longer we've done everything in our power to try anything else to correct them…and failed.
We've doubled down on bad policy, enacting mandatory minimums on people suffering from addiction, and in the process, created a gateway for people who never engaged in violent crime to be forced into it in prisons, while truly violent criminals were let out to make room for people suffering from a mental health issue.
I won't delve into the decriminalization issue except to say two things:
1. Washington and Colorado will save hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade by not prosecuting and incarcerating non-violent marijuana users who would have been declared criminals just weeks ago.
2. If those governments would set aside just 10% of the savings and appropriate them for increased mental health services, they will ultimately save hundreds of millions more on healthcare and incarceration for any number of other issues and see increased revenues through increased productivity as more people do more than they ever imagined possible with their lives.
Because the problem isn't the drug, be it nicotine or an opiate…the problem is the addiction…a mental health issue that when untreated, leads to all kinds of other problems.
I'm starting my battle with addiction again today, and hopeful that I'll find more success this time. I know it won't be easy, but I'm working to strengthen my resolve and fight the urge to give in again.
There are thousands of people, just like me, who are struggling with their addiction, be it nicotine or something else. While its easy to judge these people as weak or broken in some way, I hope we all would find the strength and courage to not pass judgement…but show them the support they need to fight their addiction.
It's only through that support that they will find any success.
That's how much Sheldon Adelson spent on the 2012 election.
If total spending was around $2b, Adelson made up 7.5% of that spending.
One dude. 7.5% of all political spending in the country.
Adelson spent all that money with the slew of conservative "dark money" groups that have popped up in the wake of the Citizen's United decision.
Considering the investment, one might be led to believe that Adelson is a staunch conservative warrior, funding the cause.
According to this interview with the Wall Street Journal, (h/t @HuffPo) Adelson is anything but.
The pro-science, pro-choice, pro-socialized medicine Adelson spent $150,000,000 on candidates that are anti-science, anti-choice, and think people should trade chickens for healthcare.
I'm really speechless.
What's more, he intends to spend twice as much the next time around.
Damn x2.
Of course, Adelson has been under investigation by the DOJ since 2011, so that may explain some of his animosity toward the Obama Administration. It doesn't explain why he would work so hard against what seem to be his core political values.
When I'm irritated with a politician, either personally or politically, I just send them a letter explaining why I'm sitting this one out with them. In only one case (that I can think of) have I actively worked against anyone, and that was in a primary with no general election opposition. I can't fathom working both against a candidate and my core values. Seriously, its unfathomable.
Of course, I also don't have a gazillion dollars.
So I'm flummoxed. Next thing you know Adelson will come out in support of a tax increase for wealthy Americans.
If that happens, my head might explode.
I don't normally write about national issues, but this fiscal cliff thing is one particularly dumb set of concern trolling on the part of the national media so it seems like a prime target.Its dumb because as the Wonk Blog explains this is anything but a cliff. It's a slope at best. A slope to recession, sure, but it's not as if this is a Wyle E. Coyote moment. Nope, Just a leisurely stroll down Recession Lane.
To be clear, I don't want to see a recession happen any more than anyone else, but considering the players involved, and the lack of real governance from the Tea Party caucus that rules the roost in the House, there's no real reason to believe anything other than a pull of the trigger, or an extension of the deadline is on the immediate horizon.
Now I'm sure some of my more moderate friends are screaming compromise right about now. Compromise is a two way street. Getting rid expensive tax cuts for 2% of the American populous at a time when everyone (wrongly) seems to think deficit reduction is what we need to do is the definition of compromise. 98% of the people benefit and there's some new revenue to satisfy the deficit chicken hawks. Seems like a good deal. If you don't get that, your definition of compromise involves a great deal of ankle grabbing.Not my idea of a good time, but to each his own.
Of course, ankle grabbing compromise has defined the politics of the past 30+ years. As Nick Kristof candidly explains in this NY Times editorial we've been screwing up the future for, by his estimation, 50 years now with cheap tax rates for folks who didn't need them, that were supposed to create jobs and growth and didn't. That strategy hasn't worked and its not going to work. Its time to bring back a new look at an old strategy that did work. 1950's era tax rates here we come!
In the 1950's top earners paid as much as 92% on everything they made over $400,000/yr. Don't believe me? Here's the chart from the IRS.
Of course, no one's asking that from the top 2%. Just a return to the 39.6% marginal rate of the Clinton era. You know, the Clinton years, where we had that huge recovery and 4% unemployment? Yeah, doesn't sound so bad does it?
Republicans are losing their minds over this because according to the funders of their campaigns, any kind of tax increase is devastating. But if the GOP wants a return to the 1950's, which is something they've been saying essentially for 30 years, then why not the tax rates that went with them? Seems to me you can't have one without the other.
Because, more than anything else, that's what Republicans want right? A return to a simpler time that never really existed. Remember the coded language of the 1980/90's GOP? A return to a "simpler" time when "family values" were values and the world was a picturesque reflection of "Leave it to Beaver".
Honestly, the GOP rhetoric hasn't changed much since. The difference now is that rather than "Family Values" the right is pushing Prosperity doctrine. If you're not familiar with prosperity doctrine here it is in a nutshell:
"If you believe/give to the church/etc. more you will succeed", which by implication means that because you haven't succeeded, you therefore do not believe enough.
Sounds just like GOP rhetoric doesn't it? They built it!
Interesting that they ignore the gospels when they quote the bible. Probably because its just too inconvenient. Here's what Jesus had to say about people who are without want.
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48
See, if you read the gospel literally, and I understand that's all the rage these days, folks that are without want are REQUIRED…called by God, to do more to help people. If they actually did it, then maybe we could talk about some of the rewards they've received over the years. But since those guys don't seem to be holding up their end of the bargain, only bringing mythical job creation, imaginary investment, and the like, I guess its time to return to the prosperity of the distant past to pressure them to do their part for society. We won't get there by continuing tax cut policies of the past 40 years.
Here's the dirty truth: tax cuts don't drive expansion, they drive savings…and we've seen a mass expansion of savings for those who have something to save. The rest of us have been limping along barely keeping up with inflation.If it continues, we'll have the first generation of folks since the Great Depression that didn't see an appreciable increase in their standard of living or quality of life. That's something you're going to be hearing from me a lot over the coming months, because that's what's at stake.
As for the fiscal cliff, we'll just have to see, but I'm not that worried. House Republicans have made their counter offer, weak and repackaged as it may be. Now the Kabuki Theatre can start in earnest. Chances are, they still will not vote for any tax increases, even if it only impacts the top 2% of earners.
That's right, they're ready to throw the other 98% of us under the bus for the 2% that pay for their campaigns…like Sheldon Anderson.
Jesus may have said For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required but you'd be hard pressed to convince the funders of the GOP that their assault on tax equity over the past 40-50 years makes them anything other than victims of the majority, all while they've benefitted from our collective 30+ year slumber.
So, you have a choice. You can choose to be scared as hell about this fiscal cliff and all the rhetoric that's being bandied about, or you can look at what we've been doing that's not working, what we've done in the past that did work, and make an intelligent choice.
One thing should be clear. After 30 years of tax cuts for people who don't need it amidst declining incomes and lower standards of living for millions of middle class Americans, you need to ask yourself if you're better off than you were, or your parents. If you aren't, maybe its time to do something different.


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NEWARK, Del. (21 Alive) - Jamaal Franklin had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Mad Ants to their 122-111 win at Delaware on Friday night.
Matt Bouldin added 20 points against the team that dealt him to Fort Wayne a few weeks ago, and Trey McKinney-Jones and Will Frisby chipped in 18 apiece as seven Ants reached double figures in scoring.
The Ants and 87ers will meet again Sunday at the Memorial Coliseum.
For highlights click on the video icon on the screen above.
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY" comment.
© Copyright 2016, A Quincy Media broadcasting station. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Looking to invest in Commercial Real Estate? Come visit with Joel, Mark, Ron or Dan today.
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Starting a new business? At Valley Bank of Kalispell we are locally owned and operated and we understand what it takes to build your business. Stop by today and visit with Joel. See what we can do for you.
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Farm and Ranch Loans
The benefit to being in the valley for over 100 years is that we understand farming and ranching needs. Come in today and visit with Joel.
To get you started on any of our commercial loans, please fill out a Personal Financial Statement.
For more information or any further questions on business loans, please contact us!


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All right ladies. . . How many BPM's were your babies at when you were pregnant?
DD was between 160-170 BPM
Baby 2 (sex unknown) 150-160 BPM
~Jen~ Group Owner of Bringing Birth Home. http://www.cafemom.com/group/116103 I am a home birthing, breastfeeding, midwife using, cloth diapering, delayed cord cutting, natural birthing type of mama!
♥♥ Join us in Crunchy Moms - make friends and share advice
on breastfeeding, babywearing, bedsharing, and natural living! ♥♥
Dd1 160s
Ds-don't remember
I have no idea
Quoting peaches_04:
People remember that
I have no idea


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BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI -- There have been no new cases of the flu strain that sickened a young Berrien County Fair exhibitor and 40 pigs last month, Dr. Rick Johansen, medical
director of the Berrien, Van Buren and Cass county health departments, said Tuesday.
"We've had a couple of cases of influenza but those were cases of seasonal influenza, not related to the fair, and there have been no (new) sick pigs," he said.
A 6-year-old boy exhibiting swine at the fair, fell ill at about the same time pigs starting showing signs of fever and trouble breathing during Berrien County Fair week, which ended Aug. 17.
Both the boy and a pig sampled for testing shared the same diagnosis-- influenza A H3N2v, a variant of a strain of influenza that is primarily a swine disease that can allow the virus to strike humans, said Dr. James Averill, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Industry Division director and state veterinarian.
The child's diagnosis was the first first case of Influenza A H3N2 Variant detected in Michigan in 2013, health officials said in a news release Thursday, Aug. 29.
Because that strain had been diagnosed in Indiana and Ohio earlier in the summer, Michigan fairs were on heightened alert, Johansen said.
"For the past few years we have had signage about this very issue," warning people to wash hands and avoid bringing food into animal barns, he said. "So nothing is dramatically new" in prevention even after the diagnosis was confirmed, he said.
So far, it appears the disease has not spread beyond the Berrien County Fair.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural development has notified managers at upcoming fairs in Hillsdale, St. Joseph, Allegan, Chippewa, Dickenson and Presque Isle counties, as well as fairs in Saline and Novi, reminding them of swine exhibit hygiene and screening practices designed to prevent the spread of illness.
For more information about H3N2v, click here.


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• Free-market economist opens with blast at Lansing
• Conference goers unwind with downtown nightlife
GRAND RAPIDS -- The first West Michigan Regional Policy Conference opened this morning at DeVos Place convention center with 400 businesspeople, lawmakers and civic leaders welcomed by Doug DeVos, Amway president and one of the event co-chairmen.
He introduced economist Robert Genetski, who presented research by The Heartland Institute of Chicago on "directions to more economic growth and prosperity" in Michigan.
"There are major serious economic flaws here in the state of Michigan," he said. And, there are "vested interests in maintaining that status quo."
The conference's goal, he said, should be "to get together and persuade (those interests) to change those policies."


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CHARLOTTETOWN – The Charlottetown Festival turned heads across the country last summer when it staged the world premiere of the musical epic, "Evangeline." Now, Confederation Centre of the Arts is revisiting this love story with "The Music of Evangeline," an album featuring the songs and stars of the hit summer production.
© Louise Vessey photo
Chilina Kennedy, pictured here in "Evangeline" from the 2013 Charlottetown Festival, is one of several original cast members coming together this month to record the musical album "The Music of Evangeline."
"'Evangeline' resonated with Islanders, Maritimers, and visitors from across the continent in a major way," says Anne Allan, artistic director of the Charlottetown Festival. "We heard again and again, 'Where can I hear this music?' Well, we are thrilled to be continuing the legacy of this epic story and soaring score, and will have the album available for our 50th anniversary celebrations."
Created by Ted Dykstra, "Evangeline" is based on Longfellow's famed heroine who becomes separated from her betrothed, Gabriel, during the Acadian Deportation. Driven by vibrant Acadian, Maritime, and Cajun music and dance, this sweeping musical starred New Brunswick native, Chilina Kennedy, and Toronto's Adam Brazier. Both highly-touted performers will be featured alongside a studio orchestra.
"I have been a fan of the show and especially the music since I first heard it in 2005; it is haunting and incredibly beautiful," says Kennedy. "It is important for Canadians to celebrate their own stories and record their own musical albums. It happens so rarely and I feel lucky to be involved in such a special project."
"I am very proud of this show and of the work that Ted has put into it over the last decade," she adds. "I think people will love it."
Tracks include "I Only Hear Your Voice," "If It Takes," "Freedom," and "Our House," among others. Other original cast members featured include Sandy Winsby (Evangeline's father, Benedict), Marcus Nance (Clairborne, the free slave in Louisiana), and Charlottetown Festival veteran, Terry Hatty (Father Felicien, of Grand Pré).
P.E.I. guitarist Chris Corrigan, a member of the original orchestra, will also be featured throughout the album.
Confederation Centre will serve as executive producer for this recording, with "Evangeline's" original music supervisor, Bob Foster, and Dykstra as co-producers. "The Music of Evangeline" will be available for pre-sale by spring 2014, and will be for sale on iTunes and at the Centre's gift shop by the start of the 2014 Charlottetown Festival.


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What does QLU mean in Media?
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Voice: Mark F. Brock, Flushing
On Nov. 3, the city of Flushing has only one issue on the ballot. I think it's an important one.
The past couple of years have seen our state and particularly our county experience tough economic times, and many communities in Genesee County are either making cuts to their services or raising taxes to continue them. The city of Flushing has done neither. This is not by accident.
As a member of the current City Council and past member of the Planning Commission and Zoning board of appeals, George Kozan has worked with the other council members to contain our city's costs while not losing our quality of life. As a city councilman, I have seen his prudent and careful judgment, his desire to understand the issues and his commitment to keeping the city of Flushing a great place to live.
With the state cutting our revenue sharing this year, and most likely next year, too, George Kozan's experience and leadership will be more important than ever. He will continue to get the job done without a campground at Riverview Park, as his opponent suggested in the Oct. 25 Flushing Observer.
Please take the time to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and vote for George Kozan.


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Some Internet issues here, and I realize my lineups never posted
Mets (38-39)
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado DH
Trot Nixon RF
Marlon Anderson LF
Fernando Tatis 1B
Brian Schneider C
Mike Pelfrey RHP (4-6, 4.30)
Yankees (42-36)
Melky Cabrera CF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Wilson Betemit 1B
Justin Christian LF
**Luis Castillo is making yet another start, and before the game Jerry Manuel revealed it was not really an injury concern. He was sitting Castillo to send a message that if you want to be an everyday player, you need to play everyday. None of this, 'I need a break skip' nonsense. Manuel said Castillo would play this entire series.
**Ryan Church has an outside chance of playing on Sunday. Manuel would rather be conservative, but then again, he noted that the Mets really really really really really need his bat in the lineup.


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Career Journal: Beware of the Traps of Success
By Elango R.
Earlier this week, when I woke up to a front-page article saying Virat Kohli was possibly the world's best One-Day International cricket batsman, I was worried.
Kohli was being praised for his impressive performance against Pakistan in a recent one-day match, in which he got 183 runs from 148 balls. While the kudos is well-deserved, I am worried for Kohli as I worry whenever I see a successful manager or a star employee in the corporate world.


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Here a look at the races you'll see at the polls today, as well as a recap on Advance coverage and endorsements:
*Attorney general
Daniel Donovan (Republican /Conservative) vs. Eric Schneiderman (Democratic /Independence/Working Families) vs. Ramon J. Jimenez (Freedom) vs. Carl Person (Libertarian)
About the race
Our endorsement: Donovan
* House of Representative
Rep. Michael McMahon (Democrat/Independence) vs. Michael Grimm (Republican/Conservative) vs. Tom Vendittelli (Libertarian)
About the race
Our endorsement: McMahon
* 60th Assembly District (East Shore/Brooklyn)
Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer (Democrat/Independence/Working Families) vs. Nicole Malliotakis (Republican/Conservative/Taxpayers) vs. Marietta Canning (Right to Life)
About the race
Our endorsement: Malliotakis
* 62nd Assembly (South Shore)
Assemblyman Lou Tobacco vs. Al Albanese
About the race
Our endorsement: Tobacco
Andrew Cuomo (Democrat/Independence/Working Families) vs. Carl Paladino (Republican/Conservative/Taxpayers) vs. Howie Hawkins (Green) vs. Jimmy McMillan (Rent is 2 Damn High) vs. Warren Redlich (Libertarian) vs. Charles Barron (Freedom) vs. Kristin Davis (Anti-Prohibition).
* State comptroller
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (Democrat/Working Families) vs. Harry Wilson (Republican/Independence/Conservative) vs. Julia Willebrand (Green) vs. John Gaetani (Libertarian)
* U.S. Senate
Sen. Charles Schumer (Democrat/Independence/Working Families) vs. Jay Townsend (Republican/Conservative) vs. Colia Clark (Green) vs. Randy Credico (Libertarian)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat/Independence/Working Familie) vs. Joseph DioGuardi (Republican/Conservative) vs. Cecile Lawrence (Green) s. Joseph Huff (Rent Is 2 Damn High) vs. John Clifton (Libertarian) vs. Bruce Blakeman (Tax Revolt) vs. Vivia Morgan (Anti-Prohibition).
About the race: Schumer; Gillibrand
Our endorsement: Schumer and Gillibrand
* 23rd State Senate District (North Shore/Brooklyn)
State. Sen. Diane Savino (Democrat/Independence/Working Families)
* 24th State Sen. District
State Sen. Andrew Lanza (Republican/Conservative/Independence)
* North Shore Assembly District
Assemblyman Matthew Titone (Democrat/Working Families/Independence) vs. David Narby (Libertarian)
* Mid-Island Assembly District
Michael Cusick (Democrat/Conservative/Working Families/Independence) vs. Danny Panzella (Libertarian)


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Index of content:
Volume 110, Issue 3, 01 August 2011
Solar energy is the most abundant and reliable source of energy we have to provide for the multi-terawatt challenge we are facing. Although huge, this resource is relatively dispersed. High conversion efficiency is probably necessary for cost effectiveness. Solar cell efficiencies above 40% have been achieved with multijunction (MJ) solar cells. These achievements are here described. Possible paths for improvement are hinted at including third generation photovoltaics concepts. It is concluded that it is very likely that the target of 50% will eventually be achieved. This high efficiency requires operating under concentrated sunlight, partly because concentration helps increase the efficiency but mainly because the cost of the sophisticated cells needed can only be paid by extracting as much electric power form each cell as possible. The optical challenges associated with the concentrator optics and the tools for overcoming them, in particular non-imaging optics, are briefly discussed and the results and trends are described. It is probable that optical efficiency over 90% will be possible in the future. This would lead to a module efficiency of 45%. The manufacturing of a concentrator has to be addressed at three levels of integration: module, array, and photovoltaic(PV) subfield. The PV plant as a whole is very similar than a flat module PV plant with two-axes tracking. At the module level, the development of tools for easy manufacturing and quality control is an important topic. Furthermore, they can accommodate in different position cells with different spectral sensitivities so complementing the effort in manufacturing MJ cells. At the array level, a proper definition of the nameplate watts, since the diffuse light is not used, is under discussion. The cost of installation of arrays in the field can be very much reduced by self aligning tracking control strategies. At the subfield level, aspects such as the self shadowing of arrays causes the CPV subfields to be sparsely packed leading to a ground efficiency, in the range of 10%, that in some cases will be below that of fixed modules of much lower cell efficiency. All this taken into account, High Concentration PV (HCPV) has the opportunity to become the cheapest of the PV technologies and beat the prevalent electricity generation technologies. Of course the way will be paved with challenges, and success is not guaranteed.
- Lasers, Optics, and Optoelectronics
Visible whispering-gallery modes in ZnO microwires with varied cross sections110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3610521View Description Hide Description
ZnO microwires with hexagonal, dodecagonal, and circular cross sections were achieved by a micro-environment control vapor deposition method. Laser induced micro-photoluminescencespectra of single wires showed separated emission modes in the visible range, and in which the higher the number of sides in cross section for the ZnO MWs, the more resonant modes are induced. Theoretical calculations indicated the nature of resonant whispering-gallery modes, in agreement with the spectral and mapping profiles of these modes. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared ZnO MWs can be used as high-quality microresonators to produce whispering-gallery modes.
Photonic band anti-crossing in a coupled system of a teraherz plasmonic crystal film and a metal air-gap waveguide110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3610515View Description Hide Description
We show that photonic band anti-crossing in a coupled system of a terahertz plasmonic crystal film and a metal air-gap waveguide can create frequency gaps where light propagation is forbidden. The forbidden frequency gaps have not been found in photonic crystals because they are not caused by the Bragg multiple-reflections to create conventional photonic band gaps. The position of the forbidden frequency gap depends on the ratio of the period of the plasmonic crystal and the air-gap size. The steep edges of the frequency gaps could be useful in sensing a chemical or a bio-chemical reaction in a terahertz wave range.
Optimization on photoelectric detection based on stacked La0.9Sr0.1MnO3−δ/LaAlO3−δ multijunctions110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3621143View Description Hide Description
Three multijunctions consisting of La0.9Sr0.1MnO3−δ and LaAlO3−δ on Si substrate have been fabricated under different oxygen pressures by laser molecular beam epitaxy. They exhibit nonlinear and rectifying current-voltage characteristics and evident photocurrent response to He-Ne laser illumination. Experimental results indicate that the periodically stacked multijunction grown under lower oxygen pressure shows a better rectification behavior and a higher photocurrent. The photovoltaic responsivities of the multijunctions are enhanced greatly at reverse bias and are much higher than that of a similarly grown single p-n junction. Based on the band structure of the multilayers, a possible mechanism of the photovoltaic process was proposed. A high photovoltage responsivity of 168.6 mV/mW has been achieved at − 6 V bias; this demonstrates the potential of the present multijunction configuration for photodetectors operating at room temperature.
Comparison of periodic light-trapping structures in thin crystalline silicon solar cells110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3611425View Description Hide Description
Material costs may be reduced and electrical properties improved by utilizing thinner solar cells. Light trapping makes it possible to reduce wafer thickness without compromising optical absorption in a silicon solar cell. In this work we present a comprehensive comparison of the light-trapping properties of various bi-periodic structures with a square lattice. The geometries that we have investigated are cylinders, cones, inverted pyramids, dimples (half-spheres), and three more advanced structures, which we have called the roof mosaic, rose, and zigzag structure. Through simulations performed with a 20 μm thick Si cell, we have optimized the geometry of each structure for light trapping, investigated the performance at oblique angles of incidence, and computed efficiencies for the different diffraction orders for the optimized structures. We find that the lattice periods that give optimal light trapping are comparable for all structures, but that the light-trapping ability varies considerably between the structures. A far-field analysis reveals that the superior light-trapping structures exhibit a lower symmetry in their diffraction patterns. The best result is obtained for the zigzag structure with a simulated photo-generated current of 37.3 mA/cm2, a light-trapping efficiency comparable to that of Lambertian light-trapping.
Influence of biaxial strain on near-band-edge optical properties of c- and a-plane wurtzite-InN films110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3618682View Description Hide Description
Optical properties of c- and a-plane wurtzite-InN films with different in-plane strain are investigated by using 8 × 8 method. Taking into account the influence of carrier density, the imaginary parts of ordinary and extraordinary dielectric function of c- and a-plane InN near bandedge are presented. For c-plane InN, the shift of ordinary absorption edge in the case of isotropic in-plane strain in comparison to the unstrained one is very small. For a-plane InN, the splitting between the ordinary and extraordinary components below 1 eV can be modulated with different anisotropic in-plane strain. Furthermore, the difference of splitting between the cases of in-plane strain and strain-free slightly decreases with increasing carrier concentration, which implies the influence of in-plane strain becomes weaker in higher carrier concentration. The spontaneous emissionspectrum shows the ratio of peak intensity of y- and z-polarizations increases with enhancement of the splitting. It is considered that the distinct polarization dependent optical anisotropy is expected to be observed in non-polar InN film by appropriately modulating the in-plane strain.
Optoenergy storage, stimulated processes in optical amplification with electro-optic ceramic gain media of Nd3+ doped lanthanum lead zirconate titanate110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3618683View Description Hide Description
Optical amplification was observed in electro-optic (EO) ceramic plates of neodymium doped lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (Nd3+:PLZT), when the pumping and seeding beams are not overlapped temporarily. This striking feature in the gain measurement and the accompanying slowly trailing-off both seen in the optical amplification as well as in the lasing action are satisfactorily explained by electron releasing from the rich vacancy-based carrier traps in the intrinsically disordered ceramics, i.e., the consecutively optical, thermal stimuli are found responsible for the long persistent optoenergy storage, and consequently the slow response of the gain dynamics. These findings in optical amplification, the slowly trailing-off, and the underlying mechanism have opened a new way of developing novel controllable optical devices. The model thus established could serve as a guide in design and refinement of a new generation of products out of this excellent, well commercialized EO PLZT ceramics family and similar others.
Gap modes assisted enhanced broadband light absorption in plasmonic thin film solar cell110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3622149View Description Hide Description
In this paper, gap modes assisted enhanced broadband light localization and possible absorption in a thin filmsilicon solar cell is presented. The existence of gap modes in metal particle-surface based thin filmsilicon solar cell is numerically investigated for improved light absorption. About 10.2% increment in light absorption compared to bare thin filmsilicon solar cell is obtained and enhanced light absorption at longer wavelength range is observed. The enhancement is due to the modification of localized surface plasmon modes around the nanoparticles via exciting the gap modes in the space between the nanoparticle and the surface.
Monte-Carlo simulations of light propagation in luminescent solar concentrators based on semiconductor nanoparticles110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3619809View Description Hide Description
Semiconductornanoparticles have a wide absorption band and small reabsorption probability, which makes them great candidates for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). We use Monte-Carlo simulations of photon transport to predict the performance of LSCs based on "type-II" CdSe-CdTe quantum dots. These computations suggest that semiconductor-based LSCs can be highly efficient. The optimum performance is reached with a fairly long LSC with a photovoltaic cell covering only one edge. In addition, when the LSC has CdSe-CdTe nanorods that are aligned perpendicular to the top surface, the escape of photons from the top surface is significantly reduced. These results are encouraging for cost-effective LSC designs based on semiconductornanoparticles.
Effect of electron spin-spin exchange interaction on spin precession in coupled quantum well110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3622324View Description Hide Description
Electron spin-spin interaction in an asymmetric coupled quantum well (CQW) was investigated through electron spin-precession measurements. Precession (Larmor) frequencies from electrons localized in two CQWs were measured by means of polarization- and time-resolved photoluminescencemeasurements under a high magnetic field. At a low excitation power density, the Larmor frequency of the CQW was same as that of a single quantum well. The Larmor frequency of electron spin in one well was shifted to that in the other well as the excitation power density was increased. These experimental results are quantitatively explained by an exchange interaction between electrons localized in the two wells.
Thermal properties of mid-infrared colloidal quantum dot detectors110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3619857View Description Hide Description
HgTe colloidal quantum dot films are studied for photodetection over the 3–5 μm atmospheric transparency window. The temperature dependence of the conductivity indicates that the material behaves approximately as an intrinsic semiconductor. In photoconduction, the responsivity can be as high as several hundred mA W−1 at room temperature. The dark current presents 1/fnoise which is larger than that for homogeneous conductors, and this noise decreases with temperature. A specific detectivity of 2 × 109 Jones is obtained for a sample with a 6 μm cut-off wavelength at 130 K. These values are obtained for the thickest films studied (∼400 nm) and whose thicknesses are still much less than the optical absorption length. The time response can be faster than 100 ns.
Extended light scattering model incorporating coherence for thin-film silicon solar cells110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3622328View Description Hide Description
We present a comprehensive scalar light-scattering model for the optical simulation of silicon thin filmsolar cells. The model integrates coherent light propagation in thin layers with a direct, non-iterative treatment of light scattered at rough layer interfaces. The direct solution approach ensures computational efficiency, which is a key advantage for extensive calculations in the context of evaluation of different cell designs and parameter extraction. We validate the model with experimental external quantum efficiency spectra of state-of-the-art microcrystalline silicon solar cells. The simulations agree very well with measurements for cells deposited on both rough and flat substrates. The model is then applied to study the influence of the absorber layer thickness on the maximum achievable photocurrent for the two cell types. This efficient numerical framework will enable a quantitative model-based assessment of the optimization potential for light trapping in texturedthin filmsilicon solar cells.
Oxygen content dependence of the photovoltaic characteristic of miscut manganite thin films110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3620984View Description Hide Description
We report the effect of oxygen stoichiometry on the photovoltaic properties of miscut managanite La0.4Ca0.6MnO3- δ epitaxial films. The oxygen content was changed by annealing the sample alternately between oxygen and vacuum annealing. With the decrease of oxygen deficiencies, the electrical conductivity increases and the variation of lattice constant decreases, respectively. It is found that the photovoltage and photocurrent decrease monotonously as the oxygen contents decrease. A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the experimental results.
Role of the thermal boundary resistance of the quantum well interfaces on the degradation of high power laser diodes110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3622508View Description Hide Description
The influence of the quantum well(QW)interfaces with the barrier layers on the rapid degradation of AlGaAs based high power laser bars (808 nm) is investigated. Thermal stresses induced in the device by the local heating produced by nonradiative recombination areas at the facet mirror are calculated by means of a thermomechanical model. Results show that the laser power density threshold necessary to achieve the plastic deformation, leading to the generation of dislocations and to the failure of these devices, is reduced as the quality of the QWinterfaces worsens in terms of thermal boundary resistance.
- Plasmas and Electrical Discharges
Two-color interferometry and shadowgraphy characterization of an orthogonal double-pulse laser ablation110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3610510View Description Hide Description
Orthogonal double pulse laser ablation on aluminum target at atmospheric pressure was studied by time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, shadowgraphy and two-color interferometry. Studies were realized as a function of the distance from the first pulse plasma induced in air to the sample surface. The evolution of the electron and neutral particles densities were determined by two-color interferometry. Line intensification mechanisms are discussed based on the interferometry results and the plumes interaction dynamics. It was found that the sample heating by the preablation pulse could contribute to the observed emission enhancement.
Plasma-oxidation of Ge(100) surfaces using dielectric barrier discharge investigated by metastable induced electron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3611416View Description Hide Description
The radical oxidation of Ge(100) applying a dielectric barrier discharge plasma was investigated using metastable induced electron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The plasma treatments were performed in a pure oxygen atmosphere as well as under environmental conditions at room temperature. In both atmospheres GeO2 layers up to thicknesses of several nm were formed on the Ge(100) surface.
Deuterium permeation through carbon-coated tungsten during ion bombardment110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3611386View Description Hide Description
Deuterium permeation during ion bombardment through tungsten membranes coated by amorphous carbonfilms was investigated and compared with the permeation through bare tungsten. The membrane was bombarded by D3 + ions with energies of 200 and 1200 eV/D at a temperature of 873 K. The thickness of the amorphous carbonfilm was 120–170 nm. Detailed characterization of the carbonfilms were performed using AFM, NRA, RBS, FIB/SEM and XPS. The influence of the carbonfilms on permeation were strong for both ion energies, but different for each energy. In the case of 200 eV/D ions, the film was completely removed by the end of permeation due to intensive chemical sputtering, the lag time of permeation was much longer than for the bare membrane, and the permeation rate rose to a maximum value close to the bare membrane and then decreased to lower values. In the case of 1200 eV/D, the films were sputtered only very slowly, the lag time was much longer than in the case of the bare membrane but shorter than at 200 eV/D, and the permeation rate increased steadily up to several percents of the incident flux.
Frequency switching in a relativistic magnetron with diffraction output110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3614037View Description Hide Description
Symmetric axial extraction of radiation from a relativistic magnetron with diffraction output (MDO) facilitates the use of any eigenmode as the operating one. As a consequence, a relatively small input RF signal can be used for mode switching, unlike the case for asymmetric extraction when only non-degenerate modes (the mode or the mode) can be used as the operating one. Using the MAGIC particle-in-cell code we demonstrate that about 180 MW is required to switch these non-degenerate modes in the well-known 400 kV A6 magnetron with extraction of radiation from one of its cavities when driven by a solid cathode, and about 30 MW is required for the same device when driven by a transparent cathode. For the gigawatt A6 MDO with a transparent cathode, however, only 200–300 kW is sufficient for mode switching and the switched mode continues to be generated after elimination of the input short RF signal when the amplitude of the applied axial magnetic field is near the critical value corresponding to the boundary between synchronous regions for neighboring modes. In repetitively pulsed systems, in order to switch each subsequent pulse independent of the previous one, the time between voltage pulses must be chosen to be not less than 20–30 ns (the time for the stored electromagnetic energy to flow out of the cavity) so that decreasing the output power of the previous pulse cannot switch the subsequent pulse. Finally, using this mode switching technique, we demonstrate the possibility of generating short gigawatt microwave pulses with different frequency and polarization by using a short, weak, single frequency signal that is very attractive for radar applications.
A contribution to spectroscopic diagnostics and cathode sheath modeling of micro-hollow gas discharge in argon110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3615962View Description Hide Description
In this paper, the hydrogen Balmer beta line shape from a micro-hollow gas discharge (MHGD) in argon with traces of hydrogen is used for simultaneous diagnostics of plasma and cathode sheath (CS) parameters. For this purpose, a simple model of relevant processes responsible for the line broadening is introduced and applied to the Balmer beta profile recorded from a MHGD generated in the microhole (diameter 100 μm at narrow side and 130 μm at wider side) of a gold-alumina-gold sandwich in the pressure range (100–900 mbar). The electron number density in the range (0.4–4.5) × 1020 m–3 is determined from the width of the central part of the Balmer beta line profile, while, from the extended wings of the Balmer beta profile, induced by dcStark effect, the next three parameters are determined: the average value of electric field strength in the CS in the range (16–95 kV/cm), the electric field strength at the cathode surface in the range (32–190 kV/cm), and the CS thickness in the range (18–70 μm). All four MHGD parameters, , , , and , compare reasonably well with results of the modeling experiment by M. J. Kushner [J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 38, 1633 (2005)]. The results for are compared with other emission experiments.
Space charge limited electron flow in two dimensions without magnetic field110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3622152View Description Hide Description
We present a semi-analytic study of space charge limited electron flow from spatially periodic field emitters in the absence of a magnetic field. This extends our previous works, in which we assumed the existence of a strong magnetic field guiding the flow. We find that, in spite of the non-uniformity of the current density in the flow direction, the total current is very close to that obtained with a strong magnetic field in the same geometry and applied voltage. An analysis of the flow structure and comparison with the magnetized flow is given.
Verification of collisionless sheath model of capacitive rf discharges by particle-in-cell simulations110(2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3620983View Description Hide Description
A global model for high voltage rf argon capacitive discharges in the collisionless sheath regime is verified by particle-in-cell simulations, for both current- and voltage-driven sources. The ion energy distributions (IEDs) and the IED widths are investigated and show good agreement with a theoretical model, with proper adjustment of the dc bias voltage. The sensitivities of IEDs to sources (current or voltage driven) are described. It is found that for the same variations of rf source amplitudes, larger voltage shifts are expected in the IEDs for the current-driven than the voltage-driven cases. The effects of rf frequencies on IEDs are determined for a fixed rf voltage-driven source amplitude. The IEDs show a surprising independence of the rf frequencies, which can be understood reasonably well by the combined scalings of the global dischargemodel and IED theoretical model.


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In the Finnish sauna; throwing water to the heated stonesin Saunas stove for increasing the temperature inside.You can hear some seagulls outside. Recorded in Virolahti Finland 30.6.2008 by ZoomH2 recorder.To see the place : http://www.flickr.com/photos/terhti/2976971949/in/pool-freesound
Very good sauna-ambience! This will be my go-to recording whenever I need sauna-stuff! Thank you for recording this!
Hei, hyvää matskua!
Thank you so much for this pure recording! It feels like in Sauna...
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My sponsored child
We'll let your sponsored child know they're sponsored as soon as possible. You should receive an introductory letter from your sponsored child within three or four months of signing up to sponsor. Note that although your sponsored child will now know they're sponsored, they won't know anything about you until you begin to write to them.
When our staff take photos of the children they do encourage them to smile. However, in some cultures, smiling for the photograph is not the norm. In other cases, the children may have never seen a camera or have rarely been photographed. They tend to take the practice very seriously.
Yes, but… We want you to have the opportunity to develop a meaningful relationship with your sponsored child in a way that is safe, secure and fulfilling for both of you. Because of this, we ask our sponsors to abide by the following standards while participating and partnering in World Vision's Sponsorship program:
- In order to protect children's security and privacy, please don't post your sponsored child's last name or child ID number on the internet or social media sites. For example, it's fine to update your Facebook status by saying "I just sponsored a little girl named Maria from Bolivia!" – in fact, this is encouraged! But it's not okay to post her photo and say "This is my 12-year-old sponsored child, Maria Cruz, from a little town named Tiraque in Bolivia."
- And remember that we discourage direct, unmonitored communication with your sponsored child or family without World Vision's knowledge. This includes contact through the internet or social media (e.g. Instant Messaging, Facebook, Skype, etc.).
- We're fully committed to protect the security, privacy, and dignity of the children whose parents/guardians and community leaders have graciously allowed to be a part of our child sponsorship programs. Children have the right to be completely secure from the fear or reality of any potential abuse (either physical or emotional) resulting from an inappropriate contact by a sponsor or any other person.
Learn more about World Vision's policies on Child Security and Child Protection.
Although it may seem your sponsored child is now at an age when they should be able to write, it's possible not many children in the community can write well or write a complete letter in English. Also, the standard of education in rural areas is not as advanced compared to those in urban areas where children start school earlier. A disadvantage to living in rural areas is that children need to be fully grown in order to walk the distance to school, many of which are a far walk from home. Because children in rural areas generally start school late, their ability to read and write is limited. This is one reason why letters are sometimes written by a family member or helper on behalf of the child.
Oftentimes, listing your questions instead of writing them in a paragraph can make it easier for our staff and volunteers to translate and get answers too.
There could be a variety of factors that contribute to this. A few to consider are:
- Your child lacks motor skills to draw
- Your child doesn't know how or what to draw
- Your child was interrupted from play or chores at the time
- Your child wasn't feeling well at the time (hungry, ill, etc.)
- Your child wasn't feeling artistic at the time
Each year, we'll send you a progress report in the mail updating you about your child's health and educational status. This report will also include a new photo, so you can watch your child grow up.
If it's been more than a year since you last received a progress report, we will be glad to communicate with the national office for you. Please give us a call at 1.800.777.5777.
We understand circumstances arise that make it difficult to continue sponsorship. We would love to work with you to make adjustments to your account so you can continue your relationship with your sponsored child if you would like to. Give us a call at 1.800.777.5777 and we can let you know about options such as a temporary reduced rate or putting your sponsorship on hold. And if you would like to cancel your sponsorship we are happy to assist you with that.
Communicating with my child
Yes! Being a child sponsor is also about building a wonderful friendship. Exchanging letters, cards, or sending emails is a great way to connect with your sponsored child. Be sure to ask your child some questions to get the conversation started! Find more information on sending mail and get ideas on what to write.
Note: For the protection of the children, sponsors, and our staff, we read letters that are exchanged between sponsors and their sponsored children. The letters are reviewed to ensure people do not threaten children, put their lives in danger, or try to develop inappropriate relationships.In many of the countries where we work, Christian expression is restricted so we monitor the letters to make sure nothing written could endanger the child or family. We also review letters to our sponsors to ensure they do not receive inappropriate solicitation of funds from children's families.
When writing your letter, it's important to consider your sponsored child's environment and culture. For example, it's best not to write about the things you own since your child might have very few possessions. But do write about yourself, your family, and friends.
Please look for the Sensitive Area Alert icon under your child's picture in My World Vision for more explanation. If your child lives in an area that welcomes Christianity, please feel free to share your faith and spiritual encouragement with your child.
However, if your child lives in a community where Christian expression is restricted, please don't refer to Jesus or send Christian tracts or Scripture in your messages. Doing so could jeopardize World Vision's work in your child's country, or even endanger the child or our staff. If you have any doubts about what's appropriate in your child's community, please give us a call at 1.800.777.5777.
Our overseas staff prefer that letters are written in English. The only exception would be if you fluently speak the same language as the child. Please don't use a translation service (such as Google Translate). Also, we ask that you in keep in mind that our staff translating the letters may only be fluent in English and their country's official language.
Because your sponsored child may live in a remote location, delivering and receiving a reply to your letter may take three to four months. But the joy of hearing from your child is well worth the wait!
We work in communities that are impoverished and often are located in areas difficult to get to—far from the highways or any other forms of rapid communication with the outside world. Many rural areas don't have phones, internet or, sometimes, even postal service.
There are other reasons why it takes time to deliver and receive letters:
- Only a handful of project workers and staff members supervise the writing and delivery of these letters—in addition to all of their other responsibilities for providing services to the children in the community.
- Most sponsored children have never written a letter, and they need assistance writing to their sponsors. If your sponsored child is unable to read or write, someone must help them read your letter and write out the response, which takes time. This person may be a school teacher, a family member, or a World Vision staff member. If your child has received assistance with writing, there'll be a special note on the letter.
- Once the letter is written, it must be delivered to World Vision's National Office in your sponsored child's country, then be translated to English. In many developing countries, transportation can be a challenge and travel may be interrupted or impossible during certain times of year due to heavy rains and flooding. Also, often the child's village is remote and can require World Vision staff to travel by foot to deliver or collect a letter. All of this can take a substantial amount of time.
We hope this helps to explain why communication between you and your sponsored child may require some patience and time. However, if you don't receive a reply from your child within four months after you have written, please let us know by giving us a call at 1.800.777.5777. We'll check for you with the National Office in your sponsored child's country.
Throughout the year, we'll mail you fun greeting cards you can sign and return for delivery to your sponsored child. They're a great way to encourage and connect with your child--children eagerly hope for their name to be called when mail is delivered.
A small donation is suggested to help cover the costs of handling and mailing the cards, but this donation isn't required in order for the card to be forwarded to your sponsored child.
We print messages on the cards primarily in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili because these are the primary languages spoken in our World Vision offices around the world. Our staff translates the card into the local dialects of the children.
If you'd like to send your sponsored child a letter, but want to avoid the cost of a stamp, you can include a letter with one of these greetings cards. Please note, because of how these cards are distributed, it will likely take longer to receive a reply from your sponsored child than if you were to mail the letter directly.
No. It's against our Child Protection Policy to agree to ongoing communication between a sponsor and their child after the child leaves our program. All communication must be in overseen by World Vision to ensure the protection of the child, their family, community, and for sponsors as well.
For stewardship reasons, we usually develop one greeting card and design it with an 11-year-old in mind because this is roughly the age of the single largest group of children, as well as the median sponsored child age. However, for birthdays we typically create two cards: one for older children and one for younger children.
Sending gifts
Yes! Your child will be thrilled to receive small inexpensive items that fit into a 6"x9" envelope. Find more ideas on what to send and how to address your package.
Important Note: Some sponsors may want to send Christian tracts, Scripture verses, or references to Jesus. Please do not send these items if your child lives in a community that may not welcome Christian teachings. For the sake of your child's protection and the protection of our staff, we ask that you use sensitivity when sending items. Please look for the Sensitive Area Alert icon near your child's picture in My World Vision for more explanation. If you have any doubts about what is appropriate in your child's community, please give us a call.
If you'd like to help your child and their family meet extra needs in their lives, you can provide a Special Gift for them. The funds you send could buy a goat, school supplies, clothing, or another much-needed item.
Learn more about Special Gifts or give us a call 1.800.777.5777 to give a Special Gift today.
Unfortunately, we can't. We refrain from asking staff in your child's community what your child's greatest needs are because this adds time to the process and needs may change. Please allow our staff to talk with the child and their family to determine what they most need. They will always work to ensure that your gift is used in the best way possible for your child, their family, and community.
Visiting my child
Yes! Meeting your sponsored child face-to-face can be an exciting and moving event for both of you. Be sure to contact our U.S. office at least three months in advance of your trip.
Learn more about visiting your child.
While we encourage sponsors to meet their child face-to-face with an in-person visit, unfortunately, bringing your sponsored child to the U.S. for a visit is not permitted for several reasons, including:
- The safety and well-being of your child
- The culture shock experienced by your child
- Your child's readjustment to his or her own lifestyle can be difficult
Share sponsorship with others
Share the joy of sponsorship by finding sponsors for kids who are waiting for help. Create your own customized fundraising page and write your story, include photos, set a goal, and if you like, you can even choose the country, age, and gender of the kids. Then share a link to your personal page with your social network and invite your friends and family to sponsor a child! Get started >
Or, become a Child Ambassador and be a voice for vulnerable children by initiating opportunities to share child sponsorship with others in your own community. Through one-on-one conversations, working with your church, local businesses, or civic organizations, or hosting a booth at an event, there are so many ways to get involved. Experience World Vision's work in the field on an international trip, connect with other Child Ambassadors for encouragement, and learn about global issues that help you grow in your faith, compassion and abilities. Learn more >
Contact us
Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person. We're here for you.


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The Elaine P. Witty Symposium is named in honor of legendary educator, Dr. Elaine P. Witty, the former Dean of Norfolk State University's School of Education. The annual symposium seeks to illuminate critical and current educational issues and provide educational forums that give some possible responses to the topics. Additionally, the symposium brings together educators from across the region and nation to discuss these vital issues.
Dr. Elaine P. Witty, who retired from Norfolk State University in 1999 after 30 years of service, was Dean for 18 years and head of the Elementary Education Department for 10 years. She also served as Acting Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and was the founder and director of the Center for Excellence in University Teaching.
She, in addition, developed the award-winning Norfolk Teachers Corps project for training teachers. In the 1980s, Dr. Witty's pioneering work raised the nation's awareness of the declining number of minority teachers. At Norfolk State University, Dr. Witty sponsored 10 national conferences on the preparation and survival of African-American teachers.
Senator Yvonne B. Miller, who worked at Norfolk State for more than 30 years as a School of Education faculty member, was inspired by Dr. Witty. It was Senator Miller who provided initial financial support to fund the inaugural lecture series and symposium, which was first presented on Saturday, April 25, 2009.
The School of Education is committed to providing the Elaine P. Witty Symposium annually with the vision that students, educators, and other community stakeholders will become more enlightened and proactive in examining social and environmental aspects of the achievement gaps in public education that impact all students.
Promoting Excellence Among Historically Underrepresented Groups: Closing the STEM Achievement Gap Through Educator Preparation
Dates for Symposium: April 11-12, 2014
Event Promotional
Friday, April 11
Guest Panel Moderator:
Roosevelt Johnson Ph.D. Biography
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, NASA Office of Education
Saturday, April 12
Opening Speaker:
Terrell L. Strayhorn, Ph.D. Biography Vitae
Luncheon Speaker:
Stephanie Adams, Ph. D Biography
Elaine P. Witty Symposium Registration Form
Lot 34 (NCH Lot – Entrance on Corprew Avenue)


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text:
Air Force Airman Connor J. Parise graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
Parise completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Parise is the son of Sheila Barnes of Pittsfield and James Parise of Lanesborough. He is a 2013 graduate of Taconic High School.


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COUDERSPORT - Sheffield is making strides, and was a match or two away from a tight District 9 contest against host Coudersport on Tuesday.
After a forfeit win at 220, sophomore Eric Moreno tied the match at 12-12 for Sheffield with a hard-fought pin at 285. With a number in Sheffield's lineup bumping up a weight, Moreno fought Coudy's Jesse Lincoln until the final minute of the third period. He was down 4-3.
Ricky Prosen earned a wild 19-7 major decision at 120 three matches later and a forfeit win gave Sheffield a 22-18 lead with six matches left.
Coudersport won five of those six matches. Coudy's lead was too big to overcome when Sheffield's Anthony Jones ended the match with a pin in 1:29 at 171.
Sheffield coach Jack Rice said one of those five losses was a good performance by Tyler Brisson at 132 in a 5-4 decision loss to Ben Ragosta.
"We're just really young and inexperienced, and taking baby steps," said Rice, Whose Wolverines (0-3) are at the Redbank Valley Tournament on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30.
Coudersport 44, Sheffield 28
182: Jeremy Sedorchuk (C) p. Jacob Gorton, 4:36
195: Forest Tuttle (C) p. Robert Koetzel, :44
220: Hunter Jones (S) wbf.
285: Eric Moreno (S) p. Jesse Lincoln, 5:03
106: Jacob Swede (C) wbf.
113: No match.
120: Ricky Prosen (S) maj dec. Cory Snook, 19-7
126: Brandon Johnston (S) wbf.
132: Ben Ragosta (C) dec. Tyler Brisson, 5-4
138: Cody Bova (C) p. Collin Maines, 4:45
145: Kyle Bova (C) tech. fall. Doug Grubbs, 17-1, 5:00
152: Nick Ayers (C) p. Dakota Bailey, 2:50
160: Clayton Wilson (C) p. Steven Gregerson, :40
171: Anthony Jones (S) p. Zack Elenchin, :1:29


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CAMDEN — A city woman has been charged with murder after stabbing a man once in the chest with a knife, Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk said Tuesday.
Julie Oxmen, 21, of Oak Walk was in the Camden County Jail, Camden, awaiting arraignment.
She is accused of killing Jeremy Massaro, 31, of Camden, about 4 a.m. Tuesday, a spokesman for Faulk said.
Massaro was stabbed inside his girlfriend's residence in the Crestbury Apartments on Crestfair Drive about 4 a.m. Tuesday.
It is alleged Massaro arrived at the apartment and banged on the door. The girlfriend let him in and an argument ensued. It is alleged Oxmen, who was also inside the apartment, hit Massaro in the face with a frying pan. He, in return, punched her. Oxmen stabbed Massaro once in the chest with a knife.
Massaro's girlfriend called 9-1-1. He was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. He died there shortly after the incident.


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Northwest NEWS
ay 25, 1998
Consultant to lead Chinook recovery plan
by Woodinville Weekly staff
SEATTLE--Bruce Laing, a former Republican King County Councilmember from Bellevue, was named King County's salmon czar recently. Laing will coordinate the county's response to the proposed listing of the Puget Sound Chinook salmon as a threatened species. He will also represent King County Executive Ron Sims with other governments and jurisdictions in the region's efforts to develop a salmon recovery plan.
Laing vowed that the area "will not lose the salmon." "I am delighted to accept this challenge as it will be one of the most important issues facing the region," Laing said. King, Snohomish and Pierce counties hope to create a recovery plan that will keep the salmon from being listed thereby avoiding tough federal land and water use regulations. The National Marine Fisheries Service proposed the listing, one step above endangered, in February.
"Such an ambitious tri-county effort requires tremendous coordination, and Bruce Laing is one of the few people who can successfully coordinate such an effort," Sims said. Laing, 65, served 16 years on the County Council where he chaired every committee including the council. Since 1995 he's worked as a consultant. Most recently he led efforts to create the Regional Transit Authority. He was also King County's first hearing examiner. Laing will be paid $150,000 for one year's work.


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Recently, the University of Michigan released a study showing that young people in Michigan are reducing their level of alcohol abuse or misuse, but at the same time they are increasing their use of marijuana.
The study found young people view marijuana use as less detrimental or criminally harmful and more socially acceptable than drinking. From a criminal law perspective, that view couldn't be further from the truth. Certainly, it is more difficult for a police officer to determine if a person is under the influence of marijuana than impaired by alcohol, so from that standpoint their view may have merit. But when you compare the criminal penalties or sanctions for possession of marijuana versus those for a minor in possession of alcohol, the difference is dramatic and draconian.
The first-offense penalty for minor in possession of alcohol is a maximum $100 fine. There is no potential jail time, no license suspension. First-offense possession of marijuana carries a possible sentence of one year in jail, a maximum $2,000 fine and a mandatory six-month license suspension.
A second-offense comparison is even more startling. A second offense for a minor in possession of alcohol carries a maximum $200 fine, a possible 30-day jail sentence (under very limited circumstances), and 90-day license suspension. A second offense of possession of marijuana conviction is a two-year felony, maximum fine of $4,000 dollars, and a mandatory one-year license suspension.
A first-offense possession of marijuana arrest that takes place in a public park is potentially a two-year felony. Even a first-offense useof marijuana conviction is a 90-day misdemeanor.
The laws in Michigan clearly treat those in possession of marijuana much harsher than a minor who uses alcohol. While young people may view using marijuana as more socially acceptable, they should also understand that it carries a much higher risk of going to jail, having their license suspended, paying an exorbitant fine and having a felony on their record.
Richard Migala/Kalamazoo


text:
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Bonadio Group's Syracuse office has a new managing partner.
The accounting firm named Donald Taylor to the position earlier this week. Taylor, a Syracuse native, has been with Bonadio since 2011. He's also leader of the firm's financial services industry group.
Bonadio, based in Rochester, also announced a merger this week with accounting firm Stulmaker, Kohn & Richardson of Albany. The deal takes effect Dec. 1.
The move will add seven employees, including two partners, to Bonadio's Albany office, which will have a total of 62 people. The firm has 490 employees total.
Bonadio's other offices are in Buffalo, Albany, Geneva, Perry, Utica, New York City and Rutland, Vt.
Contact Kevin Tampone at email@example.com or (315) 454-2112. Follow him on Twitter @ktampone.


text:
Mitch Mitchell: The Hendrix Years
"I went down to this little basement strip club in Soho and there was Jimi with a Fender Stratocaster upside-down with a kind of fake London Fog raincoat on, with his wild hair, and Noel Redding, who had been playing with Jimi I think for a couple of days, who I found out later was a guitarist, really, playing bass. I think there was a keyboard player, if memory serves me right, from Nero and the Gladiators. That was the idea first off, to maybe have a keyboard player.
"I just took down a tiny little Ludwig drum kit and said, 'What do you want?' basically. 'What are you looking for and what's it about?' I remember to this day, these tiny little amplifiers, and Hendrix was not happy with these little amplifiers so he was starting to kick them around. Like a lot of auditions, it really came down to the lowest common denominator. [We played] a bit of Chuck Berry, a bit of this, bit of that. I just threw in my Deutschmark, whatever you want to call it.
"He played a couple of things on the guitar that I found interesting — the style – and it kind of sparked me off. I used to get a lot of demos from, like, Curtis Mayfield, early Impressions things. And Hendrix was the first person I'd ever seen who could actually play that Curtis Mayfield style, which was unusual. So I named a Jerry Butler song, or an Impressions thing, and he knew it and could play it, and I thought, 'Oh, interesting.' I mean, I'd never been around that area of music before."
After jamming about 45 minutes, Mitchell packed up his gear and went home, feeling "intrigued." Two days later, he received another phone call from Chandler, who once again invited the drummer to jam with Hendrix, only this time, when he showed up, Mitchell found that there was no keyboard player – just the core power trio that would soon become internationally known as the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
At first, the three-piece lineup reminded Mitchell of Cream — a star-studded super group featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker – which had become the talk of the town around London. He remembers, "I came out with some facetious comment like, 'So, you want me to try to play like Ginger Baker or something?' Hendrix just goes, 'Oh, yeah, whatever you want, man.' But I did get the impression on that second time playing [together] that something was released. It was like a feeling of freedom. I don't know if it's a spiritual awakening. It was just a situation where I'd gone, 'Hey, you've never worked in a three-piece band in your life, ever, and there is something with this player that is very, very special.'"
Mitchell wasn't alone. There were plenty of other drummers around London who wanted the gig. "What did surprise me, very much, is that it appears that a lot of people had been going for auditions and had been playing with Jimi for about two weeks prior to me hearing about this," he says. "London's not that large a place, and in those days, there weren't that many drummers about. A lot of my peers, colleagues — call them what you will — they'd gone for the job. Aynsley Dunbar and Mickey Waller had gone, and knew about this guy and they wanted the job, basically. That's what surprised me, because I didn't hear about it."
Mitchell got the gig after jamming with Hendrix and Redding for a third time. "I think I actually asked Chas, the manager, 'What's on offer? What's the deal here?' It was like, 'Well, look. We've got nothing, apart from a chance. There's two weeks' work, basically.' And I'd gone, 'Well, okay. I tell you what. I'll give it a crack. I'll have a go for two weeks.' What have you got to lose? You're 19 years old, and in fairness to the music, there was something that I could see was potentially inspiring."
With no record deal and hardly any original material, Chandler began to book gigs around England for the Experience. "We had no songs when we first started," Mitchell says. "So for the first couple of gigs, we were doing stuff like [Wilson Pickett's] 'Midnight Hour,' anything we could think of, quite honestly." The band's first tour was a series of opening slots for French rocker Johnny Halliday, followed by "anything that was offered," including pubs and pool halls. But the word seeped quickly through the underground about the band's wild stage shows and startling techniques, and record company cronies began to poke around backstage.
Chandler knew that the Experience was ripe for the studio. "Bless his heart," Mitchell says, "Chas was hocking every bass he owned in sight just to subsidize the band and recording time." The first song the Experience recorded was "Hey Joe" at De Lane Lea studios. In its day, it was a perfectly adequate facility, but by today's standard it was practically Jurassic. "Over all those years, the technology changed so much," Mitchell says. "When we first started recording from the Hendrix days, we had Chas Chandler working as the producer. Don't forget, the Animals' 'House of the Rising Sun' cost £4 – which is $8.00, whatever it is – to make and was done in 15 minutes, first take. And it sounded good.