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Photo by amypalko
What writing practice, like Zen practice does, is bring you back to the natural state of mind…The mind is raw, full of energy, alive and hungry. It does not think in the way we were brought up to think-well-mannered, congenial. – Natalie Goldberg
Writing is an adventure, not just an expedient way of disseminating information. It can even be a spiritual practice. When I say spiritual, I'm not talking about anything high-flying. I'm not talking about angels, higher vibrations, higher intuition, higher anything. I'm talking about something lowly: how to be grounded in the moment. How to access our wild mind. How to write with a mind so open and empty that inspiration can fall into it.
As some of you know, I inhabit two worlds: I'm a Zen master as well as a writer. I lead Zen retreats in various parts of the world. And I write. There's a simple connection between the two: the empty page. When writing anything, we start with an empty page. We set out for the unknown. It's like going to the unexplored areas that the medieval map makers left blank and called terra incognita, 'unknown earth'. In Zen terms the empty page signifies savoring this raw moment now – with a naked mind.
Otherwise our preformed ideas of reality get in the way of seeing and expressing something new.
Natalie Goldberg writes about this in her inspiring books, Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind. My copy of Writing Down the Bones was recently returned to me after a long-lost loan with a slip saying:
This book comes with its head down, in contrite manner, but its eyes sparkling for the adventures its had.
Yes, writing is an adventure! Especially if we approach it with the presence that Zen calls beginner's mind.
Natalie Goldberg says:
Beginner's mind is what we must come back to every time we sit down and write. There is no security, no assurance that because we wrote something good two months ago, we will do it again. Actually, every time we begin, we wonder how we ever did it before. Each time is a journey with no maps.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that writing is an adventure. And then it turns into a chore. For example, when I try to write a blog post in a hurry because it has to go out that very day, I run into problems. I try to be creative – but the words don't flow. My mind goes blank. But this isn't creative nakedness, it's feeling blocked. Do you experience this too?
I tend to reach for Wild Mind and do five minutes of writing practice, following the seven rules that Natalie lays down:
[Just as I had completed the list above, this article started to dry up. It felt as if I was pushing words onto the page, instead of letting them appear of their own accord. So I got out pen and notebook and did five minutes of writing practice, using the points above. I headed the page 'Writing as Spiritual Practice' and then let rip. Here is what I wrote.]
I'm using a fresh page in my notebook because I want to write fresh. The page is empty – and I don't know shit. How could I know anything of this moment? The sun heat streaming through the windows, car sounds from the distant road, the green of vine leaves nodding at me, and the blue sky above and through. Through and through. That's what this moment is like – through and through. That's what I want to say about writing being a spiritual practice. "Hey – all of you! This moment now is through and through. Write from there!"
That wasn't quite what I expected to write…
How about you try this 'Wild Mind' exercise now and see what lands on your page? You could even share it with us in the comments!
One of the things I notice is that the 'Wild Mind' practice anchors me in the present moment. And that sparks my creativity.
Using the Natalie's writing practice is one way to enter the now. Another way is to meditate. I usually do five minutes of Zen meditation just before reaching for laptop or pen. Five minutes of quiet sitting is all it takes to find the miracle of now. And there are many skillful ways to return to the present moment when our mind drifts off again.
Being in the now makes us feel acutely alive and enables us to write without hindrance. The best thing is that when we are truly present, we forget ourselves. What remains is just the act of writing. Old Zen Master Basho refers to this in the following haiku:
Shell of a cicada –
It sung itself away
That's the aspiration I have for writing: to sing myself away. Completely.
But as I said: I don't know shit.
Mary Jaksch is Editor-in-Chief at Write to Done. Grab her FREE report How to Write Like an A-List Blogger. Mary has helped thousands of students successfully create outstanding and profitable blogs at A-List Blogging and is the blogger behind Goodlife ZEN.
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Hi Mary,
This is a wonderful article. I have long found journalling to be therapeutic, and you just gave me some ideas on how to use this method for blog writing. Thank you.
Thanks for this article 🙂
What a great way to look at writing. When I really get deep into writing I sometimes feel like something else is taking over, and I'm not really in control. Almost like it is my primal brain forgetting everything it was conditioned to think and just putting anything down on the page. It's those moments when writing becomes magic.
I really loved this and it totally resonated with me.
when I deeply into working on a novel it is entirely transformative and spiritual.
off to retweet.
That was a good exercise for a moment's application. Here's what I ended up with:
"The mind plans before I even take pen in hand. It reminds me of the full day, and the irony of scheduling meditation, and how many tasks will not be done this day. Yet, I let the page defeat me–carry me away captive for a few moments' possibility. There is so much potential here, like a capacitor bank aching to spark, and I lose it. I can't not plan ahead, it seems. Every phrase is rolled around twice in my head before my sluggish fingers arrive to take ii down, my mind racing feverishly ahead again."
I very much believe in the spiritual side to writing, and the beauty of the blank page. One of the things I try to teach student writers is to practice automatic writing so that there's a flow from the brain to the pen without that pesky 'thinking' getting in the way.
Writing also helps me clear out my mind because the thoughts get written down so the thoughts stop circling around in my head.
I like the idea of writing being an adventure. That's a cool way to think of it and one that I think will help writers write well.
So many times we try to force events in our lives to occur simply because we want them to. When it comes to the creative process I think one should get out of the way of oneself.
Mary, I think the process you are describing allows us to do that. When you realize that 2/3 of who we really are is locked up in our minds, hidden from us, and if we just allowed ourselves to just let go, particularly in the writing process, amazing things can and will occur.
I think learning to "being in the now" is the challenge, but a worth one pursuing.
One of my favorite posts Mary , keep wild minding!
I haven't read The Artist's Way, but I've recently started doing the recommended "morning pages" described in the book. Three pages of free writing each morning upon waking — it's amazing how effectively it centers my mind and allows me to untangle any issues inside.
I also find that when I'm upset or stressed out, it really puts things in perspective if I make myself write down the reasons. This shows that writing can be therapeutic by either appealing to our unleashed thoughts, or using our rational mind to counter unwanted reactions.
Thanks for this post! 🙂
Staying in the present is so hard. I'm always making up stories about people in my head and then I come back, realizing I've been miles away.
Here's what I came up with–it's rather long. Feel free to cut.
I'm sitting here trying to comment on blogs and I get ordered to do some writing practice. What the hell. I might as well since most of my writing these days consists of posts or comments or Twitter and it's nice just to let it flow. A few Canada geese just flew by my north-facing window. I saw a red-tailed hawk yesterday, and I've been reading Bird Chick blog and scheming to go on a birding trip. I'd like to go back to Louisiana and canoe through the swamps with a local guide and dream of the ivory-billed woodpecker. I'd like to sit in the bayou in peace among the cypress. Denver is odd; it's so tree-challenged. What's a girl who grew up among Midwestern oaks doing here anyway? I'm supposed to be losing control here and it's one minute and I'm stuck. I'm out of practice. My desk is full of things to do, but I just wish I could be at a beach. I haven't dived in 18 months and I miss floating in the seawater wondering what kind of coral that is. The ocean is full of wonderment and reminders of my ignorance. It also has the occasional threat like remoras swimming right at you—what the hell is wrong with that fish? I can't help editing. I've been editing for 18 years now and it's really difficult for me to beat down the urge. I think a piece of paper might be better for this exercise than a computer on a desk. I keep thinking of my characters Gilfin and Ellen. I stole his name from Sindarin and I hope nobody from Tolkien-land sues me like they sued that store or whatever that had a Middle Earth name. I just want to figure out how his telepathy limits his life. Can he hurt people with it? Take them over? Or just hear things they think on the surface? What does it mean to be a telepathic people? Is there absolutely no privacy? Can anybody live like that? And why would he then love someone like Ellen, who prefers to be where no one is? Wow, I actually went 6 minutes. I may not be hopeless after all.
Note: Natalie Goldberg does not have an 'h' in her first name.
Do you ever feel that the Universe is winking at you? I opened up my RSS reader, clicked on the Write To Done feed and thought, 'Gosh, that photo looks familiar!' before noticing that it was, in fact, mine 🙂
And the fact that you have used it for Writing as Spiritual Practice just makes me so happy! I've been meaning to read Writing Down the Bones for the longest time, after it has been recommended to me so many times. Clearly, I need to make it a priority.
Thanks again for choosing the photo – I'm glad you liked it – and thanks so much for this fabulous post.
I recently read Shunryu Suzuki's "Beginner's Mind" and can definitely understand the reward of having a beginner's or "Naked" mind. I like the parallel between writing and spiritual practice.
I have an article entitled: "The Truth About Meditation – Do I really have to just sit?" which also speaks to this effect on a broader scope and implies that a form of spirituality can be practiced in many of life's activities, and probably is practiced by many without the practitioner even being aware that this may be a form of meditation or spiritual practice.
While mentioning Natalie Goldberg, don't forget to mention her book Thunder & Lightning–it came after Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones, but it's my favorite of hers.
Also, her rules vary a bit depending on which book you're reading, but my favorite is "You are free to write the worst junk in America…the world…the universe." Repeating that to myself almost always gets me past whatever writer's block I have.
I'm typing when I really want to mix my hot cocoa & read in bed, but I couldn't resist the writing practice. It's been so long since I've wrtiten with wild abandon. The words don't always flow, but I keep my fingers moving, and like Natalie said, I'll see where it leads. Perhaps it will lead me to tho'ts of my dad, recovering from major surgery and contemplating his mortality as he faces chemotherapy. Or maybe it'll remind me how I frittered away the evening on Facebook but don't really feel guilty about it. I hear the occasional word on Late Night from the TV behind me, but when I'm writing, nothing else is really present except the thoughts popping like tiny balloons in my head.
Maybe I'm not a potential novelist or bestselling nonfiction writer or poet laureate, but I think I'm pretty doggone good at expressing what I think and feel, especially what I'm passionate about–enough to catch others on fire with my flames. Things like starvation and genocide, for example.
A beautifully written article on the zen of writing, thank you – I've bookmarked this page for inspiration!
What I'm currently needing is how to approach editing a manuscript… really! It's much harder than writing in some ways.
So I have about 7 or 8 full manuscripts waiting to be edited, and I'm an unpublished writer, and I only manage a bit here & there (also have an editorial background, not in creative writing but in university text writing, but it's the same process, I know, I know, it's silly)…
Writing is inspiration; editing a full-length manuscript is a hard job. If only our writing could be one fell swoop, done in the first utterance, and sometimes it's like that, but not usually, and perhaps that's why vanity presses are becoming such a popular alternative, the nitty picky of editing can be bypassed to a certain extent?
Anyway, as important as the flush of inspiration pouring over the blank page like sunlight or rain, there is the editing, the rewriting, reworking, making consistent, creating overall coherence, simplifying, clarifying, and I wonder if you have struggled with this aspect of finishing a manuscript, and how you have approached it, and, oh, yes, naked mind, how you've nakedly entered your texts to cleanse and polish them…
like gleaming pebbles on the beach…
Thank you.
I really enjoyed this article and it reminds me of rediscovering the reason I started writing, to cleanse my soul in a way.
Hi Mary,
This is an inspiring post, great to see you here after so many outstanding guest articles. I've missed you!
I love Natalie's 7 steps. Have found in the past that my very best writing emerged when I was caught up in a moment or mood and simply let the words flow freely.
I learned the "old" way by writing out first drafts longhand, followed by later revisions. We didn't have the constant in-draft editing options that word processing offers so easily now.
Seems to me it's damn good discipline, or call it "practice," to let your thoughts flow directly onto the page and worry about editorial concerns after. Not only that, it's fun and creatively liberating.
Glad to see this post. I spend a couple of hours each morning working on a combination of writing exercises, general journalling, meditation, yoga and spirituality/creativity reading and I definitely think that these things all go hand in hand! I think your idea of doing just five minutes of zen meditation before writing sounds really powerful.
Dear Mary,
Thanks for the great article and great reminder! I love Natalie Goldberg's writing and she is one of my writer heroes!
I currently write a 3-line poem every day as part of my daily meditative practice, usually directly after my sitting meditation or chanting etc. It is interesting to observe how "I" try and control what gets written, wanting to produce something beautiful and external rather than a direct expression of the experience at hand … especially if the experience isn't so familiar or comfortable!
Agree 100%…when I was conceiving The Project 100, I found a zen place to clear my mind and approach the problem…now I almost have 100 authors for the piece, and I feel this ability to clear my mind allowed me to see through the complexity of recruiting almost all of the 100 authors I need for this not for profit work.
I'm currently reading Writing Down the Bones, and it speaks to me as I move into my own adventure in writing.
Here's my five minutes (or thereabout, I didn't have a stopwatch so I just watched the clock at the bottom of my screen, which was distracting). Anyway, I feel changed . . . like I learned something:
This page is blank, as are all pages when we begin. What a great place to start, considering that's where everyone has began since the beginning of time memorial. Shakespeare, Bronte and everyone else started there.
But I feel like my mind is circling back on itself now, that without direction I go nowhere. Funny, that critical thought almost brought me to a standstill. There was a pause before I started that last sentence.
I'm wondering if I should be doing this exercise with a pen and paper since I type pretty fast and my mind might need time to catch up, to be free, or it might feel rushed. But on the other hand, I'm flying by the seat of my pants. At this speed I don't have time to worry about what might be ahead, I just fly.
That was the end of that idea and now I'm wondering where to go next. My mind goes back to a dream I had this morning, last night before I woke up. I woke up thinking it might be a good children's book. But I don't write children's books. There I go judging again, deciding I must live by labels instead of flying free.
I can see where this exercise can take me. I realize now that I do judge myself and my writing when I write, and even when I dream about things I could write. "I'm not that kind of writer." Yeah, right. How do I know that for sure if I'm living my writing life in chains? If I don't let go and let my mind express what it's really thinking, how the hell do I really know what sort of writer I am?
A writer needs to write every day, even when the urge to write is not there; primarily because, even when the desire is absent, there is something inside that needs to come out: good or bad.
Occasionally, it takes that transition onto paper to discover what is really going on inside your mind. Whatever it is is never wasted matter, but usually the beginning of a great story.
I really like this article. You are right, writing can be very "zone" like for me. It's a fine thing to watch what transpires as the words move across the page. I think that perhaps writing is one those things like running or anything else that requires discipline, patience, and hard work — the going is often tough, and the finished product is nice, but the journey is the real key.
GREAT reminder!
Dammit and wow. Great article. I do writing practice when I first get up with a cup of Irish breakfast tea. It's the most creative part of my day, and I keep following the line on my page until my mug's empty (or has gone cold for too long to consider drinking it), until it's time to do zazen, or until my kids pester me for breakfast–whichever comes first.
I am daily surprised at what comes out onto the paper, and I am reminded of how important it is to give space to your thoughts. There's another side to this, as well, though, and I find that I prepare for my day with my writing. Whatever problems I face, or focus I am preparing, the rehearsal happens on paper. It helps me to be less controlling of others, because I am clear with myself. I solve problems, and think creatively. You've said this already, so I'll stop here.
I was thinking, just this morning, how to capture this, and you've done a beautiful job here. Thanks.
Comments are closed.


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It's the picture of a perfect Mediterranean getaway - but on a recent visit to Miami, I discovered that there's much more to this island than just quiet beaches and luxury villas.
Located just a stone's throw from South Beach in Miami, Fisher Island is not only one of the most exclusive communities in Miami but it is also one of the wealthiest zip codes in the entire country.
Forget 90210 - it's all about 33109.
With its own post office, fire station, 9-hole championship golf course, grocery store and market, restaurants, a private day school, world-class tennis facilities, two marinas, and a fitness/spa/salon building - there's little reason to leave the island - that is, if you can get on it.
A strict and exclusive members-only policy is in place, meaning that only residents, their guests, and hotel guests can travel to the island. Security guards posted on the island's private ferry service check guests in and out by name while others reach the island by private helicopter or boat. Regular public are not allowed on the island - but can admire the island's red Spanish-styled roofs from afar on the MacArthur Causeway or at the Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse at the southern tip of South Beach.
Once you step onto the island, you instantly feel hundreds of miles away from the busy, loud, crowded streets of Miami Beach. It's no wonder that millionaires, successful entrepreneurs, and celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Mel Brooks, and even the Bush family, have been known to stay here.
For those who want to experience Fisher Island for all it's worth (and can afford it), you can book a stay at the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort (www.fisherislandclub.com) where a night starts at around $400 plus a daily $60 club membership fee to access the island's facilities. From bellhops to hotel staff and restaurant severs, the service is incredible and everyone is treated like a VIP.
Best of all - and one of my favourite parts about the island - is that guests of the resort are supplied with a golf cart to get around the island, a breezy 10-minute drive (at golf cart speed). With renovations taking place until 2012, Fisher Island is sprucing up its facilities to make them even better.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pension tax relief for top earners could be cut to fund guaranteed jobs for the long-term unemployed, if Labour is re-elected.
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said the £1bn scheme would see 130,000 people out of work for more than two years offered posts on at least the minimum wage.
However, they would face losing benefits if they refuse to take the jobs, he said.
Writing for the PoliticsHome.com website, Mr Balls said: "A One Nation approach to welfare reform means government has a responsibility to help people into work and support those who cannot, but those who can work must be required to take up jobs or lose benefits as a result - no ifs or buts."
He added: "While getting people back to work will save the taxpayer money in the long-term, the upfront costs of Labour's jobs contract can be funded by reversing the government's decision to stop tax relief on pension contributions for people earning over £150,000 being limited to 20 per cent.
Britain needs real welfare reform that is tough, fair and that works - my article on @politicshomeuk - polho.me/VAjOpD— Ed Balls (@edballsmp) January 4, 2013
"When times are tough it cannot be right that we subsidise the pension contributions of the top 2 per cent of earners at more than double the rate of people on average incomes paying the basic rate of tax.
"£1bn a year would fund a compulsory jobs guarantee initially for all those out of work for 24 months or more - which we would seek to reduce to 18 or 12 months over time."
Read more: Work programme gets 3.5 per cent into work
Capping benefit rises
It is one of the first tax policies confirmed by Labour, which has been coming under increasing pressure to spell out its spending plans.
The announcement is also likely to be seen as positioning by the party ahead of a key Commons vote next week on capping benefit rises.
Those earning more than £150,000 would only get 20 per cent relief on savings for their retirement, rather than the 50 per cent maximum available now, and 45 per cent per cent from April.
The proposal is similar to one announced by the Labour government in 2009, which was later scrapped by the coalition.
Article Tags
Security holes remain in government jobseekers site20 December 2012
Underemployment rises to affect one in ten workers28 November 2012
UK unemployment falls by 49,00014 November 2012


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Pauline Bowers of Landisburg has first-hand knowledge of the history of the Tressler Orphans' Home where she grew up.
Bowers, 86, was born in Shanghai, China, where her father, George Claire of Milroy, served as fire chief for the British Embassy.
In 1923, during his service in Shanghai, he became ill with tuberculosis. Expected to live only six months, he was sent back to the States along with his Filipino wife, Marcella Bautista, and their three children.
In 1924, when their father passed away, Bowers, her brother, Roy Claire, and sister, Marcella Claire, were given a home at Tressler, which was owned by the Lutheran Church.
"At that time there was no social security to help families to care for their children," said Pauline, who noted that social security didn't begin until 1935.
The Lutheran Church purchased the former Loysville Academy and soldier's orphans home in 1868. When David Loy Tressler agreed to donate his share of the proceeds from the sale of surrounding land to the institution it was named after him, becoming Tressler Orphans' Home.
The home provided a place for children of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and others, to be cared for and provided with a physical, intellectual, moral and religious education and wholesome guardianship.
In 1884, a three-story addition was added to the main building.
When Bowers came to Tressler she was only 3 years old and slept in a crib in the nursery.
"There was a train that came through Landisburg and we always heard it toot its horn at night. It sounded like it was coming right through the home," said Bowers. "One night the girl next to me said, 'Some day that train is going to stop and my dad is going to come get me.'
"I was three, and had to tell this four-year-old that her dad would not be coming."
Many Tressler children were there because of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic and as a result of casualties from World War II when hundreds of thousands of children became "orphans of war."
In the early 1890s, the famous Tressler Orphans' Home Boys' Band was formed, touring throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
Bowers remembers the band and has a large photograph of its members.
"The band was open to the boys at the school and to the sons of staff members," said Bowers, who added that girls weren't a part of the band.
She recalled how the band traveled throughout the summer. "They came home about once a month and there was always a lot of excitement. They would be there for a few days and then they were off again."
The band members stayed in people's homes while they traveled. "They marched and played in parades at celebrations such as Memorial Day," Bowers said. "When a hat was passed around, people would contribute money."
The band director, Marion Walters, appears on her photograph, as does 10-year-old band member Del Bowers, who was destined to be her husband.
Walters, she said, tried to form a "trio of blonds" with band members Harold Shroyer, Alfred Sheesley and Del Bowers (pictured in the photograph, front row, left to right).
The trio never quite took off, but Sheesley, who played percussion, stole the show with the playing of "The Bells of St. Mary."
Walters also was the band director of the 104th Calvary of the Pennsylvania National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap.
"One day he just took Del along and made him part of the calvary band," said Bowers.
Aside from the members of the trio, Bowers recognized other band members in her photo: Leo Hackenberg, Vail Hench (son of a houseparent), Bob Heim (son of the Rev. George Heim, who became school superintendent in 1924), Red Delozier, Paul Simon, George Kohler, George Plunket, Walter Brenneman, Guy Mosgrave and Rex Shroyer.
"Simon, one of five brothers living at the home, was one of the first casualties of World War II," said Bowers.
Walters also was the football coach, girls' and boys' basketball coach and a houseparent.
"In 1932, the football team played against Camp Hill," she said. "Tressler didn't even have uniforms. They played in bib overalls and high-topped clodhoppers and beat the dickens out of them." After that, they got uniforms.
Eventually, Walters gave the girls who knew how to play instruments the opportunity to get together.
"They would hurry to get everything done in the morning so they could get together and play before classes started," she said.
Although Bowers and her older siblings came to the home at an early age, they didn't lose complete contact with their mother.
She managed to get a job at the Annie L. Lowry Memorial Hospital, which opened on the Tressler campus in 1923. Unfortunately, she was quarantined due to an outbreak of scarlet fever and was prevented from seeing her children.
Later, when she got a job as a houseparent to 40 boys, she and the children saw each other in passing and had regular visitations on Saturday afternoons.
"Tressler was a wealthy home," said Bowers. "We had schools, a hospital, bakery, a farm with pigs, chickens, beef and milk cows, gardens and orchards. There was a lot of outlying land."
She recalled going for walks in the orchards as a child. "The walk to the orchard was straight uphill where all you could see was the top of the hill touching the sky. I didn't think there was anything on the other side. I thought it was the end of the world."
In 1936, the number of children at Tressler peaked at 350. A gradual decline followed, with the number reaching 183 by 1944.
During this time as society moved away from orphanages, Tressler began looking more into placing children in foster care and through adoption.
Bowers left Tressler around 1937 after her sister, Marcella, graduated from high school. In 1942, she married Del Bowers.
In 1947, the Tressler Boys Band dissolved as its members began attending public school and became involved in the high school band.
To Bower's delight, in 1953 the home was renamed, The Tressler Lutheran Home for Children.
"I was so grateful to have the word orphans taken out of the name," she said. "Tressler was a wonderful place to grow up even after going through the sad event of losing a parent or parents."
She holds many fond memories of her childhood home, including "that wonderful smell of home-baked bread" coming from the bake shop, the first "talkies," or talking motion pictures she saw in first grade, and houseparent "Mom" Nelly Williams, who cared for girls in grades 1-4.
"Many of the students, boys and girls alike, talked fondly of her, calling her 'the most worthwhile,'" she said. "She had a sense of humor, was kind and never got angry."
The home's population continued to decline, and in 1962 the board of trustees closed its doors.
The grounds and buildings were sold the following year to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and it now is known as the Loysville Youth Development Center.
Bowers still keeps in touch with Tressler alumni and receives their newsletters. There's an annual reunion and a picnic/dinner is held every other year at the youth center.
Summing up her years at Tressler, she said, "Put a group of kids together and you can do most anything, and have a lot of fun!"


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I have already seen my Christmas gift, Holyoke's new senior center.
I began wishing for it 61 years ago when I was 23 years old and walked into the Holyoke YWCA, then on Maple Street, to work with 75 men and women, all over the age of 65, and start the first independent Golden Age Club in the country.
There may have been other similar programs for retirees, but they had either a political "tie-in" or some sort of obligation to another organization.
My dream was a club by the people, for the people and run by these people. It sort of sounded like a "bill of rights" for senior citizens.
It was my strong feeling that people are happiest, healthiest and much better off if they run things themselves and if they don't expect things to be handed to them. I thought that day how wonderful it would be if the seniors of Holyoke could have their own building.
Meetings were held every Monday afternoon for several years. From these regular meetings, other things evolved. Members formed bowling teams and choral groups and organized whist parties. Some began bingo games, crafts programs and reading clubs.
Many area people with talent were delighted to entertain so there were dancers and musicians, travelers with beautiful slide programs which took Golden Age Club members, now numbering hundreds, to places around the world that they otherwise would not have ever seen.
It was about six years into the club's existence that I realized how wonderful it would be if the Golden Age Club could have a building of its own. I tried to find one. There was nothing available which would be affordable.
When it became necessary to leave the YWCA, the basement of the War Memorial building was available. It evolved into being home for both the Golden Age Club and the Council on Aging's senior citizen center. Over the course of the years, all the efforts merged to be the Holyoke Golden Seniors.
Never once did I stop dreaming that seniors in Holyoke needed a building all their own with specific rooms for specific things, rooms for health conferences, exercise groups, for crafts and card playing. The only way this was going to happen is if someone faced the reality that seniors could never raise sufficient funds with just their card parties, tag sales and fund-raising bingo games.
Two true pioneers, Rose Degres and Carol Rogers, traveled across Massachusetts to take photos of senior centers in other communities. An organization known as the Friends of the Holyoke Council on Aging was formed, with a board of directors headed by president Fran Wilhelmi. A group of us became members of the board, hoping to encourage others to join us and pay dues.
Kathy Bowler, the present executive director of the Council on Aging, asked us to think in terms of major fund-raising with our friends' group making a sizable pledge. The City Council voted to provide substantial financial help without which we never could have begun.
Fund-raising professionals were hired, architects, project engineers were hired and had many meetings with our board members. Marion Tierney and Ann O'Leary were chosen as co-chairs of the fund drive.
Although my title was "honorary" chair, it was far from just a title. I was responsible for some major contributions from companies, friends and families and am most proud of the flag and flagpole from my two daughters who have always known how much this building meant to me. The flag from their father's casket will fly from that flag pole.
Construction of the building got off to a slow start, but good weather blessed the workers. It is finally finished. Most of the furnishings are in, programs are in place and some time after the first of the year there will be a formal opening. I believe it is the most beautiful building, new or old, in the city of Holyoke.
I do, however, want to remind the community and those who succeed us in serving on the boards which will oversee the center in the future that this building's mission is as a senior center. It is not a building for younger age groups; it's intended specifically as a home away from home for retirement-age men and women.
During the construction I parked my car and just sat and looked at this building as it was being constructed. I have gone in to see many of the rooms and am thrilled about how beautifully they will serve our seniors.
This building belongs to all Holyoke seniors, but, in the very quiet times of my life, I think of it as the Christmas gift I wanted for so long. I thank every person who has contributed to making this dream a reality for me, as a Holyoke senior, and for thousands of others today and in the future.
Barbara C. Bernard, of Holyoke, is a columnist for The Republican.


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How quickly can you declare yourself a star? Predicting the popularity of online content
If a new article posted to Digg gets 1000 digs in its first hour, is it going to be the next Big Thing? Or will it be another dud, cast to the vast piles of forgotten memes?
G. Szabo and B. Huberman of HP's Social Computing lab sought the answer to this question in "Predicting the popularity of online content". For their analysis, Szabo and Huberman tracked the popularity of 7,146 videos posted to Youtube and 1.3 million links submitted to Digg over the course of 30 days (for youtube) and six months (for digg).
Based on their analysis, Szabo and Huberman note several interesting trends. The core finding of the paper surrounds confirming, relatively unsurprisingly, a positive correlation between the number of votes a post receives within its first few hours (digg)/days (youtube) and the number of votes it ultimately receives during its lifetime. What is slightly less intuitive is that the significance of the (linear) correlation is significantly higher when the votes are log-transformed — that is, when the log of the number of votes a video or link receives in its first hours are compared to the log of votes it ultimately receives. (We guessed that this might be explained by the same causes that drive the Zipf power-law effects seen in web site visitation patterns). This observation drives the authors to build 3 linear estimators using log-transformed votes for extrapolating an item's popularity based on its initial popularity, and to analyze the average-case performance of each on a held-out test set.
Although the majority of the paper explains itself clearly, the results section becomes thick in statistical detail and is difficult to interpret. By my interpretation, one of the models outperforms the others, but depending on what you're trying to do, its performance may not be good enough. If your goal is to determine whether a link or video is going to be hot (within a certain confidence interval) you might be in luck; using these models might help. But, if you want to compare relative likelihood that one article will ultimately surpass another (e.g., rankings) the loose error bounds (and "multiplicative error") suggest you'd better wait a little longer.
While discussing the main point, the paper also outlines a number of simpler but similarly interesting statistics: Digg articles typically "saturate" in popularity very quickly — typically within 5-10 hours (up to a day), while Youtube videos tend to continue to grow in popularity over weeks. A different observation surrounds how the amount of participation on these sites fluctuates cyclicly by hour of the day and day of week - with activity decreasing in evenings and week-ends. The authors come up with a clever technique to cancel out these cycles from their predictions by re-defining time as "the interval of time required for the all articles collectively to accrue a certain number of votes".
During our tea discussion, we arrived at a number of questions the authors outline as future work: why does the popularity of articles exhibit this behavior? How much of this is determined by the popularity versus the items themselves? Asked another way, if one (hypothetically) artificially inflates the number of initial votes on a particular item chosen at random, how much will its ultimate popularity be affected by this initial inflation? Finally, what if we added content features to our predictors, could they fare better?
Since it's hard to predict the answers to these questions, I guess we'll just have to wait and see….
- emax


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App Description
Do you want to keep your kids entertained. "Live Animals" is a sliding tile puzzle that's not so difficult , it keeps your kids entertained and educates them at the same time. Free updates will build the library of animals available.
App Changes
- June 15, 2014 Initial release


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Micro SMG
Redirected from Uzi
this wiki
- "Combines compact design with a high rate of fire at approximately 700-900 rounds per minute."
- ―GTA V description on the Rockstar Games Social Club.
In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Micro SMG is a full-size Uzi.In'Grand Theft Auto V, a smaller variant of the Micro-SMG appears as the Mini Uzi. In Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Advance, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the Micro Uzi appears instead, an even smaller version that lacks a stock.
In Grand Theft Auto III, It is the weapon of choice for the Yakuza, Southside Hoods and Colombian Cartel and the Leone family (only before completing Sayonara Salvatore )
- "Extremely popular on the streets."
- — GTA Vice City Website.
In Vice City, Vercetti Gang members carry Micro SMGs after the end of the game's storyline. The Micro SMG is also the starting weapon for the players after the regular pistol when advancing from the first points of the games.
In San Andreas, the model has two magazines taped together for easier reloads. The Micro SMG shares the same skill slot as the Tec-9. When Hitman skill level is reached, it can be dual wielded, doubling the player's round count to 100. This sub-machine gun is more commonly used by the Ballas, Varrios Los Aztecas and Da Nang Boys gang members in San Andreas.In Grand Theft Auto IV, the Micro SMG has a 50-round magazine capacity (even though the model shows the dimensions of a 32-round magazine). The weapon has a very limited range, about equal to the Pistol, and will kill multiplayer enemies with about 5 headshots or 10-15 bodyshots. It is one of the weakest weapons in the game, and is only used because of its incredible rate of fire, which makes it a lethal weapon in close quarter combat and the best weapon available for drive-bys.
- "Legendary design classic, darling of special forces the world over, or simple entry-level sub-machine gun? ... Let your target decide."
- — Description in Chinatown Wars
In Chinatown Wars the Micro SMG has a 50-round magazine capacity and deals a good amound of damage, but it also has a very poor, limited range. The MP5 outclasses it at range and damage but the 50-round magazine might make a difference.
In Grand Theft Auto V, the Micro SMG only has a magazine capacity of 16 rounds (which can be extended to 30 rounds). Unlike previous models, its stock is always extended.
GTA V Overview
The Micro-SMG has the lowest damage of its class, dealing only 21 damage per shot. This low damage profile is a large drawback, making the Micro-SMG easily outclassable by other weapons. However, the fire rate helps improving the damage per second: it fires at 600 rounds per minute, one of the highest fire rates of the game.
The Micro-SMG has a mediocre accuracy: viewkick is high in first-person view and so is spread in third-person view. It is advised not to use the weapon at long range, as the player will likely miss more shots than actually hitting the target.
The mag capacity is an average 16 rounds: combined with the high fire rate, this will make reloading frequent. Extended Clip is a recommended attachment to reduce the risk of reloading in combat.
The Micro-SMG has the same attachments selection as most other submachine guns. As mentioned above, Extended Clip gives a boost to mag size by increasing it to 30 rounds, making reloads less frequent. The Silencer is an effective attachment due to the already low damage per shot, making the damage nerf less noticeable. The Scope is a good replacement for the iron sights in first person view, but is generally ineffective due to the already clear sights and the lack of effectiveness at long range. Finaly, the Flashlight can help the player illuminate areas at night.
The Micro-SMG is the only submachine gun available for drive-by shooting. It is, however, outclassed by the AP Pistol which has better damage, accuracy and higher ag capacity after upgrade.
In conclusion, the Micro-SMG is an average weapon, with low damage but effective fire rate. It is mostly effective for short-range drive-by's and combat, though it is easily outclassed by various weapons.
|Rate of fire
(Rounds per minute)
|Reload speed
(Time taken to reload)
|Damage per shot
|Effective range
1.67 seconds
Customization (GTA V)
|This article or section contains insufficient information and is considered as a Stub. You can help GTA Wiki by expanding it as much as you can.
Requiring improvement: Next-Gen and Online Prices
|Rounds & magazine
|GTA Online (Unlock)
|Rounds (32)
|(Rank 5)
|Default clip (16 rounds)
|Extended clip (30 rounds)
|Flashlight (provides ilumination when aiming)
|Scope (expands field of view)
|Suppressor (silences but slightly reduces damage and range)
|$5000 (Kill 100 players)
|Green (Collector's and Enhanced Edition)
|$7500 (Kill 200 players)
|Orange (Collector's and Enhanced Edition)
|(Kill 400 players)
|$5750 (Kill 600 players)
|Pink (Collector's and Enhanced Edition)
|$7500 (Rank 50)
|Gold (Collector's and Enhanced Edition)
|$10000 (Rank 75)
|Platinum (Collector's and Enhanced Edition)
|$12500 (Rank 100)
- Harwood, Portland Island - At the corner of the concrete embankment just northeast of the car crusher at the Harwood Autocrusher and Junkyard.
- Saint Mark's, Portland Island - In one of the backyards running along an alleyway. From Momma's Restaurante, go south to the next block and turn left into the alley right next to a shop with a green awning. Once inside the alley, head east then turn left at the third opening (near the police bribe). Turn east and you will see the weapon next to a hidden package.
- Red Light District, Portland Island - Available to buy from Ammu-Nation after completion of Cipriani's Chauffeur ($800).
- Trenton, Portland Island - On top of Liberty City Sawmills (near the large teal rooftop on the west side) next to the body armor icon. Use the very low wall near the bus station. Walk on the low wall and jump over the sawmill wall. Then go over to the large mound of sawdust to gain access to the rooftop.
- Newport, Staunton Island - Available to buy from Ammu-Nation after completion of Last Requests ($800).
- Spawns at each safehouse after collecting 20 Hidden Packages.
- Used by the Leone Family during Big'N'Veiny and Espresso-2-Go!.
GTA Vice City
- Ocean Beach - Behind the Ocean Beach Pay 'n' Spray in a fenced area, reachable on foot.
- Washington Beach - Near the front end of the tall apartment building with a swimming pool out back.
- North Point Mall - Available to buy from Ammu-Nation from the start of the game ($400).
- Prawn Island - On the front porch of the Mendez Mansion (the green, in the middle).
- Downtown - Under the stairs that lead to the rooftop with the Skumole Shack, just northeast of The Greasy Chopper.
- SWAT Team Officers - Killing one will cause them to drop the weapon.
- Vercetti Gang Members - Wasting a group of them will give a decent amount of ammo. Only if the storyline is completed.
- Vice Squad - Killing the Vice Squad will make them drop their weapon.
GTA Advance
- Available to purchase from Ammu-Nation for $800.
- Spawns near every safehouses after collecting 20 Hidden Packages.
GTA San Andreas
- Ganton, Los Santos - Underneath the bridge that connects Ganton and East Los Santos.
- East Beach, Los Santos - On top of a building along the crooked uphill road that leads to East Los Santos and Los Flores.
- Angel Pine, Whetstone - Behind the easternmost trailer in the trailer park.
- Doherty, San Fierro - Beside the Doherty Garage if you photograph all 50 Snapshots.
- Esplanade North, San Fierro - In Pier 69, behind the building where a Well Stacked Pizza store is located.
- Verdant Meadows, Bone County - Inside a destroyed plane, in one of the cylindrical parts.
- Redsands West, Las Venturas - Behind a dumpster in the alley behind the Redsands West Safehouse.
- Available to buy from Ammu-Nation for $500 after the completion of Doberman.
- Receivable from Ballas, Varrios Los Aztecas, and Da Nang Boys.
- Used by enemy gangs during Gang Warfares.
- Used by the SWAT.
GTA Liberty City Stories
- Chinatown, Portland - By a diner under the Callahan Bridge and the El-Train tracks.
- Red Light District, Portland - Available to buy from the Ammu-Nation store upon completion of Don in 60 Seconds ($600).
- Newport, Staunton Island - Available to buy from the Ammu-Nation store after completing Driving Mr. Leone. ($600)
- Cedar Grove , Shoreside Vale - Underneath the bridge leading to Pike creek
- Swat Team Members - Killing them will cause them to drop their gun.
- Colombians - Killing them will make them drop their gun.
- Southside Hoods- Whacking them will make them drop their gun.
- Yakuza - Wasting them will make them drop their ammo (PS2 only).
GTA Vice City Stories
- Downtown - On roof of a small building accessible by stairs, northward of The Mendez Building. Under the stairs is a rampage available.
- Downtown - Available at the Ammu-Nation store from the start of the game for $600, but discounted to $450 after completing Phil's Shooting Range.
- Vice Point - Next to a jetty where a Violator spawns. The Micro SMG is located just across the Leaf Links Golf Club and a rampage location.
- Swat Team Members - Either by killing the Swat members from an VCPD Enforcer or a squad from the VCPD Maverick.
- Vice Squad - Killing them will cause them to drop their gun.
- Bikers - Killing them will cause them to drop their gun.
- Sharks - Killing them will cause them to drop their gun.
The Micro Uzi can be purchased from the back-alley gun shops after the mission Do You Have Protection? for $1,200 and each additional magazine costs $100. It can be purchased from Little Jacob for $840 and each additional magazine will cost $20. The Uzi has minimal range and poor stopping power, but it has an extremely fast rate of fire and a 50 round magazine, making it the best weapon in the game for drive-bys or car chases because you can just spray without having to reload.
- Beechwood City, Broker - Can be found in the alley behind the Homebrew Café on Dillon St.
- Francis International Airport, Dukes - Can be found under the Broker-Dukes Expressway, coming from Beechwood City.
- Steinway, Dukes - Can be found on the third floor of an unfinished building on Concord Ave. Overlooking Steinway Park.
- Charge Island - Can be found on the left side of the pier behind the boat dock on the northwest side of the island. The player can pick it up during the mission Catch The Wave if they want.
- Star Junction, Algonquin - Can be found on the edge of a large planter behind the Majestic Hotel.
- The Exchange, Algonquin - Can be found in an alley between Bismarck Ave and Albany Ave near the Goldberg, Ligner and Shyster building.
- Happiness Island - Can be found within the guard booth on the western pier. The player crashes onto this pier with the Annihilator in the mission Out of Commission.
- Booth Tunnel - Can be found in the third cross-tunnel, nearest Alderney.
- Westdyke, Alderney - Can be found behind a Cluckin' Bell billboard off Beaverhead Ave.
- Alderney City - Can be found on top of a Liberty State Delivery tractor trailer in a truck lot on the west side of the Plumbers Skyway.
GTA: Chinatown Wars
- Can be bought from AmmuNation.net for $350 after the mission Pimp His Ride.
- Can be found in numerous red dumpsters around the city.
- Receivable from any gang member.
- Can be bought at any Ammu-Nation store.
- Can be found underwater, between containers of a sunken ship near NOOSE Headquarters.
In-game model
FPS Gallery
HUD icons
- The GTA III version of the weapon features an orange tip on the muzzle,a feature usually reserved for toy weapons. This might imply that Ammu-Nation paints the muzzles of its Micro Uzis before selling them. Since real life criminals often disguise their weapons by painting the muzzle orange, that explanation might be legitimate.
- The full-sized Uzi was originally intended to be featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Beta screenshots of the game show the Grove Street Families gang members perform a drive-by with the beta appearance of Big Smoke, Sweet Johnson and Ryder without his hat and his sunglasses. The gun was left out for unknown reasons although the animation for it from GTA Vice City was used for the MP5, when fired. The final version of the game features a Micro Uzi instead. As seen on certain screenshots, Carl Johnson can be seen dual-wielding the gun, suggesting that it would share its skill level with the TEC-9.
- The Mini Uzi also appears in Max Payne 3, another Rockstar Games title.
- The GTA San Andreas HUD icon resemble the MAC-10 from GTA Vice City instead of the SMG in-game model.
- In GTA V, one of the artworks shows Trevor firing with a beta Micro SMG. This one uses a semi-curved stock, rather than the actual version. Moreover, an usued model found in the game files depicts the weapon with a shorter stock.
- In GTA V, Trevor, Franklin and the Online Protagonist will always fire the Micro-SMG from the hip unless the Scope attachment is bought. Michael, however, will always properly shoulder the gun, even without the scope.
- If the player aims from cover, the stock will be unfolded and the character will shoulder the gun. After firing the first bullet, though, the stock will get folded by itself, but the character will keep firing the gun from eye-level (only happens without the scope attachment).


text:
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text:
Brettle, Alison, Hall, Hazel and Oppenheim, Charles (2012) We have a DREaM: the Developing Research Excellence and Methods network. In: 4th International Conference on Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, 2012, Limerick, Republic of Ireland. (Unpublished)Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)
This paper reports on UK efforts to support the building of the library and information science (LIS) evidence base through the work of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded Developing Research Excellence and Methods (DREaM) project (http://lisresearch.org/dream-project/). The broad aim of this project is to develop a formal UK-wide network of LIS researchers. The grant is held by Edinburgh Napier University and the work is supported by the UK Library and Information Science Research Coalition (http://lisresearch.org) The project began in January 2011 and runs until August 2012. It focuses on bringing together those with an interest in developing LIS research at five UK events: two conferences (one at the start, and one at the end of the project) and a set of three linked workshops. These explore the scope of LIS and related research, the range of methods appropriate to research in the domain, and their strengths and weaknesses. Contributors include both methods experts from LIS, as well as experts from other subject domains, who explore and evaluate with participants a wide range of techniques that go beyond the standard qualitative and quantitative methods commonly deployed in LIS research. The participants, i.e., the members of the DREaM network itself, come from the full spectrum of LIS sectors, and hold roles at all career stages from student to senior management. Brettle is a participant in the DREaM network, and Hall and Oppenheim are the project co-investigators. Drawing on their respective experiences in these roles, and based on an analysis of data collected from network members, the presenters evaluate the project to date. This evaluation covers its impact on participants and their relationship with research. It also considers the value of the unique project approach that includes, for example, heavy reliance on event amplification to widen participation in the project beyond the delegates in situ, interactive sessions with network members, and the use of methods experts to share knowledge from domains external to LIS. This paper is of direct relevance to the conference theme of methodologies for building the evidence base in library and information services. It also raises important issues related to advocacy, networking and influencing. Conference delegates who are interested in developing research capacity or expanding the LIS evidence base will be keen to learn of the UK experience. The conference web site is at http://www.isast.org/importantdates/qqml2012.html
|Item Type:
|Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|Library and Information Science; research; Developing Research Excellence and Methods (DREaM);
|University Divisions/Research Centres:
|Edinburgh Napier University, Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation
|Dewey Decimal Subjects:
|000 Computer science, information & general works > 020 Library & information sciences
|Library of Congress Subjects:
|Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science
|Item ID:
|Depositing User:
|Computing Research
|Date Deposited:
|14 Mar 2012 09:23
|Last Modified:
|14 Mar 2012 09:23
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Join the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society on Saturday, April 5 for a scrumptious dinner prepared by CIA-trained chef and President of the Board of Trustees Jeanne Matos. Purchase tickets ahead for dine-in or takeout. A ticket includes homemade dinner, salad of mixed greens, fresh breads and delectable desserts. Seatings are at 5 and 7 p.m.
Call 802-484-5829 or stop by the shelter to purchase tickets.


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WASHINGTON TWP. — A volunteer group commissioned by the Washington Township school board presented the results Tuesday night of a three-month long study that considered five scenarios to redistrict the schools' enrollment.
In Scenario 1, the district would close the ECC and move the kindergarten students to their neighborhood elementary schools. While there would be a savings of $650,000 by closing the ECC, other costs would occur because there wouldn't be enough room in the six elementary schools to house grades K-5. Specifically, Bells, Birches and Whitman would be short, and Thomas Jefferson would have one extra room.
In Scenario 2, the group considered closing the ECC and moving the kindergarten students to Thomas Jefferson Elementary which has the lowest population, and also the highest percentage of economically-disadvantaged students at 34 percent. Elementary students would then be redistributed through the other schools. While this plan would disperse the economically-disadvantaged students throughout the district, there'd be greater transportation costs — and likely emotional costs — to send the TJ students elsewhere.
In Scenario 3, the district would keep all schools open and realign the economically disadvantaged students so the proportions are more even throughout the six elementary schools. Currently, only about 9 percent of the students at Wedgwood fit that category, while the number is 20 percent at Bells and 34 percent at TJ. Such a move could be considered discriminatory, the task force said, also noting that the new transportation routes wouldn't result in any significant savings.
In Scenario 4, the district would close the ECC and reconfigure the six elementary schools to make half of them K-2 and the other three 3-5. The "sister schools" that currently are paired up to feed into the middle schools would stay partnered. While there would be better teacher articulation and a savings for closing the ECC, there would be costs to move the grades and programs, costs for parents to provide childcare to arrange for the staggered hours, and possible costs on building expansions since some of the 3-5 schools would be close to capacity.
In Scenario 5, the district would close the ECC and move the kindergarten students to Thomas Jefferson. Those who walk to TJ would stay there, and those who take a bus would be moved to another elementary school. However, there would be a higher number of economically disadvantaged students at TJ still, and not enough room for growth if kindergarten enrollment fluctuates.
Read the Gloucester County Times tomorrow to find out the board's opinion and get the full story.


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BIRCH RUN, MI — There's a certain amount of brotherly love between Birch Run wrestling coach Bart Bennett and his younger brother Lake Bennett, a senior all-stater with the Panthers.
"We've definitely butted heads," said Lake Bennett, who is 13 years younger than his big brother.
"I defer him to my assistant coaches," said Bart Bennett, a three-time state placer for the Panthers who won an individual title in 2001. "My coaching staff is good so I trust them to work with him."
Lake Bennett was in kindergarten when Bart Bennett was a senior at Birch Run. Bart Bennett, an all-state football player who went on to play at Saginaw Valley State, holds the team record for career wins in wrestling with a 212-19 record.
"I remember going to tournaments, but I didn't see him wrestle a whole lot," Lake Bennett said. "But he created a legacy when he was here, and now he's passing it down to the wrestlers here.
"I really look up to him, and he's definitely the reason for my success."
The Panthers have been quite successful since Bart Bennett took over the program five seasons ago. Birch Run lost to eventual state champion Richmond in the Division 3 state semifinals in Battle Creek last season.
On Saturday, the Panthers are hosting the 41st annual Saginaw County Wrestling Championships at the Birch Run Expo Center. The tournament features 16 teams from Saginaw County, and it begins at 9 a.m. with the championship round slated to begin around 4 p.m.
After breaking the record for points at the the meet with 322 last season, the Panthers return five county champions and are seeking a third-straight county title.
That's why they wake up to train every day at 5:45 a.m. in the week leading up to the County Meet.
"This is a tournament we really look forward to because it's the halfway point and a turning point in the season," Lake Bennett said. "We take a lot of pride in the county titles and we're working hard to get that third straight title.
"I'm really proud of the guys for the hard work."
Bart Bennett expects tough competition in what could be a wide open field for the top five places.
"I think it will be pretty wide open," Bart Bennett said. "We're decent. Swan Valley is tough. Freeland is tough. Heritage has a good group of kids that I know of and Chesaning has a few tough kids that we've seen."
But the Panthers return the championship experience.
Lake Bennett leads the way after finishing fifth at the individual state finals last season. The 17-year-old senior will wrestle at 140 or 145 pounds on Saturday and brings in a 17-4 record to the mat. He won the county title last year after a runner-up finish as a sophomore.
"A couple of my losses are to guys out of my division in bigger schools," Lake Bennett said. "It's only preparing me for the end of the season. I just have to go out and wrestle my style. And that's about going as hard as I can. I trust in my coaches. They have me prepared."
Bennett and Adam Bishop (112) are the only seniors that return as county champions. Jared Elliott (140), George Lahar (171) and Jerry Fenner (103) also won county titles for Birch Run, which sent 10 wrestlers to championship matches last year.
"We've taken some lumps this year, but we're improving," Bart Bennett said. "We've faced some tough competition, and we have a long way to go. That's what's nice about this tournament is it's the halfway point. We're looking to fix a lot of things that need to be fixed."
The Panthers have 36 wrestlers on the team. Since tasting success at the state semifinals last year — Birch Run hadn't reached the quarterfinals since Bart Bennett's sophomore year in 1999 — the Panthers entered this season with a target on their backs and a drive to finish some unfinished business in Battle Creek.
"It was heartbreaking to lose (in the semifinals) but it gave us something really big to build off of," said Lake Bennett, who'd like to pursue a collegiate wrestling career. "I can't speak for the guys, but I was really motivated after we lost. I couldn't wait to get to this season.
"It was fun down there but we still have something to prove and we keeping working at that. You have to sacrifice your body, time and effort to get down there. I want to see it all pay off."


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Investor Login
Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.
-Rudy Giuliani
Typically, we partner with existing management to leverage the experience and dedication of an established successful team. We have had success working with companies under the following circumstances.
Owner Succession
- capital for shareholders seeking an exit in personal or estate issues.
Management Buy-Outs
- backing incumbent management of private companies or corporate/subsidiary divestitures in acquiring their business from existing shareholders.
- providing liquidity for existing shareholders while enabling them to remain as significant owners to benefit from future growth.
Growth Financing
- longer term capital for major internal or external growth initiatives such as industry consolidations, mergers/acquisitions, and expansions of operations or products.


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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Northbound motorists on Nance Road during their morning commute aren't getting a fair share of green time at the traffic signal at Capshaw Road, a reader said.
Rick Hunter of Madison said in an email that engineers should look at the situation that allows only two or three northbound vehicles at a time through the signal in the mornings.
The signal timing about 8 a.m. every day allows 10 to 12 eastbound and westbound vehicles on Capshaw Road and on southbound Nance Road to pass through the intersection. But, he said, "on a good day" only two to three vehicles northbound on Nance Road can move through the intersection before the signal turns red.
"This is especially annoying because a large majority of this traffic is actually turning right onto Capshaw," Hunter said of the northbound drivers.
Hunter said the signal timing seems to be equitable during the evening rush hour, but is terrible in the morning.
Hunter's comments are not the first that the Madison County engineer's office has received about this signal, said County Engineer Richard Grace.
The good news is the signal timing was corrected early last week, he said.
"It appeared to be a signal controller programming problem," Grace said.
Monte Sano wild flowers
The beautiful fall colors normally seen in the fall on Monte Sano will be replaced this year by "brown death" because of herbicide spraying along Monte Sano Boulevard, according to Jerry Green, a Monte Sano resident since 1951.
Green said in an email that someone sprayed herbicide under the power lines along Monte Sano Boulevard from Governors Drive to Panorama Drive.
"The timing could not have been worse," Green said. "Now people crossing Monte Sano will not see the beautiful fall colors, but now brown death. All the wild flowers that attract the butterflies have been destroyed. Butterflies are migrating now and need the wildflowers,"
The wild flowers in front of the Trough Springs parking area have been destroyed, Green said. "These wildflowers were no threat to the power lines," he said.
Late this summer a contractor for Huntsville Utilities applied herbicide to vegetation directly under the power lines and a few feet next to the lines on Monte Sano Boulevard from Governors Drive to just south of Panorama Drive, utilities spokesman Bill Yell said.
Herbicide spray is used on selected rights of way to slow vegetation from growing back after tree trimming and removing is done as part of the utilities vegetation management program, Yell said.
"Some of the vegetation that was sprayed in this area had already grown to a point that it was touching communications cables (telephone and TV cable line) which are only a few feet below the power lines," Yell said.
He said that, unfortunately, some of the wild flowers were damaged near the entrance to the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama hiking trail parking lot. The utilities, after talking to the Land Trust, in the future will use a spray application that won't damage the wild flowers there, Yell said.
To leave a comment or question about traffic or roads, contact Keith Clines at 256-532-4236, email email@example.com, tweet @KeithClines or fax 256-532-4420. Please include your name, address and a way you can be contacted.


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This deal has ended.
Get the AncestryDNA Kit for $99 with free shipping when you enter code FREESHIPDNA at Ancestry.com. We almost never see deals on this kit, and since shipping adds $9.95 without a code, we don't expect to see it cheaper any time soon. It is different from most DNA kits in that experts review your saliva sample and give you information about your family tree and specific relatives.No longer available


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Compare great Lancia Shock Absorber Repair prices in Hatfield with Who Can Fix My Car.
Enter your registration, compare quotes, and find a great garage near you. Get your competitive local prices now!
Compare great Lancia Shock Absorber Repair prices in Hatfield with Who Can Fix My Car.
These guys were very very helpful and quick to get the job done.Excellent communication too and fair prices.Highly recommended!
Helpful service.
Excellent service provided by MT Auto Services. Turned up on time, really quick and thorough. Will be returning. Priced as quote.
Excellent garage, will def use again.
Polite efficient service. Price quoted was price charged. Happy to recommend
Polite and courteous garage. Car serviced promptly, washed and ready for collection when they said it would be. Recommended.
Efficient friendly service price exactly as quoted with communication every step of the way these guys are truly hidden gems
Thoroughly recommend this garage. They collected and returned my car exactly as planned and completed the service on budget.
The team at ATS were very helpful, polite, nicely organised, and did a super job well within time they promised. The aircon seems to be working wonderfully now. Thanks
excellent service, kept me informed on everything..
Garage did a great job, were £100 less than some quotes I got, my only slight criticism was that they didn't notice a nail in one of my tyres.
I have emailed matt about my brakes, and he responded and called me immediately. I have booked an appointment and before coming he rang me to reconfirm. When he was working on the car, he explained the process from a-z and matt was polite and friendly. He did a great job, and the price was affordable. In the future, I will surely use his service again, and I fully recommend him.
They did a good job!
Unfortunately this mechanic was unable to complete the job as he rounded off the bottom bolt whilst trying to take off the spring and didn't have the tools to remove it. Nice bloke though.
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Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who has spent more days campaigning outside Pennsylvania than in the commonwealth since the contest for the state's April 22 primary began, plans a six-day bus tour of the state.
Obama will launch what his campaign has called the "Road to Change" Bus Tour across Pennsylvania.
Tour stops haven't been announced, but the road trip will begin Friday in western Pennsylvania and conclude in the southeast.
Presumably along the way he'll make it to central Pennsylvania, which has already seen at least half a dozen campaign events by Hillary Rodham Clinton, daughter Chelsea or former President Bill Clinton, who will be in the Harrisburg area, Reading, State College and Pottstown Thursday.
Hillary Clinton was campaigning in southeastern Pennsylvania today and Greensburg on Tuesday.


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Left Masthead
October 26, 2016
Clinton Under Fire
Posted on Oct 30, 2007
Hillary Clinton's campaign team is battening down the hatches in preparation for Tuesday night's Democratic debate in Philadelphia and launching a pre-emptive strike to offset a potential pile-on from certain other presidential hopefuls who've been zinging her of late. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Mitt Romney has also joined the fray.
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By DennisD, October 31, 2007 at 6:31 pm Link to this comment
Edwards was the only one who came out and said point blank that the system is corrupt and doesn't work for the American people. Since the average American has know it for at least half a century, this is not new news, just what he intends to do to fix it I must have missed.
Ralph Nader where are you????? Ron Paul it looks like you've got my vote.
By Howard Mandel, October 31, 2007 at 7:23 am Link to this comment
Chris Matthews and the rest of the interviewers at last nights debate have again lowered the quality of the discussion (even though that's hardly possible). They were less interested in discussing the issues than in playing gotcha with the candidates. This is not the general election. We do not need the MSM to whittle down the candidates for us to what they see as the electable few. They treat Hillary like the winner because the republicans want to run against her. She's the only one that can make the election appear to be a horse race. Most of the others would win in a landslide and reporters fear that would lower their ratings.
And, Oh-My-God… Chris's UFO question to Kucinich was clearly designed to axe him from the race. Since all the candidates believe in god in one form or another I'm sure a candidacy-killing "what weird things do you believe" question could've been leveled at any of them. He served that up, left no where for Kucinich to turn, then harped on it like a giddy teenage girl, even trying to catch Richardson up in it during the "post-game" analysis, because he refused to repute the beliefs of another candidate. I don't believe in aliens, gods or any such nonsense, but Americans do. And to ridicule one candidates beliefs while giving the others a pass was shameful. It was a humiliating display.
I'm done with Matthews, Wolf and Russert. Where was Olbermann and the agents of truth-to-power journalism?


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SUNNYSIDE --- Students from PS 1 in Tottenville brought smiles to the faces of residents at Sunrise Assisted Living recently as they sang their hearts out in honor of a former special teacher who resides at the center.
The performance was coordinated by music teacher Maria Cavallo in honor of the school's recently retired science teacher Ms. Marian Tessa, who is a current resident of Sunrise; it was done under the supervision of Assistant Principal Nicole Sini.
Students sang Katy Perry's "Roar" and their own rendition of Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You," renamed for the occasion, "We Just Came to Say We Love You," which was specially dedicated to Ms. Tessa.
"I was inspired during a recent visit to Sunrise and immediately thought of having PS 1 students participate in a musical performance as a part of their community service efforts," said Ms. Sini.
Each song was introduced by students with the instrumental accompaniment of con-flutes, sticks and tambourines to enhance the songs.
"To watch our future citizens give of themselves was a memory to be cherished by all who were there," Mrs. Cavallo commented.
The students were extremely happy to lend their talents to the effort.
"I saw people smiling; feeling happy," said Reese Marquis, a fourth grader.
Alexis Sander, who also participated explained, "The people were happy; some were even singing along with us."
"The residents remarked that they hoped the chorus would return soon and perform again. The experience truly brightened their day!" remarked the center's assisted living activities coordinator.


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Overton Township, PA (WBNG Bingahmton) Pennsylvania State police responded to a crash involving a pickup truck.
The crash happened around 11:30 p.m. Sunday on Morris Road in Overton Township.
A 64-year-old Alan Bailey driving a 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck drove up on a eastbound berm. The truck turned on its passenger side and came to a final stop against a tree.
According to the police report, no airbags were deployed and no seat belt was used at the time of the crash.
The Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Bradford County coroner ruled the cause of death as head trauma and the manner as accidental.


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HighFive Naturals Introduces Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements On New Facebook Page
HighFive Naturals has just launched their exciting new Facebook page full of tips and information on their Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements, and is offering a low introductory price while supplies last
(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 25, 2014 ) Maple Ridge, BC -- Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements have been around for a couple years now, after being introduced to the mainstream weight loss industry by America's favourite physician, Dr. Oz. Now HighFive Naturals has opened their info-packed Facebook page, which highlights all-natural dietary supplements and healthy weight loss aids. Their flagship product is Raspberry Ketones 500 mg which is an innovative metabolism boosting appetite suppressant, used for weight loss and on-going weight management.
This Raspberry Ketones information video is about a dynamic Natural Appetite Suppressant and one of the best weight loss supplements and fat burning pills available today.
This Raspberry Ketones information video is about a dynamic Natural Appetite Suppressant and one of the best weight loss supplements and fat burning pills available today.
There is a very real problem in the developed world today with obesity becoming almost mainstream. The root cause of many health disorders is excess body fat. Pairing diet and exercise with a quality dietary supplement can help reduce this excess fat and contribute to quicker weight loss. Raspberry Ketone is a natural fat burner, that speeds up the metabolism and targets fat cells. Combine that with its natural appetite suppressing qualities and you have a "win, win" for effective and healthy weight loss.
HighFive Naturals new Facebook page features useful information, recipes, and diet tips, along with fun pictures and videos on how to get the optimal benefits from Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements. Dr. Oz has said that Raspberry Ketones are a " metabolic game changer that rev up your body's fat-burning engine to help bust apart fat at the cellular level. They are a weight-loss miracle!" All of HighFive Naturals products are proudly Made in the USA, in FDA inspected and approved facilities, are GMP certified, and of course are satisfaction guaranteed!
Dan Morgan, owner of HighFive Naturals and Administrator of the new Facebook page commented: "The great content on our new page has been curated from some of the best sources around the net. I trust you will be informed and challenged by the interesting tips and advice, and that your questions regarding Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements will be answered, as your awareness and understanding is expanded." The page is off to a great start with over 500 likes people seem to really be enjoying the informative posts and comments.
HighFive Naturals offers its Raspberry Ketones 500 mg product on Amazon.com and also through its new Facebook page. It comes in a bottle of 90 veggie capsules of 500 mg's each. This dosage has been found to be the most effective for weight management, appetite suppression, and metabolism boosting; as opposed to the 100 or 250 mg dose, which often has little to no effect. Currently there is a low-price introductory sale on this product while the limited supply lasts.
About HighFive Naturals
HighFive Naturals is a young company committed to providing the general public with affordable and healthy, all-natural weight management dietary supplements. The new company is dedicated to high quality products that are manufactured in the USA, in certified FDA facilities. Owned and operated by Dan Morgan, HighFive Naturals is proud to sell their Raspberry Ketone Natural Weight Loss Supplements (http://www.amazon.com/RASPBERRY-KETONES-Appetite-Suppressant-Supplement/dp/B00DT5NWQC/), exclusively on the Amazon marketplace, where customer satisfaction and the on-line shopping experience is second to none.
Contact Information:
HighFive Naturals
Dan Morgan
Tel: 778 871-1991
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
HighFive Naturals
Dan Morgan
Tel: 778 871-1991
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.


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Spectrum's Correctional Recovery Academy is an intensive residential treatment program for moderate to high risk/need offenders. Spectrum's therapeutic community functions as a distinctive community within the host institution, providing a highly structured and supportive learning environment in which to address criminal and addictive behaviors. Emphasis is placed on mutual respect, accountability and responsibility.
Program objectives seek to address known contributors of substance abuse and criminal behavior such as dysfunctional interpersonal relations, poor impulse control, and inappropriate responses to authority. Throughout sequential treatment phases, offenders' behaviors, attitudes, values and emotions are continually monitored, corrected and reinforced. The goal of programming is to reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol dependence, while ensuring a smooth reentry and successful adjustment to community living upon release.


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During the week-long bicycle camp in the gymnasium at FAIR School in Crystal, the Kleins had 26 young customers selected by the Autism Society of Minnesota.
Camps for Autistic Children
See also: Holidays & Travel
Opinions expressed by the authors of pages to which this site links do not necessarily reflect this site developer's opinions. In other words: Sublime or ridiculous? You decide!
Copyright © 2004-2006, Kathleen Seidel. All rights reserved.
This page was last updated on 16 March 2006, 9:34 amHosted by TextDrive


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Great exhaust
Reviewed By RAYMOND T (Wethersfield, CT) Reviewed for a 2010 Ford Edge —1/29/2008 5:04 AM
I have an 07 Tundra 5.7 this exhaust was easy to install with no modifications.I noticed an improvement in power and sound is great.
Reviewed By David H (Hubbardston, MA) Reviewed for a 2015 Ford F-450/550 —10/12/2016 12:34 PM
I purchased this exhaust extension as I dislike looking at the dirty brown exhaust sticking out from under my motorhome. I had to have about 3 inches removed by a local Midas Dealer and it looks GREAT.


text: What do you think of Eve Online? do you play? tried it dont like it? I play and enjoy it, but Im kinda taking a break from it cause of school and all. which is good, my chars can train and I can get better grades. I bounce around a bit cause Im rather newer to the game, been at it for like 5 years or more. but the game is like 10 years old so, I dont consider myself a veteran by any means. I mine, occasionally, I do some ratting and the run the anoms, I gank people in high sec, or try to at least, and yea do nothing really, I been in whs and loved that, lived in a c2 c3 c4 and a c5, with a now quite well known alliance. Ne way, just thought Id say hello and fly safe!


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Amendment #36 to S.2021
Relative to Hydraulic Fracturing
Representatives Provost of Somerville, Ehrlich of Marblehead, Kocot of Northampton, Madden of Nantucket, Livingstone of Boston, Cariddi of North Adams, Smizik of Brookline, Rogers of Cambridge, Ashe of Longmeadow and Kulik of Worthington move that the bill be amended by adding, at the end, the following section:
Section XX:
Chapter 21 of the General Laws, 2008 edition, is hereby amended:
SECTION 1) § 26A. Definitions
The following definitions are added:
after line 27:
"Fluid," any material or substance which flows or moves whether in semi-solid, liquid, sludge, gas, or any other form or state.
"Gas," all natural gas, whether hydrocarbon or nonhydrocarbon, including hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, casinghead gas, and all other fluid hydrocarbons not defined as oil.
"Hydraulic fracturing," the process of pumping a fluid into or under the surface of the ground in order to create fractures in rock for the purpose of the production or recovery of oil or gas.
"Oil," crude petroleum, oil, and all hydrocarbons, regardless of specific gravity, that are in the liquid phase in the reservoir and are produced at the wellhead in liquid form.
"Oil and gas," both oil and gas, or either oil or gas, as the context may require to give effect to the purposes of this chapter.
in line 36 of the definition of "pollutant," after the phrase, "heated effluent," add the phrase, "hydraulic fracturing fluid,"
SECTION 2) in § 27 add, after line 83, a new subsection:
(14) enforce prohibitions on drilling, waste treatment and disposal, and mining activities which have been enacted to protect the water quality and the natural resources of the commonwealth
SECTION 3) adds a new section 39A:
Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil or Gas Recovery: Prohibition
(a) No person may engage in hydraulic fracturing in the commonwealth.
(b) No person may collect, store, treat, or dispose of wastewater hydraulic fracturing fluid, wastewater solids, sludge, drill
cuttings or other byproducts from hydraulic fracturing within the commonwealth.
SECTION 4) Section 42 is amended by adding, in line 3, after the phrase "the commonwealth,"
"or into an injection well or into a treatment works in the commonwealth."
Additional Cosponsors
Lori A. Ehrlich
Peter V. Kocot
Timothy R. Madden
Jay Livingstone
Gailanne M. Cariddi
Frank I. Smizik
David M. Rogers
Brian M. Ashe
Stephen Kulik


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Central Dauphin School Board voted Dec. 17 to limit any tax increase for the next school year to no more than 1.7 percent.
The unanimous vote comes just months after the board of Dauphin County's largest school district approved teacher and staff furloughs, program cuts and a real estate tax increase to balance the budget. The 1.7 percent figure is the district inflation index set by the state Department of Education.
School districts wishing to raise taxes above the index must either apply for special exceptions from the department or get voter approval.
Before the vote, Bill Bostic, founder of Citizens for CD Schools and the Linglestown Gazette blog, told the board he opposes limiting the tax increase to no more than 1.7 percent.
"If you approve this, it will limit your options to raise revenue," he said.
Barry Shutt, another Lower Paxton Twp. resident, called on teachers and other union members in the district to give up scheduled salary hikes.
"After all, it's your pension plan we're trying to make solvent," he said.
School Board President Ford Thompson said the resolution does not guarantee a tax hike but gives the board the option to have one if needed to balance the budget.
"The dilemma we face is understanding the financial needs of the district and understanding district residents on fixed incomes," he said. "We've been very prudent the last five years. We've cut services. We recognize that we can't spend money we don't have."
The district's 2013-14 budget is in the early planning stage. That budget is scheduled for preliminary adoption on May 20 and final adoption by June 17.
Central Dauphin receives most of its income from earned income tax and real estate transfer taxes from the seven municipalities in the district; about 23 percent from state sources, and 2 percent from federal sources. The state Department of Education considers Central Dauphin a wealthy school district, so it gets a smaller allocation than other school districts.
Over the past few years, rising unemployment, falling wages, flat home sales and the lack of commercial development has caused tax revenue to stay flat.
Salaries are the district's biggest expense, followed by benefits, tuition to other schools such as Harrisburg Area Community College, Dauphin County Technical School, Capital Area Intermediate Unit and charter and cyber schools.
In recent years, district officials have been especially concerned about their escalating payments to the Public School Employee Retirement System. Â


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I have lived in Bremerton with my wife Wendy for 16 years. Wolfe Law Offices has been located in the City of Bremerton for 10 years last month.
I have known Patty Lent in her various professional, civic, and governmental roles, and have seen many positive changes to Bremerton.
Bremerton is moving forward, in large part because of the mayor's dedication to our city and citizens, her energy, and ability. These are difficult times for municipalities, to be sure, but believe she deserves to continue the momentum to lead our city as mayor during the next four years.
Ed Wolfe
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