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Whatever pressure was building for the Griffins to win their first game of the season at Van Andel Arena ended with Saturday's 4-2 come-from-behind victory against Manitoba.
The win was the first in four home games for Grand Rapids and a welcome release. Jamie Tardif snapped a 2-2 tie at 11:07 of the third period and added an empty netter with 28 seconds remaining.
Despite a 4-1 record on the road, the Griffins had managed only two shootout losses in four games at home. They rallied from a 2-1 third-period deficit to snap that string.
For the second consecutive night, the Griffins' Brendan Smith scored the tying goal in the third period. His goal at 10:22 tied the score at 2-2.
Griffins coach Curt Fraser acknowledged there has been a sense of urgency to get the first win at home.
"We got into a situation where we were pressing," Fraser said. "We had to settle down, relax and play. There were a lot of people squeezing sawdust out of their sticks.
"We've played well on the road, but we've stepped in a couple potholes at home. But now, it's out of the way and I think we can relax."
The Griffins led 1-0 in the first period on a goal by Jan Mursak, who doesn't think the team has played badly at home.
GRIFFINS 4, MOOSE 2Next game: Grand Rapids vs. Manitoba Moose, 7 p.m. Friday at Van Andel Arena
Radio: ESPN-FM (96.1)
"All the games have been close, we just can't finish," Mursak said. "Today, before the third period, we knew we had to play 20 minutes of hockey and we all showed up."
Manitoba took a 2-1 lead by the 5:06 mark of the second period.
Considering their schedule, the Griffins need to play well at home. The team began a stretch of five of six games at home Friday. After three consecutive road games, the Griffins close out November with four of six games at home.
Griffins goalie Thomas McCollum made 28 saves for the win.
"He made some huge saves," Fraser said. "He gave us the opportunity to win the game. Guys that needed to step up did."


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Blame the World?
Yesterday's headlines were all for Germany's poor performance in the second quarter of 2014 (GDP shrank of 0.2%, worse than expected). That was certainly bad news, even if in my opinion the real bad news are hidden in the latest ECB bulletin, also released yesterday (but this will be the subject of another post).
Not surprisingly, the German slowdown stirred heated discussion. In particular Sigmar Gabriel, Germany's vice-chancellor, blamed the slowdown on geopolitical risks in eastern Europe and the Near East. Maybe he meant to be reassuring, but in fact his statement should make us all worry even more. Let me quote myself (ach!), from last November:
Even abstracting from the harmful effects of austerity (more here), the German model cannot work for two reasons: The first is the many times recalled fallacy of composition): Not everybody can export at the same time. The second, more political, is that by betting on an export-led growth model Germany and Europe will be forced to rely on somebody else's growth to ensure their prosperity. It is now U.S. imports; it may be China's tomorrow, and who know who the day after tomorrow. This is of course a source of economic fragility, but also of irrelevance on the political arena, where influence goes hand in hand with economic power. Choosing the German economic model Europe would condemn itself to a secondary role.
I have emphasized the point I want to stress, once again, here: adopting an export-led model structurally weakens a country, that becomes unable to find, domestically, the resources for sustainable and robust growth. And here we are, the rest of the world sneezes, and Germany catches a cold. The problem is that we are catching it together with Germany:
The ratio of German GDP over domestic demand has been growing steadily since 1999 (only in 19 quarters out of 72, barely a third, domestic demand grew faster than GDP). And what is more bothersome is that since 2010 the same model has been
adopted by imposed to the rest of the eurozone. The red line shows the same ratio for the remaining 11 original members of the EMU, that was at around one for most of the period, and turned frankly positive with the crisis and implementation of austerity.It is the Berlin View at work, brilliantly and scaringly exposed by Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann just a couple of days ago. We are therefore increasingly dependent on the rest of the world for our (scarce) growth (the difference between the ratio and 1 is the current account balance).
It is easy today to blame Putin, or China, or tapering, or alien invasions, for our woes. Easy but wrong. Our pain is self-inflicted. Time to change.
Mr Weidmann and the Classics
Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann strikes again. In a tribune on today's Financial Times he argues that to break the sovereign-bank nexus, the only solution is to impose, through regulation, an extra burden on sovereign debt holdings (he is gracious enough to concede that a transition period could be accorded).
I find this fascinating. Germany is the country that most opposes a fully fledged banking Union, that to be effective would require common deposit insurance, a crisis resolution mechanism, and I would add, an enhanced role of the ECB as a lender of last resort.
This would break the vicious circle between sovereigns and the financial sector, without denying the special role of banks and credit in a modern economy; nor, also relevant in today's situation, their capacity to finance governments. Weidmann stubbornly refuses to see any specificity to banks, and has nothing else to propose than imposing by regulation what de facto is a downgrading by default of sovereign debt.
Mr Weidmann is a talented economist. He should maybe go back to Bagehot's Lombard Street
Does Central Bank Independence Need Inflation Targeting?
Two articles on today's Financial Times puzzle me. The first (Weidmann warns of currency war risk) offers yet another example of how economic analysis sometimes leaves the way to ideological beliefs. The Bundesbank's president argues (as he already did in the past) that giving up inflation targeting hampers central bank independence. How? Why? He does not bother explaining.
What I think he has in mind is that once the objective of the central bank goes beyond strict inflation targeting, monetary policy needs an arbitrage between often conflicting objectives (typically unemployment and inflation). It is the essence of the dual mandate. This of course moves monetary policy out of the realm of technocratic choice, and makes it a political institution (Stephen King explains it nicely). I would argue that this is normal once we abandon the ideal-type of frictionless neoclassical economics, and we accept that we may have a tradeoff between inflation and unemployment. But this is not the issue here. The issue, and the puzzle, is why transforming the choice from technocratic to political, should necessarily lead to giving up independence. Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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Vehicles rest at the bottom of a ravine after the Scenic Highway collapsed near Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday. Heavy rains and flooding have left people stranded in houses and cars in the Florida Panhandle and along the Alabama coast. According to the National Weather Service, an estimated 15-20 inches of rain has fallen in Pensacola in the past 24 hours.
Firefighters and rescue workers work along the tracks where several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown in Lynchburg, Va., Wednesday. Police said that more than a dozen tanker cars were involved in the derailment.
Diana Jimenez, 2, sleeps in a stroller during a rally sponsored by local immigrant rights organizations, Wednesday, in Homestead, Fla. The event was part of a national campaign led by the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC) which urges President Obama to provide immediate relief from deportation to undocumented immigrants. Jimenez's father was deported to Guatemala two years ago leaving Jimenez and four siblings in the U.S.
All of this is shown in Today in Pictures.
See a big-picture photo essay.
Today in Pictures is a daily collection of handpicked photos selected by AL.com photographers from the hundreds of Associated Press images of the day.


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Our short break was definately enhanced by our stay at Meadow Oak as Debs and Eric were both such friendly and relaxed hosts. Our room was tastefully decorated and a pleasent relaxing place to be in. We had an on -suite bathroom with fresh clean towels provided and even a spa-bath to chill out in!
Debs and Eric provided thoughtful touches such as the provision of a SAT NAV pre-programmed with places of interest. Their local knowledge was both interesting and valuable in planning our days out.
Breakfasts were great with local produce used and Deb's home made cakes were a most welcome treat to come back to at the end of the day.
We would recommend Meadow Oak to our family and friends as a perfect base to to go out and enjoy beautiful Cornwall. Chinzaknuk Stayed August 2011,
This B&B is compact but very comfortable and clean. The hosts are friendly and willing to please. The breakfasts are well cooked and beautifully presented with a good variety. It was great to be asked what time we would like breakfast, rather than breakfast is between such and such a time. This enabled Peter and I to have some much needed sleep.
Thanks Eric and Deb for assisting our travel in Cornwall to meet all our expectations. Wish I could say we will be back soon!!We will let our fellow Aussie travellers know about your B&B should they be travelling your way.
PS our travel back to London was without incident (did not not get lost this time!!!)
Kind regards
Lynne and Peter
Western Australia Stayed July 2011
''Absolutely perfect'' We were as German guests for 7 days with Debbie and Eric. Bodmin worked thereby as central point for inspections (gardens, country houses, ports) in Cornwall very much. Meadow Oak exceeded all our (quite high) expectations. The friendliness, the perfect cleanliness and equipment, more than extensive and excellent BREAK, the supplies of information and not least the really affectionate and at the same time professional manor made the stay for us a marvelous experience. One had the feeling that each desire was read off from the eyes. We can further-recommend Meadow Oak Bed Breakfast without reservation. Reinman and Christine Mederer, Munich/Germany who stayed in May 2008.
"Way beyond expectation!" I cannot recall ever being received with such great hospitality when I arrived at a B&B! The door swung open for us without us even having to ring the bell and there stood Debbie and Eric with their warmest smiles! The room was very bright and clean with mordern and comfortable decor (there was even a telescope in the room for star watching!!) The collection of DVDs and the spa bath in the room were definitely bonus! We were 'well-fed' throughout the 2-night stay with cream tea on the day of arrival, chocolate cake on the next day, substantial breakfast in the mornings and even Cornish goodies to take home! If you want some inspiration for places to go on your visit, Debbie and Eric will be more than happy to recommend beautiful scenary spots that you may not find in a guide book. We were lucky enough to catch a magnificent sunset thanks to their recommendation! Would definitely recommend Meadow Oaks to friends and family looking for quality accommodation! Ophelia & Terence who stayed in May 2008.
"Bank holiday retreat from the City" We received a warm welcome from Debbie & Eric, after a long drive down from Birmingham and were greeted with a lovely cream tea. The room was very clean and Debbie and Eric clearly take a lot of care in the presentation of the rooms. Unlike some B&B's we have stayed in, maps & directions were abundant (thus saving us at least £10 in buying our own). Breakfast was enough to keep us going at least until lunchtime, with fruit to spare. Debbie & Eric were also very helpful with suggestions for interesting places to visit and provided directions. On a final note Debbie's home cooking made our stay all the more enjoyable and we will certainly recommend Meadow Oak to all our friends and family. Michael & Helen who stayed in May 2008.
"Great B&B" We received a genuine welcome with homemade cakes. The room was spotlessly clean and the decor, fresh and modern. Lots of special 'extras' like a drawer full of DVDs, lovely towels, complimentary postcards and pens etc. Amazing breakfast too!! Really worth a visit, for a guaranteed comfortable and enjoyable stay. Happytripper31 who stayed in April 2008.
"A Great and friendly place" We had decided to come and visit our newly-born granddaughter in Bodmin and simply booked somewhere through the internet that looked interesting and reasonably priced. It turned out that Meadow Oak was just down the road from where they lived. The place was fresh, clean and well furnished and Debbie and Eric were very friendly and welcoming. The en-suite room was clean and spacious and the breakfast in the morning was filling to the extent that we didn't need much else to eat for the rest of the day. It is highly recomended and we are sure we'll be going back in the not too distant future. Keith and June West Sussex who stayed in April 2008.
We stayed at Meadow Oak last summer (2007) and we still rave about it. This is a unique B&B, offering extraordinary attention to guests' needs. Eric and Deborah go out of their way to meet expectations, and they do it very nicely. Tim Edwards who stayed in July 2007.
"An excellent choice!" When the weather forecast took a turn for the better we made an impromptu decision to visit Cornwall and the Eden Project and needed somewhere to stay. After reading the trip advisor recommendations for the Meadow Oak B&B there was only one choice - and thanks to everyone who recommended it via Trip Advisor!. We agree with everyone, an excellent choice with wonderful hosts, a lovely house and guestrooms, delicious breakfast (we certainly didn't need any lunch!) and a very warm and friendly welcome. Ideally situated for the Eden Project it's also very handy for both south and north coast exploration, including Port Isaac (also known as Port Wen) - and especially for Good Food Guide dining. Padstow (or should that be Pad"stein") is within easy reach - and to the south is Fowey with a choice of three "good food" restaurants, although if you want to try Sam's (also recommended by Debs and Eric) make sure you phone and book in advance as their estimated waiting time can be a little ambitious - although well worth it)
Thanks again Debs & Eric - and everyone who went to Meadow Oak before us and recommended it! Ken & Irene who stayed in April 2008.
"What More Could You Ask For" We have just returned from a 3 night stay at this B&B and what more can we say. From the first day to the last we were looked after and treated more like friends than guests. Both Deb and Eric were always willing to give advice and there knowledge of not just Bodmin but Cornwall as a whole including places to dine. The room was a credit to them both it was exceptionally clean and well presented. There was tea and coffee facilities which were replenished each day. A wide selection of DVDs in your own room with TV and Cable. Plenty of literature on Cornwall for sight seeing. Breakfast served to an A+ standard each day with plenty of choice.
Ideal location not just for seeing Bodmin but for Cornwall as a whole.
Would recommend this accomodation without any hesitation Trevor & Jean who stayed in March 2008.
Breakfast lovely & surprise cream tea on arrival was a real treat. Very modern room, bright & clean. Parking tricky. Breakfast time was very early for us- and inflexible. Pam & Terry who stayed in Mach 2008.
"Enjoyable stay" We spent 2 nights at the Meadow Oak as a Spring break & enjoyed our stay very much. It was easy to find and we were given clear directions to the other places we wanted to visit. It was a good base for visiting the Eden Project a short distance away, & Heligan a little further. Debbie & Eric gave us a warm welcome & were very helpful throughout our stay. They provided excellent breakfasts & recommended local places to eat in the evenings. The rooms were modern, clean & beautifully decorated throughout, and we were very comfortable there - a real home from home. We didn't use the telescope in the bedroom but it would be great for any amateur astronomers! We would happily recommend it to anyone. David & Brenda who stayed in March 2008
"Excellent B & B" We booked Meadow Oak B & B after reading the testimonials on their website and we were not disappointed. We reiterate everything that was written by the previous guests. The rooms were spotless and the bed very comfy, with bedding being changed even though we were only booked for a four night stay. There was always tea/coffee in our room when we returned from a day out and Debbie suprised us with a cream tea and also an Easter egg as we were staying during the Easter period. The breakfasts were excellent with yoghurt, cereal, fresh fruit as well as a cooked breakfast available every day. Nothing was too much trouble for Debbie and Eric, with maps and directions being provided to places of interest and taxis/restaurants being booked on our behalf (Eric even offered to drive us to the local restaurants). We would certainly recommend Meadow Oak to our friends and will stay here again if we revisit Cornwall. Bea and Danny who stayed in March 2008
"FANTASTIC B&B - THE WAY IT SHOULD BE :) :) :)" Planning an expoloration of the southcoast of Cornwall, then this is your place to stay and enjoy as a base to do it from. We managed to locate Meadow Oak at the last minute and we were so lucky that we did. Typically many B&B's dont live up to expectations, however from the outset this was a vastly better experience. Our hosts Eric and Debbie accomodated our late arrival time (9pm) and were warm and welcoming upon arrival. To our delight, the room was modern and tastefully decorated and clean!! - which is not the ususal experience from experience. There were nice touches - Easter egg for easter! - and conversation with our hosts were enlightening and they were more than happy to be as accomodating as they could be over any particualr query or request.
We both had a great experience at the Meadow Oak and it is our pleasure to reccommend it - it really was what you would hope to experience from a B&B - well done Eric and Debbie. Paul + Cristina who stayed in March 2008.
"Great place to stay. Very cosy, clean and good value." We decided to stay at the Meadow Oak based on the reviews from previous travellers and we were very pleased with our choice. This location is superb for all we needed to do in Cornwall. The house is 5 mins drive from Bodmin town centre and 20 mins drive from the Eden Project. There are a few big supermarkets nearby. Bodmin is very well signposted wherever you are in Cornwall. Debbie is a lovely lady who cooks us a delicious breakfast using fresh local produce. She also gave us free Clotted Cream and Scones in the afternoon which was a great surprise. The B & B only started in 2007 so the room and the toilet are pretty much brand new and very clean. There is also an in-room safe. Debbie and Eric have been very helpful in giving us step-by-step travel directions. If we get a chance to return, we surely will. The value is excellent. This is a real gem. Ada & Thong who stayed in March 2008.
"Faultless" We can't speak highly enough of Meadow Oak. Deborah and Eric treated us as if we were family. The room was spotless, the bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was like new. We didn't use the television or DVD player in the bedroom but there was a good choice of DVDs in case we had wanted to watch something. This was the first time we'd been to Bodmin so we didn't know where to eat on the Saturday evening. Not only did Eric suggest somewhere that turned out to be every bit as good as he said it was, he booked a table for us and even drove us into town. "We like to make our guests feel welcome" he said by way of explanation for his kindness, and didn't they just! The breakfast on the Sunday was wonderful and set us up for the whole day. We would certainly recommend Meadow Oak to anyone wanting a base from which to explore Cornwall. You definitely won't be disappointed if our experience is anything to go by. Dean & Vera from Sidmouth who stayed in March 2008.
"Home from home" We chose Meadow Oak for its price and proximity to the Eden Project. Directions to Meadow Oak were explicit and accurate. The rooms were spotless; the breakfast truly setting us up for the day. We were even given written directions to Eden with the route the locals use! Recommendations as to where to eat of an evening were faultless. We would, without hesitation, certainly stay at Meadow Oak again. Peter & Val who stayed in February 2008.
I had a wonderful stay at Meadow Oak and have recommended it to friends. Sam Smith who stayed in January 2008.
We just wanted to thank you for a lovely break when we booked to stay with you at the end of November. The breakfasts were to die for - and it was a nice gesture to let us take some fruit with us for lunch. The accommodation was excellent - very comfortable, and the jacuzzi bath was great after a long day out. We also appreciated Deborah going to the trouble of writing down places which she thought would be of interest to us. We certainly hope to return - if you will have us!! Steven & Chris Fellows who stayed in November 2007.
Better than expected. Both Deborah and Eric the owners of the B&B were both welcoming and friendly. They took time to explain the local amenities including places to eat - very helpful. The room was exceptional as were the personal touches e.g. the DVDs and bag of fruit and bottle of water to take away. I would definitely stay again; when I am next in the area. Jason Stanyer who stayed in November 2007.
Fantastic B&B with two brand-spanking-new rooms. Very modern high-class facilities including LCD TV with DVD (lots of DVD movies provided) and Wi-Fi internet access. Very comfortable bed and immaculately clean. Charming and extremely courteous and helpful hosts. Very highly recommended! Darrel Rhodes who stayed in November 2007.
Nice clean and friendly b and b , debs and eric were very helpfull and informative regararding our requests, Recommended, and would stay there again,
Andy and Marcella Salter who stayed in November 2007
I can't say enough about this B&B, it was absolutely fantastic and not at all what you would expect from a Bed & Breakfast. The bedroom was beautiful with DVD player and lots of DVD's in the room to choose from. The attention to detail was amazing with everything co-ordinating and this followed through into the ensuite which was immaculate and finished to the same high standard. Deb and Eric were great and we were recommended somewhere local to eat which was lovely...nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast, I understand, was fabulous although I had picked up a bug and wasn't well enough to eat it. Again, Deb and Eric were brilliant, letting us get ready in our own time and dispatching me with bottles of water and fresh fruit. We missed out on going to The Eden Project but will definitely stay at Meadow Oak when we go back...I don't think we'd be able to stay anywhere else now! Emma & Dean Somers who stay in November 2007.
I had a pleasant stay at Meadow Oak. The room was wonderful, something you'd expect in a 4 star hotel. Extremely comfortable in a lovely location. Couldn't fault the breakfast - plenty to eat and of good quality. The owners were very friendly and willing to help should it be required. Kerryanne Barber who stayed in October 2007.
My wife and I have stayed at a great many bed and breakfast establishments over a great many years and this has to be the best yet. The facilities are of a very high standard, the food is excellent and Deb and Eric are very friendly and welcoming. David Rowley who stayed in October 2007.
Two recently-converted rooms finished to a very high standard. Two charming and attentive owners. Breakfast excellent. Who stayed in September 2007.
Very well run B & B. Eric and Debbie were very attentive to our needs and were more than willing to suggest local facilities that they thought would be of interest to us.
An exceptional breakfast started the day off just right. Highly recommended. Bob & Trisha Munson who stayed in September 2007.
Really enjoyed our stay. The little extra touches made a big difference, for example being given the left over fruit from breakfast. Thank you ver much. Claire Drew who stayed in September 2007.
My wife, two friends from Australia and myself were very impressed with this B & B. The quality and comfort of the accommodation was first class. The range and choice of the breakfast was excellent. Deb & Eric went the extra mile to ensure our stay a memorable one. It is our pleasure to recommend this B & B particularly its closeness to the Eden Project. Robert Johnson who stayed in September 2007.
From the initial booking enquiry through to booking & confirmation the service provided was excellent, friendly & efficient. Stayed 2 nights and the room, hospitality & breakfast exceeded our expectations and really wished we could of stayed longer!. Found it an ideal location to be able to explore both the North & South Cornish coasts as well as the Eden Project which is 10 minutes down the road. Would highly recommend it and would not hesitate to stay again if visiting the area. Camilla Harris who stayed in September 2007.
We were highly impressed with the accomodation. The en suite bathroom was excellent, tastefully finished and the overall standard of the room was 4* plus. Cooked breakfast was enormous with a varied selection of fresh friut, yoghurt and cereals. 10/10 for hospitality and we strongly recommend to others. Paul & Karen Barber who stayed in September 2007.
We were more than happy with our stay at Meadow Oak. Breakfasts were more than substantial and having the left-over fresh fruit for our lunch, was an added bonus. Debbie & Eric were very helpful as regards info about the area. Would recommend this Guest House to friends & family. Agnes Guibout who stayed in September 2007.
The stay I received at Meadow Oak was fantastic .The hosts were amazing doing everything possible to make my stay comfortable. I was met by a lovely welcome and an amazing clean and modern room with a DVD library that was fabulous. I had a great night sleep and was greeted by a glorious breakfast. I would like to thank the hosts very much it will be on the top of my list for a great B&B in future. Trina Hinton who stayed in September 2007.
The owners were very friendly and have done a great job fitting out the rooms to a very high standard. Breakfast was very nice indeed. Thoroughly recommended. Alistair Smale who stayed in September 2007.
"Our best B&B!!" We have just returned from 4 nights at Meadow Oak and couldn't fault anything.. From the moment we arrived everything was perfect, our room was lovely- very spacious with a comfy bed! Debbie and Eric -the owners were fantastic, nothing was ever too much trouble and the breakfasts in the morning were great! We loved the left-over fruit from breafast that Debbie left us to take out every day! Bodmin Town centre is about 1 mile away and in general the town is in a good location to explore the rest of Cornwall, although car is needed at all times! Clare Jones who stayed in August 2007.
We have stayed at many B&B's before and wish that everywhere we went had the exceptional hospitality that Meadow Oak gave us. We will definately be returning in the future. We spent 3 nights in the Lanhydrock Room, at the Meadow Oak B&B in August 2007. It was extremely clean, modern and were made to feel very welcome during our stay. Our room was well equiped and included a DVD player and a selection of DVDs. The room was also very comfortable and tastfully decorated. A hearty English Breakfast greeted us each morning and Deborah provided fresh fruit for our day trips. The B&B was ideally situated as a central point to explore Cornwall. This was a different take on the standard B&B and we would have no hesitation in reccommending Meadow Oak to family and friends. We would certainly stay there again when visiting Cornwall in the future. Jillian Dagg who stayed in August 2007.
Meadow Oak B&B turned out to be one of the highlights of our brief stay in the West Country. Far from just somewhere to put our heads down for the night it really added to the enjoyment factor of our holiday. They booked our meal in advance for us, welcomed us warmly, the room was outstanding in comfort, facilities and decor and put most quality hotels to shame. Every need was catered for. The breakfast was a real treat! Very friendly and helpful throughout our stay, I would recommend Meadow Oak to all. David Renville who stayed in August 2007.
Well located for both North and South Cornwall beaches. Excellent location for the Eden Project. The room was very clean and had lovely decour. The full english breakfast was excellent with a great choice of lovely fresh fruit that we could take with us. Baby friendly. Richard Baker who stayed in August 2007
Brilliant! We'll be raving about our stay here for months to come! Mike Bartlet who stayed in August 2007.
The room was excellent, it is what I would of expected from a hotel. Kay Toomer who stayed in July 2007.
Myself and my partner thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Meadow Oak. We would not hesitate to recommend them, or use them again if we were in the area. Jody Scott who stayed in july 2007.
We found Meadow Oak from an internet search and were impressed by the uniformly high level of reviews of people who had stayed there. We are pleased that we too would give Eric and Deb full marks for a friendly, clean all-requests-met experience. If they keep up this standard it will soon be impossible to find unbooked periods!! Nigel Blumenthal who stayed in July 2007.
Thankyou for a lovely time here at Meadow Oak. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definately come again in the near future. The rooms are beautiful and the breakfasts were delicious. Asa & Thresia Gedin & Britt & Lars Eric Johansson who stayed in July 2007.
The light and airy bedroom (one of two) is situated in a recent loft conversion of high quality and design. There is a beautiful en-suite bathroom with jacuzzi bath and the furnishings are tasteful and well presented. We were pleased with the tea/coffee making facilities and TV/DVD. The breakfasts were good and plentiful and the proprietor very friendly and obliging. Situated only a few miles from the lovely fishing villages of the south coast of Cornwall and the Eden Project I can thoroughly recommend Meadow Oak. Rosemary & John harris who stayed in July 2007.
We spent two nights here and we wish we spent 2 weeks! The room was homely and comfortable with a fab view. Debbie and Eric couldn't do enough to help us. The breakfasts were brilliant! We still weren't hungry at dinner time! We would highly recommend them to everyone. Thanks for making us feel so welcome. Kerry Waters & Luke Jeans who stayed in July 2007.
The level of finish and furnishing in Meadow oak is exceptional and well above that of the average B & B. The choice at Breakfast was also well above average.
Its location is well placed for an early start at the Eden project. Richard Hepple who stayed in June 2007.
The welcome we received was lovely. The bedrooms were comfortable, spotless and decorated to a superb standard. What can we say about the breakfasts - well you won't need lunch! Fabulous. Highly recommended - we will return! Sonia & Robin Newhouse who stayed in June 2007.
Deb and Eric made us feel very welcome, and are particularly knowledgable about the local area. We had a very comfortable stay, and the rooms are well presented, and very clean. We would definately recommend the area and accomodation to others. Kris Chaplin who stayed in June 2007.
We had a restful night's stay at Meadow Oak. The room was spotless and had everything we needed. The hosts were very friendly and provided us with a filling and tasty breakfast. I would definitely recommend this B&B. Mrs. Y Thompsom who stayed in June 2007.
A really lovely bed and breakfast. We had a really warm welcome, a tasty breakfast and a some good ideas about where to visit and where to eat. Overall attention to detail was very good and the price was unbeatable. Would definitely visit again and would recommend to friends and family. Mrs Caroline Lowing who stayed in May 2007.
The rooms were beautifully decorated and could not be faulted. I was made to feel extremley welcome by the owner and would definately go back. K. Steadman who stayed in May 2007.
Loved staying at Meadow Oak. Great place to stay if you value a truly personal touch. extremely friendly couple and you get a lot more than can be advertised. Both me and my wife loved staying there and will definitely go there during future visits to Bodmin. Very tastefully decorated clean house. Sri Krishna who stayed in May 2007.
Could not fault the accommodation or the friendly atmoshere. Breakfast was great and were able to have it at times that suited us. Hosts Eric & Deb a superb job in giving us tourist information and set us at ease from the very beginning. We would highly recommend this delightful B & B.
Clive & Jeanne Dennis from Australia who stayed in May 2007
Meadow Oak was a fantastic B and B - the room was immaculately clean, the owners were incredibly friendly, helpful and approachable, the food was lovely. We had a great stay. E. L. Smale who stayed in May 2007.
Very nice rooms / Good Level of Service and Breakfast was excellent. I would go back again if visitting the area. Tristan Godfrey Who stayed in May 2007
I would like to recommened Meadow Oak very highly. A small family run business whom have spent alot of time creating 2 fabulous en-suite rooms. No expense has been spared to create a very comfortable, modern room which will match many top hotels. A warm and friendly welcome awaits, and I will certainly be staying again in the near future when next down on business. Mr. I. M. Shopland who stayed in April 2007
We were made to feel very welcome and the room was clean and fresh, it was a very pleasant stay topped off with a good breakfast including tasty local sausages. by an Anonymous guest who stayed in April 2007
Exactly as advertised. Would certainly go back. People very friendly. Room lovely and clean. Sharon Passey stayed in April 2007
Directions from the Eden Project heading North need a bit of attention as we had some difficulty finding the place.
But really enjoyed our stay.
Thank you. Ann Fitzpatrick who stayed in April 2007
Very welcoming. Lovely room with all conveniences and very well presented. Crisp, ultra modern bathroom. Well appointed dining room and delicious cooked breakfast. Good parking and nice rural location looking out through mature trees. Very handy for Bodmin and the amazing Lanhydrock house and gardens (2mins) and also Eden and Heligan. C Bignall who stayed in April 2007
A very friendly welcome, immaculate rooms and excellent value for money. Highly Recommended. Ian Norry who stayed in April 2007.
Lovely, clean and new rooms, good food and amiazing views from one of the rooms. M Harry who stayed in April 2007.
Eric and Deborah were perfect hosts. Friendly, helpful and full of good advice about things to see and do in the local area. The room was perfect and the food fantastic! Would definately stay again...Anonymous guest who stayed in April 2007
I had a wonderful time at Meadow Oak. The room was spectacular and classy. It had a jacuzzi bath and great view over the valley. They cooked the breakfast just the way we like it and served it in a very stylish dining room. Eric and Deborah were very friendly and helpful. It felt like I was staying in a 3* hotel. I really couldn't ask for more. It is an unbelievable value for money. I can't wait to go back again! Nickolet Toth who stayed in April 2007.
Please note we no longer use a DVD collection due to new rules so please bring your own to watch.
Thankyou all for your kind reviews it makes it all worth while.
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Funeral for soldier from Kinnelon killed in Afghanistan
Monday, July 16, 2012 2:54 PM
Inappropriate photo? Alert us.
The casket of Spc. Jonathan Batista is prepared for burial at the cemetery at Our Lady of the Magnificat Roman Catholic Church in Kinnelon. His brother Andrew Gaston, 9, wipes away tears as his sister Gabriella, 6, left, watches as an American flag is folded by Army personel. (Jennifer Brown/The Star-Ledger).
Related articles
- Soldier from Kinnelon killed in Afghanistan is laid to rest July 16, 2012, 2:00 PM
- Army Spc. Jonathan Batista, July 8, 2012 July 10, 2012, 1:39 PM


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Moreland has surgery
Mitch Moreland had surgery on his right wrist on Wednesday. He had a bone removed and recovery time will be 8-12 weeks.
1 Comment
This isn't all that surprising. JD hinted at it during radio interviews after the Nathan signing when asked about the Rangers pursuit of a first baseman. JD said they would know more about Moreland's condition soon, but he didn't sound overly optimistic that the injury was minor.
It will be interesting to see what the Rangers do this off season. I would imagine that they will pursue some type of bat for first baseman to protect themselves if Moreland doesn't recover as expected. How big of a bat is yet to be seen. Winter meetings only a few days away…


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The evidence suggests economic happy days are not here again, at least not quite yet. That's what we take away from the National Bureau of Economic Research's refusal to say the Great Recession is over.
By the same token, the NBER won't say the economy is about to dive like a doomed whale either.
Research is an examination of the facts. It is not directly predictive. So it is not surprising that the august group won't risk its credibility by gazing into a crystal ball and prognosticating in cryptic quatrains.
Founded in 1920, the NBER describes itself as "a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works."
Considering that economics is called "the dismal science" and even economists don't really understand it, that's no small undertaking. So a bit of conservatism seems prudent.
The housing market has yet to clamber out of the economic tank. The stock and bond markets are still volatile enough to give even seasoned traders the vapors.
The manufacturing sector? There's no tsunami of economic activity there either.
When the G-20 world leaders held their economic summit in Canada last week, the talk was not about letting the good times roll, it was about holding down spending and paying off debt.
Domestic politicians, who do not suffer the NBER's compunctions about predictions, naturally find such sober reluctance unsatisfying. Those who would benefit from rosy optimism are sure to see it. The beneficiaries of pessimism readily detect it in abundance.
The idea of "restoring" eight million jobs looked easier from atop the campaign stump, 18 months ago, than it does now from the trenches of Washington. The out-of-power politicos, on whose watch the economy's wheels came off, are happy to point out that they told us so.
At its core, the economy (we speak generically here) is an uncomplicated concept. You create things of value and sell them to people for more than they cost you. They do the same.
In reality it's not always so easy, of course, and does not always work so well. When times got hard, Americans turned to songwriter Irving Berlin, who saw a rainbow just around the corner and famously declared . . .
"Trouble's like a bubble,
"And the clouds will soon roll by,
"So let's have another cup of coffee,
"And let's have another piece of pie."
Would that the world was really such a simple place.
The basic industries that, for a hundred years, built our nation's economic might and created a vibrant middle class — the stuff of the American Dream — are a shadow of their former selves. The world has changed. The vast pool of America's manufacturing jobs has dried up.
The American economy of once-upon-a-time will never again be as we knew it. It is important to understand that, and to stop looking for that sort of a recovery.
Think of it as economic climate change. We do not want to believe it, but it is nonetheless real. We cannot reverse it, but we can, indeed we must, adapt.
Big corporations, with their preoccupation with profits above all, are not necessarily the ones to lead us out of the gloom.
We don't look for much help from the politicians either, and that's probably OK. Historically they've never, as a group, shown much talent for bold innovation and sensible action.
Our money's on the entrepreneurs and the risk-takers and those long-suffering good folks who are still willing to give a day's work for a day's wages.
That approach takes a long time to build big numbers, in terms of wealth and jobs, but it is fundamental to any economy.
A return to robust national economic health will not be as quick or easy as Mr. Berlin's sunny lyrics suggest, but trading in our fascination with political maneuvering and replacing it with a can-do attitude would help a lot.
When that happens, America will flourish once again.


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Back in September, a friend pointed me to this NYT article about a project in New York City, asking historians and museum curators to name 50 objects that could "embody the narrative of New York".Top of the New York list was a Mastodon tusk. Show More Summary
There is power in knowing a name.When it comes to an illness, knowing what it is called allows for some measure of rationality. We can start making sense of it and adopt ways to deal with it.Praying to the goddess of mercy: A memoirShow More Summary
Came across this graphic-novel adaptation of Shakespeare's famous play.Romeo & Juliet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels), by Matt Wiegle.ISBN: 9781411498747I've never read Romeo & Juliet because it was not one of my literature text in school. Show More Summary
It happened to me a few weeks ago.I was in meeting at an open area within the office floor. At first there was ambient noise with other colleagues in their cubicles speaking, typing. My meeting got heated. A few colleagues, including...Show More Summary
You might be thinking what a "brain-ful" of concept behind this statement: "Crowd-funding to buy a Creative Commons license for an ebook".Let me break it down for you: Crowd-funding: "Funding a project by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people" (source: OxfordDictionaries.com) Purchase, i.e. Show More Summary
Note: I'm an amateur sharing my own perspectives on leisure cycling. I'm learning as I go (you know what they say about the 'blind leading the blind'). Feel free to join in the conversation.As mentioned in the previous post, my preparation...Show More Summary
I've been hitting the roads and Park Connectors on a foldable bike the past four Sundays, thanks to the cycling friends at ZenDogs 2.0.My initiation ride was 57km. Prior to that, I had stopped cycling for about two years. After thatShow More Summary
Just posted to the Tern Bicycles forum:[thread starts here]Link P9 chain falls constantlySame problem here. Got my P9 about 4 weeks ago. Rode it slow first week and never went on gear 9. Then second, third and fourth week, I rode with my friends on the roads and park connectors. Show More Summary
Now that I'm with the National Library (office is at the NL building, Victoria Street), I get to see all the exhibitions that have been put up for the public. I also thought I should 'archive' them or at least have a simple pictorial record that they once existed. Show More Summary
This served as a draft for this blog post I wrote for work, i.e. for the Singapore Memory Project:"Remembering a place like a fast food outlet is overdoing the whole nostalgia thing, isn't it?"No it isn't, IMO.Not all places are equal in terms of hertiage value. Show More Summary
For the Singapore Memory Project. I guess it's really for myself:(Original Twitter sequence has been edited slightly)"@ramblinglib: As a kid, being canned by pa almost every day. For slightest thing. Didn't know why but resolved not to show emotions #sgMemory""@ramblinglib: The caning was so bad I had obvious welt marks. Show More Summary
Yikes. This is a really late post. Back in June 2011, I gave a presentation at the 5th National Library for Children & Young Adults Symposium, 2011, South Korea. The symposium was held at Duksan Resom Resort, South Korea.OK, so thisShow More Summary
[Views expressed here are strictly my own. I am straddling between writing in my personal capacity, as well as my official role as the head for Digital Engagement for the project. Just so you know :)]By tomorrow, all the intense efforts...Show More Summary
Ever since joining the Singapore Memory Project full-time in Nov 2011, I've been taking a closer look at social media strategies. Being a social media practitioner, as I had for the past seven years, does not necessarily make me a good "social media strategist". Show More Summary
Continued from Part 1:THE 'WHY' QUESTIONI get a kick out of the creative process. I've come to realise that's the basis of why I create. Of having seemingly created something out of nothing; moulding ideas into something that can be seen/ heard/ experienced. Show More Summary
My Digital Engagement team mates and I conducted a series of focus group sessions today. For the upcoming Singapore Memory website. Here's one with volunteers from the Memory Corp: Tuck Chong, James, and Philip. We'll be posting more behind-the-scenes updates regularly. Show More Summary
Here's a few recent videos that used my songs from my ccMixter.org uploads.Remixed with: Beyond Jupiter IIIRemixed with: Dreaming of the OceanRemixed with: Island Journey RepriseTypically, my songs are used in "hobbyist videos". Not surprising, as the need and demand for royalty-free works generally come from hobbyists. Show More Summary
The start of 2012 seems, for me, just as busy as 2011. Might as well just start with the annual read list.Total items read since 2004: 2011 = 70 items (25 items were eBooks) 2010 = 93 items 2009 = 79 2008 = 72 2007 = 104 items 2006 =...Show More Summary
Here's my very belated take on the "When Nations Remember II" event, held on 28 Nov 2011. The event was part of the Singapore Memory Project (see this MICA speech), to thank partners and give various partners and stakeholders a sense of the goodwill and buzz that has been built up in the past months. Show More Summary
In my view, the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) Facebook page is a very successful social media initiative by a government agency, in terms of public awareness, receptivity and amount of consistent "chatter" (i.e. comments).I've not done any recent environment scan, let alone a comprehensive survey. Show More Summary


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The lowest price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas reported on Staten Island over the last 24 hours is $3.41.
That price can be found at Costco (members only) at 2975 Richmond
Avenue, New Springville; and at the Delta Express station at 425 Vanderbilt Avenue, Clifton.
Find a lower price on the road? Share with you motorists in the comment field below.


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Larger retailers dominated seminars later in the day, at one point sharing sleuthing tips to fight organized crime. They're not talking teen-age shoplifters grabbing a tube of lipstick or some gum, but groups of people nationwide teaming up to grab millions in goods from the counry's top retailers.
Dennis Dansak, The Kroger Co.'s corporate manager of organized retail crime, shared a few examples of the scope of cases he typically sees.
The grocer, the second largest retailer in the U.S. and owner of Fred Meyer, caught a "booster" who had stolen $127 worth of Similac baby formula.
After several interviews, Dansak discovered, the guy was among a group of 27 who each stole about $600 worth of baby formula a day. Overall, Dansak said the guy told him, the group stole and likely resold or exported $3.3 million dollars worth of formula.
In another case, Dansak helped law enforcement track down a shipping container filled with six vehicles. Each car was filled with $20,000 in stolen merchandise that was to be shipped out of a major seaport.
The operation had been going on for awhile, Dansak said, and thanks to a special treatment on Kroger's goods, investigators were able to shine an ultra-violet ray on the items inside the car and "they lit up like a Christmas tree."
More investigation showed that two fencing operations had been in charge of the stuffed cars and over a period of 16 months, they had stolen $4.87 million worth of merchandise from six retailers, Dansak said.
Kroger's share of those losses was $1.21 million.
"It affects our bottom dollar," Dansak said. "I take it personally."
TJX Companies Inc., which operates T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, also is hard-hit and quite hard-core in fighting the crime.
"My investigators don't credit for a case unless handcuffs are on or those criminals are in front of a judge and being arraigned," said Eliot Green, the retailer's assistant vice president and national investigations director.
Aside from retailers' sales losses, Dansak and Green said, such wide-reaching organized crime also takes sales tax dollars away from governments. Consumers lose too, as prices go up and potentially, product availability drops.
TJX employs 57 investigators nationwide and four managers who oversee them. The retailer's agents track suspicious activity they identify from databases and financials and then do background checks, in-store videos and even surveillance -- watching and setting up cameras on suspects' homes hoping to find a ringleader."Our primary goal is prosecution," he said. "We'll turn down restitution if it means giving up jail time."
-- Laura Gunderson, The Oregonian; 503-221-8378.


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hi, i cant answer your question but would like to ask you one.
how do i find out my wii email adrees?
So I registered my online email account (gmail) with my Wii. Everything worked fine back and forth for a few days. I even sent photos to my Wii. However, now it won't recieve mail, at all. I can send to my Gmail just fine. The Wii won't recieve. What do you think the problem is? I doubt highly that it is the network. I have four computers with various OS's, and three other consoles on my home network. Every other online feature of the Wii works fast and smooth. But it suddenly stopped recieving mail.
btw, Hello all! First post here. I have found this forum to be very useful in the last few weeks!
Last edited by Drellis; 12-13-2006 at 08:47 AM. Reason: 1st post
hi, i cant answer your question but would like to ask you one.
how do i find out my wii email adrees?
Thanks to Pepper for the sig
I am leader of the Super Metroid fanclub
I don't think that Nintendo have sorted out their mail servers yet. I'm still trying to find out whether they use POP3 or IMAP. I reckon they're still fiddling, or perhaps the servers aren't reliable yet! Hopefully through time, the issues will get resolved.
I know for a fact I can only receive from hotmail and Gmail so far, not found any other service providers that can send to the Wii yet.
Everyone should have a Wii!!!
Check out the Online FAQ:Originally Posted by motherbrainrulez
(Friend code is your wii mail address as well firstname.lastname@example.com)
Q: How do I find my friend code, and how do I add someone else's?
A: To find your own friend code, go to the main Wii Channels menu, then click the envelope in the lower right-hand corner. Next, click the "new message" button (the page icon in the lower left). Once you are there, click the address book (on the far right). Your friend code is displayed on the front cover. If you already have codes entered, press the - button on the Wiimote to flip back. To add someone's friend code, while in the address book, click "register" in the lower right. You can then choose to add either a Wii friend code or an email address.
Everyone should have a Wii!!!
Lame... Ah, well... Just have to wait it out. I'm going through slot illum. withdrawls as well...
i just sent an email to my wii with a picture and it received it in less than a minute.
Dreamcast Fan Fo Lyfe
Yea it worked extremely well for a week or so. Send and recieve. And it recieved photos just fine... Now it will still send out just fine. But it won't recieve anymore. And I get no daemon errors or returns.
it did it me to


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Be sure to remember Save-A-Lot's Fresh Produce on your next grocery trip. Fresh Produce varies from store to store, so keep your eyes out for great fresh specials!
I come to Save-a-lot, to do just that save a lot! The produce section is my most frequent stop. I always like that onions,tomatoes,cabbage and bananas are low priced everytime I stop in. To be honest my review is of the whole produce area. You get decent produce for a cheap price. Its hard to eat healthy these days and you guys make it a little easier.
I love cooking with onions, I add them to everything from spahetti sauce to mac and cheese, and the price for these is always great!


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New sail for my hypersonic 111
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31st December 2006, 09:45 AM
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 160
RE: New sail for my hypersonic 111
Am using a mix of twin cam and no cam sails on HS111. Yes, if using no cam sail on HS 111 the the rigging is critical - small changes to settings make a big difference when operating at either end of the wind range. HS responds well to sails that are efficient at the top of their wind range, whether camed or not. HS likes to be driven with the smallest fin and sail combo that will work on the day. I tend to rig small than large to get that effortless ride when it lights up.
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STUDY: Where There's A Wal-Mart, There's A Whole Ton Of Active Hate Groups
Call it a chicken-and-egg conundrum, but a new study published in Social Science Quarterly has found that activity in hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan and the Family Research Council correlates strongly to the number of Wal-Marts in a given region.
Summarizes Raw Story:
The number of Wal-Mart stores was a better predictor of hate group participation than the unemployment rate, high crime rates and low education…
The researchers believe that the correlation between Wal-Mart and hate groups exists because of breakdown of the community. Small local businesses are more likely to be members of civic groups and involved in the community. They are also more likely to have closer relationships among their employees.
It would be interesting to see, though, if generally pro-gay big-box retailers like Macy's, JCPenney and Target correspond to a similar atmosphere of hate-group preponderance. We're guessing not.
In any case, just another reason to support small businesses: they're less anti-gay!
Bipolar Bear
I suspect it is a chicken and egg conundrum, but I'm going to wait till I've read the full study before making a final judgment. Homophobia has been around a lot longer than Walmart.Apr 12, 2012 at 3:44 pm · @Reply ·
Queerty: "It would be interesting to see, though, if generally pro-gay big-box retailers like Macy's, JCPenney and Target correspond to a similar atmosphere of hate-group preponderance. We're guessing not."
The Raw Story link Queerty cites: "In contrast, people are more likely to feel alienated by big-box retailers like Wal-Mart, the researchers explained. They noted that areas that had Wal-Mart stores were also likely to have other big-box retailers, like Target. 'We're not trying to pick on Wal-Mart,' said Goetz. 'In this study, Wal-Mart is really serving as a proxy for any type of large retailer.'"
After 25 blessed years without one, my town built a WalMart that opened late last summer. I prided myself avoiding having to walk into it for anything till February when a busted coffeemaker forced me.
But no matter where the store, stepping into any of them comes with a palapable sense of defeat. I hate the fuckin' joint.
not surprising. walmart proudly promotes white-trash christian conservative ideology. ever browsed their book department? scary stuff.
Target is pro-gay? News to me. Didn't Lady Gaga pull back from a promotion over there when she discovered they fund fundamentalist christian groups or something?
I wish I had access to the article… It would be interesting to see if they use variables for socioeconomic status (which I'm assuming from the title) and how those affect hate groups. It's possible that walmarts are just an indicator of community wealth (which we know is a strong predictor of bigotry).
Any other possible alternative explanations you guys can think of? Maybe walmarts are more prevalent in rural, midwestern, southern regions? I don't have much evidence-backed knowledge of Walmart and the demographics of its shoppers (just my anecdotal experiences from infrequent trips).
Also, if their theory is true, that the big box corporations breakdown communities and promote hate through that breakdown, you would assume that's also true for large cities–there isn't much of a sense of community in larger cities (ie, you don't know all of your neighbors).
Walmart is very multicultural. Low income whites, blacks and hispanics buy cheap products made in China. Thank you, Deng Xiaoping.
Target is not pro-gay. They pay lip service to gays and fund gay haters behind our backs
Social Science Quarterly correlates Wal-Mart locations to hate groups?
I think they need to rename their publication to Social Pseudo-Science Quarterly.
You ever notice there are more homeless people around gay bars?
Social Science Quarterly has determined gay bars increase homelessness.
Let's see – I'd like to make a ton of money getting funded to do a study. How about this – as the water level of the Great Lakes decreases, more states approve Same Sex Marriage?
No. 7 · Kev C wrote, "Walmart is very multicultural. Low income whites, blacks and hispanics buy cheap products made in China. Thank you, Deng Xiaoping."
Deng Xiaoping died in 1997, so this must be a posthumous "thank you"!
China's current president is Hu Jintao and its premier is Wen Jiabao. The presidency in China is largely a ceremonial position. The premier runs the administration.
To B…….thank god for wikipedia, eh?
@B: China was a closed society 40 years ago. Deng Xiaoping introduced economic reforms with a vengence.
I love Walmart and small businesses. They are not mutually exclusive. The area where I live in SC had a string of run-down or abandoned supermarkets, car dealers, and retailers. A Walmart Supercenter opened and brought a complete renaissance to the area with redevelopment and new businesses. A number of the new businesses are locally owned and benefit from the Walmart draw. My county has 3 Supercenters and NO listed "hate groups". Most of the hate groups listed with locations in SC appear to be in larger population areas. Since big box stores tend to locate in areas of higher population, which also usually tend to have more organized "fringe" groups of all kinds, I'll bet these folks could just as easily have found a correlation between the number of big box stores and the number of organized gay rights groups. It's just a matter of their agenda going in.
By spewing out hate against low-cost retailers like Wal-Mart, the liberal elite clearly demonstrates their "compassion" for the working class individuals. The extent of snobbery amongst you has reached epic proportions.
@AL: Uh-oh, a gay republican. See mom, I told you they exist.


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The Twin Sister is the board for women who like to turn up the tunes and dance down the mountain through the trees and into the terrain park. The Twin Sister features a twin-profile, directional flex, rockered tip and tail and traditional camber between the feet. Mellow Magne-Traction keeps the Twin Sister on edge and helps lock in every turn. Ladies looking for a stable yet playful board that's easy to rally anywhere want the Twin Sister. Artwork by Bryan Iguchi.
Base Colours Are Random


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Posts Tagged 'diego'
San Diego, TexasA Fort Worth painter goes West - and brings along his Cowtown buds.
Most of the time he was growing up in Fort Worth, painter Drew Snyder wanted to be a musician. It was his first artistic identity. Some of his friends and fellow students at Country Day School — including Ben Groff and br...
Pedro + PenélopeKRISTIAN LIN
At this point, Pedro Almodóvar truly seems incapable of making a bad movie. I can't think of any other great filmmaker working today about whom I can say that. Who would have figured on that in the early 1990s, when Almo...
North CountryTwo Mexicans and one father drive this low-budget, high-powered drama.
Kristian Lin
Christopher Zalla's first feature filmmaking effort screened at Sundance in 2007 under the title Padre Nuestro, where it became the first Spanish-language film to win the festival's grand jury prize.
From the Street to the GalleryGallery
In keeping with the trend of presenting Latin American art as more than just Diego Rivera,


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It's not uncommon to find Iceland grabbing attention in Hollywood movies – it's just rare for audiences to know it is Iceland. In the last two years, the country's glaciers, volcanoes, black sands and waterfalls have lent the required other-worldliness to films such as Oblivion, Prometheus and Thor, while also featuring in HBO's Game of Thrones TV series.
But in the Ben Stiller-directed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which goes on UK national release on 26 December, the island's epic scenery gets a lead role, and this time the locations aren't supposed to be an alien planet – this time it's all about Iceland.
Stiller's romantic comedy, which is based on the classic James Thurbershort story, is about a daydreamer who is forced to leave behind his flights of fancy and challenge himself by seeing the real world. The film features Iceland as an integral part of the story – a first for a blockbuster.


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Ireland: Bid to overturn laws prohibiting gay marriages welcomed
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Wait until the roman cult starts to agitate. Good for Ireland, marriage equality is coming whether they like it or not now that the UK, France, and Australia are making noise.
The Church has lost all credibility in Ireland, which is why the government has withdrawn it's ambassador to the Vatican.
Indeed. The Irish have now fully woken up to just how abusive the Vatican "parent" has been to them over the centuries, and are now turning their backs in droves. Reading through the various testimonies and hearing the weak justifications the Catholic hierarchy attempt to use in their excuses it's no wonder.
Good luck ladies. I hope the Irish courts look favourably on your application.
Ireland has had a dramatic change in national attitude over the last few years. It is clearly now a post-Catholic country.
It has clearly told the RC church that it will not tolerate the insidious and vile behaviour and corruption that many have perpetrated in the churches name.
The state have said that the church will not have special protections.
Its time to make sure that equality laws are fair and honest – including in marriage, and this means that the church have no influence on how the law is framed.
Should be interesting to see how the Supreme Court deals with this…. it will rule once and for all if the Constitution needs to be changed for marriage equality as stated by High Court Ms. Justice Dunne in that "the Irish constitution had always meant for marriage to be between a man and a woman".
What was meant and what the Constitution says are two vastly different things. So if the Constitution does not say between a man and a woman the Constitution will not need a referendum….
"So if the Constitution does not say between a man and a woman the Constitution will not need a referendum…."
Unfortunately that wrong. The Constitution is interpreted for , and the High Court has interpreted the spirit of Article 41 to "always meant for marriage to be between a man and a woman". The Attorney General agrees with this stance, whether it be right or wrong. Unless the Supreme Court disagrees, it will need a Referendum.
…having said that, its in the current programme for government, Referendum or no, which is good news – but my guess is there will be a referendum to prevent any challenges should the Supreme Court agree with the High Court over their interpretation of Article 41.
How can they possibly prove what was "meant" If it doesn't specify then they are on shaky ground and just because the Attorney General is a homophobic prig proves nothing and a challenge would have interesting consequences. The coming Constitutional Convention will clarify things in any case…
A referendum on a minority's civil rights is an abhorrent idea – completely disgusting and unnecessary.
It's up to the Supreme Court.
The Attorney General is not the person who is in charge of deciding on constitutional matters – that is the Supreme Court's job.
The Attorney General (of the last government) gave his OPINION that a referendum would be required (seeing that was ALL the last government was willing to introduce).
Other legal experts believe that no referendum is required.
It;s quite simple – it's up to the Supreme Court to decide if marriage equality legislation is constitutional.
It is the government's responsibility to legislate for equality.
"How can they possibly prove what was "meant""
If you do not understand how the Supreme Courts system words with regards to the Institution, then please go and learn:-
Constitutional jurisdiction:- Under Article 34.4.4 of the Constitution the Supreme Court functions as a constitutional court as it is the final arbiter in interpreting the Constitution of Ireland. This is a role of particular importance in Ireland, since the Constitution expressly permits the courts to review any law, whether passed before or after enactment of the Constitution, in order to ascertain whether it is in conformity with the Constitution. While such cases must be brought in the first instance in the High Court, there is an appeal from every such decision to the Supreme Court.
Its not that complicated really….
Ace you beat me to an explanation. The histrionics on this site gets tedious sometimes, why people just can't read this stuff for themselves on line is beyond me, but instead they go for the "I do think so, therefore it isn't true" approach.
I have never bought the idea that a referendum was required to allow marriage equality.
That was the response of the last government (after consulting with the Attorney Geneeral) to avoid legislating for full equality. Other legal experts claim there is no reason why full equality cannot be achieved through simply legislation.
My opinion has ALWAYS been that the government should legislate for marriage equality and then let the opponents of equality argue against it in the Supreme Court. By the time the court decides then it is highly unlikely that the court would allow thousands of same sex marriages to be disqualified.
The Irish constitution refers to the Irish President as 'he' throughout. However there was no referendum required to allow Mary Robinson run for the Irish presidency in 1990. The references to 'he' were understood to mean both men and women. Likewise where the constitution refers to spouses as 'he and she' this should not mean that a referendum is required.
As you will well know, even when I agree with you, there is usually something that doesn't fit quite comfortably with me – whether that be the manner you present it, a side issue that you mention or whatever … I am sure the feeling is reciprocated by yourself with some of my comments.
However, I entirely and unreservedly agree with you – there is never a justification for a referendum to be held on the grant of civil rights to a minority group.
Essentially a referendum would be inviting the public to vote to deprive a small minority of the population of rights the majority takes for granted and sees as fundamental.
Allowing the majority to subjugate a minority is immoral and a referendum should never be used to harm others. It would never be used to debate issues of racial equality, disability rights etc – it should not be used as a tool of homophobia.
"I have never bought the idea that a referendum was required to allow marriage equality."
Its actually irrelevant what you think, the fact you do not understand why does not prejudice the reality in any way. When you the Irish AG, you can of course disagree.
I've explained above the relevance of Article 34. It also applies to the current case being taken. Read and learn, sweetie, read and learn.
When Ireland decriminalized homosexuality in 1992 the Catholic Church was already reeling from a child abuse scandal and decided to kept their views to themselves for fear of being branded hypocrites. No doubt with another, bigger scandal, this time affecting the church across the world, the priests and bishops will keep shtumm when the Dáil legalises marriage equality.
During my recent visits to Ireland I have seen a country transformed by it's EU membership since I first visited in 1987. Unfortunately the Irish economy has suffered another collapse due to it's Euro membership and I fear that Ireland will not recover until they ditch the Euro and return to the Punt. When they do things should improve again but even in the meantime Ireland with it's rich culture, music, laid back way of life and scenary is a great place to visit, gay or straight!
Both gay and straight people say that the long string of losses we've faced in US polls around marriage equality are really our own fault; our community pushed too hard and too fast. They have said that we have failed to "educate" the public about who we really are and get beyond the stereotypes of leather people, butch dykes, cropped tops and drag queens – and that it is now our obligation to reintroduce ourselves to society. They say that that it's up to us to reframe the terms of the debate away from "moral values" to simpler concepts, such as fairness, which polls indicate resonate most with the public.
I disagree. This is nothing more than the blame-the-victim mentality afflicting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement.
Rather than reframing the debate away from moral values, we must embrace them. Or more precisely, the utter immorality of the escalating attacks against LGBT people. And, equally, the utter immorality in the failure of so many people of
good will to stand with us. It is time for us to seize the moral high ground and state unambiguously that anti-gay discrimination in any form is immoral.
Discrimination is defined as "unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice." By any measure, LGBT people are targets of discrimination in many forms in many nations. In the USA statistics show that more people are being murdered because of their sexual orientation than for any other bias reason. Young LGBT people are still routinely bullied in schools. The examples of injustices in the area of partner and family recognition are too many to list. No thinking or feeling person can deny these realities.
Mainstream media and churches are largely silent to our opponents' lies. Most progressive organizations and political campaigns, meanwhile, steer clear. There have been sterling exceptions, but they have been few and far between.
Many people who see themselves as supporters of equal rights for all tolerate this
This story is not about the USA so your response is not relevant to this story.
because they believe prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation is profoundly different than that based on race or religion – that it comes from an understandable disapproval of our behavior – not on some "immutable characteristic." Homosexual behavior, they feel, is "unnatural" (doesn't the Bible say so?). Pundits say there is an "ick" factor – that the thought of gay sex revolts non-gay people, and that this seemingly innate reaction is proof there is something wrong with homosexuality.
This rationale is hardly unique to gay people. Scholars point to comparable "ick" sentiments about Irish immigrants in the 1880s, and describe how in preceding generations sexual ideology was used to strengthen control over slaves and to justify the taking of Native American or Aboriginal lands, and that for centuries Jews were associated with disease and urban degeneration.
Fact is, there is no justification for anti-gay prejudice; the "justifications" for it are as unfounded as those used to
What relevance does this reply have to this story which is about Ireland (not the USA)?
support the second-class treatment of other minorities in past generations.
So, what needs to be done?
First, everyone must realize that when straight people say gay people should not have the freedom to marry, they are saying we are not as good or deserving as they are. It's that simple, no matter how one attempts to sugarcoat it.
This is unacceptable – and it is immoral.
Second, while we should talk to straight people honestly about our lives, we must flatly reject the notion that we are somehow to blame for all of this because we have not effectively communicated our "stories" to others. Fundamentally, it is not our job to prove to others that we can be good neighbours, good parents, and that we're actually people too.
Third, equality will remain elusive if we keep relying on intellectualized arguments.
The other side goes for the gut; it's now our turn.
In this vein, we must put others on the spot to stand up and fight for us. As the cascade of lies pours forth from the
Relevance to the story being discussed????
the Anti-Gay Industry, morality demands that non-gay people speak out with the same vehemence as they would if it was another minority under attack. Ministers and rabbis must be challenged with the question, "Where is your voice?" Elected officials who meet with and attend events of the Anti-Gay Industry, must be met with the challenge, "How can you do that!? How is that public service?"
The orchestrated campaign to deny us equality, fairness, recognition of our families, access to services etc. is immoral. Silently bearing witness to this discrimination is immoral.
We are in the midst of another ugly chapter in its struggle with the forces of bigotry. People of good will can either rise up to speak for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered people, or look back upon themselves 20 years from now with deserved shame.
…You are aware that this thread is in relation to a story about Marriage Equality in Ireland? You have posted 5 pages of cut and paste drivel without ever mentioning the current thread 1 What gives?
However in relation to your post, the USA will never truly be free until, like Ireland, it dumps the religious fantasy who are destroying the country and democracy…. It is to the amazement of the entire world that the GOP candidate for president believes that a deity created the universe 6000 years ago and that man lived alongside Dinosaurs……Time to join the twenty first century, America!
Perhaps Richard was trying for "most comments of the day" through posting this long, disjointed first draft.
And as its focus was predicated from "US polls," he seems either clueless or rather like "the visiting American barging into a pub," making it a little hell of self-focus, good intentions, and irrelevant advice.
Has Carrie changed her name to Richard? He posted this drivel on several other threads too…I wondered what had happened to Carrie?
Let's hope for a swift resolution to this injustice.
1) I am Irish and tried of hearing about outsider opinions about MY country.
2) To quote my father when he had a few too many "It's not right ! They [gay people] should have the right to be as miserable & unhappy as the rest of us".
Context was a joke among friends at a party. I would like to state that my parents are happily married 25 years. :-)
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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns continued their struggles against Conference USA, falling to UTEP on Saturday evening at Cajun Field by a final score of 37-24.
The Cajuns dropped a 51-21 decision at Southern Mississippi earlier in the season and hold an all-time mark of 3-21 against C-USA foes.
The loss ended Louisiana's four-game winning streak. The Cajuns are now 5-4 on the season, while UTEP improved to 4-5
Cajuns running back Tyrell Fenroy ran for 126 yards and a touchdown in the game pushing his career rushing total to 4,448 yards. He passed former Tulane and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore into second place on the State of Louisiana career rushing list. Fenroy now trails career leader Kevin Faulk (LSU/New England Patriots) by 109 yards.
A 14-point third quarter helped UTEP extend its halftime lead to 20 points with 5:24 remaining in third stanza. The Miners converted their first possession of the second half thanks to a seven-yard scoring strike from Trevor Vittatoe to Kris Adams.
Michael Desormeaux threw an interception on the next play to give UTEP the ball on the Cajuns 26-yard line. Vittatoe tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game and second to Jeff Moturi to push the lead to 30-10.
The Cajuns responded with a seven-play, 78-yard scoring drive to cut their deficit to 30-17 after three quarters. The drive's key plays were a 28-yard rush by Fenroy and a 28-yard pass from Desormeaux to Jason Chery. Fenroy finished the drive with a three-yard scoring run, his 45th career touchdown.
UTEP quickly countered with a nine-play, 69-yard drive ending when Vittatoe hit Adams again, this time for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Desormeaux pulled the Cajuns closer with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Green. His nine-yard strike cut the Cajuns deficit to 37-24 with 8:23 remaining.
Orkeys Auriene then recovered the onsides kick for the Cajuns, helping UL take possession at their 38-yard line. A pair of Fenroy rushes which totaled nine yards followed by a quarterback sneak by Desormeaux moved Louisiana into UTEP territory. On the next play UTEP's Josh Ferguson stepped in front of a Desormeaux pass for an interception.
The Cajuns would force UTEP into a three-and-out on the ensuing possession. The Miners defense stepped up once more with another interception. On the second play of the possession, Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith picked off a Desormeaux pass attempt sealing the victory for the visitors. UTEP then ran off the final 3:58 of the clock
Vittatoe ended the game with five touchdowns on 24-of-33 passing for 294 yards. Adams and Moturi each hauled into two touchdown catches for the Miners.
Desormeaux finished with 185 passing yards on 14-of-25 passing. He was hurt by three interceptions - two of which came in the fourth quarter after the onsides kickoff recovery. Fenroy led the Cajuns with 58 receiving yards. Green posted a team-best three catches for 40 yards.
For the second straight week, Gerren Blount cashed in a turnover for six points. Blount's first interception of the season on the fourth play of the game was returned 55 yards for a touchdown. Last week, Blount returned a fumble 30 yards for a score against FIU.
It marked just the second time this season that the Cajuns had scored first in a game. The Cajuns scored first at Kansas State, a 45-37 loss.
UTEP answered with a 10-play, 67-yard drive consuming 5:40 of the quarter. Vittatoe connected with Moturi on a 16-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cajuns went back on top thanks to a 20-yard field goal by Drew Edmiston early in the second quarter. The Cajuns 10-play, 70-yard drive had traveled down to the two-yard line. UL was unsuccessful trying to punch the ball in on second and third down and had to settle for the field goal.
UTEP tied the game after a Cajuns fumble on a punt return gave the Miners a short field. The UL defense held UTEP to three yards on three plays, forcing a 28-yard field goal by Jose Martinez. The game was tied at 10-10 with 8:23 to play in the first half.
The Miners took the lead at the half thanks to a seven-play, 97-yard drive in just 1:32. UTEP took possession after the Cajuns were unsuccessful on fourth-and-goal from the five-yard line. Vittatoe tossed a 32-yard touchdown to Tufick Shadrawy to put the visitors in front 16-10 at the break.
Louisiana takes to the road the next two weeks. First up is a visit to Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Nov. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CST).


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8K and 12K open to any and all runners. Includes stylish custom Tech Tee. Course is professionally-marked, options include Training program, InfoSessions with experts in their fields, and regular MeetUps. As with all of our races, Runners can expect a great run, a tasty foodie event, plenty of water and electrolytes, and of course COLD BEER.*
June 1: $40; July 16: $45;
Walk-ins: $50 (cash only)
Run Wild Sports
1900 Broadway St [Map]
Perico's Mexican Cuisine
11075 IH 10 [Map]
Every race we do benefits a San Antonio area NonProfit organization. This one benefits the American Heart Association.
June 1: $40; July 16: $45; Walk-ins: $50 (cash only)
Carrera Races
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.


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|new date 20140704
|new date 20140706
Show this changeset in changelog Changeset Detail
MAIN:ragge:20140705090552 created by ragge on 05 July 2014, 11:05:52 +0200 (2 years 3 months ago) (patch) When using logical operators on constants the result must always be INT.
Yet one more fallout from the time where everything was int.
Fixes Jira#PCC-455 by Volkmar Klatt.


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Originally published July 28, 2002
Asking questions, poking around the house as if on a treasure hunt, always asking for a hug and a kiss. Four-year-old Daniella Torres also looked forward to attending preschool in just a few weeks. But those dreams were cut down Friday night when a bullet fired through an apartment wall instantly killed her.
She had the kind of enthusiasm for life that seemed to bubble over.
"What a lovable little girl. She always told us that she loved us," sobbed the girl's grandmother, Ardith Benn, 60, who described Daniella's love of Barbies and watching the Tim Allen comedy "The Santa Clause" over and over again.
Daniella was hit by one of many bullets fired into the apartment in the 2100 block of West Lincoln Street, police say. At the time, she was with her 1-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother in the living room.
Police say at least four men walked up to the home late Friday and demanded to see a man they thought was inside. After people who were sitting near the house told the men that there was no one there, two of them shot into the home with a rifle and handgun.
Daniella's mother and her boyfriend, who were sitting at the back of the house, came running to the front when they heard the shots.
Police don't know if the gunmen had a wrong address, or were looking for someone who had lived previously in the same apartment. Daniella's mother and her boyfriend had just moved in on Thursday. "Personally, I'm getting sick and tired about all these dead little girls. It's too much," said police Sgt. Randy Force. "This little girl got caught in the crossfire of somebody else's business."


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Nb: infants must be under the age of 2 and
children must be under the age of 12 at the time of
This cheerful, simple hotel offers skiers an excellent base for fantastic value. Ideal for those wanting great apres-ski and a convenient location, it is just a short walk from the ski lifts and the resort centre.
A great value hotel, this property offers basic yet pleasant accommodation close to both the slopes and resort centre.


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NEW YORK -- Nearly five years after an unarmed man died in a hail of 50 police bullets, two of the shooters face a disciplinary trial that could cost them their jobs.
New York Police Department lawyers alleged in opening arguments today that the officers used excessive force in the 2006 shooting of Sean Bell.
The would-be groom was fatally wounded outside a Queens nightclub where he was having his bachelor party.
Attorneys for Detective Gescard Isnora and Police Officer Michael Carey argued that the officers had good reason to think Bell and his friends were about to commit a drive-by shooting.
Isnora was acquitted at a non-jury criminal trial in 2008, but still faces administrative charges of violating department guidelines.
Carey was never charged criminally.


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Bagpipers typically have day jobs.
This partially explains why the Hoboken St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee isn't organizing an event this year. The city would only allow the committee to hold a parade on a weekday, which made it nearly impossible to book performers — who typically work during the day, said Bill Coughlin, committee spokesman. Holding the event at night would be equally impractical, he said.
The parade was held for 25 years in the city on the first Saturday of March, but the tradition came to a halt in 2012. Mayor Dawn Zimmer wanted the parade moved to a Wednesday to crack down on rowdiness surrounding the event. At the 2011 parade, authorities reported 34 arrests and two sexual assaults.
The decision to cancel the parade dealt a hefty blow to the committee. Coughlin said that the forced cancellation has inhibited Irish-Americans in the community from celebrating their heritage.


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Our pet-friendly and non-smoking hotel wants you to start your morning right by enjoying our free breakfast buffet. We will help you stay connected with our free WiFi internet access. You can take a relaxing swim in our heated indoor pool or stay active in our fitness center. We also offer free parking.
Play a round of golf at Glenwood Springs Golf Club or Lakota Canyon Golf Club. Rejuvenate your body with a soothing trip to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and relax in the Yampah Spa Vapor Caves, less than one mile away. Try the thrill rides and cave tours at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. We're also near several opportunities for whitewater rafting and mountain biking.
Enjoy some American cuisine at our onsite restaurant 6th Street Grill for breakfast and dinner.
With 7600 square feet of event space, our hotel features 6 meeting rooms, which can be arranged to accommodate 500 conference guests or 300 banquet guests. Plan your next meeting or special event with us. We also arrange great rates for groups — large or small.


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Energy companies guilty of mis-selling and overcharging will have to pay compensation to customers, under plans to give greater powers to the regulator.
Ofgem will be allowed for the first time to force energy companies to give money back to consumers. Previously, compensation was paid voluntarily.
The regulator already has the ability to impose fines, which go to the Government and not to consumers. Most recently EDF Energy paid £4.5 million to customers after Ofgem found that it had misinformed and under-informed consumers during the sales process.
Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, said that he wanted to bring Ofgem into


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Most Americans can't be wrong, can they? In September 2013, a Harris Poll surveyed 2,286 adults and found that 81 percent said "spanking children is sometimes appropriate." The remaining 19 percent said "spanking is never appropriate."
Overall, 67 percent of parents said they spanked their children and 73 percent of parents who themselves were spanked continue the practice with their own children.
A Canadian analysis found that boys are spanked more often than girls, low income parents spank more often than middle and upper income parents and toddlers and preschoolers are most frequently spanked.
Writing in Ebony (July 2013), Eisa Ulen cites the 2000 National Survey of Early Childhood Health which found that 31 percent of African American mothers surveyed admitted spanking their children, compared to Latino mothers (21 percent) and Caucasian mothers (16 percent).
Perhaps most troubling is a recent survey from the University of Michigan which found that 30 percent of 1-year old babies were spanked by their parents. Based on a long-term study of 2,788 urban families, the study also correlated infant spanking with increased likelihood (33 percent) of involvement by child protective services.
There is significant evidence that spanking produces many negative outcomes, such as increased aggressiveness, continued misbehavior, cognitive delays, mindless obedience and low self-esteem. Still, many parents insist that spanking keeps their children on the "straight and narrow." Parents claim they were spanked and they "turned out OK."
Fair enough. Many children who are spanked do turn out OK. And spanking is regretfully legal here in New Jersey and the 49 other states as long as the child is not harmed or injured.
But the flip side is also true: Many children are physically and emotionally harmed by spanking. In a similar way, not every smoker gets cancer. But the risk for cancer increases with smoking.
There are proven, effective ways to discipline children without spanking. So why risk it? Can 81 percent of Americans be wrong? I think so.
PARENTING WITH PETE by Peter Herbst, MSW, LCSW, runs every other Thursday in The Jersey Journal. Have a question? Email him at email@example.com. Comment at http://www.nj.com/parenting-with-pete/.


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The new trailer for director Tim Burton's tale of a boy's dog come back from the grave premiered at Comic Con in San Diego and is now available online!
Take a look at the trailer for the innovative stop-motion adventure below!
From creative genius Tim Burton ("Alice in Wonderland," The Nightmare Before Christmas") comes "Frankenweenie," a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous.
A stop-motion animated film, "Frankenweenie" will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.
In Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.
"Frankenweenie" opens in AMC Theatres on October 5th.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Want to see a movie tonight? Get your tickets as well as theatre and show time information here


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Roadside view brightens day
Thanks to the city of Daphne for the beautiful crepe myrtles on highway 98. It just brightens my day every time I get out there.
Juniper needs improvements
In regard to Foley extending the fee for the Tanger Outlet Center and the possibility of making improvements along Juniper from U.S. 98 to Baldwin County 20: Juniper gets a tremendous amount of traffic and the road has long needed to be resurfaced, as well as some white lines painted on the edge of the road. It seems it just fades into the shoulder of dirt and makes for a dangerous situation, especially at night, and especially for older drivers, because the road just blends into the land there. I do hope Foley will consider making those improvements when they do something to Juniper.
City schools appoint leaders
I know several people, myself included, who have called about the school board in Fairhope. If they go with this city school system it will be appointed by the City Council. That is true every year. They will never be elected. This is the law for a city of Fairhope's size. We have referenced the actual law. This is going to be nothing but a good ol' boy system all over again with the school board in bed with the City Council doing their bidding. People need to know the facts and the facts are not being given to them by Good 2 Great.
Editor's note: If the Fairhope City Council were to create a school board, the council would appoint the board's members to five-year terms, according to Susan Salter of the Alabama Association of School Boards. The Legislature could pass a bill in the future allowing the board to be elected, but in the absence of such a measure the board would remain appointed, she said.
Roads signs create chaos
Who in Fairhope is putting these signs in the middle of the road downtown and down by the park? If you're coming up that hill you have the right of way and all of a sudden there's a sign that you have to stop on the hill. This is the most stupid thing I've ever seen in my life. Of course you're not going to run over someone in the crosswalk, but it doesn't give them the right to just walk out in front of you and make you slam on brakes. This is ridiculous.
Walk on red, not on green
These pedestrian signs are dangerous and confusing. They look like stop signs and people are stopping at green lights just to read what they say. We don't need to be stopping at green lights. The pedestrians can walk on red. We've done just fine so far without them. Come on, Fairhope. Quit doing such things. I haven't seen these signs anywhere else.
Troopers invited back
I'd like to ask the three state troopers on their motorcycles on highway 20 in Elberta the other day to please come back. How about staying for about three weeks? It was so nice for a couple of days not almost getting killed. After you left, the craziness started back. You need to come about 4:30 in the morning also. That's when you'll catch the 80- to 90-miles-per-hour people. And how about driving Coleman Lane and Swift Church Road? There are some crazy people coming off of those roads. But I do thank you for what you did the other day.
Take responsibility
Over a month ago, Democratic National Committee Chairman Debbie Wassermann Schultz said, "We own the economy." It's been 2½ years, so it's about time they took responsibility. The question is, when will Obama supporters let him take responsibility?
Provide services, not profits
So Spanish Fort doesn't want to hire local people and pay them salaries, which would put money back into their economy and ours, yet they want to send the money to Birmingham, never to see it again. This is an example of the myth of privatization. Government is not a business. It is to provide service, not savings. Spanish Fort should do its own work and hire its own people, just like Fairhope should instead of sending our utility money somewhere else to be processed.