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No, the subject line of this post should not be "V for Vestalia," although it very well could be…
Vestalia actually starts on June 9th, and runs through the 15th, so today is the fifth day of it. Since there have been various other things going on meanwhile, though, I neglected to mention it, despite having done a bit for it. (I did discuss it along with Finn mac Cumhaill's day last year, though.)
Let's see what Publius Ovidius Naso has to say about it:
Vesta, favour me! I'll open my lips now in your service,
If I'm indeed allowed to attend your sacred rites.
I was rapt in prayer: I felt the heavenly deity,
And the happy earth shone with radiant light.
Not that I saw you, goddess (away with poets' lies!)
Nor were you to be looked on by any man:
But I knew what I'd not known, and the errors
I'd held to were corrected without instruction.
They say Rome had celebrated the Parilia forty times,
When the goddess, the Guardian of the Flame, was received
In her shrine, the work of Numa, that peace-loving king,
(None more god-fearing was ever born in Sabine lands.)
The roofs you see of bronze were roofs of straw then,
And its walls were made of wickerwork.
This meagre spot that supports the Hall of Vesta
Was then the mighty palace of unshorn Numa.
Yet the form of the temple, that remains, they say,
Is as before, and is shaped so for good reason.
Vesta's identified with Earth: in them both's unsleeping fire:
Earth and the hearth are both symbols of home.
The Earth's a ball not resting on any support,
It's great weight hangs in the ether around it.
Its own revolutions keep its orb balanced,
It has no sharp angles to press on anything,
And it's placed in the midst of the heavens,
And isn't nearer or further from any side,
For if it weren't convex, it would be nearer somewhere,
And the universe wouldn't have Earth's weight at its centre.
There's a globe suspended, enclosed by Syracusan art,
That's a small replica of the vast heavens,
And the Earth's equidistant from top and bottom.
Which is achieved by its spherical shape.
The form of this temple's the same: there's no angle
Projecting from it: a rotunda saves it from the rain.
You ask why the goddess is served by virgins?
I'll reveal the true reason for that as well.
They say that Juno and Ceres were born of Ops
By Saturn's seed, Vesta was the third daughter:
The others married, both bore children they say,
The third was always unable to tolerate men.
What wonder if a virgin delights in virgin servants,
And only allows chaste hands to touch her sacred relics?
Realize that Vesta is nothing but living flame,
And you'll see that no bodies are born from her.
She's truly a virgin, who neither accepts seed
Nor yields it, and she loves virgin companions.
I foolishly thought for ages that there were statues
Of Vesta, later I learnt there were none beneath her dome:
An undying fire is concealed with the shrine,
But there's no image of Vesta or of fire.
The earth's supported by its energy: Vesta's so called from 'depending
On energy' (vi stando), and that could
be the reason for her Greek name. But the hearth (focus)
is named from its fire that warms (fovet) all things:
Formerly it stood in the most important room.
I think the vestibule was so called from Vesta too:
In praying we address Vesta first, who holds first place.
It was once the custom to sit on long benches by the fire,
And believe the gods were present at the meal:
Even now in sacrificing to ancient Vacuna,
They sit and stand in front of her altar hearths.
Something of ancient custom has passed to us:
A clean dish contains the food offered to Vesta.
See, loaves are hung from garlanded mules,
And flowery wreaths veil the rough millstones.
Once farmers only used to parch wheat in their ovens,
(And the goddess of ovens has her sacred rites):
The hearth baked the bread, set under the embers,
On a broken tile placed there on the heated floor.
So the baker honours the hearth, and the lady of hearths,
And the she-ass that turns the pumice millstones.
Red-faced Priapus shall I tell of your shame or pass by?
It's a brief tale but it's a merry one.
Cybele, whose head is crowned with towers,
Called the eternal gods to her feast.
She invited the satyrs too, and those rural divinities,
The nymphs, and Silenus came, though no one asked him.
It's forbidden, and would take too long, to describe the banquet
Of the gods: the whole night was spent drinking deep.
Some wandered aimlessly in Ida's shadowy vales,
Some lay, and stretched their limbs, on the soft grass.
Some played, some slept, others linked arms
And beat swift feet threefold on the grassy earth.
Vesta lay carelessly, enjoying a peaceful rest,
Her head reclining, resting on the turf.
But the red-faced keeper of gardens chased the nymphs
And goddesses, and his roving feet turned to and fro.
He saw Vesta too: it's doubtful whether he thought her
A nymph, or knew her as Vesta: he himself denied he knew.
He had wanton hopes, and tried to approach her in secret,
And walked on tiptoe, with a pounding heart.
Old Silenus had chanced to leave the mule
He rode by the banks of a flowing stream.
The god of the long Hellespont was about to start,
When the mule let out an untimely bray.
Frightened by the raucous noise, the goddess leapt up:
The whole troop gathered, and Priapus fled through their hands.
The people of Lampsacus sacrifice this animal to him, singing:
'Rightly we give the innards of the witness to the flames.'
Goddess, you deck the creature with necklaces of loaves,
In remembrance: work ceases: the empty mills fall silent.
I'll explain the meaning of an altar of Jove the Baker
That stands on the Thunderer's citadel, more famous
For name than worth. The Capitol was surrounded
By fierce Gauls: the siege had already caused a famine.
Summoning the gods to his royal throne,
Jupiter said to Mars: 'Begin!' and he quickly replied:
'My people's plight is surely unknown,
A grief that needs a voice of heartfelt complaint.
But if I'm to tell a sad and shameful tale in brief,
Rome lies under the feet of an Alpine enemy.
Jupiter, is this the Rome that was promised power
Over the world! Rome, the mistress of the earth?
She'd crushed the neighbouring cities, and the Etruscans:
Hope was rampant: now she's driven from her home.
We've seen old men, dressed in embroidered robes
Of triumph, murdered in their bronze-clad halls:
We've seen Ilian Vesta's sacred pledges hurried
From their place: some clearly think of the gods.
But if they look back at the citadel you hold,
And see so many of your homes under siege,
They'll think worship of the gods is vain,
And incense from a fearful hand thrown away.
If only they'd an open field of battle! Let them arm,
And if they can't be victorious, let them die.
Now without food, and dreading a cowardly death,
They're penned on their hill, pressed by a barbarous mob.'
Then Venus, and Vesta, and glorious Quirinus with auger's staff
And striped gown, pleaded on behalf of their Latium.
Jupiter replied: 'There's a common concern for those walls.
And the Gauls will be defeated and receive punishment.
But you, Vesta, mustn't leave your place, and see to it
That the bread that's lacking be considered plentiful.
Let whatever grain is left be ground in a hollow mill,
Kneaded by hand, and then baked in a hot oven.'
He gave his orders, and Saturn's virgin daughter
Obeyed his command, as the hour reached midnight.
Now sleep had overcome the weary leaders: Jupiter
Rebuked them, and spoke his wishes from holy lips:
'Rise, and from the heights of the citadel, throw down
Among the enemy, the last thing you'd wish to yield!'
They shook off sleep, and troubled by the strange command,
Asked themselves what they must yield, unwillingly.
It seemed it must be bread: They threw down the gifts
Of Ceres, clattering on the enemy helms and shields.
The expectation that they could be starved out vanished.
The foe was repulsed, and a bright altar raised to Jove the Baker.
On the festival of Vesta, I happened to be returning
By the recent path that joins the New Way to the Forum.
There I saw a lady descending barefoot:
Astonished, I was silent and stopped short.
An old woman from the neighbourhood saw me: and telling
Me to sit, spoke to me in a quavering voice, shaking her head:
'Here, where the forums are now, was marshy swamp:
A ditch was wet with the overflow from the river.
That lake of Curtius, that supports the altars un-wet,
Is solid enough now, but was a pool of water once.
Where processions file through the Velabrum to the Circus,
There was nothing but willow and hollow reeds:
Often some guest returning over suburban waters,
Sang out, and hurled drunken words at the boatmen.
That god, Vertumnus, whose name fits many forms,
Wasn't yet so-called from damning back the river (averso amne).
Here too was a thicket of bulrushes and reeds,
And a marsh un-trodden by booted feet.
The pools are gone, and the river keeps its banks,
And the ground's dry now: but the custom remains.'
So she explained it. I said: 'Farewell, good dame!
May whatever of life remains to you be sweet.'
I'd already heard the rest of the tale in boyhood,
But I won't pass over it in silence on that account.
Ilus, scion of Dardanus, had founded a new city
(Ilus was still rich, holding the wealth of Asia)
A sky-born image of armed Minerva was said
To have fallen on the hillside near to Troy.
(I was anxious to see it: I saw the temple and the site,
That's all that's left there: Rome has the Palladium.)
Apollo Smintheus was consulted, and gave this answer
From truthful lips, in the darkness of his shadowy grove:
'Preserve the heavenly goddess, and preserve
The City: with her goes the capital of empire.'
Ilus preserved her, closed in the heights of the citadel.
The care of it descended to his heir Laomedon.
Priam failed to take like care: so Pallas wished it,
Judgement having gone against her beauty.
They say it was stolen, whether by Diomede,
Or cunning Ulysses, or taken by Aeneas:
The agent's unknown, but the thing's in Rome:
Vesta guards it: who sees all things by her unfailing light.
How worried the Senate was, when Vesta's temple
Caught fire: and she was nearly buried by her own roof!
Holy fires blazed, fed by sinful fires,
Sacred and profane flames were merged.
The priestesses with streaming hair, wept in amazement:
Fear had robbed them of their bodily powers.
Metellus rushed into their midst, crying in a loud voice:
'Run and help, there's no use in weeping.
Seize fate's pledges in your virgin hands:
They won't survive by prayers, but by action.
Ah me! Do you hesitate?' he said. He saw them,
Hesitating, sinking in terror to their knees.
He took up water, and holding his hands aloft, cried:
'Forgive me, holy relics! A man enters where no man should.
If it's wrong, let the punishment fall on me:
Let my life be the penalty, so Rome is free of harm.'
He spoke and entered. The goddess he carried away
Was saved by her priest's devotion, and she approved.
Now sacred flames you shine brightly under Caesar's rule:
The fire on the Ilian hearths is there, and will remain,
It won't be said that under him any priestess disgraced
Her office, nor that she was buried alive in the earth.
So the unchaste die, being entombed in what they
Have violated: since divine Earth and Vesta are one.
This day Brutus won his title from the Galician foe,
And stained the soil of Spain with blood.
Surely sadness is sometimes mixed with joy,
Lest festivals delight the crowd's hearts completely:
Crassus, near the Euphrates, lost the eagles, his army,
And his son, and at the end himself as well.
The goddess said: 'Parthians, why exult? You'll send
The standards back, a Caesar will avenge Crassus' death.'
So, quite a lot there!
I'll post a poem for Vesta (which will not count for the Turning Theological Lemons Into Devotional Lemonade activities!) on VI Vestalia this coming Saturday; and meanwhile, a few other things to come…
Ave Vesta Magna Dea!


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Disease Resistance:
No disease information found.
Symbols Explained
Easy Choice
Variety is easy-to-grow.
Patterson(F1) Onion Seed
Product ID: 2521
Extremely long storage yellow onion.
Patterson has the same firmness and storage qualities as Copra, with a larger size, better uniformity, and higher yield potential. Medium-large, blocky bulbs with dark yellow skin and thin necks that dry quickly. Adaptation: 38-55° latitude. Also available pelleted. NOTE: Also offered as plants. Avg. 100,000 seeds/lb. Packet: 250 seeds.
Quick Facts
Latin Name: Allium cepa
Days to Maturity or Bloom: 104
Plant Cycle: (A)
Shipping Information & Notes
Growing Information
CULTURE: Onions require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Sandy loam soils are ideal; raised beds or raised rows are recommended for heavier soils to promote soil drainage.
DIRECT SEEDING: In April or early May, or as soon as the soil can be prepared in early spring, sow in a 2" wide band, about 2 seeds/in., 1/4- 1/2" deep, rows 12-18" apart. Thin to 1 1/2-2" apart for highest yields in fertile soil. Thin to 3-4" apart for larger onions.
TRANSPLANTING: In short-season areas, sow seeds indoors in flats in late February to mid-March. Broadcast 1/2" apart and cover 1/4". Tops may be clipped to 5" tall. Transplant to the garden 4" apart, or sow 5 seeds in each cell of 1-1 1/2" diameter plug trays, thinning to 3 per cell. Transplant each cell 6" apart.
CULTIVATION: Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.
WATER: Onions are shallow rooted and grow best with at least 1" per week of rain or irrigation, especially during the bulbing phase.
DISEASES: Adequate air circulation and crop rotation aids in reducing the risk of foliar disease
HARVEST: When necks become soft and tops are falling over, pull and sun-cure at least 2-7 days, depending on weather. Move to a protected location to finish drying.
STORAGE: When dry, clip off tops and roots and store in onion bags or shallow boxes at near freezing and 65-70% humidity.
DAY LENGTH: Onion bulbing is triggered by day length, and maximum day length during the growing season increases from south to north. Short-day onions are grown at lower latitudes in the South, while intermediate and long-day onions are grown at higher latitudes. Refer to "Adaptation" in each variety description for details.
DAYS TO MATURITY: From direct seeding; subtract 10-15 days if transplants are used.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE: 1 oz./25', 1M/50', 5M/250', 25M/1,250', 580M/acre @ 20 seeds/ft., in rows 18" apart.
TRANSPLANTS: Avg. 1 oz./4,900 plants, 1 lb./78,750.
SIZED SEEDS: Standard on all varieties.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/LB.: 96,900-127,700 (avg. 112,000).
PACKET: 250 seeds, sows 12' or makes 140 plants.

subset: commoncrawl


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Thanks for supporting the first Valley Blues Walk
The first-ever North Bend Blues Walk was a great success thanks to everyone involved. More than 1,200 people came out on Saturday, April 20, filling 13 venues downtown. Following in the same fashion as the successful Jazz Walk last September, music could be found all up and down North Bend Way from 6 to midnight and patrons wandered from venue to venue, enjoying the experience of it all.
We had a great group of new venues added to the list with music in some unconventional places. There was live music in a retail storefront like Birches Habitat and a car dealership showroom like Chaplin's Chevrolet. Thanks to all our host venues, the Pour House, Snoqualmie Valley Moose Lodge, Pioneer Coffee, Birches Habitat, Emerald City Smoothie, North Bend Theatre, Twede's Cafe, Euro Lounge Cafe, George's Bakery, Valley Center Stage, Boxley's, Chaplin's, and Scott's Dairy Freeze.
The event was sponsored and produced by the non-profit 501(c)3 Boxley Music Fund, which is organized and run by members who want to support live music programs and education in the Snoqualmie Valley.
We want to recognize the Blues Walk committee chairperson, Audrey Paisley, for her exceptional role in organizing the event. Audrey also had a great team helping including Paul Green, Karen Granger, Pat Cutchins, Courtney Cutchins, Bob Baumann, Linda Grez and another 40 or so volunteers.
The music was fabulous, all night long. More than 40 musicians showed up with a variety of bands including T-Town Aces, Blues Redemption, Katie Bourne, Nick Vigarino, Rod Cook, Eric Madis, The Wired Band, Brian Lee Trio, Kim Field, Paul Green, Brian Butler, Chris Stevens' Surf Monkeys, Dan O'Bryant, John Stephan Band, James King & the Southsiders, Mark Riley, Little Bill and the Blue Notes.
We also want to thank our sponsors, without whom this would not have been possible. They include the city of North Bend, Jeff Warren Insurance, Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, PC Bennett Consulting, the Valley Record, Intek Integration Technologies, Birdsong Cottage, Hauglie Insurance, Weaver Financial, Frankie's Pizza, Encompass, the Si View Community Foundation, Eric J. Opsvig, DDS, Clear View Tree Service, Tanner Electric, Replicator Graphics, Blues To Do, the Washington Blues Society, the SnoValley Star, Singletrack Cycles, Sno Falls Credit Union, B.A.B, Big Star Studios, Twin Star Car Wash, North Bend Therapeutic Massage, Assist 2 Sell, Bob Baumann & Friends, Acacia Hair Salon, Destiny by Design, SnoValley Coffee, Carmichael's and Better Properties Real Estate.
What's next? It's time to start planning for the second annual North Bend Jazz Walk, September 20. Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this one.
Thanks again for all your support.
Danny Kolke
North Bend
© Sound Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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This deal has ended.
Select Kids' Swimwear and Apparel is up to 60% off at Zulily through 2/27. Plus, take 10% off $75 with our code BRDEALZU26. Check out the pictured Pink Stripe One Piece and Cover Up Set, originally $32, now $15.99. Shipping starts at $5.95 and there is no sales tax (except KY, NV, OH, WA).No longer available


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A second Amarillo-area woman is now starring in an Irish-set musical on Broadway.
Erica Swindell, a graduate of Ascension Academy, made her official Broadway debut on Tuesday as the ex-girlfriend in "Once," a musical based on the 2006 film.
Already appearing in the musical is Elizabeth A. Davis, a Channing native and 2012 Tony Award nominee for her role as Reza in the musical.
"It's definitely surreal being in a show with Elizabeth," Swindell said Wednesday. "Two of the 15 people in this cast are from the same program. ... It's a huge compliment to the Suzuki strings program at Amarillo College."
The musical requires its full cast to serve as the show's orchestra, so Swindell and Davis are using their Suzuki training to play violin. Swindell, who also understudies the lead role of Girl, may also play piano if called upon.
"This is a dream come true, this show. I couldn't ask for a better way to make my debut," she said.
For now, Swindell expects to be playing the unnamed ex-girlfriend of lead Steve Kazee's Guy at most shows through May, when her contract runs out. She replaced original cast member Andrea Goss.
Tuesday's debut was only Swindell's second time running through the full show.
"(As an understudy), it's a totally different game plan. You basically are a little bit on your own when it comes to learning things, and you don't get the luxury of a rehearsal process," Swindell said. "The first time is very scary but very empowering to know that you can trust yourself."
Since moving to New York, Swindell has appeared in such off-Broadway shows as "Mary Broome" with the Mint Theater Co., "Much Ado About Nothing" with the
American Globe Theatre and more.


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Kathryn Brown
Current Home
Reeve Lindbergh, the daughter of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, has written many children's books, including MY HIPPIE GRANDMOTHER, ON MORNING WINGS, and NOBODY OWNS THE SKY, as well as several memoirs for adults. She lives in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.
Kathryn Brown has illustrated numerous books for children, including TOUGH BORIS by Mem Fox, WHEN MOON FELL DOWN by Linda Smith, and MAMA LOVES by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.


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Business News of 2014-06-24
Opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises
Most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are not able to provide the requisite collateral for loans. Those who manage to get loans often get them at higher interest rates.
Various stakeholders acknowledge this challenge that SMEs in Ghana have been experiencing. Indeed several forums have been held and continue to be held, all aimed at finding innovative means to obtain cheaper ways for SMEs of getting money.
SMEs also borrow from the few institutions that give loans as other large businesses, a situation most entrepreneurs deem unfair. To them, SMEs must be made to borrow at cheaper rates to enable them expand their businesses.
Interest rate bank facilities continue to surge with the daily interbank interest rate by the Bank of Ghana website on June 5, 2014 being 24.05 per cent.
Relevance of SMEs
It is quite difficult to get available data on SMEs. However, statistics from the Registrar General's Department suggests about 90 per cent of companies registered are micro, small and medium enterprises.
SMEs are said to provide about 85 per cent of manufacturing employment, contribute about 70 per cent to Ghana's GDP, and therefore have an impact on economic growth, income and employment.
In the 2014 budget statement, SMEs are acknowledged to be "the bulwark of creating jobs and mobilising the informal sector".
However, funds created to address their limited access to financing and reducing the cost of borrowing has not been sustainable.
The budget said the government is setting up a new SME fund to boost support for SMEs. The activities of the fund will be overseen by a Board of Trustees and a professional fund management company. This management structure will improve the processes of credit appraisal and recoveries in order to make the fund a sustainable revolving fund.
Also, the 2013 budget statement hinted that it would revamp existing credit schemes alongside new schemes, such as the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Fund, to provide funds for start-ups and SMEs.
Development experts say that the growth of an economy is in question if it cannot create jobs for its people, hence the need for investment by public and private investors. By doing so, economic opportunities will widen to transform Ghana's economy and also develop the private sector to be able to create jobs and enhance livelihoods.
Challenges in accessing funds
Financial institutions and banks have often been encouraged to give the needed attention to the SMEs.Though some claim to have opened up to these SMEs, majority do not seem to be doing anything to support their growth.
Also, SMEs themselves do not seem ready to be supported. Issues of poor governance practices, lack of risk management practices, poor record keeping and the fusion of business with personal ownership.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Henry Wampah, at a forum advised SMEs to bring formality into their operations through addressing their governance weaknesses, improving record keeping and honouring obligations promptly to attract the services of banks.
He said the SMEs housed a large number of companies and provided employment to several people and were also a major driving force of development for any economy, hence the need for them to reform their operations to improve their business.
Funding relief
In recent times, there have been a lot of credits in the system, all aimed at supporting SMEs in the country and providing cheaper sources of funding for SMEs. These come at a time when interest rates on bank facilities are surging.
The Italian government has given Ghana a soft loan of GH¢86.68 million (€22 million) out of which GH¢34.9 million (€10 million) has been earmarked for the SME sector.
Already, eight local companies have received GH¢13 million (€3.3 million) of the amount to help them finance their operations, with the remaining GH¢26.4 million (€6.7 million) still available for other SMEs that meet the eligibility criteria.
The European Union (EU) has also made available €80 million to Ghanaian entrepreneurs from the European Investment Bank (EIB), under its programme to leverage investments across the country.
The fund, approximately GH¢315 million, has been set aside by the EIB to support investments into small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are engaged in exports from Ghana.
Subsequently, Societe General Ghana has received the first tranche of €20 million (about GH¢80 million) from the facility for onward lending to SMEs.
The 10-year facility (the Investment Facility Resources (IFR) is part of the benefits the EU offers members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states which have signed a non-reciprocal trade treaty, the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), with the European Union and its member states under the Cotonou Accord of 2003.
The EIB is the long-term lending bank of the European Union (EU) and it is owned by the 28 member states of the EU.
Again, the French government has, through its agency, French Development Agency (AFD), offered a lifeline to SMEs in Ghana by introducing a risk-sharing instrument to underwrite part of the risks when banks lend funds to SMEs.
The 100-million euro fund meant for developing economies, especially African, can guarantee up to 50 per cent of risk when it comes to portfolio guarantees and up to 75 per cent in single deal guarantees.
This means SMEs and other private sector businesses in agriculture, agribusiness and manufacturing activities that fall within the AFD operational area can access the guarantee through their banks.
According to the Resident Manager of AFD, Mrs Amélie July, and the Deputy, Mr Xavier Muron, the instrument which started in Ghana earnestly about two years ago had been running well with the current portfolio of guarantees standing at €5.8 million.
Again, since the AFD signed its first guarantee agreement with Societe-General Ghana a couple of years ago, 140 SMEs have benefited from the portfolio guarantee, while five companies have accessed loans under the individual (single) guarantee.
The loans are restricted to capital investments such as purchasing equipment, expansion works and other such expenditures. However, it is only the local French banking subsidiary, Societe-General, which has taken advantage of the financial instrument at the moment.
Way forward
Government, in a non-partisan manner, has often invited interested companies to apply for these facilities which are expected to help them realise their full potential yet, the space between these funds and SMEs is still wide.
Perhaps because they are sometimes not able to the meet the eligibility criteria which requires that they must be fully-fledged Ghanaian companies registered with the Registrar General's Department, they are left out.
They are also expected to have sound accounting record while having the ability to generate employment for the people.
Indeed, Ghanaian SMEs are now exposed to greater opportunities than ever for expansion and diversification across the sectors. While developed global markets may be shrinking on account of the financial and economic crises prevailing, Ghana's market size is growing and opportunities within Africa are also beginning to look attractive for SMEs in manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceutical, information technology and agro and service sector, among others.
Banks must see the SMEs as development partners and develop relationships with them by nurturing their businesses, as well as providing them the convenient environment to develop their businesses.
Further, SMEs that benefit from these facilities that are available must ensure that they keep to the schedule of repayment and work with the team of experts managing the project.
This is the only way to guarantee the sustainability of the financing schemes and revolve them to benefit a lot more of enterprises.
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The town of Pictou is expecting to end in the red for the 2013/14 fiscal year.
It was announced at Pictou town council Monday evening that the town of Pictou would have a projected deficit of $115,000 dollars.
The final report is expected in early May, with possible changes once things are tallied up for March. The water utility is expected to have a loss this year as well, with a need for rate adjustment coming soon. The shortfall of the water utility may be made up by a tax increase, suggested Mayor Joe Hawes.


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The following is from Yoshimura…
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's James Stewart left absolutely nothing on the track at round 15 of the 2014 AMA/FIM Supercross Championships at Seattle's CenturyLink Field on Saturday night. Stewart rallied after last weekend's illness and raced his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 to a well-earned second place in front of a packed and enthusiastic Pacific Northwest crowd.
Although Stewart came into the weekend not quite 100 percent, he still managed to put forth a solid effort in qualifying and pick up his 10th heat race victory of the season. In the 20-lap main event, Stewart got a good start and overtook a podium position right away. Turning aggressive laps on his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, Stewart was riding on the edge as he quickly moved into second position and then continued to charge hard and bring home a podium finish.
"Today was a bit of a struggle," said Stewart. "I never could really get comfortable with changes we made to the bike. I was trying to make up time in the race, but it was really easy to override the track because of the ruts. I'm not quite 100 percent yet but I felt like I rode good, so this was kind of a bummer. But we've still got two races left and I'm looking forward to having a week off to get totally healthy. I have to thank the Yoshimura Suzuki team for their hard work and for standing by me. We're second in the overall championship points and I'm just looking forward to going into the last two races of the season strong."
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing takes a weekend off prior to their next event, the 16th round of the 2014 AMA/FIM Supercross Championships on Saturday, April 26th, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.


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MUSKEGON, MI -- As the leaves continue to fall from the trees in the Muskegon area, residents may be trying to recall the disposal options in their respective municipalities.
Here is a list of autumn leaf disposal information:
The city of Muskegon picks up leaves curbside every week from April to the end of December.
Norton Shores:
Leaf drop-off sites in Norton Shores close on Nov. 29. Leaf drop-off hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the site on Wellesley Road near the Randall Road intersection at the east side of Ross Park and at the site on Wood Road south of Pontaluna Road. Leaves are the only yard waste accepted at the Ross Park site. Wood road is open 7 days a week, while the Ross Park drop-off site is only open Saturday and Sunday.
Roosevelt Park:
The city of Roosevelt Park picks up leaves every Tuesday. Leaf pick up will last through Nov. 26
Fruitport Township:
Fruitport township does not have leaf drop-off sites this year.
Muskegon Township:
Residents may drop off leaves at 101 Quarterline Road, just north of Muskegon Community College, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Residents must have a $15 non-sanitation pass. Passes are available at Township Hall.
North Muskegon:
North Muskegon does not have a leaf drop-off site. However, the city has a leaf vacuum that comes around and picks up leaves.
Whitehall has curbside pick-up. Residents can rake leaves to edge of their curb. Curbside pick-up in Whitehall will take place up to Nov. 22.
Residents can drop off leaves at the city garage on 4976 Bowen St. The drop-off site will be open with weather permitting.
Grand Haven:
Leaf drop-off sites are located at Griffin Elementary School at 1700 South Griffin or Lakeshore Middle School at 900 Cutler. Drop-off sites are open from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30 and Dec. 7. Acceptable bags include two-ply paper bags and leaf bags may be deposited directly into the collection vehicle.
Spring Lake:
Residents may drop off leaves at the Department of Public Works Office on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 16. Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags.
Residents may drop off leaves at Ben's Barn on State Street.
The Department of Public Works will pick up leaves in residential yards. Sticks and branches may be dropped off on Pierce Road off of 72nd Street.


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Mitsubishi Diamond 3D SXRD Projector
Along with just about everyone else at CEDIA, Mitsubishi is demonstrating a 3D projector, this one based on Sony's SXRD technology. The Diamond 3D has no official model number yet, but it's targeted to throw 1200 ANSI lumens with a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1. Interestingly, it can use Panasonic or Toshiba active glasses, though no glasses or IR emitter are included for an undisclosed price that I was told will be "less than the Sony."
I'm afraid the demo didn't look good—very dim with lots of breakup in moving images. I was told the demo unit was a prototype, but also that the projector is scheduled to ship by the end of October or early November, which is very soon for such an unfinished prototype.


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News & Releases >> Sep 26 2010
Toronto, ON — The MyNextRace.com team mascot, Jefferson, completed the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon (SWTM) in 4:15:03, to be the current holder of Guinness Book of World Records. Donato beat the current mascot marathon record of 4:30 for running a marathon wearing a mascot at today's SWTM.
Peter Donato as Jefferson, pledged to raise awareness and donations for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, during the STWM. His decision on Monday, Sept 20, 2010 to dress in full mascot-attire as Jefferson the dog, took his teammates and friends by surprise. After he announced his plans to beat the record and run the marathon covered in fur, his fundraising leaped 100% for Team in Training.
Donato has completed over 500 races, including 16 full marathons, but today he ran his first in uniform — wearing the 25-pound mascot costume paired with a set of running shoes. "It was extremely hot under all that fur! I was confident in beating the record as I have specific hot weather marathon running experience. I ran in the Arizona desert at the end of an Ironman Triathlon 2008, and in 2004 a scorcher day at the Boston Marathon. When the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon announced the $2,500 'Best Dressed' prize this year it motivated me to raise additional funds for charity while also attempting to break a world record, I couldn't be more thrilled." — Peter Donato, CEO and founder, MyNextRace.com.
The MyNextRace team and mascot, Jefferson, still plan to exceed their existing goal of raising $2,000. If you wish to support Jefferson Donato on behalf of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit here.
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada's own Silver Level IAAF race attracting more than 20,000 world-class runners from over 40 countries. This year's event is expected to raise up to 2.5 million dollars over 127 various local charities.
MyNextRace.com / All Sports Marketing Inc. started in Canada but has since grown and expanded internationally. The website and member communication informs athletes about races in key markets around the world. The primarily North American audience is facilitated through the MyNextRace.com website, providing information about markets such as Chicago, New York and Toronto.


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In the NHL, anything can happen on a given night. Each team in the league has strengths and weaknesses. Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent is the best way to prepare for the grind the NHL season can bring.
Let's take a look at the biggest strength and weakness of every NHL squad.


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Guylinda Sue Faris
Services: Will be held at a later date.
Ms. Guylinda Sue Faris, 67, of Clovis, a private childcare provider, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at Laurel Ridge Healthcare in Clovis.
She was born on March 25, 1937, in Clovis, to Guy Logan and Lois Faris.
In addition to private childcare, she worked in the nursery at Forrest Heights Baptist Church for 12 years and also had worked at several local day care facilities in the past. Her hobby was to lovingly help other people and never turned down an opportunity to give of herself when she saw someone in need. She had completed some training in social work and received certification. Family members said she enjoyed dancing, going to the movie theatre and telling jokes.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her twin brother, Lolinton Faris of Dallas; three children, James Pawol of Richland, Wash., Chris Pawol of Amarillo and Zena Davidson of Libertyville, Ill.; six grandchildren, Courtney, Aaron and Nicholas Pawol and Audrey, Sean and Faith Davidson; a nephew, Scott Faris (and wife, Lisa) and their children, Trent and Alexis; and cousins, Royce Christian of Clovis, Lou Ann Culley of Kansas, Carol Faris of Rio Rancho, Leon Faris of Lovington, John Culley of Canyon, Texas, and Clifton Faris of Albuquerque.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Forrest Heights Baptist Church in Clovis.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.


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Snow White and the Huntsman
What It Is
And again: The Wicked Queen, here named Ravenna (Charlize Theron), maintains her youthful beauty by evil means, until she meets the girl who is "fairest of them all," Snow White (Kristen Stewart). The two women act out a kind of battle between good and evil, if not precisely dark and light, and the nicest one wins. In this case, that one is also a decent sword and knife fighter, and a good horseback rider.
As the title Snow White and the Huntsman suggests, this latest screen version of the fairy tale features a romance. And Eric the Huntsman is as generic as his non-name suggests. Played by Chris Hemsworth (Thor in the Marvel Comics Movies franchise), he's gruff and unhappy, a widower and a drunk when he's initially hired by Ravenna to find the princess Snow White, after she escapes the prison where her stepmother has kept her locked away for years — this after, of course, Ravenna has seduced the child Snow White's father (Noah Huntley), married him within a day of their first meeting, and then killed him (viciously, with a knife to the chest) on their wedding night, on their bed, no less.
This early indication of the queen's brutality helps you understand Snow White's fear of her, as well as the submission showed to her by her subjects, who mostly appear looking abject and impoverished, emblems of her effect rather than characters in their own right. The semi-exceptions to this dour mood are the lively, comical, and even witty dwarves, whom Snow White and the Huntsman meet in the forest — this after they have bonded together upon the revelation that Ravenna has no plans whatsoever to keep a promise she has made to the Huntsman, namely, to resurrect his dead wife.
It's worth noting that the Huntsman's agreement with the queen, based on such nonsense, doesn't suggest he's the sharpest tool in the shed: he is, however, and in keeping with his generic nature, a brave and sturdy sort, and very good at saving damsels in distress — or at least damsels other than his dead wife, about whose untimely demise he feels very guilty. It's also worth noting that this bit of backstory has to do with the queen as well (as does everything in the plot that happens between her murder of the king and her effort to murder Snow White). Specifically, her brother Finn (Sam Spruell) helps her to maintain her youth. While a couple of exchanged glances and a moment of slightly-too-intimate tenderness in front of the magic mirror intimate the siblings might be overly involved, for the most part, Finn is on hand to do what the queen tells him, whether hunt for Snow White alongside the Huntsman or bring her pretty girls, from whom she then sucks life. More accurately, she sucks an unconvincing white gas from the victim's mouth while grasping her throat.
This nasty ritual makes Ravenna seem especially creepy, a succubus and a parasite and a witch all at once; it helps this impression too that she does spend time with ravens, black and noisy with sharp-seeming feathers, and dresses up to resemble them as well. (In her fondness for black gear, she's not unlike the Evil Queen of the Disney animated film, from way back in 1937.)
At least Ravenna's meanness is something like a characterization. Snow White has none of this energy, but instead serves as an object for the men around her — the Huntsman, the dwarves (played by non-dwarf actors like Ian McShane, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, and Ray Winstone digitized to appear short), a childhood friend grown into a prince named William (Sam Claflin) — to wonder at and adore. For a brief moment, it looks as though Snow White will have to make a choice between the Huntsman and the Prince (a la Stewart's best known character, Twilight Bella), but that precise moment of action is lost in a shuffle of non-action, when she does indeed, go to sleep, poisoned.
This nap doesn't last long, however. Soon enough, Snow White is back on her feet (in a lovely white dress) and inspiring more men to ride against the Bad Queen. That Snow White takes the lead in this fight, wearing chain mail armor and wielding her own weapon, suggests that she's not wholly passive. That said, she's less independent than obedient, rising to others' expectations more than she strikes out on her own.
Why It's Fun
It's fun in a foreboding and harrowing way, quite unlike most fairy tales made into movies. This film is not brightly colored, but boasts a grey and brown palette, with black-oily monsters in the woods, dark red blood and wine spills, fights that feature groans and grunts when someone inflicts injury. Caution: for some younger viewers, this might not be so much fun.
It's fun to see the dwarves: they seem to be acting in another movie, even as they adore Snow White and vow to protect her forever — first, because she's her father's daughter, and then, because "She is life," as the wisest dwarf Muir (Bob Hoskins) puts it (it's not entirely clear what this means, but all who hear it seem impressed).
The Magic Mirror is odd, not so much a mirror as a mouthless speaker of cryptic, semi-truths. The reflective surface slides off the wall as a kind of molten metallish material and then the glob gathers to stand, as if wearing a shroud, with no face (played by a digitized Christopher Obi). It looks rather like a depressed cousin of the T-1000 from Terminator 2: it doesn't make sense, in this context, but it's a decent effect.
Who's Going To Love It
Fans of the original fairy tale, before Disney got a hold of it, might appreciate the film's unconventional darkness.
Fans of special effects, in a general sense, might be impressed by the tree roots writhing, branches grabbing, giant troll or muddy goo that afflict Snow White and the Huntsman during their first trip through the forest. Once they find the sunny part, though, the effects are much less convincing: fairies look two-dimensional, flowers look flimsy, and the rabbits and gophers look stuffed.
What To Be Aware Of
Early on, the little girl Snow White (Raffey Cassidy) discovers her father's dead body and runs away in fear, before she's captured by the queen's men. She's left behind by young William and his father the duke, in a scene that involves the camera pulling back as the boy rides away and the girl is carried off screaming by a villain. The sequence of this childhood trauma might be a little distressing for younger viewers. On the other hand, a brief flashback showing a child version of Ravenna (Izzy Meikle-Small), also in some anguish, doesn't ask you to identify with her.
Creepy bugs and snakes in the woods frighten Snow White. Her first horse dies in the woods while trying to cross over a muddy bog that might be quicksand. She looks sad as she watches it go down.
Snow White and the Huntsman meet a group of women who live in the woods, hiding from the queen. They scar their faces and those of their young daughters so the queen won't think their beautiful and suck at them. We don't see the process, but the girls look sad.
The violence is sometimes hard and fairly graphic, with knife wounds and blood and bodies falling. Particularly violent scenes include a couple of clashes between the Huntsman and Finn's men (arrows, swords, punches, and slams), as well as a climactic fight at the castle, between armies on horseback (flaming catapult balls, arrows again, heaving and bleeding). Some of this imagery might be considered over the PG-13 line for some viewers.
The final showdown between the queen and Snow White is harsh, with tears on both sides, a fairly intimate — literally close — moment of mortal penetration.
One of the dwarves is killed by one of the queen's minions (the only black character in the movie, in fact, played by Joey Ansah). His moment of death comes slowly, with Snow White and other dwarves in tears as he gasps his last. Very sad.
Charlize Theron is downright grim as Ravenna. This makes for an enticing caricature (she roars and yells, throws herself onto the floor and makes terrible, tearful faces) but also a very dark character. She articulates her mission outright: she feels abused by "men," decides that "beauty is power," and does her best to maintain both (as the same thing).
But Snow White is considered pure, not needing to work so hard to maintain her beauty. This is a question worth pondering, as the movie suggests that youthful beauty — possessed by someone young — is also a form of power, as so many men rush to help Snow White. The primary trouble for Ravenna might be her heartlessness or selfishness, it might be her desire for vengeance, and it might be her cranky personality. It might also be aging in a world that values youth — quite plainly and cruelly.
See-It-Again Points
6 out of 10
Film Information
Snow White and the Huntsman
Director: Rupert Sanders
Cast: Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone
Studio: Universal Pictures
Year: 2012
Rated: PG-13
US General Release: June 1, 2012
UK General Release: May 30, 2012
Official Website
Official Trailer
Movie Pictures


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GLAAD And HRC Take Out Variety Ad Urging ABC To Cancel Work It
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
GLAAD and HRC have taken out a full-page ad in Variety, the entertainment industry mag that usually touts "For Your Consideration" Oscar bids, attacking ABC's mid-season replacement comedy, Work It.
The show follows two jobless car salesmen who decide the best way to find gainful employment is to jump into the female-dominated field of pharmaceutical sales—as women. (Did someone stay up for a Bosom Buddies marathon on TVLand?)
"By encouraging the audience to laugh at the characters' attempts at womanhood, the show gives license to similar treatment of transgender women…," the ad reads. "Since ABC has a record of positive portrayals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, they should know how offensive this show is, and that it even has the potential to jeopardize the safety of many transgender Americans in the process."
Back when it was going to air in the fall, we thought the show just sounded lame. But when you consider how hard it can be for transgender people to get jobs in this country, it's premise might be less than innocent.
"This show could contribute to the high levels of job discrimination that transgender Americans face and will give license for people to mock and ridicule those whose gender expression might not fit with what society considers the norm," said GLAAD's Mike Thompson. "The media should use this as an opportunity to address the huge number of inaccurate or offensive images of transgender people in news and entertainment today."
But is GLAAD overreaching? These characters aren't trans women, after all. They're guys in dresses—and if anyone understands the difference, its the transgender community. But GLAAD doesn't trust the viewing public to make that distinction, according to its blog: "While the show's pilot does not explicitly address transgender people, many home viewers unfamiliar with the realities of being transgender will still make the connection. "
GLAAD and HRC want the show shut down completely before its January 3 debut and are meeting with ABC execs in the coming days. "At the very least, Work It is offensive and insulting," a GLAAD rep says. "At worst, the show is downright dangerous and sends a message that transgender people are to be laughed at, or are somehow less-than."
But if Work It is indeed transphobic, is cancelling the show really the answer?
Why not let the show languish in the low ratings it's likely going to get. It could be an exercise in American intolerance to dumb transgender-mocking premises?
What do you think—kill it or let it die on its own?
Images via ABC, GLAAD
I wish GLAAD and HRC would actually spend time and money on something WORTHWHILE. Last time I checked, the world was in bad shape….this TV show doesn't stand a chance in hell. It will NOT last and HRC/GLAAD will have nothing to do with its demise. Shame on these media hungry queers.Dec 21, 2011 at 1:29 pm · @Reply ·
I'm sure HRC made GLAAD pay for the entire ad. Solomnase needs to buy a few more Armani suits before his last day.
This show looks irredeemably stupid, but I think I'll have to tune in just to piss off the professionally offended activists of the world.
By the way, when did the GAY and LESBIAN Alliance Against Defamation become the Gender Warrior Defense League?
This show sounds like it would have been funny in the 70's. It just sounds offensive and regressive now. Do we need another Bosom Buddies? I think GLAAD and HRC should be pointing out how un-timely this show is.
Censorship in any form is wrong, especially when the show hasn't even aired yet.
At any rate, cross-dressing is a staple of comedy. Is Dame Edna transphobic?
"Do we need another Bosom Buddies?"
Do we need "Some Like It Hot"?
Do we need "Tootsie"?
I don't see anything wrong or insulting with men playing women for laughs.
ummm this is not the first man in a dress comedy… but whatever sounds stupid… no one will watch it will fail. NEXT!
There is a difference between Dame Edna, tootsie, or even mrs. Doubtfire and this show, you have a sence of dignity and respect from this characters and the men that play them…. Work it! It's just: "look men dress like woman, laugh!"…. It's outdated…. A sitcom about an actual transgender person would have been new and interesting… As difficult as it is to be trans I this socity…. You have some serious funny moments too. The best comedy come from pain.
Sounds exactly like the premise for "Victor/Victoria" but in reverse.
We have become ridiculous.
A more interesting question: Why are transmen so underrepresented, not just in that ad but in trans activists in general? Everytime the media needs a sound bite, it goes to a transwoman. All the hoofs are run by transwomen. Why the discrimination? Is it because trans white men are "part of the problem?"
The "PC" police are out in force. If gays don't to watch 'Work It' then turn the channel.
Oh boy I hope GLAAD and the HRC come out in force with LOGO's next season of the A List a show that TRULY uses the worst self stereoypes of gay men as gay men.
Are you creaking kidding me…Glaad and hrc have officially jumped the shark. I hope those exec give them the finger.
I enjoyed Bosom Buddies in reruns growing up and really don't see why it would be considered offensive today. This show may not be as good but I see no reason for this hoopla about it. How long before Priscilla: Queen of the Desert or To Wong Foo will also be unconsidered un-PC by HRC and GLAAD? Meh. Sounds like a lot of noise over something inconsequential that only turns the movement into a joke, something both HRC and GLAAD are quite good at come to think of it.
I think the show should be killed before it airs, but that won't happen. Now, with all the stick being raised by HRC and GLAAD, the show is bound to get some decent ratings at the start because of curiosity from people who wonder what all the stink is about.
Everyone should have just ignored it and it probably would have failed. Look at all the attempts to reboot show premises from the 70s & 80s (Charlie's Angels anyone), they don't work in today's culture.
Let this show die quietly.
So "Drag Race" features men in drag being ridiculous and we eat it up. "A-List" plays to every stereotype in the book, and we applaud it too! But ABC wants to run a sitcom about men in dresses and we protest?!?
I'm so confused.
Cross-dressing and transitioning are two completely different things. A man wearing a dress for laughs is not remotely the same as a man living as a woman and asking to be resepcted as such. To say that we would be offended by "Work It" is to say that the show's ridiculous premise is simiiar to actually being trans. We all know it's not.
And if we are so concerned that the viewing public is too stupid to know the difference, than why aren't be protesting "Drag Race" and "A-List"? Won't some people beleive that all gay men are drag queens? Won't some people beleive that all gay men are nelly and shallow? I could go on and on….
Most people know that TV isn't real. Even "reality shows" aren't real. We would be wise to spend our advocacy dollars on shit that actually matters!
It's hard for me to have an opinion on a TV show I haven't seen.
Hmm… yeah, thinking this years donation will be going to the Trevor Project instead.
I guess the video of "I want to break free" from Queen will also be targeted.
Now we know, without any further doubt, that GLAAD and HRC are made up of members completely ignorant of the real world. They choose these silly little comfortable "battles" that mean nothing to anybody, gay or straight, and then only hang out with each other to play little fantasy pretend-time that they're significant.
Transgenders are not gay-friendly. They don't want to be gay. We risk destroying the gay rights movement by including transgenders in our umbrella.
There were never laws against transgenders, only homosexuals.
Actually, this show could have broken new ground. It could have explored the gay tradition of gender bending to help people take gender less seriously. And it could have explored trans issue by adding a couple of trans characters. But the professionally offended crowd have highjacked the narative as usual. So we'll never know.
Gender bending also expresses the joy and playfulness that can be found in gender. But many brilliant queer ideas are being banned by the joyless crowd. It makes me sad that our fine traditions can be erased by people only pretending to be our allies.
WAIT a second… these guys are Cross Dressers… they are NOT TRANS… no need for the Transsexuals to get upset. As we all know the Transgendereds (now known as Transsexuals)are the ones that kicked the Transvestites (renamed Cross Dressers) to the curb.
I can't wait to watch it… sounds like fun.
I agree with JAW. These are cross dressers, not transgendered people. All the offense seems out of place to me. And while I do believe everyone should have equal rights, gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things. It seems when we lump them in together, it adds to the old stereotypical notion that all gay men wish they were women, which is not true. They are two completely different issues.
@jason: Hey moron, a lot of trans people ARE gay. Buy yourself a clue.
Let's see nothing new here, both the HRC and GLAAD practicing PC censorship to the extreme yet they do and say nothing when the biphobic, transphobic, misogynistic, and racist Dan Savage says hypocritical biphobic, racist, and transphobic things in print and in other forms of media.
If this were a remake of Cruising, the comment section would look a lot. Contrast this also with the response to Patti Stanger. This is "PC." And when she said most gay men are sluts, she was being offensive. How dare she! In other words, most of the people are hypocritical. Just once, I would like to see a comment section in which the exact same people are not applying double standards for gay issues versus every everyone else.
It seems like there's a certain level of transvestophobia that's arisen out of the transgender movement recently.
OMG! A guy…in a…dress!
I can't believe nobody's done this before. Genius.
Remember Ask Harriet? Me neither.
GLAAD, who gave some of the most offensive TV shows and movies in history a pass, is getting their collective panties in a bunch over a Bosom Buddies retread? Where were they when they released that horrible movie where Adam Sandler and Kevin James got a sham domestic partnership?
And if men dressing up as women is offensive we had better ban all British comedy. Especially that transphobic bastard Shakespeare with that odious piece of bigotry called Twelfth Night.
Cross-dressing is not transgenderism. Putting on a dress does not make you a woman.
GLAAD is starting to mirror the same fundamentalist fascists who are responsible for a lot of censorship on TV.


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I dont know how I change the PDF picture into a plain picture so I can put it up. Can anyone help? Need it done by tonight.
neither do i
then dont comment -_-
uhh i dont get it
i scanned a picture and it got put into a PDF file. Its not a jpeg. or anything else it says that NB will upload. I need the pic turnied into a jpeg. . But I dont know how to do it.
thanx. could a mod please close this? I would really appreciate it.
Forum Rules


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Anyone who has ever lived anywhere near an ethanol plant will tell you these facilities emit odors into the air. Internet searches turn up numerous articles of outraged citizens trying to endure the presence of nearby ethanol plants. Even the Nebraska Ethanol Board admits this on page 16 of its latest ethanol plant guide, available from: www.ne-ethanol.org/
Recent reports on this matter have shown us there is some difference of opinion regarding the odor these facilities emit. Proposed ethanol and bio-diesel plants would have the potential to severely impact the lives of the citizens of Clovis and the surrounding area.
This issue is too important not to be explored further and discussed. A group of city leaders made a trip to an ethanol plant in Nebraska recently. I suggest that a second trip to the Nebraska facility be conducted. Only this time, a diverse group of community officials and citizens should make the trip so this matter can clear up some of the questions.
Bill Ward
Wind needs taken into account
I have been studying the controversy regarding the ethanol plant that will join city limits on the Southwest edge of Clovis. I live two miles from the proposed facility. Anyone that has lived in this area knows we have a predominant Southwestern wind that will carry the smell, dust and pollution of the plant all over town.
I read an article in the CNJ that reported five Clovis officials traveled to Central City, Neb.
City Manager Joe Thomas stated that town's plant did not have a detectable odor.
One lady said the plant had a sweet smell. (Personally I like the smell of fresh air with no odor.)
Clovis City Commissioner Robert Sandoval said his concerns were alleviated as the smell compared to that of feed from a feed yard. I have been in the cattle business my entire life and am quite familiar with the smells associated with a feed yard. Anyone who drives to Amarillo should recognize the smells associated with a feed yard. Feed yards have strong odors, unless you own the cattle, then it smells like money — as this facility will for its owners.
I looked at a location map of the ethanol plant in Central City, Neb. The plant is actually located 1 1/2 miles from the east side of town downwind from the community, not upwind from the community, like the plant being proposed in Clovis.
Travis Nuckols


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Skip to comments.Emergency Solar Power Setup SHTF
Posted on 05/15/2012 10:25:57 AM PDT by Kartographer
This is my 45 watt solar panel setup. I purchased this kit from Harbor freight for about 0. I use it for lighting in my home, as well different power tools around the house. This is a great source of power in the event of power failures (which happens often).
(Excerpt) Read more at diysolar.alternativeenergydesign.info ...
Thanks, Kart.
Preppers' PING!
You purchased it for nothing?
THis is the system I've been trying to cobble pennys together to get.
I think this is worth prayerful consideration, for sure.
Remember—to put it in a Faraday cage . . . and if possible, have a backup duplication of at least major components.
The Faraday cage will lessen umph because of decreasing some sunlight but should protect it from EMP if designed well.
Who can tell us the size of the wire mesh needed to protect from EMP?
I've looked at the harbor freight system - seems well thought out and practical. I've currently added a 5.28kW solar system for the house and am looking to see how to integate a battery bank since if the utility loses power, my solar system is blocked. There are plans for a modifictation where they will switch automatically to teh battery bank and maintain the charge with the solar panels.
I bought a Goal Zero 10 for my cell phone and recharging my AA batteries.
Totally Kewl!
One caution. It may look your phone isn't being recharged but as you leave the Goal Zero attached the battery meter on your phone will go up.
Great for heavy phone users and will keep the phone charged all day long.
Solar panels won't do much if a big volcano goes. Just saying.
Q there are a number of sites out there that go into the mesh size for a faraday cage. IIRC it needs to be window screen sized. Lots of debate out there as to what effect to expect from a solar CME or a nuke EMP. Pick a theory and go with it.
Depend where you are in relation to the volcano.
Thanks big.
Heading to lunch with a former student.
What mesh size would you pick for your own home/ retreat/ bunker?
Do you have such a set-up?
Or are you planning to within ___ months?
Much appreciate your kind response.
I have plans that turn magma and ash into clean reliably energy
I know a photographic guy that is real big on Eneloop AA Batteries from Sanyo. They are rechargeable, by regular recharger like a LaCrosse BC-900 or by your solar item you listed, but the big thing about these Sanyos is that they retain power when not being drawn down.
They hold 20% less charge initially but they will hold over 85% of that charge for a year or better. They will also hold thier power after partial usage — something regular or rechargeable batteries of other brands never do.
I use broken microwaves to store/protect my CB/Gmrs, batteries, portable hard drives, misc key electronics and have a large ammo can to store my laptops.
RE Solar CME EMP, we would have a couple day warning
RE Nuclear EMP - my reading of the report on effects indicates that a thermonuclear (H bomb) sized device is necessary for a nation wide effect. That limits our potential sources to Russia and China and we would have 30 minutes warning (fwiw - nuclear war). Really only ones capable of surviving that now adays would be the ones with underground facilities and hopefully not downwind of targets. Those are few and far between imho. I havn't made any preps to that level, focusing more on higher probability events such as increasing crime and civil disturbances. But I have bug out plans in place, route and destination in MT.
There's no one answer on that, unfortunately.
The most powerful pulse from an EMP blast in the ionosphere, the E3 pulse, has a wavelength so long that only devices connected to the mains (wall socket) will be affected. The E1 and E2 pulses have lengths (and therefore frequencies) that depend on the design of the bomb, and the blast's distance from the active Compton effect layer. The altitude of the various layers changes based on the time of day (which is why you can hear distant AM stations at night, but not during the day).
I'd be pretty comfortable with copper or brass mesh with 10 wires or more to the inch.
You have to shield the solar panel's power cable, too, or it becomes an antenna. GROUND IT AT ONLY ONE END, not both.
I am embarrassed to say that I have not considered an alternate energy source for the long term. I've been assuming that your basic camp-stoves/grills would be fine for cooking and candles or oil lamps would be fine for light in a true SHTF scenario.
We have a "wind-up" type radio, but re-energizing batteries without an outlet just never really occurred to me before now - I guess I thought stored batteries would last forever. Thanks for the Solar info!
Why would you say that?
Like Quix I am saving up and it's now fairly close to the top of my list.
I am the keeper of the Prepper Ping List, but most of those you see on shows like Doomsday Preppers, sadly for me put my efforts to shame, but I am trying.
I just so happen to have 3 packs of Eneloops and saw they were back at Costco the other day.
Going shopping tomorrow and picking two more packs.
Can't have too much of anything.
The recharge I use a Duracell thingy and seems to work real well.
I bought these because of their claim and I wrote the date I purchased them to remind what their charge will be when I use them.
I do the same on my other rechargeables. I charge them then put them in a plastic container, place a stamp on the container and write the date those went in the container.
Either there is a typo, or the gizmo is stupid. What lighting or power tool can be run on only 45 watts?
I disagree completely.
Just because Starfish Prime and the Russian bomb that blew the generators in Khazakhstan were H-bombs doesn't mean that's what's required.
What's required are high-energy gamma rays, high above a significantly-ionized layer in the ionosphere. A good-sized uranium bomb with a uranium tamper can do that just fine. And Iran is developing a heavy-lift missile capability.
There are Iranian missiles in Venezuela NOW. Who knows if they have uranium bombs on them?
If I was a whackjob Islamonazi terroist, that's exactly what I'd do. Lob one up from Hugo's Paradise, peaking at 250 miles over Manhattan, Kansas, with a peak yield in the 50 to 100kT range, with a nice uranium tamper for a boost in gamma output.
... and do it in the middle of the night, local time, when the solar flux is at minimum. That will give maximum unimpeded path for Compton electrons.
The lighting is 12V. Power tools would be charged using the 12V inverter.
I have three 12-volt 5 watt solar panels from Sunforce
that I link together in parallel into a 12-volt 15 watt panel. I hook this to two 12 volt 12 amp-hour batteries in parallel that I store in a small Coleman cooler.
It's portable, and with a DC cigarette lighter adapter from Radio Shack, can charge many small devices. The battery should be able to run some small electronics overnight until the next charging cycle the next day.
I also have a single 12 volt 15 watt panel
that can be linked in parallel to create a 12-volt 30 watt pane.
A charge controller would be required if you go to 15 watts or beyond.
So how do you think doing notthing will work out?
You either prepare and stand on your own beholden to no one or you become dependent on others to provide your basic needs and become thierserf. Me I dont want to be beholden to anyone for providing what is needed for me and mine. I certainly dont want to have to kiss some gubberment third class bureaucratic to try and coax some help from them, I dont want some jack booted thug herding me in line and telling me where to stand, sit, eat or sleep. And last but not least I dont want to be herded in with a bunch of zombies and have to worry about not only trying to get basic necessities but having to fight to keep what I manage to get.
Now anyone thinking that prepping is foolish ask you whats easier telling your children and loved ones why you prepared or explaining to them why you didnt?
But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8
But then someone has to stand on the bridge waiting for FEMA to bring them a bottle of water, an MRE and a warm blank so as to provide the Network Anchors their background 'Money Shot'. I wonder how that will workout for you?
I have thought along similar lines.
Actually what I'd like to build are a bunch of small, possibly portable (more likely "trans-portable"), independent systems.
Like one panel, a small charge controller (in the <50amp range) and one or two RV-type batteries. Make the panels collapsible and put it on a tripod with the batteries low for ballast and the ability to stake or wire cable the thing down. You could probalby build one for a few $hundred.
Once you have a working model, you keep duplicating it as funds allow.
Could be used as emergency power at home, or to power an RV or cabin. Set up separate ones for outbuildings rather than having a centralized system with a single point of failure.
I envision someting where tha panels fold onto themselves so if a storm is coming, you can make them weather resistant or take them down completely - the sun won't be shining if it's hailing anyhow.
Separate your load cicruits so each one of these units runs just a few items, with the ability to cross-connect as required.
Wouldn't be the most convenient, but what it lacks in convenience, it makes up for in transportability and redundancy, and if you build it yourself, you can probably fix it yourself.
If you watch the Video the Voltage regulator has easy-to-read LED display, 12V cigarette lighter socket, 5V USB, 3-6-9V DC outlets and two 12V sockets for the included Light Kit. You can also see it here:
I purchased this kit from Harbor freight for about 0.
Seriously, though--about how much do these run?
Child's play.
With a workable length of stout rope and a sturdy horse named Bill, I plan on simply lassoing the actual, initial blow energy.
But Ron Paul says there is nothing wrong or to worry about with Islamic Jihadist getting nukes.
Harbor Freight list them for $189.00. If you search around you can easily find a coupon code that gets you 20% off. Making the whole thing just a about $152.00.
Sometimes they go on sale for less.
All I was saying was that the effects of basically a nuclear winter (volcanic ash) will nullify solar panels, that's all.
There's always some scenero that some things won't work in. This systems would be good after a huricane, earthquake, EMP attacke(provided you protected your equipment), power outage caused by storms, etc.... Again I'd say its better than doing/having nothing.
You seem to have a good degree of knowledge but just to be certain:
You do understand that the wire shielding is very short of what is used for critical equipment. That is generally done with six sided solid steel plate that has been continously welded pin-hole free with wave-guide and baffles at every single penetration.
there are coupons floating around for $149.99 I got one in the junk mail last week. Some entrepreneur is selling the coupons on E-bay for $10.
I have plans that turn magma and ash into clean reliably energy
"Liquid hot mag-ma."
45 watt? what good is this. 1 light bulb....big deal.
..or you can probably pick one up for pennies on the dollar from the Chuck Harder Y2K Warehouse...
FYI don'y google that with out safe search on
I'd like to live on that planet where $150-$200 is zero.
It would do plenty if you use 12V lighing (two come with the kit) and it could keep re-chargable batteries for flashlighs, radios, PDA, portable DVD and CD players......
May be they could have that ability in the future - but it isn't today. They have to prove they can make one, make it small enough for them to fit on a rocket and make it dependable. Some how avoid detection, set up a missile base to accomodate this long range rocket and launch it. OBTW, this is without Israel getting in the first punch and taking out or significantly delaying Iran's program. There are a slew of "what if's" and "maybe's" that have to be accomlished first.
Would it run a well pump? The submersible kind. I have been looking for something.
You are looking at a very, VERY small chance of a volcanic eruption of that size. Even Yellowstone's biggest wouldn't have nullified solar panels. Most contingencies preppers like myself prepare for are far more likely events from storms and other generally short term serious disruptions. For those events, it would be money well spent.
I would say yes a small one and if you didn't run it 24/7. I don't see why not. I've see electric gates powered by far smaller.
You can get a roof top solar system that will run your entire household ......but it will cost +$30k....excess power can be sold to your local utility. They offer tax credits of up to $10k. Your 45watt system looks more like something for a hobbyist. Fun to play with though.
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NEW YORK -- Just the other day, Yankees manager Joe Girardi was asked about the contributions of Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui, gifted hitters who were hampered badly last season with injuries.
"I'm extremely impressed," Girardi said. "You look at their RBI totals per at-bats, it's probably the best they've had since they've been here, which is really incredible considering the injuries they've had to deal with."
Indeed, Matsui and Posada have been two of the most efficient Yankees when it comes to taking advantage of their RBI chances.
According to baseballprospectus.com, Matsui is driving 16.1 percent of base runners, third on the team behind Mark Teixeira, who ranks second. The leader?
That would be Posada, who is making good on 18.4 percent of his RBI chances, ranks 10th in all of baseball (minimum 150 plate appearances).
"It's a big part of our success," Girardi said. "It makes a difference when they're healthy."


text:
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Commission & Forwarding
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Between Market and Walnut Streets,
samt looms, mo
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Parks & Gaddis ,
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Phabets, Figures, Stencil Dies,
32 Vine Street.


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Contemporary American compositions have never been more eclectic or abundant on record.
"Class of '38." Various orchestras and conductors (Naxos) Two and a half stars
An unusual number of composers represented in the Naxos "American Classics" series were born in 1938, so the label put together a compilation showing that, well, they don't have much in common except for their individualism. This disc features short pieces and excerpts by eight composers of this "class of '38," ranging from the astringent symphonic glissandi of Gloria Coates and Stravinsky-cum-Copland ironies of John Corigliano to the medieval homage of Charles Wuorinen's "Josquiniana" and mechanistic fantasia of Frederic Rzewski's "Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues." The highlight is the hurtling, muscular tone poem "Tambor" by Joan Tower. The budget-priced set comes with a bonus disc of interviews with John Harbison, William Bolcom, Jose Serebrier and several of the others.
John Corigliano: "Mr. Tambourine Man," etc. Hila Plitmann, vocalist; Buffalo Philharmonic, JoAnn Falletta, cond. (Naxos) Two stars
When Pulitzer-winning composer John Corigliano says he never listened to the songs of Bob Dylan, it's a shocking admission, particularly for a New York musician who was in his 20s in the '60s. One wonders what he would say if another artist admitted never having heard Aaron Copland. Regardless, without even hearing the tunes of Dylan's songs, Corigliano used some of the songwriter's lyrics -- mostly from the '60s protest period -- as poems for his own music. The result was an Americana song suite with political overtones called "Mr. Tambourine Man," first for soprano with piano and now for amplified soprano with orchestra.
There are aspects of the cycle that feel almost comically arch, if one has any experience of Dylan's own gritty folk-rock. The bizarre musical-theater moments in the song "Mr. Tambourine Man" are cringe-worthy, as are the operatic outbursts in "Masters of War." But there are some surprisingly effective episodes in Corigliano's suite, thanks to his gift for long, arching melody and dramatic orchestrations. The Copland-esque treatment of "Clothes Line" is lovely, while the pastoral, ruminative setting of "Chimes of Freedom" has a grave, almost Shakespearean theatricality. Corigliano was lucky to find an ideal singer for the cycle: the Jerusalem-born Hila Plitmann, who pairs high technique with intimate phrasing.
The disc also features "Three Hallucinations," a suite from Corigliano's score to the 1980 film "Altered States." If aptly nightmarish with the film, the music sounds slightly hokey on its own; still, the piece gets a high-impact performance.
Aaron Jay Kernis: "Symphony in Waves," etc. Grant Park Orchestra, Carlos Kalmar, cond.(Cedille) Three stars
Only 48, the Philly-born Aaron Jay Kernis has already received some of the top honors an American composer can seek: a Pulitzer Prize, a Grawemeyer Award. Highly crafted yet consciously approachable, his music tends to be glittering and colorful, balancing lyricism with energy -- all very American qualities (if not always very original). The latest live disc from Chicago's fine Grant Park Orchestra -- a group committed to American music -- includes first recordings of Kernis' frothy ensemble showpiece "Too Hot Toccata" and the atmospheric, undulating 18-minute tone poem "Newly Drawn Sky," one of his best pieces to date.
Also here is Kernis' 1989 "Symphony in Waves." Keenly influenced by the minimalism of early John Adams, the architectural, 40-minute piece has a pulsing, melodic vigor throughout. But the heart of the piece is its 16-minute "Still Movement," a tensely lyrical, "eye of the storm" episode with a cresting climax.
Bradley Bambarger may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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ALABASTER, Alabama -- Thompson High School's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program stands alone in terms of quality in Alabama.
The program's Lt. Col. Douglas Crabb told members of the Alabaster Board of Education and others attending their meeting Monday night the JROTC group received the organization's distinguished unit award with merit.
Thompson High School's program was the only one in the state to earn the prestigious honor, Crabb said.
Air Force representatives within the program inspected the Alabaster unit at the beginning of the school year. "We received an exceeds-standards rating, which is the highest you can get," Crabb said.
Jayla Williams, a Thompson High School senior who is the second-semester group commander, noted the numerous achievements by the group in the community.
Members of the program have contributed 1,400 hours of community service outside of their JROTC service and 75 hours with senior citizens to help with their dance socials, said Williams, who has serve in the program each of her four years in high school.
The group also held two charity drives: One was a canned food drive and another was a sock drive for soldiers serving overseas, she said.
Crabb said there are 122 students in the program, which they lead themselves. "Our mission statement is to build better citizens and I think we're doing a good job at that," he said.
For more stories about Alabaster, visit www.al.com/local/alabaster.


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Choose your file path, IP address, Carrier Frequency, IQ Rate, Gain, and Antenna (on the left) and you're ready to Record.
Be sure to observe the Actual Coerced values so that you know exactly what parameters were used for the actual recording.
See the Record and Playback demo video and tutorial: http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/13881
Download the NI USRP 1.1 driver: http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/2949/lang/en


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After years of hand-wringing over Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL ) cash pile, which sits slightly below a stunning $100 billion, the Cupertino giant has decided to enact a quarterly dividend of $2.65 and authorized $10 billion in buybacks. The company plans to pay out $45 billion over three years. When you consider that the company has generated $41 billion in free cash flow across the past year and should generate north of $60 billion in cash during 2012, the plan is pretty conservative.
Is $45 billion in three years conservative?
However, while the plan is relatively conservative, it should be welcomed by investors. Steve Jobs was notoriously frugal with his cash hoard, even ranting to biographer Walter Isaacson that he'd use every last penny to crush Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG ) Android. Apple is welcome to returning cash to shareholders, which is a step in the right direction.
Also, it's a positive sign that the company plans recurring dividends. Even though I still think Apple is undervalued, tech companies are notoriously lousy at rebuying their shares and investors aren't as receptive to this kind of repurchase of capital from tech giants. Both Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT ) and Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO ) poured money into buybacks across most of the last decade with little to show for it. Microsoft CFO Peter Klein recently signaled the company is dramatically shifting its own focus away from buybacks and more toward dividends.
A bright outlook for yield
While the effective yield of 1.8% that Apple's dividend sets won't make it a dividend titan, that yield should quickly rise. Consider, that even with its payouts, its cash hoard could still eclipse $150 billion by the end of 2012. With some not-so-aggressive targets, Apple's cash hoard alone collecting only 2% to 3% annually could be among the 10 most profitable tech companies in the world by the end of 2014 if it only pays out its announced $45 billion.
Simply put, that means that while Apple started its dividend conservatively, the yield should only be going higher in coming years. Then there's also the fact that this dividend opens the company up to more funds with mandates for yield. All in all, while today's announcement won't sweep anyone off their feet, bigger yields are likely to come in the future.
Keep your perspective
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Fabiana Trupiano and Jonathan James Flanagan, both of Great Kills, are engaged.
The future bride is the daughter of Theresa and Salvatore Trupiano. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Rosemary and Robert Flanagan of Eltingville, who have announced the engagement.
Miss Trupiano is a graduate of Tottenville High School and is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Empire State College, Eltingville. She is a teacher's assistant in the Integrated Special Services Department at Tottenville High School.
Mr. Flanagan is a graduate of St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot. He earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from St. John's University, Grymes Hill, and is a supervisor with National Futures Association, Manhattan.
The couple is planning a July 2014 wedding.