text:
Patent application title: INTERACTIVE GAMING DEVICE
Brian D. Haveson (Surf City, NJ, US)
IPC8 Class: AA63F924FI
USPC Class:
463 20
Class name: Lot match or lot combination (e.g., roulette, lottery, etc.) plural lots (e.g., keno, etc.) lot-to-lot combination (e.g., slot machine, etc.)
Publication date: 2011-05-05
Patent application number: 20110105217
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A gaming device activated by a wager has a vocabulary database and a
processor operating a display to simulate spinning of virtual reels each
having letters of given point values arranged about the periphery of each
virtual reel and independently stopping the reels in a random fashion to
display a given number of contiguous letters on each reel in a scrambled
fashion. The letters of each reel are displayed side-by-side with the
letters of the other virtual reels, forming a matrix of M lines (i.e.,
rows) and N columns. The player selects the number of lines for the game
and the bet per line and presses a PLAY button, to initiate spinning and
then random stopping of the reels. The processor then determines if the
scrambled letters from only the selected line(s) create a word found in
the database. The letters of the created word are highlighted and may
also be connected by bands oriented at a variety of angular orientations
to highlight the word and distinguish the word from the remaining letters
presented on the display. In one embodiment, a win is determined when a
word having given number of letters is created. An enhanced payout is
calculated based on the total point value of the letters in the created
word. Apparatus is shown and described for performing the above method.
1. A gaming device for use by a player, comprising: a given number R of
reels each having a plurality M of letters arranged around their
peripheries, each letter having a corresponding point value; a database
containing a vocabulary of words; a processor; said processor being
configured to: operate the reels in a random fashion to independently
select a given number N of the M letters of each reel, where M>N, and
present the independently selected N letters of the reels on a display in
side-by-side fashion to form a matrix comprised of N rows and R columns,
each row containing one letter from each reel and each column containing
the N displayed letters of each reel; determine if a word contained in
the database can be created from the letters in at least one of the rows
selected by the player; identify the letters of the created word in a
manner which distinguishes the letters of the created word from the
remaining letters presented on the display; and determine when the
letters in the created word meet a given criteria.
2. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein N is at least equal to 2.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to enhance the payout based on a stored payout table.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to initiate random selection of said N displayed letters of each reel responsive to a wager.
5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve from said database a definition corresponding to the word on the display and present the definition on the display.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to create a word which has a highest point value retrieved from said database to enhance a payout.
7. The gaming device of claim 1, said input device being configured as a touch screen for receiving inputs entered by the player.
8. The gaming device of claim 1, said processor being enabled to operate responsive to an input entered into an input device operated by the player and conveyed to the processor.
9. The gaming device of claim 8, said input device being configured to receive the given input in the form of one of a group consisting of a unique code identifying the player, a coin, a token, paper currency, a credit card, or a debit card.
10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured perform the steps of claim 1 in accordance with the rules of SCRABBLE®.
11. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor operates the display to electronically simulate rotation and halting of rotation of the reels.
12. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine if a word found in the database can be created from only that line or those lines selected by the player.
13. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to identify the letters of the created word by generating a frame surrounding each letter of the created word.
14. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to create a connecting band to connect each frame with at least one other frame to enable the player to easily identify the created word and distinguish it from the remaining letters on the display.
15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to orient each connecting band employed to connect a frame with another frame at an angular orientation.
16. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the angular orientation .is one of:: horizontal, diagonally upward and diagonally downward.
17. The gaming device of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to create connecting bands employing different ones of the aforesaid orientations to identify the created word.
18. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to highlight two letters in adjacent columns and different rows as part of the created word.
19. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to enable selection of up to twenty-five (25) lines of letters scrambled in a random pattern.
20. The gaming device of claim 19 wherein the processor is configured to enable selection of a bet per line from one to N units.
21. The gaming device of claim 20 wherein the processor, upon operation of a play button, is configured to determine the presence of two (2) or more words during a play of one game and sequentially display the words.
22. The gaming device of claim 21 wherein the processor, during sequential display of each word, is configured to calculate the win for each sequentially displayed word.
23. The gaming device of claim 22 wherein the processor is configured to display the win for each sequentially displayed word.
24. A method for providing a game to a remote user through one of a wired and wireless communication, comprising: a database containing a vocabulary of words; a processor, responsive to a request from a remote user (RU) to participate in said game: sending signals to the RU to generate a display simulating a given number R of virtual reels each having a plurality M of letters arranged around their peripheries, each letter having a corresponding point value and operate the virtual reels to simulate spinning of the reels and independently stop spinning of the reels in a random fashion to independently display a given number N of the M letters of each reel, where M>N, and present the independently selected and contiguous N letters of the virtual reels on the display in side-by-side fashion to form a matrix comprised of N rows and R columns, each row containing one of the N letters from each reel and each column containing the N contiguous displayed letters of each reel; determine if a word contained in the database accessed by the processor can be created from the letters in at least one of the rows selected by the player; identify the letters of the created word in a manner which distinguishes the letters of the created word from the remaining letters presented on the display to the RU; and determine a payout based on the letters in the created word meeting a given criteria and sending signals representing the payout to the RU for display.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the RU is identified and authenticated responsive to a request to participate.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein determining the word further comprises determining a word having a highest point count.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising calculating an enhanced payout based on the highest point count.
28. The method of claim 24, further comprising calculating the enhanced payout based on a stored payout table.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing signals representing the enhanced payout to the RU responsive to calculation of the payout.
30. The method of claim 24, the processor sending signals to the RU to provide a frame surrounding each letter of the created word being displayed.
31. The method of claim 24, the processor sending signals to the RU to provide a connecting band in the display connecting each frame with at least one other frame to readily identify the created word being displayed and distinguish it from the remaining letters on the display.
32. The method of claim 24, the processor sending signals to the RU to orient each connecting band connecting one displayed frame to an adjacent displayed frame at an angular orientation.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the displayed frames of adjacent letters of the created word are one of: horizontally aligned and diagonally aligned.
34. The method device of claim 30, the processor sending signals to the RU to create connecting bands on the display to connect adjacent letters of the created word.
35. The method of claim 24, the processor sending signals to the RU to highlight two adjacent letters of contiguous columns as part of the created word.
36. The method of claim 24, the processor sending signals to the RU to identify a created word having five (5) letters as a win.
37. The method of claim 24, the processor enabling selection of up to twenty-five (25) lines of letters and sending signals to identify the number of selected lines.
38. The method of claim 24, the processor, responsive to selection of a bet per line from one to X units, sending signals representing the number X of selected units being bet.
38. (canceled)
39. The method of claim 41, the processor, determining the win for each sequentially displayed word.
40. The method of claim 39, the processor sending signals to display the win for each sequentially displayed word.
41. The method of claim 38, the processor, responsive to a play request, determining the presence of two (2) or more words during a play of one game and sending signals for sequentially displaying the words.
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/258,350, filed on Nov. 5, 2009, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming devices in general and, more particularly, to gaming machines based on word creation.
[0003] Slot machines, video poker machines and other gaming machines based on computer-generated random sequences and electronic displays are prevalent in the gaming industry. Such machines are extremely popular with players due to the endless possibilities for adding sound, action and programmatic elements to create entertainment value as well as enhance the perception of new and different games and thereby promote the perception of winning. Casinos are replete with competing machines and typically the expectation of winning for each machine is the same due to regulation, or is believed to be the same in unregulated environments. Players are attracted to challenging, entertaining and exciting machines, and there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new games to attract players and increase play.
[0004] Accordingly, embodiments described herein are characterized by providing a new and improved gaming system comprising: a gaming device initialized by a players' response to an invitation to participate in the game. The initialization may also require making a wager or entering a unique code identifying the player and recognized and accepted by the gaming system.
[0005] The gaming device, in one embodiment, is provided with a database vocabulary of words and a processor for operating in accordance with a primary programmatic element wherein reel positions of a given number N of virtual "reels" are randomly selected, each reel having a total of M letters, each letter having a discrete point or numeric value. A given number D of letters of each reel are visible on a display screen, wherein D<M. As one example, five (5) reels are provided, arranged in side-by-side fashion, and three (3) of the letters of each reel are visible on the display and form a regular matrix of three (3) rows or lines and five (5) columns. Each line contains one letter from each of the five (5) virtual reels. Each column displays three (3) contiguous letters of the M letters of the associated virtual reel, where M=25, as one example. The player initially selects the number of lines to be played. In the example given, the player may select from one to twenty-five (25) lines, and further selects the bet per line, which may, for example, be from one to five units. A unit may represent currency, for example.
[0006] Play is initiated by operating a PLAY button. The processor initially "spins" the virtual reels and then stops them in a random fashion. The letters in the selected line, or lines, may form a word using one or more of the 5 letters in the selected line, or lines. The processor searches the vocabulary database to determine the word formed by the letters of the selected line or lines. The processor, in one embodiment, selects a word from the database using letters from the selected line or lines and displays the D rows and R columns on the display. In one embodiment a five-letter word is automatically a win. The processor also calculates and displays the win. As an alternative, the processor calculates a payout based on the total of the values of the letters forming the word. The calculation may be based on a payout table stored in a read-only memory (ROM). The player is able to increase the odds of obtaining a payout by selecting more than one line up to the maximum number of lines such as twenty-five (25), for example. Only those lines containing the word are displayed. Letters forming the word are each preferably highlighted or enclosed in a frame. In one embodiment, each of the frames are joined by a "band" connecting two (2) adjacent frames, enabling the player to easily identify the created word and distinguish it from the remaining letters presented on the display. In games where at least two (2) lines are selected, since the letters making up the created word are typically scrambled in a random fashion in the lines and columns being displayed, the connecting bands from one framed letter to the next adjacent framed letter of the created word can vary over a number of different directional orientations, such as: from one letter to the next along the same line (i.e., horizontally); diagonally upward from a letter in one row of a given column to an adjacent letter in an adjacent column; and diagonally downward from a letter in one row of a given column to an adjacent letter in an adjacent column. To win, a highlighted word must be exactly five (5) letters, in one embodiment, which is no greater in number than the number of columns presented on the display.
[0007] The frames and connecting band orientations may form a variety of combinations, adding to the chances for creating a winning word, which thus adds to the interest and enjoyment of the game. In a preferred embodiment, the gaming system processor displays a word having the highest point count, together with the point count of the displayed word, in an embodiment employing a stored payout table.
[0008] The processor then determines the highest point value word, calculates and displays the total point count for that word and calculates a payout based on the size of the player's bet, typically displayed either as a monetary amount or a number of credits. Using a stored table, the amount of the win is determined by a point count range that the player's total point count falls into and the number of units bet by the player. In one embodiment, payout is preferably directly displayed in a window provided as part of the display. Methods of playing a gaming device are also disclosed.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gaming system incorporating one or more of the features described herein and incorporating a keyboard used by a player to interface with the gaming device.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic system which may be employed in the gaming device of FIG. 1 and showing a simplified version of the display.
[0011] FIGS. 3a and 3b are flow diagrams useful in explaining the operation of the game under control of a processor provided in the system of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 3c is a simplified diagram showing the manner in which the game may be played using a wireless unit.
[0013] FIG. 1, shows a gaming device 10 configured to implement a game according to the present application. The gaming device 10, in one embodiment, has a visual display 20 that may be any one of a CRT, LED, LCD, electro-luminescent, or other similar video display screen known generally in the art. Display 20, in one embodiment, includes a touch screen for interfacing with a player. In one embodiment, the gaming device 10 is programmed to play a game of chance based on the popular crossword game SCRABBLE®. It will be appreciated, however, that the gaming device 10 may be implemented as a crossword puzzle or similar word game themes other than SCRABBLE®. Assuming the player is playing three (3) lines and these three lines are capable of forming a word, the display 20 presents three (3) letters of five (5) virtual reels 22a-22e, forming a regular matrix of three (3) lines 24a-24c, each line having a letter of one of the five (5) reels, and five (5) columns each displaying three (3) of the contiguous letters of each reel which include the letters forming the word.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the basic logic circuitry and elements for the play of a game in accordance with one embodiment of the present application, and illustrates representations of the manner in which words are formed and identified in the game. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a database 101 comprising a plurality of words, referred to herein as a vocabulary, is provided. The database 101 may either be a word list or preferably also include definitions of the words in the word list. The database 101 may be any one or more of a number of available databases of words, such as words in general use, a game-specific subset, e.g., a "SCRABBLE®" word list or a narrower set of words related to a theme, such as popular movies or a generic theme such as "The Old West." The database 101 is, in turn, coupled to or otherwise programmatically accessible by a processor 100, such as a CPU. Typically the processor 100 includes one or more microprocessors and associated machine readable memory devices such as a random access memory (RAM) 102 and one or more read-only memories (ROMs) or programmable ROMs (i.e., PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, SPROMs) embodying the software program to enable the CPU 100 to conduct and control all aspects of the game. The ROMs, PROMs or other equivalent machine readable devices are also referred to herein as programmatic elements.
[0015] The programmatic elements employed in the processor 100 have the functionality to electronically create virtual reels on the display and simulate the spinning of the virtual reels in the same fashion as conventional mechanical reels (now substantially obsolete), and to stop the virtual reels from spinning in a totally random manner. Discrete point values are assigned to the letters in advance and in readiness for play. In one embodiment, the discrete point values are those assigned in accordance with the standard rules of SCRABBLE®, although other schemes of assigning point values are used in alternative embodiments. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the point values can randomly change or be re-assigned to add further excitement and interest in the game. For example, a letter might have its point value randomly changed to another value, or the initial value may be multiplied by a factor. Thus, a player may anticipate the possibility of gaining points based on the "luck of the draw."
[0016] At the start of play, the virtual reels 22a-22e are created on the display by the processor 100 to simulate spinning and are independently stopped in a random fashion. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, three rows 24a-24c, each having five (5) letters, display a total of fifteen (15) letters which are arranged in a scrambled random fashion on display screen 20. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the scrambled letters in each of the rows 24a-24c individually fail to create a word. Processor 100, controlled by a programmatic element, such as a ROM, PROMs or the like, then automatically determines the presence of a five (5) letter word derived from the vocabulary database by employing selected ones of the letters in one or more of the three (3) lines to create a word from the database.
[0017] In one embodiment, the processor may selects the five (5) letter word in the database having the highest point value and places each of the frames Fa-Fe around one of each of the selected letters making up the word, the frames being electronically generated by the processor 100. Processor 100 further preferably generates connecting bands Ba-Bd joining each frame to at least one adjacent frame to enable the player to easily identify the created word and distinguish the letters of the created word from the remaining letters presented on display 20. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the player has selected all three lines 24a-24c for inclusion in the game, it being understood that more or less than three lines or only one of the available lines may be selected for playing a game.
[0018] The presence of the word JAZZY is determined by processor 100 in conjunction with the vocabulary stored in database101. It should be noted that the connecting bands Ba-Bd which connect the letters of the word JAZZY are oriented at either a diagonally upward or a diagonally downward direction. It should be understood that other orientations of the connecting bands are possible, as was set forth above, and further that many different combinations of the possible orientations of the connecting bands may be created, thus significantly increasing the number of possible winning combinations which contribute to the excitement and interest in the game, as well as serving as an incentive to a player to select more lines to increase the chances for winning.
[0019] In some preferred embodiments, no "wildcard" is available and discrete identifiable letters or "blanks" may be displayed at each letter position provided about the periphery of each virtual reel. In one preferred embodiment, algorithms for determining the highest point value word from the randomly drawn letters are known, and operate in conjunction with the database 101, which contains the permissible vocabulary, and the programmatic elements, such as memories 102 and 103 described above and shown in FIG. 2. The point total, which may, for example, be correlated to a pay table stored in memory, is also displayed to the player. The payout appears in the window 36 of the display 20.
[0020] In any of the above embodiments, an added entertainment feature of the gaming system disclosed herein is that the definition of the generated word is presented on display 20 adjacent to the generated word. Note FIG. 1 showing the word JAZZY highlighted in frames Fa-Fe and the definition of the word JAZZY in area 26 of the display.
[0021] The program performed by the processor is stored in one or more of the memory devices such as a PROM 103 or ROM 102, to perform the program steps set forth in flow diagrams shown in FIGS. 3a-3b.
[0022] FIG. 3a is a flow diagram of the program steps performed by the gaming device 10 for conducting the game. At the Start step S1, the program is typically initiated by insertion of a wager. For example, initiation of the program may occur responsive to insertion of a card such as a credit card or debit card or a "house" card issued by an establishment providing the gaming systems such as gaming device 10 shown in FIG. 1. A "house" card may be either one of a credit card type or a prepaid type in which a player requests the house to provide a prepaid or credit-line amount in the card. The card may be inserted into a slot of a suitable reader (not shown) for reading the contents of the card and reducing the prepaid amount on the card or forwarding the costs of the play through a wireless or wired connection (not shown) to the credit card company or gaming establishment that issued the player's card. Alternatively, or in addition to credit cards, gaming device 10 may accept paper currency, coins or chips of the type that are either issued by the "house" or that are standard legal currency which, in the case of U.S. coins may be a 25 cent, 50 cent or 1 dollar coin, for example. Alternatively, the player may insert a code uniquely identifying the player as authorized by the "house" to be advanced credit to play the game.
[0023] In the event that a credit or debit card is inserted and in the event that currency which is greater in amount than that required for the play of one (1) game, receipt of the coin or card is acknowledged at S1 and displayed in window 35. Assuming the player has just started playing at gaming device 10, the CASH window 35, shown in FIG. 1, displays the amount entered. If no coin or card has been received, the program loops at step S1 in readiness for receipt of a coin, card, or the like. When one or more coins or other acceptable entry has been received and acknowledged/approved, the program advances to S2 and the player is invited to enter the bet amount. In one embodiment, there are twenty-five (25) lines that may be played during one game, only three (3) of the lines being displayed at any given time. By touching button 30, the display changes the lines of characters to be played by the player. To play three (3) lines, the player touches the LINES button 30 three (3) times, which selects the top three (3) lines of the virtual reels. To play all twenty-five (25) lines the player holds down button until "25" is displayed. The player then selects the desired bet per line and starts play by touching the PLAY button. The gaming device 10 may, in one embodiment, display three (3) rows of five (5) letters prior to operating the PLAY button.
[0024] The bet per line is entered by touching the BET PER LINE button 31. Assuming a minimum bet per line of one (1) unit, and a maximum bet per line of five (5) units, the player touches button 31 twice to bet two (2) units per line. If a player wants to bet the maximum of five (5) units per line, the players touches BET MAX button 33. Window 29 displays the denomination per line, which is 1 cent, for example. In this case the minimum bet is 25 cents to play all twenty-five (25) lines. If the selected BET PER LINE is two (2), the total bet for playing all twenty-five (25) lines is 50 cents (i.e., twice the minimum bet). The player operates button 31 at step S3 and the amount of the bet per line is displayed in window 32. In one embodiment, (1) to five (5) units of the denomination (such as 25 c, 50 c, one dollar, etc.) may be selected per line. The BET MAX button 33 is operated to select the maximum units of the denomination bet per line.
[0025] At S4 the player is invited to press the PLAY button 34. The processor 100 then spins the virtual reels at step S5 and independently stops them in a random fashion, and, at S6, using the letters randomly displayed on display 20, determines the five (5) letter word that may be created from the displayed letters of the selected line or lines, which word is found in the vocabulary database and, at S7, generates frames surrounding each of the letters forming the word in frames Fa-Fe, as well as connecting bands Ba-Bd. Depending on the random operation of the reels and, assuming the number of lines selected by the player is at least two (2), the word may be created from letters in the two (2) lines. If the player plays only one line, the word, if any, is created using only the single line selected by the player. Selecting more that one line of letters increases the chances for creating a word. Note that, although the line of letters arranged at row 24a form the word "BY" for a total of "7," the line of letters in row 24b form the word "A" for a total of "1" and the line of letters in the row 24c form the word "ZAP" for a total of "14,` these words, in one embodiment, do not qualify as a win. Note that the letters of a winning word are read from left to right.
[0026] At S8, processor 100 determines if the word is entitled to a payout at S8a. In an embodiment using letter values, the processor may use a stored payout table based on the total of the numeric value of the letters making up the word reaching a given amount, to enhance the amount of the win and displays the win at window 36. The player may continue playing or cash out by pressing touch pad 37. In the event that the player is not entitled to a payout, the game ends at S8b. In the example of FIG. 1, the created word, JAZZY, has a total value of 33, which in addition to being a five (5) letter word, may enhance the payout, based on a stored payout table. As was described above, display 20 may be associated with either a physical key array or a touch screen as shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] Making reference again to FIG. 1, assuming a player desires to wager twice the minimum bet (25 "units," which may be 25 c, for example), he presses the "BET PER LINE" button 31 two (2) times, which causes the processor to display the number "2" in window 31 and 50 c in bet window 38. The "BET MAX" button 33 is provided to enable immediate selection of the maximum bet, which may be five (5) times the minimum bet or $1.25, by pressing button 33 once, thereby displaying "4" in window 31 and "1.00" in the TOTAL BET window 38. When the desired number is displayed, the game is initiated when the player presses PLAY 34.
[0028] Processor 100 determines the presence of the word "JAZZY," places frames Fa-Fe around the letters forming the word, and calculates the win since the word is a five (5) letter word and, in addition, may enhance the amount of the win based on the total of the numeric values of the letters of the highlighted word being at least equal to a given amount provided in a stored table. The win amount is displayed in window 36 and is also added to the total amount in the CASH window 35.
[0029] When all twenty-five (25) lines are played, the processor 100 may determine that two (2) or more words are present. For example, the word "JAZZY" may be present in the first three (3) lines, i.e. lines 1-3, and processor 100 determines that another word is present in the last three (3) lines, i.e., lines 23-25 of the present game. Lines 1-3 are displayed showing the framed letters forming the word "JAZZY," the amount of the WIN in window 36 and total CASH in window 35. The word in lines 23-25 is displayed in a like manner the lines 1-3, and the WIN and the total cash are then displayed. Playing all of the lines may also result in the creation of more than two (2) words.
[0030] The stored program shown in FIG. 3a may be modified for play of the game over a wired network or a wireless network, such as the Internet. As shown in FIG. 3b, a cell phone, laptop, PC, PDA or other like device, at S9, contacts a service location or website of a service provider, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) offering the game. The ISP, at S10 receives the request, typically over a wireless channel, although a wired channel or a combination wired and wireless channel may certainly be utilized as an alternative. The ISP, upon receipt of the request at S10, checks authorization at S11, initiates the game program at S12 and conveys the game to the subscriber's cell phone or the like at S12a for display. The subscriber begins play at S13, by selecting lines and bet per line and then operates the PLAY button to initiate spinning and then independent and random stopping of the virtual reels under control of the processor 100.
[0031] Insofar as the authorization step, S11 is concerned, the person requesting play, as an alternative to being a subscriber may be a one (1) time user so that when the ISP receives the request at S10, billing information is requested whereby the user enters credit or charge card information in order to play the game. As an alternative, with regard to cell phone users, charges for play of the game may be added to the account of the cell phone user.
[0032] The game described herein may alternatively be played from a cell phone 300 shown in FIG. 3c, which accesses an internet service provider (ISP) 400. The wireless unit 300 accesses ISP 400 through the Internet and, upon obtaining the desired website, is invited to participate in the game described herein, the ISP 400 being provided with the processor, memory devices and database shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] The ISP 400, in addition to generating the displays to be presented on the screen 301 of wireless unit 300 using the program steps shown in FIG. 3a, identifies the keys to be operated by 6 the player in order to achieve the results obtained using the more customized key inputs described above in connection with FIG. 1. For example, assuming the phone is equipped with a typical telephone keyboard having keys "0-9," "#" and "*," the necessary responses may be obtained through the use of the "#" and "* keys, in combination with one or more of the "0"-"9" keys. Obviously, other key assignments may be adopted. FIG. 3c shows a wireless unit 300 having a 12 key keyboard. Other wireless devices having larger keyboards such as a "qwerty" keyboard or other keyboards having a larger number of operating keys may be used wherein the program is modified to accommodate the type of wireless device used by a player.
[0034] The wireless unit may include wireless cell phones, PDAs, portable laptop computers having broadband or other access capabilities to the internet. The game may be played with or without betting and in the event that the game provides for betting and payouts, these capabilities may be achieved through acceptance of credit card information or registering with the ISP to set up an account to handle such matters, where they are legally permitted.
[0035] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying description. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the number of lines and columns may be greater or less than is shown in the embodiments described. As an alternative to the gaming device creating virtual reels which give the illusion of spinning and then be stopped in a random fashion, actual reels which are spun and then randomly stopped to display the given number of letters within a window, the angular orientation of the reels being monitored by shaft angle encoders provided for each reel to identify the displayed letters. The letters making up the created word may be highlighted with brighter light or light of a different color to distinguish the letters in the created word from the remaining letters visible in the display. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Patent applications by Brian D. Haveson, Surf City, NJ US
Patent applications in class Lot-to-lot combination (e.g., slot machine, etc.)
Patent applications in all subclasses Lot-to-lot combination (e.g., slot machine, etc.)
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The Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum
Fifteen minutes' walk north of the centre on the banks of the fjord is the modern Viking Ship Museum. Inside, five superb specimens of Viking shipbuilding are displayed: a deep-sea trader, a merchant ship, a warship, a fishing vessel and a longship preserved incredibly from 1042, each retrieved from the fjord where they were sunk to block invading forces. Two life-size models of ships are next door, which you can board after trying on traditional Viking clothes. Outside, you can watch boat-building and sail-making using only tools and materials available during the Viking era; when the weather allows you can also experience a replica ship's seaworthiness on the fjord – you'll be handed an oar when you board and be expected to pull your weight as a crew member. It's a humbling experience when you consider that similar ships made it all the way to Greenland.
Roskilde Domkirke
Roskilde Domkirke
The fabulous Roskilde Domkirke was founded by Bishop Absalon in 1170 and largely completed by the fourteenth century. It's stuffed full of dead Danish monarchs including twenty kings and seventeen queens. The most impressive chapel is that of Christian IV, full of bronze statues, frescoes and vast paintings of scenes from his reign. The current queen, the charismatic Margrethe II, has also expressed a desire to be buried here. Next door is Roskilde Palace, housing the diverting Museum of Contemporary Art.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Capital Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will conduct its next meeting on Wednesday, Jan 22, at the Penbrook American Legion Post 730 in Harrisburg.
Social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner starting at 7. A short business meeting follows before the guest speaker is introduced.
The speaker this month will be Jim Monos, head football coach of Lebanon Valley College. Monos will recap the 2013 Lebanon Valley season, including its run to the playoffs.
Reservations are required and must be made no later than noon Jan 20 by calling Sandy Potteiger at 695-2679.


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You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'shugo chara doki' category.
If there's one big difference between Shugo Chara and Shugo Chara Doki, I think it's that Doki is targeting an even younger age group than previous. With Shugo Chara Doki, there's this tendency to directly address the audience and present things front-and-center. It's less Raphael-from-TMNT-nudging-and-winking-at-the-audience and more of a Blue's Clues/Elmo-style 4th-wall break designed to get young viewers involved.
I have to wonder if Satelight and everyone in charge of the anime are trying to draw it away from the otaku popularity it has garnered (check out Hinamori Amu's high placing in Anime Saimoe 2008), and move it towards the intended Clock Show audience. Or maybe they already know that the otaku already dig it and thus they can concentrate on shoring up the younger side of the fanbase.
Of course, some will point out that Shugo Chara Doki is pretty much "filler" to the manga and will cite it as the primary reason the show seems so different. And while the show does seem incredibly episodic, I really do think the main cause of the show's style changing ever-so-slightly is a desire to draw in younger viewers.
Mixed with the more elaborate transformation sequences and an Open Heart with recoil, Shugo Chara Doki beocmes a sort of Futari Wa Dora the Cool and Spicy Explorer.
I was spending many hours minutes seconds preparing yesterday's post (which believes in cool and spicy and is therefore power), using chibi fansubs' release of episode 1 of Shugo Chara doki. I got to that point in the opening and decided to take a screencap of Amu doing the monkey, but then I panicked.
"This is a softsub mkv, but I probably won't be able to get a good shot free of karaoke," I thought. After all, many fansub groups despite switching to softsubs still hardsub their karaoke directly into the file. "I'll have to download the raw."
On a whim, I decided to just try to turn off fansubs, and lo and behold the karaoke actually disappeared! Amazing!
Why is this amazing?! This should be standard!
Please, let this be sign that the disease known as Karaoke Effects is dying, or at least mitigated by being able to remove them at the viewer's own volition.


text:
The annual Intramural Basketball Tournament sponsored by Dorothy Norman Chapter of National Honor Society will begin Thursday, March 7, with games continuing March 8, and March 12. Games for the third and fourth grade teams will be played in the ...Read More »
Lifeguard Course March 12-14 At West Plains
The Missouri State University-West Plains University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department will host a lifeguard course March 12-14 at the West Plains Civic Center. The course is part of the Jeff Ellis and Associates International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP). Candidates must pass ...Read More »
Douglas Co. Historical Society Meets Feb. 18
The Douglas County Historical Society held its February meeting on Feb. 18. Sharon called the meeting to order. Pat read the January minutes with one correction: Spelling of Cory family Saddle Shop instead of Corey. Pat gave treasurer's report. It ...Read More »
'Extreme Couponing' Coming to Douglas Co.
Have you ever seen the extreme couponing shows on TV? Wish you knew how they do that? While expecting to pay such low amounts for hundreds of dollars' worth of items is a bit unrealistic, savings are there for the ...Read More »
Alumni Basketball Game Set For Saturday, March 23
The 7th annual Ava High School Alumni Basketball Game will be held on Saturday night, March 23, in the Ava High School gym. The women's game will begin at 6 o'clock with the men's game to follow at 7:30 p.m. ...Read More »
Community Events
This column is for fundraisers, benefits, or community functions for which a fee or membership dues are collected. Items will be printed in this column twice for a single fee of $5 for 20 words or less. ****** ****** Skyline ...Read More »
Calendar of Events
This column is provided to our readers free of charge to announce upcoming events that are free to the public. Publication of the same announcement will be limited to two insertions. * * * The Douglas County Health Dept. will ...Read More »
Live Jam, Open Mic Begins March 4 at Ava Senior Center
A group of local musicians are planning an open jam session every Monday night, beginning March 4, at the Ava Senior Center. Sessions will run from 6 to 9 p.m., and J.D. Morrison, one of the organizers, says it will ...Read More »
Ambulance Board Will Meet Feb. 28; Several Bids to Be Opened
The board of directors of the Ava Area Ambulance District will meet Thursday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the Cox Ambulance Station on NW 9th St. At that meeting, the board will open and review bids on several projects ...Read More »
Community Events
This column is for fundraisers, benefits, or community functions for which a fee or membership dues are collected. Items will be printed in this column twice for a single fee of $5 for 20 words or less. ****** Benefit Volleyball ...Read More »


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Under the new agreement, adjunct faculty members will get a 3 percent increase this year; 3 percent in 2010; and 2.7 percent in 2011, said SCCC spokeswoman Kathleen Scott.
About 250 adjunct faculty members are hired per semester at the Newton school, which saw a 12 percent increase in enrollment this fall, said Scott.
The adjunct professors, members of SCCC Adjunct Faculty Federation Local 4780, will now be paid $623 per credit. Senior adjuncts — those teaching their 60th credit and beyond — will get $684 per credit.
"Our college simply could not operate without our adjuncts. They bring energy, passion and invaluable life and professional experience to the classroom and our students," said SCCC president Constance Mierendorf.
Adjunct professors are not covered by medical insurance through the college. All non-union employees began paying 1.5 percent of their salaries toward the cost of health insurance in July, said Scott.
The new contract was approved last week following two months of negotiations.
Despite the new agreement with its adjunct professors, SCCC's 28 professional staff members and 38 support staff, members of two separate bargaining units within the American Federation of Teachers, remain without a contract as negotiations continue.
The two units, which organized in 2006, have been negotiating for a contract since late 2007. The main sticking points are pay increases and health care costs.
Scott said the college wants the two units to begin paying 1.5 percent of their salaries toward the cost of health coverage, which costs SCCC an average of $12,000 per year, per employee.
Union officials have not commented on the current status of the contract negotiations.


text:
Crock Pot Chicken Pizza
Total Time
Prep 5 mins
Cook 8 hrs
This recipe came from another web site. Very tasty meal.
Ingredients Nutrition
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Place all ingredients in crock pot.
- Stir to make sure chicken is coated well.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Hint: This is very good served over pasta.
Most Helpful
I don't think this tasted like pizza at all, especially when served over squash or noodles. I liked it though. Next time I'll add a lot more garlic (cloves) and more vegetables. Mushrooms and zucchini would be a good addition. I didn't cut my chicken before I placed it in the crock pot. I always put in frozen chicken breasts and shred it with my spoon about 30 minutes - 1 hour before it is done. It saves time, and you don't have to remember to thaw the chicken.
Yum. Too good and so easy. I used minced garlic instead of powdered and I didn't cut the chicken into pieces before cooking. It just fell apart when done. I served this over spaghetti with grated parmesean cheese on top. Mine was done in after 7 hours on low. The smell of this cooking is Wonderful!
Not entirely sure this tasted like pizza, but it was delicious. Loved the flavours. We served it over pasta and it went down well.


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The strategy for inducing growth in existing markets, with current products involves little risk since it utilizes resources and capabilities the company already has. It also is a strategy that is limited in that once the market is saturated, a new strategy must be employed.
Still, companies can increase their market share by carefully putting together of appealing advertising campaigns and as well as with other types of marketing.
A company reducing its prices is another tool it can employ to pull customers from the competition, bringing growth in the current market with current products. The offering of a quality product along with strong customer service can help keep the new piece of the market share long term – keeping the customers from returning to the competition
Another growth strategy for companies is to increase use of the products they offer now, in their current market. This can be done in many ways including introducing new uses for the product, the idea that the product should be used more often, or by repackaging the product with a new and more appealing look for the current market. For example, a company who sells a teeth whitening product might increase the use of their current product by changing the color and shape of the packaging while also making the product easier to use.
Other examples of these methods and examples for increasing use, using other methods are listed below:
- Providing communication reminding customers to use the product such as sending an email with a coupon for the product
- Positioning for regular use such as encouraging rinsing with mouthwash every morning
- Positioning the product for frequent use such as is done with book clubs that require a monthly purchase of a book
- Suggesting new uses for the product such as the many uses, including use as a bug repellent, suggested for Avon's Skin So Soft Bath Oil
- Incentives being given for frequent use such as Starbucks' gold card which rewards customers with a free drink for every 15 purchases made, using the card
- Revitalizing of the brand such as CocaCola introducing New Coke
- Minimizing undesirable effects of the product such as advertising a soap that is gentle, a food that is low calorie, low carbohydrate or low fat
- Making the use easier or convenient like the large movie dispensing machines outside grocery stores and commonly frequented placed of business


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Any thoughts about severne overdrive 11 LW?
View Single Post
15th January 2011, 03:38 AM
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 127
Any thoughts about severne overdrive 11 LW?
I am thinking of buying a bigger sail than my 9.2 (2 chambers) for my US 147 when I get it..
I see that severne has launched a light weight version of the overdrive; 11.0 LW
I once owned a glide 8.5 and that sail really had close to no top end in my opinion. Did not like it.
What do you guys think about the overdrive 11 LW.. Is it a good choice for this board or is an ordinary overdrive 11 or reflex 11/12 meter the sail to choose.
Maybe Remi or one of the other guys have sailed it and can give a qualified answer?
Thanks for any answers!
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by MOP


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About Moet et Chandon
Before you heard about it in Kanye West's songs, Moet et Chandon was the drink of French kings, Russian tzars and Napoleon I himself. For as long as it's been around—since 1743 to be exact—Moet has been the drink of the rich and famous.
NV Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial Rose
Producer: Moet et Chandon
Style: Sparkling
Grape Type: Champagne Blend
Origin: France
Region: Champagne
91 Points | Stephen Tanzer's IWC - December 2013
(roughly 45% pinot noir, 35% pinot meunier and 20% chardonnay): Bright orange-pink. Spicy cherry, red berries, blood orange and five-spice powder on the perfumed nose. Fleshy but dry, boasting excellent energy to its bitter cherry, redcurrant and floral pastille flavors. Finishes smooth and fleshy, with very good breadth and cling. The turnaround over the last few years at this house, now under the guidance of chef de cave Benoit Gouez, has been remarkable.
91 Points | Wine Spectator
88 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
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text: Tomorrow is the last day for MAHS students. Some students will move to different states, some may have graduated, and some may be back for another year or two. It was a good year for MAHS, for the most part. I wish everyone a good summer, and be safe! HAVE FUN!


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For the Media
CHICAGO, KITCHEN/BATH INDUSTRY SHOW (April 11, 2008) — American consumers can elect both style and performance in 2008 with the new high-style, highly-efficient plumbing products introduced today at the 2008 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) by American Standard, Porcher and JADO.The new bath collections, toilets and faucets─which range from luxurious and contemporary to lavish and tranquil─are on display for designers, buyers and other building professionals at McCormick Place Convention Center today through Sunday. "Consumers and designers want high-performance products, and they want them to appeal to their personal design aesthetic," said Deborah Halpern, vice president of marketing for American Standard. "Products for the bathroom need to do both, which is the beauty of our products. Among our different brands you'll find a wide spectrum of bath models: from high-end suites to value-priced style."- more -The following outlines what's new from American Standard at K/BIS (Booth S3278): The new WaterSense®-labeled Dual-Flush FloWise™ Two-Piece High-Efficiency Toilet from American Standard uses as little as 0.8 gallons per flush (gpf), potentially saving more than 30 percent more water than 1.6 gpf toilets. American Standard has expanded its stylish selection of low-maintenance high- efficiency toilets (HETs) and high efficiency urinals (HEUs) that save water while helping to achieve green building ratings in remodeling and new construction. American Standard's new Traditional Champion® 4 One-Piece Toilet combines the classic details of a traditional bathroom suite with a flushing system that features the industry's widest trapway and flush valve. It also features American Standard's exclusive EverClean™ permanent surface that inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on all exposed surfaces. Four beautiful new American Standard air bath collections combine versatile styling and easy maintenance for an invigorating bathing experience: the Asian-inspired Green Tea Premium Air Bath; the Ellisse® Oval Premium Air Bath with grab bars and lumbar recline; the Town Square™ Premium Air Bath; and the Evolution™ Air Baths. American Standard's new Deep Soak™ Bath Drain allows homeowners to create a luxurious soaking experience by adding over two inches of water to a simple bath. The new Generations Washstand from American Standard offers timeless, Old World styling sized for smaller baths and powder rooms. The seamless one-piece design supports American Standard's Townsend Vanity Top. Featuring a high-gloss, scratch-resistant acrylic surface, American Standard's new Acrylux™ Builder Series includes apron tubs and whirlpools, shower bases with matching wall sets, and shower bases to accompany tiled applications. American Standard introduces the Rope Twist™ Bathtub and Shower Surround, which features twisted-rope detailing that trims high-gloss surfaces. American Standard extends its unique universal platform for hands-free plumbing products with its new line of Selectronic™ Flush Valves that combine with high-efficiency fixtures to provide LEED-compliant engineered solutions that help meet requirements for green building projects.- more -At the luxury end of the market, Porcher and JADO introduced the following: An industry innovation, Porcher's Slate Collection features five signature basin designs crafted from the same legendary slate that graces Italian architecture. Porcher's new trio of Clarity Stone Basins combines the natural beauty of marble or granite with the fluid lines of contemporary simplicity. Devotees of contemporary minimalist design now can furnish a complete bath suite with Porcher's new Epic™ Collection, which includes three lavatory styles, a pedestal, a one-piece elongated toilet and bidet. European minimalism and traditional Asian styling converge in Porcher's Equility™ Collection, consisting of four Italian-made basins, a vanity base that may be transformed into a storage bench using the coordinating seat top, and a cabinet that can be either wall-mounted or joined with the vanity base for a floor-standing furnishing. Porcher's Estate™ Furniture Suite provides a masculine take on traditional style for the bath. The cabinet sports a rich light mahogany finish and a white marble top, and it is complemented by the Estate Mirror. Popular Porcher bath furnishings now are available in Wenge, a distinctively grained African hardwood. Homeowners will find this unique woodgrain in the Calla II Suite, the Asian-influenced Tetsu Suite and Porcher's Wood Slow-Close Toilet Seat. Porcher's sleek L'Expression™ bath collection now includes a refined elongated toilet design and additional complementary furnishings, such as a cabinet, mirror and a totem mirror cabinet that rotates to reveal a full-length mirror. Luxurious new bathing options from Porcher include: the Asian-influenced Tetsu™ Air Bath complete with Chromatherapy and built-in heater. Also the elegant new cast iron Ardennes Nouveau™, which is more compact than the original Ardennes; the cast iron Romaine Nouveau™, which incorporates two grab bars in chrome or brushed nickel; the cast iron Lourdes™; and the traditional claw-footed Epoque Nouveau™. Porcher's Savina™ translates the elegant detailing of Queen Anne furniture into lavatory tops, consoles, pedestals, cabinets and a wall mirror.- more - Reminiscent of the radiant silhouette of a perfume bottle, the new illume™ collection of faucets and accessories from JADO has a subtly shifting shape—a gentle flair from round to square—that is harmonious with a range of styles for homes and distinctive hotels.Editor's note: For more information on American Standard, Porcher or JADO products, call (800) 899-2614 or visit the electronic pressroom at www.americanstandard-us.com
Nora DePalma
Office: 770.772.4726
Cell 678.642.5075
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text:
ELECTRONICS: Molex Inc. has released two additions to the ImpactTM Backplane Connector System, its high-speed, high-density connector system for the telecommunication and data networking market. The Impact CoPlanar Connector System and Impact Mezzanine Connector System provide the ultimate flexibility to optimize designs for superior mechanical and electrical performance. Both products will be demonstrated by Molex in booth 509 at DesignCon, Feb. 2-3, Santa Clara, CA.
The Impact Backplane Connector System is available in two- to six-pair configurations with a complete range of guidance and power solution options. It provides data rates up to 25 Gbps and superior signal density up to 80 differential pairs per inch.The Impact system's broad-edge-coupled transmission technology enables low cross talk and high signal bandwidth while minimizing channel-performance variation across every differential pair within the system. In addition to sharing these features, the two new products provide the following:
- Edited by Liz Taurasi


text:
Steve Lawson & Daniel Berkman with Special Guest: Artemis at Awaken Cafe
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In this May 5, 2012 photo, a member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. For five decades, Preservation Hall has served up New Orleans jazz for music lovers the world over. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, on its closing weekend, marked that achievement by showcasing the world-renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band in concert twice. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)


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text:
Hours of operation: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning October 30)
Spirit Urgent Care–Camp Hill provides a convenient, affordable and quick alternative to the emergency department for patients who have an immediate, but not life-threatening, medical need. No appointments are needed.
Common health problems, including:
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Stomach bugs
• Ear and throat infections
• Migraine headaches
• Seasonal allergies
• Skin rashes
• Suturing skin lacerations
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Urinary tract infections
• Sports physicals
• Common gynecological problems
Onsite services and tests offered include:
• X-ray onsite
• Blood testing onsite
• Tetanus, flu, and pneumonia vaccines
• Urine testing
• Blood sugar testing
• Strep test
• TB Test
Salina Bari, DO
Board Certified in Family Practice
Nicholas Kitsopoulos, DO
Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Angelique McKinney-Bourne, MD
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Daniel Megivern, MD
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Walter Morrow, MD
Board Certified in Family Medicine and Pediatrics
Yin Tun, MD
Kimberly Artley, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner


text:
Smiling Wide
Member since 7/25/2013
- 1 total post
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Reviews by Smiling Wide
Best Thing I Have Ever Done For Myself - San Jose, CA
I had complete replacement of all of my teeth along with wisdom teeth extraction. The results are extraordinary. The new implants look real, are straight and white. Something that I could never say about my real teeth. 4 on one top and bottom. A brand new smile! I had discolored, crooked and... READ MORE


text:
Back in the day when the Varsity Spa on State Street in Springfield was just a block away from the American International College campus, it served as the ideal coffee-break spot.
Each booth had its own little juke box, where 25 cents would get you some great music.
Sitting there with my favorite college student – later to be my wife, one particular song seemed to be just right for us. It was done by the man known as "Satchmo," Louis Armstrong.
As he would croon "Dream a Little Dream of Me," complete with one of his awesome trumpet solos, we would be falling in love to the music.
Actually, Armstrong's version (still one of the best in my book) was just one of seven revivals of the song in the early 1950s, including pretty good efforts by Frankie Laine and Vaughn Monroe.
As the music business evolved, there always seemed to be time for "Dream a Little Dream of Me." It was done by a list of big names – Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Joni James, Dinah Shore and Dean Martin.
Years later, as we listened to the great 1960s era of rock and roll, guess what came floating back to us? None other than "Dream a Little Dream of Me," this time by the Mamas and the Papas, featuring Cass Elliott.
She did such a terrific job on the song that it was re-released as a single and climbed the music charts in the United States and Europe. In Australia, it twice reached No. 1.
Yes, "our song" was so good, so romantic that it somehow managed to become a hit again, even in a time dominated by such rock giants as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater, the Who, the Band. You go can on and on.
That only affirms a well-known fact in the music business: if a song is good, it doesn't matter how old it is.
Well, this one is REALLY old. Actually, it's my age, which only adds to the song's mystique in our marriage.
Written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn, it first was performed in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra (an endearing rendition with Ozzie doing the vocal), and quickly covered by the orchestras of Wayne King and the Dorsey brothers. Kate Smith came along to sing it in the late 1930s.
Over the decades, renditions of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" just kept coming. It was performed in 1995 by Chicago, with Paul Shaffer on piano.
In 2002, it was part of "A Wonderful World," an album of duets by Tony Bennett and k.d. Lang that featured several songs which had been made popular by Louis Armstrong.
The song surfaced again in 2004, this time done by Jim James, of My Morning Jacket, and in 2007, by jazz singer Diana Krall.
Two years ago, Kevin McHale's character in the cast of the TV show "Glee" sang it while confined to a wheelchair. It was a very touching version.
And, just when you might think it finally has run its course, along comes that Canadian crooner, Michael Buble, doing a pretty darn good job on it in 2011. Also that year, Eddie Vedder did a ukelele-backed version of the song.
But wait, there's more.
At our 60th anniversary party, our granddaughter Rayna Brown, of Wilbraham – the girl with the green guitar – brought tears to our eyes when she stepped to center stage at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club and sang, "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." It was a from-the-heart performance in our honor, and one we shall never forget.
At that point, it seemed that all musical memories and tributes had been exhausted. Not quite.
As we were leaving the hall, our Amherst grandchildren – Sonia, Conlan and Kanya Brown – handed us a CD entitled "Happy Anniversary" that they and their dad had put together for us.
The final track on that disc? Sonia doing "Dream a Little Dream of Me" and artfully accompanied by members of the Brown Family Band. Best version ever of our favorite song? Absolutely.
From Satchmo to Sonia – what a long, wondrous trip for a song that stands alone as the music of our life together:
"Stars shining bright above you;
Night breezes seem to whisper 'I love you.'
Birds singing in the sycamore tree;
Dream a little dream of me."
Garry Brown can be reached at email@example.com


text:
You can preview the entire ad HERE. Click on the "Upcoming Weekly Ad" tab.
- Scan your Extra Care Card at the in-store kiosk before you shop every time at CVS. You can usually scan it 2 or more times.
- Get a $4/$20 coupon when you sign up for the CVS ExtraCare email (If you haven't already registered a card with an email address.)
- Don't forget your Green Bag Tag! It will generate $1 ECB every 4 times it is scanned.
- Every 2 prescriptions filled at CVS will generate $1 ECB.
- Register for the CVS Advisory Panel and earn more ECBs by completing online surveys from CVS.
Here are some of the Best Deals at CVS this week:
- Dawn as low as $.49 with MQ!
- Gain or Tide as low as $3.40 each with MQS and ECBs!
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- Happy Shopping and Saving!!
Items at stockpile prices are marked with the True Couponing Shopping Cart!
Freebies, Money Makers or items even cheaper than usual stockpile prices are marked as a True Deal. You won't want to miss these!
Manufacturer's coupons are in RED
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See the CVS Monthly Deals HERE.
Copyright © TrueCouponing.com 2012. May not be reproduced without permission.


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text: I am glad seeing Shlomo and Offer volunteering for this but I was hoping we'll have more volunteers and then the Mongers can vote. This time I am going to ask Offer and Shlomo to prepare and announce the next meeting (1st of April) as it is quite close to us and I hope we can vote on the meeting who will be our two PR people. So don't let the opportunity pass. Your chances are still good to become the official PR person for the Israeli Perl Mongers ! Gabor


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BEAVERTON — City employees want more training and opportunities for career advancement, according to the results of a citywide staff survey released last week.
In the multiple-choice section of the survey, which was conducted in August, employees recorded mostly positive feelings toward the city as an employer.
However, two questions that received a negative response when the survey was conducted in January 2011 were not repeated in the most recent survey.
For example, in response to the statement "When employees in my department do not do their job well, action is taken promptly to correct the performance," 46.8 percent of employees either disagreed or strongly disagreed in 2011, while 34.3 percent agreed or strongly agreed. The question was not asked in 2012.
Similarly, the statement "Decisions made about promotions or job changes within the city are fair" was left out of the most recent survey. The previous year, 42.1 percent of employees disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement, compared with 40.1 percent who agreed or strongly agreed.
Other statements that had garnered mostly positive responses — such as "I am motivated to help accomplish the goals of the city" and "Disciplinary action taken within my work group is fair" — were also removed from the most recent survey.
The city's human resources department, which conducted the survey, decided to leave out some of the 2011 questions because "they were deemed confusing," said Bill LaMarche, the city's spokesman.
Before 2011, no citywide employee surveys had been conducted since 1999, according to the city. Of the city's roughly 500 employees, 359 participated in the survey in 2011 and 414 responded in 2012.
The multiple-choice statements were worded so that agreement would demonstrate satisfaction and disagreement would signal dissatisfaction. All 57 agree/disagree statements received a larger percentage of "agree" or "strongly agree" responses than "disagree" or "strongly disagree" responses in the most recent survey.
Three statements received more disagreement than agreement in 2011, two of which were removed from the 2012 survey. The third read, "I have regular Performance Planning, Dialogue & Development (PPDD) discussions with my supervisor" in 2011 and was reworded to say, "I have regular discussions with my supervisor about my performance and career goals" in 2012.
In 2011, 48.2 percent of employees disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement, while 44.9 percent agreed or strongly agreed. In August, the balance shifted — 37.7 percent disagreed and 49 percent agreed.
Individual department heads are responsible for making changes in response to the survey results, LaMarche said. For example, the mayor began holding monthly meetings for his staff to improve communication after the 2011 survey was conducted.
But communication with supervisors and chances for promotion remained among the top concerns mentioned by employees in the open-response section of the 2012 survey.
"Staff is generally kept in the dark about what's going on in the department and City as a whole, particularly as it relates to upcoming projects," wrote one employee.
For their top source of information regarding the city, 27.1 percent of employees cited other employees, while 26.8 percent credited official city communications.
This is a shift from 2011, when 33.7 percent of employees listed official city communications as their top source of information and 26.1 percent named other employees.
Several employees argued that the path to promotion was unclear or biased.
"Perhaps due to the lack of performance reviews, the process of promoting an employee seems very haphazard and potentially unfair," wrote an employee.
In response to the survey question "How can the City help you improve your skills and the work you do?," the most common suggestion was increased training.
"Training should be encouraged, not presented as a burden," wrote one employee. "Many staff members have stopped looking for opportunities to gain further education in their discipline because their supervisor or manager does not evenly distribute or rotate the training budget among staff."
Another recurring suggestion was that the city needs more working space, particularly for the police department. The city hopes to bring a bond measure to voters in May to approve a new building for the police department and municipal court.
A number of employees also challenged the effectiveness of the survey itself.
"It would be nice if something was actually done as a result of comments gathered from this survey," wrote an employee, "unlike the last time, where we all mentioned concerns, consistently, and then you did absolutely nothing."–Nicole Friedman
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This is pure craziness!!!
Police continue to look for a possible motive in the shooting death of Gretchen Crooks, allegedly by her 13-year-old son Noah. Police responding to the Crooks home, in Osage, Iowa, on Saturday night, found the woman shot multiple times after her teenage son – the alleged shooter – called 911. 'We're at a loss. These are good people,' sheriff Curt Younker said. There was no history of domestic abuse or criminal records associated with any Crooks family members. The 13-year-old boy who allegedly shot his 37- year-old mother dead with a hunting rifle is also facing 'unheard of' charges that he tried to sexually abuse her. Now, authorities are saying Noah Crooks also tried to sexually abuse his mother, which mental health professionals say they have never encountered among juveniles Charges filed today in Mitchell County District Court further accuse Noah Crooks, an eighth-grader at Osage Middle School, of assault with attempt to commit sexual abuse against his mother. Shelia Aukes, a licensed social worker in Des Moines who works with young people on a variety of mental health issues told the DesMoines Register: 'The victims in most sex offenses committed by juveniles are siblings, other juveniles or, more rare, other adults. 'A child or adolescent sexually abusing a parent is completely out of the norm, totally unheard of.'
Related articles
- 13-Year-Old Ginger Boy Shoots Mother, 37, To Death After Attempting To Sexually Assault The Woman (practikel.com)
- Pictured: Boy, 13, Who "Shot Dead His Mother, 37, with a Hunting Rifle After Attempting to Sexually Abuse Her" (socyberty.com)
- Caveman Gets 35 Years For Videotaping Himself Raping A 1-Year-Old (cynicalafrikan.wordpress.com)
- One in Three Teenage Girls Sexually Abused by Boyfriend (socyberty.com)
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New Jersey Twilight fans! Catch a pre-screening of Breaking Dawn Part 2 and help support a charity!
Twilight for Starlight…
Added by sarah cullen on October 6, 2012 at 1:50am — No Comments
Esme's Heart, a 501©(3) organization whose mission is to accomplish acts of love with a heart like Esme, is announcing a raffle to "Win a Trip to Forks" for 4 persons. The proceeds will benefit Fork's…
Added by sarah cullen on August 6, 2012 at 6:04am — No Comments
Let Me Sign has just posted the following:
We at LetMeSign.com had the…
Added by sarah cullen on June 14, 2012 at 11:51am — No Comments
Added by sarah cullen on March 17, 2012 at 2:32pm — No Comments
Added by sarah cullen on December 22, 2011 at 3:58am — No Comments
Added by Pennybug Cullen on May 16, 2011 at 11:30pm — No Comments
Jakarta twihards, have you join our activities lately? Here are one of Twilight Nusantara activities called TWINUS PEDULI which has been held at Emporium XXI cineplex. We're doing a charity for Panti Tuna Ganda Palsigunung (multiple disabilities nursing). We watched the…Continue
Added by Anggia Cullen on April 10, 2011 at 9:05am — 3 Comments
TTOBR Auction... benefiting OLOL Children's Hospital
Twilight print featuring Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, with AUTOGRAPHS from…
Added by Pennybug Cullen on February 6, 2011 at 1:47pm — No Comments
LousianaFilmTV: "Signed by all the all the main peeps & Volturi…
Added by Pennybug Cullen on January 22, 2011 at 10:33pm — 1 Comment
A while back a Breaking Dawn set visit was auctioned off to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. Well now there's another on being auctioned off to benefit The GO Campaign.
"The GO Campaign (www.GOCampaign.org) has partnered with leading charity auction site charitybuzz for its 2010 online auction to raise…Continue
Added by Pennybug Cullen on November 16, 2010 at 1:30am — 2 Comments
This past weekend Booboo (AKA Seth Clearwater) was in Australia to be a part of the Perth telethon.
You can see pics at Team Booboo Seth.
Via Twilight…Continue
Added by Pennybug Cullen on November 16, 2010 at 12:05am — 5 Comments
"Twilight" Cast: Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
Autographed 11″ x 14″ Photo
"The Twilight Saga:Eclipse" is a 2010 romantic fantasy film, based on Stephenie Meyer's 2006 novel. This film, the third in the popular series, stars Robert…Continue
Added by Pennybug Cullen on November 11, 2010 at 1:14am — No Comments
Added by Franzuckel on September 6, 2010 at 4:44am — 9 Comments
Jackson Rathbone puts the final touches on his tote bag at the T.J.Maxx Teen Choice Lounge on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 in Los Angeles.
Added by Aidinslevel on August 6, 2010 at 12:06pm — No Comments


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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio— Police are investigating a rash of burglaries where someone broke into six homes and apartments in a 28-hour span and stole jewelry, cash and electronics.
In most cases, someone shattered glass on doors in order to reach in and unlock the doors.
All six burglaries took place on Thursday and Friday. Three burglaries occurred in the Cedar-Fairmount area, two on the north end of the city and one near the Coventry district.
Burglars struck after residents left for at least four hours. Most residents had left their home for most of the day, leaving investigators with a large time frame for the burglaries.
Police checked local pawnshops for stolen items with no results, reports say.
One resident in the 2700 block of Euclid Heights Boulevard near Coventry Road reported when he arrived home on Thursday, he found that someone had broken into his apartment through a backdoor and stole his laptop. Two other roommates were not home at the time, so it was uncertain if the burglars stole anything else, reports say.
The 24-year-old man told police he left about 8 a.m. and returned at 6 p.m.
About 12:30 a.m. Friday, a resident in the 3800 block of Parkdale reported he arrived home to find someone had broken a kitchen window and ransacked the house.
Reports say someone ripped open a grocery bag containing water bottles and ransacked two second-floor bedrooms. A lock box in one room was pried open with a butter knife, a jewelry box was tossed on the floor and three coin jars were emptied on one of the beds.
Reports say someone stole about $5,000 worth of jewelry, including a diamond wedding ring, a class ring, two other diamond rings, two gold necklaces and two gold earrings.
About $220 in change was also reported stolen, reports say.
The same day, a 45-year-old man reported being away from his apartment in the 900 block of Helmsdale between 6:20 a.m. and 8:20 p.m. He told police he returned home and found his third-floor apartment door broken into.
Reports say the apartment was ransacked and a 37-inch television, a stereo, speaker and CD player were stolen.
Someone broke a door window, reached in and unlocked the back door. A door leading to the third floor had pry marks and the deadbolt was still engaged, leading police to believe it was pried open.
A neighbor told police she heard someone inside the apartment between 12:10 p.m. and 1:10 p.m.
Two residences in the 2200 block of Bellfield Road were also burglarized. In one, a 65-year-old woman reported she arrived home and found a back glass door shattered. Nothing was reported stolen, but police collected three shards of glass with blood on them.
The other Bellfield resident told police someone smashed a back glass door and unlocked the door. The resident reported her laptop stolen.
A 49-year-old woman also reported her home in the 2200 block of Grandview Avenue was broken into. Police found broken eggs on the kitchen floor and counter and jewelry boxes were thrown on the floor.
Reports say someone ransacked the home. The woman reported a rosary was stolen.


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Eat, drink, learn
In times past, people attempted to cook off the TV. They would try, usually unsuccessfully, to pick new culinary tricks off such kitchen showmen as Yan Martin (Yan Can Cook) and Sanjeev Kapoor (Khana Khazana ), but, of course, they couldn't keep up in real time. Then along came the MasterChef series, and it won for culinary viewing a wider parish - people young and old, with or without a KitchenAid. What MasterChef did was whet our collective appetite. We were suddenly awakened to the fact that cooking could be exciting and entertaining. But we now yearned to get closer to actually cooking (not just gawking at) harisa chicken skewers and Greek ribs, champagne savarin and eggplant chutney. Along came the restaurant-sponsored master class.
The master class - traditionally a class for advanced students conducted by a specialist - has been a recent addition to a restaurant's offerings and it brings foodies right to the kitchen table. The executive or sous chef takes the class, picks a couple of dishes off the existing menu, or chooses from a selection about to debut, clears up space in the dining area, sets up a makeshift kitchen and gets to work. Guests are usually given copies of the recipes exhibited, and get to eat the results. The concept - which has become fairly successful - works on several counts: those keen on cooking get a ringside view of experts tackling a sophisticated item, the restaurant draws custom and a potential clientele, and a good time is hopefully had by all. "People are always curious to know how to make a dish, although cooking at home is different from cooking at a restaurant, " points out Rahul Akerkar, managing director of deGustibus Hospitality, which runs the Indigo chain in Bombay.
CMYK, the concept bookstore with attached cafê which is run by Roli Books, introduced themed master classes early this year for adults and children, including workshops on baking, on easy exotic desserts, low-cal health food like summer salads and quick-fixes for professionals and singles on the go. Anjali Bakaya, head of retail for Roli Books, explains the trend, saying, "People are getting more experimental with new cuisines and recipes, both in cooking and dining. "
The attendance, depending on the size of the restaurant, and the nature of the demo, ranges from 15 to 35 individuals. Some of the master classes are ticketed events, with prices in the vicinity of Rs 1, 000 to Rs 1, 500. Busaba, a pan-Asian chain in Bombay has what it calls the Live Cookout, where Nikhil Chib, owner and executive chef, cooks up some of his signature dishes like satay, Mee Goreng, and such like.
Roshmin Mehandru, who looks after PR and marketing for Busaba, says they often have to turn people away, such is the turnout. At its five-course cooking demo and lunch, priced at Rs 1, 600 a head, guests are given more than a run-through of the recipes. They are taken through each dish, familiarised with the recipe, explained the ingredients and unique tastes they offer and introduced to the technique and secrets of what makes the dish perfect.
Master classes work well as promotional tools too. In June, website Brown Paper Bag and The Four Seasons in Mumbai held a dim sum-making workshop to promote the hotel's new dim sum chef, Xiao Feng Shi. While The Four Seasons only occasionally does such master classes, it does hold private cooking classes for small groups. These are custom-made classes that cost about Rs 5, 000 a person for a three-hour session. "You tell us what you want to learn, " says executive chef Clinton Cooper. "For some reason people are obsessed with macaroons, cupcakes and tiramisu. " Whatever the dish, there's now a class teaching you how to master it.
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While temperatures today might indeed tickle 80 degrees, don't expect such unseasonable warmth to last much longer.
By Friday, daytime highs will be in the low 60s after a cold front pushes through the region late Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service at State College.
Until then, enjoy. Patchy fog this morning is to give way to mostly sunny skies, with the high near 80 degrees - 14 degrees above normal, forecasters said. The record high for Oct. 13 is 85 degrees, set in 1954.
Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with the high near 79 degrees as high pressure continues to control the region's weather, forecasters said.
Forecasters said Wednesday will be mostly sunny and a bit cooler, with the high near 76 degrees before the cold front starts to roll in.
Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy, with a 20 percent of showers. The chance of rain increases to 30 percent on Thursday, with the high near 70 degrees, forecasters said.
Forecasters said Friday will be mostly sunny and cold, with the high near 63 degrees.
For the weekend, expect partly-sunny skies on Saturday, with the high near 61 degrees. Sunday will be sunny, with the high again near 61 degrees, forecasters said.


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A&E identifies itself as a "champion" of gays,
lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.
Well, how about that,
Satan. You've found yourself a solid supporter. Someone who can
help push down America into the dark pits.
But, A&E, you can
fire a million people. You can have a large part of our nation on your
side who agree with your efforts to supports gays. But, folks, here is the
news flash. That battle has been raging long before this crowd ever stood up and cried political correctness.
It is called the
battle of good and evil.
You can make people feel good about their sinful
lifestyle. All the judges in the country can smash the rules down.
You can pass law after law to protect those seeking evil.
But you cannot
change the Bible. You cannot do away with God's word.
Man can add
to God's word, man can take away from God's word, but they do so at their own
May God have mercy upon our country, as we stray further from the Bible in the name of doing good.
George W. WellsHuntsville


text:
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County offices move into remodeled courthouse
The long-awaited carting of files and pushing of handtrucks began Friday as county officials moved from their various temporary offices into a remodeled Island County Courthouse in Coupeville.
Initiated last spring, the $1.9 million remodel, which was planned by county engineer Jill Wood, creates eight separate county offices. Many of the offices, such as the assessor's, are more spacious than before. The courthouse building was also retrofitted to be earthquake resistant, with outer walls being extended to twice their previous thickness.
"I think in general people are pleased with the building," said Public Works Director Bill Oakes Thursday.
The original structure was built in 1947 and, as the main county building, served a variety of functions. Along with housing all county offices, the courthouse also had a jail on the bottom floor. It was remodeled once before, in 1973, at the same time the Island County Annex across the street was built. The project gutted a large boiler room to create more office space. More recently, the county installed an elevator in the building.
During this most recent phase of remodeling the courthouse, offices such as those for the treasurer, auditor and assessor have been scattered around the county campus in trailers and temporary office spaces. The redesign also created new offices for county commissioners, who have been located in the brown Kaul Building on Main Street for years. That building will now become an annex for juvenile services.
Much of Wood's design is public friendly, with offices laid out to expedite government services. For instance, the unique layout of the treasurer's office, with its windowed cubicles and front-facing desks, gives workers full visibility of the public service desk.
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WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (www.incnow.tv) -- Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal snowmobile accident that occurred around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Justin Hinen, 21, or Columbia City died as the result of a snowmobile accident. According to a report from the Department of Natural Resources, Hinen was driving one of two snowmobiles headed west on CR 200 N just west of CR 150 W, when he intentionally left the roadway and continued across an open field. The snowmobile struck a multi-stranded wire fence that encloses a livestock pasture.
The other driver saw the accident and immediately called 911. Hinen was unconscious and unresponsive when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. CPR was initiated but all life-saving attempts were unsuccessful and Hinen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The report states that the cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma to the neck but an autopsy will determine the exact cause later Wednesday.
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text:
Marcus Losbjer and Stefan Zell formed Wolverine in 1995, and before long Stefan's younger brother Mikael joined the band. In the early days the band played melodic death metal, but by the time Wolverine recorded the band's fourth demo, Fervent Dream, the music had evolved into melodic progressive metal mixed with some "growl-vocals", an element kept since the band's earlier days. Shortly after the release of Fervent Dream the band was signed by Zizania Entertainment Group. Through Zizania the band released a partly re-recorded version of Fervent Dream as a mini-CD in November 1999. That same month they also performed outside Sweden for the first time in their career. Fervent Dream was received amazingly well by both media and audience. The band got amazing reviews and the CD soon sold out.
During 2000 the band signed on to a label called Emerald Factory, which resulted in a re-release of Fervent Dream in April 2001. In July 2001, the band recorded their debut full-length album The Window Purpose at Spacelab studio in Kempen, Germany, together with Oliver Philipps and Christian "Moschus" Moos, both members of progressive metal band Everon. In the autumn of 2001, the band parted ways with Emerald Factory and it was decided that the album would be released through DVS Records instead. A new bassplayer, Thomas Jansson, also joined the band at this time since Stefan had decided to focus solely on vocals. The Window Purpose received an overwhelming reception by the fans and media. Wolverine also did a short European tour together with Canadian band Into Eternity.
In 2002 the band signed to Elitist Records, a sub-label of Earache Records. Wolverine recorded Cold light of Monday during 2003. It proved that Wolverine was a band that wasn't afraid to try out different approaches with their music. The album scored high points in several of Europe's leading music magazines. 2005 saw the re-release of The Window Purpose, remastered and with a newly recorded version of the song "Again", which originally appeared on Fervent Dream. During the summer of 2005 the band, once again, went to Germany and the Spacelab studio to record the album Still. During the recording sessions Wolverine and Earache Records parted ways, but the band soon signed on to Candlelight Records for the release of Still in June 2006. During spring that same year Per Henriksson joined Wolverine as the band's new keyboard player.
Still proved to be a huge success for the band. The album earned some great reviews (amongst them Wolverine's first 5/5 in Kerrang! magazine) and sold better than any of the band's previous albums. Wolverine also did a short UK tour together with Anathema in September 2006.
Due to some complicated personal developments within the band during 2007/2008 Wolverine almost came to a halt. However, the band performed occasional gigs and continued to write new material, but it all went really slow and the chemistry within the band wasn't very good. Time, as well as the process of writing songs, healed wounds that needed to be healed and it was soon obvious that the new material was far too good to be forgotten on a few demo-tapes. The band decided to record what would become Communication Lost, the band's fifth studio effort.
The recording of the album took place on various locations around Sweden during the first half of 2010, and it was mixed by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Denmark. Once the album was mastered by Eroc the release date for Communication Lost was set to May 23, 2011.


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Admission: Step 7
Admission notification
You will receive notification of your admission status via PCC email in July 2016. Applicants who have been conditionally accepted into the program will be invited to a mandatory orientation on July 19 or 20th. A basic oral communication skills assessment will be administered at the orientation. Students who attend the orientation and pass the communication assessment will be officially admitted to the program.
Applicants who qualify, but do not have the top points for admission will be notified of their status as a program alternate. Often, alternates are eventually selected for the program. Alternates will be listed in order of points, and in the case of students receiving the same points, the order of applications were received by admissions.