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By Angela Peacock
One of the world's greatest natural wonders can be found in New Mexico at White Sands National Monument.
"White Sands is so unique because there is no other place like it on the planet and it is home to some of the most outstanding scenery you'll ever see," said John Mangimeli, chief of interpretation for White Sands National Monument, located in Alamogordo.
At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies the Tularosa Basin. In the heart of this basin lies the white sands of New Mexico. Dunes of gypsum sand have covered 275 square miles of desert. This is the worlds largest gypsum dune field. White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of the dune field and the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this harsh environment.
"The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Slowly but relentlessly the sand, driven by strong southwest winds, covers everything in its path," according to the Web site www.nps.gov/whsa.
Within the extremely harsh environment of the dune field, even plants and animals adapted to desert conditions struggle to survive. Only a few species of plants grow rapidly enough to survive burial by moving dunes, but several types of small animals have evolved a white coloration that camouflages them in the gypsum sand.
White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of this gypsum dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this constantly changing environment," Mangimeli said.
The highest dunes at White Sands reach 50 to 60 feet with approximately 4.5 billion tons of sand located at the historical site. Mangimeli said there is much more to White Sands than just sand.
"People can have any kind of experience they want to from recreational to spiritual and everything in between," Mangimeli said. "A lot of people are just in awe at the scenery when they visit here they don't expect to see what they actually do see."


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This is a Hubble Advanced Camera for Surveys image of the globular star cluster Omega Centauri. This image was used in a zoom animation highlighting the Omega Centauri Hubble release image.
Object Name: Omega Centauri
Image Type: Astronomical/Illustration/Annotated
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
To access available information and downloadable versions of images in this news release, click on any of the images below:

subset: commoncrawl


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|Harakani DM
|Tarek Madrysian
@DM - How realistic with the gear, I've got 10gp (picking clothing, mostly)... is a place to stay assumed? And, we're urban... so the usual rations, tent, winter blanket, etc... don't much apply unless we "know" we're going into the "country"?
@Gang members - Gang name, anyone... "The Unseen Hand"?
|Aku Markas
|Treize Seischiro
Word all.
First of all thanks for choosing me to join. I hope that Treize does not disappoint. Also, congrats to everyone else ^^
I'll start finalizing my stats and what not. Oh! Combat...how do you plan on handling initiative Harakani?
For the name of the gang...well, that depends mostly on what makes us a gang: i.e. are we mostly thieves and pickpockets? Or are we more so like some kind of drug pushers? For the former type of gang, Unseen Hand makes sense. To the latter...not as much. Overall, however, the Unseen Hand is fine by me. Maybe a bit Adam Smthy...but not enough that I really care XP
|Weyland Piper
Checking in. Think my profile is good to go.
As for gang name, I personally think that a gang of teenagers would be pick the most ridiculous, over the top, don't mess with us name they could think of i.e. The Flaming Tarrasques, The Belly Slitters, or The Bloody Knives.
I don't actually mind "The Grandchildren" or maybe "The Witch's Familiars"
In the end I don't think it really matters, as this campaign is supposed to span years. I'm sure the name will change over time as the organization expands.
Sorry about double post, but we should start considering inter-group ties as well (since we all know each other, presumably).
For Nicator, I can see him being relatively close with Anton, given Anton's own dark "patron," and the interest in research that both have. He could possibly know Anton's sage friend as well, and use him as a source of books and research into his patron.
I'm not sure about the connection between Nic, Shaezon, and Aku. I could see them being a fairly tight-knit group as the arcane casters of the bunch, or having some sort of rivalry, given the different sources of magic that they have. He might also know Shaezon's librarian friend, and use him as a potential source of books and such as well. Hell, maybe Nic and Shaezon play chess (or Golarion equivalent) to pass the time--they're both fairly intelligent. Aku might be taking an interest in Gamil (the kid Nic looks out for), as he is also a budding sorcerer of some sort.
Not sure about his relationship with the other three. Nic and Weyland both lack clear memories of life before coming to the City, so maybe they commiserate about that. Treize, Weyland, and Tarek all seem like leadery types (frickin' rogues wanting to run the city....), if there's friction between them, maybe each is fairly close with one of the arcane folks? If not, I could see them working as the leaders of the gang--Treize running intelligence/pickpocketing, Tarek working on a more legal business front, and Weyland running the muscle.
Just throwing out some ideas, based my impressions of the group after a quick read through of background, goals, etc. Let me know what you all think, or if this differs from your image of the gang, DM Harakani.
Edit: Gah, Weyland snuck in there while I was typing. Well, at least that means I didn't double post.
Edit 2: Gah! Forgot Einar--miscounted by thinking "Oh, there's Anton, 3 casters, and the three rogues, adding up to 7 people besides Nic." Also not sure about Einar's relationship with Nic, but he seems like another potential leadery type, running the muscle alongside Weyland, perhaps.
|Tarek Madrysian
Campaign content wise... not trying to censor anything, but would appreciate staying away from "wetworks" and child prostitution (anything that violates children, really).
Not sure how everyone else feels about that. We're supposed to be mature, but still only 13-16 years old.
And, for the record... never want to rule the city, just be infuential. :)
Relationship wise, Tarek has only been around for about a year or so... newly returned and working as his grandfather's coffee house. No one wanted to shorten "Starknife and Buckler" to Starbuck?
Tarek is a little aloof, but when you speak to him his attention is all yours. He seems to like books and to discuss issues of morality and ethics. How things "ought to be".
More in a bit...
|Aku Markas
If all goes well Aku's position in group will change dramatically over time. While he has fairly modest ambitions at the moment, things will change once his bloodline kicks in more as his behaviour will become more like an Oni.
Beyond that Aku is a perfect face. Once you look beyond the tattoos and the weird hair he actually is quite agreeable, though he can also be very threatening.
As far as the arcane caster thing goes, Aku doesn't really care about all that. All he knows is that his abilities are tied to his nightmares and as such there are times where he'd rather lose them altogether.
EDIT: Depends on what you see as exploitation. I think child labor is pretty much as given as far as I can see, but I also think that's the farthest it will goes. Unless you count us getting hurt as molestation.
|Harakani DM
|Harakani DM
|Tarek Madrysian
The Unseen Hand is a reference to a v3.5 Prestige Class from The Complete Warrior... at least that's where I heard it and it stuck.
Child labor seems to be a given, yes. And "period appropriate" for most fantasy RPG settings. I was thinking more along the lines of avoiding child... prostitution, slavery, physical, mental and emotional abuse/molestation.
So, were a gang that's coming together. Are we all origially from the same district?
|Aku Markas
..slavery, physical, mental and emotional abuse/molestation.
A little too late there, that actually already happened to Aku. The perpetrators were Oni though, so evil beyond redemption. Basically he was a slave to Oni and was tortured while they tutored him. He doesn't remember anything though, not yet at least.
|Treize Seischiro
Well, I was thinking that Aku and Treize have rather the same common enemy. Both of us have an enemy in a small brutal gang (I happened to call mine the crows and describe a human, but that's somewhat secondary, imo) and it could easily be tweaked so that the guy who Treize has an issue with is the same as who Aku has issues with.
Like Nictar, Treize also has a thirst for knowledge insofar as he hold knowledge to be power. That is the one undeniable truth for Treize. While his interests are really in moreso...tactically useful information as opposed to secret arcane mysteries of the universe...maybe the two have some kind of respect for each other's methods or some such?
I see a somewhat...love/hate relationship between Treize and Weyland. A sort of constant competition between them with each of them trying to one up the other on some daring thiefy/assassiny feat thing or another.
Also...to the other Elves/races with weird aging charts: have we decided on what kind of age scaling we're doing? Are we saying we're our races equivalent of Human sixteen (so Treize would be 100 and change?)? Or are we just having it be like a flat 16 all around (and we explain away that age difference saying its 'discovery' time or something)?
And I do somewhat need to know how combat/initiative is going to work as it pertains to the traits I pick up. Like, are we all rolling individual initiatives to determine combat order? Or are you just taking our average initiative scores as our 'default' initiative roll and we all act at the same time, together?
Feat: Likely Weapon Finesse. Possibly TWF...but more likely Finesse.
I am somewhat...debating whether to drop CON to 10 and upping INT to 16. Mechanically, I know this is le dumb. BUT in terms of real RP flavour, I feel like Treize's INT should be higher. Also, while I hate playing this game because I know there's no way to say this without sounding whiney...I think that point gap between Humans and non-Humans is a bit much. I mean, compare these preliminary stats with those of Weyland in the recruitment thread. Same class, and I have racial bonuses to the stats that are important for a rogue. However, he still manages to crank out 20 DEX, and have enough points left over to kick his WIS up to 12.
I understand the reason why there's the stat difference (people shouldn't have to feel obligated to play a particular race to play their class effectively), but that said, 5 points really does kinda gimp any non-human a lot. In fact, if I weren't already conceptually committed to Treize being an Elf, there would have zero reason to roll up anything but a Human. If you like, the problem has simply become reversed: now the only way to play any class effectively is to be a Human. Thus I ask you reconsider that rule.
Also, I promise this'll be the only time I raise this issue.
I'd prefer if at this point the gang is a little unfocussed beyond defence. Individual members may do some questionable things to bring in money, but I'd like to start the game with the gang starting to really crystallise, rather than being an existent force.
Gotcha, I'll keep that in mind. Tarek, Aku, agreed on avoiding child prostitution, slavery, abuse, etc.
Tarek, I didn't catch the name of the coffee shop. Well played.
Aku, fair enough. Nic has probably pestered Aku for knowledge once or twice, but not too much.
Treize, mutual respect sounds good. Information is always good to have, although Nic's tastes tend toward the arcane. Nic might have also introduced Eris to Marcus Laertes Jeggare, who is a young bard and Nic's outside contact.
|Weyland Piper
Personally, the first thing I thought of when I saw this campaign was the movie "Mobsters"(which if you haven't seen, I recommend) a buch of street smart kids band together, gain strength and eventually take over.
Here's to hoping that our PCs don't all end up dead or in the lockup.
As to what sources of income we want to tap into, I agree with not having anything to do with the trafficking of children of any kind. Other than that, I say let the market forces decide where our best interests lie.
|Treize Seischiro
|Aku Markas
Oh I definitely agree shouldn't do anything along the lines of child traficking, I was merely stating that where abuse it's concerned Aku already has had his fair share, and probably more.
That does sound good Treize.
As for Nic, also sounds good though there isn't a whole lot Aku knows.
Other things would be that if any of you happens to have a tattoo Aku could have done it or he would at least comment on it (if visible). As far as his own tattoos go, he'd happily explain most of them, though he can't tell where to two lines on his face come from or what they mean nor does he know where he got the bird, but he'll animate it to show off (it's his familiar)
Another thing is that it's likely he would have been sent to get people out of trouble with the law whenever Grandmother was otherwise occupied, simply because he's a smooth talker.
|Harakani DM
The way I figured I could do 8 people was through streamlining combat.
I'd like to post the bad guys, then have people post in whatever order they like. Next day (or earlier if everyone is done, I guess) I do the next bad guy's turn.
If people can be a little flexible in stating what they're doing should be fine.
People who don't post I'll default to a safe action like going full defence, but I'll try to be flexible if people can give warning.
What that means for initiative is that I'd like to do group on group. I was thinking everyone gets a roll and I take the highest, but I like the "average" idea better :)
It does down-power Improved Initiative a little though.
Sound ok?
|Treize Seischiro
|Harakani DM
@Treize Fair enough :)
@Aku different places have different rules on weapons.
@Tarek my model was oliver twist. Some kids do have it hard, but I'd like to keep it at a bit of a distance. Wetwork wise I had thought the group might end up doing it. Grandmother loves kids and is pretty NG, so she'd be heartbroken if "her kids" ended up hurting kids or being psychopaths.
|Tarek Madrysian
There's a lot of gray, more than fifty shades.
Teens killing people for money seems a bit advanced. Maybe at mid levels? Also, there's being sanctioned by some branch of authority to take out a known threat to the public (known Evil). And, there's killing some councilman's husband or wife to sway a vote, so that some shady businessman can expand his business.
I wouldn't mind being in bed with the authorities and be paid to do what they are not allowed to or can't be associated with. IMF, CIA. The would also turn a blind eye to some of our less offensive lines of business.
I'll RP whatever comes up.
|Weyland Piper
I'm leaning more towards getting into the protection/extortion racket, throwing in a little prostitution (which is probably legal anyways) and gambling
Then again, it's not like we need to reflect reality. We do have a 16 year old sensei after all.
|Tarek Madrysian
|Anton Vitruvian
Oops, didn't see the discussion thread was up. Here is Anton.
I got rid of the "Eyes and Ears of the City" trait since it seems to be directly related to the worship of Abadar and being part of the City Watch. Ended up changing the skills around a bit as a result. I replaced it with "Reactionary" which seems to fit with he and his sister being bullied, but might go with something else if Initiative has less meaning.
The questions are also in the profile although I had trouble with the mid and long term goals since they may depend on what he finds out in his shorter term goals.
I agree with Nicator's thought with his penchant for research being in line with Anton's.
Shaezon seems to like the library as much as Anton, and they both seem to work there. Perhaps the Shaezon's Barnabe and Anton's near-crazy Sage friend are either the same person, or are themselves aquaintances.
Can't really say much about the others at the moment.
Nicator updated. Swapped out Evil Eye for Healing Hex and picked up some basic equipment (i.e. Spell Component Pouch, Quarterstaff, sling and bullets). I might adjust his current spells known slightly--Beguiling Gift is neat, but not really that necessary right now, methinks.
Also adjusted current spells prepped--Obscuring Mist and Sleep are both flavorful, given the pickpocketing he helps Gamil engage in, and useful.
|Weyland Piper
Nicator, healing hex kinda sucks, it can only be used once per 24hrs per person. You'll get more milage out of just CLW. If you were the only source of healing, then I guess I could understand, but we have an oracle as well.
If you feel like healing, take Cauldron instead. Brew potion gives you more flexibility and potions aren't too shabby at low levels.
Hrrm. Here was my thought on it: it takes a hex slot, but frees up general spell slots for both myself and Anton. With healing hex, I free up resources for both myself and Anton--myself by freeing up spell slots for other things (more sleep, mist, etc.), and Anton by freeing up some of his spell slots for more inflictions and murderous commands. This seems particularly useful as we have a large party with only one person who could healbot--if more than 3 people take damage in a single day, we'd have to wait to fix them up, which could potentially be problematic. Additionally, HHex can serve to smite undead 1/day each, according to the errata on the SRD. Don't know how often we'll hit undead at this level, but a little smiting can't hurt.
As far as Cauldron, I didn't really look at it initially. I'm not sure that it would do any good at this level. Our characters are dirt poor--if I read the ad correctly, we all have minimum starting gold, which is all of 30 GP for me. By the time we hit level 2, it might be that they're a bit better off, making Cauldron a good investment at that point.
All that being said, I'll think about it. HHex is much less useful past level 3 or so. I hadn't really looked at Cauldron before, in part because I usually don't deal with magical item crafting, but I'll consider it. It's definitely more useful in the long run ("Whee, level 15 and I can heal everyone for 13 HP at most! Go healing hex!" vs. "Hey, cheap buffs!"), but we need to survive to get there. Hell, having Evil Eye for now and then picking up Cauldron at level 2 might be the way to go--increase survival now by debuffing, and then brew potions when it's more economically viable (Damn you, unseen hand!).
On a random note, I looked at Gamil's name in my post above, and read "Gmail" for a moment. Huh.
|Harakani DM
Remember the house rules dropped caster level requirements on all crafting feats. Tarek could take Craft Staff as a 1st level feat and start working on his Staff of Passage, and he doesn't even have a caster level. This reduces the utility of Brew Potion as a means of getting potions earlier.
Healing Hex qualifies for Accursed hex, which means if you use it to zap an undead and they save for half, then they become eligible to be hit again. I was going to say that it doesn't qualify for healing people despite RAW, but if people think healing hex is that underpowered I might be persuaded to allow it. ie save to resist half allows being hit for full on a second round.
Healing hex is less useful at level 15, unless you have some reason to be doing cleric-scale mass healing. I'll understand if Nic wants to scale it back a little and just get some CLW spells.
Can someone check my understanding: a hedge witch gains spontaneous healing at 1st level in exchange for the not getting as 4th level hex.
|Weyland Piper
@DM:Don't you still need to be able to cast the required spells to make the item? Because if not, everyone should be taking a craft feat a first level.
@Nicator: I'm just biased against in combat healing. As soon as we get some scratch together, we can just grab a wand of CLW and top up between encounters. 9/10 if your option is to heal me or cast slumber on the person about to hit me, you're better off casting slumber.
On the other hand , stabilize is one of the better healing cantrips out there.
|Harakani DM
@Weyland: spells used in creation can by cast by someone else, or ignored at +5 Caster Level. Items that stipulate a required caster level (like crafting a flesh golem) cannot have that requirement bypassed. So only someone with a caster level can craft a magic weapon, but anyone can take craft magic arms & armour.
Remember this is a high magic world - a level 9 spellcasting metropolis. It's pretty easy to find items of 16k or less, the feat just lets you create it for half or create very expensive custom items.
The DC for the spellcraft roll is usually pretty high.
|Harakani DM
|Aku Markas
I'll be picking up Craft Wondrous Item for sure, just not sure when. Probably 5th.
As for healing hex, I think we'd indeed be better of with just healing spells. I'll even pick up the Infernal Healing spell if we're really desperate (at lvl 2 that is). The smite on the other hand, might actually turn healing hex into something worthwhile.
|Harakani DM
Shaezon seems to like the library as much as Anton, and they both seem to work there. Perhaps the Shaezon's Barnabe and Anton's near-crazy Sage friend are either the same person, or are themselves aquaintances.
My preference is for aquaintaces.
Note regards profession - people do not necessarily have a paying job with their profession at this time. It might earn pocket money, or more likely access to resources.
At this time the characters are more "apprentices", but ready to start earning a living.
Once you set up working in your profession you'll get to make the normal roll, but finding and keeping a job that pays well is a goal in itself. (Albeit probably a fairly easy one)
|Anton Vitruvian
I'm OK, with some other form of healing, whether it be through hex or other spells. I've somewhat gimped my spell selection due to my curse since I'll need the Inflict spells to heal myself and Cure spells for the rest of the group. I was tempted to have Infernal Healing instead of CLW since that would be useful for everyone (just not as instant). I might still go there before we start, or just swap out the Cure at level 4 when I get the 2nd level spells.
I do like the idea of picking up some wands when we can afford them. Or even scrolls would work too.
|Tarek Madrysian
I'd propose that lower levels are transient and the quickest to get by. I'd suggest NOT giving up higher level class features.
Let's play it smart and just deal. That's the backdrop for the entire game. All things being equal, theres 8 of us... We'll figure something out.
|Weyland Piper
@Anton:Oracles get the cure or inflict spells for free on top of their selected spells
In addition to the spells gained by oracles as they gain levels, each oracle also adds all of either the cure spells or the inflict spells to her list of spells known (cure spells include all spells with "cure" in the name, inflict spells include all spells with "inflict" in the name). These spells are added as soon as the oracle is capable of casting them. This choice is made when the oracle gains her first level and cannot be changed.
|Anton Vitruvian
@Weyland. Yeah, the free spell thing is quite handy and I've included it in my spell selection. My point was that one 'feature' of my curse makes Inflict spells cure me and Cure spells harm me. This means I'll need a slot (or the free choice) as something that heals me (e.g. Inflict or Infernal Healing) and a separate slot (or the free choice) as something that heals the party (e.g. Cure or Infernal Healing), which leaves one slot free for some other spell.
Flavour-wise, the Inflict spells as the freebie makes sense (Black blood, Dark Tapestry, etc.) and that's the direction I took, so that means one of my other spell slots will be needed for the Cure spell. And that's something that could be swapped out for the higher level version of the spell (so at 4th, when I get access to 2nd level spells, drop Cure Light for Cure Moderate, and pick a different 1st level spell).
I might need to revise some of my stats so that my combat effectiveness isn't relegated to Inflict/Cure spells. Maybe a higher Dex for ranged attacks, or Strength and a reach weapon. I'm leaning towards the former.
|Weyland Piper
Man I just read up on the black blooded curse. You sir are a glutton for punishment.
You take a -4 to dex based skill checks, so I would go with str and reach. Really though, you should probably just stay out of melee and use gift of madness
Are we still waiting on anyone to check in?
|Anton Vitruvian
Lol, yeah. A lot of pain for not so much gain.
One of the reasons I was thinking to bump the Dex was to help mitigate the penalty to things we may need (like Stealth), increase AC, and to maybe stay out of melee (unless I need to use those touch attacks) and go with ranged attacks since they aren't affecte by the -4.
Then again some kind of pole arm could be pretty cool. Nice visuals. Maybe I'll go with that. Keeps me in the middle in case there is a need for some healing too. Hmm, now I'm leaning towards the STR side of things...
I guess it could depend too on what the rest of the team are doing. Will it be like one big mosh pit or will there be folks hanging back for some precision shooting?
|Aku Markas
Aku will start in the back to eventually fly above it all. I'll most likely turn him into a blaster (with control via Dazing Spell). He'll also be using quite some illusions and things like Alter Self.
If the GM allows Wildblooded bloodlines via Eldritch Heritage he'll be very tough eventually though.
Hrrm. I think I will prep a CLW or two each day in lieu of healing hex--should be enough to cover general healing needs if we're smart and sneaky, and the heal skill will help fill in any long-term gaps.
As far as hexes, here's a rough sketch of what I'm thinking of right now:
1: Bonus Feat: Accursed Hex
1: Feat: Extra Hex: Evil Eye
1: Slumber
2: Cauldron
3 Extra Hex: Flight
4: Misfortune
5+: TBD--probably Extra Hex: Cackle. Still plenty of solid hexes at this point--Scar, Fortune, Charm, Tongues, etc.
This should give Nicator plenty of utility for now, while prepping spells that allow him to help a fair bit with healing.
I'll make a final decision about Cauldron at level 2--depending on how the group is doing so far, what has happened to the group (maybe it will make good RP sense at that point), etc. I'll probably pick up some more item creation feats as time goes on as well. For now, I'll snag a Healer's Kit and swap Stabilize into my cantrips memorized.
|Tarek Madrysian
|Weyland Piper
@nicator I would get cackle earlier evil eye + cackle lets you debuff infinite enemies. You could dump cauldron unless you're into it for roleplay reasons.
@Anton I don't think we have any dedicated martial ranged characters. Weyland will probably throw his knives at first level, but after that he'll be a bit of a switch hitter. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about DPS if you don't want to, there is 8 PCs, you afford to specialize however you want to.
|Anton Vitruvian
I'm not looking for DPS. I just want to be able to contribute to being something other than a wet noodle after running out of madness and/or spells. Maybe a reach weapon with trip or something (although I'd need to snag the proficiency). I suppose at 3 when I get a Heritage Feat, I'll have a different set of attacks and so be less reliant on weapons, so it might be moot. I'll ponder things.
Oh and Neutral Good. I figure I'll need to try to stay in the Good range or risk falling into the temptation of siding with the Elder Gods, Old Ones and other monstrosities. That way lies madness.
|Weyland Piper
You could ask the DM if you can take the Heirloom weapon trait it non-core, but from a paizo product. It can give you a weapon proficiency and could fit in well with fluff of the campaign.
The problem with combat maneuvers is that you really need to focus on them, for them to be effective.
I noticed that you have intimidate as a trained skill, so don't forget that you can demoralize them in combat, shaken is a pretty good debuff. So there's always that.
|Tarek Madrysian
|Shaezon Silverfall
|Shaezon Silverfall
Well, I was thinking that Aku and Treize have rather the same common enemy. Both of us have an enemy in a small brutal gang (I happened to call mine the crows and describe a human, but that's somewhat secondary, imo) and it could easily be tweaked so that the guy who Treize has an issue with is the same as who Aku has issues with.
Like Nictar, Treize also has a thirst for knowledge insofar as he hold knowledge to be power. That is the one undeniable truth for Treize. While his interests are really in moreso...tactically useful information as opposed to secret arcane mysteries of the universe...maybe the two have some kind of respect for each other's methods or some such?
I see a somewhat...love/hate relationship between Treize and Weyland. A sort of constant competition between them with each of them trying to one up the other on some daring thiefy/assassiny feat thing or another.
Also...to the other Elves/races with weird aging charts: have we decided on what kind of age scaling we're doing? Are we saying we're our races equivalent of Human sixteen (so Treize would be 100 and change?)? Or are we just having it be like a flat 16 all around (and we explain away that age difference saying its 'discovery' time or something)?
And I do somewhat need to know how combat/initiative is going to work as it pertains to the traits I pick up. Like, are we all rolling individual initiatives to determine combat order? Or are you just taking our average initiative scores as our 'default' initiative roll and we all act at the same time, together?
** spoiler omitted **...
Shae is about 100.
|Shaezon Silverfall
Remember the house rules dropped caster level requirements on all crafting feats. Tarek could take Craft Staff as a 1st level feat and start working on his Staff of Passage, and he doesn't even have a caster level. This reduces the utility of Brew Potion as a means of getting potions earlier.
Ohh! I didn't quite make that connection. I'll be taking Wondrous at earliest opportunity. Any other such feats are maybes'.


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INGREDIENTS:24 beef loin, top sirloin butt steaks, boneless, 1-inch thick (IMPS/NAMP 1184B) 48 slices tomato bread as needed, butter, softened 48 lettuce leaves 48 tomato slices 48 bacon slices, cooked crisp, drainedBlack Pepper Mayonnaise: 3 cups mayonnaise ¼ cup cracked black pepperDIRECTIONS:For each sandwich, to order, grill one steak to desired doneness. Cut into very thin slices; keep hot. Lightly spread both sides of two bread slices with butter. Grill or griddle both sides until ...
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On Second Thought is a one-hour, daily news talk show that airs at 9 a.m. ET weekdays.
A profile of "Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell. Includes re-creations based on her letters, and explores how racial issues affected her life. Tuesday, December 6 at 9 PM
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Choose the period
Today, my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary. I had cooked him a romantic meal and we were planning on eating it in front of the fire. This would have gone great had I not forgotten to unblock the chimney. My entire basement filled with smoke and didn't clear for three hours. FML
by anonymous / 01/30/2013 at 11:02pm / Canada (Ontario) / Miscellaneous
Today, after I finally laid down from a long day and was about to fall asleep, I realized I forgot to set my alarm. I don't own an alarm clock and my alarm is on my phone. Which was in my car. I live on 15th floor of an apartment building and our parking garage is across the street. FML
by Anonymous / 01/03/2013 at 12:02am / United States (Texas) / Miscellaneous
Today, I was moving into my new apartment. The previous owner had refused to move out until today, and when I got there, I realized I didn't have a key. I was about to call him when I found out I didn't need to; he took the door. FML
by jeoak / 01/30/2013 at 12:25pm / India / Miscellaneous
Today, my dad has decided to that as a New Year's resolution, he's going to strive to wear pants less often. It's only been an hour and I can already tell it's going to be a long year. FML
by why? / 01/01/2013 at 12:41am / United States (New Jersey) / Miscellaneous
Today, I went and bought lunch for all the people I work with. The only meal the place forgot was mine. FML
by me / 01/22/2013 at 1:49pm / United States (Massachusetts) / Work
Today, I was the last person in line for going on the bus. Incidentally, I was right behind a guy way taller and wider than me. When he got on the bus, the bus driver immediately shut the door behind him. I was left outside chasing after the bus. FML
by Anonymous / 01/16/2013 at 1:42am / Transportation
Today, I found out that my son told my daughter at some point that "real" name for Hershey's Kisses is "blowjobs." I found this out because at kindergarten she was asked what her favorite food was. The teacher wasn't happy when she called me. FML
by Grant / 01/10/2013 at 7:51pm / United States / Kids
Today, my boyfriend of over a year told me he wanted to learn Korean before Spanish. Apparently, being able to sing along to Gangnam Style is more important to him than being able to speak with my family. FML
by Latina / 01/11/2013 at 5:24am / United States (Arizona) / Love
Today, I took a taxi ride with my friends. As we were getting out, I paid the taxi driver. With a grin, he drove away fast. It turns out my friend had already paid. FML
by stevenr579 / 01/23/2013 at 6:33pm / Canada (British Columbia) / Transportation
Today, I spent most of my daughter's 8th birthday with her in the hospital while her broken arm was put in a cast. Apparently, my son had told her that some people gained the ability to fly on their 8th birthday before encouraging her to find out by jumping off the slippery slide. FML
by Anonymous / 01/30/2013 at 5:50pm / Australia (Queensland) / Kids
Today, my pants ripped while I was at work. I had to keep my balls to the wall while I dodged customers and edged ever closer to the break room. Before I could call my wife and ask her to bring a new pair, my boss burst in, got pissed, and made me go back out and deal with irate customers. FML
by fuckit / 01/31/2013 at 3:27pm / Italy (Lazio) / Work
Today, my boyfriend came over for a family brunch, during which he told my mother, in vivid detail, how he gets the shits whenever he eats kale chips. FML
by shitty situation / 01/28/2013 at 6:02pm / Canada (Ontario) / Health
Today, my daughter tried to cover up her relapse into pyromania by explaining to me that the reason our carpet caught on fire was because a hot coal somehow worked its way free from the fireplace. Our fireplace is electric. FML
by Anonymous / 01/25/2013 at 1:00pm / Ireland (Dublin) / Kids


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2010 Phillies Cruise Preview
The countdown has begun! Only 2 days until the Phillies Phantastic Cruise sets sail for the Caribbean. Joining us on board will be JC Romero, Shane Victorino, Ryan Madson, Matt Stairs, the Phanatic, former Phillie Greg "The Bull" Luzinski and broadcaster Scott Palmer. I went on the cruise last year as well and it was a blast! Sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, FL, this year we will be stopping at Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Bahamas.
The Phillies events will include photo and autograph sessions, Q&A session, cocktail parties with the Phillies players and more! Here is the video slideshow I put together of last year's cruise:
Larry Andersen went with us last year but was unable to attend this time around. He told me a few months back that he had a lot going on this month, not the least of which is Phillies Phantasy Camp where he will spend an entire week. We will miss him!
While I am away, I will try to post updates and photos as the cruise progresses and as time allows. If anyone else is going, feel free to drop me an email and let me know or just track me down on the boat and say hello!
Photos by Jenn
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
7 Comments
How lucky are you? Wow. Don't I wish I could go on a cruise to the Caribbean with the Yankees. Have a fabulous time and don't drink too many pina coladas!
So cool! Wow. I wish I could go on one of these cruises… I mean, seriously, a CRUISE with your favorite BASEBALL TEAM!!!??? Heaven. Just heaven. Have fun!
OMG Jenn! That is AWESOME! Wish the Dodgers would have a similar cruise!
Looking foward to the report and pics on this year's cruise!
From a fellow cruiser I must say that a cruise in itself is a blast. I couldn't imagine cruising with Astros players/fans. Excellent. I'd say have fun, but that's a given.


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Jumping Hurdles, Making The Grade For A Foreign Worker Visa
By editor • May 5, 2013
Originally published on May 5, 2013 6:03 am
Planet Money's Zoe Chace reports that the immigration overhaul bill proposes doubling the number of skilled-worker visas available to companies that want to hire foreign workers. But the application process is a challenge in itself. (This piece initially aired May 2, 2013, on Morning Edition.)


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There is a text version of the story on the website. Don't have a link but it is www.abcnews.com
There is a text version of the story on the website. Don't have a link but it is www.abcnews.com
That's funny. I was just getting on the forum to tell eveyone! I believe the discussion is.......why is bfing so hard?
It should be interesting!!
what time is that special on?
It's on @ 10:00pm on ABC where I live in Georgia. Assume that would be the same for you.
9:00 pm in Texas. You can search for TV listings on Yahoo yo find out what time in your town
I didn't get to see it.. how was it?
Check out this thread!
Mother to Emily June, b. Sept 18, 2005 and Lucy Quinn, b. 1/20/2012
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
Hunter S. Thompson
Excitement on the Side: Who doesn't love a confident woman with long boobs...
I personally thought the commercials were funny with the pregnant woman riding a mechanical bull and doing log rolling. In my opinion people are taking that commercial too personal. I do agree bf is not for every woman and some women do not have the patience to get through all the trying times. If I had not had my son and I saw that commercial, it would not "SCARE" me into bf.
Here is the link http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2188066&page=1.
I read the story. I didn't see it on 20/20. The story really doesn't say much that we as breastfeeding mothers don't know. America has a long way to come in accepting and supporting breastfeeding moms. It also talks about how the ads make mothers who have chosen formula feel quilty. We all know breastfeeding is best, whether we choose do it or not. It's not the ad making the mom feel quilty. She already felt quilty. I had so much soreness and developed mastitis with my first baby, but that isn't why I switched to formula. It was a lack of support and lack of knowledge about where to find support. Of course I felt quilty. Now that I know how to find support, I hope to help spread the word so that fewer moms have to feel quilty. The story does go on to say that it is that lack of support that the ads need to focus on.


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|Main Arena
|Saturday, June 1, 2013
|6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:00 PM)
|Admission information:
|Free and open to the public.
|Camera policy:
|Cameras are allowed.
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|Video/Audio recording devices are allowed.
|Concession information:
|Concession Stands are closed.
|Disabled patron services:
|All four gates inside the main arena will be designated for disabled patrons and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Due to concourse limitations, the use of Segways as mobility devices are prohibited at this event.
|Accessible gates:
|All Guests enter @ Gate 1 only.
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|Prohibited items:
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|Parking is available adjacent to the O'Connell Center, in the Law School lot, on fraternity row, and at the commuter lot. Parking may be limited, please arrive early.
|Driving directions:
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|Feature Description:
|Santa Fe High School Graduation


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Groundhog Day: Fun facts and fur
Published On: Feb 01 2012 05:38:49 PM PST Updated On: Feb 02 2016 07:44:45 AM PST
Now that Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring, learn a little more about where this Groundhog Day tradition comes from.
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Anitha's Bookshelf: Hyderabad, IndiaMonday, August 12th, 2013
Bookshelf #29:
Anitha Ramkumar
Hyderabad, India
Anitha is Head of School Library Services at TreasureHouse.in , a Children's Library and Experience Center located in Saptaparni, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. She also blogs over at Saffron Tree: a potpourri of book reviews and literary resources for children for a lifelong love of reading. Back in 2009 Anitha blogged about her bookshelves here. Since then she and her family have moved continents and have bookshelves all over the house with the pièce de résistance being this teak, 100 year old bookshelf she inherited.
For details on how to submit a photo of your child's bookshelf to our Around the World in 100 Bookshelves, click here.


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Artemis integrates literature resources from Gale and Literature Criticism Online into a single research environment. Cross-searchable access is provided for all of the collections below:
Miami University has a long and proud tradition of student involvement in both radio and television productions. This exhibit will celebrate five decades of students in broadcasting. Many of these productions can be found online in the WMUB Archives. For questions about the exhibit, contact Marcus Ladd at email@example.com or (513) 529-0462.
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ALA President Dr. Julie Todaro Releases Statement on Libraries, the Association, Diversity and Inclusion
Leonard Cohen (1934-2016): playlist and notable resources


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The Yeshiva University Career Center provides recruiters with "one-stop shopping" to help meet the company's college relations and recruiting needs by linking with the YU talent pool. Employers may post full-time, part-time or internship positions by submitting a position directly onto our
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Hi Ladies,
I just had my second DD a week ago. I had to have an emergency c-section, unfortunately, and the recovery has been difficult. I gave birth vaginally the first time. With my first, my milk came in quickly and was very obvious. This time, however, it came in slowly and I've yet to become engorged. I'm a little worried. I haven't started pumping yet, so am not sure what kind of supply I'm dealing with, but I feel like I have much less than last time.
I was taking percocets for pain, but have heard they can mess with your milk supply, so have stopped. I've been eating oatmeal and drinking mother's milk tea...also been nursing as often as I can (on demand, no real time guidelines of any kind). Anything else I can do? Should I start pumping this early? I've been waking my DD at night to nurse...she's different than my last in that she doesn't seem as interested in eating! I've got to convince her.
I nursed my first for 17 months and would really like to nurse my second as long as possible, so any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Could my supply not fully be in yet? I feel clueless.
Thank you so much for listening and providing any thoughts or advice you may have!


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As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sara Becker
Shakespeare's perennial crowd pleaser, this comedy includes mistaken identity, cross dressing, wrestling, fools, snakes, lions, oh my! Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee the dangerous court and travel into the mysterious Forest of Arden, kicking off a grand adventure that changes everyone involved. Good thing they brought their clown along for help! Travel along with Shakespeare's band of country bumpkins, exiles and princesses for a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. After all, "Can one desire too much of a good thing?"
- Location
- Quintero
- Price
- $20 GA - $15 UH faculty/staff/alumni - $12 senior citizens - $10 students
- Sponsor
- School of Theatre and Dance
- Contact
- Box Office at 713-743-2929


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What is in this article?:
- Research shortfalls delaying farm production information
- Spread too thin
- Good reason for problem
• A dramatic increase in technological opportunities and changes in production practices across a broad range of crops has stretched the ability of land-grant researchers to keep pace in the past few years.
Land-grant universities historically provide research-proven production data for crops, often delivered by Extension specialists and county agents, but frequently by industry representatives.
This information is packaged in a number of ways, but has been a cornerstone for steadily increasing yields and overall farm production over the past century.
A dramatic increase in technological opportunities and changes in production practices across a broad range of crops has stretched the ability of land-grant researchers to keep pace in the past few years.
Since the 2008 worldwide recession, dramatic budget cuts have further eliminated both people and programs, further stressing the system's ability to keep up with the needs of an ever-changing agriculture industry.
A panel made up of deans of agriculture in the Southeast made a unified and passionate plea for help at the recent Southern Peanut Growers Association meeting in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Deans from Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Georgia and Mississippi State University each cited similar challenges facing land-grant Agriculture programs in the future.
Agriculture deans, agricultural experiment station directors and cooperative Extension directors have been telling politicians and heads of other revenue generating organizations for years that the sky is clearly going to fall, unless they find more funds for agricultural teaching, research and Extension.
In the past those may have been hollow warnings based on a need to build an academic empire. Now, the proverbial sky may really be about to fall on agriculture programs in land-grant institutions across America.
At the same meeting in Florida, a panel of peanut researchers and Extension leaders talked about production problems facing peanut growers this year.
Veteran peanut scientists like Jay Chapin, recently retired from Clemson and John Beasley at the University of Georgia, noted a lack of up-to-date research-proven information on this or that area of peanut production.
The first, and most prominent, result of the sky falling on ag programs in land-grant colleges is dire shortages of information available for commercial farmers to use in growing crops.
Basic production information is still there — things like variety performance and soil nutrient analysis. Specific data about a new variety, how a new corn hybrid reacts to different irrigation rates, for example, is hard to find.
In the peanut industry, hot and dry harvest time weather the past couple of years has produced a proliferation of burrower bugs.
Clemson Peanut Specialist Jay Chapin conducted some of the last research done of these yield busting insects.
"Up to date information on burrower bugs is hard to find, because we haven't had the resources to continue doing research on these insects and how they affect modern varieties and modern production practices," Chapin says.
David Adams, former University of Georgia entomologist echoes Chapin's concerns about limited information available to farmers.


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A Tip of the Hat to Julia's Rants…
Julia (of Julia's Rants) has successfully completed her required three pro-Yankee blogs. I'll add that she did a tremendous job with her "hat trick"!
First, she led off with the Iron Man himself…
Then, she knocked in Bobby Ray Murcer…
Rich Pilling, MLB Photos via Getty Images
Finally, she slammed one out of the park with DJ…
Three outstanding blogs! Julia's debt is paid in full…well, at least, until we meet again in late April!
I do want to compliment Julia on her selections. It is easy to write about past Yankees, such as Gehrig or Murcer. But it takes courage for a Red Sox fan to write about Derek Jeter. She could have taken the easy road and wrote about a "safe" Yankee like Jose Molina, Xavier Nady or coach Tony Pena. She could have written about A-Rod for that matter, since there's nothing she could say that would be more polarizing than what has already been said about him in the press. She also could have written about Johnny Damon, a player with obvious ties to Red Sox history. But she chose to write about one of the most despised Yankees in Boston, and I am very appreciative. I find Dustin Pedroia to be somewhat similar to DJ. Outwardly, it is easy to say that Dustin is your least favorite player, a lousy ballplayer, etc., but meanwhile, under your breath, what you're really saying is 'Man, this Pedroia kid really has some incredible skills! Too bad he's not on my team!'. I hope the Boston fans can recognize that Derek plays the game the way it should be played, and he is always respectful of his teammates and opponents. Excellent job, Julia!
By the way, it was fun being "teammates' for a few days…
But now, we can resume our normal relationship…
Good times!
On this date, the Yankees lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-4. Tom Underwood was the losing pitcher, and the Yankees lineup looked like this:
2B Willie Randolph
LF Lou Piniella
1B Bob Watson
RF Reggie Jackson
DH Eric Soderholm
3B Graig Nettles
C Rick Cerone
CF Ruppert Jones
SS Bucky Dent
The opposing lineup included the likes of Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, Stormin' Gorman Thomas, Ben Oglivie, Sixto Lezcano, Don Money, Charlie Moore, and Jim Gantner. The winning pitcher was Mike Caldwell.
Nothing special about this day, right? Wrong. On July 21, 1980, in Vallejo, CA, Carsten Charles Sabathia was born.
The man destined to open the Yankees 2009 season in Baltimore on Monday, April 6th, and to throw the first official regular season pitch in the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday, April 16th (against his former team, the Cleveland Indians).
CC will always be remembered in Yankees history as the guy who opened the new Stadium.
Audrey C. Tiernan, Newsday
So, on a day that resulted in another "L" in the loss column, did the Yankees really lose? No, I'd say they won that day…
I wonder if CC could help open this for me…
Have a great weekend!
11 Comments
Only if you are going to be the guy on the left who is drooling so much! lol! Thank you – I did learn a lot and Jeter seemed the right choice for the current player. Yes – he is not a "fan favorite" in Boston, but I meant it – my opinion of him changed after reading "The Yankee Years". I might not like him, but I do have a new respect for him. And is it "game on" again Scott? Look forward to the late April meeting – my birthday present is going to be the best ever!😉 Enjoy! And regular programming will resume later today.
LOL on the Ketchup bottle. I'm sure CC could help you open it. Now let's just hope he brings us a championship!
Alien vs. Predator – Classic. And hey, if CC does help out with the ketchup bottle, please send him over to my house – got a jar of pickles that I just can't seem to conquer! :O)
Scott – I'm not sure why I find this so funny – but I just saw over on "Bomber's Beat" (Beat writer for the Yankees) and 'Judas' is singing the National Anthem at tonight's Yankees-Red game. There are a million jokes there!
Congrats Scott – The latest Leader's List came out and you're #13!
Okay – take two! Provided that our fearless leader makes NO more changes – congrats on being #12 on the latest Leader's List!
Whether you're 12 or 13, you're doing a great job upholding the Yankees tradition, Scott. Keep it up!
JULIA – Congrats on the Derek Jeter placement on the latest Leaders list! DJ, I am sure, is very proud of you! 😉
JENN – Congrats on #10 on the latest leaders list! I am glad to hear that Chase Utley is on track to play Opening Day. I definitely don't want to see the Mets win, so I'll be pulling for the Phils to persevere…
JANE – Thanks for the note, and again, congratulations on your continued status as our leader! 🙂
How are you and Julia such good friends when she's a Red Sox fan?!?!?! lol jk I'm just messing around.
~ King of Cali
Ah, yes, the early '80s when the Yankees were bad and the Brewers (and Royals!) were good. My how things have changed. Now if we can just go back in time to when the Vikings were good…-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
umm…Scott – saw that little comment over on our fearless leader's blog. If that's the case – I expect you to fly up to #1 after writing all your Red Sox posts later in April!😉 Game on my friend, game on!😉


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Lake Adventure lawsuit settled
October 10, 2012 —
On October 1, Lake Adventure Community Association's two-year battle with Dingman Township concluded with a ruling by Judge Joseph F. Kameen. The challenge to an ordinance was granted, and the part of the ordinance defining a recreation vehicle as a unit that does not require a special highway moving permit is stricken from the ordinance.
"Lake Adventure is ecstatic over this ruling," said attorney Tammy Lee Clause, Lake Adventure Community Association's legal counsel. "Lake Adventure property owners are now permitted to have one-piece, 400-square-foot recreation vehicle park models, even if they require a special hauling permit."
The ruling said: "The restriction on RVs that require special highway permits… is not in conformity with the requirement that the ordinance promote public health, safety or welfare. This Court finds no evidence that restricting RVs requiring special hauling permits will promote the public health and safety."


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Contact: Ted Slowik, Director of PR and Media Relations, 630-637-5307, email@example.com
Feb. 4, 2010—North Central College will host "Chords for Kids," the fourth annual free concert for children with autism and their families at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Music and motion come together as children with autism and other special needs experience performances of classical music in a world-class concert hall. The College's Concert Winds ensemble will perform works selected for an audience whose members are free to make noise and move around during the performance.
The Concert Winds ensemble performs under the direction of North Central College Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands Lawrence Van Oyen. "I know the band really enjoys performing for the kids," Van Oyen says. "I hope the kids in the audience are having fun with their families too."
This will be the second time the concert will be held in North Central's acoustically perfect Wentz Concert Hall, which was dedicated in October 2008.
The event's organizers include Karen Anderson of Batavia, Susan Maynes of St. Charles, Diana Knight and Jamie Walden-Mather of St. Charles, a visiting lecturer at North Central College.
Concert Winds"A child and his or her family will enjoy the concert because there is lively and beautiful music played by a talented band," Maynes says. "The band, staff and audience all stand by the philosophy of 'wigglers welcome,' which means kids are not expected to sit motionless and silent in their seats. Kids sing, dance and clap to the music in a happy and supportive environment."
After the concert, light refreshments will be served, including gluten-free snacks. Attendees will be able to meet and speak with musicians.
"It's a fun learning experience on many different levels," Maynes says. "If the children feel somewhat overwhelmed and express some discomfort, that's OK—everyone understands. They are in a safe environment where no one will judge them unfairly."
Wheelchair seating is available. Visit www.chordsforkids.net or http://northcentralcollege.edu/show for more information. Patrons are asked to RSVP by March 11 by contacting the Autism Society of Illinois at 630-691-1270 or email email@example.com or email@example.com.
Autism concertAutism is a brain development disorder that impairs a child's social and intellectual development. Its causes and effects are not entirely understood, although diagnoses have dramatically increased in recent years. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 110 American children.
The concert is supported by North Central College and sponsored in part by Kirkland & Ellis LLP and by attorney Robert Farley, a legal advocate for people with disabilities.
This performance is one of many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).


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The sale of Lanai to an entity privately owned by Oracle co-founder and CEO Lawrence J. Ellison has been completed, according to an announcement by David H. Murdock's Castle & Cooke, Inc. on Thursday.
"It is very gratifying to me personally to see Lanai now in the hands of Larry Ellison, a very committed individual who will bring his ideas and energy to sustain the beauty and heritage of Lanai," said Murdock. "I extend my sincerest thanks to the many employees, their families, business associates, State and County leaders and administrators who have supported my efforts and changes on Lanai."
Lanai is one of the largest privately owned islands in the world with a population of approximately 3,000. The island has two Four Seasons hotels, each with a championship golf course, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Greg Norman.
Castle & Cooke Hawaii has retained the wind farm project on Lanai, complementing our abundant renewable energy resources that will provide for the present and future power needs of Hawaii.
Sen. J. Kalani English represents Lanai and other areas in Maui County in the legislature.
"The island of Lanai holds a very special and vital role in our State's cultural, environmental and economic ecosystem," said English. "I am excited to work with the new ownership to help build a better and more prosperous Lanai."
Murdock continues Castle & Cooke's extensive operations and land holdings elsewhere in Hawaii.
The sale amount has not been released.


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Re: credit where credit is due
Somebody who gives positive credit, where it's due ... especially after bashing her for so long! I do believe, you have grown a little inside & upstairs. ( Just messin' w/ya )
I also think Smoke14TS has made the most sense, in trying to capture what we're all so excited about. Basically, neither she nor the car fuc...er...um... messed up .... and she made history, once again ... and under the SHR banner.
And HT ... not meaning to sound snarky to ya, but she did do, what some 30+ other drivers could not do - and a lot of them "seasoned" veterans.
Sh*t happens... but don't worry, it usually happens to me.


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Quality in a Volvo truck is not only about the product. It's as much about the solid support you receive from the dealers. Or knowing that the parts you need are available quickly, no matter where your business has taken you.That's what we call reliability. And that's why a Volvo truck is always part of a dependable transport solution with access to maintenance service, parts and management systems.
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Wordsmith Talk
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#100500 - 04/10/03 06:36 AM Clerihew
Registered: 04/10/03
Posts: 4
A combination of sympathy for a friend's ill-health and today's 'Word a Day' inspired me to pen my own clerihew:
Ian Martin
Has done with partyin'
He now wisely eschews
The insidious effects of booze
I didn't think it was too bad for a first effort...
#100501 - 04/10/03 07:14 AM Re: Clerihew
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 1692
Loc: UK
Welcome helendq, I think that's excellent. As far as I can see (I shall probably be torn apart for this) yours is this board's first post on Clerihews, which I find amazing. It's a pity you didn't post it up under 'Wordplay and fun' or 'Miscellany'; unfortunately, many peoples eyes often don't drop down the Index this far. I think Coffeebean in particular would enjoy playing with Clerihews.
CB,....you there? Let's give it a bit and see what happens.
#100502 - 04/11/03 12:51 AM Re: Clerihew
old hand
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 725
Loc: Oregon, USA
I'm here, but had too busy a day to come up with one. But!! I have picked up the glove, dxb!
Welcome, helendq!
#100503 - 04/11/03 01:03 PM Re: Giving it a whirl
old hand
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 725
Loc: Oregon, USA
German composer Paul Hindemith left
the Nazi regime not entirely bereft;
His repertoire is smaller
but you may recognize Mathis der Maler.
#100504 - 04/11/03 05:49 PM Re: Giving it a whirl
old hand
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 725
Loc: Oregon, USA
American author Mark Twain
had a brain of a singular strain;
but his style so witty, dry and direct
would unfortunately now be politically incorrect.
#100505 - 04/11/03 11:49 PM Re: Giving it a whirl
old hand
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 725
Loc: Oregon, USA
William of Normandy in 1066
brought his law and culture to the Celts and Picts.
And not without hassles,
Built a lot of castles.
#100506 - 04/12/03 08:38 AM Re: Giving it a whirl
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/13/01
Posts: 4189
Loc: Rio Grande, Cape May County, N...
Gluttonous Henry the Eighth
Wrought a departure of faith,
And to his wives as a Tudor
He couldn't be ruder.
#100507 - 04/12/03 08:46 AM Re: Clerihew
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 10/17/00
Posts: 5400
Loc: rego park
Her first post a clerihew,
Hurrah, she's begun,
And her posting can only add to the fun!_________________________
my other obsession
#100508 - 04/12/03 09:27 AM Re: Giving it a whirl
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
Politically correct
Kot und Dreck.
#100509 - 04/12/03 09:17 PM Re: See what you started!
old hand
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 725
Loc: Oregon, USA
Highly acclaimed Thomas Edison
Many failed ideas did jettison,
Then finally to his delight
He perfected the incandescent light.
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Springfield police said a motive remained a mystery in the abduction and slaying of Hailey Owens.
Police confirmed that a body had been found in a home where Craig Michael Wood was taken into custody. Authorities said that they believe the body was that of the missing girl. An autopsy was scheduled.
Family members told KMBC's Brenda Washington early Wednesday morning that police had found her body.
Hailey was walking to a friend's house late Tuesday afternoon when she was abducted.
Police said witnesses were able to get the description of the pickup truck and a license plate number.
"They observed a vehicle in the neighborhood, circling the neighborhood, also observed our victim. At some point, (they) observed the vehicle pull up and have a conversation -- the driver had a conversation with the girl. If I remember the reports correctly, she ignored and then came back and spoke with the driver, at which time he suddenly jumped out and grabbed her and pulled her into the vehicle," Williams said.
Williams said a couple of witnesses ran after the vehicle. Another witness got into a car and tried to follow the pickup while calling 911, but lost sight of the truck.
Police officers were able to track the vehicle to a Springfield home, where officers had the home under surveillance. Wood was taken into custody when he returned to the house about 8:30 p.m.
Police Chief Paul Williams said Wood went to police headquarters, but refused to talk to investigators and asked for an attorney. He was booked into the Greene County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. Formal charges have not been filed in the case.
Williams said they know of no connection between the girl and Wood.
Detectives said they were processing multiple crime scenes.
Wood is employed by Springfield Public Schools. He works as a paraprofessional and athletic coach at Pleasant View K-8 School. School district officials said Wood's employment was suspended because of the investigation.


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Today the Olympic torch arrives in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies. The ceremonies themselves are shrouded in secrecy, but one UK newspaper reports the show will include 10,000 performers, 70 sheep, 12 horses, 10 chickens, and more. Add to those figures more than 60,000 spectators and 16,000 athletes, and supply chain and operations management professionals surely start thinking about logistics.
In the Forbes article "The Logistics of the Olympics is a Marathon, not a Sprint," Richard Howells describes what's going on behind the scenes throughout the United Kingdom to ensure Olympics participants are able to "keep calm and carry on."
Howells highlights the following:
The Olympics is like a stadium-sized newsvendor problem, which is defined in the APICS Dictionary, 13th edition, as: "a problem in inventory management dealing with determining the single period (e.g., day or week) order quantity, which will minimize the cost of sometimes having too much inventory and sometimes having too little."
Inventory and production planning related to specific events is particularly tricky. Decision makers must rely on forecasting and actual sales. Take, for example, soccer jerseys. Spain was a favorite to win the men's soccer gold medal. Therefore, manufacturers produced and retailers stocked Spanish soccer jerseys to capitalize on the anticipated win. However, yesterday, the Japanese soccer team defeated the Spanish team 1-0. With things looking less hopeful for Spain's soccer team, manufacturers and retailers face more questions about their Spanish soccer jerseys. Chances are they will start to cut back.
APICS has resources for professionals at every level of inventory planning. Less experienced professionals will benefit from APICS Principles of Inventory Management. Experienced planners can validate their knowledge by pursuing their APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management designation. Additionally, individuals who are managing suppliers across the distribution channel will gain from APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional courses.
Good luck to all the athletes in this year's games. If yesterday's soccer match is any indication, the 2012 Summer Olympics should be exciting. Idea exchange
Now, you can take the APICS Operations Management Now discussion to your social networks on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and the APICS Supply Chain Channel. Be sure to use the hashtag #OMNow and include @Tweet_APICS in any tweets to have your words featured on the APICS homepage.
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EDWARD K. BRATTON, AGE 84 OF INDIANA, DIED JAN. 13TH AT INDIANA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. Friends of Ed Bratton will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home in Indiana. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Indiana. Private interment will be made in Oakland Cemetery,
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We are officially through OTAs, and the NFL calendar will soon shift to training camp. But before the pads are strapped on and actual football commences, it's time to recognize the biggest standout of every NFL team's offseason so far.
There's a veritable cornucopia of players on this list. Some are established veterans who have dazzled throughout the offseason, while others are younger players and rookies who have inspired hope that they'll be major contributors this fall.
There are quarterbacks, both veteran and greenhorn. There are little-known defensive ends and a future Hall of Fame pass-rusher. In total, every position on offense (quarterback, running back, offensive line, receiver, tight end) and defense (defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, safety) is accounted for in this piece.
Here is each NFL team's biggest offseason standout thus far.


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Lesia Shannon Kudelka
Communications Director and Ombudsman
(803) 896-4376
Holly Beeson
Counsel to Office of Communications
(803) 896-5216
Laura J. Pace received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University in Fresno, California and a Master's of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University, Shaw AFB, in South Carolina.
Ms. Pace has over 26 years of accounting experience with several state governmental agencies including Health and Human Services, DSS, Employment Security Commission, and the Governor's Office. She joined the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations in July 2012, as the assistant deputy director of administration. In her role, Ms. Pace manages the agency's finance, budget, and grant sections.


text:
Many Americans struggling to save for old age, report shows
The Columbus Dispatch - August 18, 2014 10:13 AM
Here's a scary thought.
A new report from Bankrate.com finds that 36 percent of Americans haven't put away any money yet for retirement.
While it wouldn't be a surprise that many young people haven't saved anything for retirement, there are plenty of people in other age groups that are in the same boat.
The report found that 69 percent of those 18 to 29 haven't saved anything along with 33 percent of those 30 to 49, 26 percent of those 50 to 64 and 14 percent of those 65 and older.
The one bit of good news in the report is that at least those who are saving are starting earlier.


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PITTSBURGH, PA (February 9, 2006) - Airlines other than US Airways at Pittsburgh International Airport (www.FlyPittsburgh.com) reported a combined 35.7 percent increase in passengers in 2005 compared to 2004 according to the scheduled airline traffic report issued by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Ten airlines operating at the airport showed increased passenger traffic, eight of which reported growth in excess of 15 percent.
"Airlines other than US Airways account for more than 40 percent of the traffic at Pittsburgh International Airport," Allegheny County Airport Authority Executive Director Kent G. George said. "The positive outcome of this is that airfares are decreasing and the residents of the region are able to enjoy inexpensive travel with many choices of carriers. Those options were unheard of here five years ago."
Southwest Airlines started service in Pittsburgh in May and quickly became the airport's fourth busiest carrier in 2005 with a total of 571,666 passengers. Hooters Air also began service at the airport in 2005. The airline, which flies only to Myrtle Beach, S.C., reported a total of 15,901 passengers from February through December.
In a year-to-year comparison, eight airlines, led by Midwest Connect, showed remarkable gains in passenger traffic.
For December 2005, six airlines showed an increase compared to December 2004 led by Midwest Connect's (6,408/2,700; 137.3 percent increase). Combined, all airlines other than US Airways reported a 23.8 increase in traffic in December 2005 compared to December 2004 (365,942/295,510).
A total of 776,083 scheduled passengers were enplaned and deplaned at Pittsburgh International Airport in December 2005, which brings the yearly total to 10,440,500. That translates to a 21.1 percent drop in passenger traffic for 2005 from 2004 (10,440,500/13,229,974). Compared to December 2004, passenger traffic was down 6 percent for the month (776,083/825,461).
"The Airport Authority had been forecasting this drop for most of this year. US Airways dramatically adjusted service at Pittsburgh International Airport in November 2004. As a result, year-to-year comparisons of our passenger totals have been negatively impacted," explained George.
US Airways reported a 22.6 percent decrease for December 2005 (410,141/529,951). Those statistics, however, do not include America West, which merged with US Airways in the fall of 2005. America West showed an 83.9 percent increase in December 2005 compared to December 2004 (12,814/6,967). US Airways and America West have continued to report separate traffic figures. For 2005 US Airways showed 38.8 percent drop in traffic compared to 2004 (6,162,098/10,076,182).


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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's lieutenant governor told several thousand tea party supporters rallying outside the state Capitol Saturday that Wisconsin is the focus of the nation as the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker plays out.
Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch was the only politician to address the crowd. Walker and Kleefisch face a June 5 recall election. Organizers launched the recall drive after Walker signed legislation to curb collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
The Journal Sentinel says Kleefisch praised efforts by Walker and a Republican-led Legislature to cut the state budget deficit.
Speaking to the National Rifle Association convention Friday in St. Louis, Walker said he sees his fight to avoid becoming the third U.S. governor ever recalled from office as a referendum on so-called big government.


text:
Last year, 33 children in the United States died due to hyperthermia after being left in a hot vehicle. Information provided by echolou.org.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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Sandy Carter: Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) -- Off the Record
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SOA Consortium!
SOASOA 060000JRQN Marcações:  consortium concerns cio ibm websphere soa carter sandy 3.213 Visualizações
I just finished my final business trip of the year...with the SOA Consortium! The SOA Consortium has grown from 11 members to 81 members this year. Richard Soley, the Executive Director of the SOA Consortium, shared that the Consortium has the fastest first year growth on any user group he has been involved with in 18 years of user community experience!!! IBM was one of the founding sponsors of the SOA Consortium. As a vendor neutral organization, the Consortium is an SOA advocacy group comprised of end users, service providers, and technology vendors, committed to helping the Global 1000, major government agencies and mid-market businesses successfully adopt SOA by 2010. This is not about Standards. This is about the evangelism of SOA in the marketplace and ensuring that companies the right level of help to be successful. This year the SOA Consortium has achieved a number of successes: 1. Conducted CIO Executive Summits in New York, San Francisco, Brussels and Jacksonville, and produced a whitepaper and webcast with the findings from the New York and San Francisco Summits. 2. Collected and published a set of over 20 customer case studies submitted by members that have been widely circulated showing the business value of moving to SOA 3. Recruited client members from companies and the US Government, including Wells Fargo, Kohl's, Avis Budget and the US Army, in addition to having analyst members such as Hurwitz and Associates 4. Produced webcasts and podcasts on the topics of 'Executive Insights on SOA Adoption', 'SOA Governance', 'SOA/BPM Relationship', 'Enterprise Architecture of the Future', and 'CIO SOA Concerns' 5. SOA Consortium moderated and staffed 4 panels at key Gartner events as well as having booths in the Gartner showcase areas, and have been invited to even more Gartner events in 2008, due to 2007 success 6. SOA Consortium produced over 10 well received and often blogged deliverables and press releases, all of which list IBM as a founding sponsor IBM has had a significant influence on the organization as one of the four founding sponsors with actions such as co-leading and driving one of the three Consortium sub-groups (Executive Suite SOA), which produced the highly regarded and downloaded set of customer SOA case studies Here are the podcasts....! Take a listen! Live from the SOA Consortium - Sandy Carter of IBM Live from the SOA Consortium - CIO SOA Concerns [Read More]
CIO: Is Santa the Original SOA Architect
Thu, Dec 13, 2007
Is Santa the Original SOA Architect?
Posted by: Sandy Carter IBM in Soapbox
It's the most wonderful yet hectic time of the year as consumers vie for mall parking spaces and also spend their precious lunch hours shopping online. Meanwhile, vendors are busy carefully managing and monitoring inventory and their supplier relationships to ensure their goods are delivered to stores and homes on time. Of course, an SOA could help these vendors streamline, integrate and manage their various CRM, ERP and SCM applications. Ideally, this integration through the SOA would help ensure that customers are satisfied and retailers have a successful holiday season. For many retailers, however, it's not an easy task to oversee the manufacturing and timely delivery of goods in a highly competitive, global marketplace – all during a finite period of time. With this in mind, perhaps we could all learn some important lessons about building a service oriented architecture by taking a closer look at one of the first and most successful SOA projects. This project is representative of a Smart SOA strategy, is based in the North Pole and was initiated by Santa Claus to better manage his workshop. Here are 10 reasons why Santa's SOA is exemplary:
1. Global: the infrastructure follows the sun in order to deliver goods to its client base in a timely manner.
2. Cross-company effort: the SOA bridges the gap between the executive office (Santa) and staff (elves) to execute on common goals.
3. BPM support: has built in business process management (BPM) capabilities to streamline and ensure consistency of toy manufacturing and distribution.
4. Flexibility: enables The Workshop to easily anticipate and respond to sudden spikes in end-of-year activity without resulting in any hiccups in workflow.
5. Reusability: the SOA takes advantage of reusable services so that employees can accommodate consistent customer requests (dolls, teddy bears) as well as easily manage and integrate new requests (Wii, DVD player) using the same, proven best practices.
6. Standards-based: enables Santa to protect existing investments such as the home-grown shipping and distribution application while allowing the infrastructure to integrate the latest CRM tools to manage a client base that completely turns over every few years.
7. Unified communications: supports UC by integrating and identifying the individual letters delivered via various communications methods such as email, traditional postal carriers, in person requests delivered to Santa's helpers in the mall, and inquiries sent via Santa's website. Additionally, the SOA infrastructure will be able to support future demands for text, instant messaging, and click-to-call capabilities.
8. Security: ensures the protection and sharing of confidential information including the list of who's naughty and who's nice.
9. Competitive advantage: consistent and timely delivery of requested toys has resulted in a satisfied customer base and a dominant market position.
10. Everybody knows that SANTA is an acronym for the North Pole's SOA approach: Strategic Architecture, Not Tactical Achievements. Not only has Santa mastered the creation of a successful SOA, he's also the ideal employee because he gets the job done, is a well respected leader with longevity and experience, and is satisfied with a cookies and milk end-of-year bonus.[Read More]
Smart SOA - Learn More!
SOASOA 060000JRQN Marcações:  ibm_websphere soa_education smart_soa 2.175 Visualizações
Hey! I am sure you guys read about my world tour of Asia! The most asked question was "Is there a Tutorial available on Smart SOA?". And the answer is of course yes! I'd love for you guys to go through this one and tell me your thoughts. In addition to this tutorial, there is a white paper, and coming "pink papers" that will be arriving as well! Here you go! Have fun! Click here to learn more about SMART SOA.[Read More]
Playing the Game !
Hey Gang! I am here in Asia Pacific. I have been to Japan, Korea and am now in China. I love Asia -- the people, the food, the culture! One thing that I learned in Asia many moons ago, was the game. Gaming is very big here. It is the way people play, relax and learn. To that end, we announced here in Asia the introduction of learning SOA and BPM through serious gaming. 12 Universities here are accepting the challenge of being bold enough to test this out! The universities are: Beijing Institute of Technology (China) BUAA (China) Chuo University (Japan) Harbin Institute of Technology (China) Keio University (Japan) Peking Unversity (China) Singapore Management University (Singapore) Sun Yat-sen University (China) Tongji University (China) Tsukuba University (Japan) Waseda University (Japan) Wuhan Unversity (China) Why Serious Gaming? Well now is the generation of Xbox. Who is Generation X-box? (or Digital Natives if you dont want to use Xbox). According to the Entertainment Software Association, in 2007 the average game player is 33 years old. 47% of all gamers fall in the 18-49 age range. 24% are over 50. The average age of MBA students varies by school, but generally late 20's for full time program, late 30's for exec. mba here are already more Gen X & Gen Ys, the "digitial natives" than there are baby boomers! We at IBM are trying to use games with a curriculum to help students learn and have fun! Our mandate -- have fun and • aggressively ignore any hint of formal instruction • lean heavily on trial-and-error (afer all, failure is nearly free, you just push "play again") • includeslots of learning from peers but virtually none from authority figures • is consumed in very small bits, exactly when the learner wants, which is usually just before the skill is needed • allow for people to take risks in a safe environment • allow for players to achieve a skill or talent which is not only meaningful but perceived as having value So we announced Innov8 at IMPACT 2007 and then GA ed it to universities in November. With INN0V8, we started with the objective of providing an immersive experience that simulates real life, with key 'teaching moments'. It is fundamentally different from traditional e-learning. For me, learning occurs through dialog with other characters - in primarily peer roles, and self-discovery, via trial-and-error, in the mini games contained in the game. Each mini-game is preceded by a tutorial that explains how the game works... just in time!! The experience is risk free.. you can drive the fictional company into the ground without major penalty and so our goal is that we teache real world skills that our customers have told us they value... and are in short demand.. Why don't you try this out and see what you think! Click here to play the INNOV8 preview video.[Read More]


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Home List of Titles Deep advanced camera for surveys imaging in the globular cluster NGC 6397: the cluster color-magnitude diagram and luminosity function
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/47564
- Title
- Deep advanced camera for surveys imaging in the globular cluster NGC 6397: the cluster color-magnitude diagram and luminosity function
- Author(s)
- Richer, Harvey B.; Dotter, Aaron; Hurley, Jarrod; Anderson, Jay; King, Ivan R.; Davis, D. Saul; Fahlman, Gregory G.; Hansen, Brad M. S.; Kalirai, Jasonjot S.; Paust, Nathaniel E. Q.; Rich, R. Michael; Shara, Michael M.
- Abstract
- We present the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) from deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging in the globular cluster NGC 6397. The Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) was used for 126 orbits to image a single field in two colors (F814W, F606W) 5' SE of the cluster center. The field observed overlaps that of archival WFPC2 data from 1994 and 1997 which were used to proper motion (PM) clean the data. Applying the PM corrections produces a remarkably clean CMD which reveals a number of features never seen before in a globular cluster CMD. In our field, the main-sequence stars appeared to terminate close to the location in the CMD of the hydrogen-burning limit predicted by two independent sets of stellar evolution models. The faintest observed main-sequence stars are about a magnitude fainter than the least luminous metal-poor field halo stars known, suggesting that the lowest-luminosity halo stars still await discovery. At the bright end the data extend beyond the main-sequence turnoff to well up the giant branch. A populous white dwarf cooling sequence is also seen in the cluster CMD. The most dramatic features of the cooling sequence are its turn to the blue at faint magnitudes as well as an apparent truncation near F814W = 28. The cluster luminosity and mass functions were derived, stretching from the turnoff down to the hydrogen-burning limit. It was well modeled with either a very flat power-law or a lognormal function. In order to interpret these fits more fully we compared them with similar functions in the cluster core and with a full N-body model of NGC 6397 finding satisfactory agreement between the model predictions and the data. This exercise demonstrates the important role and the effect that dynamics has played in altering the cluster initial mass function.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
- Source
- Astronomical Journal, Vol. 135, no. 6 (Jun 2008), pp. 2141-2154
- Publication year
- 2008
- FOR Code(s)
- 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences; 020103 Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy
- Keyword(s)
- Halo galaxy; Globular clusters; Low-mass, brown dwarfs; Luminosity function; Mass function; NGC 6397; Population II stars; Stars; White dwarfs
- Publisher
- University of Chicago Press
- 0004-6256
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2008 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
- Peer reviewed