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Baseball Time!
First off, I feel really bad about not blogging for the past few days, so I am really sorry about that. But I have a good excuse: I was really sick. When I was in the mountains last weekend, a bug was starting to go around. First it was a sore throat, then I got the stuffy nose and the coughing going, and finally I got the fever on Wednesday night, and it hung around until Sunday morning. It was a long, hard, weekend. I have never been sick this long before. I usually have the 24-hour-virus thing, but the fever stuck around forever! Anyways, I'm feeling much better now. The cough is still pretty bad, but I am definitely on the road to recovery. Hopefully I won't have to keep away from blogging like that ever again!
Baseball! In the last week, there have been a lot of tidbits and reports coming out of the Padres camp. Lots of little things, really, but they are all pretty interesting. Kouz had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and he's almost back to 100%. There's this dude from Mexico, RHP Walter Silva, who looks like a really good pitcher, who the Padres have in camp this year, and he could get a spot in the rotation. Catcher Henry Blanco finally made it into camp on Friday, but I think we can excuse him because he was with his sick mom. Lots of interesting stuff going on!
I can't believe the first Spring Training games are this week! I mean, they just reported like a week ago! This offseason really went by so much faster than the last offseason did. It's so cool to think that I'll be listening to Padres baseball this weekend! How amazing is that? After this long, dark, hard offseason, we are into the light and hope of spring. It's going to be so much fun!
Wednesday is the Padres annual charity game against the Mariners (we share the Peroia Sports Complex with Seattle, so there's a bit of a rivalry there). That game is not broadcast on the radio, even though Jake is starting it🙂 Our second game is against the Mariners again, and presumably, Chris Young will be starting it. Friday is the Indians, probably Cha Seung Baek starting, and then Saturday is the Royals. I'm not sure who will be starting that one. This is pretty exciting…GO PADRES!!
13 Comments
Glad you're feeling better, Kaybee. Sounds like you really got taken down! Can't believe the actual spring training games start Wednesday. We're getting close!
Good to hear from you again…glad you're getting back to health. Let's play ball!!
Glad you are better! I too have been a little bit under the weather recently but not as bad as you. Hey guess what we play each other this Friday (well our teams do, not really us)!
Hopefully you are feeling better. I look forward to the weather of Arizona when I go down there to see the Tribe later this week. Good luck on Saturday! I saw Cha Seung Beck pitch against us last year and he did pretty well.
I'm glad you're feeling better! I can not WAIT for the games to begin this week!
It seems like last season just ended. I heard that the first game at Citi Field will actually be a college game instead of the Mets. It just makes me think that baseball is starting for everyone again.
I'm so glad games start this week. What ever happened to Chris Young. Last I heard about him was the Pujols line driver that hit him in the face.
Chris Young is really tall…that's all I know about him. But Peavy and Baek are good…Baek helped clobber the D-Backs on the fourth of July last year, if I'm not mistaken.
Glad to hear that you're feeling better, Kaybee. This offseason really did go by fast, but I think it's because we're part of this great baseball community. Baseball was on our minds for what– the entire offseason?
Glad you are feeling better! And congrats on the leaders list…keep up the great blogging!
Let the spring be over!
Plenty of vitamin C. Plenty! Let the thought of Spring ball soothe and keep your spirits up!


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Emma Acres in Exeter, Rhode Island recently received the New England Green Pastures Award. The award recognizes Rhode Island's 2010 Dairy Farm of the Year selected by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee based on quality animal care, implementation of conservation practices, and high quality dairy products. The Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee is led by DEM's Department of Agriculture and includes the R.I. Farm Bureau, R.I. Dairy Farm Cooperative, R.I. Farm Service Agency, and Agri-Mark Cooperative.
Emma Acres is owned by Scooter (Edwin) and Cynthia LaPrise who interestingly transformed the property to a dairy farm in 2002 as part of their children's 4-H project. Since then, the farm has grown dramatically to include a milking facility installed in 2008 where 31 cows, mostly Jersey, are milked daily. Emma Acres derived its name as an acronym from the first initial of each of the couple's four children-Elizabeth, Matthew, Margaret, and Alexandra. The entire family is actively involved in the farming operation where each child participates in the day-to-day responsibilities caring for the animals. In addition to the demand of running the farming operation and raising a family, Scooter also runs a logging business and Cynthia is employed as a full-time nurse.
Emma Acres is a member of the RI Dairy Farm Cooperative where it sells its milk under the Rhody Fresh Milk label to local institutions, colleges, and retailers. The cooperative consists of nine local dairy farms where their milk is processed locally and then distributed by Little Rhody Farms.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) played an integral role in the success of Emma Acres. NRCS provided both technical and financial assistance to implement numerous conservation practices under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Since 2005, NRCS staff has worked closely with the LaPrise family to address several natural resource concerns including water quality, animal health, and soil condition. With the help of NRCS, Emma Acres installed fencing to promote rotational grazing and exclude the animals from wetland areas.
The LaPrises also voluntarily worked with NRCS to implement several other conservation practices to prevent pollution and ground water contamination. NRCS staff designed and installed both a roofed heavy use area and manure storage facility which included a roof runoff control system (i.e., gutters). The roofed heavy use area also improves animal health by protecting the cows from harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold and wet conditions. In addition, NRCS designed and installed a milk house waste water treatment system and separate pipeline for watering facilities throughout the farm. As part of the farm's nutrient management plan, manure is composted and then sold to nearby farms. Other conservation practices implemented include the design and installation of an access road and animal trails and walkways which reduce soil erosion and enhance overall animal health.
Such conservation improvements contributed to the overall success of the dairy operation but quality animal care was also a contributing factor to the farm's success creating high quality dairy products. The cows on Emma Acres are fed a purchased feed where nutritional analysis is done for a well balanced diet of total mixed ration. The cows are milked in a double, four-herring bone parlor and housed in a 40'X80' dairy barn. The herd is fully registered where breeding is done mostly by artificial insemination which focuses on improving genetics for both milk and dairy form.
Emma Acres exemplifies how a successful partnership with NRCS promotes water and soil quality along with yielding high quality dairy products which can be enjoyed by local consumers.
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Ernie Ball Music Man Classic Stingray 5 Electric Bass Guitar
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Comments about Ernie Ball Music Man Classic Stingray 5 Electric Bass Guitar:
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Comments about Ernie Ball Music Man Classic Stingray 5 Electric Bass Guitar:
As a pro I count on a bass to sound great in a mix and track well. This bass delivers in style and grace. Apart from being very beautiful and comfortable, these instruments excel at sitting in with a kick drums and having an even balance between strings. The foam mutes, while hard to adjust, are a wonderful feature that really bring old school life to your sound, and as someone who prefers roundwounds for pick and slap work, allow me to get flatwound tone without changing basses. Construction is like a tank and it truly is beautiful. The necks on these things are literally stunning.I play solo bass pieces on the side from the meat and potatoes of pro life, and this bass is honestly best suited for ensemble playing, and not solo work. But to be honest, stingrays have always truly been ensemble instruments. For a 2 band eq it does have a lot of presence and tone shaping. My favorite is when the treble is all the way down and you hear what in my opinion could be the warmest, fullest and punchiest bass tone around.
Comments about Ernie Ball Music Man Classic Stingray 5 Electric Bass Guitar:
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Comments about Ernie Ball Music Man Classic Stingray 5 Electric Bass Guitar:
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A great victory for equalityJune 30,2013Toby Talbot / AP File Photo
Stacy Jolles, left, and Nina Beck of Burlington were litigants in Vermonts 1998 landmark civil union case. They say theyre celebrating the U.S. Supreme Courts decision striking down a key section of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples.This week, the U.S. Supreme Court did what Vermonts first-in-the-nation marriage equality law didnt have the authority to do: It ruled that the federal government cannot discriminate against legally married same-sex couples. The courts decision in U.S. v. Windsor, the so-called DOMA case, means that gay men and lesbians will now be better able to protect their spouses and their children, because they will finally be included in the federal governments safety net.
It means that Edie Windsor, the woman who challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, will get a refund for the huge tax she had to pay to the IRS when Thea, her spouse and partner of 44 years, died (if Edie had been married to a man, the IRS never would have collected the tax).
Vermonters will be helped as well. One of my clients, Candy (not her real name), works in a big-box store. Under DOMA, employers did not have to offer health insurance to the same-sex spouses of their employees, so her employer denied her coverage. Candy and her family were one major illness away from financial ruin; now Candys family will have that crucial protection.
Unlike Candys boss, many Vermont employers have been voluntarily providing health insurance for their employees same-sex spouses for years now. But because of DOMA, gay employees had to pay income tax on the value of that insurance unlike their heterosexual coworkers, who didnt have to pay the tax.
I represented another Vermonter (Ill call her Kathy), whose same-sex spouse was tragically killed in a car accident on her way to work one morning. Her death left Kathy, and their infant son, with unimaginable grief and loss and financially destitute. Federal Social Security spousal survivor benefits are designed to help financially vulnerable widows, and now those benefits will be available to people like Kathy.
There are more than a thousand protections and preferences that the federal government provides to married couples, and now same-sex married couples will no longer be denied those protections. For example, gay and lesbian Vermonters who are married to citizens of other countries will be able to sponsor their spouses for legal residency, just like other bi-national couples; they will no longer have to choose between their spouse and their country.
Vermonters who work for the Postal Service or Homeland Security or other federal agencies will be able to take paid leave to care for an ill same-sex spouse, and those spouses can receive federal spousal pension benefits that had been denied them under DOMA. Spouses of military service members will finally have access to military housing and health insurance. And same-sex couples in Vermont will be able to file joint federal tax returns and reap the tax savings or pay the additional taxes just like all other married couples.
The harm caused by DOMA was much more than financial. It also sent a powerful cultural message: that same-sex couples were less important, less valued and less worthy of respect. The tears of joy on the faces of so many people this week reflected a realization that, finally, the federal government recognizes that gay people are as committed to caring for their families as others, and that they deserve equal treatment under the law.
With the Supreme Courts ruling this week on DOMA and the so-called Prop 8 case (which allows same-sex couples to marry in California), a third of the U.S. population now lives in states with full marriage equality. Polls show that a majority of Americans support marriage for same-sex couples. There is much work left to do (many states still dont grant the freedom to marry to their same-sex residents). But we have reached a turning point, and momentum is growing for full marriage equality throughout the country.
The courts rulings were the result of years of hard work by so many, including the thousands of Vermonters who began the national dialogue about marriage equality way back in 2000, when most of the rest of the country had never heard of the idea. Im grateful for the many straight allies legislators, clergy members, friends and fellow lawyers, among others who lent their support in so many ways. And Im incredibly proud to live in a state where so many gay men and lesbians had the courage to come out and tell their stories to their friends, families, neighbors and co-workers it made all the difference.
With the demise of DOMA, many families in Vermont and elsewhere have been helped, and no families have been hurt. Our communities, our states and our nation are all stronger as a result. We are a small state, but we started something very big, and very good, for the rest of the country.
Susan Murray is a lawyer with Langrock Sperry & Wool in Burlington. She was co-counsel in the case that led to the passage of civil unions in Vermont in 2000. She also testified against the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress.MORE IN CommentarySure, you can buy your uncle a necktie that he wont wear, or your niece an Amazon certificate... Full StoryA lot of serious long-term national issues simply werent addressed in the recent national election. Full StoryI have written on the anomaly of the separation of the private and public sectors in our society,... Full Story
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You should be…it can make or break the party! Brides, grooms and other wedding professionals love the DJs, wedding bands and musicians listed below. How do we know? We ask them ourselves—and if we don't hear raves, we don't consider them Certified By The Guide.
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Total DJ
If you want a serious dance party at your wedding, look no further than Total DJ. They guarantee your dance floor will be packed. Their methodology is to dig deep to really get to know their client'…
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Fifth Avenue Orchestras & Entertainment provides exceptional live music for weddings and special events. They feature wedding bands, cover bands, custom musical presentations, vocalists, DJs, stri…
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Bob Gail Orchestras and Entertainment provides wedding bands, orchestras, disc jockeys, as well as jazz, classical and international musicians and entertainers. Furthermore if your event happens to ca…
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"A new evangelization is synonymous with mission, requiring the capacity to set out anew, go beyond boundaries and broaden horizons. The new evangelization is the opposite of self-sufficiency, a withdrawal into oneself, a status quo mentality and an idea that pastoral programs are simply to proceed as they did in the past. Today a 'business as usual' attitude can no longer be the case. Some local Churches, already engaged in renewal, reconfirm the fact that now is the time for the Church to call upon every Christian community to evaluate their pastoral practice on the basis of the missionary character of their program and activities."—Synod of Bishops XIII Ordinary General Assembly,The New Evangelization for the Transmission of Christian Faith, Lineamenta, #10
The Year of Faith, as a doorway that engages us in the work of the New Evangelization, is a "summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world" (Porta Fidei, 6). The Year of Faith, is a first instance to be engaged in the new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith, is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The "door of faith" is opened at one's baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew and deepen their relationship with Christ and his Church.The New Evangelization as a journey of faith, worship and witness, presents three opportunities or audiences for the transmission of the Christian faith:
The New Evangelization is an opportunity, a pilgrimage (journey) to rediscover the joy and confidence of believing in the Triune God and to enthusiastically profess that faith as" a true encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ. Transmitting the faith means to create in every place and time the conditions which lead to his encounter between the person and Jesus Christ." (Instrumentum Laboris, #18)
The New Evangelization/Journey With Christ: Faith-Worship-Witness has a natural progression that engages the work of the Church and the USCCB in a three-fold movement during 2013-2016 through a focus on:
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Finals Over? It's Party Time
December 19th, 2014
End of finals sorority parties are guaranteed to have lots of booze, lots of girls in their underwear and lots of outrageous behaviour. Sounds like great fun, so where the hell is my invite?
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This is an image of the dwarf planet Eris (center) and its satellite Dysnomia (at 9 o'clock position) taken with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope on Aug. 30, 2006. Hubble observations were obtained on Dec. 3, 2005 and Aug. 30, 2006 using the Advanced Camera for Surveys. The Hubble images were combined with images from the Keck telescopes taken on Aug. 20, 21, 30, and 31 to measure the satellite's orbit and calculate a mass for Eris, which is the largest dwarf planet in the solar system.
Object Names: Eris, 2003 UB313
Image Type: Astronomical
Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Brown (California Institute of Technology)
To access available information and downloadable versions of images in this news release, click on any of the images below:


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Holiday Costume Eye Candy
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Santa, Baby1 of 31
Plenty of celebs have suited up as the man in red—including Barbara Pavlin at the Victoria's Secret runway show. See how 30 more models, musicians and movie stars have interpreted Santa's North Pole style.
Miley Cyrus2 of 31
A Santa who twerks? Leave it to Miley, who wore her holiday-inspired leotard with a Chanel choker and purse.
Mindy Kaling3 of 31
Add a little glamour to the festivities with a sequined Santa hat, like Mindy Kaling's.
Prince Harry4 of 31
This Santa hat comes with a pair of girlie braids—but Prince Harry doesn't seem to mind.
Dwyane Wade5 of 31
Basketball player Dwyane Wade goes for a more low-key look, pairing a simple Santa hat with his charity's T-shirt.
Michelle Monaghan6 of 31
The murder mystery Kiss Kiss Bang Bang isn't exactly a family holiday flick, but what a treat it is to see Michelle in her finest Christmas garb.
Mariah Carey7 of 31
Move over, Mrs. Claus. Mariah's in town. Who needs live carolers when you have the superstar's Merry Christmas album?
The "Mean Girls"8 of 31
We dig the '90s feel that this trio's rocking with their slivers of middriff and exposed bra straps.
Elizabeth Banks9 of 31
While we think wearing a Santa hat is a perfect excuse to not have to do our hair, we do love Elizabeth's curls here: not too tight, but not messy either.
Zooey Deschanel10 of 31
Want to stand out? Don't dress up as Santa; be one of his helpers instead. Get inspired by Zooey's look in the movie Elf.
Katy Perry11 of 31
Our favorite "California Gurl" balances showing off too much skin by pairing a more revealing costume with black tights.
Alessandra Ambrosio12 of 31
There's no question that this Victoria's Secret model knows how to work a Santa suit. (Which reminds us—we should really start practicing that "come hither" look.) We're loving the oversize fur-trimmed hood and the hot pink hue of her getup. And could we get that body for Christmas, please? Thanks, Santa!
Raquel Zimmermann13 of 31
Taking an even further departure from the standard red, Raquel here dons blue and plaid: fun yet still festive.
ON GLO: The Best Moments From The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Gisele & Co.14 of 31
Embellishments are a must for a rockin' Santa costume: Boots and glittery accessories make the look so much more merry and bright (sorry, can't resist sneaking in a Christmas song reference this time of year).
Fernanda Tavares15 of 31
A no-pants look really is reserved for the the bold. Also, we advise you to always wear pleather with caution—stay away from any chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Cindy Crawford16 of 31
When you're a supermodel, sometimes just a Santa hat and a sports bra will suffice.
Tyra Banks17 of 31
The Top Model maven's costume highlights the necessities of a true Santa costume: fur trim, bright red color and the iconic hat. And she's got a hint of sexy with bare shoulders and flared skirt.
Katy Perry18 of 31
In another atypically demure look, Katy shows that sequins are a glam way to show holiday spirit.
Irina Shayk19 of 31
This Russian model got her Santa on at the ASPCA shelter in New York City with a simple hat and sequin top, showing that you don't have to go full Santa to show your spirit.
Ryan Lochte20 of 31
While we prefer lustfully gazing at the eleven-time Olympic medalist in nothin' but a Speedo, he does pull off the festive look well. We just hope he isn't hiding a grill behind that grin.
Marla Maples21 of 31
And then... there's the no-pants approach. We say, if you've got it, as Marla does, flaunt it. Just not at the company Christmas party.
The Rockettes22 of 31
If you're dressing as a group, don't forget to coordinate your accessories. These silver shoes are perfect for high kicks.
Eva Gabor23 of 31
This age-appropriate Santa look is not only festive, but totally adorable as well.
Faith Hill24 of 31
Of course, the best accessory is Santa himself!
The Rockettes25 of 31
You could also take a cue from these Rockettes and dress like a present. You'll be sure to turn heads with some shiny material and creative costuming.
Santa on "Friends"26 of 31
A tip for men: A thick black belt will help hold your Santa-belly stuffing in.
Ben Affleck27 of 31
But perhaps an even better accessory than Old St. Nick is your guy doing the Santa thing along with you. We like the sexy quality of a Reindeer Games-style look.
Eddie Murphy28 of 31
Can't get your hands on a full suit? The most important parts are the hat and the jacket. Black pants, as Eddie wears here, can work as a neutral bottom to complete your costume if needed.
Billy Bob Thornton29 of 31
Or take the Bad Santa approach with a flask, a cigarette and a surly 'tude.
Santa Claus30 of 31
Here's a classic costume idea from the film Miracle on 34th Street.
Tim Allen31 of 31
You'll need a full beard and a stache for correct Santa styling, as seen on Tim in The Santa Clause. (If you can get fake eyebrows too, that will make the look even more realistic.)


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Illinois Public Media News
In-depth reporting from WILL, NPR, the Associated Press, and other sources
Contact WILL News at firstname.lastname@example.com
(Nati Harnik/AP)
May 15, 2013
(Kainaz Amaria/NPR)
May 15, 2013
Stay-At-Home Dads, Breadwinner Moms And Making It All Work
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
May 15, 2013
Legislation Would Name Highway After Ray LaHood
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Trump Questionnaire Raises Concerns About Retaliation Against Energy Department Staff
Explosions Rock Istanbul Soccer Stadium, Killing 29, Wounding More Than 150
In Reversal, Gambian President Rejects Loss And Calls For New Election
CIA Concludes Russian Interference Aimed To Elect Trump
Trump Transition Asks Energy Dept. Which Employees Work On Climate Change
Opposition Candidate Wins Ghana's Presidential Vote
In Taped Confession, Charleston Church Shooter Says 'We All Know I Am Guilty'
Japan Sends Long Electric Whip Into Orbit, To Tame Space Junk
A Message Of Tolerance And Welcome, Spreading From Yard To Yard
Defense Secretary Ash Carter Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan
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A short film series examining the severe underrepresentation of African-Americans in the sciences.
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text:
Ongoing Assessment for Increased Student Learning
Intended Audience:
Classroom teachers Grades K - 12
This PowerPoint is intended to support a presentation regarding on-going and formative assessments for learning.
Suggested Use for this Document:
- District level or building level personnel may use this PowerPoint and notes to present an overview of On-going Assessment. It addresses what it is, why it should be used, and gives some ideas for classroom implementation.
- This would be a good start for a workshop where teachers made some samples of ideas to vary their assessment techniques.
- It also addresses records management within a standard based system.
Send questions and comments to:
Resource Link:
Return to Common Core Professional Learning Series Home Page
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License


text:
By Susan Beecher
I recently read an interesting report titled "Valuing New Jersey's Natural Capital: An Assessment of the Economic Value of the State's Natural Resources." The concept behind the study is that various naturally occurring systems provide economic value over an extended period, and the benefits include both goods (commodities such as timber or mineral deposits) and services (ecological functions such as flood protection, soil erosion control and wastewater treatment). As it turns out, New Jersey's natural assets are worth big bucks.
Overall, the state's ecosystems were found to be much more valuable as providers of services (annual value estimated at between $8.6 billion and $19.8 billion/year) than as sources of harvestable goods (annual value estimated at between $2.8 billion and $9.7 billion/year). So leaving some land in its natural state makes for a great investment in a community's future, and can actually save money in the long run by maintaining functioning natural systems instead of building infrastructure projects or undertaking costly clean-up efforts to replace lost eco-services.
New Jersey isn't alone in acknowledging the value of natural systems. Cities worldwide know the worth of protecting forest lands in providing residents with clean and plentiful drinking water. Consider the case of New York City. Faced with the prospect of building a multi-billion dollar water filtration plant to keep its water supply safe, the city chose instead the much cheaper option of protecting the 2,000-square-mile watershed—a natural storage and filtration system—that surrounds its reservoirs. Wetlands and floodplains provide vital services of filtering pollutants, soaking up storm-water runoff and storing flood waters. Just think of the billions of dollars spent in this country on flood-control projects and flood clean-up that would not have been necessary if floodplains were less developed.
Add to the picture the far-reaching economic impacts of hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other outdoor recreation pursuits and the fact that some types of development demand more in service costs than they generate in revenue, and you have great incentives for a comprehensive land conservation approach that strategically protects regional landscapes and associated water resources that sustain us.
In their book "Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities," authors Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon approach planning to protect natural lands and processes on the same level as planning for other types of public infrastructure, such as roads, sewers and storm-water systems. Green infrastructure is defined as an interconnected network of land (including natural areas and features, public and private conservation lands, working lands and other protected open spaces) that is planned and managed for its natural resource values and for the associated benefits it confers to human populations. Benedict and McMahon argue that green infrastructure is just as deserving of investment of public funds as traditional infrastructure projects. They cite compelling examples of the many ecological and economic benefits provided by green infrastructure that most people take for granted.
Here in the Upper Delaware region, we can draw similar conclusions about the value of services provided by natural resources. Natural lands and the services they provide are not just a "nice-to-have" amenity, but are rather a "must-have" necessity that affords diverse and valuable social and economic benefits—an irreplaceable life-support system for both people and nature.
[Susan Beecher is the executive director of the Pike County Conservation District.]


text:
20 foods you should be eating
Published On: Jun 05 2012 01:56:27 PM PDT Updated On: Dec 21 2012 10:36:59 AM PST
Here are 20 healthy foods that you should be eating.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to our Terms of Use.


text:
Familiar automated scheduling tools help reduce inefficiencies and training time. Multiple timelines make it easier to visualize complex schedules.
Built-in reports help project stakeholders visualize data to gain insights across projects and make more informed decisions.
Seamless integration with collaboration tools like Skype for Business and Yammer encourages teamwork and ultimately produces better project results.
Resource management tools help you build project teams, request needed resources, and create more efficient schedules.
The Getting Started screen walks you through basic capabilities, like linking tasks and creating a timeline, to help you get up to speed fast.
Use one of the many pre-built templates from within Project client and on Office.com to get access to best-in-class project plans.
Use the Tell Me search bar—standard across most Office products—to quickly find useful features in Project so you can work more efficiently.
Built for professional project managers, Project client offers familiar tools, like Gantt charts, to help you easily create schedules and reduce training time.
Reduce inefficiencies with automated features. Auto-populate start and end dates based on dependencies, and use the Task Inspector to identify more efficient task and resource arrangements.
Built-in multiple timelines help you visually represent complex schedules and understand all aspects of a project. Easily share timelines using familiar Office tools like PowerPoint.
You can use baselines to help decision makers track and compare actual progress to the original project plan.
Task path highlighting in Gantt charts helps you understand the relationship among tasks and identify which are most critical to the project's success.
Set tasks to "inactive" and run what-if scenarios to determine the best-fit assignments without re-creating your entire project plan.
With task list synchronization, team members can update their assignments in SharePoint, and the data will appear in Project client.
Integrated communication tools like Skype for Business make it easy to collaborate using voice, video, or chat within Project, eliminating the need to switch between apps.
Easily copy information from Project and paste it into familiar Office applications like PowerPoint and Word. And OneDrive for Business provides handy storage for project artifacts.
Create a dedicated project site to share information—status updates, conversations, and project timelines—so team members stay informed.
Powerful built-in reports, like Burndown and Resource Overview, can help you gain insights, communicate information to stakeholders, and achieve results.
Visit the new Office Store to get Office add-ins that extend the functionality of Project to solve unique business and project problems.
Streaming technology lets you quickly install Project client over the Internet, on internal networks, through local file systems, or from offline media.
Like other Office 365 solutions, Project client provides automatic updates. So you're always current with the latest tools and features, reducing the burden on IT.
Team members can install Project client on up to five PCs, so they can access project plans from wherever they're working.
Run isolated instances of the service independent of each other. Separate IT and PMO settings allow each side to manage its own settings.
Microsoft PPM comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, as well as best-in-class data back-up, disaster recovery, and globally redundant data centers.
Microsoft PPM complies with various industry-specific standards, including ISO 27001, EU Model Clauses, HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA), and FISMA.
Add resources quickly and reliably with enhanced Active Directory synchronization, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
With 24/7 IT support from Microsoft, Project helps keep your business up and running and frees up IT to work on more strategic initiatives.
Your IT team can tap into robust application architecture and create custom functionality with a readily available software development kit (SDK).
Manufacturing, Enterprise, Project Online
The Hilti Corporation, based in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is a private company that provides innovative products, systems, and services to construction professionals. Hilti now has production plants in more than 20 countries on six continents.
Hilti needed the latest technology to manage its own projects in an efficient and scalable way. It lacked a view into the project landscape and needed a centralized resource pool to make sure that employees were assigned appropriate workloads.
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Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment. From more than 90 offices worldwide, Arup planners, designers, engineers, and consultants deliver innovative projects across the globe.
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...are there any recommendations to prepare my body for breastfeeding? That sounds silly, but I just wondered if there were any tips from other moms. I don't have any female relatives, and my friends seem to be all about formula!
My husband is super-supportive, but this is our first baby, so we are equally clueless!


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"I've been listening to the Catholic Answers Live podcast for about a year now. Today I heard Patrick Coffin say you were reaching all nations, and I felt I had to confirm it! I love your show and I learn every day. Thank you very much!"
"Behold, for a thousand years the pictures of your forefathers holding rosaries in their hands have stood in this church."


text:
I don't think so. I had a female best "man" when I got married and just for balance's sake my younger brother was chief bridesmaid. I've been to weddings where the "groom's speech" was made by the bride and where the bride was given away by her sister, where the bride's father's speech was made by a non-related guest and where the parents of both parties were not present. All marriages, most still going strong.
All would be thought to be "different" from the norm.


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Lmfao, I love these dudes. They remind me of Dave Chappelle.
Originally Posted by MellowHype
Lmfao, I love these dudes. They remind me of Dave Chappelle.
I was thinking the same thing.
lol i lvoe the last few
very funny indeed
these *****s are hilarious. although i think they were more funny back when they were on madtv
I love it...:rofl:
i love these guys.
its ok.....not very funny
they had funnier scenes. but overall there pretty funny
Last edited by VongolaX; 11-17-2012 at 11:25 PM.
Hahaha I love these dudes. Especially when they do Obama anger translator.
It be like that sometimes lol
Funny as heck :rofl:
damn i laughed my ass of
It's funny, but you're intensely late.
LMFAO!!! This was hilarious, I could die right now. I said b*****tch
Forum Rules


text: This is an revision of my latest mock in Ye Olde Mock Draft Thread, along with some thoughts there and on the main board. I thought I'd post it for fun. Priorities: 1. Fix the secondary 2. A stud LDE opposite Chandler Jones 3. Youth/depth at OL 4. Speed at WR to stretch the field 5. Depth at DT/penetrating DT/successor to Vince Wilfork 6. Depth at H-back/"move TE" to spell/complement Aaron Hernandez 7. An eventual true successor to TB The Next 6 Months: 1. Trade Patrick Chung to Tampa Bay for CB Aqib Talib; alternatively, the Pats might trade a 2014 draft pick for Talib and use Chung as a hybrid S/LB this year 2. Move Devin McCourty to FS and team him with Tavon Wilson, with Steve Gregory/Nate Ebner as backups 3. Re-sign Sebastian Vollmer 4. Franchise/extend Wes Welker 5. Sign Aqib Talib to a long term deal if he works out, or sign UFA CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Philadelphia). Brent Grimes (Atlanta) is a possibility, but he's coming off an Achilles injury, and we've already been burned with Jonathan Fanene and injured UFAs. If the Pats are unable to trade for Talib by the deadline, then they can just go after one of these guys during FA in 2013 6. Re-sign Myron Pryor and Danny Woodhead 7. Let go: Ron Brace, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, Kyle Arrington The Draft: General plan: Get a stud interior offensive and defensive lineman, LDE and a speed WR, plus some developmental talent. This one works for me (I'm assuming the Pats get 5th and 6th round comp picks): *** Trade: New England trades #32 and 64 (860 points) to Cincinnati for # 40, 50 and 82 (880 points). 40. Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina. 6'3" 310. Currently NFL DraftScout #35. Beast!I have a hard time believing Cooper will last this long, but guards tend to slip a bit. David DeCastro was touted as a likely top 15 pick, and Amini Silatolu was considered a possible late 1st round pick. Cooper has great movement skills and the ability to get the 2nd level, which makes him stand out as a fit for the Pats. Note: Jesse Williams is currently ranked #28 on NFL Draft Scout's board, so I had to pass on him in this mock, but if he fell to #40 it would be a tough call between him and Cooper. 50. Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, DE, BYU. 6'6" 270#. Currently NFL DraftScout #77. Sleeper Super Beast! A Brother Manx find, Ansah is still raw but has almost unlimited upside. Athletically he is roughly what you would get if Dr. Frankenstein created a fusion of JJ Watt, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dion Jordan. 39" vertical, 10.9 100M and 20.9 200M. Long arms. Great core strength, stunning verticity for a guy his size. Basketball, soccer and track and field background. High character, high motor, smart kid with good processing speed. Fast learner. Not yet terribly instinctive, but developing quickly. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports writes: NFL Draft Risers and Fallers - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com Mike Mayock predicts that Ansah could go in the 1st round, but for now I have him as a top 50 pick. He would be a beast opposite Chandler Jones. If Ansah is gone, the Pats could go with SMU DE Margus Hunt (#87) or Florida St. DE Cornelius "Tank" Carradine (#44). One of the 3 should be available around 50. William Gholston (54) is an outside option. 82. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. 5'9" 174". Current NFL Draftscout #49. Stud Greyhound! It's evident that the Pats' offense needs more of a speed threat at WR. Austin would be a Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson kind of weapon for the Pats: a dynamic speedster who can get separation and accelerate on a dime and take it to the house at any time. Guys like Austin and Jeff Demps could be dynamic weapons in the Pats' up-tempo offense, especially given the blocking TEs and the power running game to balance things out. If defenses go big to try and stop the TEs and the running game then the Pats can shred them with speed. After the West Virginia-Texas game Bucky Brooks wrote: West Virginia's Geno Smith shows poise of NFL quarterback - NFL.com This pick is a bit of a stretch based on NFL DraftScout's current rankings. It is based on the assumptions that Austin could slip a bit based on his size and the perception that he might be limited in the number of touches he gets. An alternative would be Brother Manx's binkie, Tennessee Tech WR Da'Rick Rodgers (#76 overall on NFL DraftScout's current board), who has more size but less pure speed, or someone like Aaron Dobson of Marshall (#80). *** Trade: Pats trade their 3rd and 4th round picks (around #94 and 126, rough 160 points) to move up in the 3rd round to around #86 (160 points) 86. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina. Current NFL DraftScout rank #82. Stud Horse! Williams is an extremely talented DT who slips a bit because of a deep and talented class and because he is a slightly older prospect, having spent 2 years in a manufacturing plant before going to community college and then to North Carolina. I'm not normally a fan of North Carolina players, but Williams has a great motor, terrific core strength, and great athleticism for a big man. He is strong against the run and has the strength to handle double teams, but is explosive enough to collapse the pocket and penetrate. He has nice positional versatility, playing either 4-3 DT position, 3-4 NT, and even some 3-4 DE. At one point projected as a 1st/2nd round pick, DraftScout currently projects him as a 3rd round pick, and he would be a steal, even if he required a slight trade up in this range. A rotation of Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love and Williams would be beastly. 5th (comp). Chris Gragg, TE/H-Back, Arkansas. 6'3" 236#. Currently NFL DraftScout #150. Sleeper Stud Horse! Gragg is Arkansas' leading receiver so far this year despite missing 3 games due to a bone bruise, which should keep his draft stock down and make him a relative bargain. A "move TE", he would provide backup insurance to Aaron Hernandez and would also create even more mismatch headaches when the two are used together. Gregg is deceptively fast, has good hands, and knows how to find the open seams in a defense. 6th (comp). Dontae Johnson*, CB/FS, North Carolina St. 6'3" 190#. Sleeper! Johnson played FS for the last year, but was moved to boundary CB this year opposite David Amerson. He is big, physical, tough, fast, smart, versatile and has good ball skills. He's not as fast as Richard Sherman, but brings a somewhat similar raw skill set. If Johnson doesn't declare, alternatives might be someone like Blidi Wreh-Wilson of Connecticut or MIcah Hyde of Iowa. (continued due to length restrictions)


text:
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text:
Event #5580
May 9-13, 2005
John Ascuaga's Nugget, Sparks, Nevada
| Presentations |
The Joint Ordnance Commanders Group (JOCG) and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) will conduct the 13th Annual Global Demilitarization Symposium & Exhibition May 9-12, 2005 at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, Nevada. This annual event continues to support Department of Defense in numerous efforts directed at reducing the stockpile of excess and obsolete strategic, tactical, and conventional munitions. The agenda will focus on the global challenges and successes experienced in the disposition of energetic materials. Topics of interest will include ongoing disposal, recycling, and reuse programs (R3), research and development efforts, transitioning technologies, and the latest policy issues that effect this business. Participation by industry, academia, government and international personnel is encouraged to foster cooperation in meeting the challenges of future efforts. Papers and exhibits are solicited for a global exchange of technical information and ideas on these subjects.
All the following presentations are in PDF formats.
- Top of Page -


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Aug 25, 2013 12
Another note if you're drafting today
As I mentioned here last weekend in my last post, it is a major endeavor to update all of our tools, so we have to limit those main updates to 2X per week. The next one will be Monday afternoon with no MNF game this week.
However, as I did last week, I've put through some updates to the projections for those drafting today or before we put through our major update. I'm also going to send this update to be uploaded to Draft Guru and Draft Analyzer, so the only updates not in place today will be the PDFs and the Excel files.
The good news is there wasn't really a lot of movement. I'm still watching the games, but it was a fairly quiet week. We are waiting for some injury updates on players like Rashard Mendenhall, though. So I expect I'll be tweaking these projections all day.
I'll also be posting today an updated look at Good Vibes/Bad Vibes, and the Stock Watch. But again, I'm still watching the games as of Sunday morning.
If you're looking for something like a 1-page/printable cheat sheet to bring to your draft today, our custom cheat sheet is rock solid. It does take up […]


text: Ok, so I nursed my ds for 18 months. . .and dd is almost 19 months now. . .so I'm new territory! YEA! I plan on clw this time around. . .I weaned ds due to pregnancy and unsupportive drs. . .won't be doing that this time around unless medically necessary!


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A woman called 911 after Subway employees put marinara sauce on her flatbread pizza instead of pizza sauce.
37-year-old Bevalente Michette Hall, 37, of Gastonia, North Carolina, was upset that her flatizza - Subway's flatbread version of a pizza - came with what she deemed to be "terrible" sauce, the Gaston Gazette reported.
Hall told the 911 dispatcher that her pizza was made incorrectly and that she couldn't eat that kind of sauce. She demanded her money back, but the employees wouldn't give it to her.
Hall reportedly called 911 twice with the same complaint.
Police eventually arrived at the restaurant and arrested Hall, charging her with misuse of the 911 system.
Ridiculous 911 calls
Have you ever considered calling 911 because of a massive spider in your house? How about because a McDonald's employee got your order wrong? Take a look at some of the strangest reasons people have recently called 911.


text:
Pieces of insulation and packets of burger patties from a refrigerated container wash up on the beach at Mt Maunganui.
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Mental illness in VermontFebruary 09,2014Mental illness has struck like a viper at my family in the past decade. After 20 years of happy, optimistic family life in Vermont, we found ourselves abruptly snatched out of the sunlit world and shoved into the dark gulag of schizophrenia.
Our younger son, an untroubled boy and gifted musician, was stricken at 18; after three years of struggle, he took his life in our home, a week before his 21st birthday.
His older brother, strong and vital, joined the spectrum several years later, well past the typical age of onset, which is mid- to late-adolescence. His case is milder, his life-force powerful, and my wife and I believe that with care and consistent medication, he will fight his way back to a productive life. Our own lives are consecrated to this outcome.
The point here is not self-pity. The point is to pay witness to the extraordinary dialogue that spooled out over two hours in Room 11 of the State House at Montpelier in the early evening of Jan. 30.
And to urge more such dialogues and enlightened media coverage of such dialogues. And to urge Vermonters who, like us 10 years ago, live under the illusion that this disease is a problem that affects someone else a tiny percentage of someones else.
To paraphrase Tolstoy on the subject of war: You may not be interested in schizophrenia. But schizophrenia is interested in you.
Schizophrenic disorder is hardly as rare as many would like to believe: Nearly 8 million Americans are afflicted, or 3.3 percent of the population. Vermonts percentage is higher: 25,000 of our 626,000 people receive public care each year, or a little over 4 percent. This doesnt count those who, in the words of one human services director, have fallen off the map.
Public policy, shackled by public indifference and straitened budgets, fails to meet humane levels of hospital beds and funding for care. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that two-thirds of our states have cut their funding for mental health care in recent years, a total loss of $1.8 billion. Vermonts Legislature, while not nearly so draconian, still struggles to spread its $200 million mental health care budget across burgeoning pleas for more beds, more staff, more outreach.
Our judicial system, while improving, continues to lump mentally ill lawbreakers with ordinary felons, depriving them of vital medication and worsening their psychoses. Government funding for treatment, beds, facilities and anti-psychotic medication remains shockingly inadequate.
The event in Room 11 was a public hearing convened by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and chaired by Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison). At issue was a bill, backed by Gov. Peter Shumlin, that would lessen the time-interval that now delays emergency medication, often for a month or more, to patients in psychotic states whose disordered brains may be at risk of further tissue deterioration unless the disease is promptly held in check. Some, yet far from all of these sufferers refuse to give consent to a dosage. Their interlude typically extends far longer, as court orders plod through the system. (Our surviving son waited 52 days for meds after being taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center last fall.)
A reader who is (mercifully) unfamiliar with the labyrinthine neuroscience of mental illness and the equally complex array of passionate disagreement as to its treatment might read the above paragraph and shrug: So whats the problem? Give em the dang meds.
Uh-uh. We are treading the surface of a deep, dark pool. The Jan. 30 hearing was in fact just the latest re-enactment of a long and tortuous struggle in Vermont: the struggle to reconcile two fundamental yet perhaps mutually exclusive principles regarding mental health.
One principle medication and hospitalization regardless of consent derives from the Hippocratic Oath, which enjoins doctors to prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone. (This is popularly, and a little reductively, known as forced medication.) Most of us remember only a compressed version of the Oath: First, do no harm. Yet it is the phrase prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment that demands our deepest attention here.
The competing principle, ironically, is embraced by both conservatives and liberals in independent-thinking Vermont. It requires honoring a patients constitutional liberties. These liberties include it is argued the right to refuse medication, regardless of her capacity to reason. Thus, forced medication violates a human beings fundamental sovereignty over her body and soul. Perhaps this stance derives in part from our collective memories of evil experimentation on human beings practiced in totalitarian regimes of the 20th century.
For the record, my wife and I both testified in favor of trained caregivers being permitted to administer meds, as quickly as possible, regardless of consent when the patient is in a crisis. In our experience, this procedure has arrested a dangerous trajectory and produced no debilitating side-effects. It has become a cornerstone of our hope for our son. And we wonder, like many others, how a person in the throes of unreason can possibly make a rational decision in his own self-interest.
Before the hearings in Room 11, I might have dismissed the dont-interfere sides arguments as illogical, even beside the point. (Virtually all non-consenting patients will be medicated eventually through the time-consuming court order petitioned by the caregivers. So isnt it cruel to keep the sufferer imprisoned in her psychosis for a minute longer than necessary?)
I still hold to this position. Yet I was changed nonetheless by hearing the agonized, heartfelt testimonies from those who oppose psychiatric intervention.
Those Vermonters, for the most part, were not rigid ideologues. Many were themselves schizophrenia sufferers. These were good and earnest people who had suffered almost unbearable disruptions in their lives. If they evinced a deep suspicion about psychiatrists motives or competence, or if they believed that the anti-psychotic cure was worse than the disease, then they had come by their beliefs the hard way.
As I sat listening, it struck me that what unified all of us in Room 11 was far more profound than what divided us. Every one of us had been scarred in some way. Every one of us was wrestling, to the best of our abilities, with a demonic affliction whose causes remain largely unknown to science and medicine in the 21st century; whose optimal treatment differs from patient to patient (schizophrenia and its allied diseases are nothing if not shape-shifters) and whose effects, especially at the extreme, are all but unspeakable.
And it struck me that the path forward to control and perhaps, at some future time, conquer schizophrenia will not be achieved by the tactics that now define our sadly polarized nation: contention, controversy, the call to our least worthy instincts. The conquest will depend upon compassion, and civic commitment, and common cause.
Schizophrenia is interested in us. And now, finally, dammit, we all may be getting interested in schizophrenia.
Ron Powers is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author who lives in Castleton.MORE IN PerspectiveVermonters have waited patiently for almost nine months now an exceedingly long period of time,... Full StoryEducation was in the shadows during the presidential election. Full StoryBricks. The wall was full of bricks. Full Story
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Nicholas Dietrick, 14, of Tyrone, Okla. checks out the sunflower field Tuesday at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center near Clovis during the annual field day. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth)
By Kevin Wilson: Freedom Newspapers
The 164 acres feature alfalfa and wheat and other ordinary crops, including sunflowers that grow to an average person's eye level. For some, the land represents a career; for others, a classroom.
Many area farmers would say it's an insurance policy they can't afford to be without.
The land, 15 miles north of Clovis, is part of the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center, located off of State Road 288. The center, opened in 1949, is home to about a dozen types of crops and 14 employees tasked with research duties.
"Our general purpose," Superintendent Rex Kirksey said, "is to help agricultural programs so that they can make good planting decisions."
That purpose is reached partially through what Kirksey calls variety trials. The trials are usually seeds sent from farmers or seed companies, and the center plants them on a small area of land. The results, whether good or bad, help farmers make educated choices before they invest thousands of dollars in a crop.
"That's a big part of why we do work with crops on a limited basis," Kirksey said. "If it's a dismal failure, we've helped the farmer save a large sum of money."
The process is trusted by many farmers, Kirksey said, because the center has no financial stake in whether or not a crop is a good investment, unlike for-profit companies.
It's a notion that isn't lost on farmers like Nick Pipkin, who has family members who work at the center and is himself a dry-land farmer.
"Basically, they can take risks that we can't take," Pipkin said Tuesday night. "We've got to make a living."
Pipkin and his family were three of about 50 in the agriculture field who turned the facility into a sightseeing tour Tuesday night. As part of the center's field day, people rode on a pair of trailers, complete with coolers full of drinks and hay bales used for seats.
Kirksey said the purpose of the field day, which comes about once a year, is twofold. First, it gives people in the area a chance to see what the university is doing with the tax dollars it receives. It also gives farmers a chance to get together and discuss topics that affect them and the agricultural industry.
Some of the topics discussed by the six presenters included peanut breeding, variety trails for sunflowers and alfalfa and the recent discovery of Africanized bees in Roosevelt County.
The education continues at the center year-round, even if there is no field day involved. College students can receive internship credit, or work at the center for summer employment.
The former applies to Broadview's Falon Pettigrew, a senior at NMSU. The latter applies to Angela Maggio, a former NMSU student set to graduate in December 2006 from Eastern New Mexico University.
Pettigrew, in her first summer at the center, said she and other students work wherever help is needed, whether it be pushing paper or planting. She is majoring in ag business and economy. She intends to stay in school and obtain a master's degree and try to work with farm credit agencies.
"We do everything at the center, from helping get all the crops ready, as far as keeping things ready," Pettigrew said. "It's getting me into the workforce and it's giving me experience of what the job field's going to be like when I get out of school."
Maggio, meanwhile, is using the center as a summer job and as a chance to get to know area farmers. Maggio, an ag economics major from Clovis, is planning a future career selling pesticides, seeds or chemicals, and she's gaining contacts now with potential customers in a post-college career.
"It's a very good learning experience," said Maggio, who is in her third summer at the center. "It's not always fun, but it's worth it."
The center also makes a small amount of money, because it has no problem selling the crops that research creates. Kirksey said that money helps purchase equipment for the center and allows them to do more with the money already granted through NMSU.
Still, the center's goal is research and Kirksey said it's easy to keep that focus.
"If you're paying somebody to operate a tractor," Kirksey said, "it means you've pulled that person (or money) away from research."
The center's next event is a peanut day set for Sept. 1.


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Student Org Night
Thu, 17 Jan 2013 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
8pm - 10 pm
Festival Ballroom
What are you passionate about? Connect with other students who share your interests at the Spring 2013 Student Org Night. This is your chance to meet members from the hundreds of active clubs and student organizations at JMU. This event, which happens at the beginning of each semester, is a great way to learn about the diverse interests of the JMU student body.
After Student Org Night, stay to enjoy free free food and live performances at UPB's first Late Night Breakfast of the semester, Game Show LNB.
To see a directory of all organizations at JMU, visit beinvolved.jmu.edu.
If you have any questions, please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or call the Office of Student Activities & Involvement at 540-568-8157.
- Nov 16: - Jan 11: Saturday Morning Physics
- Nov 16: - Jan 11: Saturday Morning Physics
- Dec 6: - Mar 11: "Observe Our Library" Exhibition


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GV Now
Exhibit highlights media's view of women and beauty
Posted on February 07, 2014
A student art exhibit by several women and gender studies and communications majors will showcase their perception of how social media reinforces popular media's unrealistic views of women and beauty.
The photographs in the exhibit, "Love Your Body," were taken by Makenna Brooke Runion as part of her communications capstone course. Each woman was photographed twice: once in a natural setting and once in full makeup. The exhibit will run February 9-March 9 in the exhibition room on the atrium floor of the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons.
Elizabeth Batten, a communications major and WGS minor, said this exhibit is a creative way to be an activist. Julia Mason, associate professor of women and gender studies, said the students hope the exhibit creates conversations about women and beauty.
An opening reception is set for February 18, 6-8 p.m. The Women's Center also supported this project.


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The signing of Chad Qualls wasn't one of the bargain basement signings like Juan Pierre or Joel Pineiro where a Phillies fan can argue if it doesn't work out, we can stash the journeyman 33 year-old reliever in Triple-A. Instead, the signing of Qualls for $1.15 million was a little puzzling, perplexing, and pushed them right to the threshold of the dreaded luxury tax. And while my colleague Corey Seidman did a fantastic job illustrating why it wasn't the best signing, I'd like to argue it was a good signing for reasons you may have and may not have anticipated.
In Jonah Keri's piece on Albert Pujols's contract, Keri says the going rate for 1 win is about $5 million. Corey praised Qualls for a nasty sinker-slider combo that induces groundballs and projected him as a .3 to .7 win reliever for 2012, which would be a bargain. Bill James has predicted Qualls somewhere between his very good 2009 and serviceable 2010, making Corey's prediction spot on. Where I differ with Corey is how Qualls place on the team effects the young arms around him and how this signing reflects on the Phillies.
Injuries Happen, Call-Ups are Used
In 2011, the Phillies used 22 pitchers, 18 from the bullpen at some point. In 2010, those numbers were 21 and 16, 2009 saw 22 and 18, 2008's numbers were 18 and 14, and 2007 saw 28 pitchers take the mound for the Phillies with 23 of them seeing relief duty. 2007 is unquestionably the outlier, but consider this: 16 pitchers appeared for the Phillies out of the 'pen for 10 or more appearances in 2007 in a worst case scenario, everybody-got-injured-or-is-horrible year. In 2011, with a relatively stable 'pen? 10 pitchers had at least 10 appearances, with 8 with 24 or more.
Qualls is a serviceable pitcher that was had at the right price. Admittedly, I am intrigued by seeing Michael Schwimer, Justin DeFratus, Phillippe Aumont, and Joe Savery receive an extended shot at the Majors, but signing Qualls will not reduce their chances. Other circumstances that happened at the end of this year and in the off-season have dramatically increased their chances, if anything.
Every year, it felt like the Phillies would trot out a combination of Andrew Carpenter, Scott Mathieson, and Mike Zagurski to varying degrees of effectiveness any time there was an injury. One was traded to Toronto, Mathieson left for Japan, and Zagurski was traded to Arizona. Those road blocks are gone. And the difference with Schwimer, DeFratus, and Aumont? They're younger and fresher than the previous trio was when they were receiving their shots. If any of those three, along with Savery, does get an extended look due to injury, the Phillies have no problem retaining those players on the roster if their performance remains at a high level, examples being Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo.
Injury candidates that may land young arms a spot: Bastardo, Joe Blanton (either from the 'pen or an injury that gives Kendrick a starting spot instead of the swing-man role) and Jose Contreras.
The Reality that Stutes and Bastardo May Have Caught Lightning in a Bottle
For the first half of the year, Stutes looked like the missing link in the bullpen. The 24-year old was fantastic but hit two distinct walls: in June and in September. And it wasn't all that crazy to suggest Bastardo was one of the best set-up men in all of baseball midway through the season. Like Stutes, however, Bastardo ran into a wall and lost effectiveness late in the season. There is a real possibility that at some point for either one of these pitchers, the wheels may fall off again, leaving an opportunity for one of the young arms to get their opportunity.
What Luxury Tax?
And perhaps the most exciting, and abstract interpretation, of the Chad Qualls signing is the possibility that the Phillies are willing to go above and beyond the Luxury Tax threshold to acquire the players they need to win a World Series. Philadelphia fans, myself included, long loathed the Yankees and Red Sox, and sometimes the Cubs and Mets, for being big pocketed bullies who did whatever it took monetarily to build a championship team. The Phillies haven't entered that realm; they're already in it.
Does the Chad Qualls signing mean they're going to be able to re-sign Cole Hamels for whatever his price tag may be after the season? Not at all. But what it may suggested is with the added revenue of selling out every night, increased ticket prices, and the very real new TV deal that is around the corner, the Phillies will go straight up to the Luxury Tax and sometimes cross it to acquire the right players.
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I'm not exited. Curious. Hopeful. …… But not exited.
Yes, it's pretty hard to get exited about a $1.15 million dollar signing, although Corey did (in a negative way!). Qualls is an arm, just as Willis is an arm; there's no telling how they'll work out, and there's no telling if all those kids will be any good when they're ultimately called on to replace the wounded and lame.
I think it's a decent enough signing: cheap and experienced and only for one year. It's not blocking anyone long-term. Exiting, no. Sensible, yes.
Nicely done. Corey's piece drove me insane. Glad to see a dose of reality. Can't believe people are complaining about Qualls signing a cheap deal and that we're not just "giving" young guys a spot automatically. You dont get anything automatically in baseball, you earn it!
Qualls will prove to be an unmitigated disaster. It would be easier to get excited about contracting herpes.
I can't comprehend how signing ANY role player to a $1.15 M deal could ever be called a disaster ….
If Gillick made this move, fans would love it … since Amaro made it, people complain..
My stance …….. lets wait and see, maybe he helps you, maybe he doesn't. Lets talk in November and then judge the deals he made for the 2012 season
Great piece. I'm glad we got him!
What is the current state of the Phillies' TV contract? We all know how much the Yankees, Red Sox, and now the Angels have benefited from their own networks. I know Montgomery has said the Phillies have no plans to move away from Comcast, so I assume Comcast will have to make it worthwhile. Afterall, it is in both of their interests to field a championship level team to generate those high local ratings 150+ nights a year.
More pitchers? Irrelevant, my friends! Where's the consistent hitting we need? Mayberry is not a dead certain .280 average plus hitter; for that matter neither is Victorino, Utley, Polanco, etc. We need a reliable day in, day out batsman to compliment Pence! Is anybody within the Phillies organization hip to this urgent need? However, it's good that some of the less productive players from the last few years were traded or shown the door.
Career batting averages of the 3 guys you mentioned:
Victorino = .279
Utley = .290
Polanco = .301
So they have multiple guys that have been there, and done that.. proven it multiple times … and like every other team in baseball – they need to stay healthy and try to do it again this year. The talent is there in their everyday lineup, the bench is deeper (maybe deeper than ever?), the best 1-2-3 of any starting rotation in baseball …… and now they've added another cheap arm to try to sure-up the bullpen
I don't see hitting as an urgent need.
Once Utley replaced Valdez/Orr/Martinez in May last year, the Phillies were the highest-scoring team in the league for the last 2/3+ of the season, with among the fewest games with 3 runs or less. It wasn't all due to Utley of course, but despite a down year he did wind up as the 3rd best hitting second baseman in the NL. More on Utley here: http://www.thegoodphight.com/2012/2/2/2715299/chase-utley-and-50-years-of-second-basemen
From that offense, the changes are these:
– Howard will be out to start
– full year of Pence
– Ibanez and his .707 OPS will almost certainly be improved upon
– better offense off the bench
Could it be even better? Of course. I just don't see the urgency.
Has a 1.5 mil signing ever had this much debate? Still, I am glad this article was posted as it helps to capture well the argument when put together with Corey's.
Welp. I just bought a three-pack (Opening Night vs Miami, Cliff Lee Bobblehead vs Dodgers, and July game vs Giants). I'm poor now.. but happy 🙂
How can you get excited over a $1.15 million signing? Wow! Short memories! I may have a few years on your other posters, but I remember back when Connie Mack wouldn't give Sam Chapman the $10,000 contract he was asking for. $1.15 million still seems like a lot of dough, even in these times. I hope Qualls measures up.
Who cares about Connie Mack and Sam Chapman. Those were different times and different circumstance. Back then, owners could get away with nearly anything because there was no reserve clause.
Also, in Chapman's day, before decades of inflation, $10,000 was a pretty decent salary, and many fans felt like you do now over Qualls' $1.15: "seems like a lot of dough."
Given what other teams have paid for lesser arms, Chad Qualls is a bargain.
Nice job as usual Riccaboni. What I found most interesting about this acquisition was that in the press release, it stated that in the past 7 seasons, 2005-2011, Qualls has made more appearances (512) than any other major league pitcher. Considering the manner in which Charlie uses his BP, I think this is just the kind of durable reliever he needs.
Nice piece Ian!
I love that for the first time in a while going into spring training we have a load of talent vieing for the bullpen.
I see it like this
We have:
Bastardo/ Qualls
Rest of the pen (3-4)
Stutes, Kendrick/Blanton, Contreas, Willis, Pinero, Dave Bush, Schwimmer, De Fratus, Savery, Aumont, Herndon, Diekman, JC Ramirez.
Lots of talent to pick from but since we have a such an innings eating Starting staff we will have a very rested staff and some of the older arms in the pen may be able to last longer.
Pinero will not be in the pen.
And concerning the luxury tax, I don't think they want to go over this season. According to Gelb's piece it is more important that the team does not go over it this year- than in 2013. The cost is 20% this year, and goes up to 30% if they go over two years in a row. But, it would cost only 17.5% if they go over in 2013 alone, and then the ceiling goes up for 2014. And as Ian mentioned the new TV package may be in place by then.
Maybe that's why there has been no movement on Hamels?
Most importantly Rube didint sign him for a 2 or 3 year deal. He seems to be getting a grip somewhat on that concept at least. Im guessing Rube isnt trusting that Contreras is/will stay healthy.
I'm taking the stance that this probably isn't going to be an "unmitigated disaster" like You're Delusional suggests (above)…..and hopefully, Qualls can be a valid contributor out of the pen.
But I can't real excited about it for the reasons that have been stated already concerning the young guys that might be able to help out for the MLB minimum and how this impacts their development. Hopefully, some of them get a valid shot as well.
I agree, however, that we really have to wait til the end of the year before we judge this deal fairly.
Does anyone have any links or information confirming this new "television package" I keep hearing about?
The Yankees, Angels and Red Sox are all flush with the cash from their own proprietary networks, but the Phils just have a syndication deal as far as I can tell, and I can't find anything that indicates that's going to change any time soon.
I'd love to hear that they're about to get a massive cash injection, but I just don't see where it's going to come from.
The poster NEPP said the following on another blog — I don't know how valid it is, but fyi…
"1. The Phillies tv deal will be up for renewal by 2015.
2. The Phillies play in the 5th largest market in the country and 2nd largest market in the country with just 1 MLB club.
3. The Luxury cap will likely be a bit higher then too.
Odds are the Phillies will have a much, much larger revenue stream by then as a result of that renegotiation. Look at what the Angels just got with their new deal ($150 million per YEAR for 20 years).
Estimates have the Phillies currently getting $20-35 million a year from Comcast…that number could easily triple and all this whining about our contract issues becomes a moot point."
According to Philly.com this past summer …..
The Phillies current TV deal expires in 2015 (don't know if it includes that season or not) …. the deal paid them $24 M
Last year, the Texas Rangers completed a 20-year deal with FOX that was worth $75 M per year …. extra revenue that can be used directly on payroll or to pay the luxuary tax should they go over (extending Hamels, while Halladay is still here) …
Thanks for the link and the quote, although, again it all seems a bit premature as the article are mainly just conjecture at this point.
I don't doubt that the Phils will see an increase over their current TV deal come 2015, but that's still some ways and this team might look–and therefore draw an audience–vastly different by the time the 2015 season rolls around. It doesn't take many ugly seasons for a fan base to wither. Further, as far as negotiations go Comcast is one of the more cutthroat negotiators when it comes to sports rights and fees (just look for CSNPhilly on DirecTV).
I guess what I'm saying is that while I'm sure the Phils will receive some increased revenue, I'm a little bit concerned that we're already putting them in league with the Angels, Yanks & Sox when those chickens are in no way yet hatched.
Nice job Ian. I am not excited just satisfied that Amaro got another experienced arm. Relievers rarely put two or three great seasons together. There will be injuries and as you noted, every team uses plenty of pitchers. These kids will get a chance but none of them are TOP prospects. I also agree that we can't count on Bastardo and Stutes repeating their performance. Remember that in the last three weeks Bastardo could not throw a strike. This was after an almost record setting WHIP performance of the earlier part of the year. As to the bullpen, more is better than less!


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USAToday Article
I was interviewed recently by Alex Prewitt, a sports writer for USAToday. He came across this blog, and was intrigued about the Ballhawk League and ballhawking in general. I spoke with him by telephone for 40 minutes Sunday afternoon. He had lots of great questions, so I was really looking forward to the article.
The print version is a bit shorter than the online version.
To read the entire online version, click HERE.
1 Comment
I posted this on a previous entry, but added it here as well.
Hi Erik….
I've just caught up on reading some of your older posts. That was some debate about the use of devices. Another aspect of the debate is whether or not a stadium allows their use period. I feel that snagging balls with devices and counting them in our league is discriminitory. I do 90+% of my snagging at PETCO Park. The rules here forbid me using a glove trick or similar device at all. So, in any type of ballhawking competition like the Ballhawk League I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I'm sure there are a number of stadiums that don't all devices as well where others in the league do their snagging. Alot of the guys who snag at stadiums on the East Coast that allow devices pad their stats up to 30+% or more with device balls. See my point? So, to be fair, in any kind of league the practice counting balls obtained by devices shouldn't be allowed because some of us can't do it. This would make it a fair playing field. I am all for the folks out there keeping those device balls in their personal stats like Mygameballs.com, but think they shouldn't count in the ballhawk league. I hope everyone out there sees my point. I also like Zack's idea about a point system. I'm all for that. Before next season I second the motion that a point system is established for the 2010 ballhawk league. Details of the point system to be voted on or established at a later date. We can all catch BP homers and have balls thrown to us, etc. , but we all can't use glove tricks. Think about it folks…
Leigh Barratt
San Diego, CA


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"Catholic Answers Live has been there for me, through God's infinite wisdom, and oftentimes answered questions I had been thinking about myself. Your radio program has been very instrumental in my conversion to the Catholic Faith."
~ Ross, Portland, Oregon
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"The Church has always taken great care that no one should be compelled against his will to embrace the Catholic Faith, because, as Augustine wisely declares: 'except he be willing, man cannot believe'."
~ Leo XIII in his encyclical Immortale Dei (November 1, 1885) quoting Augustine of Hippo, as detailed in the article Religious Toleration


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For Immediate Release
February 2, 2009
ISBE doubles online capacity for interactive ISAT sample tests to meet demand
Nearly one million online sample tests taken in past year as students prepare for annual exam
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced it has doubled online capacity in 2009 to meet the demand of up to 6,000 people taking practice tests simultaneously for the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). Nearly one million practice tests have been accessed online since last February when the interactive tool made its debut on the ISBE Web site. More tests are likely to be accessed in the coming weeks before the annual exam in March.
"The interactive test is just another tool parents and students can use to help prepare for the annual exam and perhaps relieve some test anxiety,'' said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "The sample test's popularity reflects the awareness and emphasis of standardized testing under the No Child Left Behind law.''
The ISAT tests will be administered March 2 through the 13th this year in schools throughout Illinois and the interactive tests can be found online at http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html.
This year's online test was recently updated with additional sample items at every grade level to give test takers some new challenges.
Nearly one million Illinois students in third through eighth grades will take the ISAT in reading and mathematics. In addition to the reading and math tests, students in fourth and seventh grades will be tested in science and students in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth grades will be tested in writing.
Last year, the Web site averaged 3,000 tests per hour during regular school hours and 100 tests per hour during evenings and weekends in the weeks prior to the annual exam. After completing the sample test, each student is shown the number of correct and incorrect answers, as well as the percentage of correct answers. The sample test summary also highlights the correct answer in green and the student's answer in red, if it is incorrect.
Between Feb. 1, 2008, when the online sample tests were first posted on the ISBE site and Dec. 31, some 976,585 tests were accessed on the site.
The sample questions in the interactive tests are the same questions in the ISAT Sample Books that were posted online in November and were mailed to each school by the end of January. The sample books are available online at http://www.isbe.net/assessment/htmls/sample_books.htm.
Other ISAT testing facts:
- During this school year the state will spend nearly $19.5 million dollars administering the ISAT.
- In 2008, 79 percent of students met or exceeded standards on the ISAT, compared to 64 percent in 2003. The overall ISAT performance increased just slightly last year with 78.7 meeting or exceeding standards in 2007 and 79.1 percent in 2008.
- Last year, ISAT reading performance increased in grades 5, 6, and 7.
- ISAT math performance increased last year in grades 6 and 7.
Results from the 2009 state testing will be released this fall in the annual school, district and state Report Card. The Report Card offers a wealth of useful and important information for students, schools and districts, as well as parents and community members including overall student performance; performance on state assessments; student demographics; and financial information.
In addition to student performance, attendance rates and graduation rates from the 2008-2009 school year will be used to determine if schools and districts met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires all states to measure each public school's and district's achievements and establish annual achievement targets for the state. The overreaching goal is for all students to meet or exceed standards in reading and mathematics by 2014.
In April, students in 11th grade take the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE), which tests students in math, reading, science and writing.


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Skip to comments.WORLD EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Mel Gibson's Explosive Racist Rant
Posted on 07/09/2010 5:30:05 PM PDT by valkyry1
Mel Gibson was caught on tape spewing a vile, hate-filled racist rant and RadarOnline.com has exclusively obtained the audio proof.
WARNING: This audio contains graphic and racist language. It has been left unedited so that the full impact of Mels rant can be heard.
(Excerpt) Read more at radaronline.com ...
ummm who cares, (i know, why did I click on the link)
World Exclusive, except when it was posted 12 posts down. Or the next 46 times tonight.
I can understand the frustration with some black folk, Affirmative action, etc, but what did the Jews ever do?
I would bet it is more explosive than anything an actor has said.
Zowie. What's happened to that guy? Satan has gotten a hold of him. We should be praying for him.
We have a President who sat in a church for 20 years while its pastor spewed racist, anti-semitic, anti American hate- and he never said a word. And they're worried about Mel Gibson?
You know I did a search.
Good point.
What good is it to gain the whole world if we lost our soul?
Nowhere is human nature nailed like it is in the Bible.
This so true, a lesson to me for sure.
I would bet it is more explosive than anything an actor has said. "
The difference is that at this moment in history Obama's hate and racism is okay.
In fact it is encouraged.
This is not surprising. Many people talk that way when they're madder than hell — both white and black and yellow and red. And why should we care?
Sad but the real Mel. I can't help but think he's drunk and his inhibitions are gone, so he says what he really thinks.
Get help soon.
I am on Mel's side on this. I think he got himself caught up in this ill-advised relationship. He finally saw the woman for what she is, and realized her type is an embarrassment for him. His language was out of anger and disgust.
She is the mother of his child and she dresses and acts trampy. Cannot blame him, but she was his choice and he must now suffer as he tries to get rid of her. The baby certainly complicates things. And, I don't blame him for being angry about the breast implants and nursing her baby. But, couldn't he tell they were fake during the courtship?
Yes it is a tragedy. It seems that ever since his movie, "The Passion of Christ" he has been come at hard by Satan. He needs to turn to God and ask for His help as he is definitely lost right now.
I don't believe this is the real Mel. He has been around for decades and nothing has ever been intimated about him in this way. It truly has only been since his epic film that these things have happened.
The earlier poster is right, he needs prayer.
My husband has never spoken to me this way.
If you think that this is normal, you're wrong.
Mine either!
Mel Gibson is a drunk plain and simple. He needs help. He has his nerve saying those things when the way she dresses and her fake breasts is probably what attracted him in the first place. From the interviews of him I've seen, his problem is he still thinks he is the cutest boy in the fifth grade.
Some astute observations there.
If Mel had been smart, he would have stuck with the mother of his seven kids. The grass looked greener and now he's going to pay. How many times has this scenario been repeated throughout time? I do agree with one of the other posters on this thread. It would be much more interesting to hear what Obama says in private—not that it would probably matter to his idiot worshippers.
Well seeing the people Obama associates with its probably a lot worse than anything Mel ever said.
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