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Proxy Voting
by Charles Rotblut, CFA
Proxy ballots and the materials included with a ballot provide a key opportunity for investors. The ballots give shareholders a mechanism to express their rights as owners. The accompanying materials give details on how the company is run, including who the board members are, how executives are paid and whether conflicts of interest exist.
What Is in the Proxy Package?
Depending on the preferences you provided to your broker, you may receive notices about shareholder meetings either through a letter or package in the mail or an e-mail directing you to a Web site (an e-proxy). The contents will include a ballot, a notice of the meeting and the proxy statement.
The ballot will contain information about the shareholders' meeting time and location. You can choose to appear at the meeting and vote in person. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions on the ballot to vote over the Web or by mailing the ballot in. If you decide not to attend the meeting, your ballot must be received by the company prior to the start of the meeting.
In addition, the notice will provide a brief overview of the proposals up for a vote and the board's recommendations for those proposals. Each proposal should be considered based on its own merits. Furthermore, it may be in your best interest to vote against one or more of the board's recommendations.
The proxy statement will provide relevant information for each of the proposals. The statement includes information about the independence of board members, executives' compensation and explanations of what shareholders are being asked to approve.
What Will You Be Voting on?
Each ballot will vary by meeting. The most common items listed on the ballots are nominees for the board of directors and a proposal to ratify the firm's accounting firm. Other items that can appear are the issuance of new shares, a request for authorization to split a stock or approval for a proposed merger. There can also be proposals to alter the corporate structure; for example, changing how board members are voted for or instituting special mechanisms such as the right for shareholders to acquire additional shares at a preset price in the event that an acquisition offer is made.
Who Can Vote for You?
You can cast your own ballot or designate a third party, such as a broker, to vote for you. Under a new SEC rule, you must provide your broker with instructions on how they should vote. A broker cannot vote for you without written instruction. The only exception is for "routine" matters such as the selection of an outside accounting firm. Most items on the proxy statement will not be routine matters.
Electing the Board of Directors
The top proposal on most proxy ballots will concern nominations for the board of the directors. The role of a company's board of directors is to look out for the best interest of shareholders. Therefore, independence is a key trait shareholders should look for.
A brief biography of each nominee will be provided near the beginning of the proxy statement. Toward the back of the statement, you will find sections labeled with a phrase such as 'certain relationships and related transactions' or something similar. If a nominee is listed in one of these sections, he is less likely to be an independent voice for shareholders. Finally, look at share ownership. The more shares a director holds, the more his financial interests should be in line with those of other shareholders.
Ratifying the Accounting Firm
Ratification of the accounting firm may seem like a minor vote, but it should be given consideration and thought. A good accounting firm will ensure the financial reporting is in order. More importantly, a good firm will issue an adverse opinion or a disclaimer if they find fault with the company's accounting policies.
Do not base your decision on whether you have heard of the firm or not. A major, well-known firm is not a guarantee that scandals will not happen and many regional firms are highly competent. What matters more is the reason why a company is changing firms. A change in accounting policies can result in the restatement of prior years' earnings, which could impact valuation and growth estimates.
Approving Executive Compensation
A good compensation package is large enough to attract and maintain talented executives and ties performance to goals that benefit shareholders over the long term. A quick scan of proxy statements for competing firms can provide an idea of what average pay is for the industry. (Go www.sec.gov, click on "Search for Company Filings," type in a stock ticker and look for form DEF 14A.)
Restricted stock is preferable, though many companies award executives options. In either case, the awarding of securities should be based on measures of profitability, such as an increase in margins, net income, earnings per share or return on assets. Be cautious of the changes to option vesting plans or the repricing on option contracts; these could be made to benefit the executives, and not as an incentive to work toward raising the stock price. Often these changes will be referenced under the term "incentive plan."
Changes to Stock Composition
A company may hold a vote that impacts the composition of shares. Such votes typically fall into one of three categories: a change in ownership interest, a change in the number of shares outstanding, or the option to offer shares in the event of an acquisition.
A change in ownership interest occurs when the company wants to raise money (new shares are issued and distributed) or wants to use existing cash or debt to buy its stock on the open market. A proposal to issue more shares is dilutive and will decrease your ownership interest. A proposal to repurchase and retire shares will increase your ownership interest.
A stock split changes the number of shares outstanding, but does not impact ownership interests. Most stock splits increase the number of shares, but reduce the price by a proportionate amount. For example, if you own 100 shares of a stock trading at $100 per share and a two-for-one split is approved, your holdings will change to 200 shares at $50 per share. Either way, your holdings are still worth $10,000. A reverse split reduces the number of shares outstanding, but increases the pro rata price each share trades at. Berkshire-Hathaway shareholders approved a positive split on the company's class B shares earlier this year to facilitate the takeover of Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Citigroup shareholders will vote on April 20 to extend authorization for a potential reverse stock split to avoid low-price restrictions that many institutional investors have.
A company may ask shareholders to approve a measure to sell more shares at specified price in the event that an acquisition offer for the firm is made. This is commonly referred to as a "poison pill." Though management may favor having the ability to enact such a provision, the intent is to make it harder for a would-be buyer to make an unsolicited offer.
More Information
The SEC recently launched a new section on its Web site devoted to proxies, appropriately named Spotlight on Proxy Matters (www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters.shtml). The section includes information about corporate elections, voting procedures and detailed explanations of the content on a proxy ballot and proxy notice.
There are also various third-party sites devoted to proxies. For example, ProxyDemocracy.org shows the results for past meetings and ballot proposals for upcoming scheduled meetings. Moxyvote.com shows suggestions from various advocacy groups. When looking at any Web site for information or proxy voting advice, keep in the mind that the recommendation for a specific ballot initiative may not be in your best interest as a shareholder. Just as in government elections, it is important to do your own homework, stay informed and vote.


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"Thanks for producing the best show on the radio (Catholic or otherwise)! My husband and I finally joined the Radio Club and look forward to supporting y'all quarterly from now on."
~ Adalee
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"We keep the eighth day [Sunday] with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead."
~ Letter of Barnabas 15:6-8 (A.D. 74); just one of many early writings indicating the infant church in Apostolic times set apart Sunday for the public and solemn worship of God.

subset: commoncrawl


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"The work of priestly formation these days must involve a strong catechetical component since so many of our people have been deficiently formed. The resources you provide are allowing the Church to do a better job in preparing Catholics to know and defend their faith more effectively."
"We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world."


text: At Laurel Canyon Apartment Homes, you'll find friendly living among a "Main Street"-themed setting, tree-lined trails and a wonderful community surrounded by nature. Just off the 241 Toll Road, Laurel Canyon is one of the four Laurel communities centrally located in beautiful Ladera Ranch, California. Our wide open spaces and beautifully landscaped grounds provide you with a virtual oasis away from the city. At Laurel Canyon, we're proud to offer one, two and three bedroom custom apartment homes that have been uniquely designed with you in mind. Enjoy working up a sweat in our fitness studio and unwind afterwards in our shimmering resort-style swimming pool. You'll also find trails for hiking and biking, cozy cafes and great shopping all within walking distance of your new home!


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Compliance Committees
Based on federal law, several regulatory committees have been set up at Albion College.
- If your research involves human subjects or other animals, you must consult with the appropriate committee before submitting your grant proposal for funding.
- The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research protocols involving human participants.
- The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees and evaluates all aspects of the College's use and care of animals.


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As a brainchild of Samsung group of companies, the Samsung U28D590D is not only one of the first ever 28 inch UHD screen but also is a reasonably priced replacement for the 1080p panels. The 28 inch monitor is one of the new wave of inexpensive 4k screens to hit the market that has ability of dictating the kind of technology that is to be employed. Ever since its arrival, the prices have been dropping down, thus offering prospective clients more value for their money.
The Samsung U28D590D features a sophisticated base that has been forged from metal while the body has been designed from plastic. The stylish base is able to provide a firm stand for the TV screen thus ensuring there is minimal or no vibrations whatsoever. In order to achieve a smart look, Samsung decided to shove all of the controls towards the back of the screen, leaving a miniscule power light at the front that happens to intrude on the lustrous bezel. By employing a TN panel instead of an IPS, the Samsung U28D590D has a response time of 1ms which makes the screen ideal for gaming.
But due to the output restrictions on the HDMI connectors, it is highly advisable to have a top notch graphics card if you will be purchasing this 4K monitor exclusively for gaming. In terms of connectivity, the connectivity options are remarkably thin and features only two HDMI 1.4 ports and a 1.2 display port. A 3.5mm line-out is also available for speaker connectivity. One remarkable feature that makes this monitor stand out from the crowd is the joystick that has been located at the rear end of the screen. The joystick is able to offer a fluid and intuitive navigation, ensuring that the user is able to navigate and access the settings menu with so much ease.
With the integration of the text scaling function for Windows 8.1, all windows and applications will be displayed at all times in their correct sizes. Minus this feature, windows applications and texts will appear way smaller on this monitor. Regardless of the text scaling function, there are some programs like the Adobe suite that up to date have not been fully optimized for the 4K screens, hence you may encounter some difficulties when using them. Other additional features include an embedded eco function, an off timer, UHD upscale, a PBP and a 2.0 PIP.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced 4K screen that is able to offer value for money, then make a point of purchasing the Samsung U28D590D.


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"Your radio show changed my life. As a result of listening, I converted to Catholicism at 53 years old. I was a very active Protestant my whole life before becoming a Catholic. Keep up the terrific work!"
"Without Thy presence, nought, O Lord, is sweet,No pleasure to our lips can aught supply.Whether 'tis wine we drink or food we eat, Till Grace divine and Faith shall sanctify."


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Big Island fire officials say a woman in her late 30s was critically injured after a three-car crash in Kailua-Kona Thursday afternoon.
It happened at around 2:20 p.m. on Kuakini Highway near Akoni Drive.
Fire officials say the woman was driving a truck when she apparently sideswiped a sedan, then collided head-on with a semi-trailer.
She was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition.
Get breaking news alerts through email or through our KITV iPhone, Android and iPad apps.


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29th Riverside International Wine Competition RESULTS:
TEMECULA, Calif. - A Canadian white wine, a New York dessert wine, a Sonoma County Petite Sirah, a sparkling Muscat, and a Sangiovese Rose from Temecula earned the five top sweepstakes awards at the 29th Riverside International Wine Competition, which concluded Friday.
The awards continue a tradition of the Riverside event recognizing fabulous wines from non-traditional grapes and regions, and that includes the special winery awards to wineries that establish a strong presence each year at the event.
The RIWC's Winery of the Year trophy was a tie between one of the West Coast's northernmost wineries and one of the most southernmost.
One winery was Chateau Ste. Michelle, which won 19 top awards including four gold medals and 15 silver medals. The other was South Coast Winery, which earned five gold medals (three of them unanimous) as well as eight silvers. South Coast has also won the California State Fair Golden Bear Award twice as the best winery in the state.
The Small Winery of the Year trophy was awarded to Reustle-Prayer Rock Winery in Umpqua Valley, Oregon. The Reustle wines earned nine silver-or-better medals of its 10 entries. The Terroir Trophy for best regional showing went to JoieFarm in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada.
The JoieFarm "A Noble Blend," inspired by the Alsace, won the award for best white wine. It was the second year in a row that a Canadian wine won the white wine sweepstakes award at RIWC.
The best red wine of the show was a 2008 Petite Sirah from Christopher Creek in Sonoma County; the trophy for best pink wine went to Callaway Winery in Temecula for its Sangiovese Rosé, and the best dessert wine was from Casa Larga, a Vidal Ice Wine that is annually one of the finest such wines in the world.
In addition, four special trophies were awarded, all sponsored by the International Riesling Foundation.
The best Dry Riesing trophy went to the 2009 V. Sattui, Napa Valley, Early Harvest; the Medium Dry trophy was awarded to the 2009 Thirsty Owl, Finger Lakes(New York); the Medium Sweet trophy went to 2009 Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Finger Lakes, Estate (New York), and the Sweet trophy went to the 2008 Frogmore Creek, Tasmania, "FGR".
Forty-three judges from around the United States, mainly wine makers, wine journalists, wine merchants, and importers, evaluated 1,923 wines over a three-day period, and many of the wines were evaluated using an experimental system that included regional identification.
Complete results may be found at www.RiversideWineCompetition.com. All winning wineries may print out shelf talkers, table tents, and much more on the web site.


text: The American Academy of Pediatrics had proposed permitting American doctors to ritually "nick" the clitorises of girls whose parents want to maintain their customs in America. The thinking was that this compromise would prevent such parents from going underground to have a fuller mutilation of the clitoris carried out instead. Ayaan Hirsi Ali argues that [Read More…]


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The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook
One of our favorite recommends for learning, building, and troubleshooting low voltage dc power systems is "The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook". This 200+ page booklet, though focused on the marine industry, explains everything you need to know about low voltage dc, switches, wiring, batteries, alternators, and more. Clear diagrams, schematics, and an easy to read dialogue completes the package.
Order this book from Amazon, email us the order confirmation, and we will email you the link to our DIY Solar and DIY Generator package for free.
Read more on this subject ….


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Since last fall, a lot of people have started to rethink their costs. As the lawn-mowing season gets into full swing, you might be wondering if the lawn service you paid for last year is worth the investment now.
But the considerations on how to get the grass cut goes beyond cost. What about convenience? What about the quality? We'll examine three ways to mow your lawn so you can decide which option is best suited for you -- and your lawn.
Cut It Yourself
This option will save you money over the long run, but it can also eat up part of your week in the process. And depending on your experience level and the equipment you're using, the quality of the cut could be great -- or not so great.
If you plan on taking the do-it-yourself route and you're starting from scratch, the first thing you'll need is a lawnmower.
Reel-type lawnmowers are the cheapest with models beginning around $100. Reel mowers are popular because they are light, quiet and gas-free. They do a great job of cutting if you sharpen the blades yearly.
If you're not religious about cutting your grass every week, then a rotary lawnmower may be a better option. Rotary lawnmowers work better on longer grass and can cut corners more effectively than reel mowers. To run your rotary mower, you'll have to purchase gas, oil and spark plugs. There is a wide range of models with prices ranging from $100 to $700.
Electric mowers are available in both reel and rotary models. They work well on lawns up to 3,000 square feet. Electric rotary mowers are quieter and more environmentally friendly than gas-powered models. Prices range from $125 to $600.
Overall: Mowing your lawn can save you money and be a good source of exercise. But it can be inconvenient -- especially if it's a job you don't enjoy -- and you'll have to accept the fact your lawn won't look like the outfield of Wrigley Field.
Hire A Neighborhood Kid
You shouldn't have to search far and wide to find someone willing to take over your lawn-mowing duties. The best way to find a trustworthy lawn-cutter is to get a recommendation through a neighbor or friend. If networking fails to lead to a good candidate, check Craigslist.com or your local newspaper.
It's not always the case, but most lawn-cutters will provide their own mower, so you'll save yourself money on the ownership and upkeep of a lawnmower.
While this is a convenient option, reliability could be an issue. Even if your lawn-cutter shows up every week, there is no guarantee on results. The best thing do is to communicate your needs and expectations early on in the lawn-mowing relationship.
Overall: Convenience is high and prices are likely reasonable. But quality and reliability could be questionable.
Hire A Professional
If you're tired of cutting your lawn, apparently you are not alone. According to Consumer Reports, Americans spent more than $44 billion in 2006 on professional lawn and landscape services.
Most professional services have minimum fee for residential lawns at an average of $35. Estate-size lawns can typically run anywhere from $50 to $75.
A professional service will almost always be more reliable and do a better level work than a lawn-mowing novice.
The good news for consumers is that there are plenty of professional lawn care providers out there. So you can price hunt and find the best deal for your lawn.
Overall: If you have the money to spend, this is the best option for quality and convenience.
So, which option is best for you? Here's the roundup to help you decide, based on cutting your lawn once a week for 20 weeks:
1. Cut it yourself:
Cost: About $320 for the summer (including the purchase of a $300 mower and $1 a week for gasoline)
Convenience: Low
Quality: Questionable
Reliability: Questionable
2. Paying neighborhood kid:
Cost: About $600 for the summer (estimating a weekly cost of $30)
Convenience: High
Quality: Questionable
Reliability: Questionable
3. Hire a professional:
Cost: About $1,000 for the summer (estimating a weekly cost of $50)
Convenience: High
Quality: High
Reliability: High
Regardless of which factors are most important to you, this isn't a decision you can ignore. Because after all -- your lawn isn't going to cut itself.


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Rock your own interactive locker
Published On: Jul 23 2011 08:24:38 PM CDT Updated On: Sep 19 2013 09:20:23 AM CDT
Show off your sense of style and creativity by decorating your own locker.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


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There is one man who has been traveling throughout all of the nine kingdoms over the course of his life. Many settle down, whether to work in Winterfell or guard the Wall, but one man lived the life of a wanderer, the life of a nomad. This was perhaps due to his restless spirit, or perhaps due to his thirst for adventure and new challenges. It's also very likely, however, that he was routinely kicked out of wherever he ended up, due to the wretched stench that followed him wherever he went, his near-constant spitting and a demeanor that Lady Lysa Arryn once described as "The most appalling thing I've ever seen, and I'm a woman who still breast-feeds her 12-year-old son." Whatever the reason, the man known as Sir Danyul, Screamer of Filth and Puncher of Cats, never really found a home.
Here is the account of his brief time spent in the Game of Thrones universe, and all that he learned while there.
4It's Impossible to Keep Track of Almost Any of You
For the first time in decades, almost everyone in all of the nine kingdoms had gathered together at the Wall. Sir Danyul, Singer of Songs and Eater of Drugs, had astonishingly convinced everyone to be in one place at one time to settle, once and for all, what he found to be one of the greatest difficulties of his time.
"Thanks for coming, everyone. I know a lot of you traveled very far distances to be here, and I really appreciate it."
"What's this all about?" cried one of the old, barrel-chested, white-bearded men of which there are about a dozen or so throughout the entirety of the series. He was hardened and outspoken, much, in fact, like all of the other ones. "I've got hunks of non-specific meat to chomp on and large brass steins of some kind of ale to gulp. Make this quick!"
"You're part of this problem," Danyul said to the broad, white-haired lifetime soldier who may or may not have been a bad guy, "but you're sort of a minor character, so I don't really feel bad for not being able to keep tabs on you. Still, though, it's very confusing. Are you Jon, the soldier who pals around with the shaggy-haired Stark kid in battle, or Jeor, the soldier who pals around with the other shaggy-haired Stark kid at the Wall?"
"What do you mean, 'keep tabs'?" barked one of the other large, outspoken soldiers. Or it might have been the original outspoken old soldier, Danyul couldn't really tell. One of them was Jon and one of them was Jeor, but he'd go to his smelly grave not knowing.
They're so similar that if you Google "Jon Umber," Jon and Jeor both come up. Even the Internet can't tell them apart.
"Just, in general," Danyul said. "I'm having just a bitch of a time figuring out which one of you is which."
"What does that mean?" called one of three messy-haired white guys from House Stark who were all introduced at the same time, so who could even keep track?
"We're all very different," they shouted in unison.
"This is what I'm talking about. It's really hard tell you guys apart. Only one of you is an actual, full-blooded Stark, right?"
"Aye, that's me," Robb said, stepping forward. Danyul made a mental note to call that one "Humperdink," because he looked like something out of The Princess Bride.
"Great. How about the other two? What are your stories?"
"I'm a bastard," pouted Jon, while looking sad and whiny. "I'm Ned's son from another woman, so I'm only 'kind of' part of the family. Ned Stark raised me." He pouted some more.
"And I'm also not part of the family, but I kind of am. Ned Stark raised me," the third one said. He also looked like something out of The Princess Bride, so Danyul made a mental note to call him "Humperdink II: Humplectric Dinkaloo."
"Right," Danyul said, "and that's my problem as a ... let's say a 'viewer' of this world. I mean, right here, we've got three 20-somethings who all hang out and look kind of the same and have the same mannerisms and--"
"I'm actually supposed to be 14," said Jon, the moodiest of the bunch.
"Bull. The Fuck. Shit you are."
"Let's move on," Danyul said, as he instructed three sword-wielding, armor-clad men to step forward. "You three. Please explain why you're different."
"I am Jorah. I'm the very dedicated and dependable bearded guy who has been hanging around one of the major characters, working as a badass and bodyguard."
"And I, meanwhile, am Jory, the very dedicated and dependable bearded guy who has been hanging around one of the other major characters, working as a badass and bodyguard."
"Finally, I'm Bronn, the very dedicated and dependable bearded guy who has been hanging around one of the other major characters, working as a badass and bodyguard."
"Huh," Danyul said. "I can see why George R.R. Martin gets so much credit for creating tons and tons of interesting, diverse characters."
3One of You Won't Stop Talking About Being a Eunuch
When the (unprecedented) gathering of similarly designed caricatures hadn't gone as planned, Danyul, Son of Rage and Farts, was forced away from the Wall, and he found a temporary home in Casterly Rock, where he wandered about, picking pockets or scamming the rich townsfolk out of their money in other ways. It was during one of his mid-afternoon cons that he ran into Lord Varys. The eunuch.
Lord Varys, sometimes known as "The Spider," or "The Master of Whispers," or "The Needlessly Creepy Bald Guy," approached. He always spoke quietly to, as he so claimed, avoid being overheard, though it was secretly suspected in all of the nine kingdoms that he only did so to have an excuse to get really close to whoever he was talking to. Like, he gets right up on you. Whispers in your ear, you can feel his tongue flicking your earlobe occasionally. "Sorry for licking your 'lobe" he once said to Ned Stark after a particularly close whisper. Ned almost took his head off that day.
Varys carried a torch, and the fire itself seemed to try to keep its distance from the general air of discomfort that he puts out into the world. Surely the shadows were playing tricks on me (the omnipotent, narrative eye of this world), because it looked like he was leaving a trail of slime in his wake. If there was anyone that made people more uncomfortable than Danyul, it was Varys.
"Good Sir Danyul," he said in a low whisper that was heavy with spit, and chunks of things, "have you a moment or two to ssssspare? For the Ssssspider?"
"Not, uh, not really, man. I've got-- There's a whole, like, a ton of ... things I should be doing, right now. If you give me just a second I'm sure I can think of ... a single task." Come on, Danyul. "Ravens? I have to do something with the ravens? Shoot them, or train them, or tie messages around their legs and assume they know where I want them to fly. Something."
"This will take but a moment of your time, your grace. I just have a brief ssstory."
"Please don't let it be about your balls."
"You know, I was a boy, once, before they took a hot knife to my scrotum to remove my balls--"
"I just knew it."
"It cauterized almost immediately, you know."
"I didn't know. Of course I didn't know. I spent my whole life trying not to know that. I was pitching a perfect game of not knowing the specifics of what happens during castration, until just this moment."
"They removed my balls."
"Well, that, yes, you've brought up lots of times. That I knew."
"And immediately, my skin cauterized. Something about the soft flesh of scrotal meat--"
"Come on!"
"Makes it very conducive to abrupt cauterization. Funny, really."
"It's not."
"Anyway, what did you want to talk about, Sir Danyul? The stank of sizzled scrotal juice?"
"First of all, of course not," Danyul replied. "Also: What? You came to see me. Didn't you have something to talk about?"
"Oh, right, the queen and her piece-of-shit son are going to try to murder you."
"Ah. Is it because I threw the Lannister dwarf in a tree and convinced the local children he was a pinata?"
"I haven't checked on the specifics, but probably."
"Oh. Balls."


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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/226939
|Download PDF (Published version) (Adobe Acrobat PDF, -1 bytes)
- Title
- A cosmological view of extreme mass-ratio inspirals in nuclear star clusters
- Author(s)
- Mapelli, M.; Ripamonti, E.; Vecchio, A.; Graham, Alister W.; Gualandris, A.
- Abstract
- There is increasing evidence that many galaxies host both a nuclear star cluster (NC) and a super-massive black hole (SMBH). Their coexistence is particularly prevalent in spheroids with stellar mass 108–1010 M⊙. We study the possibility that a stellar-mass black hole (BH) hosted by a NC inspirals and merges with the central SMBH. Due to the high stellar density in NCs, extreme mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) of BHs onto SMBHs in NCs may be important sources of gravitational waves (GWs). We consider sensitivity curves for three different space-based GW laser interferometric mission concepts: the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the New Gravitational wave Observatory (NGO) and the DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO). We predict that, under the most optimistic assumptions, LISA and DECIGO will detect up to thousands of EMRIs in NCs per year, while NGO will observe up to tens of EMRIs per year. We explore how a number of factors may affect the predicted rates. In particular, if we assume that the mass of the SMBH scales with the square of the host spheroid mass in galaxies with NCs, rather than a linear scaling, then the event rates are more than a factor of 10 lower for both LISA and NGO, while they are almost unaffected in the case of DECIGO.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
- Source
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, Vol. 542 (Jun 2012) article no. A102
- Publication year
- 2012
- Keyword(s)
- Black hole physics; Cosmology theory; Galaxies; Gravitational waves; Nuclei; Star clusters
- Publisher
- EDP Sciences
- 0004-6361
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © ESO 2012. The published version is reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
- Research Projects
- Full text
- Peer reviewed


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37 Eastern Avenue
East Providence, RI, 02914, USA
Contact Us, Today
(401) 435-0200
Why have we been so successful in keeping our clients?
We think it is because of an underlying philosophy that our success lies in making our clients successful. We don't overcharge. We bend over backwards to meet deadlines. We try to be both creative and direct in conveying messages. We bring to the table all kinds of ideas, both the new and the tried and true.
Finally, it is important to note that we think internationally, both in helping American clients sell overseas and in helping overseas clients sell in North America.


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Medicare Open Enrollment and You
You can select a new plan for 2017 or keep the one you have
En español | Whether you have original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you have one opportunity each year to make any changes you want.
Subscribe to the AARP Health Newsletter
This opportunity is Medicare's open enrollment period, also called the Medicare Annual Election Period.
Medicare plan benefits and your needs can change on an annual basis, so use the open enrollment period to compare your options and get the right fit.
During this past year, have you: Changed the medications you take? Been diagnosed with a new medical condition? Any of those changes could mean your current Medicare plan no longer meets your needs.
Medicare plans also change. The costs of your plan can go up or down, and prescription drugs can be added or dropped from the list of drugs (the formulary) included in your plan. Some Medicare plans change the benefits they offer or stop offering coverage in a particular location.
Because of such changes, you should check your current Medicare plan and, if necessary, switch to another one that fits you better.
You can compare the plans available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you choose, by visiting Medicare.gov or calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Another option for information and enrolling is to call the plan of your choice or visit its website.
more about medicare and open enrollment
You May Also Like
- Discuss Medicare Enrollment questions and experiences with others
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Policy: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
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Deja Vu
I was so annoyed over last night's 3-2, 12 inning loss to the Dodgers that I did not feel like writing anything. I mean, what can I say? Here is a brief synopsis to compare last night's bone crushing loss to Friday nights:
Brad Lidge blew the save…again.
The offense took the day off…again.
Jimmy Rollins popped the ball up….again.
The starting pitcher (Blanton, Saturday) threw a great game and did not get the win…again.
Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz appeared to be the only players interested in getting on base…again.
Too many men (mostly Utley & Feliz) left on base…again.
Andre Ethier of the Dodgers hit the walk off blow to win the game…again.
The Phillies lost a game they should have won…again.
I wanted to kick my foot through the TV set and up a Phillies' back side…again.
That about sums it up. If this team does not walk away with a series split tonight, I may end up in the hospital with chest pains. I realize it is only 2 losses and yes, we are still in first place, but when a team loses games in this disgusting fashion, it really just makes me ill. Knowing that they have all this talent and just keep forgetting how to use it is simply brutal for the fans and everyone involved. Please, please Phillies…get it done tonight!
And that is my rant for the day. Thank you for listening / reading :O) I feel better now.
***Visit the Phillies Phollowers Online Shop today!***
(Store is non-profit, but lots of fun! I hope you enjoy our artwork!)
*Read more about the Phillies at MY OTHER HOME PAGE! Phillies Phollowers has joined forces with Phightin' Phils Phorum! Remember also to check out the homepage, My Team Rivals and my very own Miami Dolphins page, The Dolphin Pod!
4 Comments
Ranting is good for you Jenn! I hope they get their acts together today!
Sorry about Lidge. He hasn't been the same this year for sure. But it's still early and your guys are still a great team.
I know how you feel, Jenn… not lookin' too good in the Lou either. Three straight to the ROX? At least you got beat by the best team.
I love the cartoon Jen! I was very happy that I was at the stadium. The only game I missed was Sunday as I took an early flight to Boston to work here this week. I am glad of the day off today.


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Scallops With Red Cabbage
8-10 large sea scallops, with "foot" trimmed off (your seafood shop can do this)
2 tbsp. butter
½ c. all-purpose flour
1 small head red cabbage, cut in strips
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp. water
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Dust scallops on one side only with flour. Shake off excess.
Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place scallops, floured side down, in skillet, and cook uncovered for 3 minutes, until a crust forms on the bottom. Cover and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover with a sheet of foil to keep warm.
Pour off any leftover butter from skillet, keeping as many of the little flour "bits" as possible. Add olive oil and garlic and heat over medium heat until hot. Add cabbage and water and cook 2 or 3 minutes, just until cabbage is wilted. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and stir well.
Serve with scallops atop a mound of cabbage in the center of the plate. Await compliments.
Now, this is where we can run into a bit of trouble. This may well be the most important course, but it's also the most personal. Does your significant other like dark, milk or white chocolate? Fruit? Cake? Pie?
If you choose the "safe" route and purchase your dessert item from a bakery, and I'm not for a moment faulting you for doing so, be sure and personalize the presentation with some chopped mint scattered on the plate, an artistic drizzle of chocolate or caramel, and perhaps some fresh fruit such as strawberries or grapes.
If you're feeling adventurous and would like to try your own hand at dessert, check out the Valentine's section of this site. We'll be bringing you some delicious dessert options of many types.
For a real home run, Paulette Mitchell has two that will mark you as not just a gourmet, but a true artiste in the world of chocolate. Her Triple Chocolate-Cassis Brownies may just be the apex of the brownie art, and the Chocolate-Cherry Bread Pudding With Sherry Cream is ... well let's just say you might end up carrying the dish to another location to finish dessert. And both of these are simple enough for even the most rookie cooks to create!


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Found LocationDrug, Alcohol, Medical testing.Drug and Alcohol testing only.Drug Testing only.
Please specify Search options or Zoom In on selected Area.
Drug testing near Towanda, PA 18848
Med-Stop has Drug Testing location open near Towanda, PA 18848 - please check the map above. If the marker is blue, the location is not directly Med-stop managed but affiliated. In order to preform drug testing in an affiliated location a subject will need to bring a pre-printed form. Please check the map above for availability. Random, Pre-employment Drug Screening Services around Towanda, PA 18848 may be performed at Med-Stop if you are registered with Med-stop. Companies have to register online in order to use our services. This has to be done in advance before you actually have to perform drug testing. Refer to map above for detailed info about this testing location for DOT Drug Testing & Non DOT Drug testing. Alcohol examinations, Drug Testing and Physical examinations can be performed only in Med-stop managed locations indicated by a red marker on the map. Both Alcohol examinations and Drug Testing can be performed in locations marked with yellow marker. Locations which are marked with a blue marker allow to perform Drug tests under Med-stop guidelines only if a company registers with Med-Stop Drug Testing Program and is supplied with Med-Stop pre-printed forms. The patient/Driver needs to have a pre-printed form in hand when showing up in one of those locations. DOT and Drug Free Workplace Programs near Towanda, PA 18848 are also available although may not be available at 1 Hospital Drive Towanda, PA 18848.
Who are we?
Med-Stop, Inc. is a nationwide provider of an Internet accessible Management System that targets Companies and Individuals obliged to conduct Drug Testing and Alcohol Testing and Medical Examinations, as a requirement to grant employment, or to satisfy periodic testing schedules, dictated by either a Government Agency at Towanda, PA 18848, or their own Policies and Procedures. Drug screening and Drug testing near Towanda, PA 18848
Med-Stop eliminates the need to use Consortium or a Third Party Administrator by integrating all their functions into the Management System. Random selection for Drug testing, Random selection for Alcohol testing, record keeping of results is completely automatic with all results available to authorized individuals through secure, password-protected access. Creating mandatory or custom reports takes seconds instead of days or weeks.
Med-Stop allows for on line ordering of tests in one of several thousand locations nationwide. Intuitive graphics overlaid on a detailed map reduce finding testing sites and their schedule to a simple point and click function.
Med-Stop Access
Med-Stop Management System is a sophisticated, comprehensive and flexible tool that minimizes administrative effort and cost of compliance with applicable regulations. When used properly, our System enables complete electronic record keeping for a company of any size or structure near Towanda, PA 18848.
Whether utilized by a single Owner Operator truck driver, small, medium or large Trucking Company, Airline, Railroad Company or any DOT regulated Industry near Towanda, PA 18848, the Med-Stop Management System is simple to use and cost effective. The basic System is available to users free of charge.
Companies implementing their Drug and Alcohol Testing Polices around Towanda, PA 18848 will find the Med-Stop Management System easy to customize to meet their internal goals and requirements. Non DOT testing schedules and frequency are easily programmable. Reporting turnaround of results and their accessibility is unmatched throughout the Industry.
Contact Us
If you need additional information or assistance please contact us at 1 Hospital Drive Towanda, PA 18848 - use our contact form - or call at 1-877-633-3633
Last Updated: 08/27/2010
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Found LocationDrug, Alcohol, Medical testing.Drug and Alcohol testing only.Drug Testing only.
We perform Drug Testing for Registered Companies only. No individual Testing. In order to preform drug testing in an affiliated location a subject will need to bring a pre-printed form, that can be ordered from Med-Stop by registered Employers. Be aware that it usually takes few days to get forms.


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Reviewed By Michael S (IRA, MI) Reviewed for a 1998 Ford F-150 —8/13/2013 6:03 AM
Sounds awesome, perfect deep rumble on my f150. Have scared a few people taking off at a light when driving in the city. Has the perfect deep rumble that fits my truck perfectly. Very easy to install. Had to to come with a custom way to hold it up, used some strap clamps and worked perfect. Overall great buy.


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Mr. Ramirez was born Oct. 23, 1948, in Beeville. He served in the U.S. Marines and married Yolanda Ortiz in Beeville on Oct. 25, 1969. He was a retired postal carrier and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, VFW Post #9170, American Legion Post #274 and was the local coordinator for the Bee County Veterans Honor Guard.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda Ramirez, on Jan. 10, 2010.
Survivors include a daughter, Linda Mae (Victor) Gomez of Beeville; two grandsons, Benjamin Javier Gomez and Matthew Alejandro Gomez; two brothers, Joe (Cathy) Treviño of Beeville and Pete (Rosie) Treviño of Freer; a sister, Estella Gonzales of Beeville; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Molina of Beeville; mother-in-law, Lucia Ortiz of Beeville; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Angelus Funeral Home. A rosary was recited there that evening at 7 o'clock.
The funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Friday, March 30, with Rev. Richard Gonzales officiating. Burial followed in Beeville Memorial Park.
Pallbearers were members of the American Legion Post #274, Becy Ochoa and Joe Richard Rodriguez; VFW Post #9170, John Snyder and Onie Lopez; and Vietnam Veterans of America, John Salinas and Rudy Garcia.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Bee County Veterans Honor Guard, Jesse S. Gonzales and Richard Rodriguez; and all members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, VFW Post #9170 and the American Legion Post #274.
Angelus Funeral Home


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Anyone who attended the bible school from June 6-10th are welcomed to attend. Fun food, cold watermelon, games, water slides and more will be provided.
Parents are asked to drop off and pickup their children at the park. Children are asked to wear swimwear if participating in water games.
Lottie Davis is vacation bible school director, the Rev. Eugene Lewis is minister of education and the Rev. Karl Combs is president of the fellowship.


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|HUGE SNACKS to @ayligerwolf for the graphic :D
For everyone else, welcome to one of possibly THE MOST RIDICULOUS ideas I've had for some time.
|Tournament Mascot of WIN :D
With Garrosh behind bars, Azeroth has come together in an unprecedented show of unity, and has decided to invite participants from all over the planet (and beyond) to take part in a game of skill, dexterity and hammering leather balls at tiny goals. Race, gender and creed are irrelevant, this is a game where EVERYONE can take part and participate, either Alliance or Horde. The World of Warcraft has united under its many and various Reputation Banners, and the top thirty-two have already been through an exhaustive (and at times quite dangerous) set of World Cup of Azeroth Qualifiers. The remaining 'teams' will begin playing for the newly created title of Azeroth's Top Footballers starting on Thursday, June 12th.
The 'teams' that made it through to the final draw are as follows:
Stormwind (Tournament Hosts)
Gnomeregan Exiles
Thunder Bluff
Darkspear Trolls
Stormpike Guard
Booty Bay
Cenarian Expedition
Lower City
Alliance Vanguard
Explorers League
Knights of the Ebon Blade
Kirin Tor
Sons of Hodir
Silver Covenant
Earthen Ring
Shado Pan
The Tillers
The Anglers
Hydraxian Waterlords
Brood of Nozdormu
Argent Dawn
Darkmoon Faire
Timbermaw Hold
The Official Draw for the Group Stages of the 2014 World Cup of Azeroth will take place on Wednesday, June 11th and we will bring it to you here as soon as it is completed. We'll also provide details on how you can affect the outcome of EVERY GAME PLAYED by voting for your favourite team using Twitter and Facebook.
In the meantime it is time to pick your favourite for the Tournament. We'll be revealing more details as we wind up to proceedings proper, plus there's a good chance we'll sort out some ACTUAL PRIZES for lucky people taking part :D
[PLEASE NOTE: Not affiliated with Blizzard, the ACTUAL World Cup or indeed anything else in case someone comes along and slaps a C&D on me for nicking the idea, because, well you know how these things work. For entertainment purposes only. Filling is hot.]


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Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
*Unless noted on Store Profile page
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Watts Pick to Hit Pop Up Content
Diamonds in the Rough
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Price promotion(s) are valid on Internet and Phone orders only. Due to manufacturer restrictions, offers exclude select new release and other select products.
Free Shipping means Free FedEx SmartPost on orders over the amount specified by the promotion and valid during shipping promotion offer dates only. Redeemable on Internet and phone orders only. Offer valid in the Continental U.S. only. $6.99 Flat Rate shipping means FedEx SmartPost Shipping in the Continental U.S on qualifying orders (excludes orders with Ping hardgoods and oversized items like bags, travel covers, carts and full-sets). Manufacturer restrictions may apply. Golf bags, travel covers, carts and full-sets are excluded from any Free Shipping promotion and Flat Rate shipping.
Copyright 2014 - A Worldwide Golf Company – All Rights Reserved


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Administration Manual for Students
The Administration Manual for Students is a guide to relevant administrative policies and procedures for all students of the University of Sydney Business School.
Please note that the information contained in this guide is subject to change and will be updated periodically.
Table of contents
- Academic dishonesty and plagiarism
- Academic Progression
- Appeals
- Assessable group work
- Australian Qualifications Framework
- Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning
- Cross-institutional study (outbound)
- Discontinuation due to illness or misadventure - DC
- Distribution of grades
- Graduations
- Guide to units of study
- Honours
- International Exchange Program
- International Study Abroad Program
- Progression Checking of degree plan
- Recording devices in lectures and tutorials
- Special Consideration / Special Arrangements
- Student enquiries
- Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Student safety
- Students with disabilities
- Timetable changes
- Timing of assessment
- Upgrade for postgraduate award courses
- Weighted Average Mark (WAM)


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|By David Weinberger
Article Rating:
|July 12, 2014 11:04 AM EDT
Thank you, Gravity, for keeping the water — most of it — in the lake, and for making sure it reaches all the way to the bottom.
Read the original blog entry...
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Plea deal set in $120,000 embezzlement case in Vt
WATERBURY A Duxbury woman is facing a federal felony embezzlement charge that accuses her of taking about $120,000 from Cold Hollow Cider Mill and the Harwood Youth Hockey Association.
According to court records filed this week, Michelle Rutledge, 46, was the office manager and bookkeeper for Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury from 2000 until June. She also served as treasurer of the youth hockey association, also known as the Friends of Harwood Hockey, from 2011 until June.
If convicted, she faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Rutledge has reached a plea agreement, although the U.S. attorneys office did not reveal the terms. She is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Brattleboro on Dec. 30 for arraignment and a change of plea.
According to the U.S. attorneys affidavit, Rutledge used Cold Hollow credit cards without authorization to make purchases for her own benefit. She also allegedly made electronic transfers of Cold Hollow funds to pay for goods and services for her own enjoyment. She is accused of taking the money from 2007 until June.
The affidavit also says Rutledge used hockey association credit cards without authorization to buy things for her own benefit and wrote checks in the associations name to pay for goods and services for herself from 2011 until June.
The U.S. attorneys office said Thursday that the amount taken from the two organizations totaled about $120,000.
Paul Brown, owner of Cold Hollow, issued a statement Thursday evening saying the owners and employees of the popular tourist attraction were shocked and disappointed to learn a former employee allegedly had been stealing from the business for several years.
Michelle Rutledge was the first person we hired after we bought the cider mill in 2000, the statement said. She resigned on May 15, and an investigation began shortly afterwards. As owners and managers we will learn from this experience and move ahead. The Cold Hollow Cider Mill is an excellent business with a talented staff and a bright future. We have already made a number of changes in staff responsibilities and in our business practice that will reduce the possibility of this happening in the future.
We are a small business located in a small town. When somebody whom we know and trust takes advantage of our trust it threatens our belief in the values that we all share. On behalf of our staff and employees, we offer our sympathy to the innocent friends, community and family members who will be impacted by this news.
The president of the hockey association, Angela Well, also issued a statement Thursday evening.
Since June 2013, the Harwood Youth Hockey Association has been in full cooperation with authorities regarding the embezzlement of funds from the program. Our main goal since the summer has been to get our players on the ice and to assure they have a full and successful hockey season. With the help and support of our hockey families, the Ice Center of Washington West, the Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association and our community(,) we are well on our way to achieving this goal, the statement said.
According to the hockey associations website, it was formed in 1980 as a nonprofit organization for the purpose of teaching the game to boys and girls from Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown, Waitsfield, Warren and Fayston. The Ice Center of Washington West, which opened in 2003 in Waterbury, is the home rink of the association.
In July, the Waterbury Record newspaper reported that the organizations expense budget was $57,205 in 2012, according to the organizations federal 990 tax form.
According to Cold Hollows website, the mill is a top New England producer of fresh apple cider and one of the states most popular tourist attractions.
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From a lecture on sustainability to an alumni team reunion, from Beijing to Boston, opportunities to gather with Middlebury folks are happening every week, both on campus and off.
Stay connected with the Middlebury community around the globe. Selected events appear below, but we encourage you to check out our ongoing list of events to see what's happening on campus or near you, and contact the alumni office at email@example.com or (802) 443-5183 if you'd like to host or propose an event for the local Middlebury community.


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Okami-san and Her Seven Companions
Okami-san and Snow White, Who Is Immune to Poison Apples
Episode 9 | TV-14
Ringo dodges a request from senior and beauty pageant winner, Himeno. Their unfortunate past has Ringo in a fuss. Until she can face the upperclassman, the rest of Otogi Bank must entertain Himeno's seven tyke siblings!
Sub Expires: 10-11-2013
Dub Expires: 10-11-2013
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/okami-san-and-her-seven-companionsHide Details


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Groupon Misleads Public About Animal Abuse
Groupon claims it's all about deals, but it's giving animals and consumers a raw one. The online discounter has been offering tickets to circus performances, claiming to promote only circuses with "clean [U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)] and public record inspection reports from at least the past 2 years." But if Groupon were actually checking out the circuses it hawks tickets for, it would know that most of them have received numerous citations during the past two years from the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. PETA has written to Groupon demanding that the company stop misleading customers:
The statements have the potential to mislead the public, and consumers in particular, about Groupon's sponsorship of circuses and inappropriately influence the compassionate consumer's choice not to patronize Groupon and the inhumane forms of 'entertainment' that it sponsors. PETA demands that Groupon immediately stop misleading the public and put an end to its circus promotions.
Just a few of the incidents that Groupon is content to overlook include the following:
- An elephant exhibitor for Piccadilly Circus was arrested in May on a warrant related to cruelty-to-animals charges.
- Exhibitors contracted by UniverSoul Circus received an Official Warning for failing to give veterinary care to elephants suffering from foot ailments—the number one reason why captive elephants must be euthanized.
- Jorje and Louann Barreda were cited by the USDA for repeatedly failing to provide four elephants with adequate foot care.
Tell Groupon to give animals a fair deal and stop promoting abusive circuses to make a quick buck.
Commenting is closed.
cicus animals are forced to perform night after night and kept in cages and on chains traveling constanty. This is cruel and inhumane and I am sure frightening for these animals. This needs to be stopped and these animasplaced in a sanctuary to live out their days in peace. Have mercy.
We purchase items from groupon all the time but will boycott! Please set an example and don't sell tickets to these cruel circus shows!! I haven't been to the circus since I was a child and I will never take my son to any event that uses animals for entertainment value! Discusting! I have to set an example for my son! Please put these animals well being first!
A human being please work Please let the animal leave naturally Please stop a terrible circus
I went to a circus as a child, I never went again after I saw cruelty. Please help end this cruelty. At least here in the UK, using animals in circus's is illegal. I truly hope it becomes illegal there too.
This is so sad. Say NO to circuses that use animals!
This is so sad. Say NO to circuses that use animals!
C'mon Groupon, I would really hate to have to boycott you. But the elephants and other animals that circuses abuse are worth it. Go with non-animal circuses!!!
Please stop this now !!!!!!
This is not right! I have not been to the circus in many years, and I will never go again, unless it's WITHOUT animals. They deserve better!
Groupon, you really can be a leader in this effort to protect our wildlife. You don't need to support these abusers! I love your site but am willing to promote a boycott if you continue to give access to these defenders. You CAN BE THAT CHANGE!
I never go to the circus! I've made that pledge years ago!
This is the reason why myself, family/friends, and many others will never go to the circuse. Groupon you have the power to stop this! So Please end this outdated and cruel practice now!
It's disgusting that you would promote circuses that clearly haven't passed humane animal procedures, and even more disgusting that you claim to considering. Please stop this, or I know many people that will forever stop using your website.
I am from South Africa, and am boycotting SA Groupon because of this.
Stopped, stopped, stopped !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To hear that Groupon is endorsing something as abusive as the circus, just made me very sad and angry. Until you stop sponsoring companies who engage in animal abuse and until you stop lying to the public about abusive animal practices by your sponsors, I will stop purchasing Groupon vouchers. Making a quick buck at the expense of animals is disgusting and I will have no part in and I will spread the word to all of my friends and family.
Please stop selling tickets to circuses. This causes people like myself with good morals to stop using Groupon. Be that unique company that sets yourself to a higher standard. Thanks, Shanda
C'mon Groupon, I would really hate to have to boycott you. But the elephants and other animals that circuses abuse are worth it. Go with non-animal circuses!!!
Stop doing this to animals. They deserve a good life.
I hate Groupon!
The worst companies/people are those that pretend to care.
Elephants & like ALL others living beings DESERVE our respect & love! Stop Animal abuse!
Time for Groupon to take animals into consideration. I for one will take them of my email list


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Winter Skin Fixes
- Next1 of 17Imaxtree.com
- Previous NextWant It!2 of 17Courtesy of The Organic Pharmacy
- Previous Next3 of 17Thinkstock
- Previous Next4 of 17Courtesy of La Roche-Posay
- Previous Next5 of 17Thinkstock
- Previous Next6 of 17Courtesy of Chanel
- Previous NextWant It!7 of 17Courtesy of Diptyque
- Previous Next8 of 17Thinkstock
- Previous NextWant It!9 of 17Courtesy of Amore Pacific
- Previous Next10 of 17Thinkstock
- Previous Next11 of 17Courtesy of Gina Mari
- Previous Next12 of 17Thinkstock
- Previous Next13 of 17Courtesy of Bioré
- Previous NextWant It!14 of 17Courtesy of Sonya Dakar
- Previous NextWant It!15 of 17Courtesy of Burt's Bees
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- Previous Next17 of 17Getty Images
- Winter Skin Fixes9 Things You Need to Stop Doing to Your Skin ASAP
- 15 Pretty Celeb Looks To Steal
- Beauty Secrets From A VS Supermodel
- 8 Unusual Beauty Tips You've Never Heard Of
- The 9 Hottest Nail Colors For Summer 2014
- 10 Beauty & Style Trends From South America
- Outrageous Nails: International Edition
- 13 Waterproof Beauty Products That Work
- 11 Cult Makeup & Hair Products From Asia
- 12 Ways You Apply Your Makeup Wrong
- This Season's Hottest Blonde Hair Colors
- 10 Essential Makeup Tips For Blondes
- 15 Most Iconic Blondes Of All Time
- Glo Tested: The Best Sunscreens for Summer
- 9 Short & Easy Celeb Haircuts To Steal Now
- 12 Beauty Secrets From a Top TV Host
- 13 Drugstore Beauty Buys the Experts Swear By
- 20 Life-Changing Ways To Use Bobby Pins
- 18 Next-Big-Thing Beauty Products
Cold Season1 of 17
By Zoe Schaeffer
Dealing with the harsh winter months can be a challenge, especially when you're trying to maintain a healthy glow. Cold temperatures and dry climates can dehydrate, leaving complexions dull and lifeless. We asked two skincare experts to share the latest products, the easiest at-home tricks and the best in-office treatments to help you avoid gloomy skin.
Code Red2 of 17
"Switching temperatures too abruptly (imagine walking into the ski lodge after coming off of the slopes) can distend capillaries, leaving the skin looking red and ruddy," says Gina Mari, aesthetician and skincare expert. "A redness-reducing cream will quell the problem."
SHOP NOW: The Organic Pharmacy Double Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream, $71.95
Soap Opera3 of 17
"Using less soap is very helpful in winter months because cleansers strip your natural oils, which help lubricate and maintain your natural moisture," says Dr. Neal Schultz, founder of DermTV.com. "You should certainly cleanse the personal areas where you perspire, as well as your face and hands, daily," he says, "but arms, legs, chest and back really only require soap once a week."
Heat Is On4 of 17
Gina says that cranking up the heat during cold months can dehydrate skin. "Be mindful of how long you keep the heat on," she says. "And though the idea of a long, hot shower or bath can be really enticing, too much hot water will add to the feeling of dry, itchy skin." A soothing cream will be a calming force.
SHOP NOW: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Soothing Cream, $23.90
Pan Handling5 of 17
Dr. Schultz says that if you have old-fashioned freestanding radiators in your bedroom, put a large area pan of water on it every night. "When the steam heat comes on, it causes evaporation of some of the water, which helps to ensure adding moisture to the air."
Tone It Down6 of 17
"Immediately after exfoliation, use a hydrating toner and then immediately apply moisturizer," says Gina.
SHOP NOW: Chanel Lotion Doceur, $45
What a Scrub7 of 17
Gina says you should exfoliate at least two times a week to keep skin soft and supple during these dryer months. "I would recommend a gentle scrub and perhaps a weekly enzyme peel."
SHOP NOW: Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish, $68
Moisture Maker8 of 17
"In dry, cold winter months, humidifiers are helpful in the bedroom to help add humidity to the air," says Dr. Schultz. "It allows your skin to absorb the additional moisture in the air while you sleep."
Ray of Light9 of 17
"Even in the winter months, if you are outside, don't forget sunblock!" says Gina. "The snow can act like a giant reflecting board." This one is one of her favorites.
SHOP NOW: Amore Pacific Natural Protector SPF 30, $64
Spa Service10 of 17
Gina says one of her most valuable tips is to simply drink water! "I love to chop up lemon, cucumber, mint and a slice of orange and make my very own spa water at home," she says.
Oxy Proxy11 of 17
"The most important thing to do for your skin is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!" says Gina. "At my office we place a strong emphasis on oxygen therapy treatments. We infuse the skin using a combination of vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and green tea. The skin is left dewy and hydrated, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."
Shower Power12 of 17
Dr. Schultz says to take shorter showers and baths in winter. "Make sure that the temperature of the water is not high, because hot water will open up pores, make you lose moisture and will further dry you out."
Wind Breaker13 of 17
"Make sure you apply a skin type-appropriate moisturizer to your face every morning before you go out to help protect it from cold dry wind," says Dr. Schultz.
SHOP NOW: Bioré Nourish Moisture Lotion SPF 15, $9.50
Lip Smacker14 of 17
"If your lips get chapped or dry out, don't lick them, which will make it worse. Rather, apply a lip balm containing either petrolatum or beeswax with an SPF of between 15 and 30," says Dr. Schultz.
SHOP NOW: Sonya Dakar Lip Fitness SPF 15, $12
Heavyweight Fighter15 of 17
"Make sure that you use a medium-to-heavyweight moisturizer on your entire body as soon as you pat dry after your bath or shower," says Dr. Schultz. "Apply it immediately to your arms, legs and trunk to help lock in the moisture that you picked up during bathing."
SHOP NOW: Burt's Bees Richly Replenishing Cocoa & Cupuaçu Butters Body Lotion, $8
Extra Exfoliation16 of 17
"In-office glycolic exfoliations are great for winter because they help remove dry, flaky skin more effectively so that your moisturizers can penetrate better and help to seal in more moisture," says Dr. Schultz.
Something Fishy17 of 17
Fish oil is packed with Omega 3 essential fatty acids which are very good for your skin, especially in the winter. Pop them in the morning with your vitamins to help ease your dry, flaky skin.


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Mark Fairless talks with 3D World about the creation of his illustration, "Squid vs. Whale" – this inspirational ZBrush project was inspired by the likes of 20,000 leagues under the sea. New to ZBrush, Mark shares the unique process he developed using ZBrush and After Effects to create the final 2D image.
See the article at 3Dworldmag.com


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The Republican president of the state Senate is proposing an alternative plan to Gov. Scott Walker's budget that would allow public school spending to increase $150 more per student in each of the next two years.
Sen. Mike Ellis's plan would cost $382 million but relies on a mixture of existing funding Walker put in his budget and $153 million in additional money from property taxes over two years.
Ellis told The Associated Press on Friday that Sen. Luther Olsen is a co-sponsor of the plan and they are talking with other Republicans to enlist support.
Walker included no spending increase for public schools in his budget. That has been one of the most criticized parts of his plan.
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie did not immediately return a message.


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Herons, blue and otherwise, spotted here
September 4, 2013 —
Herons are often seen in the Upper Delaware Valley. This great blue heron was snapped by Amanda Reed, the production manager for The River Reporter, on August 15. It had been stalking a meal in Little Lake Erie in Narrowsburg when it took flight and was caught on camera.
For more heron sightings in the region, see this week's River Talk.


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Did you know?
Partridge Point lies in the rich waters of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.
Maybe you've dived or snorkelled in South African waters before and had amazing encounters with reef fish, technicoloured corals or even an octopus or two. Now try a totally new marine experience and go diving or snorkelling with Cape fur seals. You'll be amazed at how friendly and inquisitive these playful marine mammals are.
If you're below the surface you'll dive down between 12m and 22m. The seals love to swim around you to investigate this odd human sea creature. Dazzling displays of aquabatics are common as the seals swirl, twist, turn and gyrate around you. You may even get a mock charge (they'll swerve away at the last moment), or a gentle bump or nudge signalling 'come and play!'
If you stay on the surface, you may find the Cape Fur seals cruising slowly along, or just lolling in the sunshine warming their flippers. If you're very quick and very lucky, you'll get some great photographs.
The place to go diving or snorkelling with Cape fur seals is Partridge Point, near Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula, where great white shark guru and brilliant marine photographer Chris Fallows runs a dive and snorkel operation. There's a colony of over 100 seals here that have become accustomed to both divers and snorkellers.
If you want to visit much bigger colonies, then take a trip to Seal Island in False Bay or Duiker Island off the Sentinel in Hout Bay. You won't dive here but you'll see huge seal colonies numbering in the thousands at least.
A bonus at Partridge Point is the reef, which is home to wall sponges, featherstars, nudibranch, starfish and all sorts of crustaceans. Fallows' company, Apex Predators, provides your cylinder and weight belt and you can hire all the other gear you need.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Apex Predators
Tel: +27 (0) 21 786 5717
Cell: +27 (0) 79 051 8558
Email: email@example.com
How to get here
By road drive south from Cape Town to Simon's Town. Apex Predators is on Main Road in the Quayside Building. Alternatively, take a train. The scenic journey takes approximately an hour from Cape Town Station along the coast via Muizenberg to Simon's Town.
Best time to visit
Cape fur seals can be seen all year round.
Around the area
Don't miss the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town.
What will it cost
Approximately R550 per person.
Length of stay
A diving or snorkelling expedition lasts approx. two to three hours.
What's happening
Simon's Town hosts the South African Navy Festival annually in March.


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GV Now
Board of Trustee members discuss donor relations
Posted on April 04, 2014
Student Senate hosted a Town Hall meeting April 3 in the Kirkhof Center to discuss donor relations. The meeting was a follow-up event to the first Town Hall meeting on the subject last month.
Shelley Padnos, chair of the Board of Trustees, and Kate Pew Wolters, former chair and current member of the Board of Trustees, answered questions from students, faculty and staff members about giving and donor recognition.
More than 50 members of the campus community attended.


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The Wrigleyville Rooftop Association is not backing down against the Cubs and chairman Tom Ricketts, especially without its concerns being voiced.
The Wrigleyville Rooftop Association issued a statement on the "inaccurate statements by Ricketts family" which has frustrated the rooftop owners ahead of the Cubs' self-imposed April 1 deadline to reach a deal regarding Wrigley Field renovations.
The rooftop owners have five issues they wanted to clarify. They assert the Ricketts do not need to renegotiate the 2004 landmark city ordiance with Chicago because "nothing has prevented the Cubs from making these improvements [to the clubhouses, public restrooms and various guest amenities] except to use the renovation debate as an excuse to drive away the rooftops."
They also contend the Ricketts were well aware of the 20-year contract that had been signed in 2004 with the rooftop owners when they bought the Cubs, and the family's attempt to purchase five rooftops in 2011 with the idea of placing signage on the properties is "nearly identical to the compromise solution being offered to them today."
The rooftop owners also pointed to the potentially lucractive television deals awaiting the Cubs in the coming years to denounce the Ricketts request for public funding. They also claim that it's "unfair to any business let alone your neighbors of 30 years" to try and unilaterally change a contract without one party's consent.
"Our win-win advertising plan would dedicate 100 percent of all revenues from signs on rooftops to the Cubs to renovate Wrigley Field and help improve community needs," Beth Murphy, the owner of Murphy's Bleachers, said in the release. "Signs on rooftops were proposed by the Ricketts family two years ago when they tried to buy a rooftop, so we're confused why it isn't good enough for them now. The Ricketts family should honor the contract we signed in 2004 that was negotiated by current Cubs' top executives. There is no reason to block our views."
Clearly the battle between the Cubs and rooftop owners is not over and if neither side backs down, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be forced to step in and take action.
-- Meghan Montemurro


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Kearny Mesa Subaru is a 2014 Subaru Stellar Care award winner and your online source for genuine Subaru parts in San Diego. Service your 2004 Subaru with long lasting, genuine Subaru parts.
Our simple parts search makes it easy to find the Subaru replacement parts you need with convenient shipping that gets parts to you fast. Choose Kearny Mesa Subaru to be your online source of genuine parts for your Subaru.


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An F-15E, front, and an F-15C, both from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, Idaho, sit on display during the 2005 Air Expo on Saturday at Cannon Air Force Base. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth)
By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer
The ballet didn't feature ballerinas. It featured gravity-defying pilots, military mavericks, and their planes. Thousands of onlookers were awed Saturday by the aerial and ground displays at Cannon Air Force Base. The airshow, Air Expo 2005, was a celebration of pure might.
Innovative civilians used newspapers, towels, paper plates and cupped hands to shield their eyes from the day's blaring rays. The menagerie of planes that soared through the sky were sometimes hard to spot, and even harder to keep in sight. They cut through the sky at daring speeds — the famous F-16 capable of traveling twice the speed of sound, according to one pilot.
Some of F-16s that comprise Cannon's arsenal were parked for display Saturday; others swept periodically through the sky.
"This is a way for us to bring the community out and show them what we do. They take good care of us on a daily basis, so this is our way of saying thanks," said Cpt. Kerre Ellis, airshow director.
The airshow was free to the public. Buses manned by fatigue-clad Cannon personnel shuttled civilians through the base, which is generally off limits to the public.
But Saturday's goal, Ellis said, was synergy — among pilots and planes, among stunt crews, and above all, among civilians and military.
"We like anything to do with the military," show attendee Lori Ukens said. "My husband is a private pilot. He just loves (the airshow). He understands how difficult this is," said Ukens, squinting and seated in a lawn chair.
In the sky, trails of pink smoke blazed from the tail pipes of planes. Full-time airshow pilot Tim Weber flew his compact Extra 300 fearlessly. He shot straight into the air and dove to the ground, pausing to roll and spiral in the sky.
"These guys put their hearts into it," said airshow announcer Mike Stogner.
It doesn't go unnoticed.
"It's awesome. I've never seen anything like this before," said Lorelei Schram, 19.
Airborne stuntmen and planes had some stationary compatriots.
A variety of giant planes were parked along Cannon's runway. Pilots stood outside and greeted Cannon tourists who strolled through the interiors of a KC-10A Extender, a Combat Talon II, and an E-3 Sentry AWACS. The Extender is a fuel station; the submarine-style Talon an all-weather, night-mission flier while the Sentry is a self-sustained air traffic control center.
One Portales 12-year-old was pretty psyched about her location — the bed of the Talon, a dark mess of exposed wires and metal. "It's pretty cool," Savannah Bonds said.
"I could spend all day in here," piped another tiny plane tourist, Mahala Neumann, 6, of Amarillo, who later inspected the cockpit of the massive plane.
The pony-tailed 6-year-old was just one in a string endlessly curious tourists; many, for the first time, shaking hands with a sometimes faceless, and usually mysterious, military.


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Car crashes into gift store, leaves sticky, runny messBy Patrick McArdle
STAFF WRITER | December 15,2013MARLBORO A gift shop sustained extensive damage when a car crashed into it Friday evening.
Vermont State Police said Frederick Bump, 67, of Brattleboro was driving a 2013 Subaru XV east on Route 9 around 9:45 p.m. when he lost control in the slush.
Bump crashed into the exterior wall of the Hogback Mountain Gift Shop at an angle, according to Trooper Ryan Wood. The car knocked down a 15-foot section of the stores exterior wall and destroyed a large amount of merchandise inside the store.
Bump was not injured but the car was destroyed, Wood said.
Store owner Ed Metcalfe said Saturday he was dealing with a sticky, runny mess of jams, wines, maple syrup and pancake mix.
The most damage was done to a wall where Vermont wines were displayed, Metcalfe said, along with 200 to 300 jars of jams and jellies. The crash knocked those items into a display of maple syrup, he said.
Metcalfe said the crash didnt close the store, but he might close on Sunday because of the expected storm.
The area of Route 9 where the gift shop is located has a bad curve so vehicle crashes arent unusual, Metcalfe said. He said his building has been hit about three times since he became involved with the business in 2002.
Because the accident happened at night, when the store was closed, no employees or customers were hurt, Metcalfe said.MORE IN This Just InMONTPELIER A new report from a commission that studied the cost, availability and quality of... Full StoryVermont fish hatchery changes focus, looks inland
BETHEL, Vt. Full StoryHONOLULU (AP) A group of Hawaii musicians and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant provided... Full Story
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Portal 2 ReviewBy Morgan Webb - Posted Apr 18, 2011
Portal 2 is a triumph, and has earned a place among the greatest games of all time.
The Pros
- Robust single-player and co-op modes.
- Hilarious writing and top-notch voice acting will put a smile on your face.
- Creative puzzles challenge the player without being impossible.
- One of the most polished games ever made.
The Cons
- If you hate cerebral or puzzle-based challenges, this is not the game for you.
- Will be difficult for a new or inexperienced gamer, but they will eventually get up to speed thanks to great design.
Portal 2 Review:
Portal 2 is a triumph, and has earned a place among the greatest games of all time. You are a human lab-rat trapped by a psychotic computer named GLaDOS, and you need to solve a series of spatial puzzles. Your only tool is a gun that can individually fire two sides of a connected portal. For example, you can shoot your blue portal onto a wall, and your orange portal at the ceiling. When you walk into the blue portal in the wall, you'll fall out of the orange portal in the ceiling, laws of physics be damned. If you shoot a laser into the orange portal, the beam will shoot out of the blue portal, and you can align the beam to trigger a sensor that opens the exit door. You can also use your portal gun to criss-cross platforms across a chasm, or weave a complicated series of levitation beams from room to room.
You have some fantastic viscous liquids, or gels, at your disposal. The blue gel makes you bounce, the red one makes you speedy, and the white one allows portals to be shot onto previously portal-resistant surfaces. I had a lot of fun coaxing gels all over the map, trying to get them to fall on just the right spot to help me bounce onto that out-of-reach platform.
Think Of All The Things We Learned
If none of that made any sense, don't worry. Portal 2 presents an admittedly difficult set of concepts very gradually, so you never feel unprepared for what comes next. But this does not mean that the game is easy. Just because you have the tools, doesn't mean you have the answer.
There are some real mind-benders. The saving grace is that the game's visual language is impressively consistent - since you can never jump over railings you don't waste time throwing yourself at them. If you have trouble with a specific puzzle you can rely on this visual language to search for subtle clues, like looking out for a strategically broken railing. Every pixel is there for a reason, and you never need to make an awkward jump or contort over a ledge.
You can't cheat this game. You fortunately don't need to waste time looking for work-arounds because there is a beautiful and elegant solution to every puzzle, one that fits into their system of rules and seems simple once you figure it out. You get a euphoric AHA! moment and you feel really, really smart. And isn't that something we all deserve from our video games?
I Feel FANTASTIC And I'm Still Alive
All this impressive design is accompanied by some of the best writing and acting in any medium. GLaDOS is just as creepy and funny as she was in the first game, and in what must be a hundred pages of dialogue and one-liners she remains consistently hilarious and fresh. Your new robotic pal Wheatley's emotional banter is the perfect foil to GLaDOS's deadpan, and is incredibly well voiced by Stephen Merchant. I want to avoid spoilers as the story takes some twists and turns, but suffice it to say you will actually LoL, and you will be surprised and left guessing up until the last seconds of the game.
It's Hard To Overstate My Satisfaction
The single player clocks in at around 8-10 hours, and is a satisfying amount of game for the money. Additionally, you get around 7 hours of Portal 2 co-op game play with no AI option - you can only play with a real person either in split-screen or online. If you have the PS3 version, you can play over PSN, or you can log into your Steam account and play with your Steam friends. You also receive a code for a free PC and Mac copy of Portal 2. If you buy the Xbox version you will not receive a code for a free PC or Mac copy, and you will not be able to play with Steam, but you will be able to access co-op through Xbox Live.
When they say co-op, they really do mean cooperate. You will absolutely need to talk to solve these puzzles, so now's the time to dig out that PS3 headset. Liberal use of your ping tool to point out suggested portal locations to your buddy is a must. You should not play the co-op campaign with anyone you are prone to fight with, as both of you will make boneheaded mistakes that will send your robot avatars (Atlas and P-body) plummeting to their deaths. Wrong portal at a clutch moment? Check (I panicked!!!!). Accidentally step on the reverse button that sends your partner hurtling towards a spikey death masher? Yeah, I may have done that too (sorry Matt). When cooperation works however, it's a beautiful thing, and you and your partner will revel in jointly figuring out the missing link in the logic chain. It's great to feel smart by yourself, it's awesome to feel smart in front of a friend.
While puzzles in the single player rely more often on strategy, puzzles in co-op focus a bit more on timing, and some quick portaling will sometimes be necessary. This gives the single player and the co-op campaigns a subtly different feel. The co-op campaign also offers an entertaining side story that will surely tie-in to Portal 3.
I'm Making A Note Here: HUGE SUCCESS
Portal 2 is an impressive feat of game design that should be studied by anyone who wants to be in the industry. To that end, the developer commentary is a valuable addition. You play through a a full version of the game that has quote bubbles floating in the environment. Click on them and hear audio commentary from the designers themselves. Learn why certain decisions were made, and hear the logic behind story and design elements. Some of the commentary from the programmers will be over the head of the average player, but I appreciate that nothing was dumbed down, and there is a range of information for every level.
This Was A Triumph
Portal 2 is the most thoroughly polished game I have ever played (with the possible exception of Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots. Flame on, dear Internet, flame on). The brilliant artifice of Portal is that your character, Chell, is actually playing a deadly game designed by a malevolent computer, so there is a reason for every brick and pane of glass. You could argue that you can't translate that type of design perfection to a representation of the real world - we've all played games where your character can't jump over a railing when a minute ago he was climbing the side of a building. Or perhaps you could say that it's easy to bring a perfect level of polish to every map when you don't have to fill it with a hundred enemies and branching paths. Maybe so. But this was not an easy game to create. The puzzles seem impossible, but are solvable by almost anyone. The learning curve is perfect, the graphics and animation are incredible, and it is one of the funniest games you will ever play. Valve doesn't disappoint fans on any level in this pixel-perfect example of how to design a game.
We live in an era when game journalists can cynically nitpick faults, or forgive a favorite franchise for multiple sins. I see the temptation for both approaches. A game can be riddled with flaws but still somehow be fun, and a game can be perfectly polished yet a total bore. When you review, you need to think about your predilections and your preconceptions. I admit I am a gamer who loves strategy - I am happiest when I am being mentally challenged by my games, and I strive to be smarter and faster than everyone else. I put more value in beating someone in Starcraft than I ever did in my kill/death ratio. However, I can say that while Portal 2 may not be for absolutely everyone, it undeniably deserves a place among the greatest games of all time. Mass Effect, Half-Life, Oblivion, KOTOR, Starcraft, Okami, Diablo, Ico, Bioshock, Doom, Grand Theft Auto, The Legend of Zelda: the list is long, and it has a new member. I am honored to have reviewed Portal 2, and look forward to playing it again tomorrow.