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Just days after the election of pro-rail mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell, there was more good news for supporters of the $5.3 billion project.
Transit authority Executive Director Dan Grabauskas said an archeological inventory survey should be finished by early next month, instead of the end of February. Grabauskas made the announcement during Thursday's meeting of the HART Finance Committee.
"A couple months ahead of schedule, which is fantastic," said Grabauskas. "At the current schedule, we expect to complete all of the trenching activity by early December."
HART expedited the digging of 398 archeological trenches after an Aug. 24 ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court. In the unanimous decision, justices said an AIS must be completed along the entire 20-mile route of the rail project before construction resumes. Royal Contracting Co. has 46 trenches left to dig, all of them in the city center of the project, where more native Hawaiian burials were expected to be found.
"Folks on the various crews, who have been literally working seven days a week, have been doing just a fantastic job," said Grabauskas.
Once the AIS is finished, Cultural Surveys Hawaii Inc. must draft an extensive report, which could contain more than 1,500 pages. The report is then forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Division for a 30-day review. If the report meets all of SHPDs requirements, it's then forwarded to the Oahu Island Burial Council, which must decide what to do with the native Hawaiian burials that have been identified.
To date, four trenches in Kakaako and Chinatown have unearthed skeletal remains. The latest discovery occurred last Thursday in Chinatown, when a foot bone was found inside an archeological trench at a parking lot near the intersection of Nimitz Highway and River Street.
OIBC chair Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu believes a majority of the burials identified so far will be kept in place.
"The Burial Council will be advocating for preservation in place, at least with…the intact burials that we found," said Wong-Kalu.
Grabauskas is hoping to restart construction of the first phase of the rail project in East Kapolei as soon as possible. He told members of the HART board the delays are costing taxpayers $7.1 million per month.
"It would be sometime in the second quarter of next year, and if it's 12 months, it'll be into the third quarter of next year," said Grabauskas, when asked when construction of rail might resume.


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Buy for$7.19(8 items)
Written by Ivor on 25.03.2013 at 20:45
Moar cowbell! This album really is going to rock your socks off. Excellent stuff!
Written by BloodTears on 25.03.2013 at 20:54
Do you think I'll like? It's just a matter of time before I listen to it though.
Written by DelightfulJim on 27.03.2013 at 18:59
Cowbell is present.
Written by Guest on 28.03.2013 at 02:35
I've been shamefully neglecting Clutch. Would this be a good place to start?
Written by Ivor on 25.03.2013 at 21:05
How can you not like the drive like Clutch? Definitely worth a shot. I haven't listened much to them, the previous album went kind of by. Live they are nothing less than brilliant, that much I can tell you. And this album seriously rocks. It might wear off with time, who knows. As long as it lasts, it's a high.
Written by BloodTears on 29.03.2013 at 13:38
Wow, this is really cool and different from me. It really is a fun album and it kinda makes you smile in some moments.

subset: commoncrawl


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Re: A Fifth place finish........and no one posts anything?
There may be a 6 pack in Jimmie's near future but I think the 2 team will give them a run for their money.....their theme song, I won't back down.
PS. I'm not so sure that Miss Danica will play any part in ratings. That ship has sailed. So NOT interesting


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Always LovedEven before he made the world, God loved us and chose us.
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2013-03-03 Brother Joey Brewer @ 4C Cowboy Church
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I've got to tease you before I please you
Listen, do you hear that? That's the sound of me officially turning things up a notch.
I was looking at some old video of last season and thought I might post a few of them.
You can see Dan and Emily in their seats.
Here's a shot of Hunter and Mylee on a beautiful summer day.
The gangs all here, minus one. Now Spilly has a job.
Taylor Buchholz waiting for his turn.
Pre-game warm-up
Scott Podsednik tearing it up.
Jeff Francis making Hunter's day.
It will be nice to chat with my friend Alice in front of the Rockpile gate as we wait to go inside. We always save her a place in line.
I'm ready for some baseball. Hunter and Mylee are ready.
Clint's Ready.
Chris Iannetta's ready.
Tulo and Atkins are ready.
Spilly's ready.
The Front Row Regulars are ready.
The wheels are in motion, now get out there and blog like you've got a pair (so to speak) :)
Be there or be square…D
Picture and video credit go to my camera, my incredible timing and my index finger.
8 Comments
Great pics! Is Taylor Buchholz related to Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox?
Great pictures! I got really happy at the Scott Podsednik one. I'll always be a Scotty Pods fan because of his run with the White Sox in 2005. Now I REALLY can't wait until I can start seeing games!
Love the photos – now there is visual proof for posterity that you've got a pair!😉
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
Hey D,
Sorry, it took me a minute to gather my scattered thoughts after that Chris Iannetta picture. But I'm back.
I AM SO READY. I have never been so ready for anything in my life (except college).
I just hope our boys are ready.
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
I'm so ready for the new picture blog and seeing the MBU in action! (I saw it on the 'recently updated pages' on the MLBlogs homepage)
great photo's & videos, I wish I could post videos I've got 2: 1's a collection of pictures all about the Rockies & the 2nd is a collection of pictures I took at the 9/11 memorial preview ceremony that was opened to the public the next day down here in Broomfield, Co.
P.S.: I'd make more video's but Windows Media player won't let me use songs I have for my iPold shuffle & they aren't in WMA format.
All of you are ready, been ready I know. I have a good feeling for this season . My motto this year is "expect the unexpected". A Rockies blog is managing to stay in the top 5 blogs. To me that's unexpected. My plan is working…Thanks for all of your help…D


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You have to kill Cotto before you beat him. Glass jaw? No where to be found. Judah layed some nice hooks on Cotto, but Cotto is too tough and recovered quickly from being stunned.
Cotto has 1,001 ways to win a fight, even when he's hurt. Judah cut him under his lower lip, he cut Cotto on his right eyebrow with a headbutt and Cotto simply didn't care and came straight forward with a brutal offense. And what about the horrible beating Cotto gave to Judah? The way Cotto left Judah's right side of his face after the fight speaks for itself.
Cotto haters, do you believe now or you'll keep looking for more ways to fool yourselves thinking Cotto will lose a fight???
When your fighting Cotto it is NOT like Oscar...Cotto won't stay there like a dumbass waiting for a good shot...Cotto fights the 3 minutes of the round, sooner or later Mayweather is going to have to throw some shots if he wants to try and win. Thats where cotto will catch him continuously until Mayweather cant continue, something similar to what just happened with Zab.
Cotto is eating dudes alive right now.


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Koichi Wakata in Space Double Feature: Weekly YouTube Update - Vols. 17 & 19
Updates from Low Earth Orbit
Updates from Low Earth Orbit
Century released a LEGO brick-shaped smartphone speaker called BrickS.
Right after you take BrickS out of the package, you are able to start using the speaker without any complicated initial settings. You need neither to connect a cable or install an application. Because of NearFA (Near Field Audio) wireless audio technology that transmits smartphone sounds to a close-range amp speaker, the sound from your smartphone's speaker becomes a powerful sound just by placing the smartphone on BrickS.
Nikon is going to release a simple-looking compact digital camera COOLPIX P340 for about ¥45,000 on January 27.
COOLPIX P340 has an optical 5X zoom lens with a focal length of 5.1-25.5mm (equivalent to 24-120mm in 35mm format), 1/1.7 backlight CMOS sensor (effective 12.19 MP), 3-inch TFT LCD monitor (0.92M dots) and Wi-Fi function.
Black and white color models will be available.
Size: 103×58.3×32mm
Weight: 194g including a battery and SD memory card
Nikon's COOLPIX AW120 is a rugged model that is waterproof up to 18-meters underwater, IP6X rustproof, shockproof up to a 2-meter drop, and -10 degree cold resistant. It will be released on February 27 for about ¥43,000.
3 colors will be available: Sunshine Orange, Cool Black, and Camouflage Green.
Nikon's new multifunctional compact digital camera COOLPIX P600 will be released on February 27.
COOLPIX P600 has an optical 60X zoom NIKKOR lens that covers an effective focal length of 4.3-258mm (equivalent to 24-1440mm in 35mm format). This is the highest zoom among all COOLPIX models.
It also features a Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element to produce extremely beautiful images even at high resolution.
Besides the high-end rugged camera "RICOH WG-4" and "RICOH WG-4 GPS", Ricoh Imaging announced that they will also release the standard model RICOH WG-20 for the price of about ¥20,000-¥25,000 in late February.
Ricoh Imaging's high-end rugged compact digital camera - RICOH WG-4 and RICOH WG-4 GPS - will be out in mid-March.
RICOH WG-4 and RICOH WG-4 GPS are waterproof (IPX8) and shockproof (can survive a 2-meter drop), IP6X dustproof, -10 degree cold resistant, and have load bearing performance of up to 100kgf. They allow you to film at up to 14 meters below the surface of the sea continuously for 2 hours.
Casio is going to release the new flagship model of its EXILIM series - 10.7X optical zoom EX-100 - for about ¥90,000 in late March.
EX-100 features 28-300mm range f/2.8 aperture 10.7x optical zoom lens including 12 elements in 10 group lens contraction. It is compatible with macro photography from the shortest distance of 5cm and with telephotography from the shortest distance of 50cm.


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Kate Spade has given tasseled loafers a fresh new feel! 'Cabara' holds the classic look of a loafer, while breaking the mold in black patent leather atop a shocking fuschia sole.
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"Internet Purchases Only"
"Not a Retail Store Stock Item"
This item is viewable at our retail store in LEXINGTON, KY. It may be on display and is
available for immediate purchase and pick-up.
The Kimber legacy of offering the finest production firearms available
today continues with the Solo®, a new pistol that puts the power of the 9
mm cartridge in a micro-compact size usually reserved for smaller
calibers. Power aside, what really sets the Solo apart is quality,
dependability and 1911 ergonomics that ensure comfortable shootability
regardless of hand size. This all comes together to put Solo performance
in a class by itself.
With a barrel length of just 2.7 inches, Solo pistols are easy to carry
and conceal. Many of the features borrowed from 1911 pistols also make
them exceptionally safe. A manual ambidextrous thumb safety, checkered
slide release and ambidextrous magazine release button enable fast and
intuitive operation. Then there is the single action striker-fired
trigger pull–even and smooth.
Solo frames are machined from the finest aluminum and finished in
KimPro II, a premium finish that is self-lubricating and extremely
resistant to salt and moisture. Slides and barrels are cut from
stainless steel. Edges are rounded and blended, slide serrations are
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quick to target. No other small pistol can compare.
Kimber's innovative Solo, now with the legendary Custom Defense Package and Crimson Trace Lasergrips.
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Election day isn't just about the candidates; for some companies it's about marketing, and that can mean freebies and deals for consumers. Find out what some of the election day freebies are. Some of these promotions have been going on for a few weeks now, leading up to Election Day, but others are only available on Nov. 6.
Boston Market Bowl Poll: People can cast their favorite Market Bowl (chicken or turkey) through Nov. 6. On Nov. 7, the winner of the poll will be announced. That day, Boston Market will offer everyone a free Market Bowl with a purchase of a bowl and a drink. A coupon is required, which will be available on the company website and its Facebook page.
Ben & Jerry's: The ice cream shop is currently offering a special Americone Dream sundae, which includes Americone Dream ice cream (Ben & Jerry's flavor made for Stephen Colbert), caramel, whipped cream and a selection of dry toppings. This promotion is being extended to customers through the end of the year.
Purina: The pet-food distributor is hosting "America's Pet Debate" to answer the age-old question: Who's better -- cats or dogs? Pet lovers can cast their vote on Purina's website and Facebook page until Nov. 8. For every vote cast, Purina will donate $1, up to $100,000, to Pet Partners' Veteran Programs, which helps fund pet therapy for U.S. veterans who need assistance. The winner will be announced on Nov. 9.
Shake Shack: The burger chain is teaming up with Rock the Vote for "Shake The Vote"—participants can stop by a Shake Shack location and fill out a Pledge to Vote card. They'll then receive a coupon to receive a free cup or cone of Shake Shack custard on their next visit.
7-Eleven: 7-Eleven is offering its customers a way to show how they'll vote with special red (for Mitt Romney) and blue (for President Obama) coffee cups through midnight on Nov. 6.
Zipcar: Car-sharing company Zipcar is offering a 50% discount on rates nationwide with a program called Zip To The Polls. The discount is available on Election Day only, from 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. (local time). Zipcar also partnered with Rock the Vote to make voter registration available on its Facebook page.
JetBlue is offering an Election Promotion campaign: If the candidate you voted for loses, you'll be in a drawing for a chance to win a trip abroad. The airline will offer 1,006 travel certificates to redeem on a round-trip base fare to any of JetBlue's Caribbean or Mexico destinations.
Starbucks - The coffee chain is offering all customers a free INDIVISIBLE wristband on Nov. 6 at all company-owned shops.
Vote & Vax: Vote & Vax works with local public health providers, provides flu vaccines to voters at polling locations around the country. Parents can also bring their children. But take note that this one isn't exactly a freebie. You'll have to pay the going rate for a vaccine in your area's pharmacies and clinics. It is said to be a public health opportunity and that they are reaching out to people who would otherwise not get the flu shot.
Lululemon: Election Day got you stressed? The high-end yoga-apparel company is offering free yoga classes on Election Day throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Check out Lululemon's blog to find locations.
Uber: On Election Day, this car-service company will be offering customers a free ride to or from a national polling place, up to $20.12. Any amount above $20.12 will be charged, and the offer is only available during the city's voting hours.
Tim Hortons Café & Bake shop: The store will give you a free donut with the purchase of any beverage and your "I Voted" sticker. Some voters will also get free coffee and donuts while they wait in line at local polls in some cities, including Detroit, Columbus, Ohio, and Buffalo, N.Y.
White Castle - Free small sweet potato fry at White Castle with any purchase and an I Voted sticker. You can also cast a vote for best fries online and get a coupon.
1stFrame.com: Until Nov. 10, the custom-picture-frame seller is offering 12% off orders with coupon code VOTE2012. The promotion is targeted to campaign season photos, but in case you don't have an election picture you want to hang in your living room, the discount is available for any purchase.
Big Hot Dog: This hot-dog seller has a special discount on its hot-dog-making kit (hot dog, buns and condiments) for $129.95 instead of its regular $169.95 price only on Election Day. For those not familiar with the brand, this is no ordinary throw-on-the-barbeque hot dog: These are 16 inches long, weigh seven pounds and contain 40 servings per dog, according to the company. The 2013 Guinness World Records named Big Hot Dog as the largest commercially available hot dog.
Castle Ink: Castle Ink, a site for buying recyclable ink cartridges and laser toners, is offering 20% off its products.
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Yankee discharge permit coming, state says
BRATTLEBORO — The state permit that allows Entergy Nuclear to dump 543 million gallons of hot water into the Connecticut River every day expired six years ago in 2006, but there's a good reason for that.
Catherine Gjessing, associate general counsel of the Department of Environment Conservation, said the permit itself is 11 years old, and is based in some instances on much older science and technology, in one case 34 years old.
Gjessing updated the status of the permit to members of the Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel and about two dozen area residents at a meeting held at Brattleboro Union High School on Thursday.
Gjessing said the federal Environmental Protection Agency was rewriting the regulations that deal with the discharges, and the underlying science, and the state was forced to wait for its federal counterparts. The new regulations call for "best available technology."
Gjessing said that the "protracted federal litigation" was supposed to result in draft rules by 2011, but by August 2012, they still weren't released, so the state is pushing ahead.
Entergy had applied in advance of its permit expiring, Gjessing said, so the old permit is still in force.
The permit, the national pollutant discharge elimination system permit, does view heat as a pollutant, Gjessing told the group.
Under the terms of the Vermont permit, all that 100-degree water can't raise the Connecticut River more than 1 degree Fahrenheit, she said.
That measurement is made 1½ miles downstream from the Vernon reactor.
One major issue under consideration for the new permit is the use of Vermont Yankee's cooling towers, as the plant hasn't used its cooling towers year-round since 1978, using Connecticut River water instead, and saving a lot of electricity in the process.
Critics of Yankee, including the Connecticut River Watershed Council, wants the plant to switch to all-cooling tower operation, or closed cycle, and thus eliminate the use of the river water in cooling the reactor and its cooling systems. Earlier this summer, Yankee was forced to reduce power because of the low flows in the river, and the high temperature of the river.
"Closed cycle takes a fair amount of power," Elizabeth Miller, commissioner of the Department of Public Service, chairwoman of VSNAP, told the group.
Gjessing said the current permit has been litigated by state environmental groups, first in Windham Superior Court in Newfane, and all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court, which in 2009 upheld the permit. Environmental groups claimed the hot water discharge was having an adverse effect on the river's cold-water habitat fish, such as shad and salmon.
But Gjessing said the years of waiting are over, and the state is gearing up to write the permit and is hiring experts to analyze scientific reports submitted by the Connecticut River Watershed Council since the state was "unable to verify" the council's claims on their own.
She said the Department of Environmental Commission was creating a website devoted to the water discharge permit issue.
Gjessing said that the 543 million gallons was "a very small fraction" of the daily flow of the Connecticut River.
Anti-nuclear activist Sally Shaw of Massachusetts, who said she lives 4 miles downstream from Yankee, said that even the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, years earlier in comments about Yankee's proposed power boost, had raised questions about additional discharge.
"We will be looking at these issues. We're taking them seriously," Gjessing said.
But the state doesn't have the expertise to evaluate these issues, and will have to hire or bring in experts, she said.
firstname.lastname@example.com 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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Remember your ABCs
Here is one way to understand stress and work to master it, the ABC approach.
- A is for the "activating event" (or stressor)
- B is for your "Belief system" and is what controls the emotion that we have in response to the activating event. Since we are in control of our beliefs, we can alter our consequent emotion.
- C is for your "consequent emotion" (or stress response).
For example:
A, the activating event: A little old lady jumps ahead of you in line at the grocery store.
If B is "How rude! She is completely inconsiderate."
Then, C is likely to be a response that is angry and emotional.
BUT, if B is "How cute, she is so old, she doesn't realize she jumped ahead of me. It reminds me of my grandma."
Then C is likely to be a response that is warm and endearing to the little old lady.
Try to work with beliefs (or attitudes) that are empathetic to others and less judgmental.


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Rodger Doxsey, head of the Hubble Mission Office at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md., passed away on October 13, 2009 after a prolonged illness. He oversaw Hubble science operations for nearly three decades and dedicated his life to making Hubble one of the most scientifically productive telescopes of all time.
Image Type: Photograph
Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
To access available information and downloadable versions of images in this news release, click on any of the images below:


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The environmental storyNovember 28,2012
The evolution of environmentalism in Vermont has followed the pattern that has prevailed throughout the world: The creative destruction of the industrial age has provoked an inevitable effort to enhance what is creative and to ameliorate what is destructive.
Vermonts story is told in a new book by Elizabeth Courtney and Eric Zencey, chronicling Vermonts efforts to guide the changes that were, perhaps, most emblematically represented by the arrival of the interstate highways. Vermont was and still is a predominantly rural state, but before the construction of the interstates, beginning in the late 1950s, the difficulty of getting from here to there over the states mountainous terrain was a substantial obstacle to commerce and travel.
The interstates opened up Chittenden County, in particular, to rapid development. The arrival of IBM in Essex Junction was no coincidence.
But the costs of progress quickly became apparent. Improved roads and the advent of the ski industry exposed Vermonts mountains to the arrival of thousands of vacationers and the construction of shoddy vacation homes leaking sewage openly into the environment. In response, Republicans and Democrats joined forces to establish a pioneering land-use law, Act 250.
The debate about environmental regulation in Vermont turns on the question of whether regulation places an excessive burden on the economy. Business has long objected to the costs of complying with regulation. But Courtney and Zencey argue that it is altogether proper to build environmental costs into the front end of a development.
The question is how to pay for what are called externalities. A factory that belches pollution into the atmosphere creates a cost that is external to its operation: the cost of caring for citizens with lung disease, for example. A factory that leaves behind toxic pollution creates an externality that has to be cleaned up later by taxpayers. A development that clogs highways with unmanageable traffic creates an externality that may overwhelm a community.
The point of environmental regulation is for these costs to be acknowledged up front and for developers to take responsibility for part of the costs they are creating. Courtney and Zencey call it a necessary accommodation of private interest to public good.
Environmentalism has evolved in response to a variety of affronts to the natural world. President Theodore Roosevelt created the national forests in response to the destruction of vast tracts of forestland in the Upper Midwest and West. Urban planning was driven partly in response to the destruction of neighborhoods by developers such as Robert Moses in New York City. Clean water laws followed the poisoning of our waterways, made dramatic when the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire. Clean air laws came in response to the smog choking our cities. Regulations requiring developers to minimize the destruction they cause are a way to make them own up to the externalities.
As environmentalism is an inevitable complement to industrial development, scrutiny of regulation is an inevitable complement to regulation. No one wants an economy rendered sclerotic because of a cumbersome bureaucracy. Thats why policymakers in a new era of environmentalism have sought to harness the economy to achieve environmental goals.
Carbon trading schemes have been devised, with dubious success, for minimizing carbon emissions. Its important that in trying to make regulation palatable we dont lose sight of the goals the regulations are meant to achieve.
Vermonts record is good so far. In the past half century, we have not been befouled by industry or overwhelmed by shoddy development. Vermonters continue to cherish the environment and have shown little sign that they are willing to sacrifice the value of an untrammeled landscape for economic gain. The surge in public opposition to ridgeline wind development suggests that even the goal of reducing carbon emissions does not override Vermonters love of their mountains and woodlands.
Vermonters have an intimate, firsthand knowledge of the natural world and are well positioned to pioneer new avenues in facing up to the changes in store.MORE IN EditorialsProtesters converged on a bank in Montpelier early this week to show their solidarity with the... Full StoryPhil Scott will take office next month after winning with a margin of 51.11 percent to 43. Full StoryIdeologues and partisans work from the outcome backward. Full Story
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Decorating the Nursery
Besides choosing a name, deciding how to decorate your nursery is one of the most important decisions you'll make before the baby arrives. But unlike a name, a nursery can easily change and adapt as your baby grows from infancy to childhood. Below are some suggestions to consider when planning for your baby's future living space:
Focus on the basics. Your most important items are a sturdy crib with a firm mattress, a changing table with compartments or shelves, one large dresser or bureau, and a comfortable rocker or glider. Make sure all furnishings meet federal safety requirements. If buying used or second hand, thoroughly inspect items for worn, broken, or unsafe latches or designs. Any crib dated before 1978 should NOT be used, since most of these cribs have lead-based paints and/or trim that is harmful to a child. Keep in mind, you'll probably be changing furniture as your child grows, so keep designs simple and colors neutral.
Choose universal themes and colors. Using wallpaper borders and appliques are a great way to decorate, since they can be easily applied and removed as your child's tastes change. Here are some themes to consider when decorating:
Decorate with your baby's development in mind. Place mirrors, lights, sun catchers, wind chimes, stuffed animals, or bright sheets or comforters strategically throughout your nursery, especially around the crib and changing table area. Babies respond to bright colors, soothing sounds, and images of themselves or of their mommies.


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Top of the World Men's Florida Gators Blue Crew Adjustable Hat
Product Information:
Lead the blue and orange all the way to the playoffs in the Top of the World® Florida Gators Crew Adjustable Hat. This hat's embroidered team logo on the center front reflects classic style that perfectly matches the excellent tradition of Florida athletics. The washed cotton construction provides relaxed look and feel, so this adjustable hat will be your new favorite item of Gators fan gear.
- Top of the World® Florida Gators adjustable hat
- Embroidered team logo on center front
- Top of the World® logo embroidered on left side
- Small loop tag with team logo on back
- Adjustable slide closure
- Six-panel construction with embroidered eyelets for ventilation
- Officially licensed collegiate product
- Fabric: washed cotton
- Top of the World
Country of Origin: ImportedWeb ID: 20243336


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"I have been enjoying your program on my local Catholic radio station for many years and can happily give a large amount of the credit for my continuing spiritual growth to your offerings. You snatched up the banner many had laid aside and are marching bravely forward!"
~ Pamela, Portland, Oregon
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"I should not believe the Gospel except on the authority of the Catholic Church."
~ Augustine of Hippo, convert, bishop, theologian, Father and Doctor of the Church, Saint; endorsing the position that the promulgation of Scripture, the preservation of its integrity and identity, and the explanation of its meaning flows from the authority of the Catholic Church.


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Zen Vision:M Not Responding SOLUTION! to No Charge, Device Not Connected or Recognize
Bought one - was ready to return it today - but, found the solution that many are looking for!
:o This is long - but it's descriptive of what you may have experienced (like me) and how to resolve your issues relating to:
*Device Not Connected, *Device Not Recognized, *No Power, *Black Screen, *Won't Turn On, "Wont Power Up", "Won't Charge", "USB doesnt appear to be charging"..."WINDOWS PORTABLE DEVICES", "OTHER DEVICES" etc.
************************************************** ***********************
My orig. email to Customer Support:
Just bought, charged 6 hours as advised using the USB (only way to charge it). First, the battery image is not always visible even though the blue light flashes; 2nd indicator only shows a very small charge (even though it's been plugged into a non-hibernating computer for 6 hrs). Have tried powering up without and with the cable attached. Have tried resetting numerous times. Once, I was able to see a pre-loaded song come up but then it went away. I'm a software OLH dev. by profession and usually good w/ gadgets but this has me ready to return it tomorrow if I don't get some help on what needs to be performed to make it work.
What is the exact sequence for 'normal' operation?
I've seen varying steps throughout this site and other help sites; none seem to work.
Example: 1]Charge 6 hrs, 2]unplug cable? (then) push power on button? or....2]Attempt powering on while still plugged in?
*what should be the result when you slide the power on? (I'm seeing black screen).
*Can't push the reset button with sharp object while large USB piece is in place (however, one set of instructions said: plug in USB then, while plugged in - push the reset (impossible).
One thing I notice (while UNplugged from usb) when I slide the power button and hold it, the blue indicator light flashes 5 times then stops. Upon release, no response.
*After attempting reset; no response on screen or with indicator light. Tried quick and also push/hold for 5 seconds release; nothing.
*Tried sliding power button again after non-responsive reset and again; nothing other than the indicator light flashes as I'm attempting power on slide.
Bought Daughter a video iPod, husband a Sansa, now trying Zen for me but no luck.
Please help; don't want to return it - but don't have another 48 hours to blow on trouble-shooting. Plan to return tomorrow after work if no luck.
************************************************** ***********************
Update: (got email back, but was not enough to resolve).
Finally realized I had 90 days of free support so I phoned just before packing it up. Phone customer support 1-405-742-6622.....VERY HELPFUL!
Here's the process from my experience:
1. Insert cd - load software.
2. Once complete, plug in Zen device. Verify that it's being recognized.
....*This is key!....because if it's not being recognized, your device will have the blue blinking light (as if it's charging) but will never charge!
3. My problem: I opened MY COMPUTER and could see the Zen Explorer at the base - but when opened it said:
Device is not connected.
4. Went to Programs > Control Panel > System > Hardware tab > Device Manager button and looked for what help desk called: "Portable Devices" or "Other"
( but mine only showed an option called "System Devices" -- which is not the one you want)
5. Looked in the USB area -- but nothing relating to ZEN showed up there either.
6. Tech advised to make sure the laptop was plugged into wall power and that the device was plugged into the laptop (not a hub - or docking station port)....
7. Now, while we were talking -- all of a sudden I heard a beep such as what is heard when a flash drive gets plugged in.
My device mgr list was still open -- so, all of a sudden a big yellow question mark and "Other Devices" appeared with the
ZEN listed under it.
I told the tech that I'd had the device plugged in next to me all day as I worked and throughout the day -- on random occasion, I'd hear that beep sound as if I'd plugged in a flash memory stick -- but hadn't.....
Each time I heard the sound, I'd pause and watch for a bubble to pop up saying that it saw a new device - but nothing.
Also, each time, I'd look at the device for any change in activity -- but nothing.
Also, randomly throughout the day I'd see the device screen would light up & show "Creative" for just a second then disappear...with all the buttons on the front also lighting up as blue for just a second...then back to black. :confused:
8. Resolution! as soon as I saw the big yellow question mark light up within the DEVICE MGR "OTHER" area, I right
clicked on the ZEN > Properties > and clicked on the UPDATE DRIVERS button.
9. The wizard appeared - ready to look to my cd drive --- I put the ZEN install cd back into the drive and clicked NEXT on
the wizard to proceed. The driver was installed successfully. :)
My ? to him was WHY DIDNT THE DRIVERS INSTALL THE FIRST TIME I did the initial install? He sd: Win XP is supposed to have all the drivers and should always immediately recognize the device upon plug in -- but, depending upon which version of XP you have (with current updates) -- impacts whether you have that driver or not. In my case, I guess it was "not". So, by manually telling it to INSTALL DRIVER it went and manually grabbed a copy off of the cd.
Once I did that, the device was no longer listed in the OTHER area of DEVICE MANAGER...instead the mysterious item called:
"WINDOWS PORTABLE DEVICES" appeared at the bottom of the list with the (now gray iconed ZEN) :) (no longer yellow question mark).
10. Next, went to START > PROGRAMS > CREATIVE > CREATIVE MEDIA SOURCE - open it (took a few minutes to load) be patient.
once open, under SOURCES (top left window pane) I saw 3 things:
(but no ZEN)
11. Simply unplugged the USB cable from the laptop....counted to 5, plugged it back in...and within a few seconds the "CREATIVE ZEN VISION:M" became a "4th" option in that SOURCE list. (listed in the 2nd position alphabetically).
Now, I'm GOOD TO GO and the device screen is lit up and says: DOCKED with a big icon in the middle that you'll find in your user manual.
What a beautful sight. The LONG awaiting outcome.
The tech sd -- give it a bit to juice up and then, you can begin sending music over to it.
Other topics of conversation:
What's the difference in HD and FLASH devices?
HD - just like a PC (has a hard drive with moving parts that can be repaired, replaced, etc.)
-----is larger than the flash MP3s because of those moving parts.
-----must be more careful with it -- like you would with your PC or Laptop -- don't toss it around!
-----biggest advantage is you can store a massive amount of content (30GB, 80GB) whereas, flash MP3s are limited.
-----(if you have 30GB then, all 30 can be used just for music if you wish...or, you can use as much as you want in each of the areas: Photos, recordings, document storage, music, videos (up until you reach the max capacity). (it's NOT restricted to 10 music, 10 video 10 docs)
-----battery (can) be replaced. Based on my research, typical HD re-chargeable battery life is 1 to 1.5 yrs
of service; then, expect replacement.
-----First charge is the most important; I know you're dying to use it out of the box -- but it's in your batteries best interest (longevity) to get a full 6 hour charge before use.
I've had this one plugged in for about an hour and it already shows 50% green (50% complete)....(plugged in via USB).
....so, you might get away with less time....but all documentation says 6 hours to be safe.
My box did not include a wall charger - just USB -- which is fine with me -- I'm always with a computer in hand or near-by - -even if on travel -- in hotels, airports, etc. In today's world, I figure they expected that -- which is probably why the AC/DC charger is optional and separate in most cases.
If you don't travel with a laptop - get a charger.
FLASH MPS - such as iPod, Sansa and the like have a much smaller capacity and no hard drive. If it stops working -- you are done. The entire device must be replaced. Same with battery; can't replace batteries
in today's flash devices noted above.
"I thought it must be charging if the blue indicator light is flashing within the on button well."
Nope, that's not the case. Apparently, the way it was designed, it's a combination of: connect via USB (plus) recognition of the device ='s charge capability.
So, in a nutshell:
Make sure you can see your device in device mgr (and) see it within the "CREATIVE MEDIA SOURCE" area to ensure
that you are getting that initial charge.
(the reason why mine was not, was because the driver that my laptop needed was on the disk and had to be manually brought over).
You know what they say about "assuming things"....
Creative should add the driver load to their initial load and have it skip that part if it sees that it's already on the consumer's computer. Instead, it sounds like they assume it's on all XP boxes and don't force the driver install.
This would probably save people a LOT OF HEADACHES and FRUSTRATION - because for me, it's the one tiny thing that kept me from operating --- and was within hours of returning the device to the store.
I'm glad I didnt now.
Funny, I read just this morning: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hos 4:6
Guess that goes with this too.... CREATIVE IS LOSING BUSINESS because CONSUMERS ARENT EQUIPPED with the (extra needed knowledge) to get the device recognized and operational!
Now that it's recognized, I agree with all the positive tech write-ups: it's a beautiful video screen and already has my daughter wanting to "trade me" for her large iPod video device. Guess that's (one) iPod user that's wanting to convert over to Zen! :)
Stickied! Good work, Chris! :D
v13tpr1d3707: That doesn't always work, particularly if your player is being comatose or if Windows has already seen it and assigned it a null driver.
This looks like it will be very useful for zen owners.
Thank you. Worked for me. :)
Another solution . . .
Great posting Chris! FYI, I had the same problem but the light in the power well wouldn't even blink!! Thought I had a defective unit, but waited. Turns out that the battery was so drained that it didn't have enough to even respond. About an hour later, the Zen started to respond - first with the blinking blue light, then enough so that Windows XP recognized it and loaded the appropriate drivers.
So for those having problems, I'd say patience first. Let the unit charge a bit and it may come up. If not, then go with Chris' solution. Could be either or both problems!
ps: nice to be back to Creative (had one of the original Nomad Jukeboxes then went with a Gen 2 iPod until it recently gave up the ghost for good. The Zen is SO MUCH BETTER!).
More Problems:
I've been having this issue for a week now:
I've reinstalled the drivers 3 times and updated everything to cover my bases.
However, my ZVM is NOT being detected right by my computer. It always produces an "Error: USB Device Not Recognized - One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned..."
I've managed to hook it up and "DOCK" twice. The first time was an initial install and the second was this morning by a fluke, but I can't seem to reproduce the event.
do you think it's a software or user error or do I have a faulty unit?
In addition...
My screen never shows the Docking icon unless it can sync.
I wish there was a way to make sure that it always came up.
Hardwarejunkie - sounds like a problem with either the unit or your computer software. If the unit is still relatively new, try exchanging it. That would seem to be the easiest way to check things out. You could otherwise drive yourself insane trying to figure out where the issue is. If the exchanged unit responds similarly, I would say that you may have to upgrade your Windows.
Mine does the same thing, only when connected to my laptop. It does have XP SP2. I prefer it this way. I like being able to turn it off when it's charging, and I don't keep my music on my laptop. that being said, all I have to do to bring up the docking icon is go to My Computer. I would suggest installing creative explorer. I think it will take care of your problem.
I am going to puke.
Here is what my last zvm 6ogb did.
On my way to mail it back months ago my car got broken into and it got stolen so I never got it fixed.
So I went and bought another one and I now have the nothing recognized nothing happening only blue led problem. You have got to be f'ing joking.
I don't understand how the above "solution" is a solution. If the zvm never showed up in device manager under other or portable players or as a usb device where would you be? That's where I am. Not knocking your effort but the real miracle is your zen was recognized in some way when you plug it in. Mine isn't absolutely jack happens. Even if I force device manager to scan for new hardware.
Fully updated computer fully updated creative software same thing on 3 different computers and different usb cables.
I hate Ipods but but come the f on for $600 bucks I expect one working player. I can't decide whether to even try to fix it because if the player suddenly is not recognized again I will go insane!!!!!!!!!!! At least my old one was recognzed as "a device not recognized".
How the hell could my zenxtra be such a reliable tank and the ZVM's be so finicky?
Giving up can work!
So I had been screwing around for 2 hours trying to get my Zen to be recognized one last time before I sent it back with no result. I type my little rant above and leave the room to hang out with a friend.
We are drinking and talking and off in the distance I thought I heard something. "Shut the hell up!" I scream at my friend and during the awkard silence as my friend contemplates exactly when I became a bi-polar nutjob I here it again plain as day, "schwwup". The (use favorite expletive) windows bubble sound!!!
I raced into the room found it regonized as something under device manager and was able to get the driver off the cd installed and now player is recognized and works.
Somebody still sucks. Creative, Microsoft, who the hell knows but I am much happier now.
So I guess just leave your player hooked up for a really long time after you give up.
Maybe it quasi charges the battery after awhile to the point where it "tickles" windows back.
At least you don't need tech support to drink bottle of beer...yet
I had a whole host of issues I was able to fix untill I got the usb device not recognized situation going. After nothing worked. I wiped the player and still usb device not recognized. At that point I am pretty sure the device was toast. There are others with this problem and it is really frustrating because people think you have one of the other fixable not recognized issues but this one is fatal.
sometimes i have to reinsert the dongle about three times for it to be recognized, but usually it does on the first go. the only annoying problem is that a lot of the times i leave my nintendo wi-fi usb connector in the computer, and when i plug the zen in, it doesn't recognize the zen, it says "FOUND NEW HARDWARE: nintendo wi-fi usb connector," when it was already in there and recognized. so i cant have the nintendo wifi and the zen plugged in at the same time. stupid microsoft
More often than not, a device that isn't being recognized is either too low on battery to be able to power up from the trickle current that your computer may provide to devices it cannot see, and just needs to charge for a really long time (unless you get an AC-to-DC wall adapter).
Hardwarejunkie9: Your problem sounds very much like a defective USB port on your computer or a bad cable. The fact that it came up twice, albeit momentarily, tells me that it's not a problem with the ZVM or the software.
Tried about everything at this point...
I think I'll just give them a call and tell them that I want them to take a look at my player. At this point I've updated everything, reinstalled several times, and I'm not interested in jumping through hoops to get the dang thing to work.
I have a couple spare cables lying around of the same type, if they dont' work, we'll see what I can do
Mission Accomplished!
OMG! It's amazing how simple the solutions are after you find them, isn't it? Yes, it was the USB cable and after replacing it everything's working fine. Thanks, like any good geek I should have known to ask the forums before ever going to tech support :P
Newbie owner here, very glad to find this forum so quickly!
I am experiencing all of the problems highlighted above in this thread, but have the additional problem of being a win 2000 pro user. The disk which came with the player does not run under win 2000.
I've d'l'd a version of Creative media centre from the creative website (CMS5 PCAPP LB 5 10 38) which is supposed to support win 2000, but on trying to install it fails to recognise a device (Setup is unable to detect a supported device on your system) - even when the ZVM is going through one if it's "recognised by the system" phases - ie hardware detected icon appears.
Sorry if I'm missing a trick here but do you have any suggestions?
I have an ac/dc wall charger on order should be here in a day or two - but suspect even if fully charged I'm going to have a software compatability problem?
Many thanks for any help you may be able to give,
You likely need the MTP driver for legacy Windows systems. I have a link to one in my FAQ thread. To the best of my knowledge, this only supports non-protected music sync via WMP9, but it's better than nothing at all.
Hi, I'm experiencing the "screen dead - flashing buttons" issue with my zen V plus 8 Gb.
It happened I was listening to some music when an alert prompted on zen display: battery was too low, then it shut off.
When I went home I plugged the device to the wrong USB cable, since my laptop does not support USB 2.0 I use a belkin PCMCIA USB 2.0 card, i can dock the player there but not to recharge.
After a while an XP alert prompted saying a STM3600 usb device has been plugged and asking me to install the drivers. I didn't bother at all, after all XP has the annoying tendence to pop unwanted alert / info messages now and then.
Later on I recognized I should have bothered, instead... my zen V was totally dead!
I tried plugging it to the right USB 1.0 cable, but no joy: screen stands black, wp "new device found" alert kept prompting.
I googled this isuue and find out that for the PC-ZEN "handshake" to happen, thus for the player to recognize and accept external plugging, some battery is needed.
So what did happen?
Battery ran very low, then i docked the player to PC with the wrong plug since the battery completely expired, after then in the next USB port cyclic redundancy check XP recognized a mere device attached to that port, hence the alert asking for the driver.
What I did?
Since no battery at all = non handshake = no charge via PC I bought a 40 euros creative USB wall charger, plugged and seen the "behind the buttons flashes" but the screen is still black.
On this thread I found out that the flashes are some kind of morse-code for debugging purpouse, and it seems they mean "very low battery" so I'm going for the "loner solution" leaving it plugged and going to have a beer out in the hope that while I'm back it will be working fine!
Otherwise I'll assume it just went burnt or something...
I'll share here what happens next!
Never had issues installing my ZVM30 in XP
Upgraded to Vista Ultimate 32bit
Didn't try the cd, just went to CLabs and DL'd the Vista software package since I figured the ZVM CD was for XP.
Upon running the downloaded sw package from CL.com, it said "device not connected".
Googled it, found this thread. Tried what the original poster mentioned and didn't work. Removed the device from dev. mgr. and retried. Nothing. Gave up... used the CD and Vista decided the drivers it had already had were better. (2nd poster mentioned this... null driver).
I decided to run the CD installation.
Worked fine. I didn't bother rebooting after install. I immediately installed the downloaded sw package I got from creativelabs.com and then rebooted when it prompted me to.
My ZVM30 now says "docked".
All's well that ends well.
Works in Vista, that's how I had to do it. Hope this helps someone else.
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Barre Town budget group questions library, BADC
BARRE TOWN — Two joint ventures with neighboring Barre are being questioned as the town's annual budget-building process enters the home stretch.
A 10-member budget committee, which includes the local Select Board, opened Tuesday night's session by quizzing representatives of the Aldrich Public Library at length and ended amid questions about whether the town is getting its money's worth from the Barre Area Development Corp.
No decisions were made regarding either organization because on a night when the panel had hoped to wrap up its annual deliberations it didn't even come close.
The committee spent the better part of two hours discussing proposed modifications to the equipment fund, but never actually got to the general fund — unless, that is, you count a last-minute decision to add $300 to the budget to buy baseball caps for members of the town's police department.
Faced with a looming deadline for finalizing a budget that will be on the ballot in Barre Town on May 14, the committee agreed to schedule an extra session next Monday with an eye toward tying up any loose ends next Tuesday.
The discussion could get interesting because there appears to be another battle brewing over funding for the local library and possibly the Barre Area Development Corp.
Though the composition of the committee changes from one year to the next, the panel has flirted with cutting funding for the Barre-based library in the past. It is again, though the $21,090 cut proposed by committee member Jaime Fewer wasn't mentioned in his absence Tuesday night. The committee didn't get that far, though it did entertain a contingent of library boosters led by Barre Town resident Nancy Pope.
Pope, who serves as chairwoman of the library's board of trustees, reminded the committee that, despite annual requests for increases, the town's contribution to the library has been level-funded at $103,000 for the last four years.
Town Manager Carl Rogers has recommended bumping that figure up to $106,500 — a 3 percent increase. However, the cut suggested by Fewer would drop it to $85,410.
Pope reminded the committee that trustees have asked both Barres — the city and the town — to each contribute $150,000 toward the operation of the main library and its newly renovated branch in East Barre. The city, she said, has a specific plan to do that, having earmarked $122,000 for the library this year, and an increase from the town would be welcome.
Pope noted that only 48 percent of the library's $450,000 budget comes from tax revenue — a figure, she said, that is significantly less than the statewide average of 73 percent.
Pope and Library Director Karen Lane fielded questions about everything from the library's hours of operation to its payroll and received the endorsement of long-time residents Rita Isabelle and Sue Talmadge, who were part of a delegation of library supporters who attended the meeting.
"I think it's a very valuable asset," Talmadge said of the library.
Though Pope tried to get a read on where the committee stood on the library, Select Board Chairman Jeff Blow said that would likely be a discussion for a different night.
Blow was right. The committee never got back to the library, though it did deal with a series of adjustments to the equipment fund and briefly discussed a concern about Barre Area Development Corp. that was raised by member Bill Kirby.
Kirby, who said he wouldn't be able to attend Monday's meeting, said he has an issue with the fact that the town's ambulance director and zoning administrator are paid less than the executive director of BADC.
"It's a question of responsibility," Kirby said, arguing the two town department heads have more responsibility than the executive director of an economic development organization that is jointly funded by Barre and Barre Town.
Though there was nothing approaching consensus on the subject, committee member Jason Pinard did say it might be worth the town's while to invest its $52,220 contribution to BADC in an economic development person that would focus exclusively on the town.
Heading into Monday's meeting, the general fund budget proposed by Rogers reflects a spending increase of $107,735, or 3.5 percent. That includes fully funding BADC and contemplates a 3 percent increase for the library.
According to Rogers' projections, approval of that budget would require a 1.5-cent increase in the local tax rate and add $30 to the tax bill for a $200,000 home.
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IMSL calling - point of inlet powr8i4
Dear Mr. Lionel, sorry if my question has been already adressed. I am working with MS Visual Studio 2005 Vers.8.0 and Intel(R) Fortran Compiler 10.1.3885.2005.
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This peptide is histone H3 (1-21) with asymmetrical dimethylation at Arg2 and trimethylation at Lys4, followed by a C-terminal GGK with biotinylation on the side chain of Lys. Asymmetrical dimethylation of Arg2 is associated with transcriptional silencing and typically inhibits Lys4 methylation in vivo. Trimethylation of Lys4, which is catalyzed by Set1, is associated exclusively with active euchromatic genes. Provided at >95% peptide purity, this peptide was dissolved in distilled water at 1 mg/ml and re-lyophilized to powder form.


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Two men were arrested for allegedly abusing a mentally disabled homeless man in an attack that was caught on video, WPBF.com has learned.
Nicholas Marr, 26, and William Gregory, 30, told the man they'd pay him $20 if Marr could slap Gregory on video, according to a release issued Wednesday by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.
Marr (below left) ended up punching the man in the face, knocking him to the ground, where he lay unconscious, the release said.
Gregory videotaped the September incident and posted it on Facebook, the release said. A concerned citizen saw the video and reported it to sheriff's deputies.
Sheriff Deryl Loar called it one of the most hideous crimes he's ever seen.
"Our investigation led in fact that this victim was mentally challenged, which enhanced the penalties," Loar said.
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Max Payne 3 DLC "Local Justice" Coming July 3
The first Max Payne 3 DLC, "Local Justice," is coming out on July 3 for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.It will be out July 17 for the PC. The pack includes three new maps for Max Payne 3 multiplayer featuring areas from the game's final chapters, plus a new weapon, a new item, a new multiplayer faction and new...
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Max Payne 3 Multiplayer Tips -- Nine Quick Ways To Top The Leaderboard In MP3
This Max Payne 3 multiplayer quick tips video will help you top the leaderboards in Rockstar's new action adventure game. After playing through MP3, we found that there are a few ways to make the experience as a whole better than ever and we wanted to share them with you. Grab your gun and let's get started. Watch Larger Version |...
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Max Payne 3 Fan Film "Valhalla" Rules
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As a college freshman, Greg Whalen was certain of his football path.
"Coming into North Central (College), I was going to play defensive end," he said.
Two weeks into practices, the NCAA Division III school's coaches had a different idea.
"They told me they could see me playing right tackle," said Whalen, a Marian Central graduate. "I was a 215-pound right tackle. I was a skinny dude. I was a really good weight for a defensive end."
Fifty pounds and four years later, Whalen's coaches were right on the money.
On Saturday, Whalen will make his 21st consecutive start on the offensive line for the Cardinals, who are ranked No. 4 nationally by the American Football Coaches Association and D3Football.com, against Elmhurst College.
North Central's offense ranks seventh nationally at 554.3 yards a game and prefers to pound the ball on the ground.
"As an offense, we try to be a 60-40 run team," said Whalen, a team captain. "But then again, we can also scratch where it itches."
In last weekend's 27-7 win against Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the top-ranked rushing defense in D-III, North Central passed for 364 yards.
"We're lucky enough to have some of the best receivers in Division III and one of the best quarterbacks in Division III right now," Whalen said. "As an offense, we just want to win. Nobody cares who gets the credit."
Quarterback Spencer Stanek threw one of his four touchdown passes last weekend to Richmond-Burton grad Chad O'Kane, a senior who ranks second on the team with 16 catches for 204 yards.
Whalen and O'Kane are among five local athletes who started for the Cardinals (3-0) against Stevens Point.
The North Central defense has produced a turnover margin of plus-3, which leads the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Senior defensive tackle Josh Fick (Crystal Lake Central), a first-team All-CCIW player last season, and sophomore defensive end Josh Beveridge (Crystal Lake South) each have collected 1.5 tackles for loss this season. Fellow defensive starter Adam Szudarski, a senior linebacker from Marian Central, has 12 tackles for the Cardinals.
The defense has limited opponents to 10 first-half points this season.
Along with winning a share of their eighth consecutive CCIW title, the Cardinals' goals are lofty after last season's second-round playoff exit.
"If we're lucky enough to be ranked No. 4 in the country, I feel like we should be in the final four teams at the end of the year," Whalen said. "We have pretty high national goals."
Ohio Valley ace: Abbey Heredia, a senior volleyball setter at D-I Jacksonville (Ala.) State was named the Ohio Valley Conference co-Setter of the Week on Monday.
Heredia, a Cary-Grove grad, had 42 assists and 13 digs in a win against Austin Peay and 46 assists, 12 digs and seven kills in a victory over Murray State last week for the Gamecocks (10-8).Heredia is averaging 6.4 assists a set this season for JSU, which improved to 3-0 in OVC play Tuesday with a victory against Tennessee Tech. Heredia had 23 assists and 10 digs in the win.
Viterbo standout: McHenry West grad Molly Machometa, a sophomore women's soccer forward at NAIA Viterbo University, was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Machometa led the LaCrosse, Wis., school to a 2-0 record last week with a hat trick against Waldorf in a 7-1 victory and two goals against AIB College of Business in a 4-1 triumph. For the season, Machometa ranks second for the V-Hawks (8-2) with nine goals and five assists. The team has won six consecutive matches after a 2-2 start.
Carthage forward honored: Johnsburg grad Michael Dombrowski was chosen Tuesday as the College Conference of Wisconsin's Offensive Player of the Week in men's soccer.
A junior forward at Carthage College, Dombrowski scored the only goal in his team's 1-0 win against 20th-ranked UW-Whitewater. He also had a goal and an assist in an 8-0 win against Robert Morris. For the season, Dombrowski has a team-best eight goals for Carthage (8-4).
Siemon shines: Wisconsin-Whitewater freshman women's tennis player Rachel Siemon (Crystal Lake South) and teammate Brooke Hendricks were named the school's Doubles Players of the Week on Tuesday. Siemon and Hendricks won twice last week at No. 3 doubles for the Warhawks. The duo is 3-1 this season.
• Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at email@example.com, check out his On Campus blog at McHenryCountySports.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryOnCampus.


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|February 2, 2011
|Stewardship and the Human Vocation to Work
|by Rev. Gregory Jensen
|January 26, 2011
|Deeper Truths Magnify Reagan Centennial
|by Ray Nothstine
|January 19, 2011
|The Sheep and the Goats: Work and Service to Others
|by Jordan Ballor
|January 12, 2011
|Health Care Reform Begins at Home
|by Kevin E. Schmiesing
|January 5, 2011
|Obamacare and the Threat to Human Dignity
|by Donald P. Condit
|December 29, 2010
|A Tithe for Uncle Sam
|by John Addison Teevan
|December 22, 2010
|The 'Small' God Who Brought Heaven Down to Earth
|by Rev. Robert A. Sirico
|December 22, 2010
|Scrooge and the Ghosts of Charity
|by Bruce Edward Walker
|December 15, 2010
|Christian Giving Begins with the Local Church
|by Jordan Ballor
|December 6, 2010
|Humility in Economics
|by Kevin E. Schmiesing
|November 30, 2010
|Benedict XVI: Christian Radical
|by Samuel Gregg
|November 24, 2010
|Europe, Immigration, and Merkel's Christian Values
|by Samuel Gregg
|November 17, 2010
|The Legalism of Political Christianity
|by Jordan Ballor
|November 10, 2010
|Cape Town 2010: Stewardship, Work, and the Lausanne Movement
|November 3, 2010
|'A' for Austerity: The New Scarlet Letter
|by Jordan Ballor
|November 3, 2010
|A Tale of Two Europes
|by Samuel Gregg
|October 27, 2010
|Barack von Bismarck
|by Anthony B. Bradley
|October 27, 2010
|Juan Williams' Firing Might Produce Desired Results
|by Bruce Edward Walker
|October 20, 2010
|Tea Party Must Define Ideas
|by Rev. Robert A. Sirico
|October 13, 2010
|Searching for Meaningful Work: Reflections on the 2010 Economics Nobel
|by Victor V. Claar
|October 6, 2010
|Europe's Broken Economies
|by Samuel Gregg
|September 29, 2010
|German Freedom and the Enduring Danger of Socialism
|by Kevin E. Schmiesing
|September 22, 2010
|Benedict's Creative Minority
|by Samuel Gregg
|September 15, 2010
|A Lesson from Michigan: Time to End Crony Unionism
|by Jordan Ballor
|September 8, 2010
|Remembering the Anti-Federalists
|by John C. Pinheiro
|September 1, 2010
|Work and the Two Great Love Commandments
|by Jordan Ballor
|September 1, 2010
|Humility in a Time of Recession
|by Samuel Gregg
|August 25, 2010
|Teachers Unions and Civil Rights Groups Block School Choice for Black Students
|by Anthony B. Bradley
|August 18, 2010
|Deficits, Debt, and Self-Deception
|by Samuel Gregg
|August 11, 2010
|In the 'Green' Economy, the Poor Pay More
|by Kelly Miller


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I would like to raise my baby most likely vegan but we haven't decided yet as we are still eating animal products (we don't really want to-its just hard not to). So I wanted advice from people on what their LO's first foods were? I saw the thread on lentils and people said wait til 8-10 months for legumes, well he's almost 8 months, but he still has not swallowed food yet! I want to encourage him to eat and maybe I'm just not offering enough.
I also don't really want him to have breads or cereals, as most grains and beans have phytate which binds to the minerals (which is why rice cereal is ironically not going to help with iron!!!). I want to sprout them, or just warm soak overnight for that reason.
How many people have waited till they can at least chew to introduce complex proteins and things that require breaking down? Also, I know its hard for babies to eat veggies unless they are mashed up, but was wondering if anyone has had success with raw? I mean lets really think about this... what did people used to do before they were able to heat things? And their babes survived! Maybe there is a reason why they don't have teeth yet! well anyways.. I just need ideas!


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Molasses Reef Shipwreck, Bahamas (c. 1510)
History of the wreck
The identity of this ship is unknown. It may have been built in Portugal, since most of its ballast comes from Lisbon . It is believed to have wrecked in the late 15th or early 16th century, probably during a voyage of capture of Bahamian natives for slave work in the mines of Hispaniola. The Molasses Reef wreck was found in the early 1970s by sports divers in the southern perimeter of the Caicos Bank, Turks and Caicos Islands, in the Caribbean. Salvaged by treasure hunters – among whom the famous Teddy Tucker – at least since 1972, this wreck was exploded by vandals just before the Institute of Nautical Archaeology started archaeological excavations on the site, through its Exploration and Discovery Research Team (EDRT). These excavations lasted between 1982 and 1986, under the direction of Donald H. Keith .
Description of the site
As it was found by the INA team, this wreck consisted of a ballast pile extending to an area of 11.5 x 3 m, and around 60 cm high. Its weight was estimated around 36 tons. Under this ballast pile was a preserved wooden structure, consisting of floors, futtocks, planking and ceiling, covering an area of 2.5 x 7.5 m which represented less than 2% of the hull, from a part of the bottom located between the keel and the turn of the bilge .
Construction Features
No keel, stem or stern posts are preserved although we know, from a preserved gudgeon, that the sternpost – and presumably the keel and stem post – had a sided dimension of 20 cm.
Twenty-four frames or frame positions were found in place. The floors were around 16cm sided. The futtocks were in average 16cm sided and 16-17cm molded. Room-and-space was 32.5cm. The floors overlapped the futtocks along 75cm, and presented dovetail joints, the mortise on the futtock and the wider side of the trapezoid up, at least in the preserved joints. Fillers were found in place, covering the tops of the floor timbers. The (only) midship frame had a pair of futtocks on each side. At least 11 frames were pre-assembled.
Six rows of planking were preserved in place, presenting a thickness of 4.5 cm and widths between 28 and 35 cm. All preserved planks were plain sawn and all were butt joint, forming regular strakes.
Ceiling, Thick Stuff and Wales
Although ceiling planks have survived in very poor condition, their dimensions have been estimated as 2cm thick and around 14cm wide in average. Five filler pieces were found in place.
A great variety of fasteners were found in the concretions around the site. These were divided into oak treenails, iron bolts, drift pins, and nails. Treenails had diameters of 2.8cm. Bolts were 2.7-3cm in diameter with domed heads, 1.4-3.8cm in diameter with flat heads, and 1.2-2.8cm in diameter unheaded. Their lengths varied between 30 and 50cm. Drift pins had square shanks 1.2-2.8cm and lengths of 35-45cm. Nails were button-headed with shanks 0.1-2cm in square, or flat-headed with square shanks 0.2-1.8cm. Their lengths varied between 6 and 14.5cm. The floors were fastened to the first futtocks with two treenails and two nails, driven from opposite sides. The planks were fastened to the frames with two nails and two treenails, typically the nails on the axis of the frame, near the seam, and the treenails on each side of the centerline. At some locations there were additional fastenings with round-shafted nails of 1.3cm diameter. The ends of the planks were secured with three nails and two treenails. Nail heads were recessed in counter-sink holes.
According to Dr. Keith , "thin strips of lead had been forced between the strakes places" and "lead sheet patches of different shapes and sizes were found on the site". Caulking was found wrapped around the nail heads.
Around 36 tons of ballast were found on site, mostly originating in Lisbon, some smaller quantities from southern Spain, England and the Canary Islands.
Size, Scantlings, and Wood
Estimated 20 m on the deck and 7.5 m beam. Its most important timbers had the following dimensions:
Sided (cm) Molded (cm)
Keel unknown unknown
Floors 16 16-17
Futtocks 16 16-17
Room-and-space 32.5 -
Planking 30 4.5
Ceiling 14 2
All timbers analyzed showed to be of oak (Quercus sp.).
1. Lamb, William R., Keith, Donald H., Judy, Susan A. "Analysis of the ballast of the Molasses Reef Wreck" National Geographic Research (1990) 6.3: 291-305.
2. Keith, Donald H. "The Molasses Reef Wrecks Project" INA Newsletter (1989) 16.3: 4-9.
3. Oertling, Thomas J. "The Molasses Reef Wreck Hull Analysis: Final Report" IJNA (1989) 18.3: 229-243.
4. Keith, Donald Hart –The Molasses Reef Wreck, Texas A&M Ph.D. Dissertation, College Station, 1987: 153-154.
Keith, Donald Hart The Molasses Reef Wreck, Texas A&M Ph.D. Dissertation, College Station, 1987. Keith, Donald H. "The Molasses Reef Wrecks Project" INA Newsletter (1989) 16.3: 4-9. Keith, D.H., Duff, J.A., James, S.R., Oertling, T.J. & Simmons, J.J. "The Molasses Reef wreck, Turks and Caicos Islands, B.W.I.: A preliminary report" IJNA (1984) 13.1: 45-63. Keith, D.H. & Simmons, J.J. "An analysis of hull remains, ballast and artifact distribution of a sixteenth century shipwreck: Toward a better understanding of wrecking and reconstruction" JFA (1985) 12.4: 411-424. Lamb, William R., Keith, Donald H., Judy, Susan A. "Analysis of the ballast of the Molasses Reef wreck" National Geographic Research (1990) 6.3: 291-305. Oertling, Thomas J. "The Molasses Reef Wreck Hull Analysis: Final Report" IJNA (1989) 18.3: 229-243.


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Your Karnes City Community Chamber of Commerce sends out our best wishes that you were blessed with a Happy Easter. We certainly have so much to be thankful for this year and obviously for many years to come. One thing I'd like to share with you is an invitation to come by and look at a beautiful book with pictures of the Eagle Ford Shale sights taken by Dan Mulligan of Peak Royalties in Irving. Many of you may have seen some of his other pictures, especially those he took of our Family Fun/Fitness Day last year on the CD's he gave to our chamber office.
And speaking of our Family Fun/Fitness Day that we wrote about last week, plans are still under way for the one coming up on Saturday, May 4 in the Karnes City Park. We are hoping many of you will come, not only to partake of the 10K Bike Ride, 5K Walk/Run getting good exercise, but also having fun with your children in inflatable jumpers, enjoying food and drinks but also to participate as vendors. We have the forms in the office to fill out to be a vendor. There is no charge to have a place as a vendor. But we do need your information.
Other happenings are still going on in our community. As I've reported many times before, the chamber gets a lot of inquiries about available places to live and other accommodations available in Karnes City. And as many of you may have seen, some very lovely homes are being built within our city limits. If you are interested in leasing or even buying one of these, the chamber has the names of those to contact. So, that's another reason to come by the chamber office and look at the pictures they have provided of these brand new homes. We have so many good things to look forward to as we watch our area grow and become very noteworthy in many ways.
Don't hesitate to call or come by for all of this good news. 'Til next time, Cathy Passmore


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Batman: Arkham Asylum ReviewBy Sterling McGarvey - Posted Aug 21, 2009
Ultimately, Batman: Arkham Asylum succeeds because it's a great game, with or without the license. It seamlessly transitions between beat-'em-up brawler, intense stealth action, and exploration-friendly adventure without missing a beat.
The Pros
- A great story that makes videogame clichés feel fresh and natural.
- Seamless transition between different gameplay types
- Gorgeous visuals and art design
The Cons
- Camera annoyances are a life-and-death issue.
- Challenge Mode is an afterthought.
Although legions of gamers clamor for more innovation from the creative minds behind their favorite pastime, it's an oft-used buzzword. Refinement is a more apt term. Thankfully, Rocksteady Games's Batman: Arkham Asylum is loaded with it. Like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, it's a game loaded with plenty of homage to well-established conventions from other titles. And like Naughty Dog's game, it delivers the goods, even if some will sing its praises louder than others. Fans of the Caped Crusader will pop their collective lids at the experience, and there's loads of material that will keep gamers with passing interest entertained.
It Could Be Worse- Actually, No...
Batman: The Animated Series producer and writer Paul Dini penned Arkham Asylum; in an interview, he described it as "the worst night of Batman's life." Outside of the overnight demise of WayneTech in a Ponzi scheme, Batman's attempt to escape the notorious institution is an indisputably awful situation. The scenario kicks off as he (too easily) captures The Joker and drops him off at Arkham. From there, Batman faces off with a rogue's gallery of faces he's put behind the asylum's double-fortified bars. When he's not embattled with the likes of Killer Croc and Harley Quinn, he's fighting legions of muscle-bound goons, some of which are mutated to monstrous proportions.
Arkham Asylum triumphantly fuses a great story with great gameplay. There's also something comforting in the fact that Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill -- a Batman and Joker pairing that a generation of gamers easily recognizes – have lent their voices to Arkham. The strong story makes the many video game conventions -- boss battles, unlocking new areas, gaining experience points -- feel more credible, because they're so organically tied to the plot. The beauty of it all is that whether you're an ardent fan of Batman or your knowledge is limited to the films and a few episodes of the animated series, there's an authenticity that goes beyond slapping a Bat-Signal on the box art.
It's All in the Genes
The gameplay works because, like many licensed games, it borrows from mechanics that proved effective in other titles. But the difference between Arkham, and, say X-Men Origins: Wolverine is the amount of polish. It's evident that other games tend to find one great element and ape it. Arkham Asylum has tiny strands of Splinter Cell, BioShock, Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness, God of War, and even bits of Gears of War-inspired moments within its collective DNA. It evokes slivers of all of those games and cleverly massages them into the experience, yet it has some unique moments that are all its own, largely thanks to its fluid approach.
In many scenarios, Batman might be embroiled in a fight with five goons, and a half-minute later, he could be scanning the room for clues to hunt down a character -- a clever CSI-esque breadcrumb trail that sustains credibility while implementing a decidedly videogame mechanic -- and within another minute, navigating a network of vents and tunnels to bypass a blocked area. Rocksteady has done a fantastic job integrating gameplay elements that seem so disparate into a cohesive package. In a short time span, you brawl, scan, and explore without missing a beat.
Joke's on You?
It's a bit odd, then, that some of the most intense moments of Arkham Asylum point out its worst issue. Although I battled the likes of Bane, Killer Croc, and Scarecrow, I found that the white-knuckle moments come as Batman battles a room filled with armed thugs. In the vein of Splinter Cell, it only takes a few bullets to take down the Dark Knight. It's crucial for Batman to take down one enemy, then quickly retreat to the numerous gargoyles in the rafters of Arkham's vast spaces. The problem is the camera. It never quite hits the sweet spot for Batman to make an ideal getaway. More often than not, you find yourself carefully trying to look around while spamming the button to shoot his grappling hook, and it gets mixed results. Some will easily forgive this shortcoming, but I found the camera troubles quite frustrating. It's unfortunate that amidst a well-crafted game, its Achilles heel comes in one of the most important elements.
That said, it helps that Arkham manages to be both a desolate, eerie institution and a living, breathing environment all at once. That's also thanks to its incredible art design, from each room of the asylum to the characters inhabiting the space. If there's one game that Arkham Asylum evokes the most, it's probably Metroid Prime. There's a great deal of exploration and discovery to be done; in fact, the game actively encourages you to do so -- why else would it gauge your level of completion based on the Riddler's strewn-about puzzles and clues? And although I'm averse to giving away too many big plot points, there are some pivotal moments that transform the landscape of Arkham and genuinely give it a lived-in feel.
Arkham Asylum offers up Challenge Modes, either to keep brawling and stealth-attacking or to polish your skills mid-game. The challenges allow you to check out your combat skills against leaderboards, or see who can clear a room full of shotgun-toting goons in the shortest amount of time. However, its usefulness is debatable. Although some will find plenty of fun in hitting the leaderboards with a vengeance, Challenge Mode undoes a lot of the magic of Arkham's campaign. The reason that the game succeeds is due to the fluid transition between elements. Break them up, and it's less fun. Again, some will enjoy the feature, but I'd rather start up another playthrough on Hard.
Ultimately, Batman: Arkham Asylum succeeds because it's a great game, with or without the license. It seamlessly transitions between beat-'em-up brawler, intense stealth action, and exploration-friendly adventure without missing a beat. When broken up, they're not necessarily strong enough to stand on their own -- Challenge Mode is an afterthought – but together, the components make for a lean, tight experience. If you're a huge fan of the Dark Knight, this will go down as one of the best games you'll play in 2009. If you've got a passing interest, there's still plenty to dig into and enjoy.


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The day started with a thud in Fort Myers on Friday. I got a text message notifying me that the Sox had released Jeff Natale. Natale, who spent the last couple of seasons in Pawtucket is a career .298 hitter, spending his entire career in the Red Sox chain. Jeff had come to training camp in extremely good shape, and had played very well this month. The signings of Tug Hulett and Kevin Frandsen apparently spelled the beginning of the end for Nat. "I kind of had the sense that this was coming. It's better than being put on the "phantom DL" (going on the disabled list when you're not really hurt- a common practice among teams). I hope I can get a fresh start somewhere." Upon hearing the news, his former manager, Ron Johnson called him immediately. "I told him if any manager or front office guy needed a reference, I'd provide a glowing one. Not just because I like Natale, which I do, but because he can do something with a bat that a lot of other players can't do." RJ put his money where his mouth was earlier this spring, when Natale made a trip to Port Charlotte with the big club. While speaking to hitting coach Dave Magadan, RJ summoned Natale over. "Mags" RJ said. "I want you to meet the best hitter in our minor league system, Jeff Natale." RJ added that he told manager Terry Francona that if he needed to get a run in from third with less than two outs, there was no other guy he'd rather send up than Natale, for his ability to consistently get the bat on the ball.
Baseball aside, Natale has distinguished himself as a great citizen as well. Jeff was always the first one to sign up for visits to schools or hospitals and you could count on him to take part in any clinic or other event the PawSox were holding.
Personally, I will miss Jeff. His sense of humor and caring personality make him a true friend. His pregame interviews with teammates- "At Bat with Nat" became a staple of our broadcasts. If his playing days are over (which I truly doubt), he could make a very smooth transition to the booth. During my time as the voice of the PawSox, I have kept in touch with a very few of our guys, once their playing days were over. Player or not, the man I dubbed the "third member of our broadcast team", Jeff Natale will always be on my speed dial.
3 Comments
We are devastated that Jeff is gone. He was an exceptional individual and will be missed by us. If you see him, please let him know. The LeTellier family of Attleboro.
This is the side of baseball that the media guys like ESPN etc dont often mention. Sport can be wonderful for the lucky ones but very cruel for some. I wish him well
Rchard in the UK
This is terrible! The PawSox team is very different than last year and I was excited that Jeff would still be here as the heart of the PawSox. I loved his At Bat with Nat segments and he would always be happy to chat or joke around. He was at every clinic and he was always extremely friendly. I hope another team quickly signs him and gives him more playing time like he deserves. I liked the show you guys did last year where you could send in questions that Jeff answered on the radio.
Good luck to Jeff and this years PawSox team,


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CRN Components and Peripherals News
AMD Carrizo midrange chip touts 2X faster application performance and Trusted Platform Module 2.0, and Drive Key Encryption to secure enterprise laptops.
Intel Ends The Rumor Mill, Plans To Acquire Altera To Spur Internet of Things BusinessAltera manufactures field programmable gate arrays that include programmability, security and high-performance features for Internet of Things solutions.
5 Ways Google's Brillo OS Will Transform Home AutomationAt the Google I/O developer conference, the company unveiled a new consumer-focused Internet of Things operating system called Brillo.
Avago Reveals $37 Billion Blowout Acquisition Of Rival BroadcomChipmaker Avago Technologies on Thursday announced it will acquire rival semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom in a $37 billion deal.
10 Tough Trends Partners Are Grappling With In The Rugged MarketAs consumer vendors like Apple recognize the interest in sturdy devices, the rugged market is faced with new challenges, causing it to change significantly. Solution providers should expect these 10 hurdles in the rugged market.
For Digital Signage, All (Digital) Signs Point To Double-Digit GrowthThe digital signage market is poised for double-digit growth in the next few years, according to a study released by market research firm IDC.
10 Futuristic Technologies Intel Powers TodayIntel's processors have come a long way from powering only PCs and laptops. The company has expanded its presence into crazy products of the future, from smart mirrors to jukeboxes. Following are 10 futuristic technologies shown at the Intel Solutions Summit.
Partners Cheer As Altera-Intel Buyout Talks Reportedly ResumeIntel is back in talks to acquire programmable custom-designed semiconductor manufacturer Altera, according to a Monday report by the New York Post.
Intel Partners Tout Vertical Solutions To Pave The Way In IoT MarketPartners showed off how they were creating innovative solutions around the Internet of Things during Intel's Solutions Summit.
Intel's Garrigues: We Want Double-Digit Channel Growth In 2015Intel North America Channels Director Todd Garrigues talks to CRN about how Intel hopes a focus on vertical markets will help spur channel growth this year.
Intel: We're Selling More Than ChipsIntel Vice President Maurits Tichelman talks to CRNtv about the opportunities around Intel's partner programs.
HP Gives Partners Green Light To Sell Sprout 3-D ComputerHewlett-Packard is opening the doors for its partners to sell its innovative immersive computer, up until now available only through select retailers.
Intel Solutions Summit: 10 Blockbuster Technologies To Boost BusinessFrom mobile processors and Next Unit Computing (NUCs) systems, to wireless charging and the Compute Stick, Intel is showing off its latest and greatest at the Intel Solutions Summit partner conference this week in Dallas.
Intel Raps Marketing Drum In Drive For Double-Digit Channel GrowthIntel is launching a new vertical partner marketing offensive to drive double-digit sales growth in the channel this year.
CRN Exclusive: Intel Americas GM C.J. Bruno On Innovation, Skylake-Windows 10 And Data Center GrowthC.J. Bruno will give the keynote address at this week's North America Intel Solutions Summit in Dallas. Here is an excerpt from an exclusive discussion with CRN.
Intel VP: The Business Game Gets Better With Skylake Plus Windows 10The processor promises to be the star of the show at this week's Intel Solutions Summit in Dallas.
CRN Exclusive: Intel VP Tichelman On Vertical Opportunities, New Incentives, Skylake And Windows 10Intel Vice President Maurits Tichelman, who oversees channel sales and marketing, speaks with CRN about new vertical market partner designations, the evolution of the Intel channel and the Skylake Windows 10 opportunity.
10 Apple Watch Business Apps That Keep Pros ProductiveApple Watch arrives Friday and here are 10 business-friendly apps, including Microsoft's PowerPoint and Invoice2Go, that can help justify buying one.
10 Things Partners Learned During Intel's Earnings CallIntel earnings revealed inherent challenges in the PC market, but also a strong road ahead for the company's Data Center Group and Internet of Things Group.
AMD Exiting SeaMicro's High-Density Server BusinessAdvanced Micro Devices says the move is part of a strategy 'to simplify and sharpen the company's investment focus.'


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"It is the peculiarity of progress for a thing to be developed in itself; and the peculiarity of change, for a thing to be altered from what it was into something else."