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Why SandRidge (SD) Is Still a 'Sell'
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- TheStreet Ratings team has reiterated its "sell" rating for SandRidge
Shares of SandRidge rose 2.4% to $5.91 Thursday. The energy company gained 17.9% over the past six months, but is down 16.6% over the past year. SandRidge hit a 52-week high of $7.24 on Jan. 23, 2013. More than 14.2 million shares of the company were traded Wednesday, above the average daily volume of 10.9 million.SD data by YCharts
TheStreet Ratings team rates SandRidge as a "sell" with a ratings score of D+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:
"We rate SANDRIDGE ENERGY INC (SD) a SELL. This is driven by a number of negative factors, which we believe should have a greater impact than any strengths, and could make it more difficult for investors to achieve positive results compared to most of the stocks we cover. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its disappointing return on equity, generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself and generally high debt management risk."
Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows:
- Return on equity has greatly decreased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of major weakness within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry and the overall market, SANDRIDGE ENERGY INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
- SD has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, declining 7.57% from its price level of one year ago. The fact that the stock is now selling for less than others in its industry in relation to its current earnings is not reason enough to justify a buy rating at this time.
- Currently the debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76 is quite high overall and when compared to the industry average, suggesting that the current management of debt levels should be re-evaluated. Even though the debt-to-equity ratio is weak, SD's quick ratio is somewhat strong at 1.49, demonstrating the ability to handle short-term liquidity needs.
- SD, with its decline in revenue, slightly underperformed the industry average of 5.6%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly dropped by 7.3%. The declining revenue has not hurt the company's bottom line, with increasing earnings per share.
- The gross profit margin for SANDRIDGE ENERGY INC is rather high; currently it is at 69.04%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Regardless of the strong results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of -14.82% is in-line with the industry average.
- You can view the full analysis from the report here: SD Ratings Report


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The National Endowment for the Humanities' Office of White House and Congressional Affairs is looking for qualified applicants for the NEH's Summer 2016 Internship Program. In the past, our interns have worked on events in DC and on Capitol Hill, outreach to Congressional staff, and large-scale projects highlighting the NEH's programs. Interns are responsible for managing invitation lists, drafting briefing memos, managing our web presence, assisting with correspondence to Congressional offices, communicating with stakeholders, and assisting with day-to-day office tasks.
We are looking for interns with strong writing and communication skills in addition to a passion for the humanities. Interns must be able to complete tasks in a timely manner, be professional, and pay close attention to detail. Experience working with Microsoft Excel, WordPress, and Twitter appreciated. Our internships are unpaid, but we provide full reimbursement for work-related travel. We are looking for a commitment of at least 4 to 5 full days per week. Please send a resume, short writing sample (1-5 pages), and cover letter to Caitlin Green at email@example.com [1]. We strongly encourage that candidates submit one of the following types of writing samples: blog post, news article, press release, newsletter, review, short narrative writing piece, expository writing, detailed letter, memorandum or a short essay on a humanities topic.
Please submit a resume and cover letter indicating where in the NEH you wish consideration for an internship and the time period for which you are available (including the number of hours/days of the week if you will not be available for a full-time work schedule). A writing sample and copy of your transcript, if applying for a student internship, is requested but not required. Also, for student applicants from colleges or universities that grant academic credit for internships, please indicate if you are seeking an internship for academic credit.
Contact: Caitlin Green
Special Assistant to the Chairman
National Endowment for the Humanities
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
(202) 208-7122 or email@example.com [1]

subset: commoncrawl


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Pardee Center for Women's Health has received ultrasound practice accreditation in the area of OB/GYN by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM).
Pardee Center for Women's Health achieved this recognition by meeting rigorous voluntary guidelines set by the diagnostic ultrasound profession. All facets of the practice were assessed; including the training and qualifications of physicians and sonographers, ultrasound equipment maintenance, documentation, storage and record-keeping practices, policies and procedures to protect patients, and staff and quality assurance methods.
The AIUM is a multidisciplinary medical association of more than 9,000 physicians, sonographers, scientists, students and other health care providers. Established more than 50 years ago, the AIUM is dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of guidelines and accreditation.
Pardee Center for Women's Health focuses on keeping patients well through regular screenings, routine visits with a physician, digital mammograms and gynecological care. The Center for Women's Health features board-certified OB/GYNs, certified nurse-midwives and highly-trained nurses and staff.


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UConn Class of 2015 target and tournament MVP Asia Durr finished with a game-high 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and eight steals in 27 minutes to lead the U.S. to an 82-48 victory over Canada in the gold medal game of the FIBA Americas U-16 Championship Sunday in Cancun, Mexico. Katie Lou Samuelson added 24 points (8-of-8 3-pointers), five rebounds and two steals in 37 minutes.
Durr set U-16 team single-game records in scoring, steals, field goals attempted (22), and field goals made (nine, tie). Katie Lou Samuelson set a team single-game record for made 3-pointers and 3-point shooting percentage.
The score was tied at 27 at halftime before the U.S. outscored Canada 31-7 in the third quarter. Leading 32-31 with 8:44 left in the quarter, Durr scored 12 straight points to power a 22-0 run.
Fellow UConn 2015 targets Kalani Brown finished with four points and five rebounds, and DeJanae Boykin had three points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
The U.S., who also defeated Canada in the 2009 gold medal game (103-52) and improved to 15-0 all-time at the event, led the tournament in 16 of 19 statistical categories and set nine U-16 team records. Durr set records for scoring (18.4), field goals made (31), free throws made (19) and free throws attempted (26). Samuelson set records for made 3-pointers (18), 3-pointers attempted (34) and 3-point percentage (.529).
Also, the U.S. set records in made 3-pointers (47), 3-pointers attempted (111) and 3-point shooting percentage (42.3, tie).


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Getting around
Sort by: Travelers rating | A-Z
|Dubai International Airport
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The Dubai International Airport is an international airport which serves Dubai which is the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East. It is also the main airport in Dubai....
Reviewed by: Laalamani
|Public Transportation
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There are the tolling stations which are fully automated and one can collect toll of AED 4 per transit, which is around 1.08 dollars. The Metro system will be operational by 2009 and fully operational by 2012. The main mode of transportation...
Reviewed by: Laalamani


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True Blood's Valentina Cervi on Why Vampires Have the Right Idea About Sex
Sookie who?By Denise Martin
Sookie who?By Denise Martin
Time to Go Home, Michelle Obama Already Wore the Best Holiday Look of the Year
James Marsden Is One of the Best Actors of His Generation. Why Hasn't Hollywood Noticed?
The 10 Best TV Shows of 2016
The Post-Trump Haircut
Tom Ford Maintains His Position That All Men Should Get Penetrated at Least Once
Our Biggest Questions After the Westworld Finale
How Republicans Justify Unlimited Trump Corruption
Susie Bubble's Boyfriend Is Missing
The 10 Best TV Episodes of 2016
The Lawyer Who Argued Roe v. Wade Sees Frightening Parallels Between Now and When Abortion Was Illegal


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Defiance Comic-Con 2012 Preview -- Crafting a Believable, Playable WorldBy Kevin Kelly - Posted Jul 23, 2012
Defiance is the ambitious project from Syfy and Trion Worlds that looks to marry a hit science-fiction television show with a AAA game. But the game won't just be an adaptation of the series. Instead it will serve as a prequel of sorts, and continue to be a living, breathing MMO shooter. The levels we saw from the game definitely look Halo influenced with Warthog-esque vehicles and weapons, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
At it's heart, Defiance is an immigration story, where the eight known races are coming together in Defiance. According to writer/producer Kevin Murphy, "It's an allegory. It's not black and white, or bad guys vs. good guys, human vs. aliens." The project has been in development for four years, and they are trying to take the Hollywood/Video Games relationship to the next level without compromising.
They've also put a lot of research into creating alien races that feel real, and they hired the man behind the Dothraki language in HBO's Game of Thrones, David J. Peterson, to work on the dialects. Murphy compares keeping the continuity of the television show in-line with the game with trying to keep the continuous retcons and reboots in comic books. "This is the first show I've worked on where we've had a mythology coordinator position!" he said.
The game takes place before the show, and is set in San Francisco. Our main characters, Nolan and Irisa, have picked up a sort of "alien tchotchke" that is actually a skeleton key that lets them access a downed ark, which are the vessels that the Votan race came to Earth in. While the Votans leave death and destruction in their wake, this key allows Nolan and Irisa to access a piece of Votan terraforming technology, which everyone happens to want.
Eventually they make their way to Defiance, which is where the show begins. While you don't have to play the game to understand the show or vice versa, Murphy says "These are independent experiences that people can dive deep into. You can read Batman and never have to read Superman. But if you read them both, you get a richer experience."
We had a chance to meet the cast recently, and while your inner geek will be extremely tickled by the fact that Julie Benz and Jaime Murray will be reuniting onscreen (Benz played wife Rita on Dexter, while Jaime played Dexter's psychotic girlfriend), be assured that they still won't be best friends. Benz told us that while they became instant best friends on the set of Dexter, "We're not best friends in the show"
Benz plays Amanda Rosewater, the newly appointed mayor of Defiance, where she quickly finds herself in over her head. She is committed to maintaining peace, which is difficult to do in a frontier town built on the ruins of St. Louis. She has a lot to learn and has ex-mayor Nicky (Fionnula Flanagan) to lean on, but this new job will toughen her hide and make her stronger in the process. Benz says, "The men in this show are great, but I think the power is really with the women."
Murray plays Stahma, a high-born member of the Castithan alien race. But while she comes from the highest caste in her society, the women don't have a lot of power. She's married to Datak Tarr, played by Tony Curran, who comes from the lowest caste among the Castithans. Together, they make a strong team with Stahma providing the words and Datak providing the action. "They are both survivors," claims Murray, "And they work together very well. Everybody needs each other in this show."
Grant Bowler plays Joshua Nolan, a scoundrel with a heart of gold who is cut from the same cloth as Han Solo. While on the run with his adopted alien daughter Irisa, he finds himself the newly appointed law in Defiance. Think Mal Reynolds with a bit of a dark side. "I play a victim of all the women in the show," according to Bowler. "My objective is to kiss all the girls in town in order to steal all of the money."
Playing Bowler's daughter is Stephanie Leonidas, who you might recognize from Neil Gaiman's MirrorMask. Leonidas commented on her relationship with her father figure Joshua, saying, "They are fiercely loyal to each other, but as with any father/daughter relationship, they have their ups and downs. It's similar to any father/daughter relationship, except with knives." Irisa isn't happy about being in Defiance, and she tends to be a rebellious and passionate character.
Mia Kirshner plays Kenya, a madam or "pleasure ambassador" in the town of Defiance at the Need Want Club, where every fantasy you can have resides within. According to Kirshner, Kenya inhabits a world where she can cross over between the different species, and "She's a pretty naughty character, although she is also grounded in a strong reality."
The game and the television series intersect in many places. For instance, the concept vehicles that are in the game, when the team tried to build practical versions, they found that they would fall over or not climb a hill. The practical designers would talk to the game designer, changes would be made and then sent back to the set. Game designers would see what the television crews were working on, and vice verse, and that would affect the design process, and eventually became a constant flow.
Syfy is putting a lot of work into this series, and they've arranged a stellar cast. By starting players in this world and introducing this to the conflict at large, gamers stand a chance to hit the ground running when Defiance premieres in April 2013.


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Results tagged ' Jose Contreras '
Phillies Follies: Losing 3 of 4 To The Pirates
Realizing the season is not quite even halfway over, it is hard to say that the Phillies are done. But after losing 3 out of 4 games to the worst team in the league this weekend, it sure does feel that way. Murphy's Law has ruled this team for about 2 months now where anything that can go wrong does. Massive injuries to star players, a serious and prolonged offensive slump, pitching and hitting never going well on the same day and now this; 3 loses to the Pirates.
The one win in this series came on an offensive explosion of 12 runs. But if the Phillies need to score 12 runs every time to win a game, then I guess their season really may be over.
5 runs on 9 hits today did not cut it. Dane Sardinha, the Phils 4th string catcher, getting two hits and a home run did not help. Greg Dobbs, who is in the worst hitting slump of his career, got a hit and an RBI; no matter though. It also did not help.
The big boys like Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins did absolutely nothing in this game. And besides the solo home run by Sardinha in the 7th, the Phillies offense gave up after the 3rd inning. And then there was the pitching…
While Joe Blanton looked solid through most of the game today, he began to fall apart quickly after 6 innings. He threw 3 pitches at the start of the 7th inning which ended up like this: home run, single, double. Blanton left with one out and Jose Contreras came in with two runners on base. Contreras picked up the disaster right where Blanton left off, allowing a double, a single and 3 more runs to give the Pirates a 6-5 lead. So the Phils entered the 7th with a 3-run lead and the pitching blew it.
It only got worse when Mike Zagurski came in for Contreras and allowed two more runs to score on a 2-out single. So Blanton's final line was 5 runs over 6 1/3 innings. He was fine through 6 innings, but when Blanton starts to fall apart, he really goes down hard. Then the bullpen totally ruins the day by allowing a 3-run lead to turn into a 3-run deficit…against a last place team. Disgusting.
So the Phillies went on to lose by a score of 5-8. If the Braves win today, the Phillies will enter tomorrow's 3-game series with the Braves down by 6 games. That means, even if they win the series, they will still be a minimum of 3 games back with only 4 to play before the All-Star break. Or worse, they will lose ground and dig a hole too deep to emerge from.
Does anyone out there think the Phils can sweep the Braves? After losing 3 of 4 to the Pirates, they do not stand a chance. I will be happy to eat those words if they do, but the odds are certainly not in their favor.
Phillies All-Stars
With all the recent injuries, many Phillies, like Placido Polanco, dropped off in the All-Star voting late. As a result, the only Phillie to make it in via fan vote was Chase Utley. Utley cannot play due to his recent surgery and will be replaced by Martin Prado of the Braves.
Two more Phillies were added to the roster; Roy Halladay won the player's vote and Ryan Howard was added by manager Charlie Manuel. Both are very deserving. Halladay's dominant performances plus the Perfect Game he pitched this year make him an obvious choice. Howard is one of the league leaders in RBI's with 58 and was batting .296 coming into today's game.
Earlier today, MLB.com posted the starting rosters for each league. Take a look at the list. Notice anything wrong? Either the writer just got used to typing the word "Yankees" over and over or Evan Longoria was just involved in some weird, mysterious trade. No need to panic Rays fans; Longoria is still in Tampa.
By the way, I hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July, despite the Phillies being a major bummer. This is one of my favorite photos that I have ever taken and it always makes me feel better:
Happy Independence Day!
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography; Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schultz
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Bullpen Blows Five Run Lead
The Phillies scored only 22 runs in the latter half of May, from the 18th to the 31st. But in the last 4 games, the Phillies have exploded to the tune of 31 runs. Today against the Twins, they scored 9 runs, had a 5-run lead in the 8th inning, and still lost the game.
The Phillies hit five home runs in the game. Here is a recap of the first four: The usual suspects, Ryan Howard and Werth, nailed two of those homers. Not as common was a blast from Raul Ibanez, who was on base three times. Even less common was a homer from Wilson Valdez, who had his only other big league homer in 2006. Yes, 4 years ago. If Valdez can smack a homer, then the stars must really be aligning for the Phillies, right? Maybe not…
Cole Hamels got off to a bad start in the first inning, giving up 3 runs. A passed ball by catcher Brian Schneider and a bad throw to second by Hamels added fuel to the fire. But the offense immediately picked Hamels back up by getting those 3 runs right back in the bottom of the inning. Chase Utley led the way with a 2-run triple and Jayson Werth hit a sac fly to score Utley.
Every starter in the game, including Hamels, had at least one hit today. On the mound, Hamels later allowed a solo home run to Justin Morneau and ended the day with 4 runs allowed over 7 innings. If you forget about the first inning mishap, Hamels had a great day.
But, as has been a common story line this year, the Phillies bullpen blew a FIVE run lead. In the 9th inning, former-Phil, Jim Thome hit a 2-run homer off Jose Contreras. As it was then a save situation, Brad Lidge was brought into the game. And Lidge proceeded to blow the save and the remaining 3-run lead. He gave up an RBI-single and a 2-run homer to Twins catcher, Joe Mauer.
With a 9-9 tied game in the bottom of the 9th, the Phils got 2 hits but still failed to score and win the game. Howard and Werth both struck out. Chad Durbin came in for the 10th inning and as soon as I saw him on the mound, I thought, "Oh crap, he is going to give up a homer to the first batter." Why do I think this? Because he has done it many times in the exact same situation. How many times, I do not know except to say that I have nightmares about it. Sure enough, 1st batter: homer.
The inning ended with a tag out at the plate, which normally would have been very exciting. But at that point, who cares? The Phillies are losing 9-10 with the bottom of the batting order coming up. Do you think Valdez can hit his 3rd homer in 4 years to win the game? No? Neither do I…
Valdez did not get a chance. Greg Dobbs popped out, Schneider grounded out and Ross Gload pinch hit for Valdez. Now, Gload did a homer with 2 outs to tie the game again. But again, no need to get excited because Danys Baez was going to pitch the 11th inning. Baez has been awful and today did not change that. He gave up THREE runs in the 11th just to make sure the Phillies had NO chance at a win.
The Phillies went down in the 11th. It was a pathetic end to a pathetic loss. The final score was 10-13 and the Phils now have one game left against the Twins. If Roy Halladay can get back on his game after allowing 6 runs in his last outing, the Phils could maybe salvage a series win. Game time is 1:35pm and I will return with photos.
In other news, Carlos Ruiz will get a few days off after being nailed in the head with a broken bat while behind the plate yesterday. He will not need a trip to the DL, which is great news. Scott Mathieson was designated for assignment to make room for catcher Dane Sardinha who will back-up Schneider until Ruiz is healthy.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
A Much Needed Win
On the verge of being swept in Boston, the Phillies would rely today on the arm of Cole Hamels. Much improved since last season, Hamels did not let his team down. Hamels pitched 7 strong innings against the Red Sox allowing just one run on 5 hits and 2 walks. Normally, Hamels fastball clocks in around 88-92mph but today, he was topping out at 96mph. The extra kick helped and he left the mound with his team in a good position to win the game.
But the Phillies offense would have to face knuckleballer Tim Wakefield again, who beat them up badly in Philly last month. Wakefield is an otherwise mediocre pitcher, but he certainly has the Phillies number. In the first inning, the Phils offensive woes continued as they loaded the bases with no outs but did not score. Ryan Howard hit a fly ball but Shane Victorino decided it was too close to tag and stayed at third. Then Jayson Werth hit into a double play to end the threat. Werth would later drop a fly ball in the outfield, adding to his woes.
In the 4th inning though, it looked like the Phils may have figured Wakefield out. They scored 4 runs on 2 doubles, 2 singles and a Raul Ibanez homer. But again, another double play, this time from Carlos Ruiz, ended the inning. The Phillies have certainly figured out how to shoot themselves in the foot recently.
Lucky for them, Hamels was spectacular and they went into the 8th inning with a 4-1 lead. Jose Contreras held the Sox down in the 8th, despite allowing 2 singles. In the 9th, Werth redeemed himself by walking and then stealing 2 bases. A sac fly from Ben Francisco scored Werth and gave the Phils a 5-1 lead.
But in their usual fashion, the Phillies made the 9th inning an adventure in a game they desperately needed to win. JC Romero gave up a double and later, Ruiz let a pitch sail past him to score a run for the Sox. Now in a save situation, Brad Lidge was brought in to finish the job. Lidge gave everyone a heart attack when he allowed another run, but did finally get out of the jam and save the game. The Phillies win, 5-3.
While the win today is a huge relief for the fast falling Phils, what ails them is clearly not past. The offense still sputtered in many situations where they should have scored and the bullpen began to look shaky again. Monday will be an off-day while the Phillies try to screw their heads on right before a 3-game series with their World Series rivals, the New York Yankees. Otherwise, the Yanks are going to feast on the failing Phils. Cross your fingers…
And although I am less enthusiastic about it right now, keep VOTING for your Phillies All-Stars. Here are the team links for the Phillies Phollowers All-Star campaign:
Chase Utley Ryan Howard Raul Ibanez Placido Polanco
Carlos Ruiz Jayson Werth Shane Victorino Jimmy Rollins
Vote up to 25 times per day, per email address.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Today's Phillies – Marlins match-up was surrouned by all sorts of rookie news. The highly anticipated debut of the National's Stephen Strasburg took place just up the road in DC. The right-handed pitcher signed a record $15.1 million contract last August and has been the most hyped prospect in decades. He lived up to the hype, pitching 7 innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out 14 batters, a club record. Very impressive, although he did pitch against the Pirates. The Nats will know more when he faces a tougher team, but even so, this kid looks like the real deal.
And for the Marlins, their big prospect, Mike Stanton, made his debut against the Phils. Stanton had a 3-hit night and scored twice. Needless to say, another sparkling debut for a team in the NL East.
Kyle Kendrick started for the Phils; watching him pitch this year in place of the still injured JA Happ has been an exercise in patience. Sometimes he looks good, like last week in Atlanta, and sometimes he is terrible. Today's outing against the Marlins fell under the "terrible" category. Kendrick pitched only 5 innings and allowed 5 runs, plus he committed a throwing error which led to more runs for the Fish. Ryan Howard also committed an error in the game which put a runner on first. The next batter homered to drive that run in.
But bad pitching and sloppy defense was paired tonight with some actual hitting. Why the Phillies cannot seem to do all three of these things well all at the same time remains a mystery. Amidst Kendrick's awful effort and 2 more runs allowed by the Phillies bullpen, the offense woke up and started to hit.
Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino both homered, Chase Utley got 2 hits in consecutive at-bats and Raul Ibanez had 4 hits and 2 RBI on the night. 4 hits? Where has this guy been all year? It's about time…
Jayson Werth was benched to give him a chance to recover from an awful 10 at-bat hitless streak. Ben Francisco filled in and did not do much better early on. After many sloppy adventures in the outfield and grounding into 2 double plays, one of which cost them a run, Francisco made up for it all with a 2 RBI single in the 9th to give the Phillies a 9-8 lead. Wilson Valdez followed up with a single tricked up the 3rd base line to score another run.
Brad Lidge had another chance at a save with the 10-8 lead. With two outs, Lidge found himself in hot water as the loaded the bases after a close call at second base did not go the Phillies way. But no worries, he popped up the next batter and notched save #3 on the year.
By the way, this is the 3rd time this year that Kendrick has started a game and Jose Contreras got the win. Even after giving up the go-ahead run, Contreras still came out on top; Kyle must be wondering why Jose keeps stealing his thunder.
Tomorrow will be a rematch of the Roy Halladay perfect game on May 29th in Miami. Same team, same two pitchers; Halladay faces Josh Johnson again. Hopefully, same result ;o) Game time is 7:05pm.
By the way, is it just me, or does Cody Ross of the Marlins look a bit like Chucky? Creepy…
Just keep sharp objects away from him, please ;o)
Francisco head shot by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Not Perfect, But Still Pretty Good
While it was far from perfection from Roy Halladay last night in his first start since pitching the Perfect Game, he was effective. Halladay allowed just 2 runs on 10 hits over 7 innings. He worked in and out of several jams with multiple base runners against a very good Padres team to keep the Phillies in the game.
Halladay even helped himself out at the plate, knocking a 1 out single in the 3rd that led to Shane Victorino's 2-run homer. With the Phillies offense still struggling, those two hits turned out to be a big key in winning the game. Jayson Werth collected the 3rd RBI in the 3-2 win by walking with the bases loaded in the 5th inning. Of course, the Phillies offense also left the bases loaded twice and as a team, left 9 men on base.
The lack of scoring was again highlighted in the 8th inning when Jose Contreras hit a batter and then issued a walk. JC Romero was brought in to stop the bleeding and began by walking the next batter to load the bases with 1 out. But it was JC's birthday, and his present to himself was getting a ground ball double play to end the inning. Happy Birthday, JC!
The real highlight of the evening, however, was Brad Lidge. In his first save opportunity since coming off the DL for the second time this year, Lidge looked like Mr. Perfect from 2008. Lidge mowed down the Padres in order with a nasty slider and good movement on his fastball. His speed clocked in at 94mph on a few pitches. Is this a sign that all is now well with Lidge? Cross your fingers…
Game 2 against the Padres is tonight at 7:05pm. Jamie Moyer will pitch against Jon Garland.
By the way, have you seen the new player-designed apparel at the Phillies MLB Shop? If you have not, be sure to check it out. Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Cole Hamels and Raul Ibanez all designed jerseys, tee-shirts and hats for the new collection. Here is a sample of what they designed:
Other teams got into the action as well, so if you are a fan of another team (although I find that hard to imagine ;o), check out their MLB Shop site too. I believe the Mets, Yankees and Twins also participated. Hey, if it is cool looking, maybe I'll pick up a Mets jersey….or, not. ;o)
And do not forget to keep VOTING for your Phillies All-Stars! Vote up to 25 times per day, per email address.
Lidge photo by Jenn Zambri Photography; apparel by MLB.com
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Spiraling deeper into one of the worst slumps in recent history, the Phillies capped of a horrible road trip today by getting swept by the Braves in a 3-game series.
They were also swept by the Mets in this same road trip, which ended with a record of 2 wins and 7 losses. The Phillies look so bad, it appears they are standing in quick sand; the harder they struggle, the deeper they become buried in the abyss.
When I saw Chase Utley ground into a double play today with 1 out and the bases loaded, I knew this may be a sign of the apocalypse. Utley normally waits until he sees a strike to swing, but in this instance, he swung at ball 2 and murdered a potential game winning inning. Utley is not the type of player who does this, but in his last 7 games and 26 at-bats, he has only 3 hits.
Basically the same thing can be said for the entire team; but how does an entire team go into a slump all at once? I had once thought this was impossible; someone must be hitting, right? Nope. They have scored only 14 runs in their last 11 games after leading the entire league in runs scored.
Plus, good pitching has gone to waste, like today with Kyle Kendrick who did an outstanding job. Maybe Jose Contreras does not like Kendrick, because the only two games he has lost all year have been started by Kendrick. With a 1-1 tie, Contreras gave up a run and the game. And all that after poor Kyle pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball.
The Phillies have a day off tomorrow to try and figure out what ails them. If they come back on Friday and score a bunch of runs, ok fine. But if they flop again, I do believe it will officially be time to panic. Here are just a few suggestions to the Phillies for their off-day in order to relax and loosen things up a bit:
1 – Go to the zoo and pet something furry; just make sure it is not Jayson Werth before you do. If you are Jayson Werth, what can I say…feel free.
2 – Find Howard Eskin and punch him in the face; you know you want to.
3 – See how many marshmallows you can fit in your mouth at one time.
4 – Pick up a Sports Illustrated and draw devil horns on players of other teams.
5 – Stand in front of the ballpark and then ask people for directions to the ballpark.
6 – Call Larry Bowa and ask him to cuss you out. That always makes me giggle so it is worth a try.
7 – Dance naked in my front yard…call me for directions. Remember, I am always here for you guys ;o)
8 – Skip numbers 1-6 and go straight to #7. I promise, you will feel better.
There you go; a recipe for success. Now go win some freaking games already! Thank you.
Head shot by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Finally…Some Runs And A Win
Odds were good that the Phillies would have to bust out of this major slump at some point. Today against the Marlins, they finally scored for the first time since the 9th inning against the Red Sox on Sunday…5 days ago. In the 4th inning against the Fish, a Ryan Howard single followed by a Raul Ibanez triple ended the drought. Whew!
Of course, 3 strike-outs followed the Ibanez RBI, leaving him stranded on 3rd, making fans wonder if the one run was a fluke. But the offense kept creeping back to life, scoring one run each in the 5th and 7th innings. Chase Utley manufactured a run by walking, then stealing 2nd base, allowing him to score on another Howard single. Utley later grounded out to score a runner from 3rd base.
Manager Charlie Manuel moved the line-up around a bit, giving Jayson Werth and Placido Polanco the day off. Ross Gload and Greg Dobbs filled in; Gload went 1 for 4 and Dobbs was hitless. Polanco is still having elbow issues after being hit with a pitch at the start of the season. Hopefully, a little rest will get him back into the lineup.
As for starter Kyle Kendrick, he pitched very well. His fielding, however, was not great and cost him the only 2 runs he allowed. With 2 outs and 2 men on in the 3rd, Hanley Ramirez hit an easy ground ball to Kendrick who drilled the ball into the ground trying to throw to first. Just as it looked like he was out of the inning, 2 runs crossed the plate on the error.
Both runs were unearned and Kendrick wound up going 6 innings without additional incident. Overall, it was a quality start. Chad Durbin and Danys Baez got through the next two innings fairly easily. Jose Contreras came in for the 9th and got into trouble, allowing back-to-back singles with one out. He struck out Cody Ross next and then Ronnie Paulino popped up to end the game.
So, with a little help, Kendrick beats the Fish and Contreras collected the save. And the Phillies finally put an end to the 5-game losing streak. Can I get one more big SIGH of relief….whew! Game 2 in Miami is tomorrow at 7:10pm with Roy Halladay on the mound.
And do not forget to keep VOTING for your Phillies All-Stars! Vote up to 25 times per day, per email address.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
The Bats Return
After the sluggish bats the last few games, seeing the Phillies score 5 runs today was a huge relief. And seeing Jimmy Rollins, still fresh off the DL, smack a huge 3-run homer was an even bigger relief. It is good to have J-Roll back!
Joe Blanton looked very good through 6 innings, although he started to get beat up in the 7th inning where he loaded the bases and allowed 2 runs. Blanton allowed a total of 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. Overall, he did a very good job.
But Blanton still did not get the win as the Cubs tied the game up when Antonio Bastardo gave up a homer in the 8th to Kosuke Fukudome. The 4-4 tie was broken up by Raul Ibanez in the bottom of the 8th. Chase Utley used his speed to score from 2nd on the Ibanez single.
Jose Contreras earned the save, although it was an interesting 9th inning for him. After throwing 10 pitches to Alfonso Soriano who kept fouling them off, Contreras finally hit him with pitch #11. The next batter singled, putting Contreras in a 1st and 3rd no out jam. But he struck out the next two batters and popped up the third to seal the 5-4 win for the Phillies.
So now the real fun begins: Interleague play. And while the 3-game series with the Red Sox is really just a short interlude to the full interleague schedule that will go full force on June 11th for the Phils, this weekend will still be very interesting. The Sox have struggled this year and are lingering down in 4th place in the AL East. And the Phillies have been very, very bad in Interleague play over the last several years. So will the curse of Phillies Interleague play endure or are the struggling Sox the spell breaker? Game 1 starts tomorrow at 7:05pm.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Two Day Hit Parade
An explosion of hitting broke out in Milwaukee this weekend. The Phillies beat the Brewers both Friday and Saturday by wide margins with a lot of help from the offense. In these last 2 games, Phillies hitters pounded out 28 hits and 19 runs, including 4 home runs. The biggest bang came from Shane Victorino who collected 6 hits and 7 RBI in the two games combined. And today, Paul Hoover, the 3rd string catcher, showed what he can do with 3 hits and 2 RBI to back pitcher Joe Blanton.
The pitching was not as stellar as the hitting, but both Jamie Moyer and Blanton hung in there.
On Friday in a 9-5 win, Moyer went 6 1/3 innings allowing 4 earned runs and 1 unearned following last week's historical complete game shut-out. It was 70's night at the park and the 47-year old Moyer looked quite at home in the old powder blue & magenta retro uniform.
Blanton escaped the embarrassing powder blue spotlight by pitching today in the regular greys, but it did not help his performance at all. He did well through 6 innings, allowing just 2 solo homers, but by the end of the 6th, he looked tired. Blanton has just 3 starts so far as he was on the DL the first month of the season. With that in mind, maybe the Phillies needed to break him in a tad slower? Because when they sent him out for the 7th, he gave up 3 more runs.
The bullpen held the Brewers down on Friday and had a fairly easy time closing the game out. That did not happen today. David Herndon allowed 3 hits and a run in just 1/3 of the 9th inning. With 2 men on base, Jose Contreras came in and loaded the bases, bringing the tying run to the plate. But that's ok, he struck out the next 2 batters for the first save of career and the Phillies won, 10-6. Whew!
The Phillies have one more game with the Brewers tomorrow night at 8:05pm and are hoping for a sweep. Cole Hamels will pitch.
And in case you had not heard, Pat Burrell was released by the Tampa Bay Rays today. Burrell did not fare well as a designated hitter, batting only .218 since he left the Phillies after the 2008 season. Do not look for the Phillies to do him any favors by taking him back; he cannot play the field effectively anymore and our current bench players are performing well. Maybe in September they can bring him back to retire as a Phillie? In the meantime, I wish him luck in finding a job. Burrell will always be remembered in Philly for helping to bring us a World Championship :O)
UPDATE: This just in…Brad Lidge has been put on the DL with elbow inflammation (can I say now I told you so?). Lefty Antonio Bastardo will be brought back up to take his place on the roster.
Moyer photo by ESPN; Explosion: USDOE
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
9th Inning Rally In Colorado
The first game of this Phillies – Rockies series got off to a good start thanks to some heavy hitting in the 9th. The game remained close for the first 8 innings, with Kyle Kendrick allowing 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks through 6 of those. Kendrick struggled to get that far and has still not been able to show any consistency in his starting role after a very good game his last time out.
But Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz were not going to allow those 4 runs to ruin the day. Victorino did an amazing job in the lead-off spot, reaching base 5 out of 6 at-bats with 2 triples and 3 walks. Ruiz went 4 for 5 in the game with 2 RBI, one of which was a solo homer to give the Phillies a lead.
JC Romero pitched 1/3 of the 7th inning and tied the game up again by allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. David Herndon finished the inning, getting some help from Chase Utley who turned an amazing double play. Utley dove for the ball and tossed it to Wilson Valdez from the ground using only his glove. Valdez relayed to 1st and ended the inning.
Speaking of Valdez, this kid is really struggling at the plate. As the back-up to the back-up at short-stop, he has hit into a double play in each of the last 4 games, killing rallies everywhere he goes. In this game, he went 0-4 and is now batting .152. So, where is Juan Castro? He has been out nursing a minor calf injury and last played on May 5th, until he came in last night for defense in the 9th. I guess being put in for 1 inning last night is a good sign, but he had better be backing in hitting shape soon because Valdez is not getting it done.
So the 9th inning for the Phillies turned into a big rally to help cap off the win. Ryan Howard got hit with a pitch to start it off and the Rockies later intentionally walked Raul Ibanez. The super-hot Ruiz stepped up and whacked a single to break the 5-5 tie as Howard scored. Then to put the exclamation mark on the evening, Ross Gload nailed a pinch-hit 3-run homer to give the Phillies the 9-5 win.
Jose Contreras closed the game in the bottom of the 9th. Brad Lidge was unavailable due to soreness in his elbow…again. He just came off the DL and is already having issues in the same elbow that was surgically repaired in the off-season. This is not a good sign. Could it be a foretelling of things to come? Let us hope not.
The Phillies will send Roy Halladay to the mound tonight in game 2 of the series. Game time is 8:40pm.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin' Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*


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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Dec. 8, 2011 – WindSlayer 2 , Ignited Games' fast-paced, 2D massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), now includes even more exciting player versus player (PvP) action, as the game's latest updated introduces the team-based Death Match mode. Also included in the update are 36 new premium items for the item shop. Interested players can sign up to play WindSlayer 2 through the official website.
The new Death Match PvP mode allows players to join one of two teams that will then engage in a battle to the death. The first team to eliminate the opposing team within the time limit wins, but a team also can win by having the most members alive if neither team has been defeated when the match time runs out.
WindSlayer 2 is a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling MMORPG that features colorfully rendered 3D characters converted to a fast-paced 2D gameplay experience. Players can choose from six upgradeable character classes to battle their way thought the mythical world of Beuritania, slaying hordes of monsters.
Interested players can explore the world of Beuritania in WindSlayer 2 by visiting the game's website: http://ws2.ignitedgames.com/. For the latest updates on WindSlayer 2, fans can "Like" the game on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WindSlayer2.
Members of the press can download the latest assets for WindSlayer 2 on GamesPress here: http://gamespress.com/product.asp?c=%2FV*.%3B&rand=9104. Please let us know if you do not have access to GamesPress and we'll find another way to get you assets.
About Ignited Games
Based in El Segundo, Calif., Ignited Games was created in 2010 by an experienced team of global online game developers and publishers. With superb community management, extensive global marketing experience and top-notch localization, Ignited Games is dedicated to achieving a fun and unique online gaming experience for its players. Following the successful release of games in South America and Europe, the company recently published WindSlayer 2 in North America and is following up the accomplishment with DarkEden and Rosh Online . Ignited Games plans to launch more exciting free-to-play online games for the market .
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7 Scariest Workout Injuries—and How to Prevent Them
6. BACK STRAIN. Lumbar—aka lower-back—strains can have many causes, but one of the biggest culprits? Not paying enough attention to your warm-up and stretching, says David Fabi, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with San Diego Orthopaedic Associates Medical Group. "When not properly warmed up, the muscles of the back are not able to absorb the energy imparted to the back during weightlifting," he says. "This is especially true when lifting heavy weights." Poor form—like arching your back while attempting a heavy bench press—will also cause strain.
Prevent it: Stretching, core strength and proper technique are vital to preventing back pain, says Fabi. "If you are not experienced, consult an expert or hire a personal trainer to teach you proper form and technique." For some lower-back stretches to get you started, see MF's Injury Prevention for the Lower Back video.
7. HERNIA. Holding your breath while squatting may make it feel as if you can lift more weight, but all that increased pressure on your internal organs—not to mention the boost in blood pressure—can cause internal organs to punch through their encasings, says Weiss. "This pushes your organs into a place they don't below—and is a major medical emergency."
Prevent it: Long-term, strengthening your core stability and abdominal muscles is key for hernia prevention. And in the moment, make sure you're lifting only weight you can handle—and check in with your breathing to make sure it's steady, says Weiss.


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Sony and Sony Ericsson have recently come together with Sony paying a $1.37 billion dowry for full stake in Sony Ericsson, which will be taking on the name of Sony Mobile Communications. This means that the transaction has made Sony Ericsson a subsidiary of Sony.
Sony plans to further integrate the mobile phone business as an important element of its electronics business, aiming to accelerate convergence between its entire lineup of network enabled consumer electronics products. However, Sony's upcoming devices that were revealed at CES will be still under the "Sony" name when launched.
I wonder what new devices Sony has planned for their mobile business extension!
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02/21/12 5:23 am
*GASP!* Anyway, looking forward to whatever they have in store for the users~
02/19/12 7:58 pm
That is a bummer.
02/19/12 5:56 pm
wow i wonder what sony will be planning!


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Weirdness Factor: 0.87
If Charlie Chaplin and Mel Brooks were to collaborate on a dark comedy, they surely couldn't concieve of anything as sinister as the current state of politics in this country. With the willing help of the so called "journalists", both parties have drug us right into the sewer and appear to be digging even lower.
The lack of respect shown the American people by both the major parties is appalling. Is it a reflection of the respect we show ourselves? That we show to others in our daily lives? I think not - we're a fundamentally good people. The vast majority of us obey the law and get along with our neightbors - that is, we show some basic respect for both society and the system. There's more to paying our taxes than fear of the tax man - down deep we know it has to done, so we do it.
Why do we allow our "leaders" to show us (and the world) such blatant disrespect? We allow them to steal our money, our land and air, our time and energy along with our children and their future. Sure we bitch about 'em, but we seem incapable of doing anything about it. Why is that?
We've allowed our government to impose "free speech zones" around political rallies - dissenters are segragated from those they disagree with so the headlines are nice and tidy with just the sound bites they want. Where are the reporters showing these "free speech zones" filled with dissention and anger? Where is the honesty and unbiased reporting?
We have reporters being fired for trying to publish stories detremental to Bush's election. We've got top bureaucrat being black mailed with their jobs if they say the wrong thing (which may just happen to be the truth). Richard Clarke will end up as a lying, gambling, alchoholic pedophile before the GOP thugs are done with him. Rice will lie while looking us in the eye…
And fully half of us think this is the way it should be. Americans actually buying into the concept that dissension is "bad" - that the administration can and should keep us in the dark to "protect us". There are actually people in this country that believe the 9/11 Commission is a witch hunt to tarnish the President's good name! How can so many people be so blind?
I see a religious war coming to this country - fundamentalist Christians in league with large corporations are gaining power and control of this country. Already our unelected king has stated: "You're either with us or against us". At the time I doubt many of us understood that we Americans were included in that warning.
As I've stated before, comparing Bush to Hitler is not right. But comparing our current political climate to that of the Nazis in the late 1930's is more and more right on the mark. The question becomes, when do we stand up and point out the thugs? Do we act before there's no one left to point?
I do not now nor have I ever considered myself to be a radical - but times are getting weirder and the fear is growing.
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Last week, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus opened a ReStore on the West Side, providing a second place to find great deals on new and used home goods and building supplies. Like the flagship store in Westerville, ReStore West helps fund Habitat's mission to build affordable housing for low-income families.
A ReStore is like a thrift shop for your house. If you've never been to one, here are some tips for getting the most out of your visit.
Get creative.
The ReStore offers diverse products, but it's not nearly as comprehensive as a big-box home-improvement store You'll need an eye for making things work. For example, I bought six close-out carpet squares and taped them together to make a rug. Try to find items that could be transformed with paint, stain, sanding or cleaning.
Return often.
Habitat gets donations from individual remodelers, construction companies and big-box stores, which funnel a somewhat random stream of new and used goods throughout the year. Don't give up if you can't find an ideal item the first time out. Calling ahead can give you an idea of what's in stock.
Make a list of what you need.
The ReStore is great for those undertaking a handful of projects. You might find a faucet on one visit, then return to discover great ceramic tiles. If you keep a list, you can knock out things as you go.
Donate old items when you visit.
During a home-improvement project, unwanted items take up space and don't always fit in the trash can. Recycle them. The ReStore website lists a wide range of acceptable products. Bring smaller items to the store, or schedule a pick-up for larger ones. Donations are tax deductible.


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Joe Ella Cansler, West Texas A&M University assistant professor of music, performed in Italy and Switzerland as part of Sessione Senese per la Musica in July and August.
Cansler, who auditioned and interviewed for the position last spring, was selected as part of the vocal group led by Joseph Del Principe of Colombia University and University of Siena.
Once in Italy, Cansler completed a series of master classes and auditions.
While in Italy, Cansler was part of an international group that included vocalists, instrumentalists and faculty members.
Cansler premiered two cello pieces by Royal L. Brantley, WT professor emeritus, while in Italy.
"It was a great opportunity to present his music," Cansler said. "It was very well received." CANSLER
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text: A veteran higher education administrator, Grant is noted for her ability to create organizational change to serve faculty, staff, students, and institutional mission. She has served in institutions in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. She is currently finishing a term as provost of Ashesi University College, in Berekuso, Easter Region, Ghana. Before going to Ghana, Grant spend over six year in Pakistan as director at Aga Khan University in Karachi and vice rector at Forman Christian College. In 1999, under the direction of Princess Lolowah-al-Faisal, she was asked to design and start a college for women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Today Effat College has 36 teachers and 200 students. A liberal arts education and early experiences in Latin America have had a profound impact on Ms. Grant's values and career direction. She began her academic career teaching African and international politics at Oberlin College, and later, as a single parent, entered the Foreign Service of USIA. She served as Director of the Fulbright Program in Mexico and as a cultural attaché in Paris. For four years she led the Edward S. Mason program for Third World government officials at Harvard's Kennedy School and then worked with the Institute of International Education in New York. In 2007 she received an honorary doctorate of law from Swarthmore University in recognition of her work in higher education.


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Phoenix Coyotes 2013 season recap
Sarah McLellan takes a look at some of the Coyotes highs and lows from the 2013 season.
Dan Bickley says the Coyotes face multiple issues this offseason, first among them: ownership of the team.
Posting a comment to our website allows you to join in on the conversation. Share your story and unique perspective with members of the azcentral.com community.
azcentral.com has switched to the Facebook comment system on its blogs. Existing blog comments will display, but new comments will only be accepted via the Facebook comment system. To begin commenting, you must be logged into an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. While we welcome you to join conversations, readers are responsible for their comments and abuse of this privilege will not be tolerated. We reserve the right, without warning or notification, to remove comments and block users judged to violate our Terms of Service and Rules of Engagement. Facebook comments FAQBack to Article


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Today, in a store, an obnoxious woman, swearing loudly and slapping at her out-of-control kids, was disrupting the whole place. I said to the cashier, "That nasty woman should leave the brats at home." She gave me a filthy look and said "Do you mind? That's my sister." FML
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text: Gear up for a great game in the Nike Men's Tiempo Rio II FG Soccer Cleats, which feature synthetic vamps for lightweight, comfortable wear and great touch and TPU plates that combine conical forefoot studs and oblong heel studs. Die-cut EVA sock liners offer cushioning, while sculpted lasts provide a close-to-foot fit. Lace closures.


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Keepmoat has more than a decade's experience in extra care and supported housing, with more than 3,000 units delivered over sixty individual projects.
Keepmoat works with its partners to design housing solutions which help elderly residents live high quality, independent lives.
Keepmoat helps local authorities, housing associations and other specialist care providers to take their plans from the drawing board to final delivery, working with architects, consultants, suppliers and service providers.
Retirement Solutions Director: Paula Broadbent
Keepmoat is in the following categories: Building Contractors / Property Developers
Other businesses located nearby to Keepmoat in the 'Building Contractors / Property Developers' category
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Wednesday December 7th
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a system that was developed by Dr. Jeff Mitchell to assist emergency responders with lessening the impact and accelerating the recovery process after a critical incident. According to Dr. Mitchell, a critical incident is defined as "any situation faced by emergency service personnel that causes them to experience unusually strong emotional reactions which have the potential to interfere with their ability to function either at the scene or later."
The Front Range team was developed in 1992 and is currently made up of members from the Great Falls Police Department, the 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center, the Great Falls Fire Department, Malmstrom Air Force Base, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other civilian "peers" and mental health professionals. The Front Range team has been trained in the Mitchell model of CISM and conducts debriefings and defusings for emergency services personnel when requested. The team has responded to several cities and towns in Montana for debriefings, defusings and demobilizations. For additional information on critical incident stress and related topics, view with International Critical Incident Stress Foundation website at www.icisf.org.
The Front Range team can provide the following services:
- Pre-incident education on critical incidents and debriefing service;
- On scene support services at critical incidents;
- One on one peer or mental health support;
- Disaster intervention services (de-escalation);
- Defusings;
- Debriefings;
- Follow-up services after critical incident intervention;
- Support for personnel involved in informal debriefings;
- Command staff support programs;
- Research and development.
A debriefing is recommended for the following situations:
- Death of an emergency services worker in the line of duty;
- Serious injury to an emergency services worker in the line of duty;
- Mass casualty incidents resulting in serious injury or death;
- Suicide of an emergency services worker;
- Death of a civilian as a result of emergency service or law enforcement operations;
- Any other significant event which causes emergency services personnel to experience unusually strong emotional reactions.
The team is activated by calling phone number 791-8021 (Matthews Answering Service). The service will then contact the team's Clinical Director or other Administrative Team member with the information. The team can be contacted by mail at the following address:
The Front Range CISM Team
Great Falls Police Department
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403


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Scarlett DuBois recently posted..My 100th Post: Of Human and Whore
I'm back!
Well, more specifically, WE are back! It's been so lovely having Cash home that I kinda unintentionally took off the entire month of January. But the good news is that Between My Sheets is back now.
So what have we been doing? In no particular order:
1. Fucking. A lot. In various positions and with various levels of BDSM intensity. Cash is the first guy I've ever met that can keep up with my sex drive and it's glorious.
2. House hunting. That's right – Cash and I have decided to move in together! And yes, we found a place. It's amazingly large for the money, by the beach, and comes complete with a hot tub. What's not to love? I made Cash go with me to see like, a dozen places. Then we settled on the first one. Hehe, I'm lucky he loves me!
3. Being in love. We get annoyed with one another from time to time, but Cash would do anything for me and I for him. As much as we love fucking, our relationship is about so much more. Snuggling up in his arms, whether we're naked or not, is the best feeling in the world.
So that's been my January in a nutshell. What have you guys been up to?
About Rori
Rori is the founder of Between My Sheets. She works full time as a writer, reviewer, and online educator and can be reached at rori-at-betweenmysheets.com
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9 Comments
February 5, 2013 at 10:16 am -
Welcome back! xxx
Gosh! it's been a very long time sine I've visited, but it sounds like your life is lovely at the moment! Very happy for you.
Mine is equally lovely. Happiness all round.
Harper Eliot recently posted..A Taste of Molly at Sh!
Welcome back! I've been checking in and NO Rori! So very glad that it was for all the best reasons! Uber congrats on you and Cash buying a house together…wicked exciting! Sending you all my best!
nilla recently posted..Boring Shit
Welcome back and congrats on all the wonderful news!!! So pleased you had a lovely break!!
I'd wondered where you'd gotten off to. Congrats on your house buying.


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Morning News for Wednesday, November 7th
The Mendo Board of Supes yesterday discussed the possible development of a clean energy program in the county's unincorporated areas, and monitoring of the Marine Life Protection Act .
At 11 a.m., the board considered developing a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The General Services Administration "has discovered the option of piggybacking off of another city/county competitive process which would eliminate the need and the expense of going out for proposal," according to a staff report.
If approved, it would allow property owners to assess themselves on their property taxes for the cost of energy-efficient and water-saving improvements, such as solar panels, low-flow toilets, double-pained windows, weather stripping, rain-collection systems, caulking or even Energy STAR appliances.
At 1:30 p.m., the board heard an update on the North Coast Marine Protected Area monitoring planning from the marine protected area Monitoring Enterprise, a program of the California Ocean Science Trust.
Also on the board's agenda but not timed is a proposal to approve a "memorandum of agreement" between the U.S. Forest Service, the federal Bureau of Land Management and the county of Mendocino to help improve interagency relationships by facilitating early and frequent communication between the defined federal agencies and counties to foster a more productive partnership .
The California Public Utilities Commission began a two week meeting on November 2nd to discuss the Smartmeter Op Out regulation they accepted last year. The meeting includes the Department of Ratepayer Advocates, The Utility Reform Network (TURN,) Aglet, the Emf Safety Network, The Center for Electro Smog, and others.
Currently many stubborn Mendocino residents, who refused the so called 'punitive' opt out charges in their bills have received 15 and 3 day notice of power or gas cut off .
The discussion includes: unresolved health concerns, the initial installation cost of analog meters, the right to self read and avoid Opt Out monthly costs, and the double charge of opt out plus the rate increase that pays for the smartmeters and the roll out.
There are many facets to the issue, but the most controversial is the health impacts to those individuals who may have become electro hypersensitive because of Smartmeters, and can not live in proximity of a meter.
The next in a series of community meetings on the new Clearlake General Plan will take place this weekend.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 10., in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The Nov. 10 meeting will focus on the 11 different elements of the general plan and the community's preference on different future d
More information about the plan and the process to create it can be found at www.planclearlake.weebly.com .
At the Mendocino Coast Hospital, a Tai Ji class Thursdays, 5:15-6 pm, and first and third Fridays, 3:30 pm, Neva Cannon Room. 8-week series, prepaid: $48. Tai Ji aims to lengthen life and maintain youthful vitality, while improving balance, flexibility, and muscle strength. Young, old, healthy, infirm, all can benefit. Join at any time. Instructor: Theresa Kirke.
For a complete listing of activities, class cost information or class details, visit the MCDH wellness calendar online at www.mcdh.org/calendar, or call 961-4670.
Takes on the World; Wednesday @ 9:00 AM
Jeff Blankfort will bring you the latest statewide and local election returns and then open KZYX's phone lines to get your takes on Tuesday's presidential and statewide voting results. That's a KZYX post-election special with Takes on the World host, Jeff Blankfort, at 9 AM, Wednesday, Nov. 7.


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Price paid: $ 123.5
Purchased from: Uncle Sam's Jamms, Louisville Kentucky
Ease of Use: This pedal is very simple to use. All you have to do is turn it on and set the threshold knob to a setting that gets rid of your feedback and buzz. It can be placed either in front of the amp or in the effects loop. The manual isn't very helpful, so if you use stock amp distortion, try putting it in your effects loop. It should get rid of not only feedback, but also get rid of buzz. The only problem I have with this pedal is the fact that the knob is very sensitive, so it takes quite a while to dial it in perfectly. // 9
Sound: This pedal is absolutely wonderful. My local dealer happened to have my amp, Peavey Windsor, and if any of you have had experience with this amp, you know it can get a little noisey. Seeing the opportunity, I tried the ISP along with Boss NS-2 and MXR Smartgate. The other noise suppressors simply didn't do the job. Both others affected tone greatly, the NS-2 actually added some buzz to my signal. Neither of them responded greatly to staccato notes. The ISP affected my sound, by taking buzz and feedback out of it. It makes for a great sounding rig buy taking away all unwanted noise. It also never lost track during complicated Death Metal rhythms, every note was heard loud and clear. // 10
Reliability & Durability: I've had this pedal for about three months now. I've used it at many shows and it has never failed. I've used it without a backup the whole time. It is very well constructed, appears to be all steel. It seems to be very reliable and could probably take a pretty good beating. // 10
Overall Impression: I play a little bit of everything, but play on stage with a Death Metal band. This pedal isn't really limited to any certain kind of music, it would be found useful in every genre. I play it through a Peavey Windsor with my Schecter C-1FR. I would definitely buy this pedal again. It is simply great, it is one product that has surpassed all my expectations. In my opinion it is the best noise reduction pedal on the market, and the chrome is a nice touch. // 10
Price paid: $ 123
Purchased from: Musiciansfriend.com
Ease of Use: This pedal is pretty simple with one know abd the Switch. The know controls the dB reduced aka the amount of noise you want to get rid of. I was a little hesitant when buying a noise reudction pedal because I heard they suck your tone, but I can't even tell a difference when it's on or off (besides the noise) // 10
Sound: When I bought a new tube amp (Bugera 333XL) and I had so much hiss and feedback that I could barely play (not to diss the amp it's fantastic). I finally bought one and it completely eliminated all noise, hum, and hiss. there's certianly more expensive noise reduction units, but I can't see how it could be better than this. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This thing is build to last, it's simple durable and made of all metal. The battery life on the 9V was pretty short so I had to buy a wall adapter, but that's my only complaint. What else is there to say, it's about as simple as a pedal can be, I've had it for a year with no problems. // 10
Overall Impression: This is the best possible noise reduction pedal. Yes it is expensive, but you truely get what you pay for. I play super high gain metal and it takes all the noise right out of it without cutting any of the tone. Awesome pedal, if you have noise I recommend you Pick one up immidately. I'm gonna give it a 9 because it has short battery life and it was pretty freakin expensive. // 9
Price paid: € 169
Purchased from: Thomann
Ease of Use: It's just a noise reducer with one single knob (my Boss NS has 3 knobs). To set up the pedal just switch on your gears, listen to noise and turn counterclockwise the knob until it became undetectable. Done these steps, just play a note (I usually play 12th fret of the high-E/first string) and turn clockwise the knob to have the note plays as long as you need. End of the job.
The only thing that I really want will be memory for the position of the knob (but I suppose this will impact in depth the project behind the pedal). It is not easy to change the battery but I use a Boss power supply so I'm not concerned with this. // 9
Sound: Having used Boss NS-3, Boss GT-10, Zvex Box of Metal integrated noise gate and some low cost multi-effects (mainly DigiTech) I just say this is the best sounding one. Switching the Decimator on/off make no noise and doesn't impact the sound of my gear (BC Rich KKV Signature, Taylor Solidbody Standard, Charvel So-Cal Style 1 amped by Blackstar HT-5 Combo or Marshall JVM-205C) but just the noise.
It cuts the tails of the notes that I play (but I think this will be unavoidable with a noise gate). Decimator is by far the best noise gate that I ever used. The pedal works its best before the amp and not in the effect loop and this is a problem for me because the Marshall is very noise with the distortion cranked up (Orange and red mode of the Overdrive channel). My rating comes after two months of ownership of the pedal so I'm confident about what I'm talking about. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I'm not gigging Live but It feels well build: metal case, solid switch, heavy enough to not fly away if you stretch the cables connected. If I will gig live, playing thrash metal, I for sure pack another one (I'm waiting a Decimator G-String Pedal: the big brother of this one), not because I'm questioning the reliability but just because I can't play that kind of music without a noise gate (or maybe I'm not skilled enough to do that :-) so I need a backup. // 9
Overall Impression: I use the Decimator pedal for heavy distorted sound (Metallica, Slayer, Death Angel, etc. type of music) and It's the best one I ever owned. I try it, in my home, with Boss NS-3, Boss GT-10, Zvex Box of Metal integrated noise gate and the noise gate modules of cheap DigiTech multieffects and the Decimator clearly rules by far. The Boss Ns-3 impacts heavly the sound also when switched off and isn't so easy to use, GT-10 it's uneffective and digital, the Zvex is by far too aggressive and has very strange effects (it cuts the tail of the note but the note has some strange come back: so the tails is fading out and coming back for 2-3 times before going away forever!). The Zvex is OK only for fast paced rithm guitar with palm muting. The Decimator is by far the best but also the more expensive ...
I already bought, but not yet received, its big brother (Decimator G-String Pedal) so: Yes, I will buy again if stolen or lost (actually I already done that. I really like that it is easy to set-up, doesn't impact the sound when bypassed and does its job very well. I don't like the cost (169 euros it's a lot of money for a noise reducer) and that it is not so effective in the effect loop of my Marshall. Decimator cost twice the Boss and it's really at least twice better, in my opinion. So I give it a 9 (I'm against the 10s: nothing is perfect). // 9
Price paid: $ 70
Purchased from: eBay
Ease of Use: Couldn't be easier to use this pedal, just turn the single knob until the noise goes away and you're set. The pedal does the rest and will track your playing. It's a really cool pedal, and it can tell the difference between noise and sustained notes, so notes you hold out don't get cut out. // 10
Sound: I am currently using one in from of a wah, overdrive, and EQ, so my chain gets noisy easily. The ISP easily takes out all the noise. It also removes any noise from the guitar pickups, if you have a noisy guitar, like some Fender guitars. I have the knob at about halfway up, so the pedal can definitely handle a ton of feedback if needed. There's nothing that does a better job out there than this pedal. It's definitely worth it for the money and it really completes a pedalboard if you have a lot of effects. // 9
Reliability & Durability: No doubt that this thing can withstand a beating. This pedal's built like a tank, as are all comparable pedals, like Boss. Same exact construction as comparable Boss or DigiTech stompboxes, just to give you an idea. Not much else to say, I would definately gig with it and not worry about it going out, I would just recommend taking advantage of the 9v power jack instead of using batteries, then the thing's unstoppable. // 10
Overall Impression: Overall it's a fantastic piece of equipment. Any guitarist could use one of these, it's not just for metal or other heavy gain stuff, it really cleans up the signal for any type of music. I've had this pedal for a few months now and I have no complains or concerns. Luckily I found mine at a low price, that was the only thing that concerned me at first, but if I needed a replacement, I would have to get another one. There's just nothing that can do a better job. I assure you this pedal performs better than the Boss NS-2 or the MXR Smart Gate. Very simple yet effective pedal that won't let you down. // 9
Price paid: $ 116
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Ease of Use: One knob, that's it, and yet, that's all you need. All you need to do is turn up your amp and let the feedback come on, turn on the pedal, and adjust the threshold until it's quiet. Simple as that, so it gets a 10. // 10
Sound: I use the Decimator with a Washburn equipped with a Duncan Invader and an SH-4 through a Peavey Vypyr 120H/Valveking 412 Slant. I play in Drop A, and have the gain almost maxed, and yet, this can keep it 100% quiet, even at max volume. It does NOT effect the sustain or clarity of your notes, and doesn't suck any of your tone. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This thing is built like a tank. It's very durable, and even scratch resistant. However, I would put in new batteries before ANY gig, just to be safe. // 9
Overall Impression: This is a beast of a noise reducer. It decimates the competition (pun intended) and for any high-gain lovers ot there, this pedal is a must. I've tried the Boss NS-2 and the MXR Smart Gate, and this blows them both out of the water. On top of that, it's not much more expensive than the Smart Gate, maybe $10. I know everybody says this, but I would replace it immediately if it was lost or stolen, and I recommend this to any metalhead out there with too much feedback. // 10
Price paid: $ 137.5
Ease of Use: This is at once my most expensive pedal so far, the easiest to use, and my second favorite. There is nothing to it. It has one knob, and if your rig is noisy you just insert it right after wherever the source of the noise is in your chain and adjust the knob until the noise goes away but you still have as much sustain as you want. I bought the floor model because it was the last one they had, and I didn't get a manual with it, but there is no need for one. At all. // 10
Sound: My setup is the reason for the pedal's home in my chain. I have two very noisy pieces of electronic equipment: the P90 pickups of my guitar, and a Dunlop Crybaby. I love both of these things, but I also use a compressor, which makes their hum unbearable without a noise gate. I asked a knowledgeable person what the best noise gate was, and he instantly said "The Decimator!", so I saved up and bought one. I put it second in line, immediately after the Crybaby and before the compressor, turned it and the Compressor on (so I could hear the hum at its gnarliest), and adjusted the knob slowly until it went away (this tends to be at about -47 to -40 dB for my rig). The result is excellent. Besides killing the hum, the Decimator is very selective about what it cancels and how it does so. Not only is the attack of my notes untouched, but the decay - when it finally gets quiet enough to be silenced by the pedal - isn't just cut off abruptly: it's faded out slowly, as if there's someone in a little studio in there, editing it. // 10
Reliability & Durability: Just 10. // 10
Overall Impression: My whole reason for getting a noise gate pedal was to be able to add sustain to the notes of my Godin LG SP90 with a compressor, without magnifying the noise associated with P90 pickups as a Compressor would normally do. The Decimator does a better job of this than I even expected it to. Of course, this means that I am now totally dependent on the Decimator and would have to get a new one if it was lost.
Quality of sound and tone are of huge importance to me. I use a Fryette Valvulator I unity gain buffer/power source to keep my signal clear through my chain, a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone (my favorite pedal), an Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS9/808 mod, my third favorite), and an MXR 10-band EQ pedal to shape the sound of the Tube Screamer.
If your guitar uses any kind of single-coil pickups and you use a compressor, I'm here to tell you that an ISP Decimator is worth every penny you'll pay for it and more. // 10
Price paid: $ 120
Purchased from: guitar center
Ease of Use: Although it has one knob it is not the easiest thing in the world to get a usable tone out of it because of how fickle the knob is, also it does not like having to adjust to higher input levels so you need to adjust this accordingly. So if you have an od in your chain and decide to use it you might as well have the od on the whole time, because if its over the threshold the decimator might as well not even be in your chain. And if you want to switch between on and off for the od and you still want the decimator your tone will suffer pretty severely for it. This pedal does one thing and it does it a little too well. So if you can turn the od and the decimator off and on at the same time. // 5
Sound: My set up is a Gibson LP into a Boss PC3 > a Danelectro V1 Transparent OD > Pro Co Turbo Rat > Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe > BBE Two Timer > Tc Electronics Trinity Reverb > BBE Sonic Stomp > ISP Decimator > Ampeg V50 H. The one con of this pedal is the higher you turn it up the more it chokes your tone, in particular your upper mid's/ highs in that the length of the sustained note is shortened by more than half. I can very easily sustain a note for 10+ seconds and with the decimator turned up it gets cut down by half and if high enough it will silence or choke your tone to very unacceptable levels I managed to get a weird tremello effect a few times. The easiest solution is turn your other things down. One of the things I really do not like about this pedal is that it appears to limit my delay repeats and my reverb trails so I need to be mindful of this and turn it off for when I want my trippy shenanigans. I will note that it does appear to be a more effective pedal (meaning that you don't have to turn it up as high) with a battery or independent power supply because it does work better isolated. (Warning this thing does eat batteries pretty quickly.) Although this review appears to be very negative the pedal allows me to run my amp/pedals at much higher volumes and if it is just the guitar and amp I can dime the whole amplifier have the pedal at 9 o'clock and be dead silent (assuming I am using clean electricity). // 7
Reliability & Durability: I had it for 6 months and has not failed me yet. The housing is sturdy because it is the Boss casing. I have yet to gig with this thing but I can assure you if I were I would be using fresh batteries or an isolated power supply just for the sake of consistency. I noticed the cleanliness of one's power greatly affects this pedal and your need adjust your knob. // 7
Overall Impression: I play metal so this thing is pretty much essential for having nice tight palm muted riffs, especially with the heaping loads of gain and volume I do apply my amp. When I bought this I compared it to a Boss NS-2 and it is absolutely no comparison the Decimator destroyed it. I would rather see the DigiTech battery hatch though because that would make changing a battery that much. This is a great pedal if you know how it behaves and can do some minor adjusting accordingly. // 7


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New additions
8-1-2011 Pentathalon house design contest The Bolivian proposition below leads to a very interesting contest to create a housing model that will eradicate poverty.
7-31-2011 Bolivian Proposition Post industrial civilization based on idigenous culture, a gift from the heart of South America that will heal the planet.
6-20-2011 Real democracy Modern and fully functional democracy is organic.
6-12-2011 Unemployed youth A modern labor theory of value is developing, it points toward solution of unemployment.
6-5-2011-Entropy Economics without Math : Muse from sources of social income for investment in shelter, sanitation and water.
5-24-2011-Heracles Pillars of Heracles : A bridge of Ideas across the Straits of Gibralter, proposal from ferrocement.com
5-14-2011-Medicare Medicare for all strengthens the life and culture of civilization.
5-1-2011-Economic reality Is there intelligent life in the theoretical horizon of economists? by Ladislau Dowbor, translated from Portuguese
global warming surf poster from ferrocement.com graphics


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Noted author and entrepreneur to speak at Portland Art Museum
11/05/12 Portland, Ore.
A look into how genetic research could impact society in the years to come
Explore the economic impact of life sciences on business and society with internationally known business leader and entrepreneur, Juan Enriquez. At an upcoming appearance at the Portland Art Museum, Enriquez will share his thoughts about the changes genomics will bring to business, technology, healthcare and society. The lecture, entitled The Future Body, is part of Oregon Health & Science University's 125th Anniversary Celebration.
Event details
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Program begins at 7:30 p.m.
Portland Art Museum
1219 S.W. Park Avenue, Portland
Tickets are $10 and available through the Portland Art Museum box office. Proceeds benefit the OHSU Foundation's Indigent Patient Care Fund.
Enriquez is the managing director of Excel Venture Management. He was the founding director of the Harvard Business School's Life Sciences Project and his bestselling book, As The Future Catches You, provides a blueprint of how a bio-based economy changes industries and corporations.
About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only academic health and research university. As Portland's largest employer with nearly 14,000 employees, OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support not found anywhere else in the state. OHSU serves patients from every corner of Oregon and is a conduit for learning for more than 4,300 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to each county in the state.


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Hayley Barna, 27, and Katia Beauchamp, 28, are getting stronger. "Every 10 new customers, one push-up," Barna says. Those push-up relays in the duo's fuchsia-strewn New York office may soon be daunting: Birchbox, their subscription-based e-commerce company, has grown to 5,000 members in four months, and roughly 50 people join each day.
For a $10 monthly subscription, Birchbox sends consumers a box of deluxe-size samples from brands such as Benefit, Kiehl's, and Marc Jacobs. Samples — whether given away in department stores or mailed with magazine subscriptions — have long been a staple in the beauty business, mostly because women like to test products before purchase. That sample-before-sale mentality is the reason 90% of women shop for new cosmetics in-store rather than online. But beauty companies haven't yet figured out how to effectively target beauty junkies or track which freebies translate into sales. "You can sample yourself out of business really quickly," says Vicky Tsai, founder of skin-care line Tatcha, one of Birchbox's 20-plus partners. "We give away samples, but we know it's a lot of wasted money," agrees Louis Desazars, CEO of Nars Cosmetics. "Birchbox customers are more engaged with the samples they get."
Birchbox members are encouraged to fill out surveys about each product, and that feedback is sent back to the beauty brands. Roughly 10% of members opt to participate, earning points they can then swap for full-size beauty products through Birchbox's online store.
Barna and Beauchamp, who began brainstorming the new model while at Harvard Business School, didn't want to stop at surveys, though. They tailor samples to women's coloring and makeup routines, but they also nudge members to experiment with new looks and techniques with online tutorials, videos, and interviews with beauty pros. "The model works because the selection is pre-edited for you," says Karen Grant, vice president of beauty at research firm NPD Group.
Beauchamp hopes the combination of customized samples and rich online content will create a virtuous cycle: Consumers fill out more surveys, brands get better feedback, consumers get better products. "We want it to be about discovery," she says. Member Jessica Jacobs, 23, agrees that the model works: "They send products I wouldn't necessarily spend money on, but once I get them, I realize I really like them."
A version of this article appeared in the February 2011 issue of Fast Company magazine.


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Tribal Dance Workshops with Rustiqua
Get to Know Your Tribal Dance Chakras (General Level)
There are many different forms and tools for artists to express their art. The artistic tool of a dancer is her body. It provides variety of amazing possibilities in the process of creation and musical interpretation. But everyone has limits, which hinder the realization of our ideas. This workshop is aimed to improve your strength, flexibility and stability, important for every dancer and therefore push the boundaries of our limits.
We will focus on the areas that are associated with tribal dance posture and attitude to those areas that are most strained and involved in the dance. With regular and proper exercises and some fun dance drill you can improve your dance and bring your artistic interpretation to the next level.
Sunday, May 31st – The Ballroom – 12-2pm
Swingbox Fusion Vol. 2 – (Intermediate)
The beauty of tribal fusion dance involves precise control over the body and stylization of the movement. During this workshop we will go playfully and in retro style along more advanced techniques used in tribal fusion, where you'll learn particular dance elements and you'll convert it attractively to dance combos and funny swing fusion choreography.
Sunday, May 31st – The Ballroom 3-5pm
Put More MONKEYS in Your Dance
(MASTERCLASS For Advanced Students and Instructors)
A brand new workshop inspired by Rustiqua's hip hop fusion choregraphy. Learn some new and progressive dance moves, work on your face and hand expressions and improve your technique of making eye-‐ catching choreography. In this playful workshop you'll push your boundaries not just in Tribal Bellydance, but also in dance in General.
Saturday, May 31st – The Morning Room – 5pm
1 workshop – €30
2 workshops – €45
3 workshops – only €60


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Great service and product! 5 Stars.
Hard to buy for people, so decided to try this basket. They got right into eating it. They enjoyed it. It was a hit.
This was a gift to cheer up someone who had a streak of bad luck. They called to let me know how great it was. Delivered on time and in excellent condition.
I'm a return customer, and once again I'm totally satisfied. Wisconsinmade products exceeds all my expectations.
Finally heard from the recipient of The Northwoods Basket I sent as a Thank You gift. The family loved itand is still enjoying all the goodies they received. Thanks for the Great Service! LL
This eye-popping Holiday Cheese Gift basket is sure to please any company or office this holiday season. Host a fun, taste-of-Wisconsin party with this bountiful, willow-wood, cheese gift basket filled with Northwoods cheeses, sausages, crackers, mustards, pretzels, and chocolate-coated cranberries. This impressive gift basket will be sure to please a crowd! Serves approximately 10 to 12 people. Sale Ends on Monday, November 28, 2016.


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Hotels aren't always completely honest when it comes to the photos they post on their websites.
Professional reviewers from hotel review website Oyster visited vacation properties from Barbados to Boston, and the photos they took didn't quite match up with the online fantasy.
This latest collection of "photo fakeouts" serves as a cautionary tale for anyone planning a vacation and relying solely on hotel websites. Some of these photo "upgrades" are so egregious, you'll think you are looking at pictures of two completely different properties.
FANTASY: Sugar Cane Club, Barbados
REALITY: Not much space, and no champagne
FANTASY: Country Club Lima Hotel, Peru
REALITY: That pool looked a lot more luxurious online