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Story highlights
- "Buckwild" on MTV features the antics of nine young West Virginians
- Sen. Joe Manchin objects to the show; tourism officials say it doesn't represent the state
- West Virginia was born out of residents' refusal to support slavery and secede from the union
- The state is celebrating its 150th birthday this year
"Muddin" in the neighborhood "holler," bringing raw deer meat to a party and brawling with a neighbor after noise complaints -- "Jersey Shore" is so over. Welcome "Buckwild," an MTV reality show that debuted Thursday featuring nine young adults from West Virginia.
Often stereotyped and sometimes forgotten as its own state, West Virginia is now at the center of MTV's latest drunken portrayal of young people goofing off (and occasionally working). The show uses subtitles in case viewers don't understand some of the accents.
"You preyed on young people, coaxed them into displaying shameful behavior -- and now you are profiting from it," charged U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virgina, in a December letter to MTV asking the cable network to cancel the show.
That's not likely to happen, though several reviews have panned the show. "Not only is it another tired portrayal of Southern stereotypes, but it's also inexcusably poorly executed," claims the Hollywood Reporter.
The state's tourism officials seem to have shrugged off the stereotypes.
"While some reality television programming is designed to excite, entice and generally entertain viewers, these types of programs tend to represent an extremely small segment of a population. This program does not represent our state or our citizens," the West Virginia Division of Tourism said in a statement.
The spotlight may help promote the state, as the "Jersey Shore" did for that state, despite the antics of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.
There's more to West Virginia than "Buckwild" suggests. Born of a group of anti-slavery citizens in western Virginia who would not secede with Virginia, West Virginia became its own state on June 20, 1863. The state celebrates 150 years of statehood this June.
"West Virginia is looking forward to celebrating its 150th anniversary," said Jacqueline Proctor, deputy commissioner at the West Virginia Division of Tourism. "Our state is steeped in the history of the nation and born of the Civil War." The state's tourism website highlights the events that formed West Virginia.
"These locations and other events off the battlefield not only influenced the war itself but the very shape of our state. Communities across the state are developing commemorations, reenactments and celebrations. The entire state will recognize the formation of West Virginia on June 20th."
An abolitionist state
The state has a long an illustrious history of anti-slavery activity. And nowhere is that more pronounced than Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. In 1859, John Brown and his supporters attacked the U.S. Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, attempting to capture the arms there for a slave uprising. After being captured, charged with "conspiring with slaves to commit treason and murder," Brown was convicted and hanged for his crimes. Harpers Ferry was also the site of the arrival of the first working railroad and one of the earliest integrated schools in this country, where former slaves were educated.
Where the Hatfields and McCoys duked it out
The Hatfield-McCoy Mountains of southern West Virginia take their name from the bitter feud fought between those two infamous families in West Virginia and Kentucky. The West Virginia town of Historic Matewan is located between the homes of Devil Anse Hatfield and Randle McCoy. It's also where Sid Hatfield was buried. But the activities in those mountains don't just appeal to history buffs. Dirt bike and ATV riders can find plenty to do on over 500 miles of trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.
What's old is new again
A National Historic landmark, the Greenbrier has been hosting visitors since 1778. Located in White Sulphur Springs and surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, the resort was renovated a few years ago and offers fine dining, a spa and championship golf course. Golf Magazine even gave the golf course a shout out in 2010.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Spirotrich ciliate with ingested long diatom chain, Bering Sea
A second species of spirotrich ciliate which has ingested a very long diatom chain. The end of the diatom chain pokes out from the anterior end of the ciliate, likely due to cell shrinkage of the ciliate after fixation. A heterotrophic dinoflagellate cell is just below the ciliate. The large filament is probably a terrestrial plant fiber melted from sea ice. Sampled from the same ice edge diatom bloom in the Bering Sea as the other ciliate species, April 2008. Lugol fixed/light microscopy.
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text:
E3, LOS ANGELES ? May 14, 2003. — Capcom?, a worldwide leading
publisher and developer of video games, today revealed further details
of P.N.03, a bold approach to the action genre for the Nintendo GameCube?.
Set within futuristic sci-fi environments, players clash with complex
enemy robots and mechs in a mercenary operation to rid a colonial planet
of a menace that has turned the region into a killing field. Take control
of Vanessa Z. Schneider and lead her though a series of intense missions
to disarm the formidable threat, causing mech carnage as she pursues
the truth utilizing nothing but her laser wielding hands. P.N.03 is
scheduled to ship across North America in September 2003.
The colonization of distant planets has become the norm and military
defenses are dependent on CAMS (Computer Arms Management System). Something
goes fatally awry on an outlying outpost with the planet's CAMS
malfunctioning and killing the entire colony. In an effort to bring
the situation under control, the military sends Vanessa Z. Schneider,
a freelance mercenary and robot killer with a grudge. However, this
femme fatale has a dark past: CAMS killed her family and her plan is
to get even. Players must dodge and weave through the heavy barrage
of firepower on the planet while trying to blast the technological terrors
into scrap metal.
P.N.03 boasts the following features:
• Futuristic sci-fi environments – Maneuver Vanessa through
11 different environments that range from the barren wasteland to the
sleek metallic compounds of the desolate colony.
• Fast action gameplay – Vanessa moves with quick finesse
and strikes with fierce vengeance as she unleashes powerful attacks
and combos through choreographed acrobatic moves while under a constant
barrage of fire.
• Two methods of attack – Taking a nontraditional approach
to reeking havoc and obliterating enemies, Vanessa will utilize the
laser beam that resides in her hands.
• Palm Shots – Normal attack mode that shoots at locked-on
• Energy Drives – Special attacks that are capable of extensive
• Upgradeable suits – Collect points throughout the game
and purchase upgrades to Vanessa's arsenal, obtain special attacks
and up to nine different suits that grant her different abilities.


text: These daisy wall decals are bright and bold. Our peel and stick daisy wall art looks like real flowers, but larger than life! Any room will be radiant when you decorate with these beautiful, welcoming, and friendly daisy stickers. These wall stickers are removable, so you can easily bring a smile to your space.


text:
Hope College senior Ellen Schultz of Maple City
has been voted a GTE Academic All-American.
A cross country and track standout who has majored in
psychology and Spanish, Schultz has been voted to the second team
in the Fall At-Large category which honors student-athletes in
several sports from NCAA Division II and III colleges throughout
the United States.
The GTE Academic All-American program is sponsored by the
College Sports Information Directors Association.
Schultz is the second Hope athlete to achieve GTE Academic
All-America recognition this year. Senior Brandon Graham was
honored in football last fall. She becomes the 29th GTE honoree
from Hope since 1979 and just the third in cross country. The
other GTE Academic All-Americans in cross country were Tauna
Jecmen (1987 & 1988) and Marie Matchett (1997).
Schultz achieved NCAA Division III All-America distinction
last fall as she finished 25th at the national championship meet.
She was voted to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic
Association (MIAA) all-conference cross country three years and
has been a College Cross Country Coaches Association Academic
All-American for four years.
She is also a standout distance runner in track. As a
junior she was the MIAA champion in the 5,000-meter run and this
spring has qualified for the NCAA championships in the 10,000-
meter run.
As a junior she was named to the Mortar Board national honor
society. She is also a member of national honor societies in
psychology (Psi Chi) and Spanish (Sigma Delta Pi). She was
recently presented the faculty's C. James Stringer, Jr. Memorial
Award as an outstanding student majoring in psychology.
A 1994 graduate of Glen Lake High School, she is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael (Martha) Schultz of Maple City.
Schultz is one of four student-athletes to be named GTE at-
large Academic All-Americans. The others are Sam Glass of Calvin
(soccer), Marisa Proctor of Alma (diving) and Cara Jansen of
Calvin (soccer).


text:
- Vitamin A promotes the optimal operation of the immune system' visual function' development of bone & cartilage materials' and maintenance and repair of membrane tissue. 110% of the recommended daily value is provided in this supplement.
- Vitamin B6 is known as the "mood vitamin"' due to its huge impact on the brain and metabolism. B6 is needed to convert amino acid into the neurotransmitter serotonin' which allows cells to communicate with each other. VitaSpectrum provides 750% of the daily value of this vitamin.
- Vitamin C plays a key role in the development and repair of collagen' joint health' strengthening the immune system' functioning of antioxidants' detoxification' energy production' and a wide array of other processes that are essential for good health. 833% of the recommended daily value is provided by VitaSpectrum in the form of L-ascorbic acid.
- Vitamin D3 is crucial for calcium and bone metabolism. Sufficient amounts of vitamin D are vital to ensuring normal calcium absorption and the upkeep of healthy calcium plasma levels. This supplement provides 250% of the recommended daily value of vitamin D in the form of cholecalciferol.
- Vitamin E may be beneficial to skin and heart health. 500% of the recommended daily value is provided through soy.
- Iodine is a trace element essential for proper growth and development. VitaSpectrum Berry-Pomegranate Flavor provides 100% of the daily value' derived from kelp.
- Selenium is an essential trace mineral. 285% of the recommended daily value is provided by this product.
There is no question of the vital role that vitamins play in healthy living. There's also no doubt that the market is full of multivitamin supplements. How can you decide which one is right for you? There are many factors to consider' but Klaire Labs' VitaSpectrum offers an easy and delicious way to get all the nutrients you need' without the trace minerals iron and copper.
This powdered supplement is available in a tasty berry-pomegranate flavor' while simultaneously delivering all of the essential vitamins and minerals at or above the suggested daily intake levels. Ingredients in VitaSpectrum include the following:
Each bottle contains 5.7 ounces (162 grams) of Berry-Pomegranate Flavor VitaSpectrum
Klaire Labs is a leader in providing hypoallergenic probiotics' and has been serving health care professionals for over 40 years. Its supplements are free of gluten and dairy. The company regularly partners with researchers and clinicians to formulate products ideal for patients that need gastrointestinal support.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose' treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using these or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.
Serving Size 1 Scoop (Approx. 1 teaspoon or 5.5 grams)
Servings Per Container 30
Amount Per Scoop % Daily Value
Vitamin A (50% (3'500 I.U.) as vitamin A palmitate and 50% (3'500 I.U.) as natural carotenes (alpha' beta' beta-cryptoxanthin' zeaxanthin' and lutein) from D. salina) 7'000 IU 140%
Vitamin C (as L-ascorbic acid USP) 500 mg 833%
Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 400 IU 100%
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate plus mixed tocopherols d-beta' d-delta' d-gamma) from soy 150 IU 500%
Vitamin K1 (as phytonadione) 60 mcg 75%
Thiamine (as thiamine mononitrate) 25 mg 1667%
Riboflavin 15 mg 882%
Niacin (67% as niacinamide and 33% as niacin USP) 60 mg 300%
Vitamin B6 (67% as pyridoxine hydrochloride and 33% as pyridoxal 5-phosphate) 15 mg 750%
Folate (50% as folinic acid (5-formyltetrahydrofolate) and 50% as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate) 400 mcg** 100%
Vitamin B12 (50% as methylcobalamin and 50% as 5-adenosylcobalamin) 50 mcg 833%
Biotin USP 300 mcg 100%
Pantothenic Acid (as d-calcium pantothenate USP) 50 mg 500%
Calcium (as calcium citrate-malate) 300 mg 30%
Iodine (from kelp) 150 mcg 100%
Magnesium (as magnesium glycinate chelate***) 300 mg 75%
Zinc (as zinc glycinate chelate***) 15 mg 100%
Selenium (as selenium amino acid complex) 200 mcg 286%
Manganese (as manganese glycinate chelate***) 2 mg 100%
Chromium (50% as chromium polynicotinate**** and 50% as chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate***) 150 mcg 125%
Molybdenum (as molybdenum glycinate chelate***) 100 mcg 133%
Potassium (as potassium chloride) 99 mg 3%
Boron (as boron amino acid complex) 2 mg *
Vanadium (as bisglycinato oxovanadium) 50 mcg *
Choline (as choline bitartrate) 75 mcg *
Inositol 25 mg *
Citrus Bioflavonoids (85 mg as citrus bioflavonoid complex' min. 50% bioflavonoids' and 15 mg as hesperidin methylchalcone) 100 mg *
Other Ingredients: Natural berry-pomegranate flavor.
Adults or Children 4 or more years of age: 1 scoop daily with food. Children less than 4 years of age: As directed by health practitioner. Mix powder directly into room temperature or cold foods or beverages just before serving.
Consult your healthcare professional.
Allergy / Dietary Needs
- Corn Free
- Egg Free
- Fish Free
- Gluten Free
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Certification
- Nut Free
- Peanut Free
- Soy Free
- Wheat Free
- Yeast Free
- Crustacean Shellfish Free
Ratings & ReviewsReview This Item
Overall Rating for VitaSpectrum Berry-Pomegranate Flavor - 5.8 oz (165 Grams)
Displaying reviews 1-10 of 18
- « Previous
- Next »
By Stacey
from NC
Great alternative for my child
VitaSpectrum by Klaire Labs mixes well with my childs juice and she drinks it with no problem. Its a great alternative for other higher-priced high potency multivitamins and contains methyl B12 which is difficult to find in a multi. One note...start at less than the recommended dosage to avoid possible side effects like hyperactivity. Every 3-4 days increase by 1/4 tsp until you get to the correct dosage. Very reasonable price and quick shipping!
Mixes well. Great taste. Reasonable price. Long lasting. Quick shipping.
No warning to start at lower dosage and work up to recommended dose.
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Ashley
from Connecticut
If you are highly sensitive to SOY AVOID
I have lost all respect for Klaire Labs. They state that Vitaspectrum Berry Pomegranate Flavor by Klaire Labs is "free of the following common allergens" and include soybeans on that list. Now take a little trip over the label to where it lists vitamin e in ingredients. See that little gem? Yup. It says "from soy". So their vitamin e is derived from soy. I called them and they said that because it's purified to fda standards, they can say it is free from the soybean allergen. I argued that some people are still sensitive, depending on what ppm is actually still in the oil. I was told that's not possible. Well then, let me just go inform all of our doctors that the rashes and abdominal distress are simply not possible. We also have celiac disease and the same ppm principal applies. If it has 20 ppm some people can still be sensitive, especially if they are consuming it daily! I'm so angry! I have been giving this to my children for a month. They have horrible stomach pain and I have been tearing apart my kitchen trying to figure out why! I asked if they would consider using sunflower oil as their vitamin e source so that they could truly, ethically state that their product is completely soy free, but again we got into the debate that they can already state that their product is soy free. I'm so disgusted! If you are highly sensitive to soy Avoid this product until they change their source!!
By Daniel H.
from Tucson, AZ
Klaire Labs VitaSpectrum Powder for ASD
VitaSpectrum Berry-Pomegranate Flavor is of the higherst quality per our daughters DAN! Doctor The price was great and the free shipping was fast (about 3 days). Great deal and great company (Pure Formulas). Thank you.
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By nita soller
from mesa az
great product
VitaSpectrum Berry-Pomegranate Flavor is a high quality vitamin supplement. My doc recommended it. I only need one scoop a day compared to taking 3-6 pills a day.
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Healthygal
from Los Angeles, CA
Great Vitamins
I have been using VitaSpectrum for over a year. I have noticed I do not get sick as often; in fact I have not had the flu or a cold for a year.
Taste good
Easy to use
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Kathi
from Seattle
perfect all around multi
VitaSpectrum came recommended to me by my naturopath several years ago. It mixes easily has very little flavor doesnt cause stomach upset and has no added fillers.
easy to use mixed readily full spectrum great price
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Maureen
from Pittsburgh, Pa
great vitamins
My son has Autism and my doctor recommended VitaSpectrum. I think it is the best vitamins you can buy. One teas in his juice a day.
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Jan
from NY
We purchased VitaSpectrum for a child with autism who usually refuses most supplements and doesnt take pills. I love that VitaSpectrum is flavored and mixes well into juice or strawberry yogurt. You only have to give one small scoop per day. VitaSpectrum is the only multivitamin/mineral I have found that is complete that my child will actually take. And the price here on Pureformulas.com is excellent!
price taste it contains enough of all the essential vitamins and minerals the powder dissolves well
Nothing I love it!
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By Katie
from Sugar Hill, GA
So far so good
Weve only been giving VitaSpectrum to our 6 year old son for a month but it seems to be helping him. I used to give him a separate methylated b complex. He didnt react well to it at all. This he seems to handle. We will keep using it.
Methylated B6 Folate and B12
Has a gritty vitamin taste mix with juice.
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
By coleen
from detroit, mi
Great overall Vitamin
VitaSpectrum has a great taste and its easy to use. Get all those vitamins in a delicious drink.
Quality and taste
√ I would recommend this item to a friend.
Displaying reviews 1-10 of 18
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Questions About This ItemAsk a Question
Please ask any questions you may have about this specific product in the field below.
Your question(s) and our corresponding answer(s) will not be confidential and will be posted publically on this specific product page.
Additionally, PureFormulas is unable to directly recommend products in relation to specific health conditions. Please contact your trusted healthcare practitioner for direct product recommendations.
If you have any general questions regarding orders or our policies and programs, please contact our Customer Happiness Team @ 1.800.383.6008
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use. Your healthcare professional is the best source for guidance before beginning an exercise or nutritional supplement program.


text:
IGRs at Bloom: Bad Idea?
And this:
8. Johnson, R. & E. Percel. The EFFECTS OF THE FUNGICIDE PRISTINE ON QUEEN REARING. The Ohio State University, Department of Entomology, Wooster, OH
There have been reports by commercial queen producers of occasional unexplained loss of large numbers of developing queens in the larval or pupal stage. Many of the affected queen-rearing operations are situated among the almond orchards of California and report these losses in the weeks after almond trees bloom. Almond flowers are a rich foraging resource for bees, but are also commonly treated with fungicides, insecticides and spray adjuvants during bloom to control pests and pathogens. Queen producers have associated queen developmental problems with application of the fungicide Pristine, which contains the active incredients boscalid and pyraclostrobin, and the spray adjuvants containing organosilicone compounds. To test the effect of these pesticides queens were reared in closed swarm boxes for four days, until capping, with nurse bees fed pollen treated with four concentrations of Pristine (0.4, 4, 40 and 400 ppm), an organosilicone-containing spray adjuvant (Break-Thru, 200 ppm), the combination of Pristine and Break-Thru (400: 200 ppm), diflubenzuron (100 ppm) as a positive control or water as negative control. Low concentrations of pyraclostrobin (50 ppb), but no boscalid, was detectable in royal jelly fed to queens in the 400 ppm Pristine treatment. No significant difference in queen survival to capping or adult queen emergence was observed between any of the experimental treatments and the negative control. Only diflubenzuron, the positive control, caused a substantial reduction in queen cell capping. Interestingly, diflubenzuron use in almonds during bloom, at roughly the same time and scale as Pristine application, has seen on a steady increase over the last decade. Future work should focus on the role of diflubenzuron, possibly in combination with other pesticides, on queen development, survival and success.
Closing in on the problem?


text:
Best outlook replacement
Im new on this great forum but im not new in security world!!
i writing a book about client security and i have a question about Email client programs as you Microsoft Outlook is not free and im looking for a free and secure program to replace it. is everybody here who can show me a secure email manager?
I found Mozilla Thunderbird is it secure?
Thank you.


text: A lot of you commented on a previous post that I started about getting bees from another person across the state. Yesterday afternoon, I drove four hours, met my friend and her family, and started working on loading up those bees. When I talked to the man that owned them, he said he got them in 98 and hasn't done anything with them since. He had a beesuit, and figuring that this could be interesting, I put it on. I smoked the hive but as soon as I popped the top of the hive the bees literally exploded out. I immediately got stung on my hand where some found access into my gloves. I retreated and figured I would just load them up. Turns out the other two "empty" hives the man said I could take were loaded up with bees as well. They were so aggressive, I told my friend to just sit in her truck until I loaded them up. I ended up getting seven stings with the last one hiding out in my truck cab and taking my shoulder about two hours into my drive home. If any of you got these bees, what would you do with them? The bees that I used to have were very docile and laid back, but these guys are angry. Should I just keep them and requeen next spring? The hives are two deeps and all of them except for the last one are full of honey. There was no brood which I could see, but the hives is super crowded, so I guess they are just honey bound. Burr comb is everywhere, and I know it will take a long time to get those frames out.


text:
Popular property highlights
Located in Downtown Washington D.C., Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC is a leisurely stroll from popular sights such as White House and George Washington University. This 4-star hotel has 161 rooms and welcomes guests with a restaurant, free in-room WiFi, and a fitness center. Located centrally in Washington, it's also close to Ford's Theater and Washington Monument.
Enjoy a leisurely bite to eat at Cafe Soleil, the hotel's onsite restaurant. Order from room service to satisfy your hunger without leaving your room. Start each morning off right with cooked-to-order breakfast served for a fee.
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC's 161 air-conditioned rooms provide MP3 docks, coffee makers, and free bottled water. Flat-screen TVs come with satellite channels, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and free toiletries, and beds sport premium bedding. Other standard amenities include phones and desks.
At Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC, guests have access to a fitness center, free WiFi in public areas, and a meeting room. Self parking is available for USD 30 per day. The front desk is staffed 24/7 to help with dry cleaning/laundry, concierge services, and luggage storage. Additional amenities include a business center, a computer station, and express check-in.
Property features
- Walking distance to White House and George Washington University
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Onsite dining
- Fitness center
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Centrally located near the 2 Farragut Metro stations in Washington DC's business district, Club Quarters is a full service, club-like hotel four blocks from the White House and 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Washington Convention Center. A 24-hour front desk and concierge is provided, as is automatic check-in and check-out service.
The Club Living Room offers a TV, complimentary and magazines, coffee, tea, and bottled water, plus two workstations with complimentary high-speed Internet access. On-site self parking available (surcharge) and discounted parking is available nearby.
Hotel-wide WiFi Internet access is complimentary. Other hotel amenities include laundry/valet and 24-hour concierge.
Café Soleil offers bistro-style dining with American and Continental fare. In addition, multi-menu room service is available from area restaurants (surcharge).
A small fitness center is provided, and hotel staff can deliver stationary bikes and stair machines to guestrooms at no additional charge (subject to availability).
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Business center
- Concierge services
- Fitness facilities
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-in
- Express check-out
- Computer station
- Luggage storage
- One meeting room
- Number of floors - 11
- Total number of rooms - 161
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Smoke-free property
- Free WiFi
- Number of meeting rooms - 2
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Free bottled water
- Shower only
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free toiletries
- Desk
- Hair dryer
- Daily housekeeping
- Flat-panel TV
- MP3 docking station
- Premium bedding
- Private bathroom
- Room service (limited hours)
- In-room climate control (heating)
- Free WiFi
- Satellite TV service
Where to Eat
Café Soleil - Bistro-style restaurant. American and Continental fare. Wine, beer, and cocktails. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Room service - Available from Café Soleil, during dinner hours.
Multi-menu room service - Available from a variety of area restaurants.
Nearby Things to Do
The hotel's small fitness room provides a treadmill, stair machine, elliptical machine, and free weights. Hotel staff can deliver stationary bikes and stair machines to guestrooms for no additional charge (based on availability).
Three blocks away is the 11,000-square-foot Capital City Club and Spa, open to the public (surcharge) that has extensive fitness facilities and classes. Runners can jog around Lafayette Park, four blocks east in front of the White House, or on the National Mall, two blocks behind the presidential residence.
Less than three miles away is the 18-hole East Potomac Park Golf Course at Hains Point, perched on the banks of the Potomac River. It has a two-tier driving range, as well as a miniature golf course that's on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rock Creek Park, about three miles from the hotel, is a 1,800-acre oasis with hiking and biking trails, a nature center/planetarium, and remnants of Civil War forts. Trail rides are available through the Rock Creek Park Horse Center. The park has 15 soft-surface and 10 hard-surface tennis courts; reservations are generally required.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at midnight
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Kids stay free! One child 12 years old or younger stays free when using existing bedding.
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
No cribs (infant beds) available
- Deposit: USD 50-130 per night
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between USD 4 and USD 13 per person (approximately)
- Self parking fee: USD 30 per day
Hotel Name
- Club Quarters in Washington DC
- Club Quarters Washington DC
- Washington DC Club Quarters
- Quarters Washington Dc
- Quarters Hotel Washington Dc
- Club Quarters Dc
- Club Quarters Washington DC Hotel
- Club Quarters Hotel Washington Dc
- Club Quarters Hotel Washington in DC
We should mention
One child 12 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.


text:
That's great
The population of this country is 300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to do the work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 15 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied w ith killing Osama
Which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 10.8 million people who work for state and city Governments. And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are,
Sitting on your ass,
At your computer, reading jokes.
Nice. Real nice
That's great
Damn, no wonder it's so hard to get up in the morning! And how come everyone else gets to vote?
HUH, that explains what the others at work aren't doing....
No wonder I stay so tired.
If you want more gun control, use both hands.


text:
If you love football.....you live for games like this.
If all the match ups play out like both sides think they will.......this should be a ringer. Both teams are banged up at key spots......no excuses for either team on that front.
The Giants are favored....and should be. Until kickoff.....they are the better proven team playing in thier house on a huge stage. The Cowboys have a lot more to overcome than the spread is giving them.
I know the Giants O line is not Canton worthy right now.....but the Cowboys line has been in shambles this offseason....and they have had little time to play together. Against the Giants D Line, thats a big matchup problem for the coaches to overcome.
Rookie Corner Claiborne has to start. Regardless of draft pedigree etc...he is still a rookie corner...and they rarely play lights out right out of the gate.
2nd year 21 year old T Smith switching to LT for the first time. No more needs to be said.
Last years 2nd team, safety, Barry Church, promoted to starter.
I've seen it all as a Cowboys fan of 38 years and I think The Cowboys have the right coaching staff for now and the future....and to prove themselves, they need to win.....regardless of the challanges. That's what good coaches do.
No matter what......this should be a helluva football game.........and that's why we are here.
From what I've read here...I think most of you know how tight this game could be......but if there are King Homers among you that think the Giants win this without question....then please stand and be seen in this thread.


text:
Town Square
PPD officer burglarizes the dead
Original post made by aaron, Highland Oaks, on Feb 26, 2009
the family had questioned him on what had happend to his persription medication. he told them that it was police procedure to confiscate and destroy all perscription drugs. which is not the case. he kept them for himself.which asking for a dead persons perscriptions is. not there business really at all. they were monituring his intake, and were curious as to what had happend. later they contacted the department, and were informed that this was not their policy.
so my question is, why isn't this reported. i would like to see detailed info about this.
to those i have spoken to they are happy. happy that we can finally show the corruption that does take place here. our police aren't as good as they say and shouldn't be making more when our schools are making less. it's almost looking like they want people to become either cops or criminals. we get our schools budget slashed. 75 people have to be laid off. but those protecting us, make more each year, and every few years get a very large budget for "toys".
this really needs to be evaluated.
Comments (28)
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Police and fire salaries and particularly their pensions and retiree medical benefits are putting the city in a totally untenable position. We have over $120 million in deferred unpaid liabilities. Someone has to bell this cat.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Dude, get your facts straight. It wasn't the PPD officer it was a Alameda Police officer. Ronald R. Jones is an a administrative sgt. with a history. See Contra Costa Times and the KABC --7 news.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Please check facts before you create such an erroneous posting. You obviously have a computer and could have looked it up yourself.
I believe you owe the Pleasanton Police Department a retraction and an apology.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Thank you PJ, I totally agree. The PPD for the 25 years I have lived here have done a good job keeping my family safe. I might not agree with all their decisions on the community policing policies, I believe they are far from being corrupt or renegade in any way.
a resident of Del Prado
on Feb 26, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Aaron is the typical Obama supporter... Uniformed!
a resident of Livermore
on Feb 27, 2009 at 11:13 am
[Post removed. Did not contribute to or further the conversation.]
a resident of Highland Oaks
on Feb 27, 2009 at 2:21 pm
i apoligize if i was ill informed. thats why i asked for clarification.
cholo, you are a idiot, grow up.
but still this is a problem that needs to be overseen. the burglaries in pleasanton are real, are they caught, it's been two months now. no they aren't. but the alameda county sheriffs dept. caught the castlewood murderer.
how many remember the ppd officer who beat his wife, and the police refused to break down his door. definate double standard. all plice have some issues. it is the publics duty to address these actions. if we don't, who will?
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hooray!! You finally got smart P.W. and shut down a "Cholo" post!!! I have stayed away from reading the Forum, (as well as several of my friends and neighbors) for a long time, because I was so sick and tired of Cholo's rants and provocations. Ding Dong the Witch is dead! Which ole witch? The Wicked Witch!! la la la lala la la la! =)
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 28, 2009 at 10:30 am
Ha ha Chump-lo
a resident of Livermore
on Feb 28, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I did not post anything.
a resident of Highland Oaks
on Mar 2, 2009 at 8:50 am
Generally speaking, I think the PPD does a great job and that's why we live here. But I am getting concerned with the laid back attitude they are taking with the high school kids and their parties.
Kids are getting more and more out of control, yet very litte is being done. If parents seem to be able to find out where all the parties are every weekend, how is it, they seem to go undected by the PPD?
It's as if we are sitting back and waiting for the next kid to wrap their car around a tree on Foothill Rd. before we do anything. Let's be proactive, not reactive!
a resident of Downtown
on Mar 2, 2009 at 9:02 am
for concerned: I hope that your kids were under your control at all times. I agree that the PPD should take swift and aggressive action against any kids having large and noisy parties where drinking is taking place. However, the real problem is the parents. Any parent who cannot control their kids needs to be severely punished. You had them now YOU get them under control. Kids who never have discipline are a scourge on society and the parents who allow that are even worse.
The PPD has more important things to do than responding to a party that the parents should never have allowed to happen. If your kids cannot be trusted when you are gone then STAY HOME. If parents allow the party when they are home then the PPD needs to arrest and prosecute the parents. Enough of letting out of control kids ruin things for everyone else.
a resident of Amador Estates
on Mar 2, 2009 at 10:30 am
Yes the PPD does have more important things to worry about then teen parties. They have to meet their quota for cell phone abusers or so it seems. It's pretty pathetic when at a dinner party 3 of the women there were pulled over for allegedly using their cell phones while driving. In each instance, the officer was extremely rude,judgemental, and WRONG!Each woman got pulled over and told that they were breaking the law. After the officer checked their phone logs finding out that he was wrong, he continued to be accusatory and judgemental, "what do you mean you don't know why your hand was near your ear?" So be careful, don't even think of scratching your ear, adjusting your earring or touching your hair unless you want to spend the next 15 minutes being harrassed by a PPD officer. Then spend another 15 minutes explaining to the children in my car why they should always be respectful to officers when they ask why the officer who pulled me over was very condescending to me.For all the great things the Dare program teaches the kids in this town it's unfortunate that the only officers that the children here respect are just those few that come to their schools. And yes, I know there are plenty of drivers here in town who use their cell phones while driving. I'm just wondering why the Pleasanton Police have to act in such a disrespectful way.
a resident of Livermore
on Mar 2, 2009 at 10:45 am
I learned a long time ago that cops are predators, not protectors, so it doesn't surprise me that the pleasanton cops are any different.
cops aren't being paid to protect you, they are paid to uphold the laws, and they have a LOT of discretion about how they do that.
you are all at risk, so be careful around these uniformed goons. a god complex comes with the badge and gun.
a resident of another community
on Mar 2, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Word: Cholo
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural cholos
Etymology: American Spanish, Europeanized Indian, mestizo
Date: 1851
1. Often disparaging : a man or boy of Mexican descent
2. A Mexican-American youth who belongs to a street gang
Which describes you? You seem to have a lot of hate and distrust in your soul.
Pleasanton is a wonderful community - as is your home town of Livermore.
You paint a broad brush when you say "I learned a long time ago that cops are predators, not protectors".
Should we categorize all police as 'predators', if even just 1 goes astray? Should I believe all those identifed as a Cholo, are nothing but violent gang members because 'some' are?
You do nothing to move discussion forward.
a resident of Downtown
on Mar 2, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Oh get over it "harrassed", I was nearly hit again in the crosswalk yesterday by a cell-phone-yapping soccer mom in her SUV. I would be happy to have guilty yappers forfeit their driver's license rather than get a no-points violation with a nearly zero dollar fine. I have encountered many PPD officers in my years of living downtown and have had exactly one instance of rudeness. I took his name, called the watch commander and got an apology. Maybe you should check your attitude out, that might be the problem.
a resident of Amador Estates
on Mar 2, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Resident- It appears the only one here with the attitude is you. I didn't mind accidentally get pulled over, what bothered me was the attitude of the police officer. I guess you haven't lived here very long. After living here in town for 40+ years, I have had many pleasant experiences and a few not so pleasant experiences. In the last month I've been pulled over twice by the same officer. Both times he was rude. The first time he pulled me over he was incorrect as well. He tried to tell me that I needed to make a complete stop at a yield sign and while a construction worker was directing me to continue through. He told me I should know better "driving around with all these children" He didn't even bother to apologize when he realized he was wrong. It sure makes for a good life lesson for the children in my car. Especially the one who wants to be a police officer, he stated that maybe he wouldn't be one anymore. He didn't want to have to be a jerk to people like that officer. I guess the other 2 women who were also harrassed by officers,we're not sure if it was the same one or not, should watch their attitudes as well. That will solve everything. It must be us, not the PPD.
a resident of Livermore
on Mar 5, 2009 at 5:46 pm
It seems that the imposters are in love with Cholo...Hooray!
There is only one Cholo and I am I. As for the police, they are My Heroes! Yup...go officers.
The realer McCoy here....tee hee hee, tee hee hee...
a resident of Birdland
on Mar 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm
You are what is wrong with the left winged democratic press...uniformed, quick to accuse and completely bias. This is a great way for you to damage someones character, especially someone as dedicated as Officer Jones. Perhaps you should write a formal apology letter to the officer before you are sued for defamation of character.
a resident of Birdland
on Mar 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hey Lady who thinks the cops are disrespectful. What do you think the attitude of all the rich snobs driving their kids two blocks to school is when they get stopped by PPD....Not great. "I can't be bothered, the laws don't apply to me, I'm late for a nail appointment." Get real..wait until your little kid is hit by a car and the cops are not aggressive to that driver...then what. "I hate the PPD cause' there not aggressive enough enforcing the traffic laws. If you want to teach your kids, sign the ticket and take them to court with you, you ignorant @#%$#@.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 18, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I am absolutely disgusted by Aarons comments. He obviously knows nothing about a case of an Alameda police sergeant being arrested and he has implied that a good man who works for the Pleasanton police is responsible for a crime he did not commit. I read the forums and know that Aaron does not think highly of the PPD, but that does not excuse his ignorant postings. I have lived in Pleasanton for over 30 years and have respect for all police officers. As with every profession, there are good and bad people.
Has Aaron ever considered what it must be like for police officers to do their job? To know that they may not come home to their family when they leave for work. To have to live with the fact that they may have to shot and kill someone. Maybe Aaron has done things in his life to have bad encounters with police, I myself, have only have good encounters with the PPD. I respect them and admire their ability to do a job not everyone can do.
a resident of Stoneridge
on Apr 8, 2009 at 12:18 am
Most of these postings are a joke!!! It was in fact an Alameda PD Sergeant in charge of Internal Affairs that was arrested and charged for the scam of obtaining prescription meds from deceased person's homes... He had a disease...bottom line! The rest of you idiots whining about getting cell phone tickets (well deserved) and having cops respond to teen parties are people that probably should not be parents in the first place and need to open your F'N EYES... Grow up already!! You want to see what cops really have to face on a daily basis and have nightmares about weekly? Come to my city and ride along for a day... and never forget the four decorated OPD Officers that gave their lives for the citizens of that disgusting city that has such little respect for law enforcement or life for that matter...at all! I worked as a cop in this city for 1 year after working in a busier city for several years and moved on to another bigger and more violent city. I voluntarily left because of the disgust I felt after dealing with this exact mentality.. and especially dealing with parents wanting me to parent their kids!!! Really???? Please!!! I pray for all of you that only have these little problems to gripe about... Live happily in your bubbles people...there actually is a real world out there... a real violent one. May God and our police officers on duty protect all of us... always!!!
A brother officer
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Apr 8, 2009 at 10:56 am
At first, I didn't believe you were an officer. After reading your post, you convinced me. I have always had a fear that police officers thought like you. Thanks for confirming that not ALL cops are GOOD COPS....Look at the way you 'think' about the people you have sworn to protect. What was your score on the pych-test? And one more question, where do you work? I need to stay clear from YOU!
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Apr 8, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Told like a realist and not sugar coated! I like it! I think we need more cops like that one! They seem like they like taking BAD guys off the street and making it a safe place for all of us to live. What color is the sky in your world criminalminded? I think that officer and all officers are protecting all of us, especially by enforcing the laws people break no matter how small; cell phone users included! Besides, that bubble comment is pretty right on for this area. May every police officer be safe and protect us all!
a resident of another community
on Apr 8, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Well said...here is a clip for people who just don't get why the police are here...
Web Link
a resident of Highland Oaks
on Apr 10, 2009 at 1:23 pm
i origionally heard it on kron 4. saying it was pleasanton. so oh well to everyone getting so angry over this. bottom line is there are some great cops out there. but definately not all of them. i've seen these "heroes" commit crimes against it's citizens for years. they've stolen money, drugs, made up charges to steal a night of fredom if they don't like the people involved. the only thing that changes is the name badge. i never give any officer a hard time as there is no need to. i don't do anything to provoke them. you don't tease a jackle, you might get bit. they are simply dong there jobs. but every few years or even months it seems like, we get a prime example. and not just this case. cops do take drugs from criminals. they do use them. in fact i can specifically remember one officer of pleasanton who use to go to the bars and this part is confirmed, go to the afterparty, watch people do them and then get intimate with certain females after. did you know most drugs are only in your system for 48 hours. most police would have this out of there system prior to any testing. so i guess getting ones rocks off is more important than getting the rocks off the street.
i really do appreciate our city, and yes those who make it happen. but enough is enough. i'm no whistleblower, but maybe just maybe people will pay more attention. then the problem will fix itself.
i have police in my family, and they agree. the community has to get angry enough for anything corrupt to end. the department will overlook certain things just like a business will in order to protect an image. i have to agree with the concern on why do we spend so much on police toys? they don't need new cars every couple years. why increase our police force? has our crime really increased? or are they simply looking for more dui revenues? i mean really is that one of the only crimes people are charged with hear. really why not try this idea. drinking and driving are illegal, make it a factory mandate to have breathalyzers in all vehicles. i believe the legal limit was lowered recently. so what's the point. how many lives would that save? how many manhours of checkpoints and dealing with these would we save? we might even be able to fcocus on real crimes, if the police are chasing drunks. shoot we would even be able to save money on our funding. it costs alot of money to set up those checkpoints, and supply the officers to work it. plus the others surrounding the area to catch the ones avoiding a checkpoint. this really is the easiest solution and most practical. But i'm not expecting any change. the only thing that changes is how must the dui people are paying along with their punishments, and the amount of tax dollars wasted chasing this problem. when we could all avoid this very easily. seriously politicians really should look at that and mandate the auto companies to make it happen.
i do respect police. i do respect authority. but what happends when they don't respect you? a b.s blog goes out. our crime is very low. our number of officers should reflect that. not in a sense of hiring more but keeping it where it is at.
a resident of Canyon Meadows
on Apr 11, 2009 at 12:29 am
Hey Dan...
That bubble comment made above is directed at people like you! Wake up dude! DUI's?? Is that your concern in the world or are you just worried you're going to get caught? The legal limit always has been .08% BAC, so deal with it. Most of that money in DUI checkpoint paychecks you worry so much about comes from Federal and State grant money directed at enforcing DUI laws indirectly funded by MADD and other anti-DUI victim groups. SO, before you get your nuts in a ringer, you may just want to educate yourself before you look like an fool on here. And, you might want to take a look at the most recent casualty..our own CA-Angels...NICK ADENHART! Gee, that driver had prior DUI's.... now he's up on murder charges... I say HANG EM'... HANG EM' HIGH... AND let's set the example and move forward! THE END. Don't ever write anything on here again until you educate yourself first!
a resident of Highland Oaks
on Apr 16, 2009 at 7:59 pm
look at the long trail of wasted money. organizations that are so hung up on their agenda, they avoid a much better solution.
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Livermore trustees demonstrating wisdom
By Tim Hunt | 11 comments | 1,368 views
2017 guide to summer camps
Looking for something for the kids to do this summer, learn something new and have fun? The 2017 Summer Camp Guide features local camps for all ages and interests.


text:
Day 2 at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida
Wednesday at the Republican National Convention I saw Texas Governor Rick Perry being interviewed for a radio show. There were many people around him taking photos, including me. I remember watching Perry on T.V. as he campaigned for the Presidency during the primaries, so it was exciting to see him in person.
Also being interviewed at the convention hall's "Radio Row" was 14-year old Juliette Turner. She is the author of a new book called Our Constitution Rocks. It comes out in September. "I'm on cloud nine here," she told me when I asked her what it was like to be at the convention. She went on to tell me that while many of her friends are fans of Justin Bieber and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, she's a fan of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. "I'm that weird," she said with a laugh.
Later, at the entrance to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, I Interviewed several people as they made their way into the building to hear the evening's speakers. I asked them what they thought about the convention so far. One convention goer was looking forward to hearing from Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. "He is a very interesting gentleman," the man told me. "He knows what he is doing with finances, and we need order in finances."
Financial responsibility is an important theme at this convention. In the Forum, there is a large national debt clock, which measures America's debt since the start of the convention. It began counting at $15.9 trillion.
Former Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice was one of last night's main speakers. She said that she thinks education is the civil rights issue of our time. She believes America will be able to get through this problem just as the country progressed beyond segregation. Rice said that in Birmingham, Alabama, where she grew up, she couldn't even get a burger at the Woolworth's lunch counter because of segregation. Despite that, her parents brought her up to believe that she could be President of the United States. She said this is what makes America so great—that despite your financial or social situation, you can dream big. The crowd cheered enthusiastically for her.
The last speaker of the night was Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. As expected, Ryan addressed the country's debt. "We need to stop spending money we don't have," Ryan said. The crowd liked what they heard. He spoke about why Mitt Romney should be the next President of the United States.
At the end of the speech, Ryan's wife, Janna, and their three children, daughter Liza and sons Charlie and Sam, took the stage alongside him. It was definitely way past the kids' bedtime. Mine too.
Click here to watch a video of day two at the convention.


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Okay, I don't know many skaters who have skated to this, but I thought it would be cool to see everyone's favorites.
Ilia Kulik, Waltz of the Flowers
Shen & Zhao 2004 World Championships
Alexei Yagudin
Okay, I don't know many skaters who have skated to this, but I thought it would be cool to see everyone's favorites.
How could you forget two of the best?
Gordeeva-Grinkov- Pro in 92& 93 (technical)
Bechke & Petrov- Olympics 92 LP and pro 92 (technical)
My pick is G&G's Nutcracker, with B&P a close second.
Also Jill Trenary skated to the Candy canes number (I think) in worlds 89 LP.
As much I love Alexei's "Nutrocker"-SP, I've to give this to Shen & Zhao!
I KNEW G&G used it, just was not entirely sure LOL I feel really stupid now LOL.
I feel the same way. I've never really been all that crazy for the music, but Yagudin made me like it. S&Z made me love it.As much I love Alexei's "Nutrocker"-SP, I've to give this to Shen & Zhao!
Yagudin's Nutrocker really could not compete with any of the real Nutcracker performances. It was just an SP, and it did not impress me the way his other SP's did. Actually Petrova-Tikhanov skated a pretty good SP to this music (Pas Deux Du...i am not sure of the spelling). I did not like S&Z's Nutcracker that much because I had watched G&G and B&P skate better to that music. Also Viktor Petrenko skated to it in the 'Nutcracker on ice'. I did not care much for Oksana B. and BoitanoI skating a duet to this music. I LOVE the Nutcracker music (all of it) for skating, although I don't consider it to be Tchaikovsky's best.
The list on this poll is very short and S&Z's is the only meaningful performance on the list, so I am not surprised that it received most of the votes.
Other. Petrova and Tikhonov's SP is my favorite by far.
Oh no, another poll where you need to remember something!
Grgranny, DEFINITELY!
My Sugar Plum Fairy from when I was 15...my rink has been doing the Nutcracker for 30 years.
I actually was in tears by the end of Shen and Zhao's Pas de Deux. It was amazing. I never saw G&G's so I can't comment.
Jenny Kirk did it a few years ago that wasn't bad. It was a medley though and jumped around a bit.
Last edited by Summerkid; 11-17-2004 at 11:42 PM.
I voted for Shen/Zhao. Their Nutcracker is pure brilliance and breathtakingly beautiful. They are they best pairs skaters in the world.
I am in the minority here. I felt that the Nutcracker music did not suit S&Z because it is a very elegant piece of music, and elegance is not their strength. I loved the Nutcracker programs by G&G and Bechke & Petrov.
My favourite performance to selections from The Nutcracker was given by Rosalynn Sumners at the 1987 World Professional Championships.
If anyone has a copy of that skate, watch it.
Simply amazing.
"Essence of Soy?" Now that's a cool nickname!
Welcome to the forum. Post often, post long, LOL!
Tschaikowsky had two things going for him. He had incredible ability to get tunes out of Russian folk music and he had increcdible ability to orchestrate them. His three ballets, in my opinion, were not his best work. Look to his symphonies and concertos for brilliant talent.
I'll go with S&Z but all his tunes should make the skater look good. If any PIT music is used and becomes a dud, then the skater should retire.
Originally Posted by diamondqueen
A matter of opinion of course.


text:
Co-Creating Our Sustainable Future On Earth Day and Everyday
Posted by Kylie Nealis in Community Rights on 25th April, 2012 | No Comments
I celebrated Earth Day along with hundreds of other earth-minded individuals at San Francisco's Civic Center/UN Plaza. Everyone came out that day under a common idea: we live in a wondrous community of life that is planet Earth and that community deserves our awe, respect, and attention. I participated in a panel discussion at the celebration on Sunday around the question of "co-creating our sustainable future – what are the successful tools for coalition building and collaboration both within and beyond your organization's work?"
Read More...


text:
If you feel this item is offensive in any way, let us know.
Just give us an indication of what you find objectionable
(sometimes it isn't neccesarily clear), and we'll look into it.
Item ID: 63669
(Chief says arrest of worker 'borrowing tools' could open city to suit)
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1106 An Industrial Town in the Desert (Mor 348)
Trip Start Aug 15, 2011
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From Boujdour I head back north to El Ayoun, as there simply aren't any more towns to discover along this vast stretch of emptiness—except one: El Ayoun Port. This sounds like just an extension of El Ayoun proper, but no, "Marsa El Ayoun" is its own independent town. And it definitely deserves it. Before thetown itself, there's a vast, industrial area. This is where the world's longest conveyor belt carrying phosphate from the Boukra mines reaches the sea—but there's a lot of other industry here as well. Clearly the idea was to create a lot of jobs in this region to encourage Moroccans elsewhere in the country to move this direction.
Of course, there are downsides: fore example, there's not enough water, so truck bringing water all the way from Tan Tan go up and down the streets, filling up peoples' jugs and tanks. And then there are those nastly sandstorms blanketing the town with sand.
Marsa el Ayoun has a definite "working class" feel, with plenty of cheap eateries. But it also has one classy boulevard and gateway to the city.
Back in El Ayoun
The collective taxi to El Ayoun drops me off at the south end of town, so I figure it's an excuse to explore the town a little more. I pass the stadium where there are several riot police vans outside… I continue on into town, where I go ahead and buy my ticket to the last city I need to visit in the South Sahara: Smara… then head out to look for a new neighbourhood to explore
At the west side of town, there are a couple narrow alleys leading down to the high school just as school is letting out. Here I see a couple fellows playing guitars, so I join them and soon we've got a little jam session going. These fellows are from other parts of Morocco whose fathers work here in El Ayoun. They don't seem to mind life here—although there is tension between out of towners and locals here at the high school.
I continue on, wandering around the west side of El Ayoun looking for the unique dome shaped houses I remember from my last visit. No luck… but I do get a nice view of the lake… Yes, there is a lake here in the middle of the desert…


text:
Something your grandmother might refer to when implying she is totally down with online social networking.
See also: Tweeter.
See also: Tweeter.
Nana: I think I might get me a Facepage so that I can see pics from Estelle's 50th anniversary vacay in Cabo.
by Teejay9 August 08, 2010
by roxypoop July 30, 2009


text:
Reno Hotel Guide
To get to the casinos and hotels, you can book the lowest price on cheap flights to Reno, here at Expedia. We also offer you the lowest rates on car rentals. Discount hotels are only part of what we offer. Our Reno vacation packages will give you the best value on your Reno vacation. You can find pet friendly hotels also.
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For those who want to be near the action, but save money, making your reservations here at Expedia is the best option. You can get promotions and specials on rates not found elsewhere. You get deals on hotels suites and rooms of all sizes. Expedia.com has you covered so you can enjoy Reno any way you like and not worry about a thing.


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UTSA conference to assess Texas Chicana/o studies
By James M. Benavides
Public Affairs Specialist
(Feb. 23, 2009)--UTSA will sponsor the 2009 National Association for Chicano and Chicana Studies Tejas FOCO Regional Conference, February 26-28, at the UTSA Downtown Campus. The conference theme is "Interdisciplinarity Unbound: The State and Status of Chicana/o Studies in Texas."
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
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The field of Mexican-American studies has created a wider appeal for Latino students to enroll in colleges and universities. These programs likely grew out of an increased awareness of diversity issues developed during the civil rights era of the late '60s and early '70s. In Texas, one of the first programs in Mexican-American studies emerged at the University of Texas at Austin with a call for ethnic inclusion. Texas has implemented Mexican-American studies with trends commonly differing from the rest of the nation.
"Despite the growing demographic expansion of Hispanics or Latinos in Texas, we have much to do to impart Mexican-American scholarship in our colleges and universities," said Josephine Méndez-Negrete, conference co-chair and UTSA associate professor of Mexican-American studies.
Although initially on target with the development of ethnic and area studies in the United States, Mexican-American studies in Texas has relied on affiliate models for teaching its content rather than establishing standing departments and centers throughout the state.
The conference will begin with a free event, "Noche de Cultura," at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Buena Vista Theater. The cultural revue will feature performances from Conjunto Palo Alto with Juan Tejeda, Azul y Maya, Cruz Ortiz, Barbara Renaud Gonzalez, Que Padre, Carolina Rubio and UTSA Downtown Campus Vice Provost Jesse Zapata. An open microphone will conclude the event.
The public is invited to attend a 10:30 a.m. conference session Friday, Feb. 27 at the Buena Vista Theater honoring state Rep. Roberto Alonzo of Dallas for his advocacy in the development of Mexican-American studies. Alonzo was the first Mexican-American student body president at UT Austin. Later elected to state office in North Texas, he secured funding for the University of North Texas to provide tuition assistance and loan forgiveness for students to pursue bilingual education teaching certificates. Additionally, Alonzo spearheaded efforts to secure textbooks for third- and fifth-grade English-as-a-Second-Language students. Alonzo will receive the NACCS Tejas FOCO "Premio Letras de Aztlán" award.
The conference's closing plenary session is 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Buena Vista Theater with a screening of "A Class Apart." The documentary by Carlos Sandoval and Peter Miller examines the Hernandez v. Texas case of 1951, which challenged Texas juror selection and the systematic exclusion of Mexican-Americans from the jury system. The Hernandez case played a major role in subsequent desegregation cases. A panel discussion will follow with San Antonio Express-News columnist Carlos Guerra, retired UTSA professor of bicultural-bilingual studies Bertha Perez and author and retired educator Victor Rodriguez.
"Mexican-American studies contributes to the creation and production of knowledge and as a discipline, results a win-win situation for Texas," said Marie "Keta" Miranda, conference co-chair and UTSA associate professor of Mexican-American studies. "Our students' transcultural and bilingual understanding serve as the resources needed for today's global realities."
Conference registration is on-site all day Friday, Feb. 27, and 8-9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28; $10 for community members, $20 for students and $30 for faculty.
For more information on the 2009 National Association for Chicano and Chicana Studies Tejas FOCO Regional Conference, call (210) 458-2637 or e-mail conference co-chairs Josephine Mendez-Negrete or Marie "Keta" Miranda.


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Its cute and I like the idea of using scraps!
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Its cute and I like the idea of using scraps!
Oh Chele! They are so adorable! What a fun quilt..I will have to bookmark these!
Looking at that I see some other patterns coming out of it also :thumbup:
Thanks for sharing. I've never seen that either. Great tute, definately looks quick & easy (my cup of tea!!!). I think it would make a great baby quilt.
PS...yours is beautiful...love the colors on the black :)
Sooo beautiful & colorful !!!
That really looks like fun, thanks for sharing!


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Fight back against toilets that don't flush. Learn the pros and cons of "gravity flush," "pressure assist" and "vacuum assist" toilets so you know what to look for when you go shopping for a new toilet.
In 1994 Congress decided to conserve water by requiring toilets to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. It was a good idea, but when manufacturers came out with their first water-saving models, they hadn't yet figured out how to make toilets perform as well as before (most toilets at that time used 3.5 gallons or more). So homeowners got stuck with toilets that require two or even three flushes to clear and clean the bowl. These wimpy toilets plug up more often too. Their design is poor and there isn't much you can do to improve them. The only real solution is a new toilet.
Manufacturers have refined old designs and developed entirely new systems to make water-saving toilets work better. But there are still some weak flushers out there, so do some research before you buy. When you're shopping, you'll find three types of flushing systems. Before you buy anything, check the latest testing results by doing an internet search for "toilet performance tests."
Gravity flush toilets offer a powerful flush while using less water.
This is the system toilets have used for over a century: The flush valve or "flapper" opens and water rushes down through the bowl. Manufacturers have steadily improved tank and bowl designs to create a more powerful flush with less water. One of the most effective improvements was to simply enlarge the flush valve from 2 in. to 3 in. or more.Pros:
Pressure assist toilets offer a strong flush, but they cost more than other toilet types.
These toilets have a pressure tank inside that works like a big water balloon. Water fills the tank and is held there under pressure. When the flush valve opens, pressure and gravity combine for an explosive flush.Pros:
Tip: Pressure-assist toilets are common in public restrooms, so you can take one for a test drive at an office or business. Just lift the tank lid and look for the pressure tank to see if it's a pressure-assist model.
Vacuum assist toilets store water inside an inner tank, so the outer tank doesn't sweat, but the selection is limited.
This is the latest flush innovation. The porcelain tank contains a vacuum tank that's connected to the trapway (the large tube that carries water out of the bowl). When the toilet is flushed, water flowing out of the tank creates suction in the vacuum tank and trapway to help suck waste out of the bowl.Pros:
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.


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A rare sexual disease among men with small penises. This disease causes men to jerk & jizz uncontrollably during sex, this is very unpleasureable. And EVERYONE hates the twitch of the misquito.
"Dawg, Did you hear about Dave? His woman left him because of his small wang & the "the twitch of the misquito".
by SAT! June 16, 2009


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Stay connected with us to get the latest health and fitness news, innovative workouts, healthy recipes and wellness tips.
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ACE Fit Share
In this wet rub, we let the aromatic champion take center stage—a sure winner for the garlic lover in all of us. This rub is so versatile, we think it's great with virtually any meat or vegetable. Use on: Extra-firm tofu, shrimp, scallops, salmon, mahi-mahi, chicken, duck, pork, beef, lamb.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Gluten Free Diet
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
Low Calorie
Low Carb
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 12
Prep Time 10 min
Total Time 10 min.
Step 1
Combine garlic, oil, mustard, salt, pepper and lemon zest in a small bowl. Using your hands, spread the rub evenly onto 1 1/2 pounds (6 servings) of your chosen protein just before grilling.
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Flatten your stomach and build strength in the muscles that provide stability and mobility for the spine, pelvis, ribs and hips.
Focus on pulling, rotating and building strength with workouts created alongside Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes.
This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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Too many holes to plug at this point.
Too many holes to plug at this point.
"I like linebackers. I collect 'em. You can't have too many good ones." - Bill Parcells
"Name the starting linebackers from 2007." - Jerry Reese
What holes to plug? LB really is the only one. And they just brought in Connor, resigned Rivers, have been developing J Will and Paysinger.
JPP had a 6 sack year and Coughlin recently came out and said he was overweight and had conditioning issues last year.
Prince is still raw and Linval hasn't done much. Wasnt Linval the one who was a "starter" on our horrific DL last year? Im confused by this post
CWebb is proven, he just had an off year. Cullen is proven. Kiwi has been an average to above average player for years. Stevie Brown looked comfortable and poised last year. Had a great nack for the ball and is still young.
This D has the potential to be very bad, like it was through most of last year and the year before that...before playing well enough to win a SB. I'm very worried about this D as well and hope that they have a kick-a** draft.


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What are people using to keep the books? I hear about Quick books mostly, but I have never actually looked at it or anything else, for that matter.
I need to get something figured out so that my tax work is a bit easier!
What are people using to keep the books? I hear about Quick books mostly, but I have never actually looked at it or anything else, for that matter.
I need to get something figured out so that my tax work is a bit easier!
Then, you can use TurboTax for your taxes. You assign the accounts you have made up to specific lines on your federal tax schedules..."F" for farm, or "C" for sole proprietor, or whatever. Or, you can fill out the forms manually by entering the totals from your Quickbook accounts.
I wouldn't want to do it without an accounting software package. The hardest thing about the process is entering all your checks into the proper accounts, and that's just a bit of time and typing.
I also use quick books and have for 10 years. I would say just make sure you set up all your "accounts", "items" etc right the first time. I found it is worth while to have a quick books expert help get set up, or read alot about it.
I prepair my own taxes with turbo tax and could not do it without quick books.
Definitely worth doing.
They make you upgrade programs about every two years or the tax program will not import data from older versions. Nasty trick to get you to spend more money. Once you are all set up they have you by the balls on this one.
Also if you have employees processing the payroll is easy on quick books but same as above tax tables wont update unless you keep within a two year or so version of the program. They also nickel and dime you for payroll tax tables. Over all still worth it.
a new trend in bookkeeping software is online
and if you do a lot of wholesale
both integrate with each other. quickbooks is ok but maybe overkill and confusing for some.
these online systems are pay as you go and can of course be viewed anywhere.
Intuit the company that owns quickbooks is difficult to deal with and IMO a bunch of moneygrubbers. don't buy their checks and training - completely overpriced and you can get comparable elsewhere
if you like being called Sir or Mr XYZ over and over again try their overseas help line in Punjab.
We have been using Quickbooks also. I have found their local certified help and training useful. It was a bit expensive but saved time and labor, and it was great to sit down with someone and look at our records.
John B Jacob www.oldsolbees.com


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What in the world...who cares about how good looking anyone is. This is about Suzuki Mathman is probably too old to date Ando anyways lol. Was she robbed = I think it is clear osmond or mao could possibly beat Suzuki depending on your perspective. The scores indicicate it was close.
I think the comparison you are making is flawed. Hanyu has won only 1 GP this season and Kozuka beat him, not the other way around. Shockingly, even Machida beat Hanyu in PCS at the same competition :It is my feeling it is this perceived ranking spilt onto PCS scoring and made the difference in the ranking. If beauty doesn't matter, why isn't Akiko favoured like Hanyu (who's certainly beautifu/skated beautifully, at least to me) seems to have over taken Kozuka this year as Japan's #2?
Rather, I think this perception that Hanyu is somehow now the #1 Japanese man is primarily due to his high scoring SP and that he has defeated Takahashi at the NHK and perhaps because he has the highest ranking on the GP circuit of all Japanese men, second only to Patrick Chan. This however, can prove to be more an illusion than a reality. First of all, Machida also beat Takahashi at a GP. Hanyu's PCS has been quite beatable, in fact, he would only be 4th among Japanese men with his FS PCS, losing not only to Takahashi, but to Kozuka and Machida as well. I failed to see any deliberate favortism towards Hanyu. His success so far in the season is primarily due to his technical achievements. Not many Japanese man can do 2 Quads within a same program or skating clean SP with Quad. If anything, even Machida beat him on the Interpretation (IN) component during the head to head competition at Skate America, which tells me Hanyu's PCS is really not that great in relation to his peers (although I think they should be lower still but that's another subject).
So it's hard to entertain your argument when Kozuka actually beat Hanyu this year and there is just no evidence to support Hanyu has been favored as far as the PCS are concerned. In fact, there is no doubt in my mind that Takahashi remains the far more marketable man in Japan. I think you are mistaking enthusiasm and momentum for favortism. Kozuka has been on the scene for a while, he is kind of on and off with his results but he is no longer new. Hanyu is new and very young, people are excited about his potential in a similar way that many have been excited by Katelyn Osmond. But that's not because Hanyu has better looks than Kozuka. To believe so is akin to say the tsunami that devastated Japan in 2011 was due to the wrath of the gods.
Like I demonstrated above, Kozuka still beats Hanyu on PCS by quite a bit. Kozuka has his own issues with PCS but it has nothing to do with whether Hanyu is prettier or Kozuka is not attractive. Mao's popularity is Japan was already several years deep, especially during the run up to the Vancouver Olympics when it was all about Kim vs. Asada. It's difficult to explain exactly why X skater is more popular than another but to blame it all on looks does seem a little careless.(or Why Kozuka seem to have lost his PCS he deserve) And similarly why is the media there always obsessed with Mao when it is Miki who won the WC, and Akiko was the one podiumed last year?
This really puzzles me. Why not? Did you forget both Suzuki and Asada are Japanese? It's not as if the audience refused to clap and cheer Akiko when she skated. They were very supportive of both skaters as far as I can tell. I have no idea why you are so certain that if this were TEB, the result would necessarily be different.If this NHK competition took place in another Grand Prix say TEB, can you honestly say the results would have been same? That is my whole argument.
I think this is a case of paralysis through analysis. You think too much. There could be 1000 reasons why Mao is more marketable than Suzuki but look may not even be a decisive factor. When Elvis Stojko was king, was he considered attractive or handsome? He was so short, a lot of ladies would stand taller than him yet there was no doubt he was very marketable. So when he defeated Kurt Browning and took over the as #1 Canadian man, was it because he was more attractive than Kurt Browning? If looks matter so much, why was Kiira Korpi considered the #2 woman in Finland when Laura Lepisto was competing? I mean many people regard Kiira as by far the most beautiful female skater out there but why she never seems to win any major competition like the Europeans or a world medal which Laura Lepisto did?There's no doubt Mao is their perceived #1 favourite for the last quads and their big skater for Sochi as was the Vancouver, and while she is a great skater, Mao benefit a great deal from her beauty (yes including skating) that is practically a nice litte cottage industry in Japan that the sport benefit from. There's nothing wrong to acknowledge this because it happens to be true, it undoubtly benefited her through out her career.
And some people talk about Asada's program as if it were jam packed like Patrick Chan's. In terms of transitions, yes she had a couple of nice spreadeagles, but mostly there were just a lot of stroking and three turns - how were her transitions so much more superior to Suzuki's? In general, I find her elegant and she sure has better extension than Akiko, but her intepretation in any program is just so generic and one-dimensional, and nothing really stands out. In terms of interpretation and sensitivity to the music, she doesn't even come close to Suzuki's level.
Last edited by shine; 11-28-2012 at 07:58 PM.
Besides that Ando won the 2007 Worlds by doing perfect programs like 7 triple longs and triple lutz-triple loops in both programs. The gap in jumping between that and Suzuki is so enormous it already makes her better than Suzuki, especialy as no area of Suzuki's skating is as spectacular as Ando's jumping in the 06/07 season. As for 2011 Ando lucked out to peak at a really weak time for ladies skating, the others should have taken their chance since it is not likely to be that weak again for a long time to come.
As for Nakano, Nakano's performances at the 2008 Worlds impressed me more than anything Suzuki has ever done. Nearly everyone thought she should have been the gold or silver medalist that year, everyone but the judges it turned out. That was when ladies skating was at a way higher level than it is now, basically the decline of ladies skating has made people like Czisny, Wagner, Suzuki, and even Leonova (blech) contenders. No disrespect to them, they are good skaters, but in 2007-2010 they would be buried. Comparing her to Suzuki her spins are way better, she does the triple axel which I cant imagine Suzuki doing and yes she often had it rotated and ratified, and artistically I found her just as good or at times better, and she was faster too. I dont see where Suzuki is so vastly superior, she beat an already declining Nakano for the last Olympic spot in 2010 by less than a point, and only since Nakano missed a triple lutz.
Last edited by pangtongfan; 11-29-2012 at 12:40 AM.
Still, the question remains. What do we think of a scoring system that awards the gold medal to a performance featuring 2Lo, 2fLz, 1S, and 2F'?


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Jesus was way cool. He could of baked the most delicious cake in the world.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSfa56tjBQo
Well, I made a petition to get you to come back and got about 20 - 25 votes on it and then it got modded.The mods don't like upstarts like you apparently.
You are not allowed to request a sticky.


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May 21, 1977
Houston, TX US
The Summit
The Song Remains The Same, (The Rover intro) Sick Again, Nobody's Fault But Mine, In My Time of Dying, Since I've Been Loving You, No Quarter, Ten Years Gone, Battle of Evermore, Going to California, Black Country Woman, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, White Summer ~ Black Mountainside, Kashmir, (Out On the Tiles intro) Moby Dick, Jimmy Page solo, Achilles Last Stand, Stairway to Heaven, Rock and Roll, Trampled Underfoot.
Click here to view the US '77 Tour Programme (flipbook)
Submit your personal review of a particular show you attended, updates, corrections, etc., which will be considered for addition to the official online archive.
You may also contact the webmaster at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Submit your personal review of a particular show you attended, updates, corrections, etc., which will be considered for addition to the official online archive.You may also contact the webmaster at: email@example.com
Concert description
The performance of the band at this concert is not so bad as reported somewhere but still not tops. Aside from some minor flaws, the overall level of its performance is very satisfying. The brightest star of this concert is John Bonham who continued to deliver a high level of performance throughout the concert. At this concert, Bonzo also shines especially in his drum solos with marvelous stereo effects, as well as in the very powerful Achilles Last Stand. The recording so vividly and lively revives his amazing technique, power and "feel" that no other drummer in the world would probably ever be able to attain or surpass for good ... there also are some funny moments captured in this recording.


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Ethan Remmel
ORIGINS: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives. Annie Murphy Paul. xii + 306 pp. Free Press, $26.
When science writer Annie Murphy Paul was pregnant with her second child, she decided to find out what scientists have been able to learn about how the prenatal environment influences later health and development. She found an expanding field that is full of both promise and uncertainty—not unlike the experience of pregnancy itself. Her labors paid off, for she delivered both a healthy baby boy and an entertaining popular science book.
In the book, Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives, Paul provides an accessible review of the research on prenatal influences, combining it with the story of her own pregnancy. The reader follows along as Paul tries to make sense of sometimes conflicting findings and to apply their lessons to her own behavior. Trying to provide the best possible environment for one's child without becoming overprotective or neurotic is a balancing act that many parents will find familiar, and Paul does a good job of describing its tensions.
Paul traces modern scientific interest in this subject back to the 1980s, when British researcher David Barker found a correlation between birth weight (an index, albeit not a great one, of prenatal nutrition) and heart disease later in life: People who weighed less at birth were more likely to develop heart disease in middle age. This and other findings of relationships between environmental conditions during pregnancy and later health outcomes became known as research on "fetal origins of adult disease" and then later as "developmental origins of health and disease" to reflect recognition that conditions both before and shortly after birth are related to both positive and negative outcomes. Paul uses the term "fetal origins" to indicate her focus on the prenatal period.
Although not a scientist herself, Paul is a sophisticated reviewer of research. She understands and explains the limitations of correlational evidence, incorporates other sorts of evidence such as animal studies and natural experiments where available and appropriate, and provides references in endnotes. She also offers an interesting historical perspective, describing how ideas about the effects of a pregnant woman's behavior, experiences and emotions on her child's development have evolved over the ages.
Origins is not a how-to guide to pregnancy, but expectant parents will find plenty of food for thought. Paul tries to emphasize that the prenatal period can be the source of positive as well as negative influences on later development; she clearly does not want to add to the pressure and paranoia that many pregnant women feel when well-meaning experts publicize potential dangers to unborn children. Nevertheless, more research exists on prenatal risk factors than on protective factors, so the list of "don'ts" for pregnant women ends up longer than the list of "dos." In fact, Paul is really able to come up with only two ways of promoting positive outcomes: Pregnant women should eat healthy food (here she recommends following the advice of Michael Pollan) and engage in moderate-intensity exercise (which is associated with better health for both the mother and the fetus, and with higher IQ scores later on).
Paul describes how some myths about pregnancy have misled the public. For example, in the first half of the 20th century many American obstetricians believed that the fetus was a "perfect parasite," extracting whatever nutrients it needed regardless of maternal diet, and that pregnant women therefore didn't need to worry about what they ate. More recent research indicates that prenatal nutrition is related to health later on, although recommendations about what pregnant women should eat are often confusing or contradictory. Paul also argues that the modern belief in what she calls the "Pregnant Superwoman," who needs no special accommodations or support, can exacerbate maternal stress, which is associated with negative outcomes such as premature birth and schizophrenia later in life.
Paul avoids overly simple prescriptions. When she warns of the risks of stress, she also cites Janet DiPietro's findings that a moderate level of maternal stress may actually be optimal for child development. And with regard to prenatal diet, she argues that eating fish is not simply good or bad—rather, it depends on the particular type of fish. The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for fetal brain development must be weighed against the risk of mercury contamination, which will be less for fish low on the food chain. Another of the book's virtues is that Paul does not shy away from the implications of fetal-origins research for controversial topics, such as sexual orientation, abortion, autism and exposure to chemicals such as bisphenol A.
One of the fascinating ideas coming out of the fetal-origins field is that the fetus receives cues about the external environment from the mother and adjusts its development accordingly. In other words, the fetus is already adapting to an environment it hasn't yet experienced directly. Problems can arise, however, when these cues turn out to have been misleading, as will be the case when the environmental conditions change after birth. For example, David Barker and others have found that famine conditions during gestation predict later obesity, diabetes and heart disease, presumably because children's metabolisms are prepared for food scarcity that they do not actually encounter. Paul describes epigenetic research that is illuminating the mechanisms that underlie such effects. Prenatal environmental cues can affect gene expression, turning genes "on" and "off" in ways that can even be passed on to subsequent generations.
The book is interesting and well-written. Unfortunately, however, it is not well organized. The nine chapters are labeled with the months of pregnancy ("One Month," "Two Months" and so on), which leads the reader to believe that each chapter will discuss environmental influences on development during that month. But that's not the case. Although Paul does recount her own pregnancy chronologically throughout the book, culminating in the birth of her son in the final chapter, the chapter titles are otherwise uninformative as to the content of each chapter. The first chapter is an introduction. The second through sixth chapters focus on different topics (diet, stress, toxins, gender and maternal mood), although you only find out what the topics are as you read each chapter. But then, just as you have come to expect that all of the chapters will be organized topically, the last three chapters have no discernible central topic; rather, each is a grab bag of topics, including some that have already been covered in the previous chapters. Perhaps that's because each of these later chapters seems to have been written to be a standalone article. So the organization is confusing and a little frustrating. Fortunately, the book does have an index that can help the reader find information on particular topics.
Paul argues that developmental researchers have often emphasized either genetic or postnatal environmental influences and have neglected the importance of the prenatal period. The fetal-origins research summarized in her book clearly demonstrates that the concept of nurture needs to include the prenatal period. Readers will come away convinced that environment—and parenting—begin at conception rather than birth.
Origins is the second popular science book on prenatal environmental influences to be published recently. Researcher and science writer Dan Agin's More Than Genes: What Science Can Tell Us About Toxic Chemicals, Development, and the Risk to Our Children was published by Oxford University Press in October of 2009 and covers much of the same ground as Origins. Like Paul, Agin reviews research in an accessible way. However, his book does not include a personal story like hers and is more alarmist in tone, emphasizing prenatal environmental risk factors, especially for disadvantaged populations. I would recommend Origins for readers more interested in the research from a personal and parenting perspective, and More Than Genes for those more interested in policy and public-health implications.
Ethan Remmel is a cognitive developmental psychologist at Western Washington University in Bellingham. His research focus is the relationship between language experience and children's understanding of the mind.
You can find this online at http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/nurture-before-birth
© 2016 Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society


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Today, just for fun, I thought I would share a little bit with you just exactly why I am passionate about these little gems!
1.) The art Ok, this one is pretty much a no-brainer. Some of the art in romance comics is just soooooo good. It kind of makes me want to cry that they aren't published anymore! But, we just have to enjoy the issues that were published and savor the art of masters such as Alex Toth, Win Mortimer, José Luis García-López, along with so many others.
2.) Their usefulness as historical documents I have learned so much about 1960s and '70s history that I would not have learned otherwise because of the stories, advice columns, and advertising of the romance comics. My view on everything from mid-century dating etiquette to social mores of the time has changed and increased tenfold from reading romance comics!
3.) Not your everyday superhero comics The romance comics stand out from the rest of comic books in that they were specifically designed to be consumed by a rather young female audience and that makes them pretty special. I love superhero comics -- there is no doubt about that, but there is something reassuring about sequential universes that revolve around everyday, ordinary people and situations.
4.) The stories Sometimes the repetition of themes can get a little old, but at the same time it is comforting in a way to know that the romance comics followed a number of patterns. Running the gamut from serious to kooky, the stories acted as both inspiration and cautionary tales for young daters. They are all the more peculiar and fascinating to me in that the majority were crafted by men for a female audience. The social issue plot lines of the early 1970s are my favorite.
5.) The characters The romance comics wouldn't have been what they were without an impressive set of stock characters and leading characters who just wouldn't give up on love. Many times insecure and flawed, these characters show us that relationships can be worth fighting for.


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November 8, 2012
Steamboat Pilot & Today's Magazines Editor Eugene Buchanan got to try out the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper Mountain along with Julia Ford and Steamboat's Anna Marno.
Stories this photo appears in:
Skiing with the US Ski Team at Copper Mountain's new Speed Center
Don't be surprised if you notice a little less skid in my turns this year. I had a little help on Halloween. While the rest of the country was carving pumpkins, I was carving turns with members of the U.S. Ski Team at the new U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper Mountain.
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