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A dreamlike late summer evening in the fields.The photo was taken by me, first digitally optimized, then layered with textures and intensively worked out, and I'm always led by my feelings. Each of my photographs is unique in itself, since it is always processed out from a very special mood.The photo is supplied without watermark and hand signed.A Certificate of Authenticity with hologram - verification is attached to the image.You can also get this work on Canvas 75 x 50 cmhttps://www.artfinder.com/product/as-far-as-the-eye-can-see-canvas-75-x-50-cm/IMPORTANT:Customers are solely responsible for all duties, import taxes and brokerage fees. These are not included in the cost of shipping or handling of your order. Customs, duties, and taxes vary widely from country to country. Please check with your local customs agency for details on estimated costs. Customs, duty, and taxes are non-refundable. So if you refuse a shipment because of unexpected import fees, the cost of the original shipping, any brokerage/customs/duty/taxes, and any return shipping charges will not be refunded.
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"The jerseys were awesome! They arrived 3 days before the estimated arrival date. The quality is wonderful with very vibrant colors." (E1627)
"Love these!!!!
Awesome quality and just what I needed for the team :-)" (E3312)
"nice fit, light weight, thin enough to not get to hot during summer months." (E64065)
Epic Sports
Holloway Ladies'/Girls' Curve College Miami Jersey [E35453]

subset: commoncrawl


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Marilyn from Pink Martinis and Pearls shares her whimsical cookie design inspired by our Stately Straws summer party invitation.
Summer has always been magic for me because the season began with my birthday in June. It's a season of happy celebrations – the last day of school, graduation, Father's Day, the 4th of July, swim parties, backyard movie nights under the stars, and family vacations.
For three glorious months I see every weekend as an opportunity to invite friends and family over for a party without any specific celebration needed. It's summer! That's cause to celebrate all on its own.
When thinking of a summer party, certain things pop into mind – fun, color, ice cream milkshakes and malts. And what makes those creamy treats so special? A tall glass, sprinkles, whipped cream with a cherry on top and fun, colorful retro paper straws that brings back memories of summers past. For me, ice cream and summer go together like paper straws and milkshakes. *happy, happy, happy*
When I saw the Stately Straws Invitation, I found my inspiration to design party favors that could also serve as place settings to complement the theme of the invitation. In my party planning world, the tone of the party is set with the invitation first. The Stately Straws Invitation design said to me "summer is here, come treat yourself".
Not only do I love retro paper straws for their nostalgic appeal, but also for their versatility in other creative uses.
For the party favors, I designed and decorated cookies that looked like milkshakes and baked the paper straws into the cookie to hold the flag name tags for the place settings.
The tags were easily made by printing on standard white copier paper, cut and taped onto a strip of colored paper a little larger in width to wrap around the straw. Double stick tape makes this very easy to put together.
To bring even more festive flair and color to the table, I cut over-sized confetti rounds from layers of tissue paper where I had traced 1.5 inch circles. If the party is held outside, you can tack them to the table surface with a small piece of double stick tape but I like how they catch on the breeze and float around the yard. I would recommend both, some stationary and some able to float freely. It's a delightful effect and could possibly create a pick-up game for the younger children at the end of your party. Hopefully.
At the party, I like to display the invitation as a decoration on either the beverage table or on the dessert table. It makes a nice little vignette by placing it on an easel giving it the attention it deserves.
For more ideas and information on entertaining, lots of decorated cookies and recipes, please visit my blog, Pink Martinis and Pearls where you might find some inspiration too!
Summer Entertaining Essentials:
The Best BBQ Burger Ever
Backyard Movie Night
Best Ever Chocolate Malts
Icy Italian Citrus Granita
Pineapple Sherbet


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In Memoriam
David C. Willey
November 18, 1930 - March 17, 2012
We are sorry to announce that Dave Willey passed away on Saturday, March 17th. He went peacefully in his 82nd year with his family by his side. For nearly 15 years, Dave supported VSI FinTrac customers. At one time or another he probably worked with most, either directly or indirectly, regarding one issue or another. He was a wealth of knowledge for our customers and our support staff. He always came to work with a smile on his face eager to pass along what he knew about the world of debits and credits. We will do our best to continue supporting our FinTrac customers, although we recognize that it will be difficult to match Dave's record
John P. Jennings
June 22, 1966 - February 12, 2005
John Jennings epitomized what being a VSI employee was all about. John did not understand the phrase "not my job." He was an integral part of the Vermont Systems family for over 10 years. The courage and determination John exhibited during his two year battle with cancer is a testament to his character, and continues to inspire us to do our very best every day. Through all of the suffering and treatments, John never accepted any pity and made us all stronger people with the strength and positive attitude that he approached each day. If one can have a legacy, the dignity and quiet bravery displayed daily will be what we most remember and cherish about John. His wife, Jessica, provided him with unwavering support throughout those tough times. While we miss John greatly, we retain lasting memories of his personal courage and his importance to all of us at Vermont Systems. Thanks to all of you who continue to remember John when we see you at user groups, conferences or in phone conversations. We appreciate your kindness and your support.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be sent to either
Dylan & Ian Jennings Educational Trust Fund
c/o Mark Jennings
58 Van Patten Parkway
Burlington, VT 05401
(checks made payable to Mark Jennings)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Development Office (please designate for Melanoma Research)
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756


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The Public Health Division's Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Program investigates foodborne gastroenteritis outbreaks and works with local health departments to notify people when outbreaks occur.
The Division's Foodborne Illness Prevention Program works in partnership with local health departments, the food service industry, and the public to reduce or eliminate the known causes of foodborne illness; this program also oversees the Food Handler Card program.
Learn about foodborne illness and four simple steps to keep you and your family healthy.
Visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture to see recent food safety recalls that impact Oregon.
Promoting health and preventing the leading causes of death, disease and injury in Oregon.


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New Supercomputer to Arrive in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska A new supercomputer with 16 times the processing speed, four times the disk space and four times the memory of its predecessor is scheduled to arrive at the University of Alaska Fairbanks this Thursday. The new machine will provide increased processing power to the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center's (ARSC) many academic and Department of Defense researchers.
ARSC has purchased a $3 million 32-processor Cray SV1 supercomputer with enhancements scheduled over the next two years. The agreement includes an option to acquire a next generation Cray SV2 system, due out during the second half of 2002. Installation of the new computer, to be named Chilkoot after the Cray J90 it is replacing, will be complete by the end of September.
"Our current Cray J90 is overwhelmed with our researchers' huge computational problems," said Barbara Horner-Miller, ARSC's associate director. "The Cray SV1 will provide additional computational cycles that are needed by both our academic and Department of Defense researchers."
The Cray SV1 system will support applications such as climate forecasting models which examine ice-ocean-atmosphere-land interactions, models of global surface air temperature trends, space physics, permafrost engineering and determination of soil moisture in remote locations using satellite data.
"The Cray SV1 is essential for our growing user base and accelerating progress on massive applications that absorb as much speed and memory as we can deliver," said Dr. Frank Williams, ARSC's director.
The new Cray SV1 supercomputer will be installed in three phases at the ARSC facility on the University of Alaska Fairbanks' main campus. Phase one includes the delivery of a new Cray SV1 computer chassis, Cray SV1 central processing units (CPUs) and memory, and networking and peripheral equipment. Phase two, in the first quarter of 2001, will upgrade the system to faster CPUs. In the second quarter 2001, phase three will upgrade the system to larger, faster memory.
"ARSC is excited to bring this new system on line," said Williams. "We look forward to continuing our system upgrades in an effort to keep state-of-the-art technology available to our users."
CONTACT: Jenn Wagaman, ARSC Publications Specialist, voice: (907)450-8662, email: email@example.com
Steve Conway, Cray Inc., voice: (651)683-7133, email: email@example.com
David Barnard, CFA, Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, voice: (415)433-3777, email: email@example.com.


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Team Bondi • Page 2
Report - Team Bondi goes into administration
Sydney-based L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi is said to be in dire financial straits.
Weekly Wrap – US sales hit 5-year low, CS:GO announced
QuakeCon's passed, and Gamescom lies ahead. You're in the eye of the news storm. Frightened? Don't be. The Weekly Wrap is here to tell you what it all means. And give you a hug. If you want one.
Report - Team Bondi assets and IP sold to KMM
Assets and IPs belonging to Team Bondi has been sold off, according to Develop.
Rumor - Team Bondi "bankrupt", staff being scooped up by KMM
According to a post over on NeoGAF, Team Bondi are bankrupt, and studio head Brendan McNamara along with current staff members will be folded into KMM. This new rumor comes on the heals of yesterday's report that Mcnamara was spotted walking about the KMM studios, and that a deal was in the works for it […]
Rumour - Team Bondi to join Dr D Studios
Kotaku is citing sources inside Sydney film studios suggesting a possible acquisition of LA Noire developer Team Bondi.
McNamara: Rockstar were "brave enough to take the risk" with L.A. Noire
Team Bondi head Brendan McNamara has said that when it came to publishing L.A. Noire, no other studio was willing to take a risk on the game other than Take Two's Rockstar.
Splash Damage: Crunch time "inevitable", but "respect for staff" is key
Paul Wedgwood, CEO of Brink developer Splash Damage, has told Edge that whilst the crunch period during development is all but inevitable, the key to a healthy studio is to do as much advanced planning as possible.
Team Bondi: Cut LA Noire content wouldn't fit one Blu-ray
Team Bondi boss Brendan McNamara has said that cut content from LA Noire wouldn't have been able to fit on a single Blu-ray.
Bondi's McNamara: Rockstar "looking at" MotionScan for upcoming games
Boom. Team Bondi boss Brendan McNamara has claimed that Rockstar is currently looking at LA Noire's famous facial technology MotionScan for its future batch of titles, including Grand Theft Auto V.
Heironymus: Some ex-staffers who left years ago "want to see Team Bondi destroyed"
Dave Heironymus, lead gameplay programmer at Team Bondi, has posted an open letter regarding the development of L.A. Noire over on Gamasutra where he states that some of the comments and stories regarding the slave-drive mentality at the firm which have come out lately, are from people who want "to see Team Bondi destroyed."
The Weekly Wrap – Rockstar boots Bondi, Burnout goes downloadable
BioWare's thinking about showing Tali's face in ME3. We hope she pulls off her mask, revealing a Master Chief helmet. " Let's finish the fight," she'll say. Just like you've finished another week. And you didn't think we could tie all of this together.
Final LA Noire DLC gets trailered
Despite all the Team Bondi drama from earlier this week, Rockstar's released the first trailer for Reefer Madness, the final DLC for LA Noire. The content, a Vice mission, sees Phelps and Earle in "one of the city's biggest narcotics rings." You can get the video below. It'll cost you 320 MS points/£3.19 on PSN […]
Where There's Smoke: Team Bondi's Sydney "sweat shop"
Everyone's talking about Team Bondi, but is the Sydney studio just one of a growing number of developers bedevilled by harsh working conditions?
Report - Rockstar "will not publish" next Bondi project
"Disdain" for LA Noire developer Team Bondi on the game's development from publisher Rockstar means it won't publish the Sydney studio's next game, a wide-ranging expose on GI.biz is reporting.
IGDA to investigate Team Bondi crunch policy
The International Game Developers Association has said it'll investigate claims over LA Noire developer Team Bondi's crunch work policy.
Team Bondi feature describes reported working conditions during L.A. Noire development
IGN has an excellent feature posted on the trials and tribulations Team Bondi went through to get L.A Noire out the door, and it also brings more to light regarding the reported issues surrounding the departure of frustrated staff.
LA Noire to launch on PC this fall with bumped visuals
Rockstar's announced a PC version of LA Noire, confirming it'll release this fall after the console versions shipped 4 million units to date.
"PS3 wasn't really something that existed," when Team Bondi started work on L.A. Noire
Team Bondi's technical director, Franta Fulin, has said development on L.A. Noire took quite a while because when the team first started on it, PS3 "wan't really something that existed," yet.
PSA: L.A. Noire DLC Nicholson Electroplating now available
Rockstar has released the L.A. Noire DLC case Nicholson Electroplating for PSN and XBL.
Uncredited L.A. Noire staff describe Team Bondi crunch conditions
Further to claims of over 100 missing staff credits for L.A. Noire, an alleged inside source has described crunched conditions at Team Bondi which led to the departure of frustrated staff.
Team Bondi latest
The Weekly Wrap – Rockstar boots Bondi, Burnout goes downloadable
Team Bondi feature describes reported working conditions during L.A. Noire development
"PS3 wasn't really something that existed," when Team Bondi started work on L.A. Noire
Uncredited L.A. Noire staff describe Team Bondi crunch conditions
Trailer for L.A. Noire DLC Nicholson Electroplating released
Report – UK games retail sees YoY decrease in May despite LA Noire launch
McNamara: Future Team Bondi projects won't take five years to make
Quick Quotes: L.A. Noire "appeals to a really broad church," says Team Bondi
Sony and Rockstar issue statement on L.A. Noire and PS3 overheating issues
LA Noire: Nichlson Electroplating arson case set for June 21 release
New LA Noire short story out now ahead of tomorrow's full release
Report: Older PlayStation 3 consoles struggling with L.A. Noire
LA Noire's version of Los Angeles is thanks to 1920s daredevil


text:
"On this one occasion we can give [NBC News] kudos for telling the
truth," NewsBusters publisher Brent Bozell observed on last night's Hannity program,
reacting to video clips of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and
Morning Joe contributor Mark Halperin admitting that the media are
completely one-sided on the issue of same-sex marriage, while the
American public are about evenly divided in national polling.
"It really does show you, Sean, the complete disconnect between the
national news media and America, because in America it's a hugely
controversial issue," the Media Research Center founder noted. Indeed,
in 31 states, the people have expressed disapproval of same-sex marriage
at the ballot box, even liberal California, Hannity noted.
Read more at NewsBusters here.


text:
Natural Gas Prices: Well Above Recent Average
Source: Gas Daily & Reuters
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The recent surge in spot prices at the Henry Hub are well above a typical range for 1998-1999 (in this context, defined as the average, +/- 2 standard deviations). Past price surges have been of short duration. The possibility of a downward price adjustment before the end of next winter is a source of considerable risk for storage operators who acquire gas at recent elevated prices.
Several factors have come together recently that have pushed spot gas prices up sharply and which are expected to reverse the downward trend in in real gas prices for the next year or so:
U.S. gas production has been relatively flat.
Expected demand is high under normal weather assumptions.
Gas storage levels are below normal.
Alternative fuel (oil) markets are tight.
Natural gas prices in New York, and especially California, have been much higher than the Henry Hub spot price. The reasons for this range from constraints on effective pipeline capacity to increased demand as a result of cold weather.


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Minimalist ceiling fan
July 8, 2016 | Ceiling Fans | No Comments|
On the page, there has been added a new beautiful photography minimalist ceiling fan, which you can place in your hotel bedroom or nursery. On the website WarisanLighting.com, there are provided various options for lighting your commercial premises or residential building.
All photos entries: minimalist ceiling fan - taken from open sources, if You want to buy one of these lamps, click on the banner to buy.


text: Sally: Sticky boards are good and they dont kill bees. You will, however, get a more accurate count (assuming your sampling is consistent) with an alcohol shake or ether roll because you physically dislodge the mites and you are working with a finite number of bees plus you get an immediate on the spot assessment without having to return another day. Sticky board counts will vary with cluster size and how active the bees are.


text:
we should go into politics cause that is where the money is at!
Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington?s ?Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians? for 2012 | Judicial Watch
look who is on the most corrupt politician list for 2012!
only thing wrong is eric holder should have been #1, the big "O" #2 and hillary clinton #3
or hell they should have all tied for #1 maybe--???
and congress can't figure out why the country is broke?--LOL! but they did vote THEMSELVES a pay raise!
Last edited by j427x; 01-07-2013 at 05:00 PM.
we should go into politics cause that is where the money is at!
Notice a couple were on an 'ethics committee'?
I don't think you can do a Top 10. It's more like Top 600.
"What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?" -Thomas Jefferson-
"Our rights come from our humanity and may not be legislated away -- not by a vote of Congress, not by the consensus of our neighbors, not even by agreement of all Americans but one." Judge Andrew P. Napolitano
well if we had some of those good pills the politicians are poping thanks to their own free health plan paid for with our money--btw--
we could probably make logic of it --- after a few weeks floating on the clouds-- and dining with the celebrities ---dancing with the stars and so on.
where is AL-GORE?--he got to be on that list somewhere!!!!
We need a reset and flush all of them down the crapper IMHO


text:
Capella University's online Reading Doctor of Education (EdD) program positions you to help students succeed in reading and literacy. Designed around national education standards in the field, this program is one of few available online.
The curriculum covers such topics as program development and management, assessment and evaluation, data-driven decision making, and district, state, and national policies that can affect how reading is taught. In addition to online coursework, field experiences provide opportunities to apply your newly gained knowledge in diverse educational settings and identify a reading and literacy challenge to address in an action dissertation project.
This program is part of Capella University's Professional Education Unit, which is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
To learn more about this program, request more information and we will match you with an enrollment counselor who specializes in your area of study.
Degree Outcomes
With your EdD in Reading and Literacy from Capella, you'll possess knowledge of the foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction and be able to work successfully with diverse learners, their families, and other professionals. Additionally, you will use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support, plan, and evaluate reading and writing instruction. Discover specifically what you'll learn — and how you can apply it.
View full learning and career outcomes report for this program at CapellaResults.com.
People with Doctoral degrees in Education from Capella earn an average of $21,000 more per year than people who only hold a Master's degree.
GE Salary Project Update
Career Outcomes
Common jobs with an online EdD in Reading and Literacy include learning center director, faculty member, reading or literacy coach, adult basic education director, curriculum specialist or program coordinator. Potential workplaces include: P–12 public or private school, community or technical college, land-based or online university, state education department, nonprofit organization, government agency or research and policy organization.


text: I had forgotten about that stupid decision by Russell - that season was so dominated by the other Russell that I barely remembered him, until watching the ep and remembering that he was annoying in a means well but is messing it up way. Now I remember that's he's also stupid! And thanks also for the reminder about Holly and Dawn. Survivor loves a personal growth story, so hopefully the edit means that Lisa will stick around awhile.


text:
Guernsey Backpack Storage Lockers
Information about secure backpack storage lockers and left luggage storage in Guernsey.
Please submit a location where travelers can temporarily store their backpacks or leave their luggage while they travel in Guernsey, or explore a city for the day.
What is the street address? How much does it cost to store an item? How long can the bag be stored there? How accessible is the storage location (closed at night or far away)?
Airport storage lockers, train station storage lockers, bus station storage lockers, and backpacker hotels and hostels are all excellent places to suggest if you feel the price and bag security is acceptable.
Guernsey Backpack Storage Lockers Photos:
Guernsey Backpack Storage Lockers Videos:
Submitted Links and Comments about Guernsey Backpack Storage Lockers:
No additional links or comments have been posted so far; be the first to do so!


text:
The MIAA champion Flying Dutchmen have placed eight players on the all-conference teams selected by the league's coaches.
Seven players achieved first team distinction. Junior pitcher Mark Simonson of Holland, Mich. is being honored for the second consecutive year.
Named for the first time are sophomore outfielder Kyle Blackport of Grand Rapids, Mich., senior pitcher Nate DeVisser of Mattawan, Mich., sophomore third baseman Casey Glass of Hudsonville, Mich., junior second baseman Nick Grinzinger of Mount Pleasant, Mich., sophomore designated hitter B.J. Maas of Jenison, Mich., and sophomore outfielder Mike VanBeek of Hudsonville, Mich.
Voted to the second All-MIAA team was junior shortstop Sean Bateman of Saline, Mich.
Receiving coaches' honorable mention were senior first baseman Ed Gall of Saline, Mich., senior outfielder Scott Houser of Portage, Mich. and junior pitcher Kevin Kittle of North Adams, Mich.


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Binghamton University to host exporting seminar
Binghamton University will host the "Strategic Exporting Seminar; A beginners guide or a refresher course" from 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, October 25, in room 324 of the University Union West.
This workshop is designed to assist small and medium sized firms in learning how to prepare and process export documentation, and how some of the more common trade transactions are financed. This program is tailored to those who are new to the exporting community and also for experienced international traders looking to refresh their skills. Featured speakers will include Rosanna Masucci, of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Daniel Duffy, of JPMorgan Chase Bank in Rochester; Scott Perkins, of Mohawk Global in Syracuse; Jon Yormick, of Yormick and Associates L.P.A.; and Louis Ho, of Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The seminar is sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Binghamton University, Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology, the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Commerce-Buffalo Export Assistance Center, and Upstate New York District Export Council.
The program costs $25 a person, payable at the door, and includes a continental breakfast.
Advance registration is required. Call the Binghamton University's Small Business Development Center at 607-777-4024 or log onto www.buyusa.gov/buffalo/strategicexporting.html to register.


text:
MONROE COUNTY -- County officials are asking Florida Keys municipalities and special districts to help foot the bill for a target lobbyist whose focus will be to secure a $50 million sewer grant.
In an interlocal agreement drafted by the county attorney's office, the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District is asked to pay $26,400 annually for the county's chosen lobbyist.
"They're getting twice as much, so they should pay more," County Administrator Roman Gastesi said, referring to original distribution formula.
In the agreement, the county and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority would both pay $24,000. Islamorada would pay $21,600, Marathon $14,400, Key West $8,400 and Key Colony Beach $1,200.
"A party's failure to comply with this requirement shall preclude the distribution of funds to said party in this and in future fiscal years," the agreement says.
Officials at the Key Largo wastewater district are cautious to say they would reap any benefits.
"I have a lot of problems with the 'super-lobbyist' provision as written," District Manager Margaret Blank said. "I think the idea could work in concept, but it needs to be executed properly."
Since the district already has a lobbyist working in Tallahassee to secure a cut of the same grant, Blank isn't sure the district needs to pay for another.
"At this point, I don't know if this lobbyist is necessary or not," she said. "It's all stick, no carrot. This has to work for all the parties involved or it just won't fly."
In Marathon, City Manager Roger Hernstadt said he has little problem with the agreement.
Hernstadt said the benefits from the grant money far outweigh the investment risk with the county's lobbyist.
"While it may be partially redundant, it may still be worth it," he said.
Hernstadt said he needs time to meet with Gastesi before offering the agreement to his city council.
Officials from the wastewater district, Gastesi and state Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, are expected to have a conference call later this week to work out more details.
The money the parties are trying to secure is part of a $200 million state grant approved by the Florida Legislature to help pay for wastewater systems. Though the grant was approved, each Legislature has to include the money in its annual budget for it to be disbursed.
So far, the state has only handed out $50 million of the grant money.
The Florida Keys are under a mandate to connect to advanced sewer treatment systems by December 2015. Failure to meet the deadline could result in the forfeiture of some of the funds.


text:
Brown Act shadows Faulconer's plan for November election and run for governor
The mayor's inner Soccer City sanctum and Summer Stephan's courtship of county supes
Matt Potter 2:35 p.m., May 22
Sunset Cliffs Surfers, Oct. 1989.
Image posted by b4uqzme
August 23, 2011
Matt Potter 2:35 p.m., May 22
Mike Madriaga 1:45 p.m., May 22
Ian Anderson 11 a.m., May 22
Julie Stalmer 9:30 a.m., May 22
Sheila Pell 8:30 a.m., May 22
Jessica Devnani 8:08 p.m., May 21
Various Authors 6:12 p.m., May 21
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text: I have a hive that had laying workers and with the advice from beekeeps on this site was told to add frames of eggs and larvae. Well after 2 weeks and 3 frames of eggs brood and larvae, I now have a capped queen cell and did not see any fresh eggs in the hive. I also noticed the hive was much more active than usual. Is there any thing else I need to do? This was a new hive I started in May so I am still feeding them with a hive top feeder. If the queen cell is already capped I figure it must be at least 8 days old so should I recheck in 2 weeks to see if there is a queen?


text:
Joshua Prince-Ramus:
Behind the design of Seattle's library
Architect Joshua Prince-Ramus takes the audience on dazzling, dizzying virtual tours of three recent projects: the Central Library in Seattle, the Museum Plaza in Louisville and the Charles Wyly Theater in Dallas.
Similar topics
- Architecture
- Collaboration
- Culture
- Design
- Library
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
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1.800.555.8260 We're here to help
As a registered member, you'll be able to:
I am puzzled.
It's easy to spend $300 or more for devices like the Bose SoundDock (which I have). These devices contain separate amplifiers and speakers for each channel. Since the separation between the speakers is often very small (maybe 6-10"), there's no stereo sound stage unless you sit just a few feet away. I doubt many users do that.
Wouldn't most users get more "bang for the buck" with a mono device requiring just one amp/speakers, presumably of higher quality for the price?
For example, I also play the Ipod through the "aux" input on an ancient, mono, Proton 300 Radio (~$100 on eBay). I like the concept and I like the sound.
Am I missing something?
dizmayedAm I missing something?
I think so ...
If you have a decent stereo system and want really good sound from an iPod, there are pre-amps and or you can just run the headphone jack to RCA's into your home system.
The Bose SoundDock is great for people with an apartment or people who want better quality for their iPod in a hotel or at the beach, or ...
I don't see a massive mono speaker/amp system working well for the portable or home market.
But you might be right and I might be wrong.
2002 Ford Focus JVC KD-A815 Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs
Perhaps I was unclear. I was suggesting that:
1) SoundDock-type devices produce stereo sound, but few sit close enough to appreciate the stereo sound stage. The stereo feature is therefore generally "wasted."
2) SoundDock-type engineers must spec two amplifiers and two speaker sets for each channel.
3) A monaural SoundDock-type device requires but one amp and one speaker set.
4) Assuming the same price point, the engineers have the opportunity to spec the single amp and the single set of speakers with higher quality parts, therefore better sound.
No need to invoke anything "massive." That's why I mentioned the 25 year-old Proton 300 Table radio (orig. ~$275 and the size of a shoe-box) as an example of a solution. Not only that, it was displayed at NYC Museum of Modern Art!
My old Elvis 45s would sound great thru that amp, I'm sure.
Most modern music is mastered using at least a right and a left channel and sometimes 5 or more. It is meant to be replicated using at least a 2 channel stereo amp. Since this is how it was mastered to be played back, this is how it sounds best.
I think it is more of a marketing thing than anything else - remember when they used to sell 13-inch "Stereo" tv's with one speaker on either side and no external output jacks?
Same thing - no way that was better than having one larger speaker in the middle of the TV - but it "read" better to people who didn't take the time to think about it.
Hope This Helps!!!
Interesting responses. Thank you.
Here's a link to a discussion re using iPod in mono for various purposes. Some claim it sounds fine, some say it inherently degrades/distorts the sound, some say it poses a risk to the iPod electronics unless precautions are taken.
But here's what I'm looking for, suggesting, and talking about. This site describes a <mono> "SoundDock" gizmo. It is a kit, it did cost ~$300, but could be built for less with a less costly cabinet. Features two 6" woofers and silk dome tweeter and an 8 watt amp.
Pretty to look at but how does it sound?
Why aren't we hearing from Crutchfield (or are we?)
dizmayedSome claim it sounds fine, some say it inherently degrades/distorts the sound, some say it poses a risk to the iPod electronics unless precautions are taken.
I am of the opinion it would work fine - but of course listening to stereo output in mono will degrade the experience somewhat. I am not POSITIVE it is safe for the equipment, though.
dizmayedPretty to look at but how does it sound?
Cool project!!!
dizmayedWhy aren't we hearing from Crutchfield (or are we?)
Not sure what you mean. The forum is maintained by CF, but the actual CF employees only monitor it occasionally and will comment on threads they find interesting. If you would like to contact CF directly with your idea, you should probably send a notice to "Bill Listens".
Again, I can't see why you would want to listen to stereo recordings in lesser quality sound. To each his own tho.
Although I doubt the lesser quality would be even audible by most. I really don't know why someone would spend $300 on a unit mainly only meant for your iPod. If you want quality audio for your iPod hook it up to your home stereo or car stereo. If you want something small and portable just go buy a cheap $20 dollar unit. I don't see why one would want stellar sound in a portable unit anyways. Heck headphones have always worked for me. Thats just my opinion and I don't look to start an argument so please don't take offense.
GMC Sonoma, JVC KD-A95BT, 2 Pioneer TS-D601P in doors, 2 Pioneer TS-G4644R in dash, 2 JL W3v2-D2 10 inch subs, Lightning Audio B4.250.2, Soundstream TX1.1300D
Yes, you are missing something. It may not seem intuitive, but doing it different costs more. The cost of two channel reproduction on these little devices is trivial. Stereo is ubiquitous, mass produced and cheap. It would cost more to produce a specialized mono component than to stick with stereo, and there would be no significant market a component that delivers "less for more".
Simply put, hardware cost on these devices is insignificant. The guts cost pennies to produce. You pay for shiny plastic and marketing.
As TigerHeli alluded to, the D/A conversion in iPod's and like devices (and in PC sound cards, for that matter) is so poor that they don't do a very good job of imaging even when connected to "conventional" amplifier/speaker systems. Your Proton sounds good with these sources because it, and others like it (Tivoli, Bose and so on) aren't very revealing and therefore hide a multitude of sonic sins.
If you want improved sound in a small package, rip to flac, get a good D/A converter, maybe a small tube/hybrid preamp (stereo or mono). Connect to a nice amp and a near field monitor (or two), sit back and enjoy.
Another great option is headphones. As I am typing this I am listening to a flac rip of Telarc's 'Blues for a Rotten Afternoon' ..."somebody's got to do it, that somebody's me"...through a Maverick Tube Magic DAC fed via SPDIF pass-through from my motherboard to a pair of Sennheiser cans. Sweeeet!
If you want to experiment, I recommend fining a copy of Telarc's CD (Telarc does digital really well) of Dave Brubeck's 'Indian Summer'. Solo piano - nowhere to hide.
Big Teddy:
Thanks for your comments.
If you followed my post, I referred to the Bose SoundDock ($300) , like it or hate it, it as an example of a device built to amplify the iPod sound. One can spend thousands of $$ on iPod amplifiers. The market exists.
I agree with you that an iPod can be connected to a sophisticated home hi-fi (like I do) or to headphones. Both offer decent hi-fi options.
My focus here is on let's say "desk-top" iPod amps.
Thanks Alex for your reply.
You wrote:
"The cost of two channel reproduction on these little devices is trivial.
Stereo is ubiquitous, mass produced and cheap. It would cost more to
produce a specialized mono component than to stick with stereo, and
there would be no significant market a component that delivers "less for
I question your first assumption, but not the second,and that's why I cited this mono amp, which may be able compete with the "shiny plastic":
As for your recommendations re D/A converters, FLAC or headphones,
of course input quality, output, etc. is paramount, but that's not the discussion here.
Well, as for Dave Brubeck, see my pal here: http://www.amazon.com/QSF-Plays-Brubeck-Quartet-Francisco/dp/B002N4JZXE
bright moments,
Yes I do realize that you were focusing mainly on desk-top iPod amps and like I said I do not see a purpose realistically spend much money on one at all good sound quality or not. Most are used for small areas or as an alarm clock. So I do not know why one would want or expect something of stellar sound from it. I do like your idea for a mono setup but I must agree with Alex W. With your suggestion of two subs and one tweeter, well, it does not add that much more to the overall cost to add an additional tweeter and run it as a stereo component. Also as already stated a mono device receiving a stereo signal would not be safe for your equipment. I do not hate the Bose SoundDock, I just can not justify spending that kind of money on something like that. But, for me I would like to see a portable dock (stereo sound) that could house your iPod (or some other mp3 player for that matter) and the speakers could be folded around the iPod itself. Protecting both the speakers and iPod. It would have to be small enough so it could easy be packed up for trips. This way any one who traveled could take a small iPod dock with them that would be portable and easy to maintain (I swear if I see something like this in the near future I will be pi**ed). Just an idea but, IMO a good one LOL.
BIG teddyIt would have to be small enough so it could easy be packed up for trips.
Something like these, maybe ...
Agreed on the headphones, but I have three gripes with them:
I've used Sennheiser Open Air headphones for many years. First 424's, and when they finally died (after decades of use) 590's. I love'em but the problem for me is that the don't contain sound as well as traditional closed cans and my wife complains when I listen in the office late at night.
I have never heard any wireless phones that I liked at all. I tried Sennheiser wireless a few years back, but returned them because they were noisy, the range wasn't very good and the overall sound didn't impress me. They may have gotten better, but my listening habits are well suited to wires.
Because my name is on the business, I work hard to make sure you get the best possible shopping experience. I look forward to hearing your comments .
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one big pretty queen cell mid way up the face of a frame. It is hanging straight down and as about as "peanuty" as it can be. There is little brood in this TBH and very little stores as well. Take out the cell or no?
Also... do I need to feed this hive right now or let it alone and wait for the goldenrod to start?
I'm also thinking about putting a swarm trap a few feet away just in case it is a swarm cell..... ya'lls thoughts would be appreciated.


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Web Applications PenTesting Methodology
I currently have to perform a security evaluation of a web site. The server itself (OS) and the network are not in the scope because my client has no power over them. However, they can change the web server configuration and since they're the ones developing the web application, they can modify it.
So, my task is to do a security evaluation of the web application and the web server. Where do I start?
I have completed the reconnaissance phase. I suspect some XSS and SQL Injection vulnerabilities. But if I really want to do a good job and produce a very complete report, with the ad-hoc way I am doing this, I am afraid of missing some stuff...
I have looked a 3 books on the subject and browsed the OWASP web site, but I just can't seem to find a good methodology for pentesting web apps.
Any suggestions?
(aka H1t.M0nk3y)


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Notice: On March 31, it was announced that Statalist is moving from an email list to a forum. The old list will shut down on April 23, and its replacement, statalist.org is already up and running.
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: st: RE: truncate variable names
SCHOUMAKER Bruno <email@example.com>
Re: st: RE: truncate variable names
Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:54:32 +0200
Thanks a lot !
I agree it may seem a bad idea; Actually, I had a program running with
variables names truncated to 8 characters (exported from SPSS using an
old stat/transfer version) - I received a new data set (same data, but
with additional observations), exported from SPSS with a new version of
stat/transfer, but with variables names longer than 8. And it would save
me a lot of time if I could just re run the syntax with exactly the same
variable names...
Le 26/07/2010 16:43, Nick Cox a écrit :
renvars, trim(8)
where -renvars- is downloadable from the SJ files. -search renvars- for
precise location.
Note that the first principles solution
foreach v of var * {
local new = substr("`v'", 1, 8)
rename `v' `new'
is more instructive about principles but will fail part-way through if
two or more variable names have the same first 8 characters. -renvars-
warns you of that problem in advance, so that you can rethink strategy.
By the way, this strikes me as mostly a bad idea unless you are
exporting to some other software that requires it.
SCHOUMAKER Bruno
I would like to truncate the variable names of my dataset to 8
Does anybody know how I can do that in Stata ?
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
Bruno SCHOUMAKER
Centre de recherche en démographie et sociétés
Université catholique de Louvain
1-17 PLace Montesquieu
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tel. +32 10 474136
Fax. +32 10 472952
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/


text:
I am a complete beginner. I have been reading everything and really like the treatment free philosophy. I would like to set up two hives this spring. I have a choice between local nucs from a commercial beekeeper, or I could order SC nucs from Wolf Creek or Dixie Supply. Everything I hear is that SC AND local bees are important, but I can't get SC bees locally.
If I have to choose between the two, which would you recommend?


text:
AOL's Commitment to User Privacy
Jun 18, 2013
At AOL, we are vigilant about protecting our users' privacy. In the interests of providing a greater level of transparency regarding US Government demands for data, we sought and have obtained approval from the US Government to release the following data.
Over the six-month period from December 1, 2012, through May 31, 2013, AOL fielded in the range of 2000 to 3000 demands for user information from U.S. law enforcement at all levels, affecting in the range of 5000 to 6000 accounts. These demands for user information related to both criminal and national security matters and only impacted a tiny fraction of our users.
As we have previously stated, AOL does not provide any government agency with access to our servers. Also, AOL has not received the types of untargeted requests for business records that others reportedly have received.
AOL has only responded to lawful process relating to specific accounts. AOL scrutinizes each government inquiry to ensure strict compliance with legal obligations and rigorous protection of our users' privacy. We guard against overreaching by law enforcement and against overproduction of information. We produce the narrowest amount of data that allows us to comply with our legal obligations.
We will continue to operate with the utmost integrity to preserve the privacy of our customers' information and respect our legal obligations. We also believe that transparency on these issues is important, and we support the calls on many fronts for the government to allow providers to disclose more information about the types of lawful process requests we receive.


text:
With our extensive selection, we know you'll find something here for your needs. As a major retailer of the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series and 7-Series in Decatur, we are prepared to answer any of your questions and help you through the process of purchasing a new car. If you have any trouble finding the BMW model you are looking for, please try our CarFinder service and we'll find it for you!Our sales staff is eager to help and with a wealth of experience and up-to-date BMW knowledge, we are here to help you find the new BMW that fits your budget and your lifestyle. Whether you are looking for a fuel-efficient BMW hybrid, or a BMW that will comfortably transport you and your family, Nalley BMW of Decatur is sure we can find the perfect BMW for you.
So now that you have seen Nalley BMW of Decatur's inventory of BMW models in Decatur, why not take a minute to browse our selection of used cars in Decatur? We inspect all pre-owned vehicles that come into our Decatur BMW dealership to ensure we are providing genuine quality for our customers. Come visit us at 1606 Church Street and see for yourself!Nalley BMW of Decatur also offers a variety of finance options for new BMW and used cars, as well as BMW leasing options. Our team of trained and knowledgeable finance staff will assist you in finding the best BMW financing or BMW leasing options at a price you can afford.
*Dealer price excludes tax, tag, title, registration, and includes dealer and electronic filing fees. In order to receive the internet price you must either bring in and present the printed page with the special internet price or you must specifically mention the special internet price to the dealership and have the same referenced in your contract at the time of purchase. Colors, options, and trim levels may vary. All Inventory listed is subject to prior sale. Please consult dealership personnel for details.


text:
WINCHESTER AMMUNITION Waterfowl
Win SBS12L1 Supreme Elite Blindside 12 ga 3.5" 1-5/8 oz 1 Shot 25Box/10Case
Blind Side, by Winchester Ammunition, features Hex steel shot, high packing
density, a diamond-cut wad, and the Drylok super steel system. This is the
most innovative waterfowl load in history, and each box contains 25 rounds.
Mfg Item Number: SBS12L1
Category: SHOTSHELL STEEL LOADS
Gauge :12 Gauge
Type :Blind Side
Length :3.5"
Ounces :1-5/8 oz
Shot Size :1
Muzzle Velocity :1400 fps
Rounds Per Box :25
Boxes Per Case :10
Shot Type :Hex
Application :Hunting
Mack's Prairie Wings is not responsible for typographical errors in pricing or product specification inaccuracies in our web site. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2017 - Mack's Sport Shop LLLP - All rights reserved. Site Developed and Maintained by Ability Commerce
Copyright © 2004-2017 - Mack's Prairie Wings, Inc. - All rights reserved. Site Developed and Maintained by Ability Commerce


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Going Solar Now Earns YOU $1,000!
Posted by Tex Dworkin in End Dirty Energy, Global Exchange News & Events on 14th July, 2011 | 1 Comment
A while back we announced that Global Exchange had teamed up with Sungevity, an innovative solar company, to encourage you to Go Solar, reduce impacts on the climate and support Global Exchange. All with no money down and no installation costs. Well, this just in…Sungevity has just sweetened the pot! Now when you go solar with Sungevity before August 31st, Sungevity will give you a $1,000 cash gift card while donating another $1,000 to Global Exchange.
Read More...


text:
Last week, I was the clown who kept the plane waiting.
I've muttered darkly about such people before - how could you be late for the plane when your luggage is in the hold? Especially at Auckland Airport, where no boarding gate is more than a five-minute wander from the security check.
But while waiting for an early morning flight, I dozed off and dozed deeply (I blame the bloke playing beautiful, soothing Hawaiian-style ukulele a few seats behind me). As anyone who's wandered through the zombie-like twilight zone of a four-hour stopover en route to Europe will tell you, it's actually quite an achievement to get decent shut-eye in an airport terminal. I should be proud.
But snooze too long and your baggage gets unloaded from the hold. Fortunately, a Qantas staff member did a hurried dash through the terminal, found me snoring, dragged me from my slumber and packed me aboard. She and her colleagues were good-humoured and gracious about it. One later assured me I had actually caused no delay. Just.
I'm sure plenty of other airlines would still do the same, but with the rise of the get-what-you-pay-for ethos of budget carriers, the pre-flight wake-up call might become a thing of the past.


text:
When it comes down to it, Fantastic Journey is the better of the two,
though I was a better player on the Big Race table.
The same game engine lies behind all the Pro Pinball games, and the crux of
the matter is found in the physics. Just watching that metal ball glide around
as you play will remind you of all those mathematical functions and figures
that you slept through in high school. From the gravity that pulls down on the
ball to the applied force of a powered flipper, the physics are very good.
The same holds true in the world of pinball games. You can recreate every
feature and make it feel as close to playing on a real table as possible, but
it simply isn't the same as pulling back and letting that ball fly. Pinball
is a very tactile, involved game. It's nigh impossible to recreate looking up
for quick glances at the scoreboard while keeping tabs on the table - and your
beer perched on top of the glass.
But for those who have pinball in their blood, that dying breed unable to afford the full table, both of these games will satisfy your itchy trigger fingers. From Soho down to Brighton, you'll certainly find some throwback love here.


text:
Advantages of a B-Axis Swiss-Type
Learn how a Northeastern shop leverages a Swiss-type lathe with a B-axis milling spindle to produce small batches of complex parts.
The signature element of this Swiss-type machine is its B-axis milling spindle. This differs from conventional Swiss-type designs that use gang-style tools that are fixed in their orientation with the part, either perpendicular to the face or diameter of the barstock.
When equipped with a B-axis milling spindle, a Swiss-type lathe essentially becomes a five-axis turn-mill with the bonus of a sliding headstock. The sliding-headstock is what enables the machine to effectively turn long parts with small-diameters, while the B-axis milling spindle can approach workpieces in the machine's main or subspindle at a variety of angles.
Magnus Precision Manufacturing leverages this technology to produce small batches of long, complex parts. Learn more in this story.


text:
Scandal! The Biggest Scandals in Politics

Who's the most scandalous, crack-smoking mayor? Rob Ford? Or Marion Barry? You pick.

Two mayors, two crack scandals. One mayor was a civil rights activist and liberal champion who rose up from a humble background. The other? A rich, bloviating hero to conservatives. The two men have little in common apart from being mayors of major North American cities and being caught on video smoking crack cocaine. (That might be a lot in common.)
Today in Scandal! The Biggest Scandals in Politics, we examine the crack cases of Marion Barry and Rob Ford, and you get to vote on which is the more disgraceful affair. As this series goes on and "winners" are chosen by you, we'll post a voting bracket to discover the greatest political scandal of all time.
"Marion Barry," © 2013 Cliff1066, used under a CC Attribution license
Born in Mississippi in 1936, Marion Barry, the third of 10 children, grows up enduring hardship after hardship. Barry is four years old when his father dies and his mother moves the family to Memphis, Tennessee. His civil rights activism starts young: as a teenaged paperboy, he and some of his fellow African American paperboys win a contest for signing up new subscribers. The prize is a trip to New Orleans, but the paper won't pay for a separate bus to take the black paperboys to segregated New Orleans. Barry boycotts his paper route until the paper relents.
Barry's involvement with the civil rights movement of the '50s and '60s deepens while he's in college. He's arrested multiple times at sit-ins and demonstrations and becomes chairman of the activist group Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He receives his M.S. in organic chemistry and does a year of doctoral studies in chemistry before switching over to law and then finally leaving school to work full time for the SNCC.
Barry moves to Washington D.C. in 1965 to head up the SNCC chapter there. He agitates for equal rights for the city's large African American population. It's not until 1971 that he first runs for office, winning a spot on the school board. In 1974 he is elected to city council. And, oh, in 1977 he's shot in the heart by terrorists.
In March '77, three buildings in D.C. and 149 hostages are seized by 12 gunmen from the radical Hanafi sect, a violent splinter group of the Nation of Islam. The Washington equivalent to city hall, the District Building, is one of the buildings taken over and Marion Barry is hit in the chest by a ricocheting shotgun pellet. The authorities are able to remove him through a window and rush him to the hospital. The Hanafi Siege ends in a negotiated surrender, and though a reporter and security guard are killed, Barry makes a full recovery. In 1978 Marion Barry is elected mayor of Washington D.C.
A lauded first term gives way to mini-scandals involving alleged misappropriation of funds and the supposed sexual peccadilloes of the married mayor. None of these issues really disturb his time in office, but by his third term in 1986, Barry has a dark secret which will be his downfall: a burgeoning addiction to drugs and alcohol. Enough rumors are swirling around his cocaine use to draw the attention of law enforcement. When his friend and former lover, Karen K. Johnson, is arrested on drug charges, she's also cited for contempt of court for refusing to testify whether she sold drugs to Barry.
It's the arrest of Barry's friend—and the occasional source of his Colombian marching powder—Charles Lewis that gives the feds what they need. Lewis strikes a plea bargain by confessing he bought crack cocaine for Marion Barry. This gives enough probable cause for the FBI to set up a sting operation. Former girlfriend Hazel Moore is recruited by the Feds, and in January 1990 she invites Barry to a hotel for sex and some smoking of freebase cocaine. The hotel room is rigged with hidden cameras and they capture footage of the mayor hitting the crack pipe.
Stills from the video are published as frontline news around the world, and Barry is charged with three felony counts of perjury, 10 counts of drug possession and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to possess cocaine. With the evidence plain to see, there's no lie that can save him.
In his defense, Marion Barry argues he was entrapped in a racist conspiracy by the FBI. His argument is mostly successful with the jury; he's convicted of only one count of possession and serves a six-month term in a federal penitentiary.
In 1994 he's reelected as mayor of Washington D.C.
No, seriously.
Running under the slogan "He May Not Be Perfect, But He's Perfect for D.C.," Barry destroys every political narrative ever constructed and is elected as a councilman in 1992. In 1994 he runs for mayor, winning with 56 percent of the vote. He serves his fourth term as mayor, then leaves politics for a few years to work as a consultant, returning to the D.C. council in 2002—where he still sits to this day.
"Rob Ford With Puppet," © 2013 Shaun Merritt, used under a CC Attribution license
Rob Ford is born in the Toronto suburban community of Etobicoke in 1969. His father, Doug Ford Sr., is the wealthy owner of a company that produces boxes and labels. Ford has early dreams of playing football professionally and attends special training camps run by the Washington Redskins and the University of Notre Dame. He never plays pro football but stays involved with the game as a coach. Ford attends college for a year studying political science but leaves before getting a degree to work for the family business.
In the '90s his father is elected to the Ontario legislature on the Conservative Party ticket. Inspired, Ford looks to politics and is elected as a city councilor in 2000. Rob's brother, Doug Ford Jr., is also a city councilor and one of his biggest supporters. On council, Rob Ford's a fierce conservative voice in a city with a liberal reputation and he runs for mayor in 2010 as a populist "ordinary Joe" who will cut taxes and waste.
We would need an entire article to go through the controversies of his last 13 years in politics, but some highlights include:
Removing a number of the new city bike lanes as well as making this statement: "Roads are built for buses, cars and trucks, not for people on bikes. And, you know, my heart bleeds for them when I hear someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day."
During a council debate on spending for HIV/AIDS prevention, Ford states, "Why are we catering to one group with a disease that's preventable? It's very preventable. If you're not doing needles and you're not gay, you won't get AIDS probably."
Ford is removed as a volunteer high school football coach after he gets in a fight with a student.
Ford is briefly removed from office by the Ontario Supreme Court after being found guilty of violating the city's Conflict of Interest act. He's quickly reinstated on appeal.
He's also accused of unsafe driving, sexism, racism and public intoxication…copious amounts of intoxication. From hockey games to a military gala, Ford is spotted acting erratically and some believe it's due to the bottle.
In May of this year the website Gawker.com says it's been approached by a source with a cell phone video showing Rob Ford smoking crack with a group of men. A Gawker writer watches the video but the owner of the footage wants $200,000 for it. The Toronto Star is also approached and two of their reporters also view the video. Gawker raises the money with a crowdfunding campaign called Crackstarter, but the seller disappears. Ford and his supporters deny the existence of the video and any suggestions that Rob Ford uses any illegal narcotics.
The story is huge but Ford denies everything and it seems to blow over with no lasting consequences to the Toronto mayor. That is, until the tape falls into the hands of the police after a series of arrests of suspected drug smugglers and sellers. The existence of the video is announced by the chief of police in October 2013 and the entire world flips out.
Rob Ford finally confesses at a press conference offering the greatest excuse in political history: "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine, but no, do I…. Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors."
It's okay, folks, it was in a drunken stupor! So it doesn't count!
Ford also explains that no one asked the right question before, so he was never technically untruthful about smoking crack.
Well, except for when he stated, prior to the video surfacing, that there was no video of him smoking crack cocaine. He also offered the excuse that it was all a left-wing media conspiracy to smear him. Ford's deputy mayor speculated to reporters that if there were a video it may have been a fake, using special effects to make a CGI image of Ford puffing on a crack pipe.
His popularity goes up five points after his confession.
No, seriously.
Rob Ford has repeatedly stated he will not resign and will run again in next year's election. Meanwhile, every media outlet is obsessed with the case and Ford is a hit in late-night talk show monologues and sketch comedy shows.
The Toronto city council has just passed motions stripping Rob Ford of many of his mayoral powers, but he's hired a lawyer and is fighting back.
The Rob Ford affair is still ongoing and we're sure there will be many more twists, turns and Ford gaffes to come out of it, but does he already reign over Marion Barry as the most scandalous crack-smoking mayor? Or is the amazing epic of Barry's rise and fall and rise the ultimate in political scandal? Vote in the poll below to determine which is the biggest political scandal. Ever.


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Offer your aquarium herbivores and omnivores the nutrition they deserve. Extra algae PLUS fresh seafood ingredients make Ocean Nutrition Formula Two Frozen Food an irresistible gourmet food for herbivorous and omnivorous marine fish. It's excellent for most herbivorous as well as omnivorous fish including Surgeonfish, Angelfish, Batfish, Clownfish, Parrotfish, Rabbitfish and more. 70 1/2" frozen cubes. Also available in flake and pellet form. 7 oz.
Please click on "More Information" for ingredients and nutrition information.


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Lash accentuation is the hottest beauty craze around - think false lashes, eyelash extensions and the lash enhancers that we look at later on this page - so good old mascara is always reinventing itself to keep up.
With practically every shape of wand having been contorted from tiny comb to terrifying toilet brush, you'd think there wasn't much leeway left, but still new shapes emerge. The latest are curved with brushes featuring bristles of varying lengths to better coat your lashes.
It's all about scale and sweep, extra volume, length and lift and, of course, colour, with blackest black being most impactful.
The good news is that it's not that hard to find a decent mascara, ranging from budget favourites from the likes of Maybelline and Rimmel to pricier options that look like an engineer and a designer collaborated on their creation.
Wave your wand and see if any of these create a spell.
Diorshow Iconic Overcurl $63
Ten years after the first Diorshow brush, a supersize number inspired by the "toothbrushes" makeup artists use backstage, comes this curved one, inspired by curling tools and with a polymer-rich formula that tightens, coats and sets lashes for a comfortable but volume-boosting effect. (Selected department stores and pharmacies.)
M.A.C In Extreme Dimension Lash $48
The colour is called Black Extreme, the brush is big but fine enough to wiggle into the lash line and the formula is light and flexible. (M.A.C Britomart, St Lukes and Botany stores and Smith & Caughey's.)
By Terry Mascara Terrybly $91
French makeup whizz Terry Gunzburg (who came up with the Touche Eclat pen for Yves Saint Laurent) has incorporated the treatment trend in her mascara by infusing it with a serum to condition lashes. This will inevitably be less concentrated than paint-on stimulants but the mascara with its tufted brush will do a good job of making your lashes look thicker, longer and more defined. (From Mecca Cosmetica stores or see meccacosmetica.co.nz.)
Lancome Hypnose Star $58
Lancome's mascaras are always stand-outs and this latest in the Hypnose line is no exception. It has a dual-sided brush which is flat on one side to build volume and rounded on the other to help create curve and definition. The starry look container is meant to evoke old-style Hollywood glamour. (Selected department stores and pharmacies.)
UBU Lasharazzi Eye Lash Curler $13
Lash curlers are worth coming to grips with because a simple press over your lashes will help open them wide. Just remember curling comes before mascara application as once mascara is applied lashes will be more brittle and prone to breakage. (Selected Warehouse stores and pharmacies and www.mybeautystore.com.)
QVS also does an inexpensive curler that does the job for $15.99 compared with the $50-plus price of most of these gadgets.


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Spreadborough named new COIC director
REDMOND, Ore. - The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council announced Wednesday the
appointment of a new executive director. Andrew Spreadborough was selected by the COIC Board of Directors as the organization's executive director at their meeting on Nov. 7.
"The COIC Board believes that Andrew is the best fit for our long?term interests for the organization," said COIC Board Chair and Jefferson County Commissioner John Hatfield. "Andrew brings a distinguished record of leadership and on?the?ground accomplishments, and is well?suited to work with our local governments and partner organizations to expand COIC's role in our region."
Andrew Spreadborough has been employed by COIC since 1998 and has served in a variety of positions throughout his tenure. Most recently, Spreadborough served as COIC's Community and Economic Development Manager.
In this role, Spreadborough guided COIC's efforts to strengthen the regional economy through supporting local governments in their efforts to create the conditions for economic development, and through the convening of regional committees, work groups, and planning efforts.
"I am honored that the board has selected me to serve in this role," said Spreadborough. "COIC is uniquely positioned to address regional?scale issues and challenges, and to support our cities and counties as they work to improve our economy and provide high quality, low cost services for our businesses and residents. I am excited about our opportunities, and look forward to leading the
organization now and into the future."
COIC is a public organization that provides employment and training services, operates the Cascades East Transit system, and provides regional community and economic development services. COIC provides a means for city and county jurisdiction members to come together, to jointly identify issues and needs which are regional in scope, to achieve agreement for cooperative actions, and to implement projects and services at a regional scale.
The COIC Board is composed of elected officials from each of the three Central Oregon counties and eight cities, along with a representative from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and appointed business representatives. For more information on COIC, visit their web site: http://coic2.org


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When you need a laptop cover, carrying case or wheeled luggage, look no further than Sam's Club. You'll find a wide variety of cases and bags for laptops and tablets of any size or brand. Search through the large selection of high quality cases from brands you already know and trust.
If you just use your laptop around home and just want a little added protection, a neoprene sleeve may be what you're looking for. It's super easy to use; you can just slip your computer in and out when you need it. When it's not in use, the stylish case will keep it safe from scratches, spills and accidental drops.
If you travel back and forth to work and client offices with your computer, you may need something a little more versatile. Laptop messenger bags and backpacks have multiple zippered pockets to fit your computer and so much more. Organize files, pens, business cards and more within the various compartments. Look smart and professional at your next meeting with a laptop case from one of the top brands. Only you will know what a great deal you got on it.
Business professionals can choose an overnight carrying case that has enough room for your computer, pens, notepad and a change of clothes. Take everything you need right on the plane with you and place it in the overhead bin. Traveling has never been easier.
Whatever your needs, Sam's Club has the laptop cases and laptop bags you need to keep your laptop protected on-the-go. Find great deals on all computer accessories and cases when you shop at Sam's Club.


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Loyola A. Marshall
Loyola A. Marshall
Pine River
Loyola A. Marshall, 85, of Pine River, Minn., formerly of Shakopee, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn.
Loyola was born Sept. 2, 1927, in Faribault, Minn. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Marshall; sons, Merle (Joan), Frank (Karen) and Joe (Anne); 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Spindler and Anne (Clarence) Swanson; brother, John (Sharon) Glynn; numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Marshall; parents, Charles and Laura Glynn; and brother, Aldon Glynn.
Loy graduated from Mankato State Teachers College, now known as Mankato State University, Mankato, in 1948 where she earned her degree in teaching. She taught in Madelia, Farmington and Robbinsdale, Minn. Loy later moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she worked as a civilian employee for the U.S. Navy. On April 25, 1959, she was united in marriage to Robert Marshall in Faribault. They briefly lived in Brainerd after their marriage and later moved to Shakopee to raise their family. Loy worked for Scott County and the city of Shakopee and donated her services above and beyond her job.
After the death of Charles, Loy and Bob moved to Pine River where they have lived for the past 10 years enjoying their time pontooning and feeding the local wildlife. Loy also enjoyed spending time at their property in Crosslake and shared numerous campfire stories and wiener roasts with the family. Loy also had a deep love for northern Minnesota, especially trips to Duluth with Bob. Loyola was a very kind and generous person donating her time and money to those less fortunate. Her kindness is indescribable. Loyola will be deeply missed.
Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Church of St. Mark, 350 S. Atwood St., Shakopee, with interment in the Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was Monday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at McNearney Funeral Home, 1220 E. Third Ave., Shakopee. Memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Arrangements were with McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee, 952-445-2755. Condolences may be shared at www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com.


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JC Fire Chief: Too many fire deaths in last 13-months
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Something you might not know, eight people have died in fires already in 2013 in Tennessee, that's according to the State's Fire Marshal. But here's an even scarier statistic: two of those deaths were right here in Johnson City and the Fire Chief says that number is too high.
News 5 did some digging and learned according to the U.S. Fire Administration, Tennessee ranks number seven among the top ten states with the highest number of fire deaths in 2009.
The yellow tape still surrounds a home on East Watauga Avenue, and it's a bitter reminder for Gary Carr's five-year-old granddaughter. A fire consumed the home back in December killing his neighbor, 57-year-old Gary Schill. "She was the one that woke up and saw the fire and got us up, adrenaline running through my body again," said Carr.
But there's a scary statistic steadily climbing in Johnson City, Fire Chief Mark Scott says in the last 13-months a total of seven people have died in a fire. "The numbers are, they're high. They're definitely high for a city our size and I think it goes back to awareness," said Chief Scott.
In fact, Chief Scott says in these fires only one home had a working smoke detector and the lack of smoke detectors is becoming a dangerous trend throughout the community. "What we're finding is a lot of people don't have smoke detectors and then there are other instances where we find the battery has been removed," he added.
So to solve this problem, firefighters have been actively handing out free smoke detectors with a battery life of 10-years. "Lives could be saved, property could be protected for $15 a smoke detector," added Chief Scott.
Back on East Watauga Avenue, Carr says he has at least six smoke detectors in his home and the death of his neighbor has been a tough lesson for everyone, "They're checking their smoke alarms, updating their smoke alarms, or getting better batteries."
From Virginia to Tennessee, other fire departments in our region have similar programs and are passing out free smoke detectors. Firefighters say the best advice if you have questions is to call your local fire department.
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In the Mr. and Ms. UTSA 2009 contest, pictured from left are first
runners up Joseph Granado and Nicole Alabi, second runners up
Christian Menefee and Ruby Bible, and Mr. and Ms. UTSA 2009
Akshay Thusu and Megan Graham.
Mr. and Ms. UTSA are proud Roadrunners
By Anne Englert
Assistant Director of Student Relations, UTSA Alumni Programs
(April 8, 2009)--Akshay Thusu and Megan Graham were crowned Mr. and Ms. UTSA 2009 at the UTSA Roadrunners basketball game against the Lamar Cardinals. The competition is sponsored by the UTSA Alumni Association.
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
Article tools
A junior biology major from Mumbai, India, Akshay Thusu is a member of the Honors Alliance, UTSA Ambassadors and Sigma Kappa Upsilon Sophomore Honor Society. He plans to attend dental school upon graduation. Thusu was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in early 2009 and was named UTSA's Most Outstanding Junior and to the National Dean's List.
"I have excelled in all realms of UTSA life -- academics, extracurricular activities, community service, athletics and school spirit," said Thusu. "As a friendly, outgoing and approachable individual, I love to meet new fellow Roadrunners. I was fortunate to find a home here and hope to extend that feeling to every Roadrunner, thus increasing school spirit as Mr. UTSA."
Megan Graham is a junior biology major from The Woodlands, Texas, who will attend the UT Health Science Center to study dentistry. She is a resident assistant at UTSA's Chaparral Village, and a member of UTSA Ambassadors and the Honors College.
"I view college as a privilege," said Graham. "The opportunities I have been offered at UTSA have enhanced my college experience. I have enjoyed the responsibilities and leadership associated with becoming a resident assistant. Supporting residents in their transition to college is my favorite aspect of the job. As an Ambassador, I love sharing the knowledge I have learned about my campus with future students."
As Ms. UTSA, Graham hopes to share with others how much UTSA means to her and how much it has to offer future students.


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New Book Goes Under the Sheets of Online Dating
A decade ago, online dating carried a social stigma — if you met your match on the Web, you probably didn't tell your friends. But these days digital dating is more widely accepted (unless your name is Manti T'e'o), as millions of people try to find their mates on popular sites like OkCupid, Match.com and eHarmony.
The transformation of a once-taboo market into a multi-billion industry is the subject of the new book, "Love in the Time of Algorithms," by Dan Slater. (Read WSJ's book review here.)
Mr. Slater, a former WSJ reporter, explores the elements that power the online "date-o-sphere" including mathematics, psychology and business acumen.
Digits talked to Mr. Slater about various challenges these businesses face, including looming competition with Facebook Graph Search, a search engine that makes it easier for users to discover new people and perhaps love interests. The 35-year-old recently married to a woman he initially met offline but reunited through Facebook.
Here is an edited excerpt of our interview:
WSJ: In one chapter you dig at the business model of online dating. How do these businesses keep their customers?
Dan Slater: One way to keep their users is to make a site work really well….There are ways that may seem a little bit more tricky. Let's say someone signs off or isn't using the site for a while, there is often a lot of email activity. If you've ever been on an online dating site you know this. Your inbox will fill up every day with messages from the site saying: "Hey, we got this great guy. We got this great woman for you." Or maybe he or she even sent you a message and you can read this message if you come back to the site and sign up. And sometimes there might be a message waiting for you, and sometimes there isn't.
WSJ: Can you explain how inefficiency is good for online dating businesses?
Slater: It needs to be a mix of efficiency and inefficiency. Efficiency in a sense that the site needs to work on some level, or else people will not use it. But it can't be too efficient because then people aren't going to be using the technology for long enough for the site to make any money. All of that is very carefully modulated, because obviously sites gather huge numbers about how long they need to keep a particular user on the site for instance, in order to make a profit. If everyone is just coming to the site, finding a wonderful person in the first week or first month and then leaving Match.com for instance, or any site, wouldn't be around for very long….So it needs a little bit of inefficiency, and those inefficiencies can be created in several different ways.
WSJ: What are the ways to create inefficiencies?
Slater: One of the ways would be showing you the profiles of people who may no longer be active on the site. Another fairly effective way is to show you profiles of folks who posted a profile, which you can do for free, but they haven't actually signed up and paid yet. And so if they can get you to send messages to someone who the site is trying to convert into a paying user that works sometimes rather well because the person you sent a message to…they may be convinced to buy that six-month package at $20 a month or whatever it is because they want to read your message.
WSJ: Regarding these sites' business models, what is the difference in profits for a paid site vs. free?
Slater: There is actually a vast difference. A site like OkCupid is a wonderful site and it's been lauded by the rest of the industry….On the other hand, because it's free it has not done very well from a money making perspective over the past decade or so. And even though it was bought out by IAC's Match.com for $90 million, OkCupid was actually only making a little more than $4 million a year in revenue, which that alone tells you a lot. You have a company that wasn't making a lot of money but yet Match.com saw some kind of potential in it….Match on the other hand makes a lot more than that, people are paying anywhere from about $20-40 a month on the site and the difference is just enormous. It's very hard to make money when you're just selling advertising.
WSJ: What was it that Match.com saw in OkCupid? Why the $90 million?
Slater: When Match did buy OkCupid, obviously the CEO of the parent company of Match at the time needed to answer the question: Why are we doing this? Why are we paying $90 million for a company that makes a little more than $4 million a year? And the answer is that he felt that… a lot of users use free dating as a first step into the technology and then after they use a free site for a while…they get an appetite for a more seriously committed community that only a paid site can offer.
WSJ: What do you think about the term "social discovery" for some of these sites?
Slater: The reason you're seeing the term "social discovery" or "social dating" is definitely an attempt to get away from "online dating" as a name because the industry is looking at their business…How can we expand our market? We're only reaching approximately a third of single people in America, how can we address more single people?….Another reason for it is just a lot of these other online dating sites are looking at the large world of social media of which they're one vertical, and they're saying "Oh gosh, how can we get to Facebook's scale? How do we achieve that kind of domination?" One of the reasons Facebook was so successful in getting people to put so much information about themselves online and to be so open about their lives online is that they never said what they are about. Facebook was certainly not about dating. They went to great lengths to keep the word "dating" out of any of their PR materials or in their narrative about their company. Facebook was just to connect. You decide what you're there for.
WSJ: Are the challenges that these sites face really that different from Facebook?
Slater: Facebook is trying all kinds of things. One of them is the Graph Search….They did not use the word dating…without even saying anything Facebook is now basically in the dating business. They didn't have to say it. Facebook can be used to discover new people online. Online dating sites face a cultural barrier that Facebook doesn't.


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DDamsel so fortunate to have a healthy little one to love and care for. DH deserves an extra hug for sure!
Glad to hear the Dutch twins are resting comfortably and Oma does too.
Chicken soup she says. DH is so tired of chicken soup! On the second big batch in the same number of weeks. Good thing I like it. Night all; stay dry; stay warm.


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No more Twinkies
Hostess Brands says it is going out of business, closing plants that make Twinkies and Wonder Bread and laying off all of its 18,500 workers.
The Irving, Texas, company says a nationwide worker strike crippled its ability to make and deliver its products at several locations.
There is a bakery in Colorado on East 62 Avenue near Interstate 25 in Adams County.
There are 167 employees at the Adams County bakery. The bakery could close as soon as Tuesday, just before the Thanksgiving holiday, according to ABC News.
Hostess had warned employees that it would file a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to unwind its business and sell assets if plant operations didn't return to normal levels by Thursday evening.
The privately held company filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, its second trip through bankruptcy court in less than a decade.


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NBA Offseason: Southeast Division
With the uncertainty of the looming lockout hanging over the NBA, teams having the daunting task of using this offseason to position themselves for success in whatever direction the new CBA takes them. We are doing a division-by-division break down of what teams should be aiming to do this offseason. We will analyze each team's current situation, free agents, draft prospects, and whose contract the team would drop if the new CBA includes a new amnesty rule. GMs, no need to worry. We've got you covered.
Atlanta Hawks: 2010-11 record: 44-38 (vs Southeast: 9-7)
It's deals like the one Joe Johnson got last summer that have created the terrible situation surrounding the new CBA. Despite have the roster coming off the books this summer, the team's overall salary only drops about $4 million. This limits the Hawks going forward and pretty much sticks them in no man's land. They did surprise us by upsetting division rival Magic in the playoffs, but is that even saying much?
Free Agents: Hotlanta needs to focus on getting more size and replacing Jamal Crawford (assuming he leave for more money). They don't have much monetary flexibility, which means testing the trade market may be the way to go. I personally think trading Joe Johnson for several pieces and picks, but they were willing to pay him $124 mil not to leave, so I don't think that's happening (plus, who would bite on that?). More realistically, J-Smoove is the best trade piece they're willing to part with.
Draft: No first round pick.
Amnesty: Joe Johnson is getting paid way too much to not play. More than anyone else on the roster, the Hawks need to erase the memories of not pick Chris Paul or Deron Williams by getting Marvin Williams (3 years; $24 million) off the books. Okay, nothing will erase those bad memories until they win a title, which isn't happening any time soon. But at least they'll get a little financial relief and can start moving in the right direction.
Charlotte Bobcats: 2010-11 record: 34-48 (vs Southeast: 4-12)
Bob's Cats are officially in rebuilding mode. Rich Cho proved to be a competent, if not good, GM in his short stint in Portland. Heck, he basically stole Gerald Wallace from his new employer. At this point the team needs to decide who is part of the long term plan and who isn't. Whoever is not part of the future needs to be shopped around for pieces that possibly fit that long term plan or come cheap and just fill the roster until they do get what they want. And don't forget to get stock up on draft picks.
Free Agents: The good news is they have some wiggle room. The bad news is they'd have to overpay any quality players to go there, stunting the rebuilding process. They need to improve at basically every position except PF. His Airness needs to see who he can bring in for a decent price yet focus more on trading players like…well, anyone really. The only player I seem them having trouble trading is Tyrus Thomas, and that's only because of his contract. I bet they can get some good value out of Captain Jack and Boris Diaw (if he opts to stay).
Draft: Picking 9th and 19th, Charlotte should just take the best player at any position that is available because their bench is so week. They could also take a European big guy because they are pretty weak at center. Marcus Morris may be an interesting option as well. Their second pick could go to a potential scorer like Marshaun Brooks or Jordan Hamilton.
Amnesty: Tyrus Thomas (4 years; $33 million) has the longest and most expensive contract on the team, but they may want to keep him around going forward. Diop (2 years; $14 million) may be a better option considering he is less productive and could provide some immediate relief. It's possible the Bobcats may chose not to exercise this right since their main focus right now doesn't seem to be winning anyway.
Miami Heat: 2010-11 record: 58-24 (vs Southeast: 13-3)
Is there anything left to say? Miami obviously needs a more well-rounded roster but have little flexibility for years to come. They'll actually increase salary over the years while losing players, and Mario Chalmers is going to be looking for a pay raise. So it looks like Pat Riley will have to continue looking for vets willing to play for the minimum in exchange at a shot at the title.
Free Agents: I don't buy the idea that they'll trade to trade James or Bosh for someone like Dwight Howard. They came really close this year and just need minor upgrades at PG and C (it also won't hurt if LeBron doesn't choke again). I'm just not sure who's going to be better than their current roster that will want to play with the Heatles for so little. Too bad Antoine Walker isn't a few inches taller, I hear he's looking for a job.
Draft: No first round picks, but they have the first second round pick so we'll include them. They are obviously in a win-now scenario so go with an upperclassman with smarts from a winning program. Shelvin Mack, JaJuan Johnson, Chandler Parsons, and Jon Leuer could contribute immediately. Of course, most people would contribute to that bench.
Amnesty: The only players they have on the books beyond next year were their most important players outside of the Big 3. If they do use it, Miller (4 years; $24 million) seems most likely to get the axe. The others are big, which the team sorely needs, and he gets paid slightly more. Although, they may just use it on Eddie house if he opts into his final year.
Orlando Magic: 2010-11 record: 52-30 (vs Southeast: 11-5)
For a team that wants to keep it's star player happy and in contention for a title, the Magic are in bad shape. Whatever they do this off-season, the Magic need to make sure it makes Dwight happy and convinces him the team is moving in the right direction.
Free Agents: The Magic need someone who can cut and get to the rim (besides Dwight). Also, having a backup center couldn't hurt.I don't think they'll be able to sign anyone of much significance, especially since a hard cap is a real possibility. I think the trading my be Orlando's best option, but that may mean parting with Redick. Do you think Philly would do an Iguadola for Arenas trade? Neither do I, but Iggy would be a great fit, giving the Magic an athletic slasher and defender. Don't hold your breath, Magic Kingdom.
Draft: No first round pick.
Amnesty: The Magic wouldn't mind having the option to use this on 3 or 4 players. There's no doubt that Arenas (3 years; $62 million) would be the lucky winner.
Washington Wizards: 2010-11 record: 23-59 (vs Southeast: 3-13)
The Wizards have decent starters at every position so they may be able to contend sooner than we think. The key now is to continue the course and be patient.
Free agents: Even with $20 mil going to Rashard Lewis, the Wiz are well below the current cap. They need to stay strong and resist overpaying anybody this summer. Short contracts are the way to go if they do sign anyone.
Draft: There's been talk about them trading up for the 2nd pick, but if that's just to get Kanter it's an iffy move if they have to give up too much considering he may fall that far anyway. Besides, is he even the guy they want? Perhaps they should think about Kawhi Leonard at 6 for the energy and rebounding and they could grab a scorer off the bench with someone like Tobias Harris or Jordan Hamilton at 18.
Amnesty: If you had the chance to half your payroll by giving up an asset that isn't in your long term plans would you? As should the Wizards by using amnesty on Rashard Lewis (2 years; $46 million). If they feel that's too much money to pay Lewis to play for someone else, Blatche (4 years; $29 million) is the clear second choice. While he makes significantly less than Lewis, he is a head case and his contract lasts until 2015.