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Town Square
Trader Joe's Solicitations
Original post made by frankly , San Ramon, on Aug 7, 2012
There is little found in a google search for them.
They are not wanted by TJ's, not controlled by local police, not controlled by local government, but officially allowed to be present at TJ's by property management located in downtown Walnut Creek.
However they must ONLY be inside the blue outlined squares which are clearly painted for donation seekers.
Not yesterday.
Some heavy set gentleman was off to the side seeking not only your dollars but the shade.
Ok with you?
Apparently since I have been informed that many donate to them.
They have a very sketchy background somewhere around Antioch.
Not really a true anything but seemingly a way to seek public donations from kind hearted people.
You can check them out yourself; why not find out where your money goes
Some of these organizations double and triple dip into public funds to keep on going.
From public agencies, on site solicitations, church groups, public announcements for money, and supposedly doing public good for public money.
Where do you want to donate? Who you want to donate to? Are they for real? Truly licensed to seek your money?
Investigate! Think twice and three times when you want to give away your money!
Comments (14)
a resident of Danville
on Aug 7, 2012 at 10:40 am
I'm not a stingy person, but I will never give money (much less a credit card number) to anyone soliciting by phone, nor will I give dollar or coin to unknown entities in front of stores.
Do you remember those strange people dressed in all-white (you know, the ones that looked like nurse assistants from Belleview Mental Hospital) that would hang out for twelve hours at a time in front of the big grocery stores? Well, after San Jose's Murky News spent half a year or so investigating the "white folks", they never could draw a conclusion as to where the money was actually going.
Just say Moe! And keep walking. If you want to donate, don't waste 10, 20, or 50% on middlemen. Go direct to the agency or school or hospital with your money.
a resident of Danville
on Aug 7, 2012 at 7:41 pm
The big guy you mention is a pro. Hangs at TJs or Lucky. These guys make me very uncomfortable and Trader Joe's is at fault for letting these grifters brow beat customers.
a resident of Danville
on Aug 7, 2012 at 8:34 pm
There are so many non profits and charities. One never knows if they are legitimate. It is better not to give unless you know the organization. Oftentimes, there are groups that are organized to look and act like charities but are really not. Probably many are fronts. Anyone can form a non-profit with a catchy sentimental name. I also wonder about the white unmarked trucks that come to Danville homes to pickup donations. They may not be legitimate either but people leave lots of things for them. I also do not like that TJoes allows them out front, but I ignore them. I did see a lady give the guy money and I felt sorry for her naivete.
a resident of San Ramon
on Aug 8, 2012 at 6:43 am
TJs has no control over who parks outside there to play dumb and get cash from customers at TJs.
As I said in my article, no one has control over who parks there except the property owner's management company which is located in Walnut Creek.
Ask the TJ managers who they are and you will know as much as I do about why these money defrauders park outside TJs
Obviously they park there because people continue to donate plenty of money into the pockets of those people.
Bleeding hearts? Uninformed? Want to do good in the world?
Well there are tons of places which could better use that donated cash for better legitimate purposes!!!!
There are plenty of schools, programs, vet groups community groups which would appreciate that money and they are LOCATED RIGHT HERE IN DANVILLE OR THE VALLEY.
Think twice before leaving your money freely to uncertain programs!!!
a resident of Danville
on Aug 8, 2012 at 8:28 am
Not sure who to believe here but I DID complain to a manager at TJ's and questioned the legitimacy of these folks. Here is what I was told.
1. They doubt they are legitimate but have not investigated
2. They can't set up by the front door and must stay on the sidewalk away from the store/street side.No mention of landlord issue
3. Danville PD will not get involved as it is a freedom of speech issue (yes, that's what I was told)
4. They get a percentage of their take from their group.This from the big guy I mentioned in previous post. (probably 100% as they are the group)
I did see a guy go up and claimed to be homeless and asked if their shelter they are collecting for can help him.Silence. The gal collecting that day was speechless.
Big guy likes to set up shop in front of the DVD rental machines at Lucky San Ramon when the sun does not favor him at TJ's.
Why open a business in Danville with all the red tape regulations,liability and risk when you can grab a surplus ammo box and set up shop in front of a legitimate shop and grift?
a resident of Danville
on Aug 8, 2012 at 9:02 am
Trader Joe's is not at fault as previously stated. Trader Joe's has fewer rights than the solicitors. Trader Joe's and ANY legitimate business is stuck with the bad PR and, possibly, lost revenue from shoppers who turn away rather than face the unpleasantness. The LAW does not protect those paying taxes. The LAW protects the rights of those NOT contributing to the tax base and the economy.
a resident of Alamo
on Aug 8, 2012 at 11:16 am
Folks...most of you are gutless. You put your tail between your legs an open your wallet. Look them in the eye and tell them CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME...MY HOME ONLY.
I don't care what charity it is...I am damn tried of everyone having their hands out and demanding our money.
Thanks for listening...Julia from Alamo
a resident of Danville
on Aug 8, 2012 at 11:31 am
Bravo Julia. If these people didn't get lots of cash, they would not be there! I was in Alamo on the weekend, at Safeway, and there was a PACK of these people! There were 4 adults and 3 kids, hanging in small groups and moving around the parking lot from the store to the bank to the exit on SRBlvd. Tell me, how does a beggar have enough money to COLOR HER HAIR? She gets too much free money, that's how.
a resident of Alamo
on Aug 8, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I really do not see anyone who posted admitting they opened their wallets, so gutless does not apply here. It seems we have a bunch of frustrated people voicing their opinions, tired of the professional beggars.
Keep in mind when you get in their face telling them where charity begins you might want consider who you are dealing with, what part of the hood they are from, and how they settle differing opinions on their turf. Behavior might carry over on your turf.
a resident of Danville
on Aug 8, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I worked and walked to and from BART for 30 years in San Francisco, as well as walking the streets for exercise at lunch and on breaks. There are so many beggars and street people in the City that after about the first week, one learns that the best thing to do is to ignore them and just keep on walking. There are some people who are sick and need to be helped and there are agencies that are open long hours and offer their services to the truly needy and ill, especially in San Francisco. It is better to donate to the service agencies rather than to give to people gathered on the street for some cause. It can be dangerous to even stop and confront some of them, and the last thing one wants to do is to open their purse or wallet in front of them. One should not flash their valuables on the street or on public transportation lest someone follows you to your car or home or off the bus or from the store such as at TJs. The bad guys get up every morning and plan their crimes for the day and you can become a victim instead of someone's savior. Not everyone is truly needy and lots of them are criminals or outlaws or just bums and they will grab your bag and take off, or worse. I did have one thing to say one morning when I was especially tired of having the same characters confront me day after day. At a red light while I waited I asked one guy if he actually thought that I arose every morning at 5AM to get ready to commute to and from work for 3 hours and sit behind a desk for 9 hours just so that I could give him money. He didn't have an answer for that. The con artists wouldn't hang around if they got no takers.
a resident of San Ramon
on Aug 9, 2012 at 8:00 am
I shall try one last time to state what the legal ground rules are whether they are followed or not.
TJs is not at fault.
The property management decides what or who can do the money soliciting.
Danville police state they have no control over it since its private property and only the property management decides not TJs.
County Sheriff's department states the same thing.
ITS THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT who decides. NO ONE ELSE!
I called on several occasions to make sure and the same reasons/statements were given.
a resident of Danville
on Aug 9, 2012 at 8:24 am
Well, as they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And I believe the Big Guy is missing the boat setting up at Trader Joe's or Luckys. The real action is at Lunardis and Draegers where the rich folk shop.
Therefore, I am setting up the FFDF immediately (Feed Fat Derek Foundation). I shall park my unambitious carcass in front of Lunardis on any day that isn't too hot or too cold or too rainy, because even deadbeat charities have to have standards. I will happily accept cash, your credit card info, smoked salmon, Grand Marnier, Lunardi's yummy sourdough, or anything else you can find that's non-perishable. And I promise to give 10% of what I take in to some nameless charity that no one will be able to track down, even if their life depends on it. I will be the slovenly one with the glazed over eyes claiming to be a veteran of the Doofistan War.
a resident of Danville
on Aug 9, 2012 at 8:31 am
It comes down to who wants the money more, the beggars, the store owners, or the property owners. Do the businesses care if patrons are avoiding their store because of the solicitors? Do property owners care if they lose tenets because of this problem? The police should act if the owners complain about trespassing, right?
This reminds me of those signs "Do Not Feed the Birds". Birds are normally pleasant and fun to watch, but if you feed them, they can become very aggressive and attack to get the food they are used to getting. Like Pavlovs' Dogs, the birds can't wait for the food to be thrown, so they grab the food while you are walking to a table or grab it from the table while you are trying to eat.
Bottom line, if you don't give money to these solicitors, they will move on.
Derek: can't get better than your comment!
a resident of Danville
on Aug 14, 2012 at 9:15 am
Stan is right. Why confront anyone? Just walk on by. If we all do that, they'll go away, guaranteed.
However, I will say, if one of these clowns wants to bring his "game" to my turf, I will defend it, and I really don't care what they bring from their "hood". I'm more than capable, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
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ChildFund Uganda National Director Simba Machingaidze reports on ChildFund's efforts to provide education and basic health care services to Uganda's children and their families. "Education will open many doors for children in Uganda," he says.
Nice to here the good work Child fund does in uganda. it has helped many of us realise our potential. i one time got support from childfund, have built on this to earn my self a masters degree in development studies and many other related post graduate diplomas. Looking for a job now but happy with support.

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Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
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Driver, 18, arrested in crash that killed Madras couple
Charged with criminally negligent homicide
MADRAS, Ore. - An 18-year-old Madras man faces two counts of criminally negligent homicide, DUII and reckless driving charges after his SUV apparently ran a stop sign and struck a car south of Madras Thursday evening, killing a Madras couple, Jefferson County sheriff's deputies said Friday.
The crash at SW Dover Lane and Bear Drive was reported around 5:15 p.m. to Frontier Regional Dispatch Center in Condon, said sheriff's Sgt. Jason Erickson. Deputies, medics and fire crews were dispatched, while Oregon State Police assisted at the scene with the investigation and crash reconstruction, he said.
The investigation found a 2002 white Chevy Cavalier driven by Lukas Daniel Hanson, 32, of Madras, was heading east on Dover Lane, accompanied by his wife, Diane Elizabeth Hanson, 34.
Their car was hit on the passenger side by a green 1999 GMC Yukon driven by Isaul Alberto Ruiz-Dominguez, of Michoacan, Mexico, who was heading north on Bear Drive and the driver "more likely than not went through the intersection … without stopping at a stop sign," Erickson said in a news release.
The SUV had three male passengers, he added.
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On an unrelated matter, The Bulletin reported Ruiz-Dominguez appeared in court Friday on a probation violation stemming from an earlier incident, in which he was charged with failure to perform the duties of a driver and second-degree criminal mischief.
He pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and the failure to perform charge was dropped, the newspaper said.


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waking up with the knowledge that your alcoholism has fucked you over once again. often you have no idea why you have a shameover. you just feel regret, shame, self loathing and all the usual shit that comes with a severe hangover. these type of shameovers lead to a series of nerve racking phone calls to discover just how rick battam your performance was the night before. shameovers typically result from: lipping off/ threatening/ fighting innocent people, sleeping with swamp donkeys, male crying, heart to hearts, or injuring yourself while loser drunk. unlike hangovers... shameovers can last days, months and in some cases even years. in certain cases space junk has also been known to lead to shameovers.
...my knuckles were bloody, my knees were skinned, next to me lay a gruesome swamp donkey.... the shameover slowly began to set in.
by geofftaylor August 11, 2006
An overwhelming feeling of shame that comes the morning after a long night of binge drinking. Often characterized by feelings of regret about what you said or did while you were wasted along with the regular symptoms of a hangover.
by Christopher C. Cook July 16, 2006
the ultimate feeling of regret of what you have done the nite before. in extream cases it may put you off gonig out to your regular haunt. incase people notice you. feeling include hangover, sickness, guilt, memory loss, worried to check your phone,
a shameover can occur because cheating on your gf with a munter, getting naked, getting arrested, abusive, danceing like a dick, saying stuff you regret in the morning, gettin kicked out of a club, or just not gettin in the first place.
by tang tang and RS November 06, 2008
the rather undefinable feeling that is kind of like a mixture between shame/guilt/worry and a regular stomach-ache(like the one in a regular hangover)
a Shameover is when you wake up the day after and feel bad to your stomach, thinking about all the stupid,bad stuff you did during your bender- that and the usual discomfort in your stomach the day after too much alcohol
a Shameover is when you wake up the day after and feel bad to your stomach, thinking about all the stupid,bad stuff you did during your bender- that and the usual discomfort in your stomach the day after too much alcohol
...the day after, i of course had a loong shameover, but i think ive come to peace with it now and stuff has cleared up nicely
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noun: Someone who counts pixels, measures the performance of cameras and lenses on graphs and does other trivial tests that have no real importance with reality. They are a person who puts WAYYYYY too much importance on the minutest details which in the end have zero bearing on the resultant photograph. Though this is specific to photography it's concept would apply to any field where an instrument is being used.
Stop being a measurebater, no one cares about the 0.002 micron difference in resolution between sensor X and sensor A.
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Skirt optional for all events
Skirt required for all events
Skirt required for LP only
Skirt required for SP only
I'm also an adult skater, and I think that adult skaters should wear whatever they're comfortable in, f*** aesthetics. I always wear a skirt/dress, its more comfortable and alows greater freedom of movement, with no fear of my blade catching the hem of my pants. And did you ever think that not all adult skaters can afford custom made dresses? Especially for practice, I'm not spending extra money for a practice dress. I think that skatewear makers need to acknowledge the growing populatity of skating among adults, and adapt their products accordingly.Originally Posted by Skaterkitty
*psst* I think Skaterkitty's point, besides paraphrasing "Culture on Ice", was that aesthetics shouldn't be a consideration because it's sexist. Though, yeah, some of us cannot afford to have custom dresses made.
Honestly, if you have such an awful figure you can't wear a skirt, you're not going to look good in a unitard, either. They're not loose pants. If anything, I think my tights (skintight running pants; very popular around here for skaters) show off a lot more figure flaws than even a leotard and gauze skirt that you can see through.
I think for Ladies :-P and Pairs, it should be an aesthetic decision left up to the skater, coach, and choreographer on what's appropriate for the program. For dance, the skirt should be required for the woman in all three phases and the man should never wear tights. Dance has enough costume problems as it is.
Did you guys know that author Ellyn Kestnbaum is a Golden Skate member (formerly posting as EllynK)?
Culture on Ice is my all-time fave. Kestnbaum also contributed to Women on Ice, a compilation of feminist writings about the Tonya-Nancy bruhaha. (Kestnbaum's essay is titled "What Tonya Harding means to me, or Images of independent female power on ice." But I have to admit, the best-titled piece is "Victor Petrenko's Mother-in-Law," by Marjorie Garber. )
Anyway, I found Culture (essentially an expansion of the author's PhD dissertation in Theater at the University of Wisconsin) to be a lot more subtle than most reviews of it. (I wrote a review for U.K. Amazon, but for some reason they never published it. )
Although the book presents various neo-feminist takes on figure skating, it does so in a thoughtful and critical way, pointing out competing ideas as well.
(For instance, if figure skating -- and especially figure skating costumes -- are nothing more than dressing up pretty girls in scanty outfits so that men can leer at them, why are figure skating audiences 90% women?)
Last edited by Mathman; 06-01-2006 at 09:40 AM.
Personally, as an overweight adult skater, what I'm most comfortable in for practice, for both ease of movement and aesthetics, is turtleneck or t-shirt, tights, and shorts. I do wear skirts or dresses with shirts over them for practice. For competition or practice, I need a really well cut dress with sleeves, and I've only been able to find one or two that fit well enough. But if it were all about athletics while looking reasonably well put together, I'd be happy if someone would invent attractive competition shorts, with a nice tight matching shirt that will stay down.
Like this?
Guess it doesn't match but it came to mind immediately - name matches shorts.
Well, *I* wouldn't wear it, and the bare midriff might be an issue, but it's no less modest than what some of the ice dancers wear, so why not?
Couldn't someone find a nice leotard and a "cool" pair of shorts that allow for movement? Even some of those "Hippy" tops with a few clips around the bottom inside might look nice with shorts
just the top
- still have that little "floof out" when spinning. Anyhoo, I think that outfit Miki has would also look nice if it was a similar one piece underneath, even a "show girl type thing (without all the frillies, just the sequined leotard) and those shorts over it?
I just think the whole idea of having freedom to wear shorts, dresses, unitards, pants, etc. is a good one. I am under the impression that if a lady fees good about what she wears, she looks that much better.
I would absolutely oppose allowing long pants that aren't at the very least very narrow-cut and strapped around the boot like men's skating pants. (And again, not in dance. Women in ballroom do not compete in pants.) Shorts would be one thing, but jazz pants? Wicked ugly lines. The flopping fabric around the lower leg is annoying, too. In skating, comfort is nice and all, but you're presenting a performance that's all about body positions, and loosey-goosey modern dance stuff distracts. (Heck, the original reason certain Eastern European countries started doing the handkerchief-hem nightmares of dance costumes was to mesmerize the judges with floaty bits of fabric so they wouldn't notice when the footwork wasn't the greatest.)
"Culture on Ice" is a good book. MUCH better than "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes." (Got "Culture on Ice" for Christmas last year. Anthro majors who skate ask for weird presents.) A little academic jargon-heavy, but refreshingly not a barrage of "OMG figure skating is teh sexist!" like a lot/most feminist 'analysis' of the sport is. For one thing, she doesn't just look at ladies--she remembers there are three other Olympic disciplines, all of which involve men.
Completely agree about the loose fit pants, didn't care for the Chinese pairs at the Olympics. The flappy pants were tacky on a lady. Thought i was watching "Victor Victoria."
As far as a pair of shorts in general, I do feel they are more "modest" then a skirt. No matter the top that is matched.
I personally would never want to see a pair of pants or shorts in the first portion of Dancing, yet the other 2 I would be open to interpretation of the number chosen. But it would really have to be a unique number to sell that.
It is sad that the judges would be distracted by such a thing - as julietvalcouer stated above - but it is more than likely true that they do get distracted. I don't doubt it one bit. Look at why Pusinko learned to whip his arms around. Kinda pathetic that the Judges can't stay a little more focused on what they need to.
I think it should depend on whether or not the costume looks like it's bordering on vulgar. I just want to hide my eyes when some of the unitards come out to skate lol. Bordering on vulgar for me would be Elena Sokolova's orange bodysuit. You can practically see her "slot" on her behind. My opinion of a unitard done in good taste is the black one that Fumie Suguri wears.
I hate wearing skirt at practice, so I would like to have the option to skate competitions without it as well. It's just more comfortable.
I am definitely partial to the skirt, but in an ideal world, each skater would have the chance to work with a sytlist to find just the right thing that will look good on them. Sometimes skirts are TOO long and it becomes distracting. The skirt needs to be the right length. Some skaters look better with long sleeves. Some look better with no sleeves. I've only seen a few skaters who can pull off a unitard, but if they look good, more power to them!


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Beautiful work Difergie!!!
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Beautiful work Difergie!!!
When life goes to pieces, QUILT!
Thanks! How is everyone coming along with theirs?
Hey, how is everyone? We are a quiet group. I have been in the hospital for a few days with chest pain. I will have surgery Fri. to have gall bladder taken out. So, I hope everyone is doing fine.
So....how are y'all coming along. Thanks!!
When life goes to pieces, QUILT!
ssnare, I hope you are feeling better!
I've had my own share of drama here with my younger daughter - she fell down a set of concrete steps over the weekend and has some compression fractures in a couple of vertebrae in her back, so tomorrow morning it's off to the orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion.
I confess that I haven't started my row yet - but I got some patterns today at a local quilt shop that is going out of business and I want to look at them to get some more ideas. I'm still leaning towards scrappy!
My goodness, Amy and ss, take care of yourselves!
Well Lasdies are we all going to need nurses You all take care and know we are pulling for you Difergie I do love your quilt. Do we have our missing member???
We need her to check in or we need a replacement!
I emailed Qbee last week. She asked if I had heard from Areinn and I said NO. She said she has 2 others that want to play and she could easily replace her. I told her to send me the information and tell her she can join and If areinn checks in with someone by next week, we can work with 6 people. I also stated that if she does not check in by next Tues. or Wed. that she is out. I have not heard back from Qbee. I will let you know what I find out.
Hello ladies,
I am alive and well...I am sorry about being MIA. There has just been some family issues last month and then my husband had to go in the hospital on the 1st of this month. He got out yesterday and things should get back to normal.
Anyway, please don't replace me....


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'''Niko Bellic''' (Serbian: Нико Белић, ''Niko Belić'') is the main [[protagonist]] of [[Grand Theft Auto IV]]. He is 30 years old, and grew up in the Balkan country of Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe, where he fought in the [[wp:Yugoslav Wars|Yugoslav Wars]]. [[Michael Hollick]] (main), Sam Glen, [[Bas Rutten]], Amir Perrets and Mario D'Leon (the main voice/motion capture actor of [[Luis Fernando Lopez]]) performs Niko's motion capture.
'''Niko Bellic''' (Serbian: Нико Белић, ''Niko Belić'') is the main [[protagonist]] of [[Grand Theft Auto IV]]. He is 30 years old, and grew up in the Balkan country of Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe, where he fought in the [[wp:Yugoslav Wars|Yugoslav Wars]]. [[Michael Hollick]] (main), Sam Glen, [[Bas Rutten]], Amir Perrets and Mario D'Leon (the main voice/motion capture actor of [[Luis Fernando Lopez]]) performs Niko's motion capture.
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Revision as of 18:38, 25 September 2010
Niko Bellic (Serbian: Нико Белић, Niko BelićRussian: Нико Беллич Albanian: Niko Beliç Tatar Latin: Niko Bäliç) is the main protagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV. He is 30 years old, and grew up in the Balkan country of Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe, where he fought in the Yugoslav Wars. Michael Hollick (main), Sam Glen, Bas Rutten, Amir Perrets and Mario D'Leon (the main voice/motion capture actor of Luis Fernando Lopez) performs Niko's motion capture.
Early life and family
It is suggested that Niko was born in Yugoslavia and grew up in a small town in modern-day Serbia, close to his cousin, Roman Bellic. His father was an abusive alcoholic, whom Niko despised; his mother, Milica Bellic, was a long-suffering woman, unhappy that her son grew up in such a harsh place. In a conversation with Patrick McReary, Niko reveals that he had a brother who died during the Bosnian war. According to the dialogue in the mission, Taking in the Trash, Niko dreamt of becoming an astronaut when he was a child. In a conversation with Dwayne Forge, Niko says in the place he grew up, they did not have electricity until he was twelve. In a conversation with Kate McReary, Niko says that he found out his aunt (Roman's mother) was raped and murdered, some time after Roman's departure to the United States; knowing Roman would be even more devastated if he knew the true circumstances of his mother's death, Niko covered up what happened, telling him that she died in a house fire.
Bosnian Wars
Niko grew up in the harsh environment of the Yugoslav Wars, and became a soldier himself as a teenager (The Yugoslav Wars being between 1991 and 1995, this means Niko was only 13-17 years old at the time). Niko says that he was betrayed "ten years ago", making it closer to 1997 or 1998 (although Florian claims that its was "twelve or thirteen years ago" in a phone call after the mission That Special Someone). He served as a helicopter pilot and an infantryman during the war, and during the mission Easy Fare, Roman alludes to him driving a tank (although given Roman's lack of first-hand experience, this is not necessarily true).
During the war, Niko both witnessed and committed numerous atrocities, which led to his cynical perspective on life, and a certain degree of regret, depression, and emotional detachment. Eventually, Niko's unit of fifteen men (most of them friends from his hometown) were ambushed by enemy forces, and all but three were killed: Darko Brevic, Florian Cravic, and Niko himself. Niko concluded that either Florian or Darko had sold the group out, and he vowed to uncover and kill the culprit, not only to gain revenge, but also to hopefully 'close the book' on the incident, and move on with his life.
Post-war life
Work was hard to come by following the war. Niko's cousin, Roman, had already moved to America to start a new life in Liberty City; Niko spent the next decade working in the European criminal underworld, leading to a brief period of incarceration. After been released from prison, he began working for a human trafficking ring led by Ray Bulgarin; when a boat involved in the operation sank in the Adriatic during a smuggling run into Italy, Niko swam to safety, but everything and everyone else was lost. Bulgarin believed that Niko had intentionally scuttled the ship and stole his money; the gangster's reach was too great within Europe, so Niko joined the merchant navy to escape Bulgarin's influence.
Life in Liberty City
Niko spent seven months with the cargo ship Platypus, which eventually headed for Liberty City.
During the game, Niko says he moved to Liberty City because he wanted a new life by living the American Dream, but when he does arrive in Liberty City, he has nothing except Roman. Niko parted ways with Hossan and the Platypus crew there, partly to reunite with his cousin, and partly to track down Florian Cravic, who had moved to Liberty City after the war. Roman had been boasting of great success in Liberty City, but in truth, his assets amounted to a small taxi depot and rundown apartment, and he was saddled with heavy debts due to his gambling habit. Niko would assist Roman in his taxi business, and protect his cousin from the loan sharks who were harassing him. Roman's connections eventually led to Niko taking work with the Russian Mafia, setting in motion the events of the game.
At the end of the game, a Weazel News report states that Niko is wanted for questioning by the police (although not as a suspect), for the events at his cousin's wedding.
Niko's immigrant status is uncertain, and arouses the suspicion of the LCPD and FIB. Although Niko often protests while fleeing police that he "has [his] papers", Roman says that Niko does not have a visa.
Niko is very protective of his family and loved ones, particularly his cousin Roman, whom Niko constantly has to worry about due to his gambling habit, and Roman has an indiscreet nature of frequently getting the pair into trouble. He is withdrawn among strangers, but has good manners, and shows a softer side with love interests like Kate McReary and Michelle; that said, the horrors of war, both witnessed and perpetrated by Niko, have given him a great sense of guilt, and an ambivalence about the value of human life — he warns away pursuers and expresses regret over his past violence, but also feels that killing is all that he can do, readily taking on jobs which necessarily involve murder. He has an explosive temper when he is betrayed, manipulated, or his loyalty is questioned, but he is also quick to help the defenseless and unfortunate, even those he merely meets in passing; he apparently possesses a sense of idealism which was wounded by his wartime experiences. Unfortunately, such a split attitude leads to hypocrisy — Niko, for example, appears to genuinely sympathize with the McRearys' grief over the demise of one of their brothers, despite having secretly committed that murder himself.
Niko's bitterness at the murder of his friends during the war has consumed him, and he is unable to let it go, taking on several highly dangerous jobs merely to enable his quest for vengeance. Several of his friends, most notably Roman, urge him to find a new reason to live, and there are many morality choices for Niko to emphasize his trait.
Niko's businesslike manner usually leads him to behave more maturely and cautiously than his acquaintances, although with acquaintances like Brucie Kibbutz, Bernie Crane and Roman, this is no surprise. He has an apparent distaste for illicit drugs, turning down Little Jacob's offer of marijuana and warning against Packie's cocaine habit; he also finds it distasteful to traffic in cocaine and particularly heroin, although this may be due to the heavy jail sentences they attract as much as any moral qualms. He is skeptical of American mainstream culture, which he sees as shallow, hypocritical and debauched, and has trouble relating to Roman's fascination with the country.
Niko has a certain degree of pity for other people, even random strangers, and feels obliged to help others who cannot help themselves. Most missions involve Niko doing jobs for money, particularly one occasion, after meeting a troubled young girl, Marnie Allen; he even gives her some of his own money multiple times to help her out.
Niko almost always refuses alcohol when it is offered to him (he asks for water in the mission Ivan The Not So Terrible) except for the mission The Holland Play where Playboy X pours him a glass but immediately before taking a sip, Niko changes his mind and puts the glass on a table. There is a scene where Niko does drink a glass of Vodka (on the rocks) in the mission One Last Thing while talking to Jimmy Pegorino, but this is understandable considering what he has just been through. Niko does however enjoy a drink, but knows the time and place for it. He refuses alcohol outright in instances where he needs to keep a sharp mind, such as during missions.
LCPD Database record
Surname: Bellic
First Name: Niko
Age: 30
Place of Birth: Unknown
Affiliations: Linked to Russian and West Indian Criminals in Broker
Criminal Record: 2008 - Grand Theft Auto (Age 30)
- Recent immigrant to Liberty City from Eastern Europe
- Appears to be avoiding allegiance to one particular criminal organization.
Naming and language errors
"Niko" means "Nobody" in the Serbian and Bosnian language. The surname "Bellic" would not exist in the Serbian, Bosnian or Croatian languages, as these do not allow consecutive consonants (i.e., the double-L in "Bellic"); "Bellic" is also pronounced with a hard 'c' ("bel-lik") throughout the game — Niko himself uses the incorrect pronunciation when introducing himself to the receptionist at Goldberg, Ligner and Shyster in the mission Final Interview. A proper pronunciation would use a hard 'ch' (as used in-game with the names "Darko Brevic" and "Florian Cravic"); a more authentic rendering of Niko's surname would be Belić. At one point, Florian, speaking in his native Serbian, pronounces the name correctly; "Bellic" may simply be an Anglicized version of "Belić".
The first name "Niko" is distinctively Croatian, rather than Serbian — the Serbian equivalent would be "Nikola". In the mission Final Interview, Tom Goldberg refers to Niko as "Nikolai", although this is an assumption on his part — he begins their interview by saying, "Hello Niko; what's that short for? Nikolai?" Niko does not respond and no one else calls him "Nikolai" in the game.
Niko's voice actor, Michael Hollick, is American, and the accent he assumes for Niko is not a Serbian one; Niko's spoken Serbian is frequently mispronounced or wrongly emphasized.
- As Niko is either a protagonist or not a traveling companion in each GTA IV-era game, he's not assigned a favorite radio station. However, he tells Little Jacob that "this city has some incredible music" and that he is a keen reggae fan. It's also supposedly mentioned in the beginning of the game that his favorite is Liberty Rock Radio. He tells Pathos and Patrick McReary that he doesn't really listen to rap music.
- There are rumors that Niko's father's name is Drago Bellic, that he was a general during the Bosnian wars, and was eventually killed in the warfield. However, there has been no official confirmation on this.
- In the opening cutscene of The Lost and Damned during the mission Clean and Serene, Niko can be seen in the background roughly brushing past a pedestrian, right before you hear the LCPD report of the motorcyclists wearing no helmets. Oddly, Niko shouldn't even be seen in Alderney, as this contradicts GTA IV; at the time of the mission, Niko is restricted to the boroughs of Bohan, Broker and Dukes.
- Niko appears to be visually inspired by Sasha from the movie Behind Enemy Lines (2001), which takes place in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war. Sasha's clothes are even available to buy in the Russian Shop.
- Niko has a scar on his left eyebrow.
- Niko had a childhood crush on a girl from his village, named Mila Tadic. Roman will confirm this during friend activities.
- In artwork and earlier screenshots, Niko had often been seen wearing fingerless gloves. The files still remain in the PC version (confirmed) and can only be used with an in-game Trainer. Obtaining them in the game without modding is impossible. The reason why they have been removed from the final version of the game is unknown, but it is likely due to the fact that they are not very inconspicuous.
- In early beta versions of GTA IV, Niko had slightly thicker hair and sometimes he can be seen with a buzzcut, neither of which appear in GTA IV, but still exists in the game files.
- Niko has accrued the highest canon body count of any other protagonist in the GTA series.
- Niko is regarded by fans and critics as the best GTA character ever created, citing his personality and backstory.
- Niko, along with Patrick McReary, can be fought and killed in The Ballad of Gay Tony mission Ladies Half Price. Niko and Packie have a colossal amount of health, and their deaths do not affect the story [1].
- Vladimir Glebov calls Niko "Yokel" multiple times in the game. Yokel is a derogatory term for people who grew up in poor countries.
- Niko was a speeder and daredevil before he even left his home country, as Roman comments that he is still a crazy driver.
- In a conversation with Manny Escuela during Escuela of the Streets, he claims that he stalked a woman in Europe. It's possible he was being sarcastic, given his annoyance with Manny.
- One of Niko's girlfriends, Alexandra Chilton, frequently reveals on her blog that Niko has a very large penis, comments refer to his "bulging package" and how "well-hung" he is. After Niko sleeps with her for the first time, she writes on her blog that she is to discuss this with her friends, Heidi & Paige. Alex also comments that he can be rough and kinky, including a session where he "bullfrogged" her over a washing machine, which she recorded and spanked her with a frying pan, amongst others. She also writes how she once had to steam clean her whole flat after he left. Alex wonders if all Europeans are like that, which also ties in with Niko's cousin, Roman, and his attitude towards sex, as who is often on the prowl for young college girls.
- It can be noted that without the player's control, Niko will never hit female pedestrians. For example, when Niko carjacks someone, the animation can sometimes see him punch or kick the occupant of the car, but he only does this to male drivers. If the driver is female, Niko will just pull her out of the car and not harm her. Rockstar Games included this so as to fit with the personality that had been created for him. Also, some Random Character missions require Niko to beat up men for assaulting women. The only time Niko hits a female without the player's input is during the two-part mission, I'll Take Her, where he punches and knocks out Gracie Ancelotti in order to stop her behaving eratically when he tries to kidnap her for the McRearys, and later when she is tied up, he slaps her to get her attention for a photo to prove to her father he has her held hostage. This is directly copied in TBOGT by Luis Lopez, when he also hits Gracie to shut her up during Ladies Half Price.
- There is a possible reference to Niko in a competing game, Saints Row. There is a commercial featuring a man named Vlad with an East European accent (Jason Zumwalt, the same voice actor that voices Roman), with hints that he is a human trafficker, and claims he is willing to have the player's family killed.
- As the protagonist, he appears in every mission.
- The Lost and Damned
- Clean and Serene
- Buyer's Market
- Collector's Item
- Credits (TLAD)
- Knowing Me, Knowing You (Voice only)
- The Ballad of Gay Tony
See also


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Performance and analysis of jazz-rock/fusion music. Improvisational and compositional techniques will be discussed. Some of the major players and groups analyzed will be the Yellowjackets, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, and Chick Corea. This class will perform original compositions in an end-of-the-semester final performance.
Performance and analysis of Latin/jazz music and related song forms. The class will include analysis of source music and its influence on contemporary composers and performers in the idiom. Concentration on samba, calypso, bossa nova, and contemporary Latin grooves. Some of the musicians discussed are Claudio Roditi, Clare Fischer, Chick Corea, and Paquito D'Rivera. The class will include a rhythm section plus varied instrumentation and will perform in a recital at the end of the semester.
An ensemble/class for the performer who also composes. A survey of compositions/concepts will be introduced; weekly composition assignments will be performed by the class and critiqued by the instructor. The purpose of this course is to develop originality through experimentation over a broad stylistic base.
The repertoire of this class includes contemporary displays of funk, jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian styles. The emphasis of this course is twofold. One focus is developing the capacity to mix these styles in a contemporary setting while maintaining the integrity of the stylistic roots. The other is the creation of the original compositions that will serve to explore the joining of different styles as evidenced in the subject material. There will be a requirement of four original compositions from the students and performance and preparation of songs from eight outside composers. The original compositions can be individual or collaborative.
Course work will focus on the performance and development of advanced rhythmic vocabulary within the jazz idiom employing the following genre styles: Afro-Cuban; South American (Brazilian, Argentinian, Venezuelan, Peruvian); Iberian (Spanish) rhythms such as flamenco and its various palos; and Spanish folklore rhythms such as Aragonese Jota, Sevillanas, txalaparta, and its odd time signatures. Performance will include compositions by instructor as well as other composers and students. Students will participate as leaders, performers, and composers/arrangers, and will have a chance to experiment with grooves created from the vocabulary studied.
Historical listening and performance class covering the tributaries of Bill Monroe's music (old-time country music, blues, and swing) and tracing the development of the styles from 1945 to the present day. Extensive transcription projects and in class performance will be emphasized.
In this performance class for music education majors, students prepare for solo and ensemble presentations. These presentations enable the student to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency on his/her principal instrument. Students prepare performances from a variety of styles. They develop recital programs and program notes. Students also learn to develop rubrics to assess performances.
This course provides an introduction to stage directing, focusing on the director as a leader and collaborator during a theatrical production. This class teaches students how to manage time and personnel before and during the rehearsal process; explores topics such as script analysis, rehearsal techniques, stage blocking and usage; and explores techniques for effective communication with designers, producers, stage managers, and other theatrical personnel. The course requires engagement of analytical, spatial, and critical thinking skills, as well as writing and creative skills, to deliver effective storytelling for the stage.
Survey and application of improvisation in both solo and ensemble contexts. Categories of studies include traditional/standard forms, (AABA, blues etc.), soloing over vamps, ostinato, melodic, thematic and textural approaches, use of various rhythmic techniques including polyrhythm, metric modulation, reduction etc. Emphasis is on increasing rhythmic skills, coordination and style/vernacular integration while developing a singular, personal voice. Projects will be divided into two general categories: abstract (imagery pieces, imagination and exploration, free forms) and non-abstract (specific goals and structures, concrete forms, multiple meters, rhythm, and stylistic context).
This is a comprehensive course on studio drumming that allows students to learn and apply pertinent techniques in a studio recording environment. The course covers analysis of today's top studio recording drummers and producers (Vinnie Colaiuta, Brian Blade, Brice Wassy, Jeff Porcaro, Daniel Lanois, etc.), tuning and miking the drum set, usage of click tracks, performing to prerecorded tracks, drum set reading and interpretation, and auxiliary percussion parts, as well as a variety of grooves and styles, from the generic to odd time signatures to electronic music.
This is a comprehensive course on becoming a self-produced drummer, designed to give students the ability to add his/her drum tracks to projects via the Internet, without ever having to be physically present in the originating studio. The student will acquire the skills to record studio quality audio tracks to sessions that have been downloaded, and then upload the newly recorded tracks to send back for insertion into the original project. The students will learn how to create an inexpensive project studio and get hands-on experience in the use of baffling and miking procedures, in preparing an accurate triggering system, in applying tuning and dampening for acoustic triggering, and creating live environments for electronic drums, midi sequencing, etc.
This course offers a step-by-step approach to improvising contrapuntally in a solo piano context. Emphasis on walking bass lines through a series of rhythmic/melodic motives gives the pianist a basis for gaining the independence required to simultaneously improvise in a linear or chordal manner in the right hand. This eventually leads to multi-voice improvisation. Artists studied and transcribed include Lennie Tristano, Dave McKenna, Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Oscar Peterson, and Diana Krall. Weekly class performance includes repertoire of the jazz standard literature.


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a Latin word created by Cicero to describe a good man, one who is educated in literary culture (esp. the classics) and is therefore civilized
The humanism of the Italian Renissance is derived from the Latin humanitas
by opheliaddict September 07, 2009
A high school program involving classes between AE and honors. Students work as a team with devoted teachers that are chosen by the school's Humanitas coordinator. They go on field trips inside and outside of school, that involve whatever it is they study in class. Classes link certain subjects together; for example, if in History, students are learning about the industrial revolution, they might read something in English class by an author writing during that time period. Humanitas is a kickass program, and everyone in it is part of the family.
That was an awesome Humanitas field trip we took to the play-house.
by Thanks Anyway December 26, 2006
The vengeful act of crapping on a lover's chest while they sleep.Buy the plush


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Space Tours: MyGym, Tour Bus, Dressing Room, Secret Party Garden, PetrolHead[ Edited ]
Latest (in the works) last updated 1/27/14
- Adding links to the main page, if for any reason you click on a non working link, please let me know.
- Need volunteers for this if you're wanting to help (let me know by PM) . There are some 'older' spaces with no info threads, if you wish to add or create one, please do and ill make sure to link it.
- Also adding links to video tours from the community, if you have a video you want to share of the space, post it here and will add it to the page.
If you happen to be one of those who gets every personal space
that is released and want to get added to the listing of
those offering tours each time new spaces / clubhouse skins
comes to the NA region or EU Region
just reply here & Link of listing should be up soon
Personal Space Tours: Listing of those offering Tours
This is a listing of those friendly folks who are offering Personal Space Tours of any of their personal spaces
If you'd just like to see the personal spaces in video form, visit http://yourpshome.net for a listing, It's the easy way to get a tour without needing an invite!
This is meant for anyone in any region (NA/EU/HK/JP) who would want a tour or is offering to give a tour
You can also contact one of our PlayStation Home Guides, in which they specialize in Home and you can ask them for a tour.
(these can be ever changing, PLEASE feel free to offer up suggestions for additions and changes to make this run smoothly)
**Please Note about those who offer Tours:
-They reserve the right to delete you from their list at any time to continue to make room for others to invite.
-Please treat them with respect, and respect their time.
-They may invite you and then sit their avatar somewhere out of the way while they do other things, please don't take offense if they are not always there to chat with you.
(Can you think of more to add here? Please let me know!)
**If you'd like to be listed:
-For Any Personal Space you want to give a tour, PLEASE include the full name of the space or copy and paste from the list below
-If your account is from a different region please mention it
-Also, please note the amount of time you're willing to allow (if you have time constraints).
You can also follow us on Twitter w/ Hashtag #PSHomeSpaceTours
2K Games
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Rapture Metro Apartment
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Doctor Who TARDIS
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Clubhouse Skins
Dream Yacht Artic Voyage Clubhouse *
Dream Forest Paradise Clubhouse *
Lock-a-doodle Studio (Clubhouse)
The Haven of the Skies Clubhouse *
The Prairie Saloon *
Personal Spaces
The Spunland Cottage *
Personal Spaces
Darla's Den
Neptune Suite *
Personal Spaces
Ansada Fone Apartment
Ansada Fone Apartment (Night)
Aurora Champion Apartment
Aurora Island
Aurora Showcase Apartment
Carla's Coffee Shop Apartment
Castle Greywold: Apartment
F.U.B.A.R. Apartment (=DOUBLE POINTS)
Masquerade Ball - The Ballroom
Pirate Galleon Apartment *
Savage Manor
Stately Home Apartment (Gothic)
The Secret Party Garden: Apartment
Clubhouse Skins
Masquerade Ball - The Ballroom Club House
Musicality Club House
Stately Home Apartment (Gothic)
The Secret Party Garden: Clubhouse
The War Room Clubhouse
Personal Spaces
Moonlight Space
Red Bull
Personal Spaces
Red Bull House of Skate *
Personal Spaces
A House In Hogsmeade
Batman: Arkham Asylum Batcave Outpost
Castle Durrant
City Penthouse
Creek Falls *
Crystal Seashores Apartment *
Cutthroats Hideaway Apartment
French Chateau Apartment *
Gothic Manor *
Hillside Apartment
Island Bungalow Apartment *
Japanese Apartment
Lakeside Log Cabin
LittleBigPlanet Pod Penthouse *
LocoIsland *
Luxurious tropical paradise beach crib
Luxury Racing Box
Luxury Weekend Lake House
Mahjong Apartment *
Moon Forest Apartment *
MotorStorm Monument Valley Camp
MotorStorm Pacific Rift Camp
Mount Olympus *
Nebula Air Ship *
Nightlife Lounge Apartment
Paris Clock Tower Apartment
Party at Jess's Apartment
Pharaoh's Tomb
Playground Apartment
PlayStation Home Mansion - First Floor *
PlayStation Home Mansion - Infinity Pool *
PlayStation Home Mansion - Second Floor *
Plum Tree Pavillion Apartment *
Post Apocalyptic Shelter
Ratchet & Clank: Home Sweet Home
Raven Barracks
Santorini Greece
Summer House
SVER Barracks
The Lost Dam Hideout
Tree House Personal Apartment
The Imperial Voyager
Tropical Escape
Tuscan Villa Apartment *
Tycoon Penthouse
Valor Barracks
Villain's Lair
Uncharted Forune Hunter's Apartment
Warhawk Apartment
Waterfall Terrace *
Winter Vacation Villa
Wizard's Den
Yacht: Santorini
Visari Throne Room
Zombie DeadQuarters *
Clubhouse Skins
Basic Clubhouse
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Desert Haven
Hidden Oak Retreat
Hillside Clubhouse
Island Bungalow Clubhouse
Men in Black Headquarters - Clubhouse
Moon Forest Clubhouse
Nightlife Lounge Clubhouse
Plum Tree Pavillion Clubhouse
Tuscan Villa Clubhouse
Square Enix
Personal Spaces
Eden - Primarch's Vigilarium
Personal Spaces
UFC Personal Space
Personal Spaces
Assasin's Creed Apartment
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Acorn Meadows Park Apartment
Acorn Meadows Park Apartment - 1st Birthday
Acorn Meadows Park Apartment -Dusk
Acorn Meadows Park Apartment - Night
Acorn Meadows Park Apartment - Rainy day
Acorn Meadows Park Apartment - Winter
Go Fish Tropical Island
HGL Creative Habitat
MyGym Apartment
SFRGBT!! Tropical Island
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Virtual Tennis 4 - Baseline Battle (EU) *
Other Items categories (that offer rewards)
Mod Edit: Removed labels. Labels are for use in the General Forum only.
Click here for more information.Thanks! ~lovely1rainbow
fantastic job. easy 2 find the tours hosts n this way.
PSN Gamercards
If you would like you can add me as a tour guide for the following space:
- Andy's Room*
- Anime Style
- Aurora Island
- Batman: Arkham Asylum Batcave Outpost
- Blaster's Paradise - Sodium Personal Space
- Bonk Living Space
- Casino: Complimentary Hotel Room (new)
- Creek Falls* (new)
- Cutteridge Estate
- Darla's Den
Dolphy Room
- Dragon's Lair
- Dream Yacht *
- Gnome Curling Secret Garden
- Hollywood Hills House
- Lakeside Log Cabin
- Living Room Stage Set from Loot
- LocoIsland*
- Luxury Racing Box
- Luxury Weekend Lake House
- Modular Stage Set from LOOT
- Musicality Apartment
- Paris Clock Tower Apartment
- Pharaoh's Tomb
- Pirate Galleon Apartment*
- Planetland
- Playground Apartment
- Playstation Home Mansion - First Floor*
- Playstation Home Mansion - Garage*
- Playstation Home Mansion - Infinity Pool*
- Playstation Home Mansion Second Floor*
- Post Apocalyptic Shelter
- Rapture Metro Apartment*
- Salt Shooter Game
- Santorini Greece
- Tropical Escape
- UFC Personal Space
- Villain's Lair*
- Waterfall Terrace*
- Winter Vacation Villa
- Wizard's Den
- Zombie Headquarters*
thanks fer bringing it on to the attention, I think is this an awesum feature to have here
hi wesley, there some people in the NA region who have other accounts on different regions owning them spaces and vice versa.


text:
Town Square
Fireworks fizzled (from June 6 ReaderWire)
Original post made on Jul 6, 2007
Some of the selections -- "Over There" and "From the Halls of Montezuma" -- were also insensitive considering our country's current difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When I bought my family's tickets this year, I was slightly disconcerted that the price of the concert had gone up about 25% from last year. Now I am dismayed. My family's July 3rd tradition of attending the concert and fireworks at Frost Amphitheatre ended tonight.
Read the full story here Web Link
Comments (11)
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jul 6, 2007 at 1:38 pm
"From the Halls of Montezuma" is INSENTITIVE??? That's OUR Marines, God Bless them all.
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 6, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Mimi Sabo (ReaderWire) should be ashamed of herself for writing that during the fireworks display at Stanford, the band's playing of "Over There" and "The Halls of Montezuma" was "insensitive considering our country's current difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan".
Apparently Ms Sabo has no appreciation whatsoever for our country's military and their sacrifices in the past and present that enable Ms Sabo to write to the Weekly without censorship and to enjoy the fireworks display which honors this free country.
The military has protected this precious freedom in past wars and they are doing the same in the present war. It's amazing and disgusting to how see how this freedom is taken for granted by so many and how little thanks and even condemnation is given to our military, who have always stood in harm's way to make this freedom possible for all of us.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Jul 6, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Mimi - was the event a waste of your money or Stanford's money? I enjoyed the event with friends. We weren't in Frost, so we only caught bits and pieces of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and none of the music during the fireworks, but we did have a great view of the wonderful fireworks themselves.
Nancy - Your statement borders on sanctimony. Saying that the military is the (only) guardian of the Constitution lets the rest of America off too easy.
a resident of Mountain View
on Jul 6, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Deep breath - You say it perfectly. America is "of the people, by the people and for the people." Many of us do our fair share to assure freedom, even if it's as simple as being kind to your neighbor or condemning racism. American soldiers (or, any from anywhere for that matter) are to be admired for their courage, even if the mission is sometimes questionable. But it ultimately takes the people of the country to maintain its identity and honor.
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 6, 2007 at 6:59 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 6, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Last time I looked, the Fourth of July celebrated Independence Day and commemorated the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Even though there is some dispute on the correct date, it represents the birth of the United States of America. Patriotic songs are normally played but the Fourth of July is not obviously "a military celebration of a military success."
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jul 7, 2007 at 12:33 pm
My family members have served in all of the recent wars, except Iraq. I think my father and grandfather would be ashamed of the U.S./Iraq situation.
Turning a celebration of the country's independence and dedication to liberty and individual freedom into a celebration of the military, so often misused in recent decades, is inappropriate.
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 7, 2007 at 6:37 pm
"Turning a celebration of the country's independence and dedication to liberty and individual freedom into a celebration of the military, so often misused in recent decades, is inappropriate."
Do you think independence, liberty and freedom just happened? That is like assuming that light comes from the switch and not the generators and distribution behind that switch.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 9, 2007 at 9:28 pm
An appalling lack of comprehension that our freedom was not negotiated, it was fought for and our people died..over and over again,..and still are.
It is being fought for now..imagine a united Middle East under a religious fascism, determined to hold Israel and oil hostage,..the one being millions under threat of annhilation by bombs, the other being a means to threaten world-wide depression with resultant starvation.
And our military isn't defending freedom? Listen to the latest tape from Al-Qaeda Al Zawahari. I believe him when he stresses how important Iraq is in this battle of fascism vs. democracy..our own left doesn't believe this is a war, but it is odd that this guy does..our own left can't see the importance of Iraq, but this guy does....
We win there ( leave Iraq able to defend its democracy against tyranny), we win freedom for a long time..we lose there, we win war for a long time. Do you want your little brothers and sons to fight this war in 10 years?
Listen to how much Al-Zawahari lies about prisoners, how much he hates the American desire for moderation and tolerance,.. imagine this guy in charge of the Middle East, trying to bring the west..us..under his "Caliphate".
You guys simply do not believe him, and his followers, that they MEAN what they say, they REALLY BELIEVE that the only way is their version of Islam, which you accept, or die. It comes through in this tape that he is worried about Iraq, that he worries they are actually losing ( which they are, as evidenced by his obvious worry that Iraqis are agreeing with the concept of democracy and tolerance, which he can only accept as being words brought out by torture). Note how delighted he is that we are splitting up, and talking about a way out. He is almost salivating with happiness at us getting out so that his brutal ways can take over..
ask yourselves WHY he looks so worried, yet so hopeful?
And for the "tortured" at the end..I notice they still have their heads...and their tongues..I guess we were stupid to let them out to tell everyone about their horrible torture. I think it is odd we never get anyone back, alive, who can talk.
Web Link
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 9, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I apologize, this post above doesn't really belong here. It poured out of me after I read the other posts. I actually came here to comment on how incredibly wonderful the Shoreline Amphitheater SF Symphony (and the Opera Singers who sang) was, and how it was the first time I heard a symphony play with the fireworks, which were out of this world.
The only drawback was this ( to me) absurd attempt at mixed media, where they showed a MOVIE clip of Gene Kelly dancing for awhile, and another clip from Dreamgirls..felt like time filler to me. I would rather have begun later and skipped this part. Was hard for me to catch the magic back after this, ( but I did it)
Definitely a kid pleaser for over 8-10. If they do it again next year, I am in!
a resident of South of Midtown
on Jul 9, 2007 at 11:06 pm
resident, i went to shoreline too and thoroughly enjoyed the show. the singers were fabulous, the music so easy to listen to. i was fine with watching the movie clips. sorta felt like we were at a drive-in, but then, i was sitting in the lawn area in front of one of the screens. but i see your point as well. mixed media is not for everyone. it did change the pace of things. oh, but the fireworks set to music by the sf symphony? priceless!
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We've got answers
We are so excited to see the growing number of people who are choosing a plant-strong lifestyle. Finding local organizations is easy on the internet – try searching google, facebook and meetup to find plant-based support groups near you. Here are a couple of our favorites: Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group in Michigan and Plant-Based CLE in Ohio.
The longer you're on the E2 Diet, the more your palate will change. Think about milk, for instance. Since it's well known that whole milk is not good for you, you've probably cut back to 2 percent or skim. At first, I bet that skim milk tasted like water. Then you became accustomed to it so when you tried whole milk again, it tasted like liquid paint. Your palate had changed.
It's the same with adding oil to your foods. Anthony Salerno, one of the E2 Pilot Study participants, is a fourth-generation Italian-American who thought he couldn't live without his olive oil. But after six weeks on the E2 Diet, he found he enjoyed meals more without it—the oil, he realized, disguised their true flavors. When he returned to using olive oil, he found it tasted as though he'd poured synthetic goo on his food.
Foods taste better without being dunked in butter, drenched in margarine, or saturated with sour cream. Plant-based foods are absolutely glorious in their sublimeness. Without all the extra fat and processed flavors drowning them out, you'll finally get to taste nuances you might never have noticed: the tang of a ripe red bell pepper, the zest of a Cara Cara orange, or the zing of a plate of lacinato kale with roasted garlic—foods bursting with flavors all their own.
The fat and cholesterol in animal products clogs up the arteries traveling not only to the heart and head but also to the extremities, including the penis, where they can cause PAD (peripheral arterial disease) and impotence, which research shows may be an early sign of heart disease.
So, men: There is a better way, and it doesn't involve taking Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. It involves eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
In my father's research study, several of the men who had been impotent for years regained their performance after changing to a plant-based diet, making their wives quite happy. Many of the Engine 2 Study participants also reported improved potency, including one who said that his erections "are now like blue steel."
There are numerous ways to get essential omega-3 fatty acids without subjecting yourself to the potential risks of fish oils—which, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, are highly unstable molecules that can break down and release dangerous, disease causing free radicals.
People are under the false assumption that taking a fish oil supplement will negate the effects of all the cheese, meat, and processed foods they throw down their throats. But fish oil is no panacea. It can actually raise total and LDL cholesterol levels, increases your chance of a hemorrhagic stroke, and suppresses the immune system.
Instead of taking fish oil, rely on ground flaxseed meal, walnuts, soybeans, and green leafy vegetables, all of which contain plenty of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
If you are unwilling to transition to a totally plant-strong diet, then go to a health food store and buy some plant-based omega-3 supplements that come straight from the mother source: plankton from the oceans, seas, and lakes—which, by the way, is where fish get their omega-3s.
By the age of two (once off mother's milk), every child is ready for a plant-strong diet. Even renowned expert Dr. Benjamin Spock recommends the practice in the latest edition of his classic bestselling book, Baby and Child Care. If you start them young, your kids will develop a palate that appreciates the subtleties of plant foods and will gain the healthy rewards that accompany this diet as they grow.
Pregnant women, meanwhile, can get all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that both they and their babies need to be healthy and well. My wife, Jill, ate an all-plant-based diet throughout her pregnancy with no morning sickness and no complications. She later gave birth to our very healthy eight-pound, seven-ounce baby, Kole, the little love of our lives.
Your energy levels will be more constant and consistent than at any other point in your life.
Think of high-fiber and nutrient-heavy plant foods as the big logs in the fireplace that burn for hours. Think of low-fiber and nutrient-light foods such as simple carbohydrates as wads of newspaper that go up in a flash. When you're eating plant-strong, you won't have the energy peaks and valleys of the past, and if you so choose, you won't even need coffee to get your butt and mind in gear in the mornings. You'll awake feeling refreshed, even-keeled, and excited about charging forward into your day.
Your energy levels will be more constant and consistent than at any other point in your life.
Think of high-fiber and nutrient-heavy plant foods as the big logs in the fireplace that burn for hours. Think of low-fiber and nutrient-light foods such as simple carbohydrates as wads of newspaper that go up in a flash. When you're eating plant-strong, you won't have the energy peaks and valleys of the past, and if you so choose, you won't even need coffee to get your butt and mind in gear in the mornings. You'll awake feeling refreshed, even-keeled, and excited about charging forward into your day.
Just ask Tony Gonzalez, the 247-pound tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs football team. For health reasons, Tony changed his diet after signing a five-year contract extension, making him the league's highest paid tight end, and went on to break the NFL record for receptions by a tight end in 2008. His teammates have nicknamed him China Study after T. Colin Campbell's book of the same name, which Gonzalez studied before changing his diet—and which you will soon be reading about.
Ask Ruth Heidrich, who in 1982 was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and cured herself by eating a low-fat, plant-strong diet. She has since won more than one thousand triathlons. Or ask Salim Stoudamire, the plant-eating point guard for the NBA Atlanta Hawks, who says that by the fourth quarter, when most players are starting to fade, he's picking it up a notch. Or ask Martina Navratilova, the world's winningest tennis player, who serves up plant-based foods exclusively. Or ask plant-devourer Dave Scott, my hero and six-time winner of the famed Hawaii Ironman triathlon.
Or better yet, try going plant-based yourself and see how much your own athletic performance improves.
A diverse, plant-based diet is one of the best available sources of calcium—and lets you avoid the deleterious effects associated with dairy products.
Great sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, oranges, kidney beans, lima beans, whole grains, Swiss chard, lentils, raisins, broccoli, kale, celery, tofu, and romaine lettuce.
One reason why Americans have such a high incidence of osteoporosis (or weakening of the bones) isn't a lack of dietary calcium but an excess of animal protein, which leaches calcium from the bones.
In fact, did you know that the countries with the highest rate of dairy consumption, including the United States, New Zealand, Britain, and Sweden, also have the highest rates of osteoporosis? Although their citizens consume massive amounts of dietary calcium, the excessive protein in that milk, cheese, steak, fish, and eggs always trumps this important mineral, leaving them with a net deficit.
Meanwhile, people in rural China, who consume one-third the amount of dairy we do, have almost zero cases of osteoporosis. Dr. John McDougall, author of The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart, has scoured the medical literature on the topic and has yet to find one case of dietary calcium deficiency in humans—so long as they consumed an adequate number of calories. So no milk mustache for you!
Some carbs do, but good carbs don't.
Most trendy diets claim that all carbohydrates are bad guys, yet of the three macronutrients that provide calories in our diet (carbs, protein, and fat), carbohydrates are the body's primary fuel source. They're responsible for managing your heart rate, digestion, breathing, exercising, walking, and thinking.
Roughly 70 percent of your daily calories should come from good (complex) carbohydrates. The ones to avoid are called simple carbs.
Both types of carbs are sugars. Both are digested and converted into glucose, which is used by the body for energy: in the blood as glucose, or stored in either the muscles or the liver as glycogen. When consumed in excess, carbohydrates can be converted to fat.
Simple carbohydrates include table sugar, molasses, honey, alcohol, white bread, white pasta, white rice, fried chips, sugary cereals, fruit juices, candy, and milk. Most simple carbs are nutritionally empty because they have been tinkered with by humans, stripped of their fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They are digested quickly by the body and cause a sharp spike in your blood sugar levels.
In response to this spike, your pancreas pumps out insulin to transport and deliver the energy-bearing glucose to cells throughout your body. This process causes your blood sugar and insulin levels to swing like a pendulum, leaving you feeling fatigued, hungry, and craving still more simple carbohydrates.
And because simple carbohydrates are digested so quickly, any excess sugar is converted to fat. For these reasons, most simple carbohydrates are a poor food choice.
In contrast, complex carbohydrates are nutritious, and include vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas, beans, peas, brown rice, sweet potatoes, oats, fruits, and whole grain cereals. They are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates cause a balanced and controlled release of sugar into your system. This slow release gives the body more time to use the carbohydrates as fuel; as a result, fewer turn to fat and insulin remains stable.
So if you consume, whole, good, natural carbs, you will enjoy more consistent energy throughout the day without gaining extra pounds.
As you can see, the two types of carbs differ immensely from a nutritional standpoint. Simple carbohydrates are calorie laden, providing little nutrition and causing weight gain. Complex carbohydrates are lower in calories and, because they are loaded with fiber, provide bulk that fills you up sooner, alleviates hunger pangs, and keeps you feeling satisfied longer.
So go eat your carbs—as long as they're complex.
Plant proteins are as complete as complete can be.
The myth that they're not, or are of a lesser quality than animal proteins, dates back to experiments performed on rats in the early 1900s. Forget the fact that rats aren't humans, have different nutritional requirements, and need more protein than humans to support their furry little bodies. The meat, dairy, and egg industries have marketed the hell out of this ancient research, and even in the year 2009 most every Dick, Tom, and Jane thinks the only way to get complete protein is through meat, eggs, or dairy.
In reality, proteins are composed of chains of roughly twenty different amino acids. Of those, eight are found outside our body and must be absorbed from our food. These eight are the "essential" amino acids. The remaining acids are "nonessential" because they can be synthesized by our bodies themselves. Plants supply all the essential and nonessential amino acids. All of them. While some plants may be low in (not missing) one amino acid and other plants may be higher in another, your brilliant body sorts it all out and, at the end of the day, complements your amino-acid profile so it is perfectly balanced. In so doing, it creates a high-quality protein that is healthier, safer, and better than animal protein.
Thus, there is absolutely no need to combine certain plant proteins at each meal in an attempt to achieve an optimal amino acid balance. Unfortunately, the protein-combination myth continues to be perpetuated by any number of respected organizations. But the American Dietetic Association gets it right. Its position statement reads: "Plant sources of protein alone can provide adequate amounts of the essential and non-essential amino acids, assuming that dietary protein sources from plants are reasonably varied and that caloric intake is sufficient to meet energy needs. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, seeds, and nuts all contain essential and non-essential amino acids."
Scream it from the mountaintops: Plant proteins are 100 percent complete!
Not only will you get all the protein you need, for the first time in your life you won't suffer from an excess of it.
Ample amounts of protein are thriving in whole, natural plant-based foods. For example, spinach is 51 percent protein; mushrooms, 35 percent; beans, 26 percent; oatmeal, 16 percent; whole wheat pasta, 15 percent; corn, 12 percent; and potatoes, 11 percent.
What's more, our body needs less protein than you may think. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average 150-pound male requires only 22.5 grams of protein daily based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet, which means about 4.5 percent of calories should come from protein. (WHO recommends pregnant women get 6 percent of calories from protein.) Other nutritional organizations recommend as little as 2.5 percent of daily calories come from protein while the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board's recommended daily allowance is 6 percent after a built-in safety margin; most Americans, however, are taking in 20 percent or more.
Doctors from my father to Dean Ornish to Joel Fuhrman, author of the best selling Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss (Little, Brown), all suggest that getting an adequate amount of protein should be the least of your worries.
Look around you and tell me the last time you saw someone who was hospitalized for a protein deficiency. Or look around in nature, where you will notice that the largest and strongest animals, such as elephants, gorillas, hippos, and bison, are all plant eaters.
Also, the type of protein you consume is as important as the amount. If you are taking in most of your protein from animal-based foods, you're getting not only too much protein, but also an acid-producing form that wreaks havoc on your system.
Why is protein so potentially harmful? Because your body can store carbohydrates and fats, but not protein. So if the protein content of your diet exceeds the amount you need, not only will your liver and kidneys become overburdened, but you will start leaching calcium from your bones to neutralize the excess animal protein that becomes acidic in the human body.
That's why, in the case of protein, the adage "less is more" definitely applies. The average American consumes well over 100 grams daily—a dangerous amount. But if you eat a plant-strong diet, you'll be getting neither too much nor too little protein, but an amount that's just right.


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High Sound Quality
7.1-Channel, 665W Powerful Surround Sound (95W x 7) Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification Pure Direct Mode for High Quality 2-Channel Sound Reproduction Accurate Touch Volume Control Governs All Channels Selectable 9-Band Subwoofer Crossover / Phase Select 192kHz/24-Bit DAC for All Channels
Surround Realism
Quad-Field CINEMA DSP Compatible with All the Latest Movie Sound Formats including Dolby Pro Logic IIx Audio Delay for adjusting Lip Sinc (0-160 ms) 29 Surround Programs (51 Variations) Night Listening Enhancer (Cinema/Music) and SILENT CINEMA
Easy to Use
YPAO for Automatically Optimizing the Sound in Your Room On-Screen Display Custom Installation (Zone 2) and Speaker B Zone 2 Speaker Terminals
High Picture Quality
HDTV (720p/1080i) Compatibility S-Video Up Conversion Wide-Range Video Bandwidth (60MHz -3 dB)
Other Features
192 kHz/24-Bit DAC for all Channels Selectable 9-Band Subwoofer Crossover Subwoofer Phase Select Analog Mixdown Straight/Effect Switch 2-Channel Mode High Dynamic Power Linear Damping Wide-Range Audio Frequency Response for DVD-Audio/SA-CD Compatibility Preout Terminals for All 7 Channels and Subwoofer Output Custom Installation (Zone 2) Compatibility and Speaker B 9-Channel Speaker Outputs; Automatic Zone 2 or Presence Speaker Selection Dialogue Lift Center Graphic Equalizer Virtual CINEMA DSP Preset Remote Control Unit 40-Station Preset Tuning Auto Preset Tuning
8 Ch Ext Input
8 additional input jacks for discrete multi-channel input. Front (Left, Center, Right), Rear (Surround Left & Right, Surround Back Left & Right) and Subwoofer
CINEMA DSP Digital™
Conventional multichannel audio reproduction systems base their sound on Dolby® Digital and DTS Digital Surround™ decoding, using matrix and steering technologies to create surround sound effects. Yamaha CINEMA DSP Digital™ is much more advanced; actually creating independent sound fields that envelop you in an unmatched surround sound experience. With dialogue, music and effects located in separate sound fields, you will hear sound with directionality, smooth movement, exceptional clarity and presence.
Digital ToP-ART
Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) is the name Yamaha has given to a design philosophy whose goal is to maximize digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The culmination of Yamaha's long experience in digital engineering and design, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, A/V components available on the market.
Dolby Digital EX
This surround format from Dolby Digital includes an added center rear channel. The rear center channel is actually matrixed into the two rear channels, and is extracted upon playback. (Formerly called Dolby Digital Surround EX, or Dolby Digital Matrix 6.1.)
Yamaha has developed a natural, realistic DSP algorithm for headphones. Parameters for headphones have been set for each sound field so that accurate representations of all the sound field programs can be enjoyed with a pair of headphones.
In this format, the back surround channel is matrix encoded into the left and right surround channels. For playback, the three channels are separately decoded.


text: Yeah, good article. Applied to 6 pairs today - 2nd coat on 3, first coat on 3. Applied to RW GT, but it's not absorbing since they are brand new and "water-resistant" from the factory. I'll let them sit overnight and see if any of it gets absorbed, or just wipe it off.


text:
Someone who gets too into it during role play and jack the guy's penis off until their weenus aches. Schlongfiddler was first used around the late 1800s when someone noticed a violinist playing the violin. The violinist got so engulfed into the music that his weenus ached from the long and short strokes.
The Fiddler on the Roof on the roof is a very good Schlongfiddler because of all the practice he gets playing the violin.
by H8terhatesU May 13, 2011