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|Topic Review (Newest First)
Sorry for abandoning this thread, and my other one on the 6g in my office. Last winter I got called into my boss's office, and she let me know that both she and my job were moving to Chicago (from Toronto) and I was welcome to join if I wanted to. I liquidated all my plants / fish over the GTA Aquaria forum and packed everything in.
My new landlord doesn't allow fish, and at work my new desk is too close to a window to grow much besides algae so for now all my gear is packed away. Hopefully I can get something going again though, I miss having fish at work.
|Update us!
Apologies for the shameless bumping, but while I have the camera at home here are a couple fish snapshots.
Between their cute whiskers, funny antics and general awesomeness pygmy cories are by far my favourite fish. They seem to spend most of their time hovering around mid water or sleeping on plants and I rarely see them on the bottom unless it's feeding time.
They're very social and school much more tightly then anything else in my tank.
At the moment most of my colour is coming from Espei's rasboras
I have mixed feelings about these guys, they're really colourful but are a bit larger then I think is ideal for this setup and I have them in a smaller group then they should be.
Originally Posted by microw View Post
Me like, especially the middle to right side.
I've finally gotten around to taking a current photo, and as I didn't manage to clean the glass first this is pretty much how it normally looks.
I've added a korelia-knockoff powerhead in the back left corner, and while there are still some problem areas it seems to have helped my algae situation immensely (touch wood).
Now that I have plants actually growing, I'm starting to think about how I can change things to make the tank more aesthetically pleasing. The first step should probably be a curtain around the utility shelf I'm using as a stand, but aside from that there are a couple of areas that I'm not happy with atm.
The sunset hygros I have in the centre fore/midground are a placeholder that I've never gotten around to replacing, and it's seems past time already. A small bushy plant might be cool, (anubias? windelov fern?) or maybe even more wood or some kind of small boulder. Any suggestions would be awesome, as would any input on small, bushy plants.
In the upper left I really like the *idea* of pennywort near the surface but in practice it seems to get tangled and unsightly without a lot of grooming. For the moment it's another area where I can't decide how I want to proceed and in the meantime the lazy path prevails.
As always, I appreciate any suggestions though I feel vaguely guilty about soliciting them since my limited experience hampers my ability to reciprocate.
|Me like, especially the middle to right side.
Sorry for the tangent on cory breeding, I'll get back to photos of the 20L that's the point of this thread.
This photo was taken march 24th, you can see the plants are growing in and I've added some Trigonostigma hengeli in addition to the cories and chilis. At this point I was having a major issue with BBA and the tank is looking pretty bad
May 27th: Still more growth, and I've added some pennywort near the surface. Also tried a couple stems of s. rapens I got from a friend, but my light is too low and it's not doing well. The tank is looking pretty terrible at this point, and I didn't invest the time that I should have. BBA is improving but I had an outbreak of some kind of brown cotteny algae or diatoms, not sure which, that has started to choke out the moss on my centre driftwood.
I left my camera at the lab today so I can't take any updated photos, but I'll try to remember it tomorrow. As you'll see when I take new photos, the pennywort is out of control and needs a serious prune but I think things are finally balancing out a bit.
It's been ages since I've updated this thread, but one thing leads to another and I keep forgetting to post photos. Thanks Fishboy and Hilde for your comments and reminding me to get my act together.
Now that the tank's been flooded 6 months or so everything has started to settle down and grow without too much fuss. Algae continues to some extent, but I think I'm holding my own. Lately a lot of my aquarium time has been occupied with breeding the pygmy cories so the pruning etc on my 20g has suffered a bit.
Starting with cories in my 10g:
Last time I posted I was having trouble with predation by ostracods after putting eggs in my vacant 10g walstad-style tank. I eventually overcame this by suspending a metal coffee filter in the top of the tank and placing the eggs in there. The mesh was too small to allow the ostracods to get in, and once fry are freeswimming they seem immune to predation and can be released into the main part of the tank.
Here's a freeswimming fry in my 10g, probably about 2 wks old
Slightly older fry:
And young adult
I apologize for the quality of these images, the fry are so small and fast moving that it's hard to get a sharp photo in the very low light of my 10g tank.
Since this rearing tank was a little dull with only the immature cories, and I was keeping the small fry split off anyway I decided to add this little guy for some colour:
He's been a great addition, as he doesn't seem to bother fry longer then a couple of mm, he completely wiped out the ostracods and is happy to eat the same microworms that I feed the growing cories.
my breeding scheme seems to be fairly successful at this point and I've raised some 15 fish so far. I think I could do a lot more as there are still tons of eggs appearing in my main tank, but it's time consuming to take care of the little ones and not so exciting now that I've managed to rear a few batches.
Originally Posted by toastedtoast View Post
I moved most of the eggs to my (empty) 10g planted tank where I thought they would be free from predation. Turns out that was a pretty bad plan, as without fish that tank had become a haven for ostracods.
|I love this tank great job. I think I am going to something like this with my 20 gallon. Also whats up with the tank we need an update please. (:
I moved most of the eggs to my (empty) 10g planted tank where I thought they would be free from predation. Turns out that was a pretty bad plan, as without fish that tank had become a haven for ostracods.
Here's a photo of a minutes-old fry getting munched, you can see another ostracod incoming to join in the fun
I think I'm going to move all my rasboras back into this tank to clear out the pests and let the pygmies do their thing in the 20L
I came home from work today and my pygmy cories were laying eggs! I waited for them to stop and then took a couple photos
you can see an egg stuck to the hygro stem here
there are a bunch on the plants and a few scattered around on the glass as well
Originally Posted by toastedtoast View Post
I've had a bit of a staghorn(?)
I did water testing and my nitrate was way down. Between 5 and 0ppm.
|nICE RASBORA PIC!
It's been a about a month since my last post in this thread, so I thought I'd give a quick update.
As I've added fish, they've either eaten or out-competed the hydra that was infesting the tank last time I posted. There are some left, but even specifically looking for them I can only spot 5 or 6--which is a level that doesn't bother me at all.
On the negative side, I've had a bit of a staghorn(?) outbreak and it's taking a lot of work to keep it from infesting everything. I've raised the lights a bit and increased CO2 but I haven't had a lot of success in slowing growth. In this photo it looks pretty green, but I think that's just the color of the moss showing through. When I pull it out it's pretty gray.
I did a bunch of water testing today, and my nitrate was way down from the usual level; somewhere between 5 and 0ppm. I haven't increased my dosing level since my plant mass has doubled, so I wonder if that's part of the issue.
One of my rasboras kept getting in the way as I was trying to photograph the algae, so here's a snapshot. Of course when the camera appears the best-coloured ones are nowhere to be found, but what can you do?
Thanks Freph!
I'm really liking the lilaeopsis a lot, but I wonder if I should add something to the back left corner. maybe some more vals--I dunno it just looks bare.
Most of the photos I've posted have been a few days out of date but here's one I just took.
I've added some T. hengeli and a black background. I'm not sure I'm sold on the black yet, but I'll leave it for a while and see if it grows on me.
it certainly makes the plants/fish look better, but any snails on the front glass really stick out like a sore thumb against black, and strangely enough the green eheim tubing seems more visible then it did on white.
edit: just realized that I forgot to mention the transition from DIY to pressurized co2 a couple weeks ago so I'll update the first post to reflect the change in setup.
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Town Square
Rental Housing, Prop 13, and School Funding
Original post made by Prop 13 Victim, Duveneck School, on Jun 28, 2006
For example, a recent advertisement lists a 4 bedroom rental in Palo Alto at 833 La Para (Web Link) for $5500/mo. This property generates $900/year in property taxes (Web Link), yet burdens the fixed pie of the school system with at least 3 extra kids. Multiply this problem several hundred times and you should understand my concern.
I see a problem that dwarfs all of the red herrings raised by the anti-parcel tax crowd, e.g., false residency. Prop 13 may keep a few seniors from eating dog food (or moving to Arizona--far worse), but it seems to have evolved into a particularly nasty form of parasitism benefiting landlords in basic aid school districts. Is a legislative fix possible? Of course, Palo Alto could always stop being a basic aid district. Is that the sound of falling housing prices I hear? Lookout below!
Comments (5)
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 28, 2006 at 10:19 pm
The burden of school finance should be carried by all of the citizens of the city equally. Or even in the form of a state tax.
There should be no special or significant parcel tax or any other tax specifically directed at the property owners and voted in by people who are not subject to pay these taxes.
Many of us don't have children in school and live on fixed incomes. It's not just few elderly. Where is the justice in us carrying a parcel tax burden?
a resident of Fairmeadow
on Jun 29, 2006 at 5:09 pm
I guess I don't understand why you think prop 13 benefits landlords more than it benefits any other long time property owner.
And I don't understand the concern over renters. Renters are the ones who indirectly pay the landlord's property tax bill. Moreover, by your own estimate there are a disproportionately more renters without children susidizing property tax payments for those with children.
If anybody should be ticked off, it's those folks who don't have any kids and yet are paying for the local school system.
OTOH it's today's kids will be the one's having to pay an unfair amount of social security to fund current adult's short sighted underfunded Social Security benefits.
a resident of Duveneck School
on Jun 29, 2006 at 8:33 pm
I'll go into a little more detail as to why I find the effects of Prop 13 especially nasty when it comes to landlords renting to families with school age children. In 98% California school districts funding comes directly from the state and is directly proportional to the number of children attending school. If you add more students, the state will provide more funds. The Palo Alto school system is different. Palo Alto has a relatively high tax base, so it opted out of the conventional state funding system and funds most of the school system directly from property taxes. So, if you add more students, but don't increase funding, the amount of funding per student decreases. This system serves Palo Alto well because the schools are better funded that they would be under the state funding levels. Better funding is used to create the perception of a better school system and consequently create a price premium for lousy Palo Alto housing.
Now consider the Prop 13 effects. Prop 13 was in theory designed to prevent the elderly from being force out of their home because of rising property taxes. But many seniors (and older Baby-Boomers) have moved out or died, but the properties are still being taxed at a Prop 13 sheltered rated. So the seniors or their heirs are free to rent out the tax-sheltered properties at market rates. Renting a lightly taxed property to a family with kids adds more children to the school system, but doesn't bring in any more money. So, the amount of funding per student goes down in Palo Alto. Thus many Palo Alto landlords (including apartment building owners) who rent to families with children not only enjoy low taxes, but impose a very significant burden on the school system. If the profits on rentals could be taxed for the benefit of the local schools, the problem would be reduced.
By the way, if you think Social Security funding is unfair. Take a look at Medicare. The net present value of Medicare obligations is about 75 trillion dollars. No one under 50 can seriously expect to get benefits like today's seniors.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 29, 2006 at 11:56 pm
For what it's worth, I'd like to add two items. The point about rental units locally bears some similarity to the issue of commercial property statewide. Prop 13 was supposed to be about protecting people from being taxed out of their homes, especially people on fixed incomes. Meanwhile, many commercial properties have been enjoying the same shelter on their tax burden while they are free to change other aspects of their business in order to grow their income as much as the market will bear. I'm not suggesting we should wring business dry to get every possible tax dollar, but it seems reasonable to suggest revisiting Prop 13 as applied to income-generating property, in order to find some remedy to the unintended consequences.
Second item: It may be true that students and their families derive more direct, immediate benefits from tax revenues that support schools; however, in any discussion like this, I believe it is absolutely essential for ALL members of the community to see themselves as beneficiaries of a good public school system. If you live in the community, then the school system is educating your neighbors, the adults of tomorrow, providing to them the skills and training that will enable YOU to continue enjoying the benefits of having a competent, informed, civic-minded and productive citizenry. That's the ideal we should keep in mind. It may be true that we're paying for an education that often leaves our immediate community, but the quality of our schools also attracts substantial economic and "quality of life" benefits. And again, those are benefits shared by all, regardless of family status. It would also be wise to think of our community in a broader sense on this issue - regional, statewide, even nationally.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 30, 2006 at 11:32 am
If you don't like paying parcel taxes to benefit the schools, you probably love the fact that PAUSD has not yet used the Measure A special assement parcel tax funds to reinstate all the programs they said they needed your $473 per year special assessment for. But instead they are moving aggressively forward with a plan to offer a Mandarin Immersion program, a program that will teach all academics to 240 kids in Chinese (This is NOT a program intended to help ESL students assimilate into English. Its a program intended to teach Mandarin Language, literacy and culture.) WARNING: They'll claim this program is cost neutral because they're applying for a grant from the US government to fund start up costs. (Hey that's tax payer dollars too, last time I checked!) But they definitely have not taken full overhead into account when building the cost estimates for the program, and have not said how the long term permanent program would be funded when grants are gone. In the meantime, the district does not have a plan for refreshing classroom technology, isn't doing all it should with math, science and English and isn't solving issues of overflowing elementary schools, etc. And they haven't reinstated all the programs they said they needed Measure A for yet!
Do the tax payers care was PAUSD does with their money? They should! If you care, please send an email to the PAUSD board members and let them know you do not support Mandarin Immersion as a tax paying resident. The LEAST thing PAUSD could do is spend YOUR hard earned tax dollars wisely.
(Yes, you pay for the taxes whether you are an owner or a renter, because RENTERS pay landlords to cover their costs including mortgage, insurance and taxes!)
By the way, the quality of the Palo Alto schools benefits every property owner in Palo Alto by keeping the property values high. It doesn't matter if you have kids in school or not, you should be interested in keeping the Palo Alto Schools strong for the sake of your $1.2M minimum asking price - that's why everyone pays the taxes, not just those with kids. But even so, we should expect the school district to use those tax dollars wisely in ways that will keep the district competitive and serve the needs of the broader community. Its just plain dumb to think the PAUSD should start running private school programs for the benefit of a special interest group.
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One more week to vote!
Don't forget to cast your ballot online. Voting ends May 29th. Stay tuned for the results in the July 21st issue of the Palo Alto Weekly.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bend forming water treatment advisory panel
BEND, Ore. - The city of Bend is accepting applications for positions on a water treatment advisory group. Members will be appointed by the City Council to evaluate treatment options for the surface water project.
The committee will consist of seven to nine voting members, in addition to up to three ex-officio members.
The first meeting is scheduled to take place in early June, with a recommendation from the committee due to the City Council in September.
Committee work will emphasize value-based decision making; evaluating the issue as a community investment that weighs risks and costs associated with treatment options, supported by sound, independent technical information.
In March 2012, the City Council passed a resolution for the project prioritizing the replacement of the aging pipelines and intake facility while slowing further design and construction of the water treatment plant pending additional public input.
The council reaffirmed that approach earlier this year and set the guidelines for public involvement in the water treatment decision.
The City Council encourages individuals with experience in finance or engineering, rate payers, large water users, and business owners to apply. In addition to a city committee application, those interested must submit a separate cover letter stating how their experience and skills are aligned with the ideal candidate member profile.
.Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 6. For applications or questions, please contact:
City of Bend
710 NW Wall Street, Bend
or visit www.bendoregon.gov/committees.


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I read something recently on how you can set up a trap such that the feral queen comes in a lays, then you can take the frames of eggs and brood away and hopefully raise up a queen from that feral queen.
I would like to do this as I know some people with a feral colony under their deck...can anyone explain methods and equipment or point me to an information source?
Many thanks,


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The Internet has opened up new worlds for students. Teachers can provide guidance on judging the trustworthiness of websites, and their assignments can help children develop broader content knowledge.
Ever heard of the Pacific Northwest tree octopus? Neither had a group of Connecticut seventh graders who, when presented with a convincing website detailing the habits of this extraordinary creature, concluded that the site was "credible" and that such an animal existed. Of course, there's no such thing as a tree octopus. A team of experts in reading comprehension from the University of Connecticut was using an Internet hoax website to test whether students could identify bogus online material.
The now classic University of Connecticut New Literacies Lab experiment not only prompted calls for stepping up efforts to teach online literacy ("new literacies" is the preferred term), but also triggered dismay among commentators who were already uneasy with the increased role of the Internet in education. They argued that schools were producing kids who didn't have a "broad base of knowledge about how the world works," in the words of one Time blogger.
Experts in the field of new literacies agree that students need guidance to gauge the veracity of online content. But building content knowledge and learning to navigate the Internet are inseparably linked in their minds. "Students need content knowledge to know if a site is credible, and the Internet allows them to build that content knowledge more easily than they ever could in the past," says Mary McMackin, professor in the Language and Literature program at Lesley University.
The Internet has liberated children from a dusty landscape of textbooks and encyclopedias that were outdated almost as soon as they were published. It gives them access to primary source material that was once the sole province of specialists. For students, learning content through the Internet is more of a discovery process, as they access materials to inform an understanding of the arts, history, politics, current events, and developments in health, science, and technology. The Web is inclusive and presents content through a variety of formats, rather than through the single format of the printed page.
Still, the message of the New Literacies Lab experiment is: You can't believe everything you read online, says McMackin, and this lesson should be taught early and often, certainly by the time students begin to do online research.
In the lower grades, teachers can steer students toward reputable sites, and as students progress into Middle School they should be trained to apply an ever more discerning eye to websites. "Students should be taught to answer these questions in determining a site's credibility: Who is the author? What organization created the website? Is it a for-profit or nonprofit organization? Does it publish paid content? How old is this information? These are just a few of the questions," she says.
New literacies also involve an understanding of the difference between reading a printed book and reading text online. People read books in a linear fashion, while they are more likely to quickly scan onscreen material and navigate through hyperlinks to discover additional content. Book readers are typically guided by the author's organization, while readers of online text chart their own course by the links they follow, encountering multiple authors and viewpoints as they go. As Donald Leu, who heads the New Literacies project, describes it, when people read online they construct their own text.
Creating a personal "text" can be very liberating, but it does pose challenges in using the Internet, especially for schoolchildren. "Most of the time, when kids do a Google search, they only look at the first page of results," says McMackin. "Google doesn't always show the absolute best resources on the first page; a better resource might be buried on Page 2 or 3," she says. Teachers can set guidelines and encourage students to go deeper and not just click on the first link they find. The sheer number of websites can also be daunting to children. "Kids need their teacher's help in getting a grip on how all the pieces fit together."
Fitting the pieces together is where inquiry-based learning comes in. Instead of giving children an assignment to write a report on bears, teachers are starting with a big-picture question, such as "What does a bear need to survive?" "The inquiry-based assignment gives children a framework for the facts they gather from online research," says McMackin. In this case, children might look at habitat, predators, prey, climate, and breeding habits. "In answering the question about what bears need to survive, the little facts become more important because they are placed in a context."This contextual knowledge is also transferrable, she says. If you assign the child to research another animal, say a fox, they will be able to draw connections between bear and fox habitats, for example, and make comparisons. Through such teaching methods as inquiry-based assignments, students retain more facts to build their contextual knowledge.
The Internet continues to enrich children's educational experiences in ways that were unimaginable even a few years ago. "Kids are naturals with technology," says McMackin. "If teachers can tap that facility, give it focus and context, they will succeed in delivering content in meaningful ways that benefit students." As students add to their storehouse of knowledge and context, they are less likely to be hoodwinked by websites like the one about that imaginary, tree-dwelling, Pacific Northwest cephalopod.
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Examining Race: Resources


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Snowboard Pants - MensSnowboard Pants at the best prices and selection from Proboardshop.com. Mens Snowboard Pants at great prices and unbeatable selections are only a click away at Proboardshop. We have all the top brands like Burton, ,K2, Oakley, DC, Analog, Foursquare, Bonfire, 686 and so many more! Don't get stuck shopping any place else, when you get the best prices, selection and outstanding service from Proboardshop.com
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Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) blocks a pass by Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) intended for Theo Riddick (41) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Last Modified: Friday, September 20, 2013 1:48 PM
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Honey Badger is going home in a mixture of triumph and redemption.
Two games into his pro career, Tyrann Mathieu is showing he can play in the NFL. Now he heads to New Orleans, where his Arizona Cardinals face the Saints on Sunday.
The diminutive, dynamic defensive back says he wants to change the minds of those in his hometown who wrote him off as a failure after he was kicked out of LSU and spent a year out of football.
"Obviously, I have a chance in front of my hometown but I also have a chance to get everybody back on my side," he said, "those same people when those negative things happened said all those negative things about me."
Mathieu grew up in New Orleans and was a star at St. Augustine High School before taking his energy and skill to LSU.
At 5-foot-9, Mathieu was no sure thing coming out of high school.
"Early on, he was kind of laughed at, being too small," said Tulane assistant David Johnson, Mathieu's coach in high school. "I told people he was the best player I've ever seen and he's going to make plays if you just put him in position to do those things. So now you see him make plays in the NFL and you kind of sit back and smile and think, 'I told you so.'"
After a standout 2011 season at LSU, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
But trouble loomed.
He was booted from the LSU team for failed drug tests, then his image and presumably his NFL future took another hit a few weeks later when he and three former teammates were arrested on marijuana charges after police officers found 10 bags of pot and drug paraphernalia in his Baton Rouge apartment.
He spent all of 2012 out of football.
The Cardinals, though, took a chance on him, selecting him in the third round.
It helped that Arizona had Mathieu's longtime friend and former LSU teammate in budding superstar cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals counted on Peterson to guide Mathieu in the right direction.
"We're practically brothers," Peterson said. "I feel that I'm the big-brother role-model type for him. I'm definitely not taking that duty lightly. Tyrann looks up to me, and I want to make sure that I'm doing everything right on my part to make sure that he is following the right footsteps and make sure that he does everything the right way."
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said there won't be much chance for Mathieu to get in trouble this weekend.
"With all the LSU guys and Louisiana guys, it's always exciting going home," Arians said. "For him, it's extremely, I think, exciting, because he gets to play a football game. I know we've talked to him about distractions, and he's basically going to play the football game and wave to everybody after the game."
Then it's on the team bus for the airport, where the team will fly to Florida. Rather than go back to Arizona, the Cardinals will practice next week in Bradenton in preparation for that weekend's game against Tampa Bay.
When he went to the Cardinals, Mathieu said he wanted to leave Honey Badger behind because it recalled those bad days. But it's just too good and too fitting a nickname, and now he just accepts it. He even tweeted this week that the people at his bank call him Honey Badger.
They certainly know him in New Orleans.
"The Honey Badger, are you kidding me?" Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "That was all anybody wanted to talk about around here. He was as exciting a college player as there was, so I'm very familiar with him and his abilities."
Those abilities were on display in the Cardinals' opener, when he raced from nowhere to knock the ball out of the grasp of St. Louis' Jared Cook just before the Rams tight end crossed the goal line. In last week's 25-21 victory over Detroit, Mathieu tackled Nate Burleson on fourth down a yard shy of the first down on the Lions' final play.
"He's someone obviously that has great instincts, just the hustle play he makes on the strip-fumble earlier in the year," Saints head coach Sean Payton said. "He's someone who has a good feel for the game. He's got good football IQ, you can see that on tape. He also has good ball skills, so that's something that's stood out in two games."
Mathieu said he takes inspiration for his comeback from the comeback of his hometown in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
"Being from New Orleans, you have a certain type of spirit about you," he said. "You're happy-go-lucky, a certain type of culture it provided me with. It just taught me to never give up."
Mathieu is relishing his return to football as he goes back home.
"For me it's a huge accomplishment, a huge achievement," he said. "I've grown up watching the Saints play on the local channels my entire life. To finally go out there and have an opportunity to play against those guys, I'm extremely blessed."


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Congratulations – if you are reading this, then you have survived the crazy, frenetic season known broadly as "The Holidays". Your wallet may be a little lighter, stomach a little fuller and a feeling that can probably be described simply as being "burnt out" has set in. Though you may be feeling tired, you don't have to look it. Malin+Goetz offers some fantastic problem+solution products to revive and freshen tired looking complexions.
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So whether you rang in the New Year at a posh cocktail party, a wild rager, or just on your couch with a bottle of champagne, don't let it interfere with looking your best doing it – we make it easy!
Have a happy and healthy everyone – we've made it into 2012!
Brian Lynch, National Training Manager


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Free Games I Like: Bushido Edge
Posted on 7th Jan 2010 at 11:33 by Mark Mackay with 5 comments
Fortunately, not all fighting games have reached the complexity of these two titles and there are some that can be taken up easily. They can be simple affairs, with controls that can be mastered by even the most inexperienced of gamers. One such a game is Bushido Edge, a demake of Bushido Blade on the Playstation.
First up, I should mention that this is a two-player game. Being a two-player game, you will need two people to play it, though not two computers...


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If you feel this item is offensive in any way, let us know.
Just give us an indication of what you find objectionable
(sometimes it isn't neccesarily clear), and we'll look into it.
Item ID: 6499
(Golden Child of Jax Music Scene Has Gone Platinum)
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Restorative Retreat in Desert Hot Springs
Miracle Manor Retreat • Desert Hot Springs,, CA
Escape Kit
- A Two-Night Stay for Two in a Standard Room, Sundays through Thursdays ($225) or Fridays and Saturdays ($239) from Now to May 31, with $25 Credit Toward Spa Services
- Or, a Two-Night Stay for Two in a Standard Room, Sundays through Thursdays from June 1 to 30 ($150)
- Daily Breakfast for Two
The Destination
Just 109 miles from Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, overlooking Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, Desert Hot Springs is appealing to those seeking solitude and the healing powers of the area's natural hot mineral springs. On the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, the town is just a 45-minute drive from one of nature's most awe-inspiring masterpieces. Forget the electronics, and leave the entertainment to the park's watercolor skies and hulking hills of rust-colored rock.
The Digs
With breathtaking views of the San Jacinto peaks and toned-down luxe décor, Miracle Manor Retreat, listed among National Geographic Traveler's 150 Hotels You'll Love in 2008, is the ideal Escape for those looking to ditch the bells and whistles in favor of natural opulence and elegant aesthetics. This distinguished desert oasis, which dates back a half-century, has been meticulously restored to modern, eco-friendly standards, while upholding its classic 1950s style. Each room boasts minimalist furnishings—a nod to the retreat's designer and architect owners—and features a queen-size bed topped with organic bedding, plus a private bathroom stocked with handmade, organic bath and body products.
While there is complimentary Wi-Fi available, the property keeps things simple with no TVs, kids, or pets allowed on the tranquil site. To further complement your rejuvenation, choose from one of the lavish massage or facial treatments available on-site. Then, finish the day in the retreat's geothermal mineral-rich waters, courtesy of the two therapeutic pools that guests can enjoy year-round.
"The contrast of cool desert night air and water that's toasty but not painfully hot is surely one of life's great treats. Even better is looking up to a sky filled with crystalline constellations as you float lazily with steam rising all around."-- The New York Times
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Limit 1 per customer, additional as gifts; vouchers may not be combined to extend stay
- The promotional value is valid only for date range purchased and may not be exchanged or redeemed for any other dates
- Reservations required and subject to availability; not valid toward existing or room block reservations; must book by 5/15/13
- Nights must be spent consecutively; all inclusions must be redeemed during one stay
- Voucher valid for 2 guests
- Merchant cancellation/rescheduling policy and fees apply once booking is made; voucher subject to forfeiture
- Taxes/resort fee not included; payable directly to the property
- Blackout dates include April 11-14, 18-21; May 24-27
- Must be 21 or older to check-in
- Vouchers include daily breakfast for two
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON June 30, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON June 30, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON June 30, 2013 • Enjoy By June 30, 2013
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text:
AUTOBLOG - "The new, less fussy grille is the first thing you'll notice. Fewer horizontal bars above the bumper and a chrome accent goes some way toward below classing up the crossutilitywagon thing. The headlamps are new, and the fog lights have also been blacked out with chrome accent ring. Finishing off the new light fixtures are reworked door mirrors fitted with the obligatory built-in turn signals.In back, the taillights have been slightly updated, but everything else seems to be much the same as the 2012 model. Venzas can now be ordered in Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica."http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/2013-toyota-venza-refreshed-entune-optional/**BTW, if I'm accidentally violating photo copyright, a mod can feel free to remove it.**
__________________________________________________________• Yea, I'm gonna drive a domestic. Why don't I just flush my money down a toilet??? •
MKZ is better looking.
----------------------------Grace, Pace, and SpaceAwarded Best Back Troll
Very Lexus-ish.
This is car that I can say with certainty is ugly. toyota really dropped the ball on this one I'd easily take an Edge over this. The only people that would buy it are people looking to move into a snore mobile. I don't see the Edge losing any sales to this.
__________________1997 Ford Taurus GL 223,000 miles and counting2013 Ford Taurus SEL 23,000 miles1989 Chrysler LeBaron 55,000 milesR.I.P Mercury and the Grand Marquis 1/4/11 @7:46 a.m.Ford Panther Platform: 1978-2011Broughams are meant for cruising the highway and the boulevard, not the quarter mile. Enjoying the ride, instead of getting it over with as soon as possible.
Still "meh".
=================================No, Brian, it's a foreign car, the "T" is silent. Sweet, I'm getting an Audi!
Ehhh, they took a step backwards. I'm seeing Ford Edge in the front too.
_______________________________________________________________"there is nothing patriotic about hating your country, or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government."Bill Clinton, 5 may 1995
Toyota shows how they only copy good things instead of coming up with their own.
----------------------------Grace, Pace, and SpaceAwarded Best Back Troll
LOL, it looks like a freakin' Corolla!
It's just a new piece of crap.
----------------------------Grace, Pace, and SpaceAwarded Best Back Troll
That looks good
_______________Your choices are white and of course black___________________
^^^ I agree. I like how most of the comments on AutoBlog are also agreeing Toyota took a step in the better direction, not that the Venza wasn't already very nice to begin with. I'm not terribly as crazy about the revised front end as many of the folk on AutoBlog seem to be, but I still like it.
__________________________________________________________• Yea, I'm gonna drive a domestic. Why don't I just flush my money down a toilet??? •
Toyota needs a more modern design language, and better interiors.
I liked the Venza. It was based on the flaccid Camry, yet it had ten times more style inside and out, making it a much more compelling people hauler. The only thing I dislike about the refresh is that new grill.
I think the Venza is cool and this looks pretty good IMO. The grill is no worse than the current Fusion's or F-series... just sayin'. Looks good in black too!
I liked the old look better. But it isn't bad. Still a vehicle I'm fond of though a more substantial update would have been nice.
___________________2010 Taurus SELFastbacks are for Louvers! Weather forecast for tonight: Dark. - George Carlin


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Canon EOS 1100D, DxOMark review for the new Canon entry-level bodyWednesday March 16 2011 Sensor Review
Compared to Sony NEX 5: High-end mirrorless or entry-level DSLR?
Entry-level APS-C bodies are strongly challenged by APS-C mirrorless compact cameras. Same sensor, smaller form factor, same price point… life on the dealer's shelves is not so easy for entry-level DSLR today! Let's compare the EOS 1100D metrics to those for the Sony NEX 5 to make things clear.
And the results are clear. Leveraging on a good 14-megapixel Exmor R sensor, the NEX 5 produces solid DSLR-like metrics in all the tested fields. It manages to outperform the EOS 1100D, although by just a little bit. Better Overall score, better Portrait score, better Landscape score, and better Sports score… the NEX 5 takes it all.
However, the main difference lies in Dynamic Range, where the NEX 5 is almost 1 EV ahead at ISO 400 and below, and stays above the EOS 1100D up to ISO 800. Once again Canon is handicapped by its low-ISO noise production in the darkest zones (as indicated by the full SNR chart analysis).
Thus it is clear that the fierce competition of the large sensor mirrorless cameras will make it hard for this entry-level DSLR: similar or better performance, same price point (the NEX 5 is only $50 more), interchangeable lenses, and a better video function. Can Canon avoid producing an APS-C mirrorless camera and still remain competitive?
Further readings for the Canon EOS 1100D, DxOMark review for the new Canon entry-level body
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
The EOS 1100D (Rebel T3) replaces the EOS 1000 as Canon's entry-level body. It combines a 12-megapixel sensor, Canon's 9-point AF engine coupled to the 63-zone metering system introduced by the EOS7D, and of course the now-standard Digic 4 image processor.
The review is available here.


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To promote this week's release of his new film Magic Mike, Channing Tatum paid a visit to The Today Show in NYC, NY this morning to do a bit of promo work to inspire the millions of people who watch morning TV that they should rush out and see his movie in theaters this weekend. Part of his ploy to get folks to see his film included showing off his impressive dance moves. Check out below video of Channing leading a flash mob of dancers performing to the classic dance song It's Raining Men.
Ok, Ok … this dance routine is cute … BUT, if Channing really wants to get people to see his movie, I think he'd be more successful if he showed off a bit more … if you get what I'm saying. I mean, yes, I know stripping is really all about the tease but … a little flesh never hurt anyone, right? That said, I'm very curious to see just how much flesh we will see when Magic Mike opens on Friday. HMMM.


text: The giants have showed me if they win this week everyone will say they are the best team in the nfc and they'll go out and lose to the skins and if they lose they will take it out on the skins. They aren't winning the next two and they aren't losing the next two . The skins game means more because it's a divison game. So even being a diehard giants fan im not going to let this game give me a heart attack. Tuck and Osi need to show me something and don't let Manningham or Brandon kill us and i'll live with the results.


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At Aberdeen, asset management is our sole focus.
We pride ourselves on original thinking and research. We also believe strongly in portfolio transparency. Implicit in our style is a rejection of commoditized products and closet indexing; our business therefore stands or falls on whether we can genuinely add value to client wealth.
Find out more about our rigorous investment process for our equity, fixed income and asset allocation funds series.
In today's challenging financial markets, many progressive and long term investors are diversifying their traditional U.S. stock and bond portfolios with international holdings across a wide array of asset classes – some are even adding alternative and illiquid investments into the mix. The past few years have brought growing complexity and interconnectivity to financial markets.
While choosing good portfolio investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) remains important, increasing correlations (how different investments move together) between markets and asset classes have placed an increasing emphasis on quality and timely asset allocation.
At Aberdeen, we believe in having a long-term strategic view and employ that in our multi-asset portfolios. However, market volatility also demands a dynamic management component as well.
Short term market effects often present opportunities where prompt reallocation can preserve capital or offer an opportunity to take advantage of a price dislocation. Aberdeen's multi-asset products offer investors contemporary portfolios which provide actively managed exposures to a very broad range of asset classes and strategies.
We offer:


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Undergraduate Room Views
Smith Hall
To view this room, click and hold your mouse on the picture and drag.
Please be aware that while all rooms within a particular residence hall or apartment are similar, exact room dimensions, furnishings, and layout may vary. The Office of University Housing reserves the right to increase or decrease the housing options open to students.


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Art at the DIASearch the Collection
Hummingbirds and Orchids Martin Johnson Heade
Image Details
Image Details
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Photo ©2017, Detroit Institute of Arts
Queen Philippa Interceding for the Lives of the Burghers of Calais
Benjamin West(American, 1738-1820)
Staff Picks
"I love the history depicted in this painting. The resolute faces of the burghers show such strength. West conveys so clearly the queen's compassion while pleading to the guards. I also love the richness of the queen's gown and the detailed armor on the guard. "
Kathleen Mourad, Volunteer
- Date
- 1788
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- Canvas: 39 1/2 x 52 1/4 in. (100.3 x 132.7 cm) Framed: 47 1/2 x 59 7/8 x 3 in.
- Department
- American Art before 1950
- Classification
- Paintings
- Credit
- Gift of James E. Scripps
- Accession No.
- 89.73
- Provenance
- Thomas Hankey sale, Christie's, London, June 7-8, 1799, lot 20. John Willett sale, Peter Coxe, London, June 1, 1813, lot 79. James E. Scripps, Detroit. Acquired in 1889.
- Keywords
- canvas, oil, paint, history, narrative
Keep track of upcoming events, classes, exhibitions and more.
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Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Functional Statements > Office of Career, Technical, and Adult
A. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education provides overall management, policy, and program coordination for OCTAE's program activities. OCTAE has one staff office reporting to the Assistant Secretary.
The Assistant Secretary is assisted by staff in the Immediate Office who plan and develop OCTAE's strategic plan, program performance plan, and organizational performance review. Staff support the Assistant Secretary with the following:
Coordinates a yearly planning process with the Assistant Secretary and programs units in the development of OCTAE's Annual Program Performance Plan. Tracks and coordinates the short- and long-term plans for OCTAE and informs the Assistant Secretary about mid-year progress, any need for revision of plans, and end-of-year accomplishments
Budget & Resource Allocation
Prepares OCTAE's annual program and administrative budget requests to reflect the aims of the Administration and the objectives of the Assistant Secretary for transmission to the Budget Service (BS). Establishes and manages staffing allocations and position ceilings.
Organizational Performance
Coordinates OCTAE's analyses of critical indicators to identify and report on current performance levels; measures progress in meeting organizational goals; and determines whether changes in program administration and/or operations management are warranted.
Continuous Improvement/Innovation
Provides leadership in designing, developing, and assessing alternative management practices that lead to productivity gains, employee engagement, service delivery innovations, and performance accountability. Analyzes stakeholder requirements, strategic options, and research results, and coordinates with program units to integrate findings into OCTAE's overall operations management framework.
National Activities
Provides technical support, planning, and administrative assistance to develop, implement, and evaluate OCTAE's national activities for career and technical education, adult education, and correctional education. Manages the acquisition planning process and collaborates with program staff, managers, and OCTAE senior leaders to conceptualize and execute new contracts and discretionary grants supporting model demonstration, policy improvement, technical assistance, professional development, and research and evaluation activities.
The Executive Office staff in the Office of Postsecondary Education provide administrative support to OCTAE in matters such as budget, finance, management analysis, personnel, contracts and grants, and general services.


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Seaside on Puerto Rico's West Coast
Rincon Beach Resort • Anasco, Puerto Rico
Escape Kit
- A Four-Night Stay for Two in a Superior Queen Room, Sundays through Thursdays ($492) or a Four-Night Stay that Includes a Friday and Saturday Night ($549)
- Or, a Six-Night Stay for Two in a Superior Queen Room, Any Days of the Week ($759)
- One-Hour Kayak Rental
- Two Glasses of Rum Punch
- Combine Unlimited Vouchers for an Extended Stay
The Destination
Some of the world's best surfing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and whale watching: It's all right here in the 85-degree waters of Puerto Rico's Bay of Añasco. On the western edge of this Caribbean country, far from the high-rises of San Juan, Rincon Beach Resort affords visitors a half-jungle, half-sea, and totally mellow experience in America's oft-forgotten commonwealth. And you won't even need a passport to get there.
The Digs
This 2012 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner features an infinity free-form swimming pool with a Jacuzzi that overlooks the sea, two bars—including a swim-up bar—and two restaurants, Brasas and Pelican Beachfront Grill. You'll stay in a Superior Queen Room—equipped with A/C and a flat-screen cable TV—and you'll be treated to a one-hour kayak rental, two glasses of rum punch at Splash Bar, and a Rincon beach bag.
The Diversions
Commonly referred to as "the surfing capital of the Caribbean," the west coast of Puerto Rico is home to endless world-class surf spots, ranging from mellow beach breaks to ripping point breaks. While lessons are available for beginners, those who want to enjoy the Caribbean without a board have several choices as well. After your kayak rental, try snorkeling in Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge, where some of the clearest water in the world breeds a rainbow of sea life living among the protected coral reefs.
For those who simply want to enjoy the ocean view without getting in, there are endless options, from horseback riding on tropical, seaside trails or exploring Rio Camuy Cave Park (the third-largest cave system in the world) to visiting the Arecibo Observatory—home of the world's largest radio telescope.
For additional information, visit Rincon Beach Resort on Facebook.
"It's a bit off the beaten path, but that's part of the allure of this oceanfront resort. The South Seas-style decor begins in the high-ceilinged lobby, where comfy sofas invite you to enjoy the view through the Royal Poinciana trees."-- Read Fodor's Review of Rincon Beach Resort
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Stays must be completed by the expiration date on May 23, 2013
- Vouchers may be combined to extend stay
- Reservations required and subject to availability; must be booked by March 27, 2013
- Not valid on group or existing reservations
- Cancellation/re-scheduling policy of 48 hours after confirmation applies; voucher subject to forfeiture
- Blackout dates are 2/14/13 - 2/17/13 and 3/27/13 - 3/31/13; a supplement of $50/night (not including taxes and fees) can be paid to travel during those dates and they are subject to availability
- Upgrade to Deluxe categories on weekdays is $25 per night; Upgrades to Deluxe Category on weekends is $50.00 per night; payable at time of making reservation
- Airfare not included
- Taxes of 9% and resort fee of 9% are not included and will be collected at time of reservation
- Nights must be used consecutively
- All deal components must be redeemed during one stay
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON May 23, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON May 23, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON May 23, 2013 • Enjoy By May 23, 2013
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
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• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms
Original Price:
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text:
Yeah, the only player I'd be uneasy with is Jared Cook.
Printable View
Yeah, the only player I'd be uneasy with is Jared Cook.
A TE with massive upside, respectable "floor," and a HC that's firmly behind him.
Lamar Miller would be my concern. I just don't know if Philbin is gonna pull some slick **** with him. I hope he doesn't, since I have him in my 2K league, but you could definitely say that I'm uneasy with him.
Well Daniel Thomas sucks, so that bodes well for him.
Yeah, Cook has the measurables and whatnot but he's yet to do anything with them. He's a perennial sleeper. Hopefully a change of scenery and a QB upgrade will be good for him.
With my team in this league, having Graham and a very solid supporting cast should put me in the playoffs, at the least.
One thing I learned last year with MS winning the league was that the best team doesn't always win. So there's always that.
Yep, it's the week-to-week matchups that do it, and no matter who you play, Graham gives you an instant advantage at TE. I say that through gritted teeth as I'm putting Rob freaking Housler up against him, haha.
Wow, you actually got really close to my team. Less depth, but very similar starting lineup.
You have me owned as far as RBs go. I like Andre Brown as a flex, but I'm not at all happy with my starters.
Jonathan Stewart should also be back by week 9, so I can probably count on him for a four point effort and hope that Graham goes off on that week.
But hey, a Graham/Gore/Wayne might be considered for, say, Gronk/Forte/Dez....


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kill this narrator.
Mountain Bike Chronicles : UCI Val d'Isere - Episode 10 1
In this episode of Mountain Bike Chronicles, we're in France at the sixth UCI downhill stop. In Val d'Isere, it's time for the elite riders to make their way to the podium as they prepare for the second to last stop of the World Cup. We meet funny man Loic Bruni, who is considered to be the best downhill rider in France. We also take a look at the manufacturing side of mountain bike brakes.
Previous episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqc4yWXrLUg
All episodes: http://www.youtube.com/show?p=WJUmaiAFiEo
Stay tuned every other Tuesday!
McFly 12/5/2012 3:41 PM


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Dayton's budget plan: $2.1 billion in added taxes
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday proposed $2.1 billion more in state taxes, partly by subjecting more items to the sales tax in a tradeoff for a lowered rate.
The Democrat's proposal increases the amount owed on income above $150,000 for single filers, subjects high-end clothing to the sales tax and raises cigarette taxes by 94 cents per pack. But he also wants to cut the corporate tax and provide property tax rebates of up to $500.
"I expect that significant tax reform will be very difficult to achieve in this legislative session," Dayton said in prepared remarks. "My proposal starts with two strikes against it."
Dayton said his plan would drop Minnesota's sales tax rate from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent — a cut that would bring the rate to a level not seen since 1981. But people would pay for a range of services that aren't taxed now and clothing above $100 would be taxed, marking the first time Minnesota applied its sales tax to apparel.
It's all contained in a two-year plan that would fuel about $38 billion in state spending, which is about $1 billion more than the state was due to shell out. Included is a promise to schools of $52 more per student.
Dayton's plan is the starting point in a debate likely to reach into May. At a minimum, lawmakers must plug a $1.1 billion projected deficit.
With fellow Democrats now in charge of the Legislature, Dayton's plan carries tremendous weight and a high likelihood that much of it will be enacted.
Lawmakers must approve a budget by July 1 to avoid service interruptions. Barring unexpectedly deep spending cuts, the state is expected to spend more than the $35.2 billion that it was on course to shell out in the current two-year budget.
Unlike in 2011, when a newly elected Dayton had just a couple of months to craft his recommendations, the governor has spent much of last year examining options.
Overview hearings on Dayton's budget will begin Wednesday. But lawmakers are expected to wait until March or later to begin votes on the recommendations or their substitute. In late February they will get an updated economic forecast, which will determine whether the estimated deficit they must erase is larger or smaller.
"We have the luxury of getting to see the reaction across Minnesota" before acting, said House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington.
The budget address marks Dayton's return to public view after spending the past month recuperating from spinal surgery.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.


text:
The Information Technology building on the main Pulaski Technical College campus in North Little Rock was evacuated for a short time between 9:30 and 10 a.m. Monday. The building is now safe to enter and classes will resume normally.
A construction crew broke a gas line while digging a trench. The gas line has now been shut off and no further precautionary measures need to be taken.
The gas break has interrupted gas service to the Campus Center and the IT building. Stuart Smith, director of the physical plant, anticipates that repairs will take approximately one hour. Crews are working to ensure the safety of and minimize inconvenience to students, faculty and staff. Your patience and cooperation is appreciated.
Pulaski Technical College


text: This is kind of cool and ties in directly with the Zombie Apocalypse threads we have floating around, here, considering the maneuver appears to be either sucessionist or post apocalyptic preparationist in nature. Either way, I like it ... and it makes me miss being a resident of Texas. http://news.yahoo.com/why-texas-wants-gold-back-federal-141500293.html


text:
Under Armour All-America whispers: Kendell Beckwith to LSU, DeMarcus Walker to decommit from Alabama
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — One of the top remaining uncommitted prospects from Louisiana, 6-foot-3, 235-pound athlete, Kendell Beckwith (East Feliciana), is set to make his announcement during the game Friday night. Beckwith, however, seemingly let his final decision slip Monday while commenting about how he was unaffected by LSU's Chick-fil-A Bowl loss.
"I'm not actually part of the team yet," he said. "I mean whether they beat teams, win or lose in their games, I know what they are capable of and that's why I'm going with em."
Beckwith is widely expected to choose LSU over Alabama in what has been a back and forth recruitment. Nevertheless, in the end, family ties and the desire to stay
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text:
A Date with Historic Dorset
Barrows House • Dorset, VT
Escape Kit
- A Two-Night Stay for Two in a Standard Queen or King Room, Sundays through Thursdays ($215), from May 20 through July 31, 2013
- A Two-Night Stay for Two in a Standard Queen or King Room, Fridays and Saturdays ($255), from May 20 through June 30, 2013
- Or, a Two-Night Stay for Two in a Suite, Sundays through Thursdays ($265), from May 20 through July 31, 2013
- Daily Breakfast Entrée for Two with Coffee, Tea, or Juice
- Shopping Coupon Book
The Destination
Historic Dorset, Vermont, may as well be a poster child for the seasons: Its flower-laden springs are cool and crisp; its summers are bright and green; its falls are afire with some of the best foliage in the country; and its winters are frosted with magic. The constant here, however, is in the town's historic community. Quaint farmhouses and clapboard barns dot the rolling countryside on one end while iconic covered bridges nest over the granite-lined creeks on the other. And in between is a vibrant close-knit town bound by cultural riches including two theaters, several art galleries, and two sprawling country clubs with lush, manicured greens.
The Digs
An early American treasure located in the heart of Dorset's historic district, Barrows House is a sprawling Colonial mansion that rests on six acres of forest-lined gardens. Each of the individually appointed rooms boasts a different decorating theme, though all are outfitted with king- and queen-size beds, crisp linens, bathrooms with pedestal sinks, and bright, inviting décor—some rooms even boast in-room fireplaces. Guests may like to walk the grounds and rest in the gazebo on warm days or take advantage of the inn's pool and tennis courts. An on-site gastropub offers gourmet pub fare and a wide selection of beer and wine—a convenient solution to dining out.
"We've been coming to Barrows House for years and are now bringing our young boys with us. It's a great place for most any traveler. You can spend the majority of your stay never leaving the property."-- ILoveInns.com
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Entire value must be used in a single visit
- Reservations required and subject to availability
- Not valid toward existing or room block reservations
- Merchant cancellation/rescheduling policy and fees apply once booking is made; voucher subject to forfeiture
- Voucher valid for up to 2 guests
- Taxes/resort fee not included; payable directly to the property
- Nights must be spent consecutively; all inclusions must be redeemed during one stay
- The promotional value is valid only for date range purchased, stays must be completed within these dates and may not be exchanged or redeemed for any other dates
- Blackout date(s): May 26, June 7-8 and 14-15
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON July 31, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON July 31, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON July 31, 2013 • Enjoy By July 31, 2013
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
• Tax and gratuity are not included
• Merchant is responsible for the quality of the products or services provided to you at redemption
• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms
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- Home
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Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan recently reminded Congress that America faces a choice between large cuts in Social Security benefits and large hikes in taxes when Baby Boomers retire. The 2004 Social Security Trustees' report released March 23 points to the same conclusion.
According to the Trustees, Social Security will start paying out more in benefits than it takes in from taxes in 2018. Between 2020 and 2040, Social Security's annual cash deficit will get deeper by roughly an extra $45 billion each year. Stemming the cash hemorrhage would ultimately require cutting benefits by one-third or raising payroll taxes by one-half.
Ensuring Social Security's fiscal sustainability is a powerful reason for reform, but it is not the only reason. The program's pay-as-you-go structure undermines savings, which may become a scarce commodity in our aging society. It also condemns future retirees to a dismal rate of return on their contributions--far less than what today's retirees have earned and far less than what they could earn if their contributions were saved and invested. Social Security will rightly become a central issue this election year. Before the rhetoric heats up, it's worth reviewing the case for reform.
A Mounting Burden
The Social Security challenge is first and foremost a cost challenge. According to its own Trustees, Social Security will be bankrupt by 2042, well within the lifetime of most of today's working-age adults. Long before then, its widening cash deficits will place a mounting burden on the budget and the economy--leading to large tax hikes, large spending cuts, or massive new borrowing from the public.
As recently as 1960, there were 5.1 taxpaying workers for every Social Security beneficiary. The Trustees project that this "support ratio,†now 3.3, will fall to 2.2 between 2010 and 2030 as Boomers swell the benefit rolls. A falling support ratio in turn translates into a rising cost rate for a pay-as-you-go retirement program like Social Security. The Trustees project that the cost of Social Security as a share of workers' taxable payroll will grow from 11.1 percent today to 16.8 percent by 2030. Thereafter, assuming that benefits are not cut, costs will continue to rise, although more slowly. By 2078, the end of the Trustees' seventy-five-year time horizon, Social Security is projected to cost 19.3 percent of payroll.
Many people assume that the age wave is a temporary challenge that will recede once Boomers pass away. But this is not the case. The Boomers' retirement is ushering in a permanent transformation in the age structure of America's population--and a permanent rise in Social Security's cost burden.
The magnitude of this burden is obscured by the usual focus on trust-fund accounting. According to the official "actuarial balance†measure of trust-fund solvency, Social Security's long-term deficit is a modest 1.9 percent of payroll. Trust-fund accounting, however, gives a highly misleading picture of Social Security's impact on the budget and the economy. It counts as assets trillions of dollars of contributions that have never been saved, while failing to count as liabilities trillions of dollars of benefits earned by those contributions but payable beyond the Trustees' time horizon.
What matters fiscally and economically is Social Security's cash balance--that is, the annual difference between outlays and earmarked tax revenues. The Trustees project that the program's cash balance will sink into deficit in 2018. By 2030, Social Security will be running an annual cash deficit of 3.6 percent of payroll, or $256 billion in today's dollars. By 2041, the last full year the trust funds are "solvent,†its cash deficit will grow to 4.5 percent of payroll, or $370 billion. These are the annualamounts by which Congress would have to raise taxes, cut other spending, or borrow from the public in order to pay promised Social Security benefits. Over the next seventy-five years, Social Security's annual cash deficits total a staggering $26 trillion.
A Pattern of Generational Inequity
A responsible reform plan must start with cost-saving measures that close Social Security's long-term cash deficit. Several benefit reduction strategies are possible, including raising the so-called normal retirement age and shifting from wage-indexing to price-indexing for calculating new benefits. The most reasonable strategies stress gradualism and fair warning.
Reform, however, should go beyond restoring fiscal balance and redress the cascading pattern of generational inequity that condemns each new generation of Social Security participants to a worse deal than the last. In a famous 1967 Newsweek article, economist Paul Samuelson called Social Security "a Ponzi scheme that works.†Back then, in an era of abundant youth and few elders, a pay-as-you-go system like Social Security could pay retirees as good a return as a funded system. Today, with the system mature and the population aging, virtually no economist believes that this is even remotely possible. The demographic underpinnings of Samuelson's Ponzi scheme have collapsed.
Over the past two centuries, U.S. stocks have earned a real return of roughly 7 percent. Meanwhile, long-term Treasury bonds have earned a return of between 3 and 4 percent. How does the return on Social Security contributions compare? A generation ago, it compared quite well. According to Urban Institute calculations, the typical single male retiring at age 65 in 1970 earned a return of 7.1 percent on his lifetime Social Security (Old-Age and Survivors) taxes. Today, it compares poorly. The typical single male retiring in 2005 can expect to earn a return of 2.4 percent. A generation hence, it will compare dismally. The typical single male retiring in 2040 is due to earn a return of 1.8 percent--and this assumes that current-law benefits can be paid in full without any increase in current-law contributions.
Yes, Social Security continues to offer a better deal to some categories of workers than to others. But among younger Americans, virtually all categories--including low-earners--will do much worse by participating in Social Security than they could if their contributions were invested in risk-free Treasury debt.
Hiking payroll taxes to close Social Security's long-term cash deficit would further cheapen the deal. Young workers would ask why they must pay more than today's midlife Boomers for the same (or worse) benefits. And middle- and low-income workers, who bear most of the burden, would ask why they must pay more to subsidize the high-income old. Some advocate getting the wealthy to contribute more by levying payroll taxes on all earnings, without a limit on income. But eliminating the "max cap†would destroy the whole presumption of a contributory system--that what people get back be at least somewhat proportional to what they pay in. In any case, it wouldn't come close to generating enough new revenue to balance the system. Simply cutting benefits poses an additional problem--namely, that most of the elderly are highly dependent on Social Security. According to the Social Security Administration, the program accounts for roughly two-thirds of the total cash income of the typical elderly household in the middle of the income distribution. Among lower-income households, the depend-ence on government is even more absolute.
Shifting at least in part from today's pay-as-you-go system to a funded system is the only way to alter this dynamic. Funding Social Security cannot substitute for measures that raise new contributions or reduce pay-as-you-go benefits. But, in conjunction with cost-saving reform, funding can help create a Social Security system that is not only more sustainable, but that offers a fairer deal and a sounder floor of protection.
The case for funding is simple and compelling. At the macro level, a funded system means higher savings and hence higher productivity and higher national income. At the micro level, it means higher returns and hence higher benefits at any given contribution rate. These advantages are not merely theoretical. They are the reason that the funding strategy is now being embraced by countries as diverse as Australia, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, and the UK.
A Lockbox No Politician Can Pick
To one extent or another, almost everybody agrees that greater funding is an essential ingredient in Social Security reform. Indeed, much of the public is convinced that Social Security is already storing up a large trust-fund reserve.
Unfortunately, the way that the Social Security trust funds work mocks the whole purpose of funding. Any trust-fund surplus is immediately lent to Treasury, leaving Congress free to spend the money that it pretends to save. Social Security's assets are merely interest-earning Treasury IOUs whose sole function is to keep track of budget authority. They constitute a claim on future tax revenues, not economic savings that can be drawn down to finance future benefits.
In the late 1990s, political leaders promised that henceforth they would translate Social Security's current surpluses into genuine savings by balancing the budget excluding the trust funds. The goal was fiscally responsible, but achieving it rested on a chancy proposition--namely, that Congress would have the fiscal discipline to "lockbox†large unified budget surpluses year in and year out. With a booming economy generating windfalls for Treasury, keeping the lockbox promise was initially painless. Even President Bush's first tax cut observed it. But when the economy slowed and September 11 created new spending needs, the promise was quickly forgotten--and forgotten in a big way. This year, the CBO estimates that the budget will run a deficit of $638 billion excluding the trust funds. This is the amount that Congress would have to raise taxes or cut spending in order to save the Social Security surplus.
Some believe that it is possible to construct a sturdier lockbox. They suggest that Congress establish a special off-budget reserve administered by an independent trustee (such as a Federal Reserve bank) and invested in marketable, non-federal securities. Although this might help, it is doubtful that such an arrangement would in the long run be more effective than an on-budget trust fund. What budget rules, for instance, would prevent the federal government from borrowing against or cashing out the investments? When all is said and done, government would still own the reserve, and whatever government owns it can contrive to spend.
In the end, the most reliable funding strategy may be to transfer ownership of some portion of Social Security contributions from government to individuals--in other words, to put the money into personal accounts. Contrary to popular impression, personal accounts need not involve private-sector brokers or even significant transaction fees. A personal accounts system could be highly regulated, with workers required to choose from a small number of generic, globally indexed portfolios. However regulated, personal accounts would irrevocably transfer ownership to workers. As constitutionally protected property, bequeathable to heirs, personal account assets could not be double-counted in the federal budget as trust-fund surpluses are. Personal accounts thus constitute a lock box that no politician can pick.
A Free Lunch on the Menu
Genuine funding requires genuine resource trade-offs. To save more, we must temporarily consume less--at least until the productivity benefits of higher savings kick in. Unfortunately, many personal accounts advocates pretend that there's a free lunch on the menu. Just divert FICA contributions to personal accounts, they say, and presto, the problem will be solved.
Yes, the advocates know that Treasury will have to borrow to make up for the missing revenue, thus offsetting the new private savings. According to their logic, however, the mere fact that contributions are invested in private capital markets will ipso facto make everybody a winner. Apparently, they believe that each worker's personal account can indefinitely earn greater returns (at no greater risk) on the new equity assets than government would lose on the new debt liabilities.
The truth is that any plan that tries to cash in heavily on the spread between stocks and bonds is a dicey and perhaps even dangerous proposition. Such financial arbitrage cannot work in the long run. Over time, the yield on bonds would rise and the yield on stocks would fall, narrowing and possibly even erasing the favorable spread on which the plan depends. Either that, or we have to suppose that markets are irrational, and that the general public will willingly impoverish itself by buying bonds and selling stocks (with no change in the yield spread) so that personal account owners can enrich themselves by doing the opposite.
Plans that issue debt directly to Social Security participants in the form of "recognition bonds†raise an additional concern. By translating implicit benefit liabilities (which have no constitutional protection) into formal Treasury debt (which does), they would in effect render Social Security unreformable. Giving workers property rights to a pay-as-you-go entitlement is folly. The economy might collapse or the nation go to war. But short of default on the national debt, Congress could never reduce taxpayers' liability for Social Security.
Other reform plans try to conceal the trade-offs by raising taxes or cutting spending outside the Social Security system. Some propose enacting a national sales tax to help fund personal accounts. Others say we should pay for the transition by cutting discretionary spending. The problem here is that there is no direct link between sacrifice and reward. The savings measures may never be enacted--particularly if, as is usually the case with discretionary spending cuts, they are just vague injunctions to reduce "government waste.†And even if they are enacted, the measures may not result in overall budget savings. In the case of the national sales tax, the public may view it as a substitute for existing taxes and demand an offsetting tax cut. Once again, a larger deficit may neutralize the private savings boost.
Let us restate the bottom line: Without new savings, any gain for the Social Security system must come at the expense of the rest of the budget, the economy, and future generations. Issuing debt to finance the transition to a funded Social Security system undermines the whole purpose of reform. To be sure, reform plans that rely on debt financing usually promise that the debt will be paid back. But in most plans the borrowing is so large and the payback is so distant that it doubtful the payback will ever occur.
A responsible reform would ideally pay for itself from day one. It would, moreover, find its savings within the Social Security system itself through some combination of benefit cuts and new contributions.
The Central Choice
Personal account reforms come in two basic types: "carve outs†and "add ons.†In a carve out, a portion of the current payroll tax would be diverted to personal accounts. For the carve out to result in genuine funding, the diversion must be paid for by reductions in pay-as-you-go benefits beyond those that would need to be made in any case simply to eliminate Social Security's projected cash deficits. In an add on, the accounts would be funded partly or wholly from additional worker contributions. The contributions would be personally owned savings, and so would not constitute a tax--or at least would not function like one.
A pure carve out necessarily entails cuts in current-law Social Security benefits. Because personal account contributions would earn a higher return than contributions to the existing system, a carve-out plan could pay retirees higher total benefits than today's purely pay-as-you-go system can afford. However, it cannot guarantee that retirees will receive everything that the existing system promises. In practice, most personal account carve outs rely on borrowing to substitute for the lost FICA revenue and mitigate benefit cuts.
The "add on†approach offers a way to ensure the adequacy of future benefits without recourse to budgetary shell games. In fact, with a 2 percent of payroll add on it is possible to ensure that every cohort of workers will receive benefits at least as large as what current law now promises but cannot afford. Is it worth paying a bit more to achieve these superior results? In the end, after all the shell games are played out, this is the central choice that the American public must confront.
Let's be clear: Current law must eventually result in either a steep cut in benefits or a steep hike in taxes. If the choice is to avoid any hike in the Social Security contribution rate, a personal accounts carve out will generate larger benefits than today's pay-as-you-go system can afford. If the choice is to avoid any reduction in promised benefits, an add on will allow for this at a lower ultimate contribution rate. It is impossible to have it both ways: no cuts in total benefits and no new contributions.
A Big Mistake
Critics of personal accounts often charge that they would shift unacceptable risks to individuals. But in fact, a personal accounts system is consistent with any degree of government regulation. It need not and indeed should not amount to "privatizing†Social Security.
A system of personally owned accounts need not allow people to recklessly undersave during their working years. Participation can be made mandatory and restrictions can be placed on the use of account balances. Nor need it put low-income (or simply unlucky) workers at greater risk of poverty and hardship in old age. The government can require workers to shift from equities into fixed-income assets as they grow older, thus protecting them from sudden market declines--even a crash on par with 1929. The government can also match savings contributions for low-earners and provide a guaranteed floor of old-age income protection, thus preserving or even enhancing the progressivity of the current system.
Many personal account advocates, including the President, believe that the accounts should be voluntary. This is a big mistake. Society has an interest in ensuring that people do not under-save during their working lives and become free riders on the means-tested safety net in old age. "Choice†is not important in a compulsory social insurance program whose primary function is to protect people against poor choices.
Real Resource Trade-Offs
Because the trade-offs that genuine reform requires can appear painful, many leaders try to find excuses--for not knowing, for not acting, or for not acting in good faith. Some simply wish the problem away by pretending that faster economic growth can close the gap between the benefits Social Security promises and the benefits it can pay. Others conjure up reforms that purport to fix the problem without any sacrifice. A few plans are more honest, but these have trouble competing with the "free lunches†for public attention.
The public is weary of convoluted reforms that pretend to make fundamental choices, yet "guarantee†that everyone will continue to get everything they've been promised. Alan Greenspan is right: Social Security reform involves real resource trade-offs. It's time to get serious about reform--and face up to the hard choices.
FACING FACTS AUTHORS: Neil Howe and Richard Jackson CONCORD COALITION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Bixby


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Single-Family Home Sales Price
What does this measure?
The median price (in 2011 dollars) of single family homes sold in a year.
Why is this important?
Home sales are an important part of the economy, a measure of consumer spending and confidence, as well as a general indicator of the overall health of the community.
How are Cayuga and Seneca counties performing?
In 2011, the median single-family home sale price was $111,000 in Cayuga and $112,000 in Seneca, up 29% in Cayuga and 14% in Seneca since 2000. That compares to an increase of 5% at the state level (excluding NYC). Among comparison counties, Onondaga and Oswego saw large increases over the decade (19% and 15%, respectively) while Ontario and Wayne had the smallest increases over the decade (11% and 8%, respectively). In 2011, Oswego had the lowest median home sale price ($95,000) while Ontario had the highest prices ($144,000).
Notes about the data
Figures are in constant 2011 dollars.


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How to be the Ultimate Gentleman: Keep it Cool

Let Playboy and Axe help you keep cool this summer with the help of these must have items.

Summer in the city means cleavage (cleavage, cleavage), short skirts and backless dresses. Girls float by on bikes and there's nothing to do but thank the rays bestowed upon us all like a hazy, sweaty hug from above. But that gift can also act like the most oppressive curse, especially when it comes to withstanding the heat in style, as all gentlemen must. Just in time for the summer's cruelest months, we've pulled together a definitive guide to keeping your cool as everything else heats up. Roll up your sleeves and read on.
U.K.'s Oiler & Boiler have a finger on the pulse when it comes to board shorts with prints. We love that they're fun and colorful without being too in your face. There aren't many designers out there that would make us consider (let alone buy) a pair of peach swim trunks with stars or a pair of blue wave-patterned board shorts, but Oiler & Boiler were the ones to crack us. The things we do for fashion.
It's not that ties have ever gone out of fashion, it's just that lately they've been thrust into the limelight again thanks to sites like the Tie Bar and mail rental subscription Tie Society. It seems as though everyone is a tie connoisseur now, and if you're anything like us, you like to have at least a few on hand for impromptu dinner meetings, parties and dates. Leather designers Moore and Giles have come out with a gorgeous tie case designed in collaboration with Pierrepont Hicks which features "the celebrated tie company's new signature silk fabric" lining and a lush tan leather exterior and holds up to four ties.
No other time of year presents so many opportunities to get lucky. And there's a reason the anthem of the summer has little more on its mind than a bit of good fun. You should absolutely get hot and sweaty at every opportunity as temperatures (and heart rates) soar, but you won't be forgiven if you don't stay fresh for the buildup. Fret not; the answer is as clear as ice. With Axe Black Chill, you won't need to make any excuses for any ungentlemanly odors.
Angel Olsen - Tiniest Seed (Official Video) from Randy Sterling Hunter on Vimeo.
One of our picks from the ultimate festival travel guide will be taking place this weekend, and we really think you should check it out. Our choice act to catch at this year's Pitchfork Music Festival is Icelandic singer Bjork, but that's not to say you should pass on the rest of the lineup. We suggest you sweat it out at DJ Rashad's set, thrash with some babes to METZ and try not to miss Angel Olsen before she blows up into the megastar we know she'll become.
Toss around the old pigskin, but promise you'll do it in style. We've got our eye on Leather Head's "Handsome Dan" Football that'll theoretically keep us fit until tailgating season. In fact, the football has been "deemed the official football of collegiate tailgating" and was named after the Yale University mascot. We're told they age beautifully and are to be used, not to be hoarded in a glass case, and go for about $130.


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Awesome - such a perfect variety of light and darks, brights - and such an assortment!
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Awesome - such a perfect variety of light and darks, brights - and such an assortment!
Quilting as I go traveling down the road
Count your blessings, not your problems.
2 more blocks are heading home tomorrow. That only leaves 1 more for me to send home and it's a side swap.
ctmhjenn and tlambing should be watching their mail for a couple squishies ... woo hoo!
I know we have a lot of time left but if you could let me know if my list is correct I'd appreciate it.
Mailed -- to everyone as of tomorrow
Received -- still waiting for blocks from only these:
If you don't think you have received your block from me, please check my other thread to see what block I mailed to you just to double check and then let me know what you'd like to do. I do not have any fabrics leftover from mailing the blocks...I use every crumb if possible.
If you have mailed your block to me and are on the list of ones I haven't received, please post a picture of the block you sent to me so I can double check my blocks.
Thanks y'all for all the fun so far.
Lisa L.
Howdies from Possum Trot (yes it does exist)
My most recent swap - Boomerang 16
Charlotte Marie sent me a beautiful block, came in the mail TODAY...I love it..thank you so much.
Gramma to Isabella and NEW baby brother Enzo!
Hi All, I am still working on my longarm, lots of people want their quilts done NOW...so I have 2 more to go, and I am caught up...well, for them...not for ME. I have two large bins of tops I have made and not quilted, so they will be getting done. I do plan on cutting out two blocks tomorrow, and maybe I will get to three. We will see where I get. Thank you all for being patient. I am generally ahead of the game, this time I am not. Take care and do a rain dance for us. We are quite dry.
Gramma to Isabella and NEW baby brother Enzo!
Got such a neat block today from Tlambing...thanks so much. Dad was thrilled to get another block in the mail too
Did a side swap with quiltingmommy from another group and am mailing her block tomorrow. I posted a picture of the block I made for her on my thread below if you want to peek at it since I know she was lurking around here, lol. I don't want to ruin her surprise if she doesn't peek either.
That's it, I'm all finished up making them for this group.
Lisa L.
Howdies from Possum Trot (yes it does exist)
My most recent swap - Boomerang 16
Love your lady bugs I have so wanted to do that pattern I did one ONCE 12 years ago now I forget how.. I found the pattern tried one piece but couldt get the curve down well I was so bummed I said not today. Love it in your bug block that is a lot of work and what a special gift to put time like that into it.
I am NOT peaking at the block that is so girly. I will not. Maybe.. I am trying right now how to look at the block layout that was posted for voting I cant seem to get into it but will try again in a minute.
Only two blocks left think both are for diamonds for me then I am DONE> just waiting for returns. I am so close to receiving all my blocks from this group it is amazing. High five everyone for working so fast. I am INCREDIBLY impressed with the timing and the quality of work coming back. Its like you were making a quilt for you or a friend. Time is a real gift that is so not rated high enough.
Here today... why what a lucky bunch we are.
ok I am sad. I cant vote because i cant get the link to open to see your lay outs. so I pick.. that one. Its perfect. I hope.
Anastasia love the halloween block. You took a lot of time thinking that one out and it worked. that will be a fun quilt to put together and will be fun to sit around with and check out each block over and over.. I liked working with the ghosties too..
Here today... why what a lucky bunch we are.
Ok. I Just put Jacquie's in the mail but forgot to take a picture of it. I hope you like.)
Immemother, I put one in the mail for you on October 24th. Just wondering if you have recieved it yet?
I am finishing up a few quilts with a few blocks here and there. Keeping up and Christmas is coming.


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There's nothing more gorgeous than a girl next door, trust us. That's why Elisabeth Shue has driven us wild all these years.
There's nothing more gorgeous than a girl next door, trust us. That's why Elisabeth Shue has driven us wild since we saw her in Back to the Future as Jennifer Parker, or maybe it was her role as Chris Parker in Adventures in Babysitting? Whatever the role was that made us fall for this sexy blonde, she has played a pivotal role in our daydreams for years. Elisabeth may have been a heartthrob to many growing up thanks to her iconic roles, but thanks to good genetics and a whole lot of great films to star in, she's still going strong in Hollywood and is as gorgeous as always.
Appearing nude in a whopping nine films since her 1986 film Link, Elisabeth has no problems showing off the exquisite body that she hides under her chaste-looking exterior.
Here are some of our favorite raunchy scenes Elisabeth has appeared in, naked or not.
Who wouldn't want to frisk Elisabeth for a wire, especially if it took a sexy turn like it did in the '98 film Palmetto? The chemistry between castmate Woody Harrelson and Elisabeth is absolutely incredible in this scene, but who would think otherwise? It must be easy to get into the mood with such a gorgeous woman to star alongside!
She may not appear nude in this famous Tom Cruise film, but her role as Jordan Mooney in Cocktail is jaw-dropping. Between the hot and heavy scenes between her and Cruise and the sexy outfits she wears, it's hard not to love this classic film.
Hollow Man
Don't hate her for those seemingly huge granny panties; they were all the rage in the early 2000s. We can see past this fashion faux pas and enjoy this steamy sex scene between Elisabeth and Kevin Bacon.


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Trip Start Feb 01, 2008
34Trip End May 20, 2008
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We have a great place to stay and we are exploring the local beaches. This is where we have to point out that these are not beaches like we know and love. What they call a beach here may be just a small expanse of rock and most spots are very pebbly at best. We have learned that this is why when you hear of a beach such as Patara it is a big deal...because there they have about 20 kms of actual sand! Boy...will we ever appreciate the beaches at home that much more.
Having said that...we are still enjoying exploring the Mediterranean coast and love Ka� as a base for doing so.