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This is a question often asked today, and it arises from the efforts of those who seek to impeach Washington's character by portraying him as irreligious. Interestingly, Washington's own contemporaries did not question his Christianity but were thoroughly convinced of his devout faith--a fact made evident in the first-ever compilation of the The Writings of George Washington, published in the 1830s.
That compilation of Washington's writings was prepared and published by Jared Sparks (1789-1866), a noted writer and historian. Sparks' Herculean historical productions included not only the writing of George Washington (12 volumes) but also Benjamin Franklin (10 volumes) and Constitution signer Gouverneur Morris (3 volumes). Additionally, Sparks compiled the Library of American Biography (25 volumes), The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (12 volumes), and the Correspondence of the American Revolution (4 volumes). In all, Sparks was responsible for some 100 historical volumes. Additionally, Sparks was America's first professor of history--other than ecclesiastical history--to teach at the college level in the United States, and he was later chosen president of Harvard.
Jared Sparks' decision to compile George Washington's works is described by The Dictionary of American Biography. It details that Sparks began…
…what was destined to be his greatest life work, the publication of the writings of George Washington. … In January 1827, Sparks found himself alone at Mount Vernon with the manuscripts. An examination of them extending over three months showed that years would be required for the undertaking; and with the owner's consent, Sparks carried off the entire collection, eight large boxes, picking up on the way to Boston a box of diplomatic correspondence from the Department of State, and the [General Horatio] Gates manuscripts from the New York Historical Society. Not content with these, he searched or caused to be searched public and private archives for material, questioned survivors of the Revolution, visited and mapped historic sites. In 1830, for instance, he followed [Benedict] Arnold's [1775] route to Quebec. The first of the twelve volumes of The Writings of George Washington to be published (vol. II) appeared in 1834 and the last (vol. I, containing the biography) in 1837.
In Volume XII of these writings, Jared Sparks delved into the religious character of George Washington, and included numerous letters written by the friends, associates, and family of Washington which testified of his religious character. Based on that extensive evidence, Sparks concluded:
To say that he [George Washington] was not a Christian would be to impeach his sincerity and honesty. Of all men in the world, Washington was certainly the last whom any one would charge with dissimulation or indirectness [hypocrisies and evasiveness]; and if he was so scrupulous in avoiding even a shadow of these faults in every known act of his life, [regardless of] however unimportant, is it likely, is it credible, that in a matter of the highest and most serious importance [his religious faith, that] he should practice through a long series of years a deliberate deception upon his friends and the public? It is neither credible nor possible.One of the letters Sparks used to arrive at his conclusion was from Nelly Custis-Lewis. While Nelly technically was the granddaughter of the Washingtons, in reality she was much more.
When Martha [Custis] married George, she was a widow and brought two young children (John and Martha--also called Patsy) from her first marriage into her marriage with George. The two were carefully raised by George and Martha, later married, and each had children of their own. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and both John and Patsy died early (by 1781). John left behind his widow and four young children ranging in age from infancy to six years old.
At the time, Washington was still deeply involved in guiding the American Revolution and tried unsuccessfully to convince Martha's brother to raise the children. The young widow of John was unable to raise all four, so George and Martha adopted the two younger children: Nelly Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, both of whom already were living at Mount Vernon.
Nelly lived with the Washingtons for twenty years, from the time of her birth in 1779 until 1799, the year of her marriage and of George Washington's untimely death. She called George and Martha her "beloved parents whom I loved with so much devotion, to whose unceasing tenderness I was indebted for every good I possessed."
Nelly was ten years old when Washington was called to the Presidency, and she grew to maturity during his two terms. During that time, she traveled with Washington and walked amidst the great foreign and domestic names of the day. On Washington's retirement, she returned with the family to Mount Vernon. Nelly was energetic, spry, and lively, and was the joy of George Washington's life. She served as a gracious hostess and entertained the frequent guests to Mount Vernon who visited the former President.
Clearly, Nelly was someone who knew the private and public life of her "father" very well. Therefore, Jared Sparks, in searching for information on Washington's religious habits, dispatched a letter to Nelly, asking if she knew for sure whether George Washington indeed was a Christian. Within a week, she had replied to Sparks, and Sparks included her letter in Volume XII of Washington's writings in the lengthy section on Washington's religious habits. Of that specific letter, Jared Sparks explained:
I shall here insert a letter on this subject, written to me by a lady who lived twenty years in Washington's family and who was his adopted daughter, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Washington. The testimony it affords, and the hints it contains respecting the domestic habits of Washington, are interesting and valuable.
George Washington's adopted daughter, having spent twenty years of her life in his presence, declared that one might as well question Washington's patriotism as question his Christianity. Certainly, no one questions his patriotism; so is it not rather ridiculous to question his Christianity? George Washington was a devout Episcopalian; and although as an Episcopalian he would not be classified as an outspoken and extrovert "evangelical" Founder as were Founding Fathers like Benjamin Rush, Roger Sherman, and Thomas McKean, nevertheless, being an Episcopalian makes George Washington no less of a Christian.
Yet for the current revisionists who have made it their goal to assert that America was founded as a secular nation by secular individuals and that the only hope for America's longevity rests in her continued secularism, George Washington's faith must be sacrificed on the altar of their secularist agenda.
At the end of the Revolutionary War, when the announcement of official peace arrived in America, George Washington issued his final sentiments. In his circular letter to the States on June 8, 1783, even though Washington gratefully acknowledged that we had won the war, he urged them to recall something of much greater importance and to remember…
From George Washington's first official order through his last, he displayed a Christian emphasis.
For much more on George Washington and the evidences of his strong faith, examine the following sources…
Author: Provided by WallBuilders. Used with permission by Films for Christ. Copyright © 1998, WallBuilders, Inc., All Rights Reserved—except as noted on attached "Usage and Copyright" page that grants ChristianAnswers.Net users generous rights for putting this page to work in their homes, personal witnessing, churches and schools.


text: so, let me get this streight, you have to ask for the cheapest lease or do they authomatically find the cheapest one for you and calculate the lease at that point? I have just been approved by VW credit...meaning I can still change as I don't have the car yet, I am guessing. Might piss of the dealer for doing that I guess.

subset: commoncrawl


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An alien being from the planet Ogga Land. The Oggian Army is all powerful and can demolish anyone standing before them, especially the Haggis. They are ruled by their great king Ogga amd they are referred to as Oggians
by UmerOgga March 14, 2017
The Urban Dictionary Mug
One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids.Buy the mug


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We offer observations on the human condition from a twenty year old mind trapped in an 80 year old body.
Republicans want credit for killing Osama bin Laden, but for some strange reason they do not want credit for the Recession.
Fox News is to journalism what Pete Rose was to honesty in baseball.
Napkins should be white so they can double as handkerchiefs.
In 2024, our soldiers will be hiking through the mountains of Tibet.
Mystery of life: Why a professional baseball player can not hit a fly ball to get the man in from third.
I pay absolutely no attention to any TV ad in which a guy speaks in a friendly tone.
I wonder if Indians tested their youth in firing the bow and arrow.
God had a headache, He is off someplace sleeping it off, that explains Republicans controlling Congress.
Most of my life I felt short. Now at age 80 when around elderly folk I feel tall.
Mystery of life: why would any intelligent person pay to hear Rudy Giuliani bullshit about saving America from terrorism.


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Results 6 to 10 of 31
Thread: khaleesi!
May 14th, 2013 08:08 AM #6
I've actually seen a few birth announcements with Khaleesi, and in 2012 146 people named their daughter Khaleesi in the US, so you're not alone!
As a fan of the book (and of course the show) I can understand the attraction, as I love the character! Personally I prefer Daenerys though
Petronilla I'm not a fan of, it sounds like a character from a pantomime, or like one of Cinderella's stepsisters - it's a bit over the top. But that may also be because Petra is a favourite of mine, so different versions of it don't seem quite right to me.ATLAS BRAM - Oct 2015
♣♣♣ http://babynamepondering.blogspot.com/ ♣♣♣
May 14th, 2013 08:18 AM #8
I think thats a whole lot of name for a real person and it is rife with mispronunciation issues.[CENTER]Mommy to
Nils David * Serafina Ann
Zia, Lorelei, Elowen, Vera, Adeline, Cordelia, Zorah
Judah, Peter, Fredric, Olin, Dean, Jonah
May 14th, 2013 08:27 AM #10
It's pronounced Khal-EE-see, I don't know where you've heard that "kha-ley-see" should be the correct pronunciation, but it's not. There's no "ley" sound in the word.
I personally think it would be bizarre to name a child Khal or Khaleesi, but that might just be me who's an absolute A Song of Ice and Fire nerd. To me it would be just as obnoxious as naming your child King, Queen, Emperor, Empress, Tsar or Tsaritsa. It's a title, not a name. If you like the character, I'd suggest you to use Daenerys or Dany instead.
Can't say I'm fond of Petronilla either.Zelia • 20s • Exporting names from Greenland & Inuit mythologyAlexander Adelin Lórien "Sasha" • Henry Ásgeirr Lórien • Asa Bjørnstjerne Ivik • Nor Valdemar Brontë • Dante Endymion Sejr
Ingrid Ivalo Cleopatra • Cosima Gro Zenobia "Mimi" • Asta Olga Galadriel • Aviaaja Matilda Lúthien "Avi" • Noor Catherine Françoise • Anna Magali Alvaret
May 14th, 2013 08:36 AM #12Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2012
- Posts
- 396
It's a great name for a Siamese cat.
May 14th, 2013 09:18 AM #14~Boys~
★ August Eli Benedict ★ Bram ★ Casimir Mordecai ★ Edmond John Meirion ★ Gillon ★
★ Jory Leander ★ Julian Charles ★ Macsen ★ Magnus ★ Vasiliy ★
★ Aira Rose ★ Arietta ★ Clover ★ Delphina ★ Eleni ★ Fiorella ★ Hester Isobel ★
★ Iris ★ Lilah ★ Merit ★ Sylvia ★
Sorry to anyone who read TSI. First draft was terrible. Second drafting now.


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(Dr. Girish Chandra)
Flying is a balance between two sets of forces, lift and weight, and thrust and drag. Weight is the result of gravity and Lift is generated by the flow of air over the wings. Bird wings are not flat but are concave below and convex above. The air that passes over the top of the wing has more distance to travel and thus it speeds up, causing the pressure to drop because the same amount of air is exerting its pressure over a greater area above the wing that below the wing. This effectively sucks the wing up. Meanwhile the air going below the wing has the opposite effect. It slows down, generates more pressure and effectively pushes the wing up. Hence a bird with air moving over its wings is pulled up from above and pushed up from below. The low pressure of air on top of the wings represents a sink that the high pressure air under the wing tries to fill. This happens most along the thin trailing edges of the wing and causes a spiralling vortex of disturbance at the wing tip, which increase drag. Therefore, the most efficient wings are those which provide lift but reduce drag, such as the crescent shaped wings of swallows and swifts.
Aerodynamic properties are measured by aspect ratio, which is the ratio of wing length divided by wing breadth. Long wings are better for gliding but harder to flap quickly and are therefore not much good at quick acceleration. Wing loading is the relationship between total body-mass measured in grams versus total wing area measured in square centimetres.
Non-flapping Flight or Gliding
Many soaring or gliding birds like vultures hang in the air and gain height without moving the wings. Essentially this means that their wings generate a lot of lift without producing much drag. Large birds have evolved to be gliders partly because gliding becomes easier with larger wings and the mechanical flapping flight become harder with larger wings. With the exception of Hummingbirds, all birds glide to some extent when flying. As a rule, the smaller the bird, the shorter the distance it can glide and the faster it sinks. Gliding can be observed in game birds. A pheasant ascends from the ground like a rocket with fast wing beats and then glides for some distance down to the nearby woods.
Flapping Flight
Flapping flight is a more complicated process in which bird's wing changes shape and angle of attack during both the up and down stroke. Flapping flight is basically rowing in the air with the added effort to generate lift as well. If a Blue Tit stops flapping its wings it better be about to land on a branch or it will fall to the ground. Flapping flight consists of two distinct movements: the power stroke and the back stroke. In the power stroke, the wings move forward and down; the back stroke returns the wings to the position from which the next power stroke will commence.
Soaring flight
Soaring differs from gliding flight in that the bird does nor lose altitude and sometimes even climbs up in air. When soaring, a bird uses no energy of its own; instead it depends on external forces called thermal currents, which are rising masses of air that form over areas where the ground warms up rapidly. Obstruction currents are produced when wind currents are deflected by mountains, cliffs, or tall buildings. The resulting upward rise of air lifts birds to high altitudes, providing a base for further gliding. Soaring birds always have large and broad wings, and the ratio of their body weight to the size of the airfoils is low.
Hovering Flight
In hovering flight, a bird generates its own lift by means of rapid wing beats. Holding its body nearly vertical, with its wings firmly flexed at the elbow joint, a hovering bird moves its wing surfaces forward and back in a horizontal plane; each of the two phases of the stroke generates lift. Hummingbirds' wings are made in such a way that when in motion they act like lifting rotors. Their pointed wings do not flap and glide as other bird wings do, but propel them through the air by moving up and down, at a rate of 70 times a second. After feeding at a flower they can fly backward, climb vertically, turn at lightening speed, and come to a sudden standstill in midair. Hummingbirds have been known to fly up to speeds of 60 miles an hour and no bird of prey can ever catch a hummingbird in flight.
Birds have short, light and compact body as compared to other animals.
Most organs and large muscles are located near the center of gravity, which is slightly below and behind the wings to provide better balance during flight.
Contour feathers cover the body and make it streamlined and decrease drag. Down feathers and soft and meant for insulation. Primary feathers are on the wings and are also called remiges, which help in flight and also provide wing shape. Tail feathers are called rectrices which stretch sideways so that tail can be used like a rudder for turning and balancing.
The evolution of flight has endowed birds with many physical features in addition to wings and feathers. One way to reduce weight in birds is by the fusion and elimination of some unnecessary bones and the "pneumatization" of the remaining ones. Not only are some bones of birds hollow but many of the larger ones are connected to the air sacs of the respiratory system. To keep the cylindrical walls of a bird's major wing bones from buckling, the bones have internal strut-like reinforcements. Fusion of bones in birds makes the skeleton light as well as strong. Coracoid, furcula, and scapula form a sturdy tripod for supporting the wings and broad surfaces for the attachment of large flight muscles.
One key adaptation is the fusing of caudal bones into single pygostyle which supports the tail feathers. Birds also lack teeth or even a true jaw, instead having evolved a beak, which is far more lightweight.
Birds have uncinate processes on the ribs. These are hooked extensions of bone which help to strengthen the rib cage by overlapping with the rib behind them.
Skull is composed of thin, hollow bones,which is extremely light in proportion to the rest of the body due to elimination of a heavy jaw, jaw muscles, and teeth. The job of chewing has largely replaced by the gizzard. The skull usually represents less than 1 percent of a bird's total body weight.
Forelimbs (wings) are attached closer to center of gravity and farther from head than in other animals. The natural motion of wings is up and down, rather than back and forth. Forelimbs fold into a Z-shape and closer to the body. Hand bones are small, fused, flattened and specialized to manipulate the flight feathers. Aerodynamic shape of forelimb provides lift and propulsive force.
There are about 175 different muscles in the bird. They mainly control the wings, the tail, neck and the legs. The largest muscles in the bird are the muscles that control the wings. They are called the pectorals or the breast muscles, and make up about 15 – 25% of a bird's full body weight. They make the birds' wing stroke very powerful so that they can fly, and provide most of the movements the bird needs for its down stroke. The muscle below the pectorals is the supracoracoideus. It raises the wing when a bird is flying. The supracoracoideus and the pectorals together make up about 25 – 35% of the birds' full body weight. Leg muscles are massive for bipedal locomotion but are tight and close to the body. Legs are tucked next to body in flight to reduce drag. Flight muscles are enormous as they have to generate thrust and vigorous movement of wings during flight.
Birds consume high-energy foods such as insects, seeds, fruits, meat, and nec- tar. The digestive system is extremely efficient in absorbing energy from small amounts of food at a rapid rate. Birds possess a gizzard that is composed of four muscular bands that act to rotate and crush food by shifting the food from one area to the next within the gizzard. Depending on the species, the gizzard may contain small pieces of grit or stone that the bird has swallowed to aid in the grinding process. Many birds possess a muscular pouch along the esophagus called a crop. The crop functions to both soften food and regulate its flow through the system by storing it temporarily.
The respiratory system of birds is adapted to the energy demands of flight. A bird's respiratory system is proportionately larger and much more efficient than in other animals, since flight is a more demanding activity than walking or running. An average bird's respiratory system occupies about one-fifth of its body volume, while in an average mammal it is only about one-twentieth. Lungs of birds are less flexible, and relatively small, but they are interconnected with a system of large, thin-walled air sacs in the front and in the posterior portions of body. These, in turn, are connected with the air spaces in the bones. Inhaled air passes first into the posterior air sacs and then, on exhalation into the lungs. When a second breath is inhaled into the posterior sacs, the air from the first breath moves from lungs into the anterior air sacs. When the second exhalation occurs, the air from the first breath moves from the anterior air sacs out of the lungs, while the inhaled air moves into the lungs. The air thus moves in one direction through the lungs. All birds have this one-way air flow system and many also have two-way flow system which may make up as much as 20 percent of the lung volume. In both systems, the air is funneled down into air capillaries carrying oxygen-poor venous blood. At the beginning of the tubules the oxygen-rich air is in close contact with that oxygen-hungry blood, while in distal tubules the oxygen content of air and blood are in equilibrium. Birds' respiration creates a "crosscurrent circulation" of air and blood, which provides greater capacity for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the permeable respiratory membrane.
Oxygen exchange occurs during both inhalation and exhalation. The posterior and anterior air sacs expand during inhalation. Air enters lungs via trachea. Half of the inhaled air enters the posterior air sacs, while the other half passes through the lungs and into the anterior air sacs. The sacs contract during exhalation. The anterior air sacs empty directly into the trachea, the posterior air sacs empty via the lungs into the trachea and to outside.
Since during inhalation and exhalation fresh air flows through the lungs in only one direction, there is no mixing of oxygen rich air and carbon dioxide rich air within the lungs as happens in mammals. Thus the partial pressure of oxygen in a bird's lungs is the same as in the environment.
Avian lungs do not have alveoli, as mammalian lungs do, but instead contain millions of tiny passages known as parabronchi, connected to air capillaries, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with cross-flowing blood capillaries by diffusion. A diaphragm is absent in birds and instead the entire body cavity and air sacs act as bellows to move air through the lungs.
Bird's heart is large, powerful, four-chambered and of the same basic design as that of a mammal. The segregation of the two kinds of blood makes a bird's circulatory system, like its respiratory system, well equipped to handle the rigors of flight.
The flight muscles of most birds are red in color because of the presence of myoglobin and cytochrome. They are also richly supplied with blood and are designed for sustained flight. Light-colored muscles are found in pheasants, grouse, quail, and other galliformes birds. These are also well supplied with blood, are apparently capable of carrying a heavy work load for a short time, but fatigue more rapidly. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird's heart beats up to a rate of 1200 beats per minute (about 20 beats per second). The human heart weight amounts to 0.42 percent of body weight and the pulse rate at rest averages 72 beats per minute. The House Sparrow's heart constitutes 1.68 percent of the body weight and the pulse rate at rest averages 460 beats per minute. In the Ruby-throated Hummingbird these figures rise to 2.37 percent and a pulse rate of 615.
Blood of birds has high blood pressure and high blood sugar, almost twice that of mammalian glucose levels). Fast flying and migratory birds have smaller red blood cells with greater surface-to-volume ratios for greater oxygen-absorbing capability.
Brain is large with enormous cerebral hemispheres but the surface is white and without grey matter. Olfactory lobes are greatly reduced but optic lobes are excessively enlarged. Cerebellum is well developed with a median lobe, vermis and later lobes flocculi for coordination of muscular activity and balance.
Eyes are large, with wide field of view and binocular vision. Nictitating membrane is transparent or translucent and covers the eye ball during flight. Sclerotic ring of bony plates protects the eye ball and increases the distance between the lens and retina for sharp distant vision. Birds have acute eyesight, with raptors having vision eight times sharper than humans. This is because of high density of photoreceptor cells retina (up to 1,000,000 per square mm in Buteos, against 200,000 in humans). An indented fovea on retina magnifies the central part of the visual field. Many species, including hummingbirds and albatrosses, have two foveas in each eye, and the ability to detect polarized light is also common in birds.
Birds have high metabolism and endothermy for quick generation of power and for maintenance of high body temperature. Birds require large amounts of energy for flight, and need efficient oxygen circulation in high altitudes. The highest flight recorded for a bird was 11,274 m (37,000 ft.) when a Ruppell's griffon vulture collided into a commercial airline over western Africa (Martin, 1987).
Birds normally maintain a body temperature of 38.0C to 42.0C (100.40F-107.60F) (Brooke and Birkhead, 1991).
Ovaries and testes are reduced in size except in the breeding season. Usually only one functional ovary is present in most of the birds and second ovary is greatly reduced to decrease the weight of body. Female liver is displaced to the right to compensate for weight difference. But in the case of birds of prey generally both ovaries and oviducts are present. This is because during hunting these birds have to pounce on the prey with great force and struggling prey can kick and break the eggs in reproductive system. Eggs developing in two ovaries can compensate for this loss.


text:
Your Dog, Your Life
The Scoop
Dog News, Politics
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Doggie Style
Gear and Glam
Wildebeest creates the perfect present for new dog parents.
Dog Breeds
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Health & Care
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Dogs & Cleaning
Dog of the Day
Photo Comments (2)
"Somewhere in TX"
Photo Comments (1)
"In TX"
Photo Comments
"Nappin' in TX with kitty-cat Gaius."
"TX has a lot of "pricklies" (plant and animal!!!) so I wear booties when I get to go runnin'. As you can see, sometimes my booties fall off, but if I get a burr in the fur under my paw I know exactly how to pull it out with my teeth. I'm a WILD doggie!!"
"Just happy. :)"
"Can I pleeeeease play Cranium with ya'll? I really am a good partner!!"
"Watching squirrels out the window with Momma and Stewie"
"First try at a decent group shot"
Photo Comments (2)
"Second try was perfect!"
"Oh no. Not this again!"
Check out this video. I know you all will "get it".
Just a Dog?
It's very beautiful and says things that I can't even begin to put into words about how much a dog's love means.
Hey pals, not a whole lot goin' on with me. Life is still good and involves snoozin' on comfy beds and pillows, chewin' on bully sticks, barking at whoever walks past the house, runnin' in the yard with the boyz, etc. etc. Oh, one cool thing is that mom brought me a Nina Ottoson toy. It's like a brain teaser for dogs, only I'm completely awesome at it. Yeah! :)
Anyway, the main point of this message is to tell you about my brother Emerson. He is about 14 months old and mom is starting to really work on training him. It is a challenge that they are both tackling slowly but surely. Emerson is living in my shadow (in real life 'cause I'm so much more awesome than he is, and here on Dogster 'cause I've got all the pals... haha) but I'm going to be a nice sister and put him in the spotlight for once (wow I sure sound like Socks!!).
So everyone! Check out Emerson's page. Take a look at all his cute pictures, keep track of the progress he makes in his training journal, send him gifts, be his pal, do whatever it is that you wonderful Dogsters do to show your support. He is a very special boy.
I dug this up from a year and a half ago. It's that time of year again when people are really into the spirit of giving (though I wish the enthusiasm lasted all year long!) so I added some more ideas to the original Action List, and am bringing it up to the top so that more people will have a chance to read it!! Feel free to leave comments or to p-mail me with questions, and let me know how successful your efforts are!
Hi Everywoof!
A lot of pups out there are wondering, "What can I do to help shelter animals?" and the answer is... a lot! Your creativity, motivation, and determination can take you very far. But to get you started, we're putting together an action list to help get the word out and help the doggies and kitties in animal shelters safely find a furever home!
Increase Awareness
An important first step is to increase awareness about the animals in need -- they can never be forgotten.
-- Encourage news media (television news stations, local radios, newspapers, etc.) to feature an "Adoptable Pet of the Day/Week".
-- Write to city offcials (such as the mayor) about increasing support or funding for city-operated shelters. If it seems that no one pays attention to the animals in your city, speak up and make it an issue! Or, write a letter to the editor.
-- Put a flashy ad in the Pet Classifieds section of the newspaper for your local humane society or shelter.
-- Encourage your shelter or humane society to create a website or make pages for it's pets on petfinder.com to increase awareness and to keep in touch with the community. Become the photographer or webmaster!
-- Find out if your shelter has any flyers that need to be distributed, and pass them out at pet stores or on your work's bulletein board to let people know of the need for adoptive homes and shelter volunteers. If the shelter does not have any flyers, be the one to initiate this project!
-- Talk to your shelter about organizing a fundraising event. This would not only increase awareness, but the shelter would benefit immensely also! Or, simply participating in an existing fundraising event is just as much help. Get a community group that you are already active in to help out with the fundraising. See 109 Fundraising Ideas to get you started.
-- Become the "crazy pet person" among your friends and coworkers. Let them all know that if they are looking for a new pet, adoption is the way to go!
-- Are you a middle/high school or college student? Start a school club! Gather animal-loving folks such as yourself for after school meetings, volunteer opportunities, fundraising manpower, and so much more! P-mail me (Jasmine!!) if you are interested in getting started but don't know how!
For all of you who like to be right where the action is in supporting a good cause, volunteer work is for you. You can see the difference you make everyday!
-- Take care of the basic tasks for the comfort of the poochies and kitties. This can include: cleaning cages or pens, feeding and watering, grooming, exercising, and playing!
-- Offer to put your training skills to work with the older dogs at the shelter -- they often do not catch people's eye easily, but if they are well behaved it makes such a difference!
-- Offer to jazz up the kennels of the dogs that have been there for awhile -- find them a fresh collar or bandana to wear that is a bright color. Make them laminated signs to hang on their kennel door that highlights their best features. Give them an extra special grooming to make them shine, and give their kennel a fresh cleaning from top to bottom.
-- Put your vet skills to work -- even if you work at a practice already, the shelter would be very appreciative if you volunteered your time and skill on your days off to help the homeless pups. And plus, it's good public relations for your "real" vet practice!
-- Volunteer to help with the shelter website. You could take awesome, eye-catching pictures of the animals and come up with good descriptions for their adoption profiles.
-- Talk to your shelter about scheduling a "Meet N' Greet" day at your local pet store or park, where people can meet available animals and learn more about shelter programs. This is a great way to "rein in" possible adopters!
-- Offer to foster an animal or two. This frees up space in the shelters, and gives those animals that have a hard time finding a suitable home a chance to relax. Your ability to tell a potential adopter all about life with your foster greatly increases its chances of adoption!
-- Start a "Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound" program at your local shelter in conjunction with a YMCA or similar organization.
Here is our general "Shelter Item Wishlist"! Donating items is a great way to immediatly help the shelter. Check with your local shelter to see if they have any specific, immediate needs.
-Litter pans
-Bags of Litter
-Litter Scoopers
-Cat toys
-Soft Cat treats
-Small blankets
-Cat Brushes
-Cat Shampoo
-Flea Spray
-Cat Collars
-Metal Food Bowls
-Canned or dry cat food (check with shelter to see what kind of food they feed)
-Flat Buckle Collars (all sizes)
-Leashes (all sizes)
-Dog Brushes
-Dog Nail Clippers
-Dog Shampoo
-Flea Spray/Shampoo
-Bath Brushes
-Dog Grooming Clippers
-Dog toys
-Hard rubber chew toys (i.e. Kongs)
-Soft dog treats
-Canned or dry dog food (check with shelter to see what kind of food they feed)
-Crates (all sizes)
-Big and small Blankets
-Dog Beds
-Metal Food Bowls
-Dog houses
-Small dog sweaters
-Dishwashing Liquid
-Window Cleaner
-All purpose Cleaner
-Large Latex Gloves
-Rubber Boots
-Laundry Detergent
-Plastic Spray bottles
-Paper Towels
-Dust pans
-Disinfecting Spray
-Digital Cameras
-Camera Film
-Air purifier
-Trach Tubes (size 3.0 FR to 10.0 FR)
-Chlorahexaderm Scrub & Solution
-Surgical Instruments (Scissors, Scalpel Handles & Forceps)
-Disposable Scalpels
-Gauze (3x3, 4x4)
-IV Fluids (LRS, 0.9% NaCl, Dextrose)
-IV Lines
-Urine Test Strips
-Resuscitation Bags (1L/3L)
-Suture Material
-Bandaging Material
-Microhematocrit Ttubes, Sealer & Reader Card
-IV Butterfly Catheters
-Dip Quick Stain
-- Many of the non-medical items can be purchased cheaply or in bulk at stores such as the Dollar Tree, or in clearance sections of pet stores or chain stores such as Target. PetEdge also has some great bulk prices!!
-- Donate money. They can put this towards large, long-term projects that will likely have a big impact on the shelter.
-- Use www.goodsearch.com for all your searching needs -- choose your local shelter or humane society if they are listed, or support a national group. Money goes towards whatever cause you choose for every single search you make using this website.
-- Call local hotels or nursing homes and collect unwanted bedding to donate to the shelter. Make life easy on the shelter workers by cutting large comforters in half (or fourths!) and sewing up the free edge. This makes the blanket easier to wash and more manageable when putting in and out of the kennel.
-- If you love to crochet or knit, make some dog and cat blankets! This simple project would also be great for a scouting group.
-- Find out if your shelter has a printable wishlist (if not, see if you can make one that represents their unique needs) and post it in local pet supply stores. You might even be able to help the shelter partner with the stores to have a donation drive!
-- Be a spay and neuter advocate to help prevent unwanted litters.
-- Say No to puppy mills -- let everyone (even the media! Especially the media!) know the horrors of these puppy mills. They have an effect on shelters as well.
-- Support your local Trap-Neuter-Release program to help control the feral cat population... many of the ideas on this list can also help a TNR group!
-- Help your shelter set up a Spay and Neuter campaign -- low-cost procedures done by volunteer vets can greatly reduce the amount of unwanted strays.
-- Build a humane community by starting with the young folks! See if you can invite a humane educator to give a presentation at your child's scout meeting or at their school or at any other event. Or have a conversation with them yourself. There are also interactive games online and printable worksheets that encourage safe behavior around animals and also promote kindness to animals.
-- Scouting groups can do a lot to benefit animals... if anyone would like some ideas, p-mail me!!
So there you have it pups, no reason why you can't find something, even just one thing, on that list that you can participate in. Have you thought of something else that should be on our Action List? Join the Pound Puppy Project and let us know, or send me a p-mail! Or both!
Copyright © I-5 Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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text:
Disinformation? You want it, IREA's got it
RealClimate received a copy of a letter from the General Manager of the Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA, an energy cooperative in Colorado), Stanley R. Lewandowski (Jr), to other utilities (G&T's in the jargon) in the US discussing fundraising and tactics for a new disinformation campaign on climate change (see Seth Borenstein's piece yesterday).
This is enlightening on a number of levels. Firstly, though we knew that this stuff goes on, it's rare that we get such a close look at how it happens. Secondly, who is to be the lead on this new campaign? None other than our old friend Patrick Michaels. Additionally, it is useful to see the reasons why some utilties are fighting against the idea of climate change set out more clearly than in their more carefully manicured press briefings. It might actually help people engage on the substance of their concerns rather than simply arguing about the science – which, as we are by now well aware, – is simply a path to gridlock.
We'll highlight some of the best bits, and discuss what this all might imply below.
After introducing the looming problem of global warming and potential emission caps, the letter states:
We here at IREA believe that it is necessary to support the scientific community that is willing to stand up against the alarmists and bring a balance to the discussion. Many scientists have an opinion, but only a few have any involvment in climatology.
Indeed. It goes on:
We decided to support Dr. Patrick Michaels. … In February of this year, IREA alone contributed $100,000 to Dr. Michaels. In addition, we have contacted all the G&T's in the United States … and obtained additional contributions and pledges for Dr. Michaels' group. We will be following up the remaining G&T's over the next several weeks.
Nice work if you can get it! Interestingly, the letter drops some hints on the funding for the CEI ads last month:
[CEI] has been running two ads in ten states that were financed by General Motors and the Ford Motor Company. …. We have met with Koch [Industries], CEI and Dr. Michaels and they meet among themselves periodically to discuss their activities.
Hmm…. Later on the letter concedes that the 'issue is not going to go away', but apparently without a hint of irony, blames that on the 'special interests' (you know, that powerful lobby of climate scientists that control the administration).
The 'science', such as it is, appears to be sourced from a Mike Rosen column in Rocky Mountain News (or from an extremely similarly phrased common source) and an egregious Canada Free Press article by Tom Harris. There is an odd preponderance of quotes from Russian academicians which gives it away. Most of it has been dealt with here before, for instance Shaidurov's opinion about water vapour. We will do a more detailed rebuttal in a couple of days.
While interesting, the letter is also a little disappointing. Many utilities, companies, and even politicians, have actually started to think about how to deal with the climate change challenge in a serious manner. This kind of retrograde ostrich-like behaviour seems so… 90's. However, in among the distortions there are statements that reflect the real (and valid) concerns of the utilities – that their reliance on coal-powered generation renders them vulnerable to any carbon emission tax or cap and trade system. Bringing these groups around will require support for diversification of energy sources, forward thinking on future possibilities for carbon sequestration, and assurances that they won't be uniquely burdened. They will probably never like this, but it may be possible make them accept it.
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When I last met up with Mark Ramprakash, in May last year, he was on the threshold, at the grand old age of 36, of his best season in an already distinguished county cricket career. In helping Surrey to promotion he scored over 2,000 runs, the first Englishman to do so since, erm, M R Ramprakash in 1995. Moreover, he struck his 2,000th run in only his 20th innings, a record. He hit a career-best 292 against Gloucestershire, topped it with 301 not out against Northamptonshire, and ended the season averaging over 100, only the sixth man ever to do so in an English summer. He won the Professional Cricketers' Association Player of the Year award by a street. And yet by the close of the year he was better known to the British public for his salsa and quickstep than his cover-drive and square cut. How odd is that?
"Very odd, very ironic," Ramprakash concedes, in the improbably prosaic surroundings, for a Strictly Come Dancing champion, of a Toby pub carvery in an outer suburb of Birmingham. He chose it for our rendezvous because he, his wife and their two daughters are staying with his parents-in-law, and it is conveniently close to their house. But the barmaid does a double take, as well she might, when she sees who it is asking her for a Diet Coke. We install ourselves at a quiet corner table.
"Last summer I could travel by Tube down to the Oval without being disturbed," Ramprakash says, "but now my life has changed big time. It will die down, but at the moment, wherever I go, I'm getting attention I've never had to deal with before. I never realised how popular that show was.
"It all came about when a guy I know rang me in late August and said did I fancy going on Strictly Come Dancing? I said, 'Look, mate, I'm really sorry but it's not my thing. If you can get me on the football show on Sky I'll happily do that'. He said, 'Well, why don't you think about it for 24 hours?' I knew my wife and nine-year-old watched it, but I somehow always had something else to do at the time it was on. I'd only ever danced at the odd nightclub before.
"So when I said I'd been asked, my nine-year-old, who's a keen dancer herself, fell about the floor laughing. But my wife said, 'Why not? Darren [Gough] had a lot of fun with it'.
"And the more I thought about it, the more it appealed. My life had been cricket for 20 years, why not try something else? I'd done the level four pro-licence coaching course, which is a lot about knowing yourself, and it emerged that I was quite an introverted, quiet character. So this would be a challenge, take me outside my comfort zone. And it was a massive, massive challenge."
How comparable were the nerves, I ask, between waiting to bat in a Test match at Lord's, and waiting for the ballroom band to strike up? "Very comparable: the butterflies, the long wait to bat, never able to relax; the big roar as a wicket falls; putting your helmet and your gloves on; this was very similar. But the difference is that I've trained for so long to play cricket. As I walk out I have certain things to remember: look to be aggressive, watch the ball closely, play straight, let a few go outside off stump.
"Dancing was such unknown territory, and with the show being live, you fear that you'll freeze or forget the routine. Also, the audience was so close, you could see their faces. In cricket they're 70 yards away."
For the benefit of those who didn't watch Ramprakash and his partner, Karen Hardy, beat Matt Dawson and his partner in the Strictly Come Dancing final shortly before Christmas, I can report that he was astoundingly good, and positively oozed sex appeal and charm.
In a way, the charm was the most surprising thing. Over 15 weeks Ramprakash worked at his dance routines with the intensity he has applied to refining his batting technique down the years, so he was always likely to get good at it. But he can be a moody, introspective fellow, so it was pleasing to see him practically enslaving choreographer Arlene Phillips, the strictest of the judges, with his dazzling smile.
It was pleasing, too, to see another cricketer win, and while Gough is not known for his twinkle-toed footwork at the crease, clearly it helped Ramprakash. "Yeah, in most dances there are times when you're up on your toes, on the balls of your feet, and it's the same when you're batting, particularly playing in England. When I started the ball moved around a lot, more than it does now, so I had to learn to be fully committed, as early as possible, to playing forward or back. That involves the balls of your feet, and good balance."
There is a further parallel, I venture, in the relationship with a partner. "Yes, when you have long batting partnerships you do get on a similar wavelength. Mike Gatting was one I felt very comfortable with at the other end, Graham Thorpe another. But you can multiply that by a thousand for dancing. I would never have won if Karen had not been my partner, and as well as being a great dancer, she's a great coach. If I go into coaching at the end of my career, I'll have learnt a lot from her, because she made it such fun."
The end of Ramprakash's career is not imminent: he has verbally agreed a new three-year contract with Surrey, which will take him beyond his 40th birthday. An England recall remains highly unlikely, although at least one respected pundit was calling for him to replace Marcus Trescothick at the start of this ill-fated Ashes campaign, describing him as "the best technician of his generation". Besides, despite an indifferent Test average of 27.32, he averages over 42 against the Aussies.
Ramprakash has not watched much of the Ashes; the demands of Strictly Come Dancing dictated early nights. "But I've seen enough, and I've been surprised. I expected a 1-1 result, but that was obviously wishful thinking. When I look at the side on the morning of the Brisbane Test I can see a lot of question marks, which is all very well with Harry hindsight, but it was clear enough that Duncan Fletcher wanted to bring the 2005 side together, and that was always going to be a dangerous game, because form is so important in cricket and several of them had hardly played any cricket for a year, while Geraint Jones' form, for one, was nowhere near where it should have been.
"I was really surprised that Fletcher publicly undermined Chris Read by saying that Jones handled pressure better. It was very unlike Fletcher to do that, I thought.
"And I'm not picking on Jones, but in his previous 11 Tests he had averaged 19 with the bat, he'd been left out against Pakistan and after that I watched quite closely and saw that he didn't score any runs for Kent. If you perform then you've got a case for going on tour, but he didn't perform, yet he was still selected for the Ashes tour and put in as No 1 keeper. Whoever's responsible for that, it's not an acceptable situation.
"There was so much confusion around the selection. With Monty Panesar all I kept hearing was what he couldn't do - he couldn't bat, he couldn't field. But what about [Stephen] Harmison, [Matthew] Hoggard, [James] Anderson? Are they better batsmen than Panesar? I don't think they are, particularly, so why were they not left out because they couldn't bat? It made no sense, because if one bowler made an impact in the summer it was him, getting out top players of spin.
"I'm not saying that we would have won if things had been different. The Aussies have done brilliantly, and they have no weak links. But an old school of thought, and not a bad one, is that match practice puts you in good shape. Anderson, [Ashley] Giles and [Sajid] Mahmood needed cricket. [Andrew] Flintoff needed cricket. And they were up against the world champions, who wanted blood. Harmison has bowled quite well in Sydney because he's match-fit at last.
"I know I suffered on the New Zealand tour in 2002, because there'd been an eight-week break after the tour of India, and seven of us went out for the Test leg of the tour, then played only two three-day warm-up games, one of which was played on a green wicket, while the other was rain-affected. I think England have come very close to coming a cropper before."
As for Flintoff's captaincy, Ramprakash thinks it has been a burden too far. "He really wanted it, and he's so inspirational, so I could see why they gave it to him. And I wouldn't want to judge his captaincy too harshly because he's been up against a fantastic side, and he's had so much to deal with, not least his own injury. But the bottom line is that the influence of Freddie in 2005 was massive, absolutely massive, and by giving him the captaincy I don't see how England could gain any more from him, but they stood to lose quite a lot."
Flintoff's opposite number, meanwhile, has done nothing but build on his illustrious reputation. I ask Ramprakash where he thinks Ricky Ponting belongs in the annals of the game?
"He's a magnificent player, he bats No 3 so he doesn't hide, he does the hard yards, and he stands out in the modern era, with [Brian] Lara and [Sachin] Tendulkar. Those three stand out. But I'm always hesitant to compare eras. When I started, Viv Richards and Greg Chappell were still playing, and there were no helmets. Also, because of the volume of cricket now, it's hard to keep your best attack fit all the time. There's always someone missing, so perhaps runs are easier to get."
That said, Ramprakash does not underestimate how hard it will be to score the 13 more first-class centuries he himself needs to accumulate a hundred hundreds, putting him on a par, whether he likes to compare eras or not, with some of history's greatest batsmen. It is true that only two of those centuries were scored in Test matches, but one was in Barbados against Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh at their most hostile, the other against Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath at the Oval in 2001. It's not beyond all credibility that, if he carries his 2006 form into 2007, he might yet get another shout, although it won't happen with Fletcher at the helm.
"People say it's up to him whether he stays or goes," says Ramprakash of Fletcher. "Well, hold on a minute, surely it's up to his employers? I don't think he's earned the right to decide for himself, I don't think that happens in the big wide world. And we've been building for four years for this year's World Cup, but where are we? I don't know the line-up, and I don't think the players do either. And before all that we've got to play one-day cricket in Australia against New Zealand as well, which isn't going to be very easy. I fear for [England in] the World Cup."
So if Fletcher goes, who would Ramprakash like to see in his place? "I'm very impressed with [national cricket academy director] Peter Moores. He's very, very thorough. They wouldn't go far wrong with him."
And does he ever entertain even the faintest dream that his own England career might not yet be over? He just smiles, although it is not the smile that dazzled Arlene Phillips, but an altogether more enigmatic one.Reuse content


text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 3/9/2014 (1027 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Brandon University Students' Union's biggest event of the year is set to rock downtown tomorrow night.
Taking the stage on Rosser Avenue between Seventh and Ninth streets on Friday will be Canadian singer-songwriter Alyssa Reid, Canadian pop band These Kids Wear Crowns and Canadian rock group Trooper. Left of Centre won last month's Battle of the Bands competition and will open the Rock the Block event.
Tickets for the outdoor concert went on sale almost a month ago, and BUSU president Joel Springer said sales are going well, although he couldn't give exact numbers.
However, some students aren't completely sold on this year's lineup.
"Last year was better and the year before it was amazing," said Bretta Turchinski, a second-year BU student. "The lineups are kind of what's going to change people from coming."
Last year, nearly 3,000 concertgoers packed the party to see the Sheepdogs, Helix, Dallas Smith and 18 Rabbit of Brandon perform. Previous performers in past years include Marianas Trench, Sam Roberts, The Trews, Bedouin Soundclash, Faber Drive and April Wine.
Other students were more positive about the success of this year's concert.
First-year BU student Samantha Maksymetz said the annual event is like "a mini-Countryfest," referring to the super popular country music festival in Dauphin.
And while fourth-year BU student Samantha Chapman said she hasn't bought her ticket yet, she is optimistic this year's lineup will draw a crowd.
"I think it's a little better than last year and it might bring in a little bigger of a crowd and might raise some money for the school," Chapman said.
Profits made during the show, which caps off BU's orientation week, will go toward funding future BUSU events.
Advance tickets are $25 for students and $30 for non-students and can be purchased at the BUSU office on campus or by calling 204-727-9660. Tickets at the gate are $30 for students, $35 for non-students. Gates to the event along Rosser Avenue between Seventh and Ninth streets will open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
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» Twitter: @LindseyEnns


text:
Lorelli and Ovid Thornthwaite are not like most 13-year-old children. They live in a huge and creepy mansion; they don't go to school and are heirs to a vast fortune. But what makes the twins even more unusual is their determination to kill each other!
When their murderous sibling rivalry is called off it soon becomes clear that one of them can't stop trying to kill the other. But who is really causing the trouble and will they both survive to find out where the real danger lies?
©2010 Gareth P. Jones (P)2010 Oakhill Publishing Ltd
"Blackly cosmic ...all the fun of taking sibling rivalry to a fantastical extreme." (TimesOnline)
"Unputdownable story with a cracking mixture of humour, menace and adventure." (Primary Times)
"Amazing "
I just loved it, if you haven't already read this book then you need to. The characters are so realistic and lovable that you get sucked into the story and want to become a part of it and solve the mystery of the thornwaite inheritance. The narrator was fine, she told the story well. When you listen to this you will feel like the story has come alive. Definitely recommend to all who love a good puzzle.
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If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


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But for all the fantasies he devised, Levine, who died Tuesday at 83, was a realist.
Rove, of course, was at a safe distance from the unfolding plot, which, either he devised or had simply spontaneously generated.
Special forks were devised for ice cream and salads, for sardines and terrapins.
This strategy was devised decades before the Arab spring and its success is questionable going forward.
Somehow the British devised a range of sports heroically unsuited to the dreary local climate.
In vain new rules of discipline were devised, or the old corrected by reforms.
Have you devised any plan, lady," said the faithful servant, "in case of this extremity?
First a secret society was organized, bound by the most stringent oaths that could be devised.
A more striking or becoming arrangement could hardly have been devised.
In connexion with extension elaborate psycho-physical experiments have been devised,.
early 13c., "to form, fashion;" c.1300, "to plan, contrive," from Old French deviser "dispose in portions, arrange, plan, contrive" (in modern French, "to chat, gossip"), from Vulgar Latin *divisare, frequentative of Latin dividere "to divide" (see divide). Modern sense is from "to arrange a division" (especially via a will), a meaning present in the Old French word. Related: Devised; devising.


text:
Hotel Puerta Del Sol
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (GDL)
Hotel Specials
Package Specials
Package Specials
Standard Room, 1 Double Bed
43-sq-foot (4-sq-meter) room with garden and pool views
Free WiFi, a hair dryer, safe, and room service
Standard Room, 2 Double Beds
54-sq-foot (5-sq-meter) room, balcony with garden and pool views
Free WiFi, a hair dryer, sofa bed, and room service
Make yourself at home in one of the 56 air-conditioned rooms featuring DVD players and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Guests can catch a ride to nearby destinations on the area shuttle (surcharge).
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, where you can enjoy drinks at a bar, take in a garden view, and even dine alfresco (weather permitting). You can also stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Meet other guests and eat at a complimentary reception. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free valet parking is available onsite.
Know Before You Go
- This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
- Children 10 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
- No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Fee for buffet breakfast: MXN 109 per person (approximately)
- Airport shuttle fee: MXN 386 per vehicle (one way)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
- 24-Hour Front Desk
- Dry Cleaning Service
- Express Check-In
- Express Check-Out
- Kiddie Pool
- Laundry Services/Laundry Facility
- Lounge/Bar
- Multilingual Staff
- Outdoor Pool
- Outdoor Seasonal Pool
- Porter / Bellhop
- Room Service
- Shuttle To Airport (surcharge)
(*) = Free, some restrictions may apply
Based on 94 reviews 0
|Sleep Quality
|Sleep Quality
|Sleep Quality


text: Last month, writer Heather Mac Donald wrote a piece for City Journal titled, "Classical Music's New Golden Age", which brilliantly struck through the oppressive gloom purveyed by the current prophets of the imminent death of classical music (and which piece we made note of and linked in this July S&F entry) by declaring and demonstrating that "in many respects, we [today] live in a golden age of classical music." Well, this was just too much for one of the arch prophets of the imminent death of classical music, Greg Sandow, who, instantly and with paranoid alarm, saw Mac Donald's article as striking at the very life spot of his cherished thesis, and in a series of five bilious, out-of-control and fevered rants (here, here, here, here, and here) proceeded to attempt to discredit Mac Donald and Mac Donald's article. To these five rants Mac Donald responded in a measured, neatly argued piece titled, "The Unsustainable Declinism of Greg Sandow", and the battle lines were drawn. Drew McManus of Adaptistration took offense at both the tone and the arguments (but mostly at the tone) of Sandow's and Mac Donald's pieces equally, and wrote a sharply condemnatory post titled, "An Ugly War Of Words", which took both authors to task for what Mr. McManus saw as their, um, excesses. We disagreed with Mr. McManus's assessment, and our thoughts on that can be read in the comments section of his post which comments section we urge you to read, as we urge you to read the comments sections of all the above linked posts. We live in interesting times.


text: Hey, I just bought a 2003 WRX with about 113k miles on it and after about 1 month I started to notice a ticking noise coming from the engine bay. When I first bought it, everything sounded fine, then I stopped driving it for awhile and when I started it up the other day it started ticking. I asked a friend and he said its probably the timing valves so I just need to get a tune-up. I'm wondering if it might be something else. The noise is coming from near the spark plugs area, so passenger side. I'm pretty sure the timing belt, water pump, and radiator haven't been changed either. If you guys have any advice that would be great. Thanks.


text:
the last two years."
The USAIP's preliminary cost estimate for a tracking system is $500 million to $600 million, Fourdraine said, adding that the numbers can change depending on devices and technology used, but is based on RFID technology.
"I'm not saying that's what we're going to get," he said. "That's what we came up with for a preliminary cost estimate."
The development team requested funding in 2003, and is asking for $33 million from Congress for fiscal 2005. It is also looking to receive money from the Commodity Credit Corp. (CCC). Fourdraine said this implementation is not likely to raise the price of beef.
Though the fiscal 2005 budget contains $33 million to assist with USAIP implementation, more funding is needed, said the CCA's Higgins.
"As an industry, we have many concerns about any national animal identification system, and feel there are many obstacles the USDA and state animal health agencies must overcome before any such system is practical," Higgins said. "With 95 million cattle in this country, RFID ear tags for these animals alone will cost more than $100 million. It is imperative that adequate funding be made continuously available to assist producers, auction market owners, feedlot owners and state animal health agencies with implementation of the USAIP."
Policies to protect the privacy and rights of individual livestock producers must also be created, Higgins said, adding that the complexity of implementing a national animal ID system is evidenced by the 1.03 million cattle producers and approximately 900,000 cow/calf producers across the United States in 2003.
"We do not feel many behind this plan have a functional knowledge of Western beef cattle production," he said.
Mark Lacey, who ranches in Bridgeport Valley, Calif., said the 48-hour identification goal is commendable, but may not be probable under large-range grazing circumstances, adding that some cattle are turned out on 50,000 acre allotments and would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find unless the entire allotment is gathered.
It is important, Lacey said, to impress upon people the scale of these operations in the West.
"Many people think of dairies or little farms in the Midwest or the East with 10 or 20 cows, and they all have names," he said. "But in the West, we see every cow only twice a year for branding and weaning. Even then, we may not see them all."
Also, the RFID tags have visible numbers on them, but the tags are the size of a half dollar, and the number is extremely small, Lacey said.
"You can't visually ID a cow you are looking for unless you rope her, or catch her in a squeeze chute so you can look at the tag," he said. "The same goes for reading it electronically. You have to get within 6 inches, so you might have to rope or catch 500 cows in order to find that cow."
But Cheek said automatic identification data collection (AIDC) facilitates rather than hinders on the ranch -- and depending on frequency, antenna design and power, RFID can go from close contact to several hundred feet.
"RFID technology is based on physics, wireless technology/communications theory and can be tailored based on the business process one is trying to solve," he said. "The current ISO [International Organization for Standardization] standard on animal tracking is relatively short-range -- approximately 12 inches."
GTR, however, is analyzing the problem and selecting the correct AIDC enablers. Small active RFID tags allow "real-time locating" of animals by pinpointing a specific animal's location to within approximately 10 to 15 feet, Cheek said. The Department of Defense is using this technology to locate aircraft parts over several square miles.
"If the rancher wants to locate a specific cow, I recommend an active RFID solution," he said. "The goal of GTR is to rapidly and accurately


text:
Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls
"Small Enough to Care, Strong Enough to Count"
1055 N. Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Phone: 716.283-1455 Fax: 716.283-1355
This Week's Events
Registration for the 2017-2018 School Year is ongoing.
Summer Office Hours
Closed June 26th - 30th
July & August (beginning July 5th)
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Please continue to support our ongoing fundraisers: Ink Cartridge/Toner Recycle, Box Tops for Education, Pop Tabs for the Ronald McDonald House
Summer Ideas:
CAONF Summer Tutoring
Buffalo State SUNY Reading Skills & Speed Reading Program
NWAA House Soccer Program
CAONF Cheerleading Camp
NC Basketball Camp (entering 6th, 7th)
Camp Turner
St. Vincent de Paul Vacation Bible School
Handbook & Policies
Copyright ©
Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls - All rights reserved.
Site Design and Hosting: BuffaloWeb Services, LLC


text:
Like it or not, we live in a world where people tend to judge by what they see. Therefore, appearance does matter. This leads me to think about those who have been having sleepless nights with facial acne. Acne control is possible when individuals strive to find the best possible skin care regimen and finding the best skin care products to use. From there, there are several ways in which individuals can find a way to control their acne successfully including using products such as natural acne treatments and appropriate treatments.
As far as natural acne treatment is concerned, it will include a wide range of vitamins and minerals for your skin. You will find a good range of natural skin care products that can help you. Using natural and organic skin care can help to lessen skin sensitivities and outbreaks if you find the right ones. You should supplement any of these natural products with a good, well balanced diet and exercise. For many people, the acne on the face is caused by skin infection, thus, giving your body what it needs to fight them off is essential to actually getting rid of them.
Just like those who seek Plano dentist for their dental issues to look better, people seek natural acne treatments to achieve a better complexion that will in turn increase their confidence. If a child knows about how his or her looks or appearance can boost his confidence, then it is completely understandable that acne sufferers seek a long term solution to look better. One of the most beneficial things that you can do when it comes to acne skin care is to use a good, solid cleansing regimen for your face. This will include antibacterial products and exfoliating products that will work to improve your face and your body's look.


text:
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Home > News & Events > News > Press Releases > Ash Center Devotes $150,000 in Grants Exploring Democracy's Challenges
The Ash Center's Challenges to Democracy Grant program will award $150,000 in funding support for HKS faculty workshops and doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships. Kennedy School doctoral students and faculty as well as post-doctoral students from the wider academic community are encouraged to apply by April 1, 2013.
The Center will grant awards for HKS faculty-led seminars or workshops, up to $10,000 each for a total of $40,000; doctoral fellowships for HKS and other Harvard graduate students, up to $30,000 per year for up to two fellowships; and post-doctoral fellowships, up to $50,000 per year for one fellowship. Award decisions will be made by late April by a committee composed of the Ash Center director, the Democracy, Politics, and Institutions (DPI) Area chair, and senior DPI faculty. Awards will be given for work beginning in the summer of the current 2012-13 academic year or for the 2013-14 academic year. Funding preference is given to grant proposals that enhance one of the following key areas of Center research:
Started in the spring of 2012, the Challenges to Democracy Grant program is designed to foster research on the nature of democracy and bridge the gap between its ideals and often imperfect practice in the real world. Center funding supports studies in both mature and established democracies as well as those in the developing world. read more


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Take CableTV.com's Advice and Make DIRECTV Your Next TV Service Provider
Did you know that out of all the satellite TV and cable companies in Centertown, MO, DIRECTV is rated the best TV service provider? Based on data from independent consumer surveys, this ranking can help you evaluate the cable companies and television services available in your area with an impartial eye.
Many major TV networks are available with just about any package, regardless of your location. However, the local channels and smaller networks featured in your channel line-up will vary between TV packages in Centertown and similar packages in nearby cities. That's why scoring the lowest price shouldn't be your only goal when choosing the best cable company in Centertown, MO for your home. Content matters, too. That's why it's usually a good idea to opt for a premier package—that way, you can be sure you'll have access to everything from and Kansas City Chiefs games to your favorite shows and movies. With all the data we make available on CableTV.com, we make it a breeze to browse packages offered by the highest rated providers available in Centertown. Quickly compare their programming, special features, and more—and enjoy the simplicity and convenience of finding it all in a single place!
When you're looking for a cable company in Centertown, MO, you shouldn't have to compromise. On top of offering the features, channels, and prices you want, the TV provider you choose should deliver reliable service and expert customer support. CableTV.com takes into account these traits when ranking and recommending service providers, so you can know which companies are dependable and have fast, friendly customer service.


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Welcome to the Jungle
February 20
Our group just returned yesterday from Tiputini Biodiversity Station. The Tiputini River is a tributary of the Amazon River. We spent our days hiking through the forest on the look out for any sort of wildlife we could get our hands on. It reminded me of fishing. You spend the majority of your time just waiting for something to happen (in our case it involved looking at a lot of gorgeous greenery- can't complain too much) but the moment that you see some sort of wildlife, it makes the entire hike completely worth it. We were able to see monkeys, toucans, parrots, a snake, a turtle, caimans (similar to small crocodiles) along the river, and of course loads of insects.
And our trip wouldn't be complete without the huge, palm-sized tarantula that found its way into my backpack as I was packing to leave. I'd like to say that I handled it calmly and found a way to move him out of my dirty clothes and back to his home in the wild, but in truth I screamed my head off and begged for my friend Kyle to come help me get rid of it without killing it. Luckily he loves bugs, so both me and the tarantula made it through the fiasco alive.
I've been volunteering at a children's hospital (El Hospital de Niños Baca Ortiz, for anyone familiar). It has by far been my most challenging experience here. I have had fairly minimal experiences with the whole hospital/medical scene in life, so I figured I owed it to myself and the rest of the world to become acquainted and educated about it. Each room has 4 to 8 children staying in it, with a chair set up next to each bed for a family member to stay with them. It's fairly common for parents to stay by their children's bedside for nearly 24 hours a day. So I go, equipped with games, puzzles, and books, to just spend time with the children, add a little spark to their day, and give their parents a some relief. I wear a white coat and with that seem to be able to go just about anywhere in the hospital (although I have yet to figure out how much of has to do with the white coat and how much is my white skin). I spend most of my time in the trauma ward since I have found those children to be the most alert and responsive. I hope to make my way to oncology, prenatal, and the HIV ward but all in good time. I want to give myself a little more time to get in touch with my role there, the language, and the people who I am working with. It's a challenge but it's also a process.
With that I hope this email finds everyone doing well and in good health. Stay safe and warm during the end of these winter months. And thank you so much from everyone I've been hearing from. It's always nice to have a little taste of home....


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The Tigers' junior forward was 12-for-20 from the field, pulled down nine rebounds and blocked two shots in a dominant all-around performance on a night when a rare winter storm struck the Southeast.
"The kid wanted to come out and play hard against Kentucky, and he did that. He dominated," Kentucky assistant coach Kenny Payne said of O'Bryant, a one-time UK recruiting target.
LSU (13-6, 4-3 SEC) also got 14 points and five blocked shots from freshman forward Jordan Mickey, much to the delight of an estimated crowd of 6,000 who fought through the ice and snow to see a memorable game at the Maravich Center.
Freshman guard James Young scored 23 points for Kentucky (15-5, 5-2 SEC). The Wildcats also received a career-high 15 points from freshman center Dakari Johnson off the bench, but those were the lone bright spots for the visitors.
UK got only nine points and 11 rebounds combined from starting big men Willie Cauley-Stein and Julius Randle. Twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison had 22 points, but nine of those came in the final 42 seconds on a flurry of 3s by Aaron Harrison. Andrew Harrison had just one assist in 35 minutes of action at point guard.
The Tigers shot 51 percent on the night, made seven of 18 from 3-point range and dished out 15 assists. LSU also dominated on the defensive end of the floor, holding UK to 44 percent from the field, blocking 11 shots and recording 11 steals that helped lead to 16 points off turnovers.
"Very disappointing for our players, very disappointing for our coaching staff," Payne said. "We gave them a game plan, and they didn't come out and execute. But more importantly, we didn't come out and fight. Some of these games, it's all about fight. It's not strategy, it's not Xs and Os, it's not who's got the better players. It's who's going to fight? We didn't come out and fight."
LSU pounced on a dazed UK squad for a 22-6 lead in the game's opening minutes. It marked the largest deficit the Cats have faced in a game this season.
Kentucky recovered with a 13-3 run to pull within 25-19 with 7:44 remaining in the first half and pulled within two at one point, but trailed 42-36 at the break.
The Tigers never relinquished their lead, building the margin to 15 late in the game before UK hit four 3-pointers in the final 65 seconds to leave town with a deceptive final score.
* Kentucky leads the series 83-25, including 29-17 in Baton Rouge, but LSU got its first win in six games versus a John Calipari-coached UK team.
* UK is 44-10 all time as the AP No. 11 team, but three of tohse losses have come under Calipari.
* The Wildcats return to action on Saturday at Missouri. Tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
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So, I know for a fact I have a Deviated septum. But besides that, I have weird symptoms!
When I am in a cold enviroment, my nasal bridge (which has a bump) hurts on the inside and so does the septum. I also randomly have a drippy nose.
Boogers just run down like water. I also have one side more stuffed up than the other which makes it difficult to breath at times. What do I have? Do I need surgery?


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The following story appeared in FAIR's February 27 Legislative Update. To subscribe to FAIR's Legislative Update click here.
On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on President Obama's proposed budget cuts to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), included in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) budget proposal for FY2013.
CBP's budget request equals nearly $12 billion, a two percent increase over the President's FY2012 request for the agency. (See DHS FY2013 Budget in Brief, pp. 25, 81)
In spite of this increase, the Administration has proposed cuts to several key programs. (Id. at p. 85) These include:
* $68.2 million decrease in funding for air and marine operations and procurements
* $7.1 million reduction in air and marine staff
* $6 million decrease in border security inspections and trade facilitation between points of entry
* $6.7 million decrease in automation technology modernization
* $72.9 million decrease in border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology
(Id.) Both Republicans and Democrats on the Subcommittee raised concerns that these proposed reductions could weaken CBP programs and put border security in jeopardy.
Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) was dismayed that DHS' proposed budget rollbacks would dilute Congress' increased investments in border protection over the last several years. Specifically, he lamented the "unacceptable" cuts to air and marine operations and procurement at a time when "persistent surveillance is one of the biggest remaining gaps" in border security. "Bottom line," he said, "this budget puts the investments we've made in border security over the years at risk." (Rep. Aderholt Opening Statement, Feb. 29, 2012)
Ranking Member David Price (D-NC) expressed similar concerns, saying, "This committee allocated significant resources under my tenure as chairman to provide adequate support staff to CBP ensuring front line personnel were not spending their time performing administrative functions behind desks. This budget, I'm afraid, would erase many of those gains." (Bloomberg Government Transcript, Feb. 29, 2012)
During his testimony to the subcommittee, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Fisher gave the Obama Administration credit for increases in security along the Southwest border, including the creation of a joint field base in Arizona, as well as an increase of border troops to more than 21,000. (Michael Fisher Opening Statement, Feb. 29, 2012) Much of these increases, however, stemmed from supplemental appropriations legislation passed by Congress in August of 2010, which granted Customs and Border Protection an additional $254 million. (See P.L. 111-230; see also FAIR Legislative Update, Aug. 16, 2010)
Additional statements made by Chief Fisher contradict his initial testimony that the Obama Administration supports sustaining a strong presence at the border. Fisher reported that on the day following the hearing, the Administration would begin withdrawing 900 National Guard troops from the Southwest border, leaving only 300 Guard troops on the ground. (Bloomberg Government Transcript, Feb. 29, 2012; see FAIR Legislative Update, Dec. 19, 2011)


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Dominic Monaghan Talks 'Wild Things' & De-Mystifying Scary AnimalsActor Dominique Monaghan had a bit of a quirky smile on his face when he arrived for a sit down with Damon and Gina backstage at the GRAMMYs. "I arm wrestled LL Cool J. I'm a little more spraggly… He agreed to go into the studio with me and cut a track. It's coming out in the Summer time."
Gina J's Dirty Laundry 5/30Dina Lohan is going to back on TV (YIKES!), Justin Bieber is sending the country of Norway into a state of emergency, Paris Hilton is back on the market, Kim Kardashian complaining again, and is Beyonce pregnant again? All that and more in today's Dirty Laundry.


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Soft Cup Bralet Limited Amount Left
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24 Apr 2017 - 12:00am
St. Michael School, a ministry of the Catholic Churches of Stonington and North Stonington, is committed to engaging students in a program of Christian formation characterized by a challenging and enriching curriculum in a nurturing environment.
Gratis Accepistis, Gratis Date. "Freely you have received, freely you are to give."


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Homegrown | Quit Your Job, Save Your Life
AIGA Raleigh
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EST)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
- Experiences building a business as a creative
- Money management
- Relationship management
- Workflow managment
Napoleon Wright II began his career in public relations and corporate environments. He now uses this background to support his passion for helping groups and individuals with their artistic needs through his own company, Pan II Creative.
To further this mission, he also founded a branch of Pan II Creative, Becauseus (pronounced "because-us"), which serves as a dependable source of creatives who are dedicated to the betterment of humankind through art.
Napoleon looks forward to sharing how and why he decided to quit his job, and save his life. Join us February 11, 2014 for an in-depth discussion.
Tanglewood Farms chicken salad with Perry Lowe Orchard apples, turnips, walnuts, and a bleu cheese vinaigrette
Moore Brothers' beef brisket and asparagus salad with pears, sweet potatoes, bacon, and bleu cheese dressing
Grilled meatloaf with goat cheese smashed red potatoes, spinach, and house-made Worcestershire Wood
Fire grilled Portobello mushroom with braised lentils, butternut squash,
and roasted fennel
Shrimp and grits with spinach and champagne tarragon butter
Things change fast in our industry, and it's important for us to grow our non-traditional design skills. This monthly lunch series brings local, "homegrown" experts together with designers for an intimate, indepth discussion of different skills or topics that will help designers add a few skills to their toolbox.
Homegrown is your opportunity to have lunch with the smartest people in town.
When & Where
18 Seaboard
18 Seaboard Ave
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EST)
Add to my calendar
AIGA Raleigh
*by registering for this event you will be included in the mailing list for our bi-monthly newsletter, which will keep you informed on future events and news from AIGA Raleigh.


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A staffer from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) was fetted with monetary bonuses for his work on the imagery analysis that led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden. Per Senior Executives Association spokeswoman Carol Bonosaro, who speaks on behalf of senior government officials:
That [work] enabled us to pinpoint, find, and conduct the raid on Osama bin Laden, which is rather amazing. I think it's unfortunate that the American people don't know what they do.


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Horizontal ground loop questions with geothermal
I'm researching geothermal water source heat pumps and cannot find the details I want to know about using horizontal ground loops. Details you may need to know about my house
-Houston, TX area for the installation
-2225 sq ft primary with 500 sq ft bonus room (bonus room will not be finished for a few years but I want to size the system for it)
-3 acres, so plenty of room for horizontal
Now the ?'s
-In the Houston area what is the recommended depth for the pipe installs?
-How many feet per ton should I expect.
-What spacing should be maintained between horizontal runs?
-Is it recommended to stack the pipes in the hole (i.e. put the first 6' deep, cover it with 3' and put another run and finish filling)?
-Is regular backfill soil recommended? I've read some about special mixtures to put around the pipes. Mine is a mixture of gumbo and topsoil.
Thanks in advance,
I'm don't design systems, but go to waterfurnace.com you might find some of your answers there.
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Fox's Kelly Debunks Fox's Napolitano On Obama's Doctors And Guns Policy
Fox News' Megyn Kelly debunked the right-wing media myth that President Obama will require doctors to ask their patients if they have guns -- a myth pushed by her Fox colleague Andrew Napolitano. In fact, as Kelly noted, Obama's provision simply reiterates that doctors may legally ask patients about a potential lack of gun safety in their homes.
On The O'Reilly Factor Thursday, host Bill O'Reilly discussed Obama's recent executive orders [1] on guns, claiming that the "most controversial part of the president's vision" is a directive clarifying that doctors are not prohibited from asking patients about firearms. After airing clips of Obama and NRA president David Keene speaking about the directive, O'Reilly said that "if it's true that doctors and nurses are being directed by the federal government to make inquiries about guns in some cases, that's troubling."
Guest and Fox News host Megyn Kelly agreed that such a requirement would be troubling if it existed, but explained that "it's not true." Kelly went on to say that Obama's executive order only clarifies that "Obamacare does not prohibit the doctors from asking [patients] about guns" "if they want to ask." She further noted that during the passage of health care reform, the NRA successfully lobbied to ensure the bill contained a provision "saying patients don't have to answer if they are asked by their doctor whether they have a gun."
Kelly is right: Obama only announced [2] that he would "[c]larify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes."
Fox judicial analyst Napolitano fearmongered [3] over this executive action on Fox & Friends, claiming that the provision will lead to physicians' being required to report patients' gun ownership to the government.
Other right-wing media [4] figures pushed similar distortions: Rush Limbaugh claimed [5] that doctors are "being ordered, instructed to talk to patients and get information from them about gun ownership, where they are in their house, who has access to them, where the ammunition is kept." The Drudge Report, below headlines on the executive orders, featured [6] a graphic of Obama that read:
- Posted In
- Guns [7]
- Network/Outlet
- Fox News Channel [8], The Drudge Report [9], Premiere Radio Networks [10]
- Person
- Rush Limbaugh [11], Andrew Napolitano [12]
- Show/Publication
- The Rush Limbaugh Show [13], FOX & Friends [14]


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This weeks interesting stories. See something that should be featured here? Send it to email@example.com Fred Phelps gay? That might explain his obsession with the military and homosexuality – The Huffington … [Read more...]
News Links: Saturday March 23, 2013
March 23, 2013 by Suzanne Calulu
Filed Under: Anti-Intellectualism, Birth Control, Catholic Priests Sexual Abuse, Child Molestation, Christian Culture War, Coercive Religious Groups (Cults), Confession, Control, Fear of Hell, Group Think, Hot Topics, Markers of a Cult, Mental / Emotional Health, More from NLQ ..., NLQ Miscellany, NLQ News Links Saturday, NLQ Open Comments, NLQ Quote Worthy, Parenting, Quiverfull in politics, Quiverfull in the News, Quiverfull Topics, Site Updates, Spiritual Abuse & Recovery, Traditional Gender Roles Tagged With: Christian Culture War, Fred Phelps Gay, Marriage Equality, NLQ News, Sexual Abuse