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DIY alterations: How to slim sleeves + armhole & raise neckline
If you don't own this dress, the general concepts below can easily be applied to various garments - blouses, tank tops, dresses, etc. I've done the shoulder part in #2 quite a bit with tops that are too low/gaping/long.
Alteration # 1: Slimming sleeves and making armholes smaller.
Problem: Armpits are too big and sleeves are too loose. If you are taller or have a longer torso, then this may be the only alteration you need.
Solution: Measure out how much you want to take in - you want sleeves and armholes to be fitted but not snug. Stitch in one continuous line (on each side of the dress) as shown below...
Secure both ends of the stitch by knotting your thread, or by back-stitching on your machine. If you have a serger machine, trim off the excess fabric and re-serge the raw edges.
Difficulty Level: Beginner. Takes about 10 minutes by machine, longer by hand.
Before you begin any sewing project...having an iron ready is key. After you sew on the inside-out garment, flip it back to the right side, iron down the seams to smooth out the area, and try it on. If the alteration doesn't look right, remove stitches, iron the fabric smooth again, and re-sew as necessary. I like to use fabric chalk to mark my measured lines, then secure the fabric with pins before sewing.
NOTE: The sleeves of this dress are gathered and banded at the hand opening, and is more narrow there. You need to taper the slimming to be less and less narrow as you get closer to the opening.
Alteration # 2: Slimming sleeves, making armholes smaller, raising the neckline and hem.
Problem: In addition to the two issues above, the length is too long, the waist hits too low, and the neckline is too low. These are symptoms of how regular-sized garments often fit on women who need petite sizing.
Difficulty Level: Beginner. ~10 minutes by machine, longer by hand.
NOTE: This alteration is a simplified shortcut (that will make some professional sewers cringe), and will result in a new seam along the upper side of both arms. I don't recommend this for solid garments, however I think the pattern on this dress hides the new seam fairly well.
Alteration # 3: Alteration #2, the proper way.
Problem: You want to achieve the effect of alteration #2 but you don't want new outer seams down the arms.
Solution: 1) Using a seam ripper or tiny scissors, take apart all seams connecting the sleeves to the shoulders. 2) Take in the shoulders from the top. 3) Slim the sleeves from the bottom, pre-existing seam, making sure the new width will align with the newly-sized armpit hole. 4) Re-attach the sleeves to the torso.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate.
If this were a more expensive dress, I definitely would've gone this route. However, I'm not a great sewer so it would've taken me hours versus 10 minutes (for alteration #2). Either way, I just wanted to show these methods for anyone with little to no experience sewing, as an option to do easy fixes at home and save on $$ alterations.
On a separate note, I've always kept comments open on this blog to encourage the sharing of ideas and constructive feedback. I value comments as a means for interaction and read every single one. I understand that clothing choices are a subjective matter, and there will always be differing opinions. All I ask is for common courtesy when expressing your thoughts. Just because we're on the Internet doesn't mean we can't show the same respect and decency to each other that we would in real life.
83 comments:
- Nng1987Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Great info Jean. I never thought of doing alteration 2 but it makes so much sense!!ReplyDelete
I love your dress post alterations. Your DIY posts are always so informative and helpful. I wore my dress today. The sleeves did not bother me too much but I will try to do alteration # 2 this weekend. Thanks for sharing, Jean!ReplyDelete
Just wanted to add one tip to alteration #3 - when reattaching the sleeve, make sure to start at the armpit. If there is a slight misalignment of size, a little bubbling here will not be noticeable.ReplyDelete
Great post, Jean! I do kind of like the more form fitting skirt in the pre-altered version but since it's just a matter of wrapping it more tightly, you can still achieve this look if you wanted. :)
The alterations look fantastic! I would have just sighed and put it back on the rack!ReplyDelete
Good job with the alterations - you'd really like a dress I altered last fall. It's a Calvin Klein dress that's lined. I took in the top of the shoulder seams and lining seams. Overall fairly easy, but hard to explain! ;-)ReplyDelete
Wow, interesting. I need to learn to sew, but this was the clearest tutorial I've ever seen.ReplyDelete
wow that's really good!ReplyDelete
Really great job Jean!!! Gah why can't that dress be available in Canada?!?!ReplyDelete
WOW! You are amazing Jean! Love your blog as always!ReplyDelete
Jean your tutorials are always so informative and useful so thank you for posting them!ReplyDelete
Sorry to hear about negative comments you've been receiving on your website. I just received my first negative comment today :( I agree I wish people would follow the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all" Hope you have a great rest of the week! Cheers - Phoebe
i love your blog! i can really relate being slightly less than five ft and having to get everything tailored to fit! im def following your blog!ReplyDelete
check out out how i try to make it work
great diy! thanks for the tutorial. you're always so informative. even though i'm not petite, i sometimes have problems with the fit also so your diy tutorials come in handy. :)ReplyDelete
This is a very clear and easily understandable tutorial, Jean. Thank you! I also want to mention the impressive level of grace you've shown in addressing the negative comments on your site. You are a class act and we could all use a lesson from you!ReplyDelete
You're so talented!! Thanks for the informative tutorial. You look gorgeous in that dress. :)ReplyDelete
Awesome post, Jean. I love the dress post alternation. Your DIY is very helpful and informative. I want to alter my dress but I am afraid too.ReplyDelete
You are so good at sewing! I could never do something like that without messing up the garment. Mad props.ReplyDelete
This is really helpful! I do small alterations on my own, like bringing up the neckline but not stuff like this.ReplyDelete
Oh you did a really good job!! Love love love it!!! <3<3<3ReplyDelete
Thank you! This was really helpful =DReplyDelete
You're so skilled! Thanks for sharing.ReplyDelete
ahahaha - I was ready your Alteration #2 and I'll admit I did cringe a little. But after seeing #3, you KNOW how to properly do the alteration, and seeing your AFTER in #2, I'll admit, I can't really tell. You're quite the seamstress and designer Jean!ReplyDelete
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
Thank you for taking the time to post something that's very helpful and easy to understand. It is very much appreciated!ReplyDelete
Thank you for this post! Very clear instructions and seems like a simple way to take care of such common fit issues.ReplyDelete
Hi Jean,ReplyDelete
Thank you so much for these new posts showing us how to alter clothes ourselves. I learned a lot from you by looking at these photos because it made what you were explaining easier to understand and follow.
This is an awesome post!
Bela Anzu
P.S. This dress looks polished and lovely on you particularly after you altered it.ReplyDelete
Bela Anzu
OMG!! you're so good at altering your clothes. you should teach me the basics of altering clothes. I tried alter my dress once, it ended up like crazy.ReplyDelete
I read your other blog about this dress and loved it so much I went out and bought the dress for myself (along with other pretty dresses that were also on clearance). I wasn't able to score the dress for $10.99, at my Old Navy it was on sale for $12.49 (but then they did have 10% Tuesday when I bought it so I guess it came out to about that price). This was so informative thank you! I wish I could sew. I do have one question: The sleeves and armholes on my dress fit perfectly but the neckline is too low for me, would you have any suggestions on how I can readjust it? I was thinking of just wearing a white bandeau but it might ruin the look of the dress. Would love your input.ReplyDelete
Thanks, Ria (www.stethandstilettos.blogspot.com)Replies
I'm not the biggest fan of camisoles under a low neckline, but sometimes it's just necessary. A bandeau may be uncomfortable, so I would try just a camisole in white, beige, or maybe the same shade of green?Delete
Hi - I've found that those little 'faux' camisoles that attach to you bra strap, actually don't look too bad,, when you just have to have something to fill in a little. I've been able to wear a lot more of my things to work, that I wouldn't have before, and there is no added bulk, either. Not to mention they're comfortable - you don't even know it's there. My set came with black, white, and natural, and they have 2 options for attaching (higher coverage or lower). I found them at bed & bath of all places, but you could google it and find them elsewhere I'm sure. They are such a help for us shorties, for which many things are cut too low!!!Delete
- AnonymousSaturday, April 27, 2013
I wear those "dickies" that attach to your bra straps with everything! they're a great option and a real life saver. I think one brand is called "cami secret" at walmart and I've seen them in varieties of colors, even leopard print!Delete
Ahhh thank you for sharing your alteration skills Jean. #3 is inviting…maybe I'll pick up a "practice" clothing from the thrift shop. (The skill might come in handy when my petite daughter hits her teens LOL)ReplyDelete
Amazing tips! Thank you for sharing!ReplyDelete
I love your mini DIY alteration tutorials! So SO helpful, thank you! You did a great job altering that dress! :)ReplyDelete
I love how your DIYs and tutorials are always so clear with just enough detail. You're a great teacher!ReplyDelete
Wow! Thanks Jean. You're so talented. If only I knew how to sew...ReplyDelete
Hi Jean,ReplyDelete
I love this! I have always wanted to learn to sew and am saving up for a machine and lessons. But I love how you have given tips for us hand-sewers too. Thanks for showing the fit issues. I always have dresses that just don't seem right... and I figured it was the length but now I see that it's also the arm holes and the waist (now THAT is why so many dresses are so low cut on me and I have to wear camis).
Keep up the great work. And ignore the haters... sheesh, some people are just such weirdos. Try to focus on the tons of followers you have that love your blog and rely on you. Even though I'm about 10 years older than you, whenever I follow your dress advice I get tons of compliments. Thanks for posting, even with your busy work and study schedule!
This is super helpful! I'm always too chicken to cut up my own clothes. Do you have a sewing machine?ReplyDelete
This is very helpful Jean! I stopped by an ON and picked up this dress in both colors (the only ones left in xs too!). I will have to try either #2 or #3...might have to get my mom to help me actually lol.ReplyDelete
You are a genius!!! And did you rip apart that dress just for the last picture and then resew it using alteration #2? WHAT A BLOGGER!!!!!!ReplyDeleteReplies
Omigosh, no : ) If I went that far I would've gone all the way with alteration # 3. That image is the result of some photo editing.Delete
Great post! One thing to keep in mind about negative comments is that they usually become more plentiful the more overt success you achieve.( I used to compete in pageants and didn't get any negative comments/ feedback until I actually won a major statewide pageant). You handle them well, but understand that they "come with the territory" of increased success and visibility of your blog.ReplyDelete
Great job on the alteration, and thanks for sharing it with us! I'm lucky to have a professional tailor as a sister (and I pay her in cookies and cupcakes), but for me, I can't even get a sewing machine to work. The sewing machine just intimidates me. I wish there's a simple one with just an ON button. :)ReplyDelete
Thank you so much for this clear and approachable tutorial. And for taking the time to show three different ways to do it. There are so many shirts and ddresses that I have been meaning to take to the tailor...you have inspired me to learn to do it myself!ReplyDelete
That having been said...years ago I bought a sewing machine (on super-sale) but have always been so scared to use it. I took a beginner's sewing class at the BCAE and it was useless. So, I was going to sell the machine...but now I think I may keep it! Any tips for people like me and Anonymous above who are scared of them?
I need to take sewing lessons and invest in a good sewing machine. How much would a good basic sewing machine cost?ReplyDelete
A very basic Brother or Singer machine will cost about $80 on Amazon with free ship.Delete
Holy cow, those sleeves were huge. I'm so annoyed with Old Navy screwing with sizing just to accommodate the ridiculously huge and growing waistlines in this country.ReplyDelete
This is amazing. Do you think this same concept can be applied to mens blazers and shirts? I'm all for trying this out <3ReplyDelete
you're awesome Jean. Thanks for the informative tutorial. I've always wondered whether if its really that simple and it is!ReplyDelete
Thanks for posting step by step instructions on how to alter a dress. I bought a sewing machine a year ago, and have yet to use it. I also don't really sew all that much. But this helps a lot!ReplyDelete
xo annie
ps Agreed about your last paragraph. :)
Thank you for this post, it is so useful !ReplyDelete
I also have the problems of too long length and too low waist and neckline, so usually I don't buy any dresses, even if I like them (but I buy skirts ;-). And I find it a pity because some dresses are so feminine !
But now that you have shown how to do, I will change my mind, many thanks !!!
Boston area readers....inspired by Jean, I am going to take beginning sewing at Grey's Fabric and Notions in the South End. http://greysfabric.com/classes/location/greys-fabric-and-notions/ReplyDelete
Not affiliated (I just rang up the owner, who was very sweet, but I don't know her at all and cannot vouch for the classes...yet!) But she also teaches how to do hems and simple alterations and has more advanced classes too. Affordable for the area.
A few years ago I took BCAE classes and they were rubbish - they have since changed the teacher but I am reluctant to pay $200 to get disappointed again....
Hope this helps someone : )Replies
Enjoy your class, Annapurna!Delete
jean, you are such a diligent worker bee. the alteration you did makes the dress look even better. can i send mine over for you to do? hahaha!!ReplyDelete
if it was me, i'd probably go for #1, but low neckline would be an issue. appreciate all the choices.ReplyDelete
You have explained it so well! The dress looks lovely on you and cant wait to see you style it!ReplyDelete
Tried out this dress today thanks to you. Neck line its so deep. Wish I had your talent for diy. Too scared tob attempt it. Maybe next time.ReplyDelete
I'm soo glad you posted this!! I've been trying to rework a vintage blazer and looked all over the internet for directions on how to slim the arms! I was going to try option #1, but #3 will be so much better, I never would have thought of that! Thanks :)ReplyDeleteReplies
I love your tailoring posts -- I haven't gotten up the courage to try it myself yet, but I'm learning!ReplyDelete
Hey, I just want to let you know you are doing an amazing job! I am five eight, 135 lbs, and all legs, but I appreciate all of your blog post! Being really tall with really long limbs I cannot say I always relate exactly, but every woman deserves well fitting clothes and your blog helps us achieve that! I know this all has to be very time consuming, so I just want to share my admiration and appreciation!ReplyDelete
Thank you so much!
Thank you very much for posting this! Armholes are often too wide to flatter me, so I'd really like to try your tips. Especially the second one, it looks so easy but I would have never in a million years thought of it myself ;-)ReplyDelete
This is awesome! I'm getting more and more interested in sewing because of you!ReplyDelete
Thanks for this Jean! I have some items that really need to be taken in but have been hesitant because the alteration bill in my head is getting kinda large lol. I may try this on some of my cheaper items :)ReplyDelete
Great job! :DReplyDelete
Such a great post! The changes made such a difference in the fit of your dress - it looks great on you.ReplyDelete
Thank you, thank you! I've been at a complete loss for an easy way to make armholes smaller and raise the bust area. Even petite sizes are too long-waisted at times. This solves so many clothing issues for me. Please keep the alteration tips coming, they are changing my wardrobe options!ReplyDelete
where do you learn the sewing? How long does it take to finish the new dress?ReplyDelete
I always have this problem, even i cannot sew, I really need this info, thank you so much!ReplyDelete
Just a word of caution for those of you with this dress: I just washed it and made the mistake of drying it (got lumped into a huge load and didn't take it out to line dry). It didn't shrink anywhere else-- just the length. It's a good 6 inches shorter, hitting mid thigh now and I wouldn't dare wearing such a short wrap dress. :(ReplyDelete
i love your diy alterations posts!ReplyDelete
Hi Jean,ReplyDelete
Thank you for this tutorial. Do you have any tips on slimming a blouse to be more fitted in the waist area? I bought
and it does not look like it does on the model. I'm pretty much swimming in it. It fits perfectly in the shoulders and arms and yet, the waist is just too boxy and loose. I tried to find a tutorial on your previous posts but couldn't find one. Any tips? The material is polyester.
- AnonymousTuesday, March 27, 2012
I find these tutorials soooo helpful. As a penny pincher, I'm always looking for ways to save money, especially on things I can do myself. I hope you keep posting these kinds of posts. So informative!ReplyDelete
I was thinking about attempting #3 on my dress. What string would you suggest?ReplyDelete
These are some of my favorite posts from you, especially as a fellow petite lady. Unfortunately I do not have a sewing machine, which I'd prefer over sewing some of my potential projects by hand. Thankfully, for now, I don't have anything that's in desperate need of altering.ReplyDelete
I worked in alterations before and I'd say for someone who taught them-self, you do a great job. You directions are easy to follow, which isn't always an easy thing (to give comprehensive directions). =)
As Jen mentioned about your regards to negativity, you handle it with such class. It's truly what mom's teach their children, "Treat others the way you want to be treated."
- AnonymousMonday, April 09, 2012
Was this jersey fabric? I bought the long cobalt blue skirt (from a previous post) from ON, but unfortunately they were sold out in petite so i need to hem it. I am an exeperienced sewer, but jersey makes me nervous. What stitch would you use? I don't want the fabric to stretch.ReplyDelete
Thank you SO much! It's sooo difficult to find sewing advice online (compared to knitting for some reason). I always have the armpit problem and have been trying to find a fitting solution! Thanks for giving all of the options too!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousTuesday, July 31, 2012
I LOVE YOUR BLOG... especially the when you teach how to's, like this one. Thanks a lot!ReplyDelete
I love your website I have the same problems I'm 4'11 & 95 pounds but I'm afraid to take the risks you take (I have no sewing abilities). I was wondering if you would do a blog post about casual clothing i.e jeans. Also what other thrift stores do you go to because there's no Savers by me.ReplyDelete
very wonderful... keep on sharing... this can help a lotReplyDelete
This article is a dress-saver. I have a lovely dress which is far too low in the v-shaped neckline, & after many botched attempts to alter it, I looked online. And found your blog, with such very clear instructions. I now know how to alter it - not sure if I'll do the short-cut (#2) or the 'correct' but longer method (#3), but at long last I'll be able to wear the dress. It's been far too many years (about 25) since I last made clothes & I've forgotten most of what I once knew, which is why blogs like yours are so brilliant.ReplyDelete
Hellooo Extra petite !!! I loved so much your blog from the first sight when I saw.... And your advices and tips for sewing they helped me so much thank you about that .... And also helped me so much with your advices for styling clothing and how to style differents pieces ...... Wish you luck and all the best.....ReplyDelete
Don't forget to check my blog www.a-step-in-fashion-world.blogspot.com/ I hope you gonna like :D :* :*:*:*:*
I'd love to do Alteration 1 on a shirt: however, the sleeves are made of mesh and I'm terrified I'll make huge holes in it, or the whole thing will come apart if I cut it. I hand-stitch and am a relative beginner (I own no machine) - is there anything I should be aware of when working with this material? Thank you to anyone who can help!ReplyDelete
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text:
Hirschsprung's disease is a rare disorder of the colon. It is present at birth. This disease causes problems with the movement within the colon. It usually affects the last 1-2 feet of the colon. Hirschsprung's can make it difficult to have effective bowel movements.
The colon is a muscular tube. It pushes waste to the rectum by squeezing then relaxing. Nerves tell the colon when to squeeze and when to relax.
In Hirschsprung's disease, the nerve cells that tell parts of the colon to relax are missing. This means that parts of the colon never relax and fully open. This can make it difficult for waste products to move through the affected area.
The missing nerve cells are due to a genetic defect. In some cases, Hirschsprung is hereditary. This means parents could pass it to their children. Genes from the parents can be passed even if the parents do not have the disease.
Risk Factors
Hirschsprung's is more common in boys. Other factors that may increase your child's chance of Hirschsprung's include:
- Family members with the disease
- Presence of Down Syndrome
- Presence of other congenital defects
Symptoms can differ by age.
Symptoms found in newborns include:
- Failure to have a bowel movement within the first 48 hours of life
- Vomiting after eating
- Swelling of abdomen
Symptoms found in young children include:
- Severe constipation
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
- Growth delay
Symptoms found in teenagers include:
- Severe constipation for most of their lives
- Anemia
Hirschsprung's disease is often diagnosed in infancy. Some may not be diagnosed until adolescence or early adulthood.
You will be asked about your child's symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Imaging tests assess the colon and other nearby structures. These can be done with:
- X-ray
- Barium enema with x-ray
Your bowel tissue may be tested. This can be done with biopsy.
The pressure inside your colon may be measured. This can be done with anorectal manometry.
Surgery is the primary treatment for Hirschsprung's. The earlier the treatment is done, the better the outcome may be. Recovery may also be easier if a shorter bowel segment is involved.
The goal of surgery is to remove the affected portion of the colon. Other surgery may be done to provide support to the bowel while it heals. Potential surgical procedures may include:
- Pull-through operation—The affected area of the colon is removed. The remaining healthy colon is then brought down and joined to the rectum.
- Colostomy—This may be done to allow your bowel time to rest and heal. After the affected area of colon is removed, the healthy colon is not immediately connected to the rectum. Instead, the colon is attached to an opening in the abdominal wall. Waste will then pass through this opening and into a bag outside the body. This may be done in children who are very sick or have a large portion of the colon affected.
- Closure of the colostomy—After the area has healed, the colon will be connected to the rectum. The colostomy opening will be closed. Bowel function will gradually return to normal.
Surgery of the bowel can cause serious complications. Talk to your doctor about treatment benefits and risks.
There are no guidelines to prevent Hirschsprung's.
If you have one child with the disease, you could have more children with the disease. Talk to your doctor about the risk. Consider going to genetic counseling.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
- Review Date: 06/2016 -
- Update Date: 05/11/2013 -


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Solving the Case of the Missing Millions: Automating Reinsurance Processes
With over 30 years' experience in the reinsurance software market, Craig has been instrumental in helping companies extend their market penetration and drive revenue. Craig has held leadership roles in Marketing, Sales and Project Management.
Craig joined Xuber in August 2013. His business development responsibilities include pre-sales, partner relationships and support for product development.
Prior to launching Strategy Meets Action, Deb held a variety of leadership roles including VP of the Insurance Practice at TowerGroup, Chief Transformation Officer (CIO) at Insurance Company of The West (ICW), Partner at KPMG LLC, and Head of Commercial Lines Application Development at Liberty Mutual.
Deb is often asked to contribute to major insurance publications. She is also a frequent keynote speaker at leading industry conferences.
Peggy has written a recurring department featured in Insurance & Technology since 1996, and she has produced a recurring department for Bank Systems & Technology since 2003. From 1998 through 2001, she served as editor-in-chief of School Technology Market Report, a bimonthly newsletter for school district technology leaders. Peggy formerly was manager of communications for the American Insurance Association's Service Group. She has also worked in the IT area of Dun & Bradstreet, where she reported directly to the director of IS planning and consulting.
Peggy holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Skidmore College, a Master's degree in education from Sacred Heart University and a Master's degree in educational technology from Fairfield University.
Reinsurance represents the largest asset on most P&C insurers' balance sheets. This asset equates to millions of dollars across the insurance industry. Yet, many insurers are still using antiquated systems to administer their reinsurance business – in simple spreadsheets, in some cases – and they are reliant on a single individual or small, specialized group of employees to track down the missing funds.
To some degree, leakage affects all carriers. However, insurers in the E&S market are most impacted, since claims in this area tend to be particularly complex and the process for settling these claims can take years. Automating processes can go a long way in helping insurers regain recoverables that were previously lost or difficult to recapture.
Join us for this free 60-minute Insurance & Technology webinar to learn how automating ceded reinsurance processes can help insurers gain efficiencies – and regain millions of dollars lost to leakage. In this program, Craig Robinson, Head of U.S. Business Development at Xuber, will discuss:
- How automation can reduce leakage;
- The potential dangers for insurers that do not automate these processes;
- Options available to today's insurers;
- The qualitative and quantitative benefits to carriers that automate.


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Aaron Hernandez Banned From Watching Football
Already out of professional football due to his ongoing murder case, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is now also banned from watching football while behind bars. Authorities at the Connecticut jail where Hernandez is being held tell TMZ.com it's against their policy to allow inmates to watch football. The 23-year-old is being held without bail while awaiting trial for the killing of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Hernandez pled not guilty to murder and other charges during an arraignment hearing last week.
His former Patriots teammates, meantime, took to the field over the weekend to begin their NFL season with a 23-21 win over the Buffalo Bills.


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Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Could your child be taking ADHD medication for no reason? Learn these 5 signs of ADHD misdiagnosis
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods


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WATCH: Michael Jordan accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and challenges entire 1992 Dream Team, too
Listen to Yahoo! Sports Minute on iHeartRadio
(YAHOO!)The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge — the smash-hit viral video campaign aimed at raising awareness of and money for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease — has captivated an awful lot of people over the course of the past couple of weeks, and the NBA world has been no exception. A slew of hoops-related luminaries, from Team USA through LeBron James and Commissioner Adam Silver and beyond, and now, it has reached the rarefied air of Air Jordan himself: Michael Jordan.
After being nominated by soccer legend David Beckham, and Jordan Brand athletes Ray Allen and Derek Jeter, the Chicago Bulls legend and Charlotte Hornets owner faced the music in a video released Wednesday:


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Open Box
Open box light fixtures are new or like-new fixtures that were displayed in one of our New York showrooms or have been returned to a showroom. These items have been returned, usually due to customer remorse, have been thoroughly inspected and tested before repackaging for shipment to you. Due to the deep discounts we are offering, all open box sales are final.


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|index by Group
|index by Distribution
|index by Vendor
|index by creation date
|index by Name
|Name: collectd-plugin-virt
|Distribution: openSUSE 12.1
|Version: 4.10.3
|Vendor: openSUSE
|Release: 4.1.2
|Build date: Sun Oct 30 06:27:21 2011
|Group: System/Monitoring
|Build host: build32
|Size: 19904
|Source RPM: collectd-4.10.3-4.1.2.src.rpm
|Packager: http://bugs.opensuse.org
|Url: http://collectd.org/
|Summary: Virtual Machine Statistics Plugin for collectd
Optional collectd plugin to gather statistics from virtual machines using libvirt.
GNU General Public License (GPL)
* Mon Oct 17 2011 email@example.com - fixed build ( new yajl lib API ) * Fri Sep 16 2011 firstname.lastname@example.com - adding patch from jengelh to fix build * Tue Aug 02 2011 firstname.lastname@example.com - notify-desktop: fix compatibility with libnotify >= 0.7.0 - iptables plugin: use iptables library - ipvs plugin: disable for >= 12.1, as build fails currently * Mon Aug 01 2011 email@example.com - df plugin: skip duplicate entries, fixes "uc_update: Value too old" error * Sat Apr 16 2011 firstname.lastname@example.com - downgrading in-tree iproute2 from 2.6.38 to 2.6.37, as 2.6.38 causes an internal error in gcc * Fri Apr 15 2011 email@example.com - add pinba plugin (through protobuf-c support) - add rpmlintrc file to suppress false positives - add collectd-pkgconfig_libnotify_add_gtk.patch to fix building libnotify support on >= 11.4 * Wed Apr 13 2011 firstname.lastname@example.com - bump in-tree iproute2 to 2.6.38 - update to 4.10.3: * collectd: Threshold subsection: Handling of NAN values in the percentage calculation has been fixed * collectd, java plugin, ntpd plugin: Several diagnostic messages have been improved * curl_json plugin: Handling of arrays has been fixed. * libvirt plugin: A bug in reading the virtual CPU statistics has been fixed * processes plugin: Potentially erroneous behavior has been fixed in an error handling case * python plugin: Fix dispatching of values from Python scripts to collectd - changes from 4.10.2: * collectd: If including one configuration file fails, continue with the rest of the configuration if possible * collectd: Fix a bug in the read function scheduling. In rare cases read functions may not have been called as often as requested * collectd: A left-over hard-coded 2 has been replaced by the configurable timeout value * curl, memcachec, tail plugins: Fix handling of "DERIVE" data sources. Matching the end of a string has been improved * curl_json plugin: Fix a problem when parsing 64bit integers. Reading JSON data from non-HTTP sources has been fixed * network plugin: Be less verbose about unchecked signatures, in order to prevent spamming the logs * notify_email plugin: Concurrency problems have been fixed * python plugin: Set "sys.argv", since many scripts don't expect that it may not be set * rrdtool, rrdcached plugin: Fix a too strict assertion when creating RRD files * swap plugin: A bug which lead to incorrect I/O values has been fixed * value match: A minor memory leak has been fixed * Mon Jul 12 2010 firstname.lastname@example.com - add curl_json plugin (libyajl) - fix Java plugin on 11.1 * Sun Jul 11 2010 firstname.lastname@example.com - update to 4.10.1: * the shutdown speed when terminating the read threads has been improved * libcollectdclient: a format error in the PUTVAL command has been removed * DF plugin: an error message shown when cu_mount_getlist fails has been added * Processes plugin: missing initialization code for IO members of a struct has been added * Python plugin: memory leaks in the write and notification callbacks have been fixed; a possible crash when the plugin was loaded but not configured has been fixed * SNMP plugin: verbosity with regard to unknown ASN types has been increased * PowerDNS plugin: compatibility changes for PowerDNS 2.9.22 and above have been applied - changes from 4.10.0: * JSON output now includes the dstypes and dsnames fields * the new Timeout option can be used to specify a timeout for missing values * Apache plugin: support for IdleWorkers (Apache 1.*: IdleServers) has been added * cURL plugin: the new ExcludeRegex allows to easily exclude certain lines from the match * cURL-XML plugin: new plugin allows to read XML files using cURL and extract metrics included in the files * FileCount plugin: the new IncludeHidden option allows to include hidden files and directories in the statistics * LogFile plugin: the new PrintSeverity option allows to include the severity of a message in the output * memcachec plugin: the new ExcludeRegex allows to easily exclude certain lines from the match * Network plugin: new Interface option allows to set the interface to be used for multicast and, if supported, unicast traffic * OpenVPN plugin: the CollectUserCount and CollectIndividualUsers options allow more detailed control over how to report sessions of multiple users * Ping plugin: new MaxMissed allows to re-resolve a hosts address when it doesn't reply to a number of ping requests * PostgreSQL plugin: the Interval config option has been added; the plugin has been relicensed under the 2-clause BSD license * Processes plugin: support for code and data virtual memory sizes has been added * Python plugin: support for Python 3 has been implemented * Swap plugin: support for Linux < 2.6 has been added * Tail plugin: the new ExcludeRegex allows to easily exclude certain lines from the match * Write HTTP plugin: the StoreRates option has been added * RegEx match: the Invert option has been added - bumped in-tree libnetlink_version version from 2.6.33 to 2.6.34 * Fri Apr 23 2010 email@example.com - bumped in-tree libnetlink_version version from 2.6.29-1 to 2.6.33 - update to 4.9.2: * append a newline to messages written to STDERR. * serialization of NANs in JSON format has been fixed * checks whether a "sleep" returned early have been added * continue reading files in a directory when parsing one file fails * Apache plugin: collection of the number of active connections has been fixed for Apache 2.* * Exec plugin: error messages have been improved; the "running" flag is now cleared correctly when forking a child fails * IPTables plugin: fix a violation of aliasing rules * Java plugin: the Java API files are now packaged into a .jar file * Network plugin: fix a segmentation fault when receiving packets with an unknown data source type * Network plugin: a memory leak when receiving encrypted network packets has been fixed * Oracle plugin: fix checking for lost connections and reconnect in this case * UnixSock plugin: a memory leak in the "LISTVAL" command has been fixed * Write HTTP plugin: use the "any" authentication schema, used to be "digest" * Fri Jan 15 2010 firstname.lastname@example.com - update to 4.9.1: * RRDtool plugin: fix a bug with random write timeouts: due to an incorrect initialization some files may be suspended basically indefinitely; after flushing the files they were written regularly again * documentation: some manpage fixes * default config: added sample configuration for missing plugins * apache plugin: fix a segmentation fault in the config handling of VerifyPeer / VerifyHost * processes plugin: fix handling of derive data sources * RouterOS plugin: use the node name for the "host" field * monitorus plugin: put the plugin into the "Collectd::Plugins" namespace * Perl bindings: fix a warning that was printed when building debugging output * Mon Dec 21 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - update to 4.9.0: * new plugins: NetApp, Python, RouterOS, ContextSwitch, Monitorus, OpenVZ * timing information is now collected in the cURL plugin * the possibility to set the source address and device used has been added to the Ping plug-in * the detail provided by the DF plug-in has been enhanced * collection of IO-metrics has been added to the Processes plugin * Sat Dec 19 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - update to 4.8.2: * fixes a memory leak in the "listval" command * adds detection of dead connections and reconnection in the GenericJMX and Oracle plugins * fixes handling of negative values and hex strings has been corrected in the SNMP plugin * improved treatment of error messages when no log plugin was loaded - build memcachec and dbi plugins * Tue Oct 06 2009 email@example.com - split out -virt plugin package to avoid depending on libvirt.so and libxenstore.so in the main package - more preconfigured integration and documentation mangling for files under contrib/ - split out spamassassin contrib files into their own package, properly preconfigured - fix Apache2 configuration file in -web subpackage * Sat Oct 03 2009 email@example.com - update to 4.8.1: * UnixSock plugin: fix a (well hidden) race condition related to file descriptor handling - changes from 4.8.0: * collectd: two new data source types, DERIVE and ABSOLUTE, have been added: DERIVE can be used for counters that are reset occasionally * thresholds: the advanced threshold options "Percentage", "Hits", and "Hysteresis" have been added * cURL-JSON plugin: the new cURL-JSON plugin reads JSON files using the cURL library and parses the contents according to user specification; among other things, this allows to read statistics from a CouchDB instance * DF plugin: using the new "ReportByDevice" option the device rather than the mount point can be used to identify partitions * DNS plugin: the possibility to ignore numeric QTypes has been added * GenericJMX plugin: the new, Java-based GenericJMX plugin allows to query arbitrary data from a Java process using the Java Management Extensions (JMX) * MadWifi plugin: the new MadWifi plugin collects information about Atheros wireless LAN chipsets from the MadWifi driver * network plugin: the receive- and send-buffer-sizes have been made configurable, allowing for bigger and smaller packets * olsrd plugin: the new OLSR plugin queries routing information from the Optimized Link State Routing daemon * RRDtool plugin: a new configuration option allows to define a random write delay when writing RRD files; this spreads the load created by writing RRD files more evenly * Swap plugin: the possibility to collect swapped in/out pages has been added to the Swap plugin * TokyoTyrant plugin: the new TokyoTyrant plugin reads the number of records and file size from a running Tokyo Tyrant server * UnixSock plugin: add the GETTHRESHOLD command: this command can be used to query the thresholds configured for a particular identifier * Write HTTP plugin: the new Write HTTP plugin sends the values collected by collectd to a web-server using HTTP POST requests * Empty Counter match: the new Empty Counter match matches value lists, where at least one data source is of type COUNTER and the counter value of all counter data sources is zero * Fri Sep 25 2009 email@example.com - temporarily disable perl plugin for opensuse 11.2, must fix configure check first * Sun Jul 26 2009 email@example.com - update to 4.7.2: * several bugs in the threshold and notification subsystems have been fixed * portability of the "memcached" plug-in has been improved * Tue May 12 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - update the in-tree libnetlink to 2.6.29-1 - added missing ldconfig for libcollectclient0 - update to 4.7.0: * apache plugin: support to query multiple servers has been added * apache plugin: handling of lighttpd's scoreboard statistics has been improved * conntrack plugin: the new conntrack plugin collects the connection tracking table size * fscache plugin: the new fscache plugin collects statistics about Linux' file-system based caching framework * gmond plugin: the new gmond plugin can receive and interpret multicast traffic from Ganglia's gmond daemon * java plugin: the new java plugin exports the collectd API to Java, making it possible to write extensions to collectd in Java * memcachec plugin: the new memcachec plugin queries data from a memcached daemon and parses it similar to the cURL plugin * memcached plugin: support for connections over UNIX domain sockets has been added * mysql plugin: support to query multiple databases has been added * mysql plugin: master/slave statistics have been added * mysql plugin: lock statistics have been added * network plugin: the possibility to sign or encrypt network traffic has been added * protocols plugin: the new protocols plugin provides information about network protocols, such as IP, TCP and UDP * snmp plugin: the intervals given in the configuration of the SNMP plugin must no longer be a multiple of the global interval * table plugin: the new Table plugin provides parsing for table-like structured files, such as many files beneath /proc * ted plugin: the new TED plugin reads power consumption measurements from "The Energy Detective" (TED) * onewire plugin: the new Interval option allows collecting information from OneWire sensors at arbitrary intervals * ping plugin: support for collecting the drop rate and standard deviation of round-trip times has been added * uptime plugin: the new uptime plugin can collect the server's uptime * Wed Mar 18 2009 email@example.com - update to 4.6.2: * collection of the number of cached RR-sets has been fixed in the "BIND" plugin * filter chains can now be configured without a default target * portability fixes have been added to the "DNS" and "Oracle" plugins * a typo that prevented the module from being used correctly has been corrected in the "TimeDiff" match * a possible race condition during startup has been fixed in the "RRDtool" plugin
/usr/lib64/collectd/libvirt.la /usr/lib64/collectd/libvirt.so
Generated by rpm2html 1.8.1
Fabrice Bellet, Mon Jul 10 03:44:28 2017


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Best Of :: People & Places
Filled with brightly colored play areas designed by local artist Romero Britto, pools with slides, and a large lagoon, Grapeland Water Park — also known as Black Beard's Beach — is 13 acres of fun, refreshing, soak-filled insanity for tikes of all ages. The park opened only a year ago. It features two different play areas — Pirate's Plunge, with its low water level areas, water shooting seahorses, and toddler friendly slides for the little ones and, for the bigger kids, Shipwreck Island, which features a tower with fast water slides and a giant bucket that periodically tips over dumping water onto the folks below. Buccaneer River is a slow winding river that can be ridden lazily around the park on inflatable inner tubes. The family can then wind the day down near calmer waters at the large pool known as Captain's Lagoon. Admission is free for kids 3 and under, $5 for ages 4 through 13, $7 for Miami-Dade residents 14 and older, and $10 for non Miami-Dade residents 14 and older. Group rates are also available. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. October thru April. Days of operation vary, so check the park's website or call them directly.
You can dress her in a parka, crimp her fur, and keep her in your purse, but don't forget: Your dog is still an animal. A pack animal, and it's time to re-acquaint Princess with her long-forgotten species. The Martell dog park is a wedge of suffering grass in the middle of a severe cement landscape, rimmed on the north and east by I-195 ramps, the west by a condo tower, and the east by Biscayne Bay and the sex offender-habitated Julia Tuttle Causeway. But to the finally unleashed urban dog, this is nothing less than heaven: a tract large enough for an epic game of catch (it's about the size of a little-league park) ornamented with a half-dozen big trees to pee on and, if you time the visit right, a plethora of friends equally interested in ass-odor appreciation. Arrive after 5 p.m. on a workday — parking is tricky, so it's wise to drop off your car a few blocks away and make the walk — and the place is packed with downtown-residing yuppies and their toaster-size canines. Run free, purse dogs!
Since tag-teaming in 2002 to form their Friends with You collective, Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III have been on a tear to corner the globe with their vision of magic, luck, and friendship. The Miami-based conceptual duo started off creating a line of designer toys featuring a wacky cast of cosmic characters with names such as Buddy Chub, Fluffy Pop, Bumble Grump, Red Flyer, Albino Squid, and Malfi. Since then, their mysterious creations have opened portals of opportunity for the artists they could scarcely imagine. Their premium toy line can now be found in some of the top boutiques across the planet. They have carved out their own niche in the contemporary art world with their eye-popping installations, performances, paintings, prints, sculptures, and multimedia works also draw the attention of corporate moguls. Some of the clients they have seduced with their otherworldly charms include MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Nike, Volkswagen, Toyota Scion, Red Bull, Target, Sony, BMW, Mini Cooper, Hasbro, and VitaminWater, among others. Borkson and Sandoval's neck-craning projects have become a staple during Art Basel Miami Beach, including a spacey blimp parade in 2006 and this past December's giant bounce house at the Scope Art Fair. In the past few years, these big-dreaming homeboys have repped the 305 in places as far-flung as New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Copenhagen — all under the simple rubric "Come Play with Us!" — while conjuring an undeniably winning franchise.
She was elected in 2005 and not a moment has passed without controversy for Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. Her former political opponent, Richard Dunn, sued her in Miami-Dade Circuit Court the second she took office, claiming she bought votes, and two years later, commission colleague Marc Sarnoff accused her of public corruption. Yet in spite of the troubles dogging her short political career, Spence-Jones has not only survived Miami's cutthroat politics but also successfully leveraged her position to help the people who matter to her — the predominantly black residents living in Overtown, Liberty City, Allapattah, and other low-income neighborhoods in her district. Under her watch, the Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency has finally begun to make inroads in revitalizing the long-neglected historically black community. She made sure the agency spent millions of dollars fixing up storefronts and streets along NW Third Avenue in Overtown, including a $752,903 renovation of Jackson Soul Food Restaurant. Yet Spence-Jones didn't really flex her political muscle until it came time for her to vote for the controversial Marlins stadium deal. Fresh from maternity leave, Spence-Jones channeled great late black leaders M. Athalie Range and Arthur Teele Jr., leveraging her vote to make sure her constituents were taken care of. If the Overtown CRA didn't get $500 million it was promised from the city and county, she would vote against the stadium. An avalanche of criticism descended on Spence-Jones. But she held her ground. Her gambit paid off. She got the $500 million for Overtown. Florida International University political science professor Marvin Dunn sums up the commissioner: "I have nothing but praise for the stand that Spence-Jones has taken: Show us the money. Nothing wrong with that. Bringing home the proverbial bacon is what we expect our politicians to do."
As far as local dealers go, Nina Johnson has earned her spurs on the local scene as a tireless dynamo and community activist. Her gallery has become a favorite hub for art lovers searching for provocative exhibitions that linger in the mind long after one leaves her lively, shape-shifting space. Since opening its doors in November 2007, Diet has become known for its modest yet focused stable of emerging and mid-career artists as well as an invitational program for international artists. Johnson has also organized lectures by visiting curators and critics, and publishes an electronic newsletter featuring reviews and interviews written by local artists on Miami's booming scene. Best of all, Johnson is among the rare handful of local dealers confident enough to give her artists free run of her space without waffling on the commercial necessity of hewing to the bottom line. Her shows are impeccably curated and often among the most discussed after the monthly Wynwood crawls. Among recent standouts were Maria Jose Arjona's beguiling performance marathon, "Remember to Remember," and Andrew Mowbray's witty "Tempest Prognosticator," in which the artist turned himself into a human weathervane. This past December, Brian Burkhardt transformed Diet into a veritable mad scientist's project, installing a sprawling bio-dome-cum-studio that housed samples of the hybrid species of plants and insects he has created during his career. For many people suffering from the bloated offerings that typically cramp the bowels during Wynwood's monthly openings, Johnson has proven a deft hand at trimming the fat from the bone.
For years, the county commission has been controlled by a certain block of rabidly pro-growth commissioners who are quite cozy with special interests. That all changed when Dennis Moss built a more moderate coalition that got him elected as chairman. Moss, whose District 9 is a geographically sprawling chunk of Southern Dade, then set forth assigning committee chairs. Left out in the cold was Commissioner Natacha Seijas, whose derrière was so used to sitting in a chairman's spot it almost seemed like a foregone conclusion she'd be in charge of something. Of course, with growth at a standstill thanks to the economic slump, Seijas and her ilk seem sort of aimless anyway.


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Miranda Lambert explains origins, plans for shoe line
Listen to Miranda Lambert on iHeartRadio
Miranda Lambert says she got into the boot business out of frustration.
The country star tells Women's Wear Daily's Footwear News she "literally wore off the soles" of her favorite boots, then discovered they were "really hard" to replace. She says her difficulties in finding a new pair got her thinking about launching her own shoe line, so she wouldn't have this problem again. Lambert explains that she acted on the idea because she had the time, and felt it was the right "next step" for her career.
But Miranda adds that she's "a singer-songwriter first and foremost," and her shoe line is something she wants "to be fun." However, she's taking her new venture seriously. Lambert says she's hoping the business will be successful and "grow organically," and eventually expand beyond boots and shoes to include accessories like belts or handbags.
Photo Credit Getty Images


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Issues around children learning to read are rarely out of the news. Which is hardly surprising – becoming a successful reader is of paramount importance in improving a child's life chances. Nor is it surprising that reading creates a virtuous circle: the more you read the better you become. But what may come as a surprise is that reading to dogs is gaining popularity as a way of addressing concerns about children's reading.
Just when you thought it was totally safe to let your kids on social media (just kidding, nobody really thinks that), here comes another warning of ways creeps will try to contact our kids.
Find out how to help your child in the light of the new findings.
Three out of four Australians believe they are overspending on their kids by hundreds of dollars each month. And then there's the gifts.
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Jason Aldean supports Luke Bryan following Zac Brown comments
Listen to Jason Aldean on iHeartRadio | Listen to Zac Brown Band on iHeartRadio | Listen to Luke Bryan on iHeartRadio
Jason Aldean is showing that he's got Luke Bryan's back.
Aldean is speaking out in defense of Bryan on Instagram, saying he's heard another artist is "bashing" his buddy's latest chart-topper. Jason directs his post to "those people runnin their mouths" calling "That's My Kind Of Night" the "worst song they have ever heard."
And he uses some choice language to say that nobody cares what the naysayers think. Aldean adds that Bryan's song is "a big ol hit so apparently the fans love it which is what matters." He gives a nod to Luke as well, telling him to "keep doin ur thing LB!!!!"
While Aldean never calls out the basher by name, Zac Brown recently told a Vancouver radio station "That's My Kind Of Night" is "the worst song" he's ever heard.
Zac explained that he likes Luke both as an artist and a friend, but he feels country music fans "deserve to have something better than that."
Photo Credit Getty Images


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Six U.S. Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan Aircraft Crash
(Kabul) -- Six American soldiers are dead following an aircraft crash in southern Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the crash on Twitter, saying its fighters shot down a helicopter that was "flying at low altitude" in Zabul province. The crash is the single most deadly incident to hit NATO this year. NATO says in a statement that the crash is under investigation.
The most deadly incident of this type took place in August of 2011, when the Taliban shot down a transport helicopter. All 38 people on board were killed, including 25 U.S. Special Ops forces.


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The NFL has set the 2014 salary cap at $133 million, an increase of about $10 million from last year, the NFL Players Association announced this evening.
The Browns have about $56.9 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, so new General Manager Ray Farmer will be armed with plenty of flexibility when free agency begins March 11. Only the Oakland Raiders, with about $66.5 million, have more cap room, according to the website.
Below are some other Browns-related items involving the cap.
*With the cap set, the cost of franchise tags has been established, so the Browns know exactly how much it would take to lock down one of their notable potential free agents, Pro Bowl center Alex Mack or Pro Bowl strong safety T.J. Ward, to a one-year contract. For Mack, it would cost $11.6 million. For Ward, it would cost, $8.4 million.To read more or comment...
The Browns released starting inside linebacker and defensive captain D'Qwell Jackson today, the team announced.
Although Jackson was the undisputed leader of the team, the move is not surprising because he would have carried a $9.43 million salary-cap figure next season, which included a $4 million roster bonus due March 16 and a $100,000 workout bonus.
In December, Jackson discussed his contract situation with reporters and said he would be "absolutely" shocked if he didn't return to the Browns next season. Jackson, 30, said he would be open to restructuring his deal. The Browns tried to restructure the contract, but the two sides couldn't reach an agreement and decided to part ways.
"We had positive discussion with D'Qwell and his agent over the last several days, and we came to the mutual agreement to go in different directions," new Browns General Manager Ray Farmer said in a statement. "D'Qwell is the epitome of class, leadership and professionalism. Every day of his NFL career, D'Qwell has been a solid representative of the Browns and the City of Cleveland, both between the lines on Sundays and off the field in our area community. We want to thank him for his eight years of service and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."To read more or comment...
The story about the Browns trying to trade for San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh won't die, at least not anytime soon.
ProFootballTalk.com first reported Friday a deal that would have sent multiple draft picks to the 49ers was in place between the teams, but Harbaugh ultimately decided not to leave San Francisco.
The latest wrinkle surfaced today when 49ers owner Jed York confirmed for the Sacramento Bee that the Browns pursued Harbaugh before they hired Mike Pettine as their new coach days later on Jan. 23.
How far did the conversation get?To read more or comment...
Kent State running back and wide receiver Dri Archer fell just .03 seconds short of fulfilling his prophecy today at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Last week, Archer predicted he would break the combine record of 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash set by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson in 2008. Archer didn't set a new record with his official time of 4.26 seconds, but he made Johnson sweat.
"Can't lie," Johnson wrote today on Twitter. "Archer had the [boy] nervous."
Archer said he posted a personal-best time of 4.21 seconds in the spring of 2012 indoors and on turf at Kent State. That gave him faith that he could make jaws drop during the combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.To read more or comment...
Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater addressed the media today at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Bridgewater is a candidate to be chosen fourth overall by the Browns. Below is a transcript from the news conference.
How has Coach Charlie Strong aided your development: "Coach Strong, he played a huge role in just me becoming a pure pocket passer and just a pure quarterback. When I first arrived at the University of Louisville, I wasn't starting. I was second on the depth chart. I told Coach Strong, 'Hey, I want to play wide receiver just so I can get on the field.' He told me, 'No, hey, I recruited you as a quarterback. You're going to play quarterback.' That right there, it just meant a lot to me knowing that he didn't just take the easy way out and satisfy me. It played a huge role in my success just from a pure pocket quarterback standpoint."
Do you believe you're the best quarterback in the draft and the Texans should draft you No. 1 overall: "Yes, no doubt. I feel that I'm the best quarterback in this draft. I'm not just going to sit up here and say it. There's obviously actions that have to back up these words, and I'm just confident in myself and my capability to be able to play this position. I'm just going to go out there and prove that I'm the best guy."
What do you think it is that separates you from the other quarterbacks in this class: "The biggest thing I think is my accuracy. This past season, I was able to complete 71 percent of my passes. My third-down passing completion percentage was pretty much off the charts, my pocket presence, I'm a competitor. Each day I go out there and I'm eager to learn, remain a student of the game, and I think that right there just separates me."To read more or comment...
New Browns coach Mike Pettine insists he doesn't give a bleep about ProFootballTalk.com's report that the organization tried to trade for San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh before it hired Pettine on Jan. 23.
Pettine was alerted the report would surface Friday night, and he made his feelings about it known in an entertaining fashion this morning at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
"When I got the phone call, I did a little bit of shoot the messenger," Pettine said. "I said, 'How does this affect my tenure as the Cleveland Browns head coach? Has that changed?' The obvious answer was 'no.'
"I think my next sentence, I either used the word 'flying' followed by something, or referenced a part of a rat's body. I think that's noise. That's something that has no bearing on my job moving forward.To read more or comment...
Anyone who watched running back Trent Richardson struggle throughout his second NFL season knows the Browns appear to have overwhelmingly won the blockbuster trade former CEO Joe Banner made with the Indianapolis Colts last September.
So would Colts GM Ryan Grigson trade a 2014 first-round pick, which became the 26th overall selection, to the Browns in exchange for Richardson again?
"Yes," Grigson said today at the NFL Scouting Combine without further explanation.
Richardson, the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in 14 games with the Colts.To read more or comment...
The Browns aren't denying an eye-opening report from ProFootballTalk.com that says the organization nearly pulled off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for the rights to coach Jim Harbaugh before it hired coach Mike Pettine on Jan. 23 following a 25-day search.
In response to the report that was published this evening, Browns spokesman Zak Gilbert issued the following statement: "The team conducted an extensive coaching search, and explored several options. That search produced an outstanding head coach in Mike Pettine and we're excited about his future with the club."
On the other hand, 49ers owner Jed York issued a denial via Twitter. "Report isn't true," he wrote on his official account in response to a tweet from ProFootballTalk.com.
A 49ers spokesman did not immediately respond to an e-mail from the Beacon Journal. An unnamed 49ers source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that the report is "completely false. Ridiculous."To read more or comment...
Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said he had an informal meeting with the Browns and expected to have a formal interview with them at the NFL Scouting Combine.
At Athletes' Performance Institute in Los Angeles, Garoppolo spent three days over two weeks working with former Browns quarterback Ty Detmer as they try to improve his footwork and mechanics of his quick release.
"He broke down the game for me. He taught me things that I really had no clue about the game until he explained it," Garoppolo said today. "Then you're like, 'Oh, why didn't I think about that a long time ago?' Just how the fronts and linebackers tie into the coverages, how different offensive formations dictate coverages. He worked with me in the pocket, getting me used to the 3-5 and seven-step drop. He's done a great job with me, really."To read more or comment...
Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch said the Browns were one of 10 teams he'd met with at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"Cleveland seems to be a team looking for quarterbacks," Lynch said today. "It would be a great chance to play for them."
Lynch, 6-foot and 217 pounds, went 24-4 as the Huskies' starter, beating three BCS schools. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting, highest by a Mid-American Conference player, besting Randy Moss (fourth in 1997).
It has been suggested that Lynch might have to switch positions in the NFL, but Lynch doesn't believe that.To read more or comment...
St. Louis Rams General Manager Les Snead believes Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hit a home run by promoting Ray Farmer to GM last week in the wake of firing Mike Lombardi.
"I definitely do [think he'll succeed]," Snead said today at the NFL Scouting Combine. "You've got to project, our job is to project. So I'm projecting. I would invest in Ray Farmer."
Snead bet on Farmer in 2002. At the time, Snead oversaw the Atlanta Falcons' pro scouting operations, and he hired Farmer as a pro scout. It was Farmer's first job in an NFL personnel department.
Snead said he was impressed with Farmer because of his experience as a former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, his passion for the game and his intelligence.To read more or comment...
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano couldn't resist the chance to add a "great resource" in former Browns coach Rob Chudzinski, especially since their personal and professional ties date back to 1986.
Fired on Dec. 29, Chudzinski was hired by the Colts on Feb. 8 as special assistant to the head coach.
"He'll be heavily involved with a lot of the things I do on a daily basis," Pagano explained today at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "He'll be a great resource for me, for our entire coaching staff, not only our offensive staff, defensive staff, special teams, game day management.
"He's a brilliant guy, a really bright guy, a very smart guy and a really good football coach. He's well-versed in a lot of different areas."To read more or comment...
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel addressed the media today during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Below is a transcript from the news conference featuring Manziel, a candidate to be drafted fourth overall by the Browns.
Q: What's it been like spending time with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady?
A: "It was cool. For him to reach back out to me after I extended a text message to him it was extremely cool. Kind of a funny conversation at first, worked our way into a more serious conversation, but it was really nice. I'm very thankful for him to extend a hand out to me in the situation I'm in."
Q: Comment on your measurements?To read more or comment...
Browns General Manager Ray Farmer met with Northeast Ohio reporters today during the NFL Scouting Combine. Below is a transcript from the interview.
On Bill Kuharich's formal role and relationship with the Cleveland Browns: "Bill does have a relationship with the Cleveland Browns. The relationship was somewhat forged while Mike (Lombardi) and Joe (Banner) were both here. Bill is a consultant. He'll be working with me directly on all aspects of what I'm going to be tasked to do. So, he's a consultant and that's Bill's role."
On whether Kuharich will be in the office: "A combination of both. Bill is still founded in Kansas City so he still lives in the Kansas City area. His family is there so he'll be back and forth."
On prioritizing the needs of the organization in the upcoming weeks: "I think that the needs will be prioritized in a way that between Coach (Mike) Pettine and I we've already discussed the needs for his offense and his defense as it equates to (offensive coordinator) Kyle Shanahan and (defensive coordinator) Jim O'Neil, and we've kind of come up with a hierarchy already of the positions that we really need to address, which order we'll address them and how we will address them."To read more or comment...
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan spent 11 seasons working with new Browns coach Mike Pettine. The two were assistant coaches with the Baltimore Ravens, and then Pettine served as Ryan's defensive coordinator for four seasons (2009-12).
So what does Ryan think the Browns are getting in Pettine?
"Not much," Ryan quipped today at the NFL Scouting Combine. "He's not a very handsome kid.I'll start right there. That's pretty obvious, but he's a football junkie. He comes from obviously his dad, a tremendous coach in his own right and he comes from a coaching family. He's a smart guy. And I think he'll want to be great, I don't think there's any doubt about it. I feel fortunate that I had Mike with me for as many years as I did, and hopefully he learned a few things, what to do, maybe what not to do from me and things, but I'm sure he's going to be very successful."
And why did Ryan think Pettine should become his right-hand man?To read more or comment...
Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Groy said fellow Badger Joe Thomas is among the NFL players he watches most. The possibility of playing alongside the Browns' 7-time Pro Bowl left tackle would almost be too much for Groy to fathom.
"That would be a very surreal experience," Groy said. "He's a Wisconsin legend and a guy I've always looked up to."
Groy said he's talked to Thomas twice, once at the Wisconsin football facility and the other when they played in a golf tournament together, although not in the same foursome.
The Browns are expected to upgrade the guard position in the draft or free agency.
Groy, 6-foot-4 1/2 and 316 pounds, said he's told teams he's most comfortable at the "inside three" positions, but is not afraid of trying tackle. He played in a school record 54 games for the Badgers -- starting at center, left guard, left tackle and fullback -- and never missed a game in four years. NFLDraftScout.com projects Groy as a seventh-round pick.
Former Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi has joined the New England Patriots as an assistant to the coaching staff, the Patriots announced this afternoon.
Lombardi will reunite with longtime friend and Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The two spent 1991-95 together with the Browns when Lombardi was a personnel executive and Belichick was the coach.
Lombardi's second tour with the Browns lasted only 13 months. Owner Jimmy Haslam fired Lombardi along with CEO Joe Banner on Feb. 11 and promoted assistant GM Ray Farmer to Lombardi's post.
So what exactly will Lombardi being doing for the Patriots?To read more or comment...
The Browns traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year for the first time since 1968, and Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert insists he would make the same move again.
During last year's draft, ex-Browns CEO Joe Banner traded a fourth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for their third-round selection in 2014, which will be the 83rd overall pick. Colbert then used the fourth-round pick he received from the Browns to choose Syracuse strong safety Shamarko Thomas 111th overall.
"We felt trading our third-round pick this year for a fourth last year to get a player Shamarko Thomas, a safety that we felt was worth of a third-round pick, we'd do it again today," Colbert said. "But the result was the 8-8 [record], and we'll see whether Shamarko can help change that. If he does, it was a good deal. If he doesn't, it wasn't."
As a rookie, Thomas served as a backup to eight-time Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu and was used in sub packages. He played about 20 percent of the defensive snaps, compiling 29 tackles in 14 games.To read more or comment...
New Browns General Manager Ray Farmer met with a contingent of reporters from Northeast Ohio this morning at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Below are some highlights from the group interview.
*Most people expect the Browns to select a quarterback with the fourth overall in May's draft. Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and Central Florida's Blake Bortles are the top-rated quarterbacks in this year's class and the prime candidates.
Farmer said it might be safe to say the Browns will pick a quarterback, but he wouldn't commit to it.
"It could be safe, but we might not go that direction," Farmer said. "It may not be what everybody thinks it's going to be, so there's an opportunity for some curveballs."To read more or comment...
Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone only worked with new Browns coach Mike Pettine for a year, hiring Pettine as his defensive coordinator in 2013. Pettine jumped at the chance to take over the Browns, hired on Jan. 23.
Marrone complimented Pettine Thursday when he spoke at NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Mike is very knowledgeable, very smart, has a great work ethic and we wish him the best of luck," Marrone said.
Asked how he would describe Pettine's demeanor and whether he's as hard-nosed as he looks, Marrone said, "I just respect him. I don't look to characterize people by labeling them. I just think he's a very hard worker, he's very demanding, knows exactly what he wants and does a good job communicating that with the players."To read more or comment...
Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel is flirting with the Browns and other quarterback-needy teams atop the NFL Draft just in time for Valentine's Day.
Manziel told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle and Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram his dream is to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Houston Texans on May 8, but he'll be determined to lead the Browns to glory if they end up selecting him instead. He even showed off his knowledge of the expansion-era Browns and the misery they have endured at the quarterback position.
"If something happens, and it's the Cleveland Browns, I'm going to pour my heart out for the Dawg Pound and try to win a Super Bowl for Cleveland," said Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 as a redshirt freshman. "I don't care if they've had 20 starting quarterbacks since 1999. I'm going to be the 21st and the guy that brought them the Super Bowl."
The Browns have the fourth overall pick. The Texans own the top spot, followed by the St. Louis Rams at No. 2 and the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 3.To read more or comment...
Ray Farmer made his first roster move as general manager of the Browns, signing defensive back Royce Adams, a South Euclid native.
The team announced the move this evening.
"A Dream come true to have the opportunity to play for my home town!" Adams wrote on Twitter. "Truly a blessing."
The New York Jets signed Adams as an undrafted free agent from Purdue University in 2012, when new Browns coach Mike Pettine served as the Jets' defensive coordinator. Adams spent the 2012 season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He also spent training camp with the Jets last summer.
The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Adams spent his first three seasons at Purdue playing cornerback before converting to wide receiver for his senior year. In 2011, Adams played for the Arena Football League's Pittsburgh Power before making a leap to the NFL the following year.To read more or comment...
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam sought advice from Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells -- and maybe a whole lot more.
BleacherReport.com's Mike Freeman reported several unnamed sources with knowledge of the situation said Haslam wanted Parcells to run the Browns, who ousted CEO Joe Banner and General Manager Mike Lombardi on Tuesday and elevated Ray Farmer from assistant GM to GM, giving him control of football operations and the 53-man roster.
Parcells told Freeman that he spoke to the Browns, though no job offer was made. In an e-mail to Freeman, Parcells explained that he talked to the Browns "only about how I believe organizations succeed and others fail."
Freeman wrote that a Browns spokesman declined to provide a comment in response to his report.To read more or comment...
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam sidestepped questions during a news conference Tuesday about what role the organization's 25-day, head-coaching search played in his decision to oust CEO Joe Banner and General Manager Mike Lombardi and promote assistant GM Ray Farmer to Lombardi's post, but it clearly was a significant factor, if not the deciding factor.
In a column published this morning on the Monday Morning Quarterback website, Sports Illustrated's Peter King outlines two instances in which Banner either ruffled the feathers of coaching candidates or was flat-out dismissive. Those scenes, King wrote, could've contributed to Haslam's shocking decision to shake up the front office.
Haslam and Banner ran the search after firing coach Rob Chudzinski the night of Dec. 29, when the Browns fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers and finished Chudzinski's first season on the job with a record of 4-12.
The drawn-out quest ended on Jan. 23 with the Browns hiring former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, a move Haslam and Banner might not have been in complete agreement on. Following Pettine's introductory news conference that afternoon, Banner praised the other finalist for the job, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, and lamented how difficult it was to move on from Quinn instead of waiting until after the Super Bowl to interview him a second time (more on this later).To read more or comment...
The Browns have engaged in discussions to extend Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden's contract, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal this morning, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.
Haden's representatives talked to members of the Browns on Tuesday, though no deal is imminent, the source said.
Haden will enter the final season of his five-year, $50 million rookie contract in 2014, unless his deal, which included $26 million guaranteed and as much as $8 million in incentives, is extended. He is slated to make a base salary of $6,678,193 this year.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Haden has been one of the Browns' best players since they drafted him seventh overall in 2010, and he's coming off his strongest season, one in which he earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and was voted second-team All Pro. In 15 games last season, Haden compiled 60 tackles, four interceptions and a career-high 21 passes defensed.To read more or comment...
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam held a news conference today to explain his decision to oust CEO Joe Banner and General Manager Mike Lombardi and to promote assistant GM Ray Farmer to GM. Below is a transcript from the news conference.
Opening statement: "Several weeks ago, Joe Banner and I began having discussions about the structure and organization of the Cleveland Browns, and over the last several days, have come to the conclusion that Joe has done a superb job putting the right people in place for the Browns. Joe was obviously solely instrumental in bringing Alec Scheiner, our president, who will continue to run our business operations in place, and played a key role in hiring (Browns Head) Coach (Mike) Pettine and in bringing in (Browns general manager) Ray Farmer to our organization and ensuring that Ray Farmer did stay with our organization. Joe and I, after a lot of conversation, mutually agreed that it was best for the organization if we streamlined things, where accountability and reporting lines were much clearer. Accordingly, effective today, we've announced that Alec Scheiner, as I mentioned earlier, will run our business side and remain as president, Mike Pettine will obviously be the head coach and Ray Farmer will be our GM. We will not have a CEO, and those three people will report directly to me.
"I cannot thank Joe, who will serve in a transition role for several months, probably until May or June, enough for what he has done for me personally and our family in terms of teaching us the NFL business, if you will. I don't know that I've ever met anyone smarter, who worked harder or a better negotiator than Joe. It's been a pleasure to work with him during this time period, and as I said, he'll help us as we transition over the next few months.
"I would also be remiss if I did not thank (Michael) Lombardi. Mike and his wife, Millie, are great friends of ours. Mike has great football acumen, and I think that Mike understands how to put together a football team. Mike and Joe have left us in good position in terms of both free agency and cap space, as well as this year's draft, where we have 10 overall picks and three of the first 35.
"At the same time, I can't tell you how excited I am about the opportunity to work directly with Pett, Alec and Ray. I believe that we have positioned this organization to become a winning football team, something that has not happened on a consistent basis around here in a long time. I will accept comments and criticism about change. I will accept responsibility for some of the changes that have been made. There is no primer for being an NFL owner. It is a learn-on-the-go, if you will, but I think what's really important is for everybody in this room but really much more so for our fans to understand that this ownership group, our family and this owner is committed to bringing a winner to the Browns. As I said when we introduced Pett a few weeks ago, 'Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words.' When we finish this press conference, and I know that Ray is going to address you all for a little bit, I know that he welcomes that opportunity as do you, but we're going to go to work and we're fully committed to making this franchise a winner."To read more or comment...
New Browns General Manager Ray Farmer addressed the media today. Here is a transcript from the news conference:
Opening statement: "First and foremost, I'd like to thank (Browns owner) Jimmy Haslam and the Haslam family. It's a tremendous opportunity for me to be sitting here today. It's a natural progression for me in this situation that I find myself in today here as the new general manager for the Cleveland Browns. There are several people that I'd like to thank, but I think I'll skip that point right now, specifically because there are a lot of names that I would have to get to, but I really want to focus on two people in that regard, the first being Joe Banner, who was integral in bringing me here and very instrumental and led the search to bring me to Cleveland, and I'd like to thank him for that; the other is Mike Lombardi, who I worked with for the past year. He's someone that I didn't know prior to coming to Cleveland, but I've developed a tremendous relationship with Mike over that time. He's a dear friend at this point in time.
"With that being said, I'm a big believer in relationships and how people come together and why those things are important, and it's communication. Three tenets that I am going to hold near and dear to as I'm here with the Cleveland Browns are – you'll figure this out about me in time, I'm a big acronym guy – the first one is KTB, 'Know, trust and believe.' One of the bases behind relationships for me is that in order for people to believe you, they've got to know you; then as they know you, they'll trust you; and as they trust you, they'll believe in you. I think that connecting to people is critical in that way.
"The other [acronym], and the guys around the league that really know me will know what this one is about, is GUTF, 'Get up the field.' It's a football term. All of my guys, we send text messages back and forth, and it's kind of how we end things. It speaks to really getting after it, finishing strong and all the things that I think are tantamount in football. That competitiveness, that passion, all of those things come out in 'Get up the field.' If the running back has the ball, you want him to get up the field; a defensive lineman, you want him to get up the field. Those things are going to be part of how I drive myself, and it's really predicated on your work ethic and desire to finish strong.To read more or comment...


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Navy Nurse at Gitmo Turns Conscientious Objector
(NEWSER) – A Navy nurse working at Guantanamo Bay has refused to force-feed hunger-striking detainees, an inmate's lawyer tells CNN. The male nurse, whose name hasn't been revealed, at first conducted the feedings, but "as soon as he saw what was happening, he started talking to the [inmates]," attorney Cori Crider says. "Once he saw with his own eyes that what he was told (by superiors) was contrary to what was actually taking place here, he decided he could not do it anymore." The Pentagon yesterday acknowledged that a "medical provider" had recently refused to perform a feeding, and said the staffer "has been temporarily assigned to alternate duties with no impact to medical support operations."
Read the full story on Newser.com
PHOTO: Getty Images


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The George Jones concert scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Akron Civic Theatre has been postponed due to problems with the country
legend's vocal chords.
The show has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 13.
All previously sold tickets will be honored at the new date and tickets will remain on sale.
The Black Keys awesome 2010 just got a little more awesome (awesomer?).
Rolling Stone Magazine named the Akron duo's Brothers the #2 best album of the year, behind Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
The band's sixth full length album the magazine wrote:To read more or comment...
Lovers of roosty, singer/songwriters with deep voices and wry wit, start saving your pennies!
On Saturday, January 29th the Akron Civic Theatre will present An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt.To read more or comment...