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David Against Goliath MBAs
Are Top Ten MBAs the Only Choice?
Pursuing an MBA is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Many candidates choose a program because of its international reputation. Should it be the only factor in creating a successful career? Are branding and rankings the only matters?
While choosing an MBA, you can easily get an idea of a school's reputation based on its classification. However, every system of ranking contains weaknesses. More importantly, each ranking uses criteria that may be vastly different from the needs and interests of the applicant. Should it be the only criteria of choice? Only 20 MBA programs are truly well-known all over the world. Are they the only ones to consider?
One advantage of Second-tiers MBA programs is that they "have different approaches to the economical solutions. The leading schools have a global approach, which is not based in a region or a national situation… Big global players are not better or worse, but they don't offer a specific approach.
Since the economy is getting more complex and specialized, the smaller MBAs offer an adapted solution to specialized companies and regions," explains Petra Wieczorek, MBA Program Director at the Berlin School of Economics. Some institutions train people to work in the country where the school is located. Others emphasize the global economy and focus on multicultural business settings. These differences are often reflected in the program's curriculum.
Therefore, you need to decide whether an international focus is important to you and be sure that the program you choose meets your needs. Michael Houston, the interim codean of Carlson School of Management, insists that students must ensure that a program fits their style of learning. "Smaller programs frequently offer more individualized services and leadership opportunities. Some adopt a niche strategy that provides a unique experience. There is more flexibility for learning, connecting with faculty, and internship opportunities than in more prestigious MBAs."
Finance is an issue
Financially speaking, the total cost of an MBA from one of the Top Twenty schools, is between €30,000 to €95,000. There is not always a correlation between the cost of an education and its quality: in short, more expensive is not always better. "You also need to think about the return on investment," explains David Butler, the director of the post-graduate programs at ESC Rouen in France. "The whole price of a prestigious MBA can be extremely expensive. Therefore, a less expensive project leads to a faster internal investment".
In addition, a more expensive MBA does not guarantee a bigger salary. Stephen M. Miller, Chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Nevada, comments that students from lower ranked MBA programs can receive greater salary increases upon graduation than students from the most highly ranked schools. For example, he found that the Marriott MBA program at Brigham Young University - ranked 29th in the Business Week survey - actually came in fourth in terms of salary gains, with an average increase of $42,121 per graduate. Moreover, One of the top 3 MBAs in the Business Week survey, came in 27th in terms of salary gain with an average increase $32,262 per graduate.
Today, recruitment is becoming more openminded and international. This is why diverse and forward thinking companies value an international perspective, which is the foundation of many MBA programs. The most prestigious MBAs are sought by students who aspire to leading executive positions by the age of 35 or 40. A Top Ten MBA often serves as an entrée into the international business elite. "It responds to a personal ego," underlines Mr. Butler. "One of the most important advantages of a smaller MBA is that they offer smaller programs with ten to twenty students in class, which ensures a better participation and interaction of the group." They respond to students' individual needs. "What makes the good value of an MBA is its participants. If they come from different international backgrounds, the value exchange is richer," emphasizes Andrew Roberts, Director of the part-time MBA program at Euromed Marseille School of Management in France.
Stephen M. Miller, the Department of Economics Chairman at the University of Nevada, explains that "the prestigious MBA programs provide a 'seal of approval' on two items - the quality of the course content and the quality of the entering students. But, the output of a program hinges on factors not easily measurable by standard tests and content evaluation. For example, student effort and innate ability provide the crucial factors in producing a good MBA graduate, something that the individual student can provide even if the quality of his/her fellow students is not the best. That is, excellent students can compensate for program and colleagues inadequacies. So, the top students at lower quality MBA programs probably prove better hires than the middle of the class at the elite MBA programs. The Corporate Recruiter just has to do more homework to find those excellent hires. That effort will get rewarded in the long run."
Business professionals seeking an MBA should weigh two divergent needs. On the one hand, they need a degree, which emphasizes today's diverse and multicultural business environment. Globalization is an economic reality, and professionals must be equipped to handle different cultures and their modes of conducting business in order to optimize global growth and strategy. On the other hand, a regional perspective is also needed in order to find solutions to specialized business needs in specific areas. Thus, second-tier schools, those not in the Top Ten, are more likely to give an answer to these diverging requirements. Though all MBA programs share similar subject matter, each one has a particular focus.
Given the vast number of existing programs, how can you find the MBA most suited to your needs? First of all, you must verify that the institution meets international accreditation criteria. Secondly, find a program whose values harmonize with your own personal and professional aspirations. Second-tiers MBAs have the important advantage of responding to a particular individual's needs. Thus you are advised to consider every type of MBA before applying.


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Judge mulling dismissal in Shaniya Davis case
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) _ A judge is considering defense attorneys' request to drop charges against the mother of a Fayetteville girl who was murdered in 2009.
Attorneys for 29-year-old Antoinette Davis made that request at a hearing Thursday in Cumberland County Superior Court.
Antoinette Davis is accused of giving 5-year-old Shaniya to Mario McNeill on Nov. 10, 2009, to settle a drug debt. McNeill was convicted of Shaniya's murder and sentenced to death in May.
McNeill was also convicted of kidnapping and sexually abusing Shaniya. Davis' attorneys say that, McNeill was convicted of kidnapping the girl, Davis can't be accused of handing Shaniya over.
Davis' trial on charges including first-degree murder and human trafficking is set to begin Oct. 28. She is not facing the death penalty.

subset: commoncrawl


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Report: Ohio human trafficking
(Columbus) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has released the first annual Human Trafficking Statistics Report, as required by Ohio's Safe Harbor Law.
The law requires that local law enforcement agencies collect information on human trafficking cases and send the data to the Attorney General's Office.
"I am proud of Ohio's efforts to increase attention to the issue of human trafficking," said Attorney General DeWine. "Viewing victims of human trafficking as victims in need of services, rather than prostitutes deserving of jail time, represents a major paradigm shift for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and the public."
According to the report, local law enforcement has reported 30 human trafficking investigations of 21 suspected traffickers over the past year. The investigative efforts have resulted in 15 arrests and 17 prosecutions.
Authorities identified 38 sex trafficking victims, with the majority of these victims ranging between 18 and 29-years-old. 21 victims were identified as having alcohol and/or drug dependency issues, and 12 were listed as being oppressed, marginalized, or impoverished.
Law enforcement broadly mentioned drugs, the internet, and elements of force, fraud, or coercion as the three largest categories that traffickers used to recruit their victims.
These numbers may not contain all of the investigations that were conducted by local law enforcement that were eventually prosecuted at the federal level and cases that are protected under confidentiality laws.
The next report will be issued in January 2014 and annually each January thereafter.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone. Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright © 2013 by Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


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'Kalinin was injured in the second period of Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Carolina, but continued to play. He is one of the Sabres' most dependable defensemen with six goals and 19 points in 60 games.'
Kalinin could miss two weeks with shoulder injury
March 13, 2003 Submitted by
Via: AP


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I got an error message when loading up Nexpose.
Failed to init login module: org.postgresql.util.PSQLException: ERROR: relation "auth_source" does not exist"
So naturally I went to their website a and they did have what appeared to be a solution. So I cut and pasted this code
cd <nxp_install_root>
mv nsc/conf/nsc.xml nsc/conf/nsc.xml.bak
and well what that did was completely mess up my backtrack menu. It put everything in the backtrack menu into a menu at the bottom of the K menu named "lost and found" Now whats a guy to do BT was so nicely organized and well thought out. Now Im left with a heap of programs in one bick menu that covers the entire screen. Is there any way of fixing this without having to rebuild the menu structure from scratch. or reformating.


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Tornados fall to Wingate, 3-0October 26, 2010
Morrison leads Brevard with nine kills in loss
Wingate, N.C. - Ashlie Morrison led the Tornados with nine kills and Jamie Atkinson had five blocks, but it was not enough as Brevard fell in conference action to Wingate on Tuesday evening, 25-18, 25-20, 25-15.
Morrison led Brevard (3-21, 0-15 SAC), hitting 22.2 percent on the evening, while leading the Tornados with her nine kills. Jordei Osby added five kills, while Bethany Stevenson set up the BC attack with 16 set assists. Defensively, Rebecca Schoonover led the Brevard backline with nine digs, while Atkinson led all players with five blocks. Erin Rollins added four blocks and Osby had three to round out the statistics for the Tornados.
Wingate (22-1, 15-0 SAC) was led by Cory McGowan's match-high 10 kills in capturing their 61st straight South Atlantic Conference victory. Stormi Gale and Lauren Billo added seven kills, while Liz Willis and Amanda Clark combined for 25 set assists. Maggie Malone led the Bulldogs with a match-high 10 digs and Gale led Wingate at the net with three blocks in the match.
Brevard is back on the court on Friday, October 29th, as they head to Salisbury, N.C. to take on Catawba College. First serve between the Tornados and the Indians is set for 6:30 p.m.


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Carbon Capture and Storage
This event has been cancelled.
Supporting sector
Quick contact
For more information contact the Event Producer:
Veena Gupta
Email: email@example.com
It is with regret that the Carbon Capture and Storage seminar on 05 December 2012 in London has been cancelled.
As delegate registration numbers are below that which we would expect and hope for at this point to make for a successful and exciting event, we have taken the decision to not go ahead.
We would like to thank those members, delegates and supporters who assisted us in producing the event, and we look forward to working on other projects and activities in the future.


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In response to the outbreak of Pertussis, or whooping cough, in Vermont this year, the Vermont Department of Health is offering a FREE Tdap clinic for anyone 11 years of age and older.
Date: Wednesday Dec 19, 2012
Time: 10:00 am- 6:00 pm
Where: 108 Cherry St, Burlington VT 05401
Who: Adults and children 11 years or older
Cost: FREE
Though the childhood vaccination rate for Tdap is around 90%, the adult rate is likely much lower. The Tdap vaccine became available in Vermont in 2006, therefore many adults may not have received it. This illness is highly contagious through coughing and sneezing. Pertussis is particularly harmful to infants younger than 6 months of age. Most infants who get Pertussis have to be hospitalized.
Come get vaccinated if you haven't been already and encourage others to do as well. Additionally, everyone should wash their hands, cover their cough, and stay home when they're sick.
Image: pertussis bacteria


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Central Maine Community College welcomes applications from all persons whose academic record and personal qualifications suggest that they may benefit from enrollment in any of the programs offered. Graduation from an approved high school or passing scores on the General Educational Development (GED) examination offered by the Maine Department of Education or other state departments of education is required for admission to the College. Applicants may also be required to meet special admission requirements and prerequisites established for the specific program of interest. Central Maine Community College works in active partnership with regional and statewide high schools and adult education centers in order to help students prepare for college requirements.
Office of Admissions
Central Maine Community College
1250 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone:(207) 755-5273
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fax: (207) 755-5493
8:00am – 7:00pm Mondays-Thursdays
8:00am – 4:30pm Fridays
Financial Aid | Student Services | Off Campus Locations | Employment | Student Right to Know
Central Maine Community College • 1250 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine 04210 • 207.755.5100
To enrich education through diversity, Central Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information call (207) 755-5233. Full Non-Discrimination Notice
© 2017 Central Maine Community College


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I'm currently showing a video on my home page with html5 but some people are getting error no supported video can be found.
I have uploaded both mp4 and webm. How do I make this so most people can view. Do I really need html5 and can I do it anyother way. My video is hosted by me and not on youtube or anything.
Check out video.js http://www.videojs.com/It offers a Flash fallback for people whose browsers don't support the HTML5 video tag.
Also available as a WP plugin: http://wordpress.org/plugins/videojs-html5-video-player-for-wordpress/
great!!! I installed the plug in, do you knbow of a way where I can test it in older browsers?
Do you have IE installed?
Yep, but it's the latest version I think
You can use IE developer tools to emulate previous versions of the browser.Here's how: http://alexjmackey.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/how-accurate-ie-dev-tools/
You'll want to test against IE8 as IE9 and IE10 both support the video element.
nice, thanks for your help
@pullo regarding the plug in I used it and it is here http://126.96.36.199/healthmeanswealth.co.uk/ but I was wondering how I get rid of the 2 black lines on the edge of the video. Is it from the video or the css of the skin? And am I able for the video to show a frame ( picture ) of a part of the video when it is stopped as it is currently showing just black when you enter the site?
The "problem" is the aspect ratio of your video.You can use this link to calculate the ratio correctly and then resize your player accordingly.
Yes. Use the poster attribute.http://www.longtailvideo.com/html5/poster/
BTW, if you wanted to mention me, you forgot the space and semi colon after my user name.No worries though, I was subscribed to the thread anyway.
@Pullo ; your right on all accounts, many thanks. I much prefer the skin that the plug in gives the video. Happy with it! Thanks again
No worries! I had the problem of the black lines a while back and it took me a while to figure out.Glad it's sorted now
@Pullo ; being new to video I though mine was pretty ok, but the client says it's too big. In this situation how do we resize? I mean it's width should be the full 960 so the I can't really make the height smaller.How would you do it in this situation?
Looks good to me, too.Then again, the customer is always right ...
Try specifying a height and width attribute in your video tag until you find dimensions that the customer finds acceptable:
<video width="320" height="240" controls>
<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<source src="movie.ogg" type="video/ogg">
Your browser does not support the video tag.


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AMES, Iowa – Iowans should take a look at their credit report every year, says Susan Taylor, a family finance specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
AMES, Iowa – Iowans should take a look at their credit report every year, says Susan Taylor, a family finance specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
"Information in your history may be correct and that's great, but there may be information that is not accurate," Taylor said. "Check your credit report to make sure you really are 'you.'"
Taylor learned the importance of this annual step from personal experience.
"A few years ago, using one of the credit reporting agencies, I checked my credit history and found that I was working in Texas at a medical clinic. However, I didn't work in Texas at a medical clinic. So I learned three things. First, my employer at the time did not report employment information to the credit reporting agencies, and that's not unusual. Second, there was incorrect information in my credit report. And third, I needed to dispute the incorrect employment information," Taylor said.
Taylor suggests that Iowans take a look at their credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year.
"You have the right to a free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, online at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228. This is the only authorized source under federal law. This is the only place to get the free report that is yours by law," Taylor said.
Many companies – more than 130 that Taylor has found – claim to offer free credit reports, and some do.
"But others give you a report only if you buy products or services. Still others say they're giving you a 'free' report, but then bill you for services you have to cancel. Remember www.AnnualCreditReport.com is the 'real' free site," Taylor said.
"Check your credit report for errors, because they do happen. Dispute any serious errors in your credit history, such as accounts that aren't yours, employment records that are incorrect or reports of late payments when you paid on time," Taylor said.
Consumers also may request that bankruptcies older than 10 years or accounts that were wiped out in bankruptcy but are listed as still due be removed from their credit report, as well as other negative information that's more than seven years old. The seven-year clock starts 180 days after the account went delinquent.
Another part of a credit report is the credit score, a three-digit number calculated from the report that quantifies a person's credit worthiness. It is a predictor of how well someone is likely to use credit in the future based on how well he or she has used it in the past.
"The factor that has the biggest impact on your credit score is paying your bills on time. If you are not paying your bills, you can't fix your credit. You may hear or see ads that particular companies can get rid of your debt, but you are the one who created your situation and with time, you can pay down your debt. After you have paid for your basic expenses, if there are funds leftover, use the extra funds to pay off more of your debts," Taylor said.
One way to learn more about credit is to sign up for "Your Money, Your Future" workshops from ISU Extension and Outreach.
"The workshops will help you understand how your goals and values influence how you deal with money. You'll learn to develop a spending plan that works for you, and explore banking services and your credit history," Taylor said. "You'll get sound financial information and strengthen your money management skills."
To learn more, contact any ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/your-money-your-future.


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Released: 16 April 2017
Genres: Pop
Listen to Music With Your Friends! Share this now!
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She performed initially in theater, appearing in high school plays, and studied at CAP21 through New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before dropping out to pursue a musical career. After leaving a rock band, participating in the Lower East Side's avant garde performance art circuit, and being dropped from a contract with Def Jam Recordings, Gaga worked as a songwriter for Sony/ATV Music Publishing. From there, recording artist Akon noticed her vocal abilities and helped her to sign…
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'"Whatever happens, happens," Campbell said. "I know fans appreciated what I did there when I played there and that means the most to me. Whether they boo you, you take that as a compliment more than anything. It's about us going in there and getting 2 points and getting out."'
Campbell has good memories of Buffalo
December 11, 2009 Submitted by
Via: Arlington Heights Daily Herald


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Quiet easy going guy, Don't smoke or drink. Play a lot of sport, tidy.
I'm a new student of Flinders .I am from Iran . I'm easy going and flexible . I like friendly gaps .
Easy going tidy
Oh hi! Now that I have your attention, I'm looking for a room around Ballarat towards mid-August. I'm open to living either near the CBD (as that's where I'll be working), or in the nearby surrounding suburbs. A bit about me: I'm a 28-year-old male journalist currently working in Mildura (but living in Melbourne). I'm quite relaxed and easy going, friendly with people from all walks of life, a tidy and neat-conscious person, well aware of other people's space, and most of all I love an adventure. I'm a bit of a sports nerd, love being active in social sport teams (anything from footy, to basketball to lacrosse to tennis or cycling). I also take a lot of photos (not the selfie kind) as that's my other passion outside of work. I'm also big on going to gigs across a lot of different genres, especially punk. I also love all animals so if you have a pet, then that's a bonus! I have a lot of existing items already including my own bed, couch, TV, kitchen items, etc. So I'm pretty self sufficient in terms of furnishings. Having said that, if there's a furnished house or flat that's always a bonus. I often like to come and go when I need to as I'm a fairly social person outside my four wall. I am the kind of person that likes to bring a friend over to watch TV, so I like to be social with people and respectful of others in our shared spaces. My budget is about a maximum of $200 per week, but could be flexible if rent included internet, foxtel, gas, electricity, water, etc were added in. I'm originally from Albury, then Hobart, now Melbourne, so I've gotten used to moving recently, but really just hoping to settle in Ballarat at the right place! Ideally, I'm hopeful of living with 1-2 people, young professionals around my age (flexible wit that) that have had experience in sharehouses before. If you think I'm the right for your place, I'd love to know more about you, and the surroundings, and any pictures you have of potential rooms and shared spaces. I can provide professional and housemate references where required. Thank you.
Hi .. I am Nidhin here.30years male.Indian origin, a cool moving, and friendly character.I am working in Wendouree, planning to move around regional areas.I Luv greenery and regional areas to live...my favorite hobby is photography.I'm single and fun loving person. Regards Nidhin Ramadas
Looking for a place for my dog and I from 20th August 2017 onwards anywhere in or near ballarat. Im a personal trainer and gym membership consultant, and love to travel on weekends. When home I am very quiet and spend time with my Siberian Husky Storm. Storm is 4 years old and makes absolutely no noise. He is well trained and doesn't dig nor destroy things. Storm doesn't work with other dogs though, and is quite fragile as he has had over 10 surgeries on his legs. I have my own TV, cabinet, bedroom furniture, couch, fridge and bar stools, but could of course get rid of these if you couldn't fit them :) I am extremely responsible, neat and am meticulous when it comes to cleaning. I am bubbly and creative and love to meet new people!
I am clean, neat and tidy (hate mess) Outgoing and sociable with everyone accept everyone for who they are respectful of house rules that are agreed by everyone anything else, let me know
Hello! I'm a full-time urban planner - work is taking me to Ballarat in September. I'm house trained/clean up after myself, love cooking and gardening, and own lots of thriving houseplants that will be relocating with me. I keep active swimming and on the bike, and would love to find something creative like pottery or woodworking classes to get involved in after the move. I'm looking to live with interesting easy going housemates somewhere close to town. Ideally would love to find a place with rent below the $150 mark. Shoot me a message if you have a place available and reckon we might get along.
I am a fun but responsible person who is looking to move into somewhere that can be kept clean and tidy with good housemates. I work hard and enjoy peace and quiet but also am very outgoing.
I'm respectful, neat and friendly. I'm looking for a quiet and laid-back sharehouse. I work in the heritage sector. I like to have a chat and laugh with my housemates but also respect personal space. I enjoy the outdoors, going to gym, movies, music and TV.
Hello, I'm Reegan. Since the age of 18 I have been living in sharehouses with others, so I have experience with living with others and the goods and bads, what behaviours annoy others etc. I'm a pleasant person who keeps mostly to himself, but if we get along it would be cool to hang out too. I work full time in Wendouree, and will be picking up an second job too for more income on my days off. A little about me, my hobbies include playing guitar,writing music, horseriding / horsemanship working out/ weight training and a lot of reading. When my day is over I might relax and play a video game.
I am a professional working full time , neat and clean and easy to get along
Nice and repectful
Nurse Working full time Like to keep to myself
I am easy going. Healthy and active but still love the odd glass of wine.I'm from country Victoria. Full time working as an occupational therapist and I've just got a job in Ballarat which is due to start at the beginning of September
hii i am pradeep from india.Easy going,pay the bills on time.ia am a student at fed uni.if any one having a room please...
Creative gentleman who loves cooking, dancing, fine wine and quality time.
My names Cristian, I've recently completed a double degree in engineering and finance at Swinburne University and have moved to Ballarat to start my professional career. I moved out of my parents house two years ago and have been living in RIchmond for that time. I'm very neat and I'm also very laid back and tend to go with the flow of the house I live in. I always carry my fair share of house work and love to have a socialise over a beer.
Neat, tidy, organised, mature, self-sufficient. Have a house in Horsham, but need a place to live in Ballarat whilst at work (Federation Uni). Would prefer a granny flat as when I finish work, I tend to want to settle in, and just chill. I prefer not to socialise after work, or have any company (sounds pretty anti-social, I know, but work can be exhausting!). Return home each Friday night, leave for work early Monday morning. Would only need good heating and TV point Furnished or unfurnished. Excellent references available.
Hey there my names Keegan, I'm a 24 year old male looking to rent a room, I'm currently living basically in the middle of nowhere hense why I would like to move to Ararat or Ballarat ;) I'm on the pension so rent isn't a issue, but once I'm settled I'll be looking for work. I'm clean and quite, n generally just keep to myself wanting to move into a house around the 11th of August. Cheers keegan


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Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - overview
With only one month to go till its worldwide release on November 13th, Call of Duty Black Ops 2 already looks set to take the gaming world by storm, building on the foundations of its immensley popular Black Ops predecessor. Keep your trigger fingers steady and read on for all the juicy details...
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - single player
Black Ops 2 sees you step into the shoes of Alex Mason's son in the year 2025 as pasrt of the single player campaign. Cyberwarfare, robotics and borderline-magical future weapons are all present and accounted for, adding a welcome freshness to a gaming world saturated with the same arsenal of guns and explosives.
We were lucky enough to be treated to a video of an upcoming single player level which took place in a lush green rainforest, with the objective to reach a jungle base down below. Ziplines and parachutes were thrown out the window for an adrenaline-pimping wingsuit sequence in which you plummet towards the ground with nothing but a few sheets of nylon to help battle gravity. It was a nice surprise leading to an action-packed firefight, showing that despite being the ninth title in the CoD series, Black Ops 2 can still provide plenty of thrills.
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - weapons
Near-future warfare means that there are a whole host of shiny new toys to off enemies with, including plenty of hi-tech attachments. A millimetre wave scanner for example shows enemies through surfaces and a handy shock charge which stuns enemies is ideal for pacifists and sadists alike.
Our favourite tool of destruction was however the flechette gun whose rounds embedded themselves into hapless enemies before exploding and decimating their insides, Gears of War bow-style.
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - multiplayer
Black Ops 2's multiplayer will be where where most CoD veterans will be spending their time and there'll be plenty of changes to keep them occupied.
A new create-a-class mode has been revamped with a new 'pick 10' system which gives players complete control over guns, mods and perks, letting players choose, for example, three attachments for a single gun or even the ability to overkill on perks and run around wielding nothing but a knife (not that we'd recommend it).
An all-new score streak system takes a leaf out of Battlefield's book by rewarding players for more more than just killing enemies. Anything that helps out your team such as defending teammates, completing objectives and kill assists will rack up plenty of points.
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - eSPORTS, Codcasting and theatre
Black Ops 2 introduces livestreaming and shoutcasting which should take competitive CoD matches to a whole new level, with picture in picture live commentating, score panels and live audio feeds, providing an in-depth play-by-play injection of concentrated CoD goodness. Better than reality TV if you ask us.
A new theatre mode also lets players record and edit their favourite clips. Or if you're feeling particularly lazy, just hit the highlight reel button to get an automatically generated clip of the best bits from each game. Easy.
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 - zombies
Zombies? Yep. Zombies. Black Ops 2 has three zombie game modes, the first of which, Tranzit, sees you and three other allies in an undead-filled open world, struggling for survival. Grief mode pits you against other teams and zombies, with the last humans surviving crowned the winners, while survival mode pits you against endless hordes of zombies to see just how long you can last
New video! Samsung Note 2 is a 5 star smartphone
Grand Theft Auto V being shown to press ahead of reveal next month
GoPro HD Hero 2 gets pro-baiting firmware upgrade


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The opportunities for Regent University students to specialize early and engage in high level research at the undergraduate level has paid off for two College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) students who presented at the Modern Technology and Management Institute (MTMI) international conference this fall.
Under the guidance of Dr. Young B. Choi, associate professor in CAS, senior Arthur Hernandez and sophomore Brandon Clark conducted research on topics related to modern information system technology and presented papers on their findings at the conference.
"Keeping current with Information Technology is only possible through ongoing research efforts into emerging issues," Hernandez said. "This skill is critical for success in the Information Technology field where complacency is equal to antiquation."
Choi echoed this sentiment: "The Information Systems Technology development trends move very fast, so trying to figure out future development trends via active research is truly essential in learning emerging technologies quickly and efficiently."
The fast-paced nature of information technology is what motivated Choi to push undergraduate students to conduct research.
"I encouraged my students to apply the knowledge learned in class by doing individual or group research activities on the emerging advanced topics, motivated them to write a technical paper, and offered them the opportunities to present their research results in classes," Choi said. "To motivate them further, I strongly encouraged them to submit their papers to conferences and to be evaluated by external reviewers."
Usually, such research opportunities are reserved for graduate students, but Choi sees real value in starting at an earlier stage of education.
"Offering an opportunity to undergraduate students to present their research in front of other faculty members and experts in technologies and businesses will motivate them significantly and help them to pursue their career goals early and clearly," Choi explained. "Students can find meaning in their major studies early by attending this kind of conference, presenting their papers, and meeting many people from around the world."
Choi's initiative paid off, as eight papers from his 12 students were accepted into the conference, which attracted information technology representatives from the academic, business and government sectors around the world.
Clark's paper addressed virtualization, while Hernandez focused on security and privacy control for personalized services. Other topics for papers that were accepted but not presented include malware threats, computer ethics and social networking. Choi was invited by the MTMI conference organizing committee to ask students to submit. As a result, Regent was the No. 1 contributor of student papers for the conference.
"In order to fulfill the mission of Regent and truly transform the Information Technology world, it will take Christian leaders bold and committed enough to lead from the frontlines of cutting edge trends," Hernandez said. "To that end, Dr. Choi has been a blessing in encouraging us, his students, to do this very thing."
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: email@example.com


text:
Brass Tacks produces wines that capture the unique essence of the varietal as well as the region in which it thrives. The fruit is sourced from regions and vineyards that are among the best suited for the varietal and wines are produced in small lots to ensure quality.
brass tacks (noun) - the most fundamental considerations; essentials; realities (usually used in the phrase "get down to brass tacks." View all Brass Tacks Wines
About Central Coast
The largest of California's wine growing regions, the Central Coast produces the majority of California's wine. The district sprawls out, covering most of the vineyard land between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Smaller sub-AVAs of the Central Coast include Monterey Bay, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains and many others.
Notable FactsGrape varieties range from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Some Central Coast wine is generic, bulk wine that contributes to the high production numbers of the area. But many winemakers and wineries, particular in some of the smaller AVAs, are small production artisans, creating unique and high-quality wine. The great thing about the Central Coast is its diversity - you're able to find a number of grape varieties and styles at a number of different price points.
About California
The most famous of the California wine regions is Napa Valley, and these wines are certainly outstanding – but it's not as broad and diverse as its larger neighbor, Sonoma County. Down south, Santa Barbara's Santa Maria Valley is well-known for its Rhône blends, as well as cool-climate varieties like Pinot and Chardonnay. The Central Coast, the largest California AVA, has many different microclimates that lead to a wide range of wines with many sub-AVAs.


text:
Before anyone flames me, I googled this and didn't get any real results.
Whats the difference between BT3's usb, cd and vmware download versions?
Are there different applications between the versions? Or is it just different installation methods?
-Monkeys are like nature's humans.
To the OP see also the wiki for more details.
To be successful here you should read all of the following.
If you are new to Back|Track
Back|Track Wiki
Failure to do so will probably get your threads deleted or worse.


text:
No matter the season, time or weather, we Montrealers flock to festivals like moths to a flame.
Perhaps it's because we inherently know how to do it right. Or perhaps it's because we love the casual, multi-cultural scene that typifies a Montréal festival.
Relaxed, safe and convivial, it's just a plain old good time where masses of people of all backgrounds and origins come together to create, experience and share Montréal's truly unique festival vibe. Sure, the downtown core may be closed off to traffic and flooded with people—it's just proof of how serious we Montrealers are about having fun.
We play host to numerous events all year long, ranging from music to comedy to art to film to sports to fashion. Major events include the International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and the FrancoFolies, to name but a few festival attractions.
Other equally popular summer crowd-pleasers include the elite Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada and the explosive International des Feux Loto-Québec, a fireworks competition that lights up the Montréal night skies all summer long.
Our festival fervour continues through the winter with the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival, a celebration of gastronomy, arts and music that warms the soul in chilly temperatures.
So plunk me down in the middle of the crowd—the more, the merrier—and let's celebrate, meet, chat, laugh, dance, sing, eat, drink and share. Take advantage of our Sweet Deal on a short getaway and enjoy life to the fullest. All year round.


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All white American bulldog/ pittbull 6 years of age muscler built$500
This Handsome Fella is a Blue Merle Chihuahua with Black Freckled Spots all over his body. He has a white stripe in the middle of his face, pink nose with…$2,500
This Handsome Fella is a Blue Toy Chihuahua from our TriFecto X Ticcd Off Bloodlines. He has Gorgeous Blue Eys, white chest, and he looks more Silver than…$1,500
This Gorgeous TriColor needs a beautiful Family to give her a loving home! She's 6 months old and potty trained. She's from our TriFecto Bloodline and…$900
This Gorgeous Girl is from our TriFecto X Ticcd Off Bloodline! She's white with Chocolate Brown Spots. She has a brown patch over her right eye, one brown…$1,500
1 blue boy and 1 blue and white flower boy 2 blue girls 1 blue and white flower girl was born may 27th will be vet checked first shots eyes tacked…$1,200
Our beautiful loving black lab had 10 puppies to Full blooded Austrailian Shepard. Have tails. Both parents friendly & great with kids. Google this…$435
Gorgeous 5 weeks old female. She has her shots and health guarantee. Very curly with multi shades of gold!$1,400


text:
Holiday Tree Sought for New Haven Green
Hawk Watching at Lighthouse Point Park
2011 Migration Festival at Lighthouse Point Park
Fall 2011 Adventure Programs
Fall Canoe Rentals on the Mill River
Beginners Welcome!
Where: Mill River - East Rock Park
(Orange St Bridge)
All gear and brief instruction will be provided.
First-come, first-served.
Tricycles for Seniors
October Public Programs at East Rock Park
Some Fascinating Creatures Seen at Trowbridge Nature Center in East Rock Park
Photos from 2011 Summer Camp
Richard L. English
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Restoration at East Rock Summit
Fruit Trees in Edgewood Park
44 Fruit Trees Planted Throughout New Haven Park
Edgewood Farmers Market
Sundays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
|© Copyright 2011 City of New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees


text:
It's 189 feet to Suicide Rock.
Cameron Kolk's path is narrow a 1-inch strand of webbing but not straight. It bows and bobs as he steps over a 120-foot drop off above crags and shards of graffiti.
From a side view, highlining looks, literally, like a walk on the crazy-stupid line. A small crowd of passers-by gawk from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and members of a public works crew near Parleys Creek cross their arms and shake their heads.
"I'm here every single day, and I've never seen anything like this," says Roger Kelsey, a city water worker.
But for Kolk, these are just the latest steps in a longer route. He took up slacklining just over a year ago, closer to the ground in San Diego. He quickly worked his way up to new heights. Two weeks ago, he moved to Salt Lake City to create Slack Source Magazine with a group of friends and appear in action sports films.
There aren't a lot of chances in life to move to a new city, launch a web start-up and try to become a star in a sport that barely exists. You kind of have to be 22, and you kind of have to know some people.
Enter Ryan Robinson, a 30-year-old highliner who recently shot a Ford commercial in Moab with Youtube-renowned director Devin "Super Tramp" Graham. On Thursday, Robinson and Kolk are highlining Suicide Rock with filmmaker Bruce Wilson, of Three Peaks Films, to capture footage to promote a slacklining series they're preparing for Epic TV, an online extreme sports channel. It is their second day at the rock, Robinson said. The location seemed unique and perfect for film: a dramatic natural setting, vibrantly adorned with spray paint and bounded on three sides by interstate highways.
Highlining stunts also attract a lot of attention in town. Police have stopped by. Robinson estimates they've received about 25 calls so far "but they're cool." Robinson and Kolk say they play it safe. They wear harnesses connected to the line for every attempt, and the anchors can support up to 10,000 pounds.
But that mental security is only so helpful up on the line. Kolk gazes forward, at the opposing anchor. Looking down is not helpful, he says. He creeps out on the line, toe to heel, toe to heel.
After a few steps, he teeters and drops as the line rattles and shakes. He pauses and monkeys his way back to his feet.
"It's primal survival mode," he says. "You're lunging as if you're trying to catch the line for your life. You feel your stomach drop."
This happens a couple more times.
Then Kolk is in his zone. He moves forward again, toe to heel, toe to heel.
"It seems like the anchor is never getting closer," he later says.
But it is. Up on the trail, spectators start to clap.
Toe to heel, toe to heel.
Shouts of encouragement trickle down the canyon to the painted peak of Suicide Rock. Kolk is almost there.
After six long minutes, his feet are on stone.
Cheers ring out over the highway traffic, and Kolk can look down.


text:
real basic shit, need some help to push it further
real basic shit, need some help to push it further
crits? the letter size difference in the first one is on purpose haha lemme know if its an ok style
yo it looks like youre trying too hard you know what I mean? Like your D in the first one and the R at the end, and them going up real high...those N's are wack too and im not feelin the mouth on the e's..try and keep it simple for now ill get some up for you later
alright i went simple lemme know how it looks. the last r extends a lil further before stopping
sorry but make it even more basic. dont extend the r, and the n is too wide. also youre name is pretty damn long, no offense but you should shorten it.
go to toy tags ffs this is about writing not posting pics begging for crits
that is a rather incorrect statement. Most writers who actually know what there doing will tell you to learn structure first and start simple no matter what. and its for a good reason. Because once you build the solid foundation 1. a certain style thats all your own and dope will come out naturally, or 2. You will have the technical skill and knowledge to explore many different styles and make them look good. Theres an underlying reason for everything, but add on's and extensions cannot really be explained, they have to be gradually developed over a couple years or more. If you havent read the new to graffiti post you really should. its entertaining and a good source of knowledge to start that foundation on.
Now your right in saying it doesnt matter what other people think. But at the same time do you want to look like a little toy scribbler or have some recognizable flow and flava? When people say go simpler. its because they have all had to do it and seen that it pays off. tags are a lil diff but just dont go over the top or try to hard. other than that stick with bars. you should know what i mean by that if youve done your homework. otherwise do it.
I don't know if it's been mentioned before, but I just picked up a typography book and have been studying that. Also anything having to do with caligraphy is helpful.
help me improve
I'll try.... fill pages and pages and pages. I would suggest a different name too... the word it's self should have a flow of sorts and I can't even begin to even pronounce that.
what should I do with this.
I smoke Vega
okay, tryin to develop a style. first, check out some letters that your usin. then write them. then do it again, and again and again and again and again and again and aain and again and then throw decorations on there. eventually it wont look anything like what you started with
practice makes perfect
I smoke Vega
deserving of a perma-ban.
mac users or not.


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ST. LOUIS - The Kings dialed it back to their Stanley Cup run last spring and put another beating on the St. Louis Blues.
Jeff Carter scored twice for the first time since the Game 6 Stanley Cup clincher over New Jersey and the Kings didn't need playoff star Jonathan Quick in goal to shut down St. Louis in a 4-1 victory Monday.
"That's something we've been talking about, getting a lead and playing with a lead," Carter said. "We haven't been doing that much this year.
"It's not easy coming in here and playing these guys. It's a step in the right direction."
Brian Elliott has been in net the last four games of the Blues' five-game losing streak, a skid in which they've allowed 26 goals. Elliott made 19 saves in a surprise start a day after Jaroslav Halak was activated from injured reserve, led the team onto the ice for the pregame skate and was listed on the game sheet.
"Like I've said, when you just get thrown into the fire sometimes it's better," Elliott said. "You're not thinking about it, you just go in and play."
Halak tweaked a groin strain and Elliott found out he was starting about five minutes before the opening faceoff.
"I think everybody was in a little bit of shock," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He had three really good days of practice and then, I don't know, somewhere in the warmup he pulled it again."
Backup Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier was solid with 21 saves in just his second game of the season and first start.
The Kings outscored the Blues 15-6 while eliminating them in five games in the second round of the playoffs last spring en route to the Stanley Cup finals.
"I've been trying to keep my game at a high level," Bernier said. "Just trying to stay focused, that's how it's been all year."
Carter said Bernier "has been itching to get in there."
"He made the saves when he had to and didn't give up any rebounds," Carter added. "He saw all the pucks, he did a great job."
Davis Drewiske made it 3-0 at 13:22 of the second period with his first goal of the season on a power play. Alex Steen scored on a power play in the final minute of the second for St. Louis with Andy McDonald earning his 300th career assist.
The Kings are just 4-5-2 and had lost three of four before beating the Blues.
"The top guys need to put some pucks in the net, and it's no secret that we've kind of struggled at that," Carter said. "For us to win games, we're going to have to get going here."
Carter tapped in a backhander on a break-in with Slava Voynov at 8:31 of the first, just the Kings' fifth first-period goal of the season, then got behind defenseman Ian Cole for his sixth of the season early in the second. Drewiske was wide open in the slot off a feed from Dustin Brown.
The Kings are 89-1-10 their last 100 games when leading after two periods and got insurance on Jarrett Stoll's second goal of the season that made it 4-1 early in the third. Voynov earned his second assist on the play.
The Kings entered as the NHL's lowest-scoring team and matched their season best for goals.
The victory was Bernier's first since March 17, 2012, over the Predators.


text:
Some trades stick out in our minds more than others. Like March 23, 1999. Somehow, either through hypnosis, blackmail or use of a shotgun, Darcy Regier convinced Florida G.M. Bryan Murray to take Mike Wilson off our hands and give us Rhett Warrener and a draft pick in return. What a day! Regier had pulled off one of the most lopsided trades in franchise history.
Rhett Warrener: A natural born leader
October 18, 2001 Submitted by
Via: The Sabres Edge


text:
Linen Cotton Curtain - Platinum
- Online Only
- Overview
Light and lovely. The Linen Cotton Curtain adds subtle texture to a room in an easy-to-maintain fabric.
- 55% linen, 45% cotton in Platinum.
- Various lengths, all sizes 48"w.
- Dual hidden tab/pole pocket top treatment.
- Available unlined or with a blackout liner.
- Available as a single panel (48"w) or double wide panel (96"w).
- Coordinates with west elm window hardware (sold separately).
- Each curtain sold separately.
- Imported.
- Select sizes are online/catalog only.
- Details + Dimensions
- Single: 63"l x 48"w.
- Single: 84"l x 48"w.
- Single: 96"l x 48"w.
- Single: 108"l x 48"w.
- Single: 124"l x 48"w.
- Double Wide: 84"l x 96"w.
- Double Wide: 96"l x 96"w.
- Double Wide: 108"l x 96"w.
- Double Wide: 124"l x 96"w.
- To ensure a proper fit, visit our Curtain Guide.
For desired smoothness and shine, gently iron your curtains. Use a steam iron held 2 inches away from the fabric, or a regular iron set at 220F. Place a cloth between the iron and the fabric, then move the iron in the same direction as the pile. Dry clean only.
- Shipping + Return Info
These items ship from our Distribution Center by UPS and arrive in your home within 4-5 business days of order receipt.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping options. View Shipping Rates and Options
Next Day Delivery
For an extra charge of $17.50 per address, we can arrange for rush delivery to most destinations.
We happily accept returns on stocked items within the time frames listed below. Products designated as special order (SPO) cannot be cancled or returned. All items on our website and in-store are considered 'stocked' unless expressly identified as 'special order' instead. Prior purchases are not eligible for price adjustments. Please familiarize yourself with our returns policy before placing your order.
Stocked Items: If you are dissatisfied with your purchase of a stocked item, you must exchange or return it within the following time frames for a full refund of the merchandise cost (delivery fees are non-refundable). Outside these time frames, we will replace or refund your purchase against manufacturer's defects ONLY. Please note that we cannot accept returns on gift cards or items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items, which are identified by a price ending in .99 or .97.
- Quick Ship upholstery items must be returned within 7 days of the order receipt date.
- All other stocked products must be returned within 30 days of the order receipt date.
Special Order Items (SPO): Because they're custom made to your specifications, special order items may not be canceled or returned and are exchangeable against manufacturer's defects ONLY. SPO includes special order upholstery items, monogrammed/personalized items, special order rugs, one-of-a kind rugs and any products being shipped directly from a third-party vendor. Any special order items will be flagged as 'special order' in your shopping cart. NEW JERSEY CUSTOMERS: Special-order upholstered furniture returns are subject to applicable state law and are non-returnable after 24 hours of delivery.
For further assistance please call our customer service department at 1.888.922.4119 or send an email to email@example.com
Linen Cotton Curtain - Individual
Please Select: Blackout Lining
Please Select Width: Single - 48"
Please Select Length:
- Online Only


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Gubernatorial candidates to make appearance Nov. 2
The university community is invited to meet the state's gubernatorial candidates and learn their positions on issues facing the state tonight (Monday, Nov. 2) at 7 p.m. in Capstone House.
The event, "The Palmetto Gubernatorial Showcase: the Next South Carolina Governor," will take place on the 17th floor and include Democratic candidates Dwight Drake, Jim Rex and Vincent Sheheen and Republican candidates André Bauer, Nikki Haley and Henry McMaster. Students will have a chance to mingle and hear a brief address by each candidate.
The evening has been organized by Joe Wright, secretary of government and community relations for Student Government Association.
Posted: 11/02/09 @ 12:00 AM | Updated: 11/02/09 @ 10:22 AM | Permalink


text:
Statement by Ambassador Berger in the Security Council on the AU/UN-cooperation
Mr. President,
I thank SRSG Muburi-Muita for his comprehensive briefing.
Strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union for the maintenance of peace and security in Africa is in our mutual interest.
Much has been achieved, including through consultations between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council on issues of mutual concern.
The establishment of the United Nations Office to the African Union is another concrete step in strengthening the capacity of the African Union and enhancing the institutional cooperation between both organizations. We welcome the update provided by SRSG Muburi-Muita and look forward to the Office becoming fully operational soon.
Mr. President,
the strong partnership between the UN and the AU for peace and security on the African continent manifests itself in various forms:
In the field of peacekeeping, most visibly in the form of the Hybrid Operation in Darfur, UNAMID. UN support is also provided to the UN-mandated AU Mission AMISOM in Somalia.
The joint AU/UN Mediator for Darfur, and the close cooperation between the UN Mission in Sudan and the AU High-Level Panel under the Chairmanship of Pres. Mbeki also show the relevance of close cooperation in the mediation of conflicts.
Other issues relevant to peace and security in Africabecome increasingly pertinant for inter-organizational cooperation, such as transnational organized crime, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and climate change.
All these examples underline the importance of capacity building for the AU and regional organizations, to enhance their ability to manage conflict and counter security threats, including through the maintenance of constitutional order, the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by stressing that effective UN – AU cooperation in Peace and Security greatly benefits also from the efforts made by other actors, such as the European Union and individual member states, in further strengthening the African Peace and Security Architecture.
The European Union, within the Joint Africa-EU Partnership for Peace and Security and through its African Peace Facility provides substantial financial and logistical support as well as capacity building to the African Union on the continental, regional as well as mission levels.
These efforts are complemented by bilateral support. Germany, for instance, is currently constructing the Peace and SecurityBuildingfor the AU Commission in Addis Abeba. We also finance the German-African Border Project as part of our joint conflict prevention efforts; and we support the training and equipment of African police officers for the AU Standby Force and for deployment to UN Peacekeeping operations.
As mentioned also by SRSG Muburi-Muita, enhancing coordination and expanding synergy between the various efforts of the UN, EU and bilateral donors is important in order to maximize their impact and avoid duplication.
Germanyremains committed to strengthening the African Peace and Security Architecture.
Thank you.


text:
In one word yes.
If you learn the basics of linux it is pretty universal. As such a lot of things will transfer among the distros. As you stated there are quirks amongst the different flavors.
If you learn debian then you are on the right track for bt4
BT is a pentesters "tool kit" that contains hundreds of tools for the art.
As such it is optimized to be used as such and not for office applications and watching pr0n.
See also


text:
FreedomSpeaks EP Release Party
FreedomSpeaks Music
Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 9:00 PM - Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 1:00 AM (PDT)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
We invite you to join the FreedomSpeaks Movement as we release our debut EP 'My Heart Aims To Please" which is the first EP of the band's five EP series.
This is not just the product of a couple musicians that decided to make music together, but in fact the dedication, hard work, perseverance and love of many.
If you ever come to a show, followed us on Twitter, Liked us on Facebook, allowed us to bounce ideas off of you, mixed, mastered, or recorded one of our records, developed our brand, or at the very least given our music a chance, WE THANK AND APPRECIATE YOU!
Bring others to the Movement! #FREEDOMSPEAKS
@ The Big Top New Orleans 1638 Clio Street, NOLA 70130
Doors @ 9:00 pm, Music @ 10:15pm
$5 dollar cover
DJ Spins by I&I sOUND sYSTEM
FREE EP's for the first 20 people
When & Where
The Big Top NOLA
1638 Clio St
New Orleans,
Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 9:00 PM - Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 1:00 AM (PDT)
Add to my calendar


text:
When it comes to restaurants and hotels, a good or bad review can often affect whether people patronize a business.
The same goes for charities, and thanks to www.greatnonprofits.org, there's a site that offers more than 1.2 million registered nonprofits in communities throughout the nation and rates each one.
People can get information and reviews about nonprofits in their areas by searching a name, a ZIP code, an issue or services. It also gives specifics on how donations or volunteer hours are put to use.
"Many people use this time of year to look for a charity to support, and it can be a confusing process," Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, said in a statement. "We enable crowd-sourced recommendations about which organizations will provide donors and volunteers the most impact for their time and money."
Lisa Hernandez's nonprofit, The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse, is one of several local nonprofit organizations listed on the site.
"Being a new nonprofit, it's been harder for us because we have to build up our reputation," said Hernandez, who opened her storefront in the East Village Arts District in 2008, just before the economic downturn. "We try to make it work. It's a miracle that we're still here."
She said sites such as www.greatnonprofits.org help bring awareness to lesser-known nonprofits such as hers, adding that donors demand transparency from nonprofits.
"With the economy, people want to see where that money is going," she said.
This week, the website partnered with Giving Tuesday - the day set aside to give to charities - to support local nonprofits.
"This is a critical time to support local nonprofits," Ni said. "Governments are cutting funding for local nonprofit services like after-school programs and soup kitchens by as much as 20 percent. Meanwhile, the number of people needing these services has skyrocketed."
Ni said nonprofit reliance on local and individual donations has grown from 10 percent to 60 percent in some parts of the country.
According to a GuideStar survey of 500 charities, roughly 65 percent said contributions would be less in the remaining months of 2012 than the same time last year. If there is an increase, it is likely to be modest, according to the survey.
"Nonprofits in your community need your support now," she said.
Go to www.greatnonprofits.org for more information.
email@example.com, 562-714-2088, twitter.com/KarenMeeksPT


text:
Thai teenager Ratchanok Intanon took the women's singles title at the badminton world championships in Guangzhou Sunday, beating Olympic champion Li Xuerui 22-20, 18-21, 21-14 in a massive upset.
Ratchanok, 18, becomes the first ever Thai player to win gold at the world championships after defeating 22-year-old top seed Li, who was gunning for her first world title.
The three-game thriller was a battle of technical skill and stamina, with Ratchanok pushing a more experienced Li around the court with a sophisticated repertoire of shots.
Ratchanok came back from 19-12 down in the first game to clinch it by two points, with a grim-faced Li fighting back to take the second.
But the supremely relaxed Thai looked physically and mentally stronger in the final game, holding on to a lead as Li threw everything at her.
At the end of the match Ratchanok dropped to her knees in tears on court before bowing to an applauding stadium.
A smiling Ratchanok, who still has braces on her teeth, said she would meet Thailand's Queen Sirikit on Monday, which is a national holiday to mark the queen's birthday and Mother's Day.
"I am going to bring my victory to the queen and to my mother and godmother as a gift," Ratchanok said.
"Before this match I didn't have confidence when I was competing against the top players, but after today I will.
"Li was not playing like herself. I felt really relaxed and I think she was nervous. I have played her five times and she has won four, so it was amazing that I beat her today."
It was a fairytale moment in a career that started when she was five years old and her parents were working in a dessert factory, taking Ratchanok with them each day.
Ratchanok and other children were sent to a badminton academy by the factory owner, who felt it was dangerous for them to be there.
The teenager supports her family through her badminton career.
"Being the champion has been my dream," she said. "At the end of the match all the tough moments from all the years came into my mind and I thought, 'Finally, I got it.'"
Speaking after the match a deflated Li said she had found it hard to concentrate.
"It wasn't being the top seed that affected my mindset -- I think I was just too eager to win.
"We prepared thoroughly for the match, but it was hard to implement the plan. When I tried to execute my strategies, I would make errors.
"My opponent played very well and seemed very relaxed, which put a lot of pressure on me."
Reigning women's doubles champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang had started the day well for China, taking the title with a 21-14, 18-21, 21-8 win against Koreans Eom Hye-Won and Jang Ye-Na.
With Li then beaten by Ratchanok, home fans were looking to energetic Chinese mixed doubles pair Xu Chen and Ma Jin to take the next gold.
But it wasn't to be as third-ranked Indonesian duo Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir fought back from behind in the third game to defeat the top seeds 21-13, 16-21, 22-20 in a nailbiting finish.
Natsir becomes the only mixed doubles player ever to have won three world championship gold medals.
Indonesia were celebrating again after men's doubles pair Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan beat Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in two sets 21-13, 23-21.


text:
Skeleton slider Noelle Pikus-Pace won a bronze medal on Friday in her first World Cup race since returning to her sport following a 21/2-year retirement, finishing behind Great Britain's Shelley Rudman and Germany's Anja Huber in Winterberg, Germany the site of her first-ever World Cup medal eight years ago.
"I'm thrilled to be back in the medals," the Orem native and Eagle Mountain resident said. "After team trials I knew where I was situated, and I started to set my sights high. I feel better than ever, and it's so great to be sharing this experience with my family this time around."
Just six months after deciding to return, Pikus-Pace has raised enough money to have her husband and two small children travel with her on the World Cup circuit her personal requirement to return to the harrowing, head-first-and-face-down sliding sport in which she finished fourth at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
• For more of this story, go to sltrib.com/sports
Tina Maze of Slovenia won her third race of the season by finishing first in both runs of a World Cup super-combined event Friday in St. Moritz, Switzerland, while Lindsey Vonn failed to finish.
Vonn, a part-time Park City resident, was fourth in the Super-G but lost control of a ski during an early turn in her slalom run and failed to finish.
Julia Mancuso of the United States was fifth after the Super-G, but slipped to 11th after posting the 23rd-fastest time in the slalom.
Figure skating
Two-time Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir is skipping the rest of the season to prepare for the 2014 Winter Games.
The three-time U.S. champion did not compete for two years after the 2010 Olympics but announced a comeback last January. He withdrew from a Moscow tournament in November after the short program. He finished fourth at a competition in Finland to start the season.
• Mao Asada took the lead after the short program at the Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Russia, on Friday, edging ahead of Ashley Wagner of the U.S. by half a point, with Akiko Suzuki close behind in third.
Omar Visintin of Italy won the season-opening men's World Cup snowboard cross in Montafon, Austria, for his first career victory.
A former junior world champion, Visintin beat Markus Schainer of Austria, Nick Baumgartner of the United States and Alex Pullin of Australia in the final.