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Theirs is not an easy task. Karen, a very young-looking 55 year old and for 30 years a registered nurse in emergency rooms and ICUs, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years ago. The disease attacks individuals in different ways with hers more aggressive than others. Troy does the heavy lifting, including setting up the Farmers Market booth, but Karen still has the strength and mind-set to create some of the best bakery goods on the market.
Take her granola. Always a healthy foods advocate, she was concerned that buyers at the market would fill their bags with fruit and vegetables, but then turn to some of the higher calorie products in booths alongside. Using whole nuts and special grains and herbs and berries from her own garden, she has turned the gray tasteless, birdseed-looking granola seeds into bags full of tasty granola bars that look much like the commercial brands but without the salts, processed sugars and preservatives found on grocery store shelves. Teenagers and their parents are now among her best customers, snacking on the chunky, flavored granola instead of sweets.
Besides the bags of granola, Olivero makes stratas, a layered breakfast casserole, with blueberries and various cheeses, as well as kisch-like fatadas. Both can be found at coffee shops near Farmers Market. Another specialty from Karen's kitchen is cinnamon-honey butter and pesto, a flavored butter with roasted garlic, basil, olive oil and a bit of parmesan cheese. Meadowlark Dairy carries these products, all with the Sunday Morning Bakery label attached.
Karen Olivero grew up in Hayward in a family that enjoyed cooking and baking. She remembers her father going out each Sunday morning to buy pastries as her mother made special breakfasts. After graduating from San Jose State with a nursing degree, Karen kept those traditions. Her husband recalls frequent dinner parties where Karen's creative meals were always the star. Even while working long and late hours in John Muir Hospital's emergency room and later in the ICU ward at San Jose Medical Center, good cooking and baking offered her a respite from difficult work days.
Karen slowed down a bit in 2000 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Those were tough days, Troy recalls, with chemotherapy, radiation and seemingly endless tests. But she beat the cancer, recovered and went back to work. Then in 2007, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Fortunately it was not related to the earlier cancer and was caught before it had spread. As Troy put it, if you have to have cancer, the thyroid keeps it contained and can be totally removed.
Three years ago, Karen was reaching for a bag of brown sugar in her Pleasanton home and noticed her fingers twitching. That got worse. In tests at the Center for Movement Disorders at UC San Francisco Medical Center, doctors told her she has Parkinson's. Although there's no known cure for Parkinson's at this time, new medications can treat the symptoms and these enable Karen to continue the hectic pace she's always enjoyed, especially in her garden and kitchen.
As for that brown sugar on the top shelf, Troy does the reaching along with whatever else it takes to keep Karen active. "She's always actively looking at recipes and ingredients to make her friends and customers wanting more. I fell in love with her a long time ago because of her work ethic and I want to see her continue doing what she can," Troy said.


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We're pleased to announce a new series, Team Cattoo. This section will spotlight animal rescue groups and organizations that proudly wear their love of cats on their skin. To kick off the new section we have some incredible photos from the team at the San Francisco SPCA. These are some of the most dedicated animal rescuers in the country and they have one of the most impressive collections of cattoos ever. A big thanks to Daniel and the crew for submitting these awesome images and the stories behind the ink.
Photography by Rob Schroeder.
About the SF SPCA
Founded in 1868, the SF SPCA is a community-supported nonprofit dedicated to saving, protecting and caring for cats and dogs.
We do this through immediate care of animals that are homeless, ill or in need of an advocate, but we also work to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying/neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their companions.
Simply put: the SF SPCA cares. We care for the abused or abandoned dog, for feral cats fending for themselves, and for animals in pain and requiring treatment. The care that we and our community of supporters provide makes the difference between neglect and nurturing, hurting and health, loneliness and a loving home.
Our programs and services include:
- The new Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center, which houses our Veterinary Hospital, Spay/Neuter Clinic, Feral Cat Assistance Program, Foster Care Program, and Shelter Medicine Department.
- Maddie's Pet Adoption Center
- Humane Education
- Public Dog Training Classes
- Animal Assisted Therapy
Daniel Quagliozzi | Feline Care Coordinator
"I've been fascinated with cat behavior my whole life, which ultimately led to my career at the SFSPCA for 10 years now. Knowing that no two cats are alike in their personality made me realize that what's under the surface can be a rewarding surprise if you take the time to understand what lies beneath. Every cat can be both an angel and a mischievous little devil. My tattoos represent both sides of the feline ying yang….and ok…maybe they say a little bit about me as well. I'm always trying to find balance between compassion and the demons that test it each day. Thankfully, cats are amazing stress relievers, even if saving their lives is what creates the stress to begin with."
Tattoo artist: Tim Lehi of Black Heart Tattoo, San Francisco
Ashley James | Client Care Associate (Adoptions)
"The tattoo on my forearm is a drawing by my favorite artist Aubrey Beardsley. I always wanted one of his pieces tattooed on me and this one just seemed perfect. My current cat's name is Beardsley, after the artist."
Tattoo artist: PJ at Triangle Tattoo and Museum in Fort Bragg, CA
"I got the tattoo on my foot about six months after adopting Badge. (She became my best friend pretty quick). We moved to San Francisco about a year later, when she was diagnosed with chronic asthma. The vet said it was the worst case she had ever seen. Despite her breathing problems she was a little ball of sunshine. The sassiest and sweetest cat I have ever known. She was my first cat as an adult, and was with me through a lot of "growing up". I miss her dearly and I think about her every day. I have met hundreds of cats since, and have yet to meet a cat like her."
Tattoo artist: Cris Cleen of Idle Hand Tattoo, San Francisco
Amber Holly | Spay Neuter RVT
"Before I worked in companion animal rescue, I focused on exotic cat rescue. While working in Spokane, Washington, I became very fond of the big purring mountain lions that had been rescued from private homes and drug rings that were using them as home protection. I became especially close to a large pair of males and a young cub. The cubs are born beautifully spotted with huge round blue eyes. As I moved on to small animal rescue, it became clear that neonatal kittens is my natural calling. My tattoo represents my love for the big pumas and my passion for raising "cubs". A mother mountain lion and her cub."
Tattoo artist: Derrick Snodgrass at Temple Tattoo, Oakland, CA
Sarah Ramm | Veterinary Technician Supervisor/Hospital
"Inspiration for tattoo was Chrissie, a feral kitten that came into my life after finding her on the side of the road after being hit by a car. She was named for my best friend, Chris, who found her and brought her to my house because she knew we would take care of her. Chrissie was sweet (to me, anyway), agoraphobic, and frankly a little "not right in the head." I let her go after 17 years together when she was no longer responding to treatment for chronic renal failure."
Tattoo artist: Jill Bonny when she was at Sacred Rose Tattoo in San Francisco
Laura Gretch | Community Cares Initiative Manager
"Toby was a skinny white dude hanging out at the shelter, screaming his head off. Love at first yelp!
For years to follow, Tobes sat on the couch, awaiting my arrival home, happy to sniff out whoever I was cheating on him with. He coddled feral kittens into tameness, he showed foster dogs who was boss, and taught them a valuable lesson about honoring thy hissy feline. He pawed my arm when I bawled my eyes out the day I first euthanized an animal.
When Tobes finally gave in to years of heart disease, liver failure and asthma, I knew I had to memorialize him as best I could.
He makes a great ice breaker at the shelter. I mean – if you're not going to trust that gal that's committed half her arm to her dead cat, who are you going to trust to tell you why your dog needs to be neutered or that cat, not that one, is the right match for you?
Cat. Friend. Samurai warrior. I miss ya Tobes – every day of my life."
Tattoo artist: Grez when he was at Redemption Tattoo, Boston, MA. Now at Kings Avenue Tattoo, NY.
"You know that saying – We can never move forward without remembering the past?
In April of 1999, I quietly acknowledged a memory none of us want to remember.
After just a few years of working full time in an animal shelter, I sat in the room at the end of the hall and euthanized 10 cats. Our shelter had been hit hard with pan leukapenia, and everyone was pulling their weight that day. My co-workers and I all took a turn sitting in that room, holding cats we had recently named, dewormed, set up in a cage and played with, on our lap, and said goodbye. Those were the days that shelters cleared out when disease hit. And a lot of shelters, all over the country, still do. I'm thankful I work in an environment that is blessed to not have to send anyone to a room down the hall and play God with so many lives. But there is a constant reminder, etched in the back of my neck, that not everyone is this lucky, and our job will never be done until everyone is."
Tattoo artist: Jon Elliot at Green Man Tattoo, Hartford, CT
Jonathan Weiner | Animal Care Attendant
"Inspired by Persi my cat who passed away. I included the ashes in my ink which makes the tattoo even more special to me."
Tattoo artist: Shadow Morton, San Francisco
. . .
If you work with an animal rescue group that collects cattoos, please submit your photos and stories and we'll add you to our Team Cattoo section!

subset: commoncrawl


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Corn Maze
Skinny Bones' 10 acre corn maze is our most popular attraction. With twists and turns along the way, it will be hard to find your way! Challenge your friends to our scavenger hunt, grab your punch card, and search for the punch stations hidden throughout the maze. If you complete all, your master maze status leaves you with new bragging rights and a lucky prize!
Friday from 6PM-10PM is Flashlight Night. Bring your own flashlight or buy one of ours. Great for families! Saturday from 6PM-10PM is Haunted Night. Live scarers move through the corn maze, anxiously awaiting their next victim. No flashlights allowed! (the corn maze is limited to 1 time per person)
Pee Wee Maze
A maze for the little ones who like adventure but don't want to get lost!
Giant Jump Pillow
Take part in the fun of a 75 foot giant jump pillow and see if you can jump high enough to view lost members in the corn maze! Fun for all ages!
Pedal Karts Race Track
Challenge your family and friends to a lap or two around our speedway with twists and turns to maneuver. Karts for all ages with a separate track for the little ones.
Jeffy's Pumpkin Patch
Take a hayrack ride to the patch and pick your own pumpkins from the vine or select from several varieties of pre-picked.
Hayrack Ride
Skinny Bones hayrack rides allow you to sit back and savor the memory on the tractor drawn hayrack. Get a view of the breath taking fields at harvest time and sip away on your hot apple cider!
Relax in your own private setting and sing campfire songs under the stars! We provide the wood and start the fire. Please contact us for reservations.
Mad Cow Ride
Skinny Bones Mad Cow Ride is a real kid pleaser. Pick your favorite jersey cow cart and moooo away! Bessie, Tilly, and Sassy... here we come!
Nurf Gun War Zone
Our youngest son Jared was the mastermind behind the Nerf Gun War Zone. After drawing up sketches of walls and barriers, he quickly helped his Dad build it. We provide all the Nerf Guns and ammunition.. you provide all the fun. This attraction is one of our most popular and is for kids and adults of all ages!
Face Painting
Let the kids explore their creativity at our Skinny Bones Face Painting Station. Our spooktacular face painters will put fun designs on your little ghoul or goblin. They'll be the envy of their friends this Halloween season!
Eerie Trail
For the adventurous enthusiast, step back in time as you cautiously walk the paths of the unknown woods. Listen to the eerie sounds as you make your way. Our trail includes many surprises and engage your imagination for the impossible!
And much, much more!
Don't miss the Corn Pool, Stinky Pete Jail, House of Mystery, Haley Boo's Petting Zoo, Bounce Castle, and pick your own pumpkins!


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Sort By: Most Popular Price (Low) Price (High) Star Rating New
Carhartt High Cut Socks for Women
With more coverage, Carhartt's high cut socks are great for colder weather. They are made with premium fabrics and construction to ensure lasting protection and warmth.
Carhartt Women's Merino Wool Blend Hiker Crew Sock
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Carhartt Women's Heavyweight Sweater Top Boot Sock
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Spring jazz series continues today
May 17, 2013
Sierra Jazz Society will present the next concert in its spring series at 2 p.m. today.
The performance will feature Bill Douglass on bass, Jim Trefethen on sax, Al Bent on trombone and Karl Chelette on drums. Come hear tunes from the great American songbook. They will fill the room with familiar music, then take it to the next level through improvisation. There will be complimentary coffee and cookies.
Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door or online at http://www.sierrajazzsociety.com/payment.html. Children under 18 are free.
The Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains is at 246 S. Church St., Grass Valley. For more information, email email@example.com or 273-5489.


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There is a gulf separating Germany from France on how to cure the eurozone's ills, and it does not bode well.
Germany identifies the eurozone's chief problems as excessive budget deficits, weak fiscal rules and a general culture of over-spending in the region's weaker countries. The remedy, say the Germans, lies in austerity measures, tougher punishments for rule-breakers and better housekeeping. Germany is so sure that it has got the answer right that it is introducing a €80bn programme of tax increases and spending cuts – not because the German economy desperately needs such measures, but because the government in Berlin wants to set an example to other eurozone states.
France knows the eurozone has a fiscal problem, but it disagrees with the German view that immediate and drastic austerity measures are essential. The French contend that, if budget hawks win the day, Europe's fragile economic recovery will fade away and there may even be another recession (as Paul Krugman notes, an example often cited in support of this argument is the "Roosevelt recession" of 1937, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt, having just about dragged the US economy out of the Great Depression, inadvertently caused another economic downturn with a premature attempt to balance the budget). Read more


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Amtrak San Joaquin #708 has just picked up passengers at the Stockton, California, station and is heading toward Bakersfield. But first, F40PH 306 and its five Horizon Fleet cars will cros... (more)
Not a big crowd waiting for the train today.
Broadway Limited passes Conrail local at Paradise.
Westbound Pennsylvanian passes thru Newport
Amtrak F40 306 plays a vital role in the production of some of the scenes from the movie "True Colors".


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Business Centre
Ask about our exclusive Business Bundle when booking your next stay with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Asia. Along with convenient city locations, dedicated business services and smart conference facilities, this value-added package delivers a range of benefits tailored to corporate travellers. Services Daily buffet breakfast High speed in-room internet Late check-out up until 6.00 pm (subject to availability) Express pressing service


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Chip the Beer Guy Rock 107 - Happy Birthday Chip
26 September 2008
So today was the big Chip birthday party and the last date of the Rock 107 Small Town Tour. For those living on another beer planet, the show today was live from mybeerbuzz member Purv's in Peckville and featured an interview and beers from Guy Hagner of One Guy Brewing. All sorts of interesting chatter and events today. For me it was a lot of fun to hear Bryan and Guy actually talk. You know you both sound a lot different in e-Mail. It was a great show and an event I'm sad to have missed. Hey wait, I can spell "Ail" & "Logger"...no One Guy Shaker Glass for me??
Guy's interview was a lot of fun...who knew Guy had been to Siebel, Little Rock, Lion, and Franconia before landing at 1G. OK so I knew, but I mean who else knew...well you get the idea.
For those that tuned in today there are a few Grotto events to note. First off, Grotto @ the mall will be featuring a sixtel of One Guy Oktoberfest tonight. Grotto is also holding something called "Septemberfest" tomorrow (9/27) night. Not sure of the details on that one.
So I won't be picking a favorite quote of the day...BUT, I'll be looking for a few people to come clean. Bryan...I detected perhaps you had a beer or three before the interview? Guy...perhaps there is a future for combining One Guy and eBay...shaker glasses, other swag? Chip...Although I heard "Schnutzen Giggles" most of the time, I distinctly heard "Shits & Giggles" several times.
Congrats to mybeerbuzz members for the much deserved publicity...guys, funny as always and Chip, Happy Birthday!


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Lea Michele Gets Her 'Glee' On in Los Angeles (PHOTOS)
Lea Michele and crew are back to work!This week's episode of Glee had everyone talking thanks to not one, but two controversial sex scenes — and whether you loved them or were against them, the show must go on, so
Michele was rocking some fashionista-worthy double plaid as she strolled on set, sporting a black-and-grey poncho paired up with a cream-colored plaid skirt. Lea skipped the plaid for her all-black leggings, and was otherwise accessory-less save for a brown paper bag that she was lugging around. Apparently, it was a great day on set, as Lea tweeted on Wednesday:
Still shooting in our mystery location.. Can't wait to go home and watch all my favorite shows tonight!! #TopChef & #AmericanHorror :)!!!!! … Great day at work today with @chordoverstreet and @CoryMonteith :) Heading home to watch tv now!!
Mystery location? Well, all we really know about these photos is that they were somewhere in Los Angeles … so the mystery remains intact!


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New York Times
By REUTERS
Published: February 3, 2012 at 3:50 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation backed down from its decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion and birth control services, following a massive outcry by supporters of the world's largest breast cancer charity.
Komen's decision had thrust the group into America's deeply politicized debate over abortion rights and its apology on Friday may not satisfy the more vocal advocates on either side.
Planned Parenthood supporters, including local directors within Komen's ranks, say Komen had come under pressure from anti-abortion activists. Social conservatives had lauded the move to disengage from Planned Parenthood and said it would win Komen new supporters.
"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," Komen said in a statement on Friday signed by its board of directors and its founder Nancy Brinker.
Komen had said earlier this week it would cease to fund grants for breast cancer screening to Planned Parenthood under new rules to tighten eligibility. The guidelines excluded groups under investigation by U.S. authorities and Planned Parenthood is the subject of a probe by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a Republican from Florida who opposes abortion.
Planned Parenthood provides a variety of services – including reproductive healthcare, sex education, cancer screenings and information on sexually transmitted diseases – but its abortion role has put it at the forefront of the national debate.
Komen's move prompted a protest campaign on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook that reached a fever pitch on Thursday. Local Komen chapters sent letters to headquarters opposing the move, and by late Thursday night, its board convened a special meeting.


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North America ACCESS Global MSL Pressure/Thickness/Rainfall +240 hour Chart
- location
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- New Zealand
- North America
- South America
About ACCESS Global
Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS). Based upon the UK Met Office Unified Model system. ACCESS G is the global numerical forecast model operated by the BoM. It is run twice daily (00Z and 12Z) and provides forecast data out to 240 hours with a horizontal resolution of 25km and 70 vertical levels.
Weather News
Murray-Darling Basin: Angry communities call for inquiry after Four Corners pumping revelations
Broken Hill's Mayor has joined other angry community leaders in calling for an inquiry into the operation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Weekend warmth to challenge records in NSW
Record-breaking July warmth could affect parts of NSW this weekend before a strong cold front sweeps over the state.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Irrigation lobbyists offered access to confidential government documents
The top water bureaucrat in NSW, Gavin Hanlon, has been secretly recorded offering to confidentially share internal government information with irrigation lobbyists — documents he proposed to strip of government logos and share via a special Dropbox account — to assist their lobbying against the contentious Murray-Darling Basin Plan.


text: It seems the PBI got built OK on the server. I tried to install it, but I get an error while trying to do so: "Command '/home/silver/.PBItmp/.pbistart' not found." Is it because I don't have PC-BSD 7.1beta? -- Silver On Monday 16 March 2009 16:42:34 Kris Moore wrote: > > Sure! If you trigger a build on pbi build server ill check it in the next day or so when I get back home. Thanks! > ------Original Message------ > From: Silver Salonen > Sender: > To: Kris Moore > Cc: pbi-dev at lists.pcbsd.org > Subject: Re: [PC-BSD Pbi-dev] trying to build bacula-bat PBI > Sent: Mar 13, 2009 8:09 PM > > On Thursday 12 March 2009 23:13:45 Kris Moore wrote: > > That looks like a bug for sure :) I'm in Tokyo at the moment, but get > > back next week. I'll take a look at this when I get back and figure out > > whats wrong. I have to issue an update for the PBI Builder soon anyway, > > lots of other small fixes already :) > > > > Kris > > OK, do you want my PBI I tried to build? I can let buildserver to build it > too, I guess? If I change "Active" to smth else in dirstatus, it shouldn't be > uploaded before testing, right? > > -- > Silver


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Our principal – a contracting and trading company in Doha Qatar is in need of the following categories skilled manpower for their projects.
CVs selections only. GAMCA Medicals with Valid Passports may apply.
Interested recruitment agencies are welcome to contact. (Corporate Partners only)
IMPORTANT: For Manpower pooling only. No fee to be collected during application process. Alahad Group does not charge any application- processing- or referral fee at any stage of the recruitment process, ever. If you are approached for a fee, charges or payment of whatsoever nature by any recruitment agency or employer, Please do not make such payment and immediately write to us with full details on firstname.lastname@example.com. We will always send e-mail from an identifiable corporate account i.e. @alahadgroup.com and never from a public email account, such as Yahoo!, Gmail, Google, or Hotmail.
IMPORTANT: For Manpower pooling only. No fee to be collected during application process.
Awareness Message Disclaimer Avoid Illegal Recruiting


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Whether a tried-and-true standard or an imaginative gourmet creation, pizza is an all-American crowd pleaser. USA TODAY asked local experts to name one great pizza parlor in each state and the District of Columbia. Here are their picks for places to savor that favorite Italian import.
Bettola chef/owner James Lewis spent months in Naples studying pizza. The secrets he imported to Birmingham: super-fresh ingredients; the right low-yeast, low-sugar flour; and a $20,000 Napoli-made oven that burns white oak at 850 degrees. At temps that high, the thin-crust pizzas cook evenly in 1½ minutes, ensuring a perfectly singed crust and ingredients — including prosciutto and fresh mozzarella — that retain their integrity. "Everything about our pizzas is alive," Lewis says. "The toppings, the bread, the taste." 2901 2nd Ave. S.; 205-731-6499
• Recommended by Stephanie Granada, Southern Living magazine
A loaded, hand-tossed pizza called the Avalanche — toppings include barbecue sauce, bacon, blackened chicken, pepperoni, red onion, parsley and three cheeses — is a belly-buster at Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria in Anchorage. Try not to think about calories while chomping. 3300 Old Seward Highway; 907-258-2537; moosestooth.net
• Recommended by Sarah Alban, Alaska magazine
The "king" himself would be dancing in his blue suede shoes after a bite of the cheesy pizza at the Velvet Elvis in Patagonia. With garden-fresh ingredients and gourmet toppings like smoked Gouda and herbed cream cheese, it's no wonder folks flock to this pizza joint in the middle of nowhere. Grab a slice, or be more adventuresome with pizzas like the Good, Bad and the Ugly, Southwest Diva, or El Mariachi Blanco. If you really want to do the jailhouse rock, try the Inca Quinoa deep-dish pizza, which has to be ordered 24 hours in advance. 292 Naugle Ave.; 520-394-2102
• Recommended by Robin Sewell, executive producer/host of Arizona Highways Television
Arkansas' very own pizza chain, U.S. Pizza Co. with 10 statewide locations, including Little Rock, has been sating the cravings of pizza lovers since 1972. Since the start, it has had a unique recipe for thin-crust pizza cooked in an old-fashioned stone hearth oven. Main location: 2710 Kavanaugh Blvd.; 501-663-2198; uspizzaco.net
• Recommended by Kerry Ann Kraus, travel writer, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
At Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur, ingredients come from local farms, mozzarella is hand-pulled in house, and you can get peppery arugula salad piled on any pizza. Plus, crusts are exceptionally flavorful. Mario Batali, no slouch in the pizza department, once declared Picco's the best pizza in the country. Try the Cannondale, with homemade sausage and roasted red peppers and red onions. 316 Magnolia Ave.; 415-945-8900; pizzeriapicco.com
• Recommended by Margo True, food editor, Sunset magazine
At Virgilio's Pizzeria Napoletana in Lakewood and Littleton, Naples-born owner Virgilio Urbano makes a slice that's pliable — you can fold it and eat it on the street. It's cooked in gas ovens, so the crust is light and puffy on the edges. He also uses whole-milk mozzarella. The pizza is fabulous, but it's worth the trip just for the garlic knots — bits of pizza dough dipped in garlic and marinara sauce. 7986 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood; 303-985-2777 and 10025 W. San Juan Way, Littleton; 303-972-1011; virgiliospizzeria.com
• Recommended by John Lehndorff, creator of the food trend blog Nibbles
To refer to Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven as a mere pizza parlor would be like calling St. Peter's in Rome a church. Since 1925, Pepe's has been a place of innovation — the white clam pie was invented here, as was the New Haven-style thin-crust pizza. Accompany them with a local Foxon Park white birch soda. 157 Wooster St.; 203-865-5762; pepespizzeria.com
• Recommended by Charles Monagan, editor of Connecticut Magazine
Lined with elegant frescos of famous Elizabeths from throughout the ages (think Taylor, Davis and even the Queen), Pizza by Elizabeths is an elegant eatery in Greenville. The California-style pies are gourmet creations topped with the likes of mushroom duxelles and fig jam. They're perfectly paired with a posh dining room decorated with French chandeliers and pistachio-colored walls. 3801 Kennett Pike; 302-654-4478; pizzabyelizabeths.com
• Recommended by Matt Amis, dining editor of Delaware Today magazine
District of Columbia
The pies at We, the Pizza, owned by Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn, are a fuss-free departure from D.C.'s boutique pizza scene. The crisp-crusted artichoke-and-spinach pie with béchamel and the sauceless buffalo chicken pizza are great, but a simple slice of pepperoni is terrific, too. 305 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; 202-544-4008; wethepizza.com
• Recommended by Ann Limpert, food and wine editor of Washingtonian magazine
No Name Pub is a mustn't miss — if you can find it. With dollar bills pinned to the walls and a pizza recipe that hasn't changed since the 1960s, this Big Pine Key hideaway (about 30 miles from Key West) is one of the few places that retain the quirky Keys personality. Order the big, fat Royal Pub pizza loaded with pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and black olives. 30813 N. Watson Blvd.; 305-872-9115; nonamepub.com
• Recommended by Patricia Letakis, executive editor of Florida Travel + Life magazine
For authentic hand-made Italian brick-oven pizza in a beautiful loft-like space, don't miss Deano's in downtown Dublin. Just off I-16 between Atlanta and Savannah, Deano's features a brick oven imported from Italy. Everything from the sauce to the dough is made in house from fresh, local ingredients. 110 W. Jackson St.; 478-275-1117; deanositalian.com
• Recommended by Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner of Georgia's tourism office
It's not often you find authentic tomato sauce in the middle of the Pacific. But V Lounge, an unassuming pizzeria in Honolulu, is hellbent on keeping the craft alive, serving kiawe-wood-fired, Naples-style creations. Its signature prima pizza boasts locally grown oyster mushrooms and sweet onions with pancetta di San Daniele and fresh homemade mozzarella topped with an egg and truffle oil. Robust flavors, local ingredients, creamy dough crisp from the wood firing — the pizza here is tough to beat. 1344 Kona St., 808-953-0007; vloungehawaii.com
• Recommended by Catherine E. Toth, Hawaii-based food blogger, thecatdish.com
Mention Flying Pie Pizzaria in Boise to pizza lovers and watch them salivate. From crisp crust to creative combinations on "gourmet nights" (gyro pizza with feta cheese and tzatziki sauce to Southwestern chicken with black-bean sauce), it's one great bite after another. The popular "Contest Combo" has 10 toppings. During August, the Pie serves its signature triple habanero pizza with 18 of the hottest peppers around, plus chicken, olives and mozzarella. It's so spicy, you have to sign a waiver to take it out of the restaurant. 4320 State St.; 208-384-0000. 6508 Fairview Ave.; 208-345-0000; flyingpie.com
• Recommended by Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman
The original Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Chicago suburb Lincolnwood has what it takes to make a good pizza parlor great — atmosphere, history and a sense of permanence, on top of delicious pies. The deep-dish pizza is legendary, which says a lot, considering this is Chicagoland. 6649 N. Lincoln Ave.; 847-673-0800; loumalnatis.com
• Recommended by Phil Vettel, food critic at the Chicago Tribune
People magazine put Mother Bear's Pizza on the map in 1982 when it named the pie palace "one of America's Top 9 Pizzerias." Decades later, the pepperoni pie is still the best seller at this Bloomington pizzeria. If you're really hungry, owners Ron McConn and Bruce Storm recommend the Divine Swine piled high with pepperoni, ham, sausage and bacon — their personal homage to the Hoosier State's pork producers. 1428 E. Third St.; 812-332-4495; motherbearspizza.com
• Recommended by Victoria Wesseler, Going Local blog, www.goinglocal-info.com
McCaffrey's Dolce Vita hides in the countryside near the lovely little town of Decorah in the state's northeast corner. The wood-fired sourdough pizzas are delicious: cracker-thin with interesting toppings, like smoked salmon or gyro meat. 2149 Twin Springs Rd.; 563-382-4723; mcdolcevita.com
• Recommended by Hannah Agran, Midwest Living
If you like lots of cheese on your pizza, you won't be disappointed at Big Cheese in Independence. There's a choice of mozzarella, Romano and cheddar in any combination, and you get to choose the amount. Order at the counter and point to the serving size you want, then choose thick or thin crust and mild or spicy sauce and dozens of combinations of toppings. 103 E. Main St.; 620-331-2330
• Recommended by Diana Lambdin Meyer, author of the travel app Day Trips From Kansas City and Kansas City Uncovered
Want some Petzl rope and a harness with your pepperoni? Located near the entrance to Kentucky's Red River Gorge State Park, one of the world's top rock climbing destinations, Miguel's Pizza and Rock Climbing Shop in Slade combines tasty pies (more than 30 combinations) with expert advice. (Chef Miguel Ventura is also a climber.) 1890 Natural Bridge Rd., 606-663-1975.
• Recommended by Stephen M. Vest, Kentucky Monthly
You know you're in South Louisiana when your pizza joint offers muffaletta pizza, jambalaya pizza with Cajun smoked sausage, a calzone called the "Inferno" because of the extra hot sauce, and beignets on the dessert menu. Specifically, you're at Pepper's Pizzeria in Houma, about an hour south of New Orleans. 541 Corporate Dr.; 985-872-0006; pepperspizzeria.com
—Recommended by Susan Ford, publisher of Louisiana Cookin'
Ricetta's Brick Oven Pizzeria in South Portland and Falmouth makes pies with thin, crispy crust (with a bit of a chewy tug to it). They use fresh, seasonal ingredients. And they make traditional (margherita) and not-so-traditional (buffalo spiced chicken and gorgonzola) varieties, baked in a wood-burning oven. What more could one want in a pizza? 29 Western Ave., South Portland; 207-775-7400 and 240 Rt. 1, Falmouth; 207-781-3100; ricettas.com
• Recommended by Annie B. Copps, Yankee Magazine senior food editor
In Baltimore, everybody loves Matthew's Pizza. It's just a hole in the wall, but it dishes out pies with volume: thick, with soft-but-chewy crust, rich tomato-y sauce and the right amount of gooey, salty cheese. A no-cheese version is served, too. Pizzamakers have had practice here: Matthew's dates to 1943. 3131 Eastern Ave.; 410-276-8755; matthewspizza.com
• Recommended by Mary K. Tilghman, author of Frommer's Maryland and Delaware, 9th Edition
Connoisseurs of a crispy crust turn to Picco. This Boston pizzeria wins the pie vote on two fronts: a crispy-yet-chewy, lightly charred crust with just a little tang, and fresh toppings that range from simple (basil, mozzarella, tomato) to decadent (onions, shallots, bacon, Gruyère, and crème fraîche). 513 Tremont St.; 617-927-0066; piccorestaurant.com
• Recommended by Amy Traverso, contributing editor at Boston magazine
With a nod to Greektown, Motor City Brewing Works' "Mary Did Have" pizza is a dazzling combination of olive oil, ground lamb, garlic, mint, tomato, pine nuts, baptized with feta, labne (a Middle Eastern yogurt cheese), cucumbers and zatar spices. Tucked away in the back of a parking lot, John Linardos' Detroit brewpub is the kind of cool scene you wish for in your neighborhood. 470 W. Canfield St.; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com
• Recommended by Jaye Beeler, arbutuspress.com
When you envision the ideal pizza parlor, you're probably thinking about a place like Fat Lorenzo's in Minneapolis: cozy, friendly, a hub of neighborhood activity, and as comfortable as an old pair of sneakers. It doesn't hurt that high-quality tomatoes and excellent cheese make this joint's classic American pizza a cut above the norm. An imported Italian gelato machine produces a perfect post-pizza refreshment. 5600 Cedar Ave. S ; 612-822-2040; fatlorenzos.com
• Recommended by James Norton, editor of The Heavy Table
The Pizza Shack in Jackson earned a fiercely devoted following with hand-tossed pies so generously topped that the nine-topping Supreme weighs in at about 6 pounds, and you can barely see cheese beneath the Carnivore's layers of meat (including Italian sausage, pepperoni, ground beef and bacon). It's worth braving the standing-room-only lunch wait for slightly sweet dough, fresh sauce and unusual combinations such as the Chicken Curry Delight (homemade curry, smoked Gouda, curried chicken, fire-roasted peppers and pineapple on request). 1220 N. State St.; 601-352-2001; thepizzashackjackson.com
• Recommended by Nellah McGough, Southern Living magazine
When the Highway 13 bypass opened in 2003, hordes of travelers on their way to nearby Branson virtually abandoned the Mayberry-like village of Reeds Spring, which has since become a mecca of art and good food, including the best pizza in Missouri. Reeds Spring Pizza Co. features a house-blend tomato sauce, olive oil and the owner's special herbs. One unusual topping: cashews. The Seven Cheese Pizza includes mozzarella, cheddar, feta, shredded Parmesan, Swiss, provolone and blue cheese. 22065 Main St.; 417-272-3507; reedsspringpizzaco.com
• Recommended by Gary Figgins, editor, Show-Me Missouri magazine
Bigga Pizza in Missoula features a sourdough crust baked in a brick oven. But it's the imaginative toppings like those that make up the flathead cherry pizza (spicy house-made Italian sausage, cherry chutney, smoked Gouda, mozzarella, garlic oil and parsley) that make these winning pies. 241 W. Main; 406-728-2579; bigapizza.com
• Recommended by Lynn Donaldson, Montana-based freelance photographer/journalist
Big Fred's Pizza has been an Omaha family favorite since 1965. A particular favorite is the "Goodie Roonie," a double-crusted pie stuffed with either Romano or mozzarella cheese and sausage or hamburger. Pies are cut into manageable-size squares instead of the traditional slice. And, if you're a Cornhusker fan, which you have to be to even enter Nebraska, you'll love the vintage Cornhusker memorabilia everywhere. 1101 S 119th St; 402-333-4419; bigfredsinc.com
• Recommended by Diana Lambdin Meyer, author of Off the Beaten Path: Nebraska
The blue-and-pink neon outside is pure Las Vegas, but the pizza at Metro Pizza is billed as "the original way pizza was baked in Little Italy in 1905" when the founders' immigrant families served it in New York. Diners can custom-order their pies with thin, thick or super-thick crust, topped with Milano (classic white pizza) or Stockyard (ground beef, pepperoni and sausage, on two layers of dough with two layers of cheese and topped with tomato sauce or meat sauce). Six locations including 4001 S. Decatur Blvd.; 702-362-7896; metropizza.com
• Recommended by Kathleen Kenna, Travel/Cheap Eats writer for examiner.com
New Hampshire
Alley Cat, a longtime favorite with Manchester pizza lovers, offers large New York-style pies with a tasty, chewy crust and a rich, flavorful sauce with chunks of sweet tomato. A slice of pepperoni with a few shakes of crushed red pepper is a spicy delight, but other pizzas worth a taste include The Aztec Cat (buffalo chicken with blue cheese), The Fancy Cat (chicken parmigiana) and The Stray Cat (breaded eggplant with ricotta). 486 Chestnut St.; 603-669-4533, alleycatpizzerianh.com
• Recommended by Amy Diaz, editor, The Hippo, hippopress.com
New Jersey
De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies in Trenton is a 63-year-old family-owned neighborhood joint that makes extraordinarily elegant pizza: thin-crusted with a web of cheese, topped with hand-crushed tomatoes, and, if you like, clumps of fennel-laced sweet Italian sausage. Décor on the wood-paneled walls is pizza-parlor classic: pictures of fans, ranging from nobodies to Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti. There's now a second location in Robbinsville. 530 Hudson St, 609-695-9534; 2350 Highway 33, Robbinsville, 609-341-8480; delorenzostomatopies.com
• Recommended by Jane and Michael Stern of Roadfood.com
New Mexico
Local foodies agree that Giovanni's Pizzeria in Albuquerque makes the best pies. This is New York style thin-crust pizza — crispy with a blackened spot or two and a good, yeasty taste. But being New Mexico, green chile shows up frequently as a topping. Specialty pizzas include the New Mexican with chicken, ricotta, garlic, red onions and green chile. Both dough and toppings are made fresh daily in house. 921 San Pedro SE; 505-255-1233; giovannispizzaalbuquerque.com
• Recommended by Sally Moore, author of Culinary New Mexico and the travel app Santa Fe The City Different
New York
From the floor-to-ceiling wood-burning pizza oven to the chef and ingredients, the secret sauce at Za'Za' is its Italian imports. This Scarsdale eatery serves up seriously authentic Italian cuisine. Try the Sorbillo pie with prosciutto, truffle oil and mozzarella, or the seafood pizza with clams, mussels and shrimp. 751 Central Park Ave.; 914-472-4005
• Recommended by Maha Eltobgy, Empire State Development
North Carolina
In business for more than 20 years, Pepper's Pizza in Chapel Hill serves some of the best pizza in the Triangle. What makes it so special? The ingredients: hand-tossed dough and homemade sauce. The ambience — a collegiate/punk-rock vibe with a mural of famous musicians from North Carolina — is great, too. 107 E. Franklin St.; 919-967-7766
• Recommended by Amber Nimocks, food editor for The Independent Weekly and author of The Insiders Guide to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill: North Carolina's Triangle
North Dakota
Sammy's Pizza and Restaurant in Fargo has been satisfying locals for decades. The crispy-thin crusts are cranked out in the front window by an ancient pizza crust-rolling machine. There are neither photos of actors nor empty wine bottles in wicker baskets. But some patrons have been parking the same Chevys out front since the '50s. 301 Broadway N.; 701-235-5331
• Recommended by Eric Daeuber, restaurant critic, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead
Italian roots run deep in Youngstown— so deep, the city claims its own style of slice. "Brier Hill" pizza was born here, and Bruno Brothers Pizza dishes out among the best. The hand-tossed pie comes slathered with tomato sauce and topped with bell peppers and a sprinkle of Romano cheese. 8381 Market St.; 330-726-0055; 7401 Market St.; 330-758-8045; brunobrotherspizza.com
• Recommended by Jenny Pavlasek, an editor at Ohio Magazine
Sam & Ella's Chicken Palace (say it fast and get the joke) proves that things are not always as they seem. This Tahlequah eatery dishes out what many consider the best pizza in the state — and no, fried chicken is not on the menu. The Big Sloppy Pies (double everything) and Arti Pies (artichoke) are customer favorites. Carrie Underwood was a waitress here before becoming a country music star. 419 N. Muskogee Ave.; 918-456-1411
• Recommended by Ron Stahl, co-host of Discover Oklahoma TV
Nick's Italian Café, a small-town temple of regional Italian cooking tucked into an historic McMinnville storefront in Oregon Pinot Noir country, sweeps diners away with its handcrafted, ever-so-slightly charred authentically Italian pies. They're cooked in a manner that holds true to the seasons (think Oregon pears and heirloom tomatoes as toppings) and to the family's deep Italian roots (think the tastiest Italian sausage this side of Naples). 521 NE Third St.; 503-434-4471; nicksitaliancafe.com
• Recommend by Mike Thelin, Portland Monthly Magazine
Jules Thin Crust Pizza, with locations in Doylestown, Newtown and Jenkintown, tops its pies with organic ingredients like roasted eggplant, portabella mushrooms, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and arugula. Spread on a delicate, thin crust, this pizza is one American classic you can enjoy without guilt. 78 S. Main St., Doylestown, 215-345-8565; 300 N. Sycamore St., Newtown, 215-579-0111; and 817 Old York Rd., Jenkintown, 215-886-5555; julesthincrust.com
• Recommended by Erika Hajatian, contributor to savvygrouse.com
Rhode Island
When in the Ocean State, you want wood-grilled pizza — hand-stretched dough draped and then flipped over a charcoal-fired grill. And the best is at Bob & Timmy's, an off-the-beaten-track spot on Federal Hill, Providence's Little Italy. The crust is thin and crisp and its flavors smoky; the cheese blends heavenly with the sharpness of fontina or gorgonzola added to Parmesan and Romano. 32 Spruce St.; 401-453-2221; bobandtimmys.com
• Recommended by Gail Ciampa, food editor, Providence Journal
South Carolina
Named after the Italian super speedway near Milan, Monza offers an upscale twist on the old-school pizza joint. The wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas served at this Charleston haunt are named for racing greats. Try the spicy Fangio with homemade sausage and peppers or the Vanwall Special topped with local white shrimp. 451 King St.; 843-720-8787; monzapizza.com
• Recommended by Sid Evans, editor of Garden & Gun magazine
South Dakota
Charlie's PizzaHouse in Yankton has all the fixings — a moody interior, wall murals of Hollywood royalty, vintage signs, movie posters and a secret recipe for the dough. It has been that way from its start in 1959. Crusty, slow-baked pies are named for Tinseltown types. A favorite of the local college crowd is the "Festus" (named for the Gunsmokecharacter), with meatballs, jalapeños and sauerkraut. 804 Summit St.; 605-665-2212
• Recommended by Katie Hunhoff, publisher, South Dakota Magazine
Big Ed's Pizza in Oak Ridge is a no-frills kind of place. You watch staffers toss the dough high in the air and cut a steaming pie with a sharp pair of scissors, and then you eat a slice on a small paper plate with a plastic fork. While waiting for your pizza to bake, walk around and enjoy what Big Ed's has collected — from autographed sports memorabilia to photos of the former Miss Tennessees. 1 Broadway; 865-482-4885
• Recommended by Nicky Reynolds, Oak Ridge Convention & Visitors Bureau
At Olivella's in Dallas, a tiny spot next to Southern Methodist University, you can get a fancy, wood-oven pizza done up with arugula, pears and blue cheese. Or you can get one with these amazing Italian meats — prosciutto, pancetta, and cold cuts you don't see often. Prices can be a smidge higher than in other places, but happy-hour deals mean you can get Neapolitan-style, crispy-crust pies for a bargain in mid-afternoon. 3406 McFarlin Blvd; 214-528-7070; olivellas.com
—Recommended by June Naylor, food writer and operator of Texas Toast Culinary Tours
Pizzeria 712's pizza serves as a culinary missionary in Utah — blazing a taste-trail for local, seasonal, authentic ingredients by using them in the most accessible of foods, pizza. It's handmade, wood-fired, bubbly crusted, topped with artisanal cheese and small-farm vegetables, like roasted butternut squash. The chef-owners met while cooking at Robert Redford's Sundance Resort and maintained their high-quality standards when they opened this tiny place in Orem. 712 would be excellent anywhere; in Utah County, it's practically a miracle. 320 S. State St.; 801-623-6712
• Recommended by Mary Brown Malouf, dining editor, Salt Lake Magazine
American Flatbread in Waitsfield is not your average pizza joint. The dough is baked in a wood-fired oven built from stone and clay and topped with ingredients sourced from nearby farmers and food producers. Creative weekly specials at the popular eatery include roast ham, broccoli and leek topped with aged Shelburne Farms cheddar. American Flatbread now has a handful of other locations in Vermont and Ashburn, Va. 46 Lareau Rd.; 802-496-8856; americanflatbread.com
• Recommended by Suzanne Podhaizer, former food editor of Burlington's SEVEN DAYS weekly
Homemade dough, a perfect combination of sauce and spices, and a near endless list of toppings make Crozet Pizza in Crozet (15 miles west of Charlottesville) a destination for pie lovers. The appetizing ambience of the cozy shop is enhanced by a wood stove, a screen door that gently slaps closed with the arrival of each customer and the majestic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 5794 Three Notch'd Rd.; 434-823-2132; crozetpizza.net
• Recommended by Bill Lohmann, Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist and author of Backroads and Byways of Virginia: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions
Serious Pie is a place to rub elbows with fellow Seattle diners while eating artisanal, hand-shaped oblong pies made with local ingredients and cooked in an applewood-burning oven. The guanciale (house-cured Italian bacon) with baby arugula and soft, runny eggs is a favorite. If you want to sample more, like the pumpkin, pork belly and pistachio pie, go during happy hour when mini-pies are only $5 each. 316 Virginia St.; 206-838-7388; tomdouglas.com/restaurants/serious-pie
• Recommended by Jay Friedman, freelance food writer at Gastrolust.com
West Virginia
Sirianni's Café in Davis is in the Allegheny Mountains. Depending upon the season, it is packed with mountain bikers or skiers hankering for a homemade pie topped with fresh ingredients. The eclectic décor is part of its charm: ski poles, shabby-chic furniture, postcards from satisfied customers tucked under the glass-covered tabletops. One caveat: Sirianni's doesn't take plastic, so bring cash. William Avenue; 304-259-5454
• Recommended by Andrea Bond, West Virginia Division of Tourism
A Serbian-Irish couple play hard to get in Milton, pop. 5,100, by opening the doors of Georgio's only two or three hours per day (arrive after 7:30 p.m., and you might not get to eat). Watch George Rakidzich knead and stretch the from-scratch dough; he keeps secret his recipes for the slightly sweet pizza sauce and lean sausage prepared at a meat shop 45 miles away. Whole mozzarella, not skim, covers the pies. 301 Parkview Dr.; 608-868-4872
• Recommended by Mary Bergin, Midwest Features Syndicate
The small ranching community of Lusk in eastern Wyoming has become a hot spot for travelers and locals, thanks to The Pizza Place. People will drive 50-60 miles one way to savor pizza. Homemade barbecued pork is a popular topping. Breadsticks are served hot from the oven and doused with garlic butter or ranch dressing. 218 South Main St.; 307-334-3000
— Recommended by Lori Hogan, Wyoming Office of Tourism
Compiled by Laura Bly, Jayne Clark, Rebecca Heslin and Kitty Bean Yancey
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text: I got into an actual fight in my last soccer match after I called this hispanic guy a puta after he dove like he was shot by a sniper when I barely brushed his shoulder. The Spanish league is the worst. I tried to watch a game the other night at a pub and stopped after few minutes; they'd dive and be looking at the ref and appealing with hands up before they even hit the ground.


text:
Ann, a mind reader, and Drew, her genius twin brother, are living a normal life when everything begins to spiral out of control. After being accepted into a spy training Ann and Drew begin training to become Zorg Agents. When they overhear a mysterious visitor talking about their missing father they have to investigate. This leads them halfway across the country in an attempt to find their missing father. The only thing is that they weren't informed of just how many obstacles they'd need to overcome to rise above the odds.
ZADArocksmyworld Jul 29, 2012
@Godlovesyou I'm actually clueless as to how to do covers and send them, but I'm sure I can ask around. I'll message you my cover ideas later and you can do them whenever
Godlovesyou Jul 27, 2012
@ZADArocksmyworld Thanks! If you tell me what you want on the cover ill make it for you. dont worry if you want a hard cover, i like challenges :) So i dont mind if it is kinda hard. But i am still kinda new t wattpad so i dont really know how to send pictures. I guess you know how?
ZADArocksmyworld Jul 27, 2012
@Godlovesyou Those covers are really good. I'd be flattered if you made one and I'd certainly put it up if you send it to me.
Godlovesyou Jul 26, 2012
hey i noticed you didnt have a cover, id be happy to make one for yu if youd like, Check out some stories by JunkMonkey i did all those covers, if you like them I could do a cover for you. :)
Malia_thekid Feb 06, 2012
I know I said I would critique it today, but my computer has a virus so I can't keep on loading stuff. I promise I will critique sometime this week!!
ZADArocksmyworld Feb 05, 2012
@SilverSharpie3 Thank you. I'll remember that from now on since I'm probably going to be too lazy to edit this.


text:
Way cool.....
Now, have Chuck explain how the battery charging part works on the Tracker 5's...... is it based on one of JB's patents with their Known benefits to the battery's, or a straight DC charge.....???
hi Everyone,
We had a customer order a 160 amp solar tracker 5. chuck has asked me to post a picture of it for everyone to see their work. this unit comes with a battery voltage monitor which is a very nice feature to have. This unit will push some serious current! being cycle tested right now.
Tom C
Way cool.....
Now, have Chuck explain how the battery charging part works on the Tracker 5's...... is it based on one of JB's patents with their Known benefits to the battery's, or a straight DC charge.....???
Last edited by RS_; 01-17-2014 at 09:27 PM.
This is a serious solar charger designed for a big system. It is a fan cooled Wakefield heat sink system. It is basically a linear amplifier. If you want to learn about the technology behind this BALL BUSTER come to the science and technology conference this June in Hayden Idaho. You can order this charger from any of the vendors. Teslagenx.com teslachargers.com or energenx.com
Tom you can post the other pictures if you want.
This unit is available in 12 or 24 volt.
Here is a audio linear class A amplifier that John built. Basically the solar charger circuit. Just one of the many things you can do with linear power amplifiers. You can hear this unit at the conference in June.
Nope. Not mosfets.
To all,
Again this is a liner regulator amplifier, does not use Moss-Fets as they would fail under the power needed at a DC voltage level. This is very close to what the government may use in the solar generators in the field. They use fold up panels that use low light so they can charge on cloudy days.They do not average anything, they just push the power right to the batteries. I have said before in another posts that the devices are all selected high power P devices each one is rated for 16 amperes at 15 volts and 7 amps at 30 volts the panels must be able to push the charge regulator to over 35.3 volts for a 24 volt system. At 12 volts the panel must push around 20 volts. cooling is done using a Wakefield type wind tunnel arrangement this also cools the emitter resistors fusing is done by a fuse wire and internal current clamping circuits within the liner amp circuit. Comparator circuits show the state of charge on the battery. The main thing with off the grid is you must push the batteries as fast as you can so you can have reserve power at night. A battery of 12 volts is not charged at 13.8 volts, it must be at 15 volts to be charged. If your system only reaches 13.8 volts then your batteries will sulfate and become useless over a short time.
John B
John Bedini
My homepage: http://johnbedini.net
I had to look up what a linear regulator was, as I wasn't familiar. So, does the tracker take the input, regulate the voltage so it is a steady constant voltage, and then amplify that? So instead of high voltage spikes you have one continuous high voltage? And is this regulator adjusting to the load (batteries)?
I am reading there is a lot of waste heat usually with linear regulators coming from the transistor. Is that what the huge fan is for?


text:
Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
These are summary minutes only, per MN Statute 375.12. Full text of meeting minutes is available for public inspection at the Administrative Services Office, located at 635 2nd St SE, Milaca, MN, and may also be viewed on the Countys website: www.co.mille-lacs.mn.us.
Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Commissioners Wilhelm, Reynolds, Oslin, and Tellinghuisen.
Approve the agenda as amended. (Wilhelm, Reynolds; 5-0)
Approve the following consent agenda items: Approve Minutes of 10/1/13 Board Meeting; Review of Auditors Warrants; Submittal of Auditor-Treasurers Report for August 2013; Authorize execution of the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement with Minnesota Public Employees Association, representing Sheriffs Office supervisors; Approve Purchase of Service Agreement with Schu-Tran LLC for the provision of transportation; Add the Minimum Value Plan to the Countys employee health insurance offerings as a pilot plan for 2014, with the County to contribute 100% of the premium and deposit $2,750 annually into an HSA; Submittal of September 2013 Jail Reports; Approve the Sheriffs purchase of a replacement GPS tracking device from CovertTrack Group Inc., of Scottsdale, AZ, for the cost of $1,630.31; Accept the annual performance evaluation summary of County Administrator Roxy Traxler for the period 3/1/12 9/30/13 as Commendable; Approve the annual cemetery upkeep payment to Milo Cemetery in the amount of $800; Approve filling the WIC Coordinator position with one full-time employee or two part-time employees; Adopt Resolution No.: 10-15-13-1, Accepting Donations and Gifts; Submittal of Financial Report for September 2013; Adopt Resolution No.: 10-15-13-2, Proclaiming Minnesota Manufacturers Week. (Reynolds, Wilhelm; 5-0)
Approve purchase of an HP 3800 Core Switch for the cost of $3,988.30 from SHI. (Oslin, Reynolds; 5-0)
Execute a Memorandum of Agreement with AFSCME CVS regarding additional duty pay in accordance with a mediated grievance settlement. (Wilhelm, Tellinghuisen; 5-0)
Approve an On/Off Sale including Sunday Liquor License effective December 1, 2013 June 30, 2014 for Hunter Winfields, Inc., DBA: Good Life at Liberty Beach, in East Side Township. (Tellinghuisen, Reynolds; 5-0)
Adjourn the meeting at 9:31 a.m. (Oslin, Wilhelm; 5-0)
ATTEST: Roxy Traxler
County Administrator
Phil Peterson
County Board Chairman
Published in the
Mille Lacs County Times
November 14, 2013


text:
by Four years ago I went on an adventure called 'business ownership'. It has not always been the most relaxing adventure – there have been mountains to climb and snake pits to find my way out of, but at the
Beep Beep…are you missing the opportunity to engage with customers?
Technology is changing with a major impact on how we engage with our customers. Do you know where your customers are and how they are communicating?
What's in a credit line?
by Over the years it has been an interesting debate that I have generally been on the outside and listening in on. Who should be on the credit line for images taken – I am sure I could spend hours in a
If you aren't having fun…why do it?
by by
The story of the sock maker – it matters.
by I will never forget a networking event I went to – not because of the dry pancakes or instant coffee…aren't those standard? No, it was the quiet gentleman who gazed over the brochures and business cards people had left
Sharing information
by When was the last time you shared a little piece of information or shared an idea you had with someone in your 'network'? Thinking of your network and how information you come across each day may help them is a
Personalisation doesn't go unnoticed
by If you think for a moment that the extra touch of getting to know your customer, personalising messages to them and creating touch points for deeper relationships doesn't lead to loyalty or spark excitement…you mustn't have had a birthday
Time for storytelling…
by We used to think that if we didn't share what made us successful then no one would find out. KFC is a brand that advertised that they had a big secret…after all if you knew the 'secret recipe' then you
Who loves coffee?
by by
Event engagement…where to start.
by When you are considering a marketing plan for your business event – it may come as no surprise that your sponsors, speakers and exhibitors want to engage with your delegates. You also understand the delegates want to network to


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SPANISH EDITION. This book offers ways to heal the hurt of feeling like you were not first in regard to the affection and attention of your parents. It also talks about forgiving your rebellious brothers and sisters.
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AYSO Region 84
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Obtain one from each coach and have the Asst Referees clearly mark the players not playing for the respective quarters
All players should be playing 3 quarters
If a player is sitting out for 2 quarters (or more), ask "Coach, player XX is sitting out 2 quarters, is that correct?"
Determine if this due to injury, sickness, late arrival or if the child or parent desires it. Clearly mark the game card for one of these reasons; if the parent or child requests it, have the parent sign the game card.
Do NOT enforce the 3 quarter playing requirement; Regional Mgmt will address it after it's been reported.
Ensure all uniformed Referees clearly report their name and Team # they're representing so that Volunteer Points can be recorded
Have the coaches initial the game card
Put the completed game cards in the mailbox at the field
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Perform a safety check to ensure all players have:
Shin guards (if they don't have = they don't play)
Removed all visible jewelry
Acceptable shoes
Keep the check-in very brief; a suggested line is "Play the ball, play the whistle, have any questions?
Politely remind coaches the substitution breaks should take less than 2 minutes and are not a coaching session. The clock runs on the substitution breaks.
Do not say what you will and will not call when it comes to Referee interpretation = gives you more options if needed
Always conduct a pre-game consult with your Asst Referees and explain what you want them responsible for. Asst Referees who are not certified (a Regional badge or higher) should only call the ball in and out of bounds (No Offside or Fouls)
Use your Asst Referees to involve them in the game and to make your job as the Center easier by:
Let them call in and out bounds in their quadrant of the field; do not mirror their direction calls
Make frequent eye contact with them and recognize their efforts
Player Substitutions
Call for substitutions about halfway thru each half at a stoppage in play. The preferred points are:
Goal Kick
Kick off
The substitution process should take about 2 mins or less
The clock runs during the substitutions
Sideline Behavior Guidelines
Coaches should be positive and encouraging at all times and remain within 10 yards of either side of the Halfway line.
Coaches are responsible for the positive behavior of the parents/spectators on their side.
Should sideline behavior not be positive and encouraging, politely invite the coach onto the field and ask for their support with this. Keep it very brief and to the point and get the game re-started.
Questioning of Referee calls/non-calls is not allowable
Should non-positive behavior persist, invite the coach onto the field again and reiterate compliance. Inform them non-compliance may require the person(s) to leave the field at the Referee's discretion.
Inform the Regional Referee Administrator of all game sideline behavior situations beyond the first incident
Referee Game Positioning
Center Referee
Should be within about 10 yards of play (using a bungee cord approach). This will require running at varying speeds to effectively do this.
Bracket play between you and your Asst Referees whenever possible
Assistant Referees
Stay even with the 2nd to last defender or the ball in your half of the field. This will require running.
Carry the flag on the field side (may require switching hands)
Hold your stationary position with your flag up if an Offside violation has occurred. Do not move unless the Center Referee waves off your flag or the ball has been moved back up field by defense.


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Utah's members of Congress and their staffers are safe after gunfire erupted in a car chase near the Capitol. Authorities say a woman in a black sedan, with a child as a passenger, tried to hit a barrier near the White House and then ran red lights down Constitution Avenue en route to the Capitol. Police fired shots and the woman's car came to a stop near the Hart Senate Office Building.
One officer was reportedly injured after slamming into a barrier during the high-speed chase.Sen. Orrin Hatch's office is half a block from the ending point of the car chase and the Utah Republican, his staff and visitors who were in his suite are fine, his spokesman said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the United States Capitol Police officer who is reported injured, and we wish [him or her] a speedy recovery," spokesman Matt Harakal said. "Every day, the Capitol Police bravely put their lives on the line to protect the Capitol Building, surrounding facilities, and all the members of Congress, employees, and visitors around them, and Sen. Hatch and his staff are forever grateful for their service."
Coming so close to the recent shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, police officers gave stark warnings to those - including this Salt Lake Tribune reporter - who were in the Capitol. The Senate and House adjourned and everyone inside the Capitol complex was told to shelter in place.
Gun-shots couldn't be heard from inside the Senate Press Gallery, though officers, carrying high-capacity rifles fanned out across the East Steps of the Capitol while all TVs in the area flashed the alert and the Capitol Police radio blared warnings.An all clear was later given.Thomas BurrTwitter.com/thomaswburr


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Jon Bon Jovi Is In Love With U2's The Edge
The bitching and back biting between Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi just seems to be getting worse. Richie didn't seem to enjoy Jon's latest comparison and he has something to say about it.
It's no secret that there has been tension recently between Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora, but now Richie has taken it to a whole new level.
Jon made a comment last month about being on the next leg of their tour and being thankful that the guitarist they've been using was able to fill in for the absent Richie. He said that Richie isn't irreplaceable like The Edge from U2, saying "If someone chooses not to be here, unlike if this were, God forbid, The Edge and he for some reason couldn't make a U2 show, it would be very difficult to just step in." So, either he's saying The Edge is better than Richie or that Richie isn't a vital part of Bon Jovi. Either way…OUCH!
I agree with what Jon says, though. The Edge is not replaceable, just like John Bonham wasn't replaceable. There's no one like him, so after John passed away, the band broke up, just like I don't think that U2 could carry on if something happened to The Edge.
Regardless, Richie does not appreciate Jon's latest remarks, and reportedly sent Jon and email that just said, "Hire The Edge." No comment from Jon.


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Illinois, Ohio State and Purdue Receive Men's Basketball Weekly Honors
Jan. 3, 2011
Park Ridge, Ill. -
Illinois' Demetri McCamey averaged 20.5 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 61 percent from the field and 75 percent from three-point range last week, helping the Illini to victories over Iowa and Wisconsin. McCamey earned his first double-double of the season and seventh of his career in the win at Iowa, scoring a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Against Wisconsin, the Bellwood, Ill., native had a game-high 21 points, including 14 of Illinois' final 16 points, registering his fifth 20-point game of the season and 22nd of his career. This marks McCamey's first Player of the Week honor of the season.
Last Illinois Player of the Week: Demetri McCamey (Feb. 8, 2010)
E'Twaun Moore - Purdue
Purdue's E'Twaun Moore earns his first weekly honor of the season after averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last week as Purdue went 2-0 in conference play with wins over Michigan and Northwestern. Against Michigan, Moore netted 14 of his 21 points in the second half as Purdue won, 80-57. On Friday against the Wildcats, the senior guard hit five of his first six three-point field goal attempts on the way to tying his career high with 31 points. He finished the game 11-of-20 from the field and 7-of-13 from the arc, setting career highs for makes and attempts from long distance.
Last Purdue Player of the Week: JaJuan Johnson (Feb. 15, 2010)
Freshman of the Week
Ohio State's Jared Sullinger earns Freshman of the Week honors for the seventh time this season. The Columbus, Ohio, native averaged a double-double last week with 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in wins vs. Tennessee-Martin and Indiana. For the week he shot 80 percent from the field and 77 percent from the foul line while grabbing 16 defensive rebounds and four on the offensive end. The 6-9 center also handed out two assists and blocked two shots.
Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Jared Sullinger (Dec. 27, 2010)
2010 Big Ten Men's Basketball Weekly Honorees
Nov. 15
Schools Illinois Indiana Iowa Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Ohio State Penn State Purdue Rutgers Wisconsin
Men's Sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Gymnastics Hockey Indoor Track & Field Lacrosse Soccer Swimming & Diving Tennis Outdoor Track & Field Wrestling
Women's Sports Basketball Cross Country Field Hockey Golf Gymnastics Indoor Track & Field Lacrosse Rowing Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving Tennis Outdoor Track & Field Volleyball


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Our Leadership
The School District of Philadelphia is comprised of a staff of highly qualified and dedicated individuals. Every one of our staff members plays an important role in the success of our schools. To highlight some of our exemplary staff, we have included brief bios of our leadership team members on this page.
Leadership Team
- Superintendent
- Chief of Staff
- Chief of Academic Support
- Assistant Superintendent of Autonomy Network
- Assistant Superintendent of Innovation Network
- Assistant Superintendent of Opportunity Network
- Assistant Superintendent of Turnaround Network
- Chief Executive Officer of The Fund
- Chief External Relations Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief of Student Support Services
- Executive Director of Charter Schools
Click here for information about Assistant Superintendents and the Networks
William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. Superintendent
With a focus on equity, innovation and quality, Dr. William R. Hite serves as Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, the largest public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Since joining the School District in June 2012, Dr. Hite has worked to create a system of great schools in every neighborhood. Under his leadership, the School District has opened new innovative high schools, expanded successful school models, launched in-district turnarounds and redesigned schools in partnership with communities. His overall focus remains on strengthening all elementary and secondary school offerings.
Dr. Hite's professional experience includes serving at every level – teacher, principal, central office administrator and Superintendent. He was previously Superintendent of Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland where his central work focused on enhanced access and rigor to ensure college- and career-readiness. Prince George's County schools, one of the 25 largest systems in the United States, received national recognition for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses during his tenure.
Dr. Hite also served as an Assistant Superintendent in Georgia's Cobb County School District. In addition, as an administrator in Henrico County, Virginia, he led Highland Springs High School to "Best Practices" honors from the state's General Assembly.
Dr. Hite has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond School of Continuous Learning and taught school leadership courses at Virginia State University, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland. A member of numerous national, state, and local boards, he has participated with national agencies and associations to reform K-12 education.
Dr. Hite holds a bachelor's degree in education from Virginia Tech, master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Virginia and a doctorate in education specializing in educational leadership from Virginia Tech. His interests include music, travel, sports and reading. He and his wife Deirdre have two daughters and a grandson.
Naomi Wyatt Chief of Staff
Naomi Wyatt is the Chief of Staff to the Superintendent for The School District of Philadelphia. In this role, Naomi serves as the chief aide to the Superintendent and partners with the Superintendent to create a culture of change and an active learning work environment across the central offices.
The Chief of Staff provides strategic support and program management to the Superintendent and senior leadership team; liaises between the Office of the Superintendent and all other central offices, including the Charter School Office; and is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the internal operations of the Office of the Superintendent. In addition, Naomi is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the District's Action Plan, having an emphasis on communicating the plans and priorities to internal audiences, and, she oversees strategic labor relations decisions and supports executive level hiring.
Prior to being named Chief of Staff, Naomi served as the District's Chief Talent Officer from July 2013 through July 2015. As the Chief Talent Officer, Naomi oversaw the District's human resource functions as well as the recruiting, hiring, development and retention of all district staff, including teachers, principals and executives. She was also the member of the Superintendent's Cabinet responsible for all talent related strategies and actions.
Naomi has a background in state government, having served in Governor Edward G. Rendell's cabinet as Secretary of Administration and as the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff. As the Secretary of Administration Naomi was responsible for the Commonwealth's policies and operations in the areas of Human Resources, Information Technology and Continuity of Government. Before working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Naomi was a litigation attorney at Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia. Naomi has also worked in the nonforprofit arena serving as the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Provider's Deputy Executive Director and the Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs. At the Coalition, Naomi directed the Coalition's legal affairs, managed its contractual relationships, oversaw all administrative functions of the organization and developed new grant funding sources and programs.
Naomi is a graduate of Yale College, where she earned a B.A. in English; and the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned her J.D. Between college and law school, Naomi spent two years in Mississippi teaching high school English as a member of Teach for America.
Naomi serves on the Board of Need in Deed and is a past board member of Independence Charter School and of the Pennsylvania Employee Benefits Trust Fund (PEBTF).
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D. Chief of Academic Support
Cheryl Logan currently serves as the Chief Academic Support Officer. Since joining The School District of Philadelphia in July 2013, Dr. Logan has served as the Assistant Superintendent for the Autonomy Network and Learning Networks 5 and 7. Dr. Logan has been a high school and elementary school principal, assistant principal and teacher. She taught English, Spanish, French, and English as a Second Language. Dr. Logan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from The Johns Hopkins University. In May 2017, she received her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her K-12 experience, Dr. Logan has taught graduate level courses in Educational Administration and Human Relations at Towson University. A 2013 winner of The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader Award, she believes that no job is more challenging than that of urban school leadership, and calls on that experience to ground her work and decision making. Dr. Logan resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jurate Krokys Assistant Superintendent of the Autonomy Network
Chris Lehmann Assistant Superintendent of the Innovative Network
Chris Lehmann is the Assistant Superintendent for the Innovative Network and the founding principal of the Science Leadership Academy, a progressive science and technology high school in Philadelphia, PA. SLA is considered to be one of the pioneers of the School 2.0 movement. The school is the Dell Center of Excellence for Technology in Education. From 2009-2012, the school was been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School and was named one of the Ten Most Amazing Schools in the US by Ladies Home Journal. In 2013, Chris co-founded the non-profit, Inquiry Schools, to help more schools create more empowering, modern learning experiences for students, and he serves as Chair of the Board.
Chris is the 2014 winner of the McGraw Prize in Education. In June 2013, Chris was named Outstanding Leader of the Year by the International Society of Technology in Education, and in November of 2012, Chris was named one of Dell's #Inspire100 – one of the 100 people changing the world using social media. In September of 2011, Chris was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for his work in education reform. In June 2010, Chris was named as one of the "30 Most Influential People in EdTech" by Technology & Learning Magazine. He has written for many education publications and has spoken at conferences all over the world, including TEDxPhilly, TEDxNYED, and the International Society of Technology in Education Conference and has worked with schools all over the country. Chris is co-editor of What School Leaders Need to Know about Digital Technologies and Social Media, co-author of Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need, author of the education blog Practical Theory: http://www.practicaltheory.org and father to Jakob and Theo.
Christina Grant Assistant Superintendent of the Opportunity Network
As a first generation college graduate, Christina Grant recognizes that education is the key to success and social mobility. Christina got her start in education as a public school teacher through Teach For America in Harlem, NY. She later taught at the first KIPP school in the Bronx. Christina is the past Executive Director of NYCAN, an education advocacy organization. She also served at the New York City Department of Education where she was responsible for school portfolio management.
Most recently, Christina served as the founding Superintendent of the Great Oaks Foundation, a charter management organization that launches schools in communities of high need. In this role, Christina supported and coached principals, managed professional development, monitored performance evaluations and served as the external face for the organization.
Christina holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University, and also holds degrees from Fordham University and Hofstra University. Christina serves on the Board of Directors of Democracy Prep Endurance Middle School. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
As Assistant Superintendent for the Opportunity Network, Christina works to ensure that Philadelphia's students have access to an excellent education, regardless of their circumstances.
Eric J. Becoats, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent of the Turnaround Network
Dr. Eric J. Becoats joined the School District of Philadelphia in 2015 as the Assistant Superintendent of the Turnaround Network.
Becoats has served as an education professor, charter school administrator, strategic educational consultant, district level administrator and superintendent. Becoats' expertise has benefited and supported students in Maryland, North Carolina and Illinois. In recognition of his accomplishments, Becoats was honored by the National Alliance of Black School Educators as the Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year in 2012.
Becoats has developed and implemented programs that support minority males and remains passionate about reclaiming at-risk youth. Since he began his career in education, Becoats has been a catalyst for positive change and has developed the expertise for actualizing organizational visions.
Becoats brings to his work in Philadelphia a deep commitment to putting the needs of students first, and has a track record of consistently improving academic outcomes for all children.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Becoats holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor's degree from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.
Donna Frisby-Greenwood Chief Executive Officer of The Fund
Donna Frisby-Greenwood serves as the first President and CEO of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. She previously served as director of college and career awareness for the School District of Philadelphia, before her most recent position as Philadelphia program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, where her work focused on retaining talented people and expanding economic opportunity in the city.
Donna Frisby-Greenwood began her career in 1988 as an urban 4-H extension agent with The Penn State Cooperative Extension in Philadelphia. In 1990 she co-founded and served as Executive Director of Children First, Inc., a leadership development and civic education program for low income urban adolescents. In 1994 she became a Special Assistant to HUD's Assistant Secretary for Policy and Research as a National Urban Fellow. Subsequent positions have included Executive Director of Rock the Vote and Executive Director of the After-School All-Stars Philadelphia.
Donna Frisby-Greenwood is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a Masters of Public of Administration from Baruch College/CUNY.
Follow Donna on Twitter @DAFrizzG
Kevin Geary Chief External Relations Officer
Kevin Geary was named Chief of External Relations for the School District of Philadelphia in May of 2016. In this role he oversees the District's communications, government relations and advocacy efforts. Kevin has more than twenty years of knowledge in professional communications, government relations, marketing, and national and state political experience spanning three decades.
Before joining the School District Kevin served as Communications Director on Capitol Hill for Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California and as Director of Strategic Communications for Entercom Communications, the 4th largest radio company in the America. A graduate of St. Joseph's University, he is the proud father of three young boys with his wife Renae.
Uri Monson Chief Financial Officer
Since February 2016, Uri Monson has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the School District of Philadelphia. In this role, he is responsible for the overall management of District funds, including formation of the District's $2.8 billion Operating Budget.
His office monitors spending throughout the year, oversees grant management and compliance for over $300 million in grant funds, accounting, management of a $3.7 billion debt portfolio, payroll and risk management functions.
From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Monson served as the Chief Financial Officer for Montgomery County, PA. In this role, he advised the Commissioners on County fiscal matters and was responsible for the overall management of County funds, including formation of the County's $371 million Operating Budget and $160 million Capital Budget. He managed the County's $400 million debt portfolio, and oversaw the County's $500 million Pension Fund.
From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Monson served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA). In this role, he monitored the City of Philadelphia's budget, and reviewed the city's annual $20 billion Five-Year Financial Plan.
Mr. Monson previously served as Assistant Budget Director for the City of Philadelphia where his primary responsibilities included analyzing proposed policies for the Finance Director and the Mayor's Cabinet. Prior to returning to Philadelphia, Mr. Monson worked for the US Department of Education in Washington, DC as a Congressional Liaison and as a policy analyst for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Mr. Monson has a Masters Degree in Public Policy, with a concentration in education policy, from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Midrash from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
Mr. Monson was named as a person to watch in Philadelphia Magazine's 2009 "Best of Philly" Issue, and cited as the top "Wonk" in the City. Inside Magazine named Mr. Monson as one of the top ten influential Jewish professionals in Philadelphia in 2009. He is an active member of his synagogue, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El.
Melanie S. Harris Chief Information Officer
Melanie S. Harris joined the School District of Philadelphia in 1999 and currently serves as the Chief Information Officer. In that role, she oversees the team responsible for all aspects of technology delivery and support for schools and administrative offices.
Prior to her position as Chief Information Officer, Ms. Harris served as the Executive Director of Information Systems and the Director of Systems and Applications. In those roles, she was responsible for the development and implementation of an online technology strategy, as well as, building a more customer service oriented approach to support schools.
Ms. Harris has always upheld the mission to provide students and teachers with the technology and tools that are essential for learning and achievement in the 21st century classroom, and equally important, providing school administrators and teachers with the data and reporting tools necessary for critical decision making and governance.
Ms. Harris received her Master's in Business Administration from Eastern University and her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Joseph's University.
Click here to link to the Office of Information Technology and Data Management website.
Fran Burns Chief Operating Officer
Fran joined the District as Chief Operating Officer in July 2013. With 18 years of public sector experience, Fran's background encompasses operations, economic development and public sector finance. She has held various public sector positions including Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. She also held positions as Assistant Budget Director and Assistant Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia.
Fran also served as Executive Director of the Manayunk Development Corporation and started her career working for the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department. Fran has an undergraduate degree in Political Science as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Villanova University.
Karyn T. Lynch Chief of Student Support Services
Prior to joining the School District of Philadelphia, Lynch served as the Chief of Student Services at Prince George's County Public Schools. As the Chief of Student Services, Lynch managed the division's departments of Guidance Counseling Services, Family and Community Outreach, Health Services, Homeless Education, Safe and Drug Free Schools and Character Education, as well as the Office of Student Appeals, and the Office Business and Community Relations.
Lynch received her Master's in Public Administration from Columbia University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Dartmouth College. She was awarded the Governor's Citation for Excellence in Leadership and the Woman of the Year Award in 2008.
DawnLynne Kacer Executive Director of Charter Schools
DawnLynne Kacer joined The School District of Philadelphia in 2015 as the Executive Director of the Charter Schools Office. In this role she utilizes her experience in charter school accountability and oversight, Board governance, school and classroom evaluation, and charter school operations to oversee the District's charter school portfolio. Previously, she led the charter schools office for the New York City Department of Education and prior to that was an education leadership fellow in the District of Columbia. During her fellowship she supported the executive team of a six-school charter management organization focused on school operations performance improvement. DawnLynne has also conducted program evaluations of K-12 classroom grant implementations in Chicago and Athens, Georgia assessing the impact and efficacy of small school and teacher grants to improve educational outcomes. She also served as a certified juvenile court officer hearing cases of abuse, neglect, and foster care permanency in Georgia.
Prior to being selected for the Broad Residency in 2013, DawnLynne was a Senior Consultant serving public sector clients in the areas of healthcare, governance, data analytics and information technology. Primarily, she offered state and federal government agencies policy and operational recommendations for the implementation of national health care reform initiatives.
In addition to a Masters of Education Leadership from the Broad Center for Management of School Systems, DawnLynne earned her Masters of Public Policy from The University of Michigan's Ford School and also has a BBA in International Business as well as a BA in Sociology from The University of Georgia.
DawnLynne is a product of public schools at all levels and will utilize her diverse social services experiences in education, healthcare, juvenile delinquency, and foster care to ensure that high-quality public education options are equitably accessible to all K-12 students.


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Disability appeals a $1.4 billion business for lawyers
Winning a Social Security disability appeal can mean a guaranteed payday for lawyers.
The Social Security Administration may withhold as much as 25 percent from a disabled worker's back pay to cover legal fees. Lawyers can receive the money — up to a $6,000 maximum — straight from the agency, eliminating the need to dog clients for payment, legal scholars said.
A "lawyer has incentive to do anything he can to get a 'yes' " in disability cases, said Richard J. Pierce, a George Washington University law professor who testified before Congress this year. "They're even trying to intercept people as they go into unemployment offices."
Pierce said about 85 percent of disability claimants who appeal denials to administrative law judges have legal representation, up from the 20 percent range in the 1970s.
"An attorney is better able to make sure medical evidence is complete, make sure the judge has a chance to review evidence," said Cindy Berger, a former staff attorney for Social Security who is principal at Washington's Landing-based Berger and Green.
Lawyers began advertising more aggressively for Social Security disability clients in the 1980s and into the '90s, said Michael Gianantonio, an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Duquesne University.
Their work is now a business worth $1.4 billion, the annual amount set aside by the SSA for attorney fees. They face no direct opposition in the courtroom, where federal rules keep government attorneys from intervening.
The union representing administrative law judges, the Association of Administrative Law Judges, asked Congress to reverse that policy.
Adding government attorneys to appeal hearings would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, said Jim Borland, assistant deputy commissioner at the administration.
Berger said more disability claimants have sought outside counsel as "it's become increasingly difficult to prove disability."
Private representation has grown because "Social Security has gotten a lot more complicated in its regulations," said Dennis Liotta, a partner at Edgar Snyder and Associates.
"It's gotten a lot more involved in regulation and what's required to prove disability," said Liotta, who oversees Social Security disability cases at his firm. "It's a very complex and ever-changing area of the law."
Adam Smeltz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5676 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Alle-Kiski Medical Center support staff unionize
HARRISON — Support staff at Alle-Kiski Medical Center agreed to unionize Thursday night.
Service and maintenance workers voted 178-123 to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Nearly 60 percent of the votes cast were in favor of unionizing. There were 370 workers eligible to vote; 301 did, according to a federal labor relations official who announced the results last night.
Nurses at the hospital voted to join the same union in May.
About 40 people looked on as the votes were counted at the hospital conference center.
As results were announced, union supporters celebrated.
Many union supporters wore "united for quality care" buttons and pins, and some kept track of the tally in notebooks.
Voting was held in three shifts Thursday, beginning at 6 a.m. Employees were asked, yes or no, to whether they wanted to be represented by the union. A simple majority was needed.
Jane Davis, a phlebotomist, said she was elated about joining the union. In the moments after the announcement, she was fighting not to cry.
"We definitely worked hard for it," she said, "And believe me, it's not for us. It's for our patients (and the) community."
Now, she said, the support staff will have a voice.
Ashley Dodd, a nurse's aide, said she was nervous the entire time votes were being tallied, but she didn't doubt the outcome.
"It's important to be together with the nurses and improve the hospital, to work with management and make it the best place," Dodd said.
The hospital expects that the SEIU will share in its commitment to health and strategic priorities, said Alle-Kiski Medical Center spokeswoman Linda Jaskolka.
"Our only comment is that we value our employees, and we're committed to working with them as a team to address the challenges we face in the health care industry," Jaskolka said.
According to an SEIU statement issued late Thursday, issues of concern to employees are: improving staffing in each level of the hospital; improving benefits and compensation to recognize years of service; improving worker retention; and securing a voice for employees.
The hospital's support staff were once members of United Food and Commercial Workers for about four years but voted to leave that union in 2007.


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Presentation Notes -
Y-Chromosome DNA testing of men with the Rich surname has answered a number of questions about their ancestry. The results have also raised a number of new questions.
Three apparently unrelated Rich progenitors from Massachusetts were found to be related, although their common ancestor may have never immigrated to the colony. The descendants of Richard Rich of Dover, New Hampshire and Eastham, Cape Cod can all be confIrmed, even though their results do not match exactly. A large group of Rich men with ancestry in North Carolina and Georgia are related even though the paper trail becomes quite confusing before 1800.
In two instances, an apparently well-documented ancestry has resulted in mismatches which indicate an error in research, an undocumented adoption, or other "unrecorded paternal event."
The use of mitochondrial DNA, which tracks the female descendancy, has limited genealogical value. The ethnic heritage of most of the men tested is that of Western Europe. English, Scots, WeIch, Irish, French, German, and Spanish heritage cannot be distinguished by DNA. A few participants have apparent roots in Eastern Europe or Scandinavia, Southern Europe or the Middle East.
See the Presentation Notes Index for summaries of other presentations given at the Society's monthly meetings.