text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 12:00 AM
Town Square
City pays $1.48 million for police overtime
Original post made on Jul 22, 2008
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 12:00 AM
Comments (18)
a resident of Menlo Park: South of Seminary/Vintage Oaks
on Jul 22, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Another legacy of former city manager David Boesch and his hiree, police chief Boyd. Boesch couldn't seem to figure out the connection between a hyper-gear resignation rate and rock-bottom morale, which the police chief was largely responsibility for. Now, both these guys are gone and the city continues to pay. We're probably paying in more ways than financially, given the low number of experienced cops on the force.
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jul 22, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Area city managers, police chiefs, politicians, just like school and zoo superintendants, recycle and reuse, they seem to regenerate with commensurate pay upgrades with the close knit head hunters pushing their "experience" on councils/supervisors/voters.
They wouldn't last one month in the private sector where performance standards demand a produce or perish paradigm.
BTW, Boesch will be running the entire county soon. Expect massive tax increases to pay the bloated administration under the guise of "parity with the private sector".
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I saw those numbers. Where do they keep the application forms? I'm getting my tough-guy resume in shape. I'm not too crazy about the uniforms, but for that kind of money, I'll wear anything. I have lots of experience with law enforcement, especially behind the wheel. They didn't say the starting salary but how bad could it be?
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Jul 23, 2008 at 9:32 pm
For petes sake.. how many police does a city of Menlo Park need?
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:22 am
If you want to know how Menlo Park officers spend their time, check out the daily police log of written reports:
Web Link
a resident of Menlo Park: University Heights
on Jul 24, 2008 at 4:37 pm
The overtime paid out occurred in 2007(NOT 2006 or 2005)...long after ANY previous administrators were there. Clearly, people are still leaving to other agencies. Just taking on the dispatch services for the city of San Carlos was a disaster! Dispatchers leaving and no one to fill the vacancies. That was a poor move on Chief Goittia. Quit looking to the past to blame everything on and look at what is going on in the here and now! Overtime will always be a part of doing business. Clearly there are significant problems in the current administration to allow this reckless spending.
To Just me: have you been east of 101 lately? Not good. Just 6 cops over there is not enough. You do not know what you are talking about!
a resident of Menlo Park: Fair Oaks
on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Would you rather pay overtime or more employees and pensions. Overtime is cheaper than hiring. Posters will complain either way...
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jul 24, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I was at the Starbucks on Marsh Road a few months ago around 8:30am , and there were 5, count 'em, 5 Menlo Park Policemen there taking a break..at the same time! They may not be east of the 101, but I live in West Menlo, and I rarely see a patrol car, no matter the time of day or night. I do however see lots of people going at least 40 on Santa Cruz Avenue, and that makes me mad!
a resident of Menlo Park: Fair Oaks
on Jul 24, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hmmm...just read the article...that is a LOT of money... I retract my last statement :-)
Has to be a happy medium.
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Hills
on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:41 pm
To Oh No....So what how many you saw...you don't know whether it was a overlapping shift or what!! Quit judging...be happy you were in a place that was not gonna get robbed! Relax...cops need a break too...that is why they have portable radios and pagers...give em a break...they deserve just that...walk a mile in their shoes...I have.I am retired law enforcement...I still see the horrors of of every thing I saw every time I close my eyes....appreciate what they do every day...it is not what they do every day...it is what they might have to do... think about that...
a resident of another community
on Jul 25, 2008 at 8:57 am
The reason why so many left was for a variety of reasons. Some wanted to work for bigger agencies, others simply retired. The main reason was a lack of parity in salary. The City had fallen way below the industry average as far as salary and benefits. Menlo Park was paid even less the the lowest paid East Palo Alto PD. That is the plain and simple reason...money. Now that the City has given them a decent raise and a guarentee of parity for the future, things will stabilize as they always do. This is very typical.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jul 25, 2008 at 9:15 am
Most people don't change jobs just for the money. There were terrible morale problems that I hope are fixed now, and these don't relate to money.
Menlo Park can't get into a bidding war with other jurisdictions, and should not cave on lots of contractual adders that seemingly cost little but add up to a lot over time, especially if they are added to the retirement base. Things are getting out of hand relative to the private sector where it's nearly impossible to get such rich retirement and to be able to double dip at a young age. This must be addressed.
a resident of Menlo Park: Fair Oaks
on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:46 am
It's comforting to know that when I reach retirement age, long after Social Security has been exhausted and geriatric bands of desperate homeless people roam the streets, all of us who toiled in the private sector will be able to beg for scraps from retired public servants.
I don't begrudge the cops a decent retirement. I just wish I was cut out for that line of work so I could enjoy a relaxing old age, too.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Jul 26, 2008 at 1:11 pm
The rape of the taxpayer continues apace, aided by weak and self-interested politicians.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 26, 2008 at 9:52 pm
"The City had fallen way below the industry average as far as salary and benefits. Menlo Park was paid even less the the lowest paid East Palo Alto PD"
I would expect that EPA police would earn higher salaries than our officers. They face real danger in EPA!
a resident of Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Jul 26, 2008 at 10:40 pm
You people sit in your McMansions and bellow on and on about free markets and taxes...you are the very same people who cower in the corner in times of need. You are vulnerable people Menlo Parkians...lily white with little real world experience, soft around the edges and loaded with money.
Without the police, you are what they call "easy prey"...
a resident of Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Jun 5, 2017 at 2:25 pm
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a resident of Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Jun 5, 2017 at 5:02 pm
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text:
A summary of trading in key commodities markets overseas:
Oil prices pushed higher, helped by encouraging economic data from China and the eurozone.
Libya's partial resumption of oil shipments after weeks of protest had shut it down failed to dent the climb higher, in part because strikers continued to blockade other terminals.
In US trade, the New York benchmark WTI crude for October delivery gained $US1.18 to $US105.03 a barrel.
In London, Brent crude for October added 9 US cents to $US109.90 a barrel.
The Markit eurozone PMI survey for August showed business activity had picked up sharply to a 26-month high.
Gold futures settled almost unchanged as details from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting didn't offer any new details on potential shifts to its stimulus program.
The most actively traded contract, for December delivery, on Thursday rose 70 US cents, or 0.1 per cent, to settle at $US1,370.80 a troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Platinum futures climbed to the highest price in more than four months as data showed growth in China and the eurozone, while wage talks in South Africa's massive mining sector raised concerns about the availability of supply.
Copper prices closed higher on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on a strong set of manufacturing data from top metals consumer China.
At the PM kerb close on Thursday, LME three-month copper was up 1.1 per cent a $US7,319 a metric ton.
Nickel was up 0.2 per cent at $US14,430 a ton.
China's manufacturing sector stabilised in August, with the initial reading of the HSBC purchasing managers' index climbing to 50.1 from 47.7 in July, when it was at an 11-month low.
The data followed better-than-expected readings on Chinese copper imports and industrial production for July.
A separate report on Thursday showed manufacturing activity in the euro zone expanded in August at the fastest pace in more than two years.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Gould & Goodrich Releases K-Force Model 320 Holster
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Hand to Mouth: Celebrity!
Hand to Mouth
Friday, March 1, 2013 from 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM (PST)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
James Fluty and Trevor Hill present Hand to Mouth: a monthly, topic-based comedy show where each edition explores a specific social, cultural or political issue. One show, one topic.
March's Topic: Celebrity!
On March 1st, Hand to Mouth will be joined by comedians Lydia Popovich (SF Sketchfest), Cameron Vannini (SXSW), Kelly Anneken (Femikaze), David Hawkins (SF Punchline) and sketch group Comedy Space w/ Ray Molina. Together they will accompany James and Trevor in examining fame, fortune, celebrity worship, cult of personality, tabloid junkies, household names, overnight sensations, one-hit wonders, groupies, sex tapes, book deals, entourages and being "Big in Japan".
Hand to Mouth: Celebrity
Friday, March 1st @ 10:00PM
The Dark Room (2263 Mission St.)
Cover: $5 Advance. $8 at the Door.
When & Where
The Dark Room Theater
2263 Mission St
San Francisco,
Friday, March 1, 2013 from 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM (PST)
Add to my calendar
Hand to Mouth
Hand to Mouth is a one-of-a-kind show that asks comedians to write and perform all new material on a specific social, cultural or political issue. One show, one topic. Comedian Trevor Hill assembles the brightest comics in San Francisco and beyond to find the funny in such topics as commercialism, technology, gender and conspiracy theories. Performers include up-and-comers alongside veteran comics who have appeared on NBC, MTV, E! and Comedy Central. Hand to Mouth uses a mixture of stand-up, debate, earnest opinion, activism and multimedia presentations in order to provide the audience with not only laughs, but a sense of edification. "It would appear allowing comedians to stretch their creativity to encompass yet redefine a specific theme is as good for them as it was for us…" -San Francisco Guardian
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Source: The Denver Channel
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City Sales Releases Inaugral Auckland City Apartment Report
31 March 2014
City Sales Releases Inaugral Auckland City Apartment Report
Detailed analysis of leading apartment broker's statistics unveils several unexpected findings
• Average sale price for an apartment in
Auckland has risen by more than 35% over the last two
• Rental prices on apartments have shown little to no change over the same time frame
• Nearly 80% of all apartments sold have been sold to investors rather than owner occupiers
• The average gross yield for investors has dropped from over 10% to less than 7.5%
City Sales, which tomorrow (April 1) celebrates 17 years of being Auckland's leading apartment specialist, today releases a detailed analysis of sales statistics which unveils trends pertinent to the Auckland City apartment investor.
Martin Dunn, Managing Director responsible for opening City Sales on April Fool's Day in 1997 comments "Producing the City Sales Apartment Report involved scrupulous analysis and examination of our records, but we're now committed to providing this precise market report every month. We hope it will enlighten both our valued owners and also wide investor base and provide them with an insight into the market which until now, hasn't been available to them.
The important thing to bear in mind when reading the City Sales Apartment Report is that the trends are more important than the figures. For example, sale price and dollars per square metre are steadily rising, the rents achieved for apartments has remained constant, and perhaps most importantly we have witnessed a gradual drop in investment yield."
The report is intended to be viewed alongside other influences in order to establish a better understanding of the Apartment market's current status. "We've included sections on considerations and insights, and also tips and advice for vendors as the report is designed to be considered against other important external factors such as the current interest rates and the direction we expect them to continue in, the age of many of the apartments in our market, the current supply versus demand, which is considerably different to the residential market and of course Auckland house prices, which continue to defy gravity."
"We are hopeful that the precise analysis offered will assist apartment owners to make very informed decisions in their forward planning."
The City Sales Apartment Report is available online at www.citysales.co.nz and City Sales encourages apartment owners to contact them to receive specific advice against their own property.


text:
1. We
find it surprising that OST could establish a new organisation
without giving it a clear mission or defining its place in the
policy-making framework. Under these circumstances it is scarcely
surprising that RCUK struggled to establish itself in its community
and lacked a sense of direction and leadership. It is regrettable
that the shortcomings identified in OST's internal review in 2003
were not put right by the following year. (Paragraph 16)
2. we are concerned
that the new structural arrangements do not go far enough towards
giving RCUK the clarity of mission and independence of purpose
that it should have. (Paragraph 18)
3. If RCUK can demonstrate
that it can operate successfully in establishing cross-Council
priorities in an independent manner, we see no reason why it should
not, in time, take full responsibility for the allocation of the
funding awarded to the Research Councils as a whole by Government.
If it is necessary to create RCUK as a legal entity in order to
meet this aim, it should not be ruled out on the basis that it
may be a lengthy process. We recommend that OST consider this
model as a medium term aim. (Paragraph 24)
4. We recommend that
the Joint Strategy Group ceases to be chaired exclusively by the
Director General of the Research Councils. (Paragraph 26)
5. The Government's
extreme sensitivity about separate responses from Research Councils
is stifling the debate which is necessary for good policy-making.
It has established RCUK outside of Government to give a loud collective
voice to the Research Councils in science policy making. To deny
it the opportunity to use its voice without Government approval
is self-defeating and absurd. We recommend that the Government
sets out its reasons for seeking to inhibit the Research Councils
in this way. We further recommend that the Research Councils assert
their independence by submitting, individually or collectively
as appropriate, their own views without seeking Government approval,
starting with the response to this Report. (Paragraph 29)
6. We recommend that
the OST reconsiders the issue of the chairmanship of the RCUK
Executive Group after a further two years. (Paragraph 32)
7. We recognise the
need for an NDPB such as RCUK to respect departmental boundaries
and lines of communication, but in an area which requires joined-up
policy making we would expect RCUK to be a strong representative
of the concerns of Research Councils, particularly over skills
shortages. We have not yet been persuaded that RCUK is exercising
much influence, or even that it is seriously seeking to do so.
(Paragraph 36)
8. We welcome the
steps that RCUK is taking in the context of the Funders' Forum
to gather better statistics with which to inform decision-making
on the sustainability of disciplines. (Paragraph 40)
9. We recommend that
RCUK specifically addresses the issue of short term contracts
in its future work. (Paragraph 41)
10. We recommend that
RCUK ensures that it is heavily involved in the preparation of
the HEFCE response to the invitation to provide the Secretary
of State for Education and Skills with advice on protecting courses
of national strategic importance. (Paragraph 42)
11. We find it surprising
that RCUK and OST between them have not yet worked out how the
DGRC's discretionary fund is to be allocated. We recommend that
the Government draw upon the advice of RCUK and announce in the
near future how this money is to be used. (Paragraph 43)
12. We recommend that
RCUK include clear objectives in its delivery plan for its relationship
with RDAs. We will look closely at how these relations have developed
the next time that we scrutinise RCUK. (Paragraph 47)
13. We welcome the
work that Research Councils are doing to measure the impact of
the move towards funding the full economic costs of research and
look forward to the publication of the full findings of its monitoring
exercise. (Paragraph 51)
14. We recommend that
RCUK considers carefully the demand for, and usefulness of, its
strategy documents before producing any updated versions. (Paragraph
15. We welcome the
stronger stated emphasis by the Research Councils on increasing
responsive mode funding for basic research. In order to demonstrate
that the reality matches the rhetoric, we recommend that RCUK
encourages all Research Councils to maintain comparable statistics
which can clearly demonstrate changes in the balance of funding
over time. In addition, any increase in the level of responsive
mode funding needs to be supported by evidence that it is delivering
outputs: we recommend that the new performance management framework
is capable of providing such indicators. (Paragraph 60)
16. We welcome the
steps RCUK and the Research Councils have taken to provide fuller
information on grant application success rates. We recommend that
RCUK discuss with universities the possibility of making public
this information on a departmental level. (Paragraph 61)
17. We have been encouraged
by the evidence we have found of an enlightened and realistic
view at the Treasury of the benefits and potential uncertainties
involved in funding research, particularly basic research, and
measuring outputs. We also welcome the attempt to establish in
advance yardsticks for measuring performance as an improvement
on the previous tendency towards the retrospective imposition
of such measures. We look forward to examining the detail and
operation of the performance management system in future inquiries.
We recommend that the proposed outcome measures are validated
in a peer reviewed manner to ensure that they do not distort the
research strategy. (Paragraph 63)
18. We welcome the
role RCUK has played in promoting multidisciplinary approaches
to research and the commitment of the Research Councils to supporting
new interdisciplinary research centres. We recommend that the
delivery plans of RCUK and the individual Research Councils indicate
how the commitment to multidisciplinary research will be maintained
and monitored over the next Spending Review period. (Paragraph
19. We welcome the
steps that RCUK and the Research Councils have taken to review
their peer review mechanisms in response to our recommendations.
We accept that there may be reasons why complete harmonisation
is not obtainable but we remain concerned at the extent to which
multidisciplinary grant applications can be adequately catered
for at present. We are pleased to see that RCUK is specifically
addressing this issue in its delivery plan. (Paragraph 71)
20. The impact of
this conservatism on the funding decisions of Research Councils
is a major interest to us. In a period in which Research Councils
are increasingly being required to demonstrate value for money
in their funding, a leaning towards the relatively safe areas
of research would be understandable, but not necessarily desirable.
The operation of the peer review system is a complex, far-reaching
subject which lies outside the scope of this inquiry, but we recommend
that RCUK monitors any signs of an increasingly risk averse culture
developing as part of Research Councils' review process. (Paragraph
21. We welcome the
fact that RCUK has answered our call for a more collective approach
to science in society activities and look forward to the announcement
of the new strategy. We hope that other promised related activities
will not be too far behind. (Paragraph 73)
22. We conclude that
RCUK is playing a useful role in promoting administrative convergence
and much progress has been made. This should benefit cross-Council
co-operation and the administration of joint schemes as well as
realize significant financial savings. However, as we have indicated
earlier, the current partnership model does not lend itself to
dynamic action. It is particularly important that RCUK has mechanisms
for monitoring the full consequences of the decisions that it
and HEFCE take. We believe that the pace of change would be faster
under the arrangements that we have outlined in chapter 3. In
the meantime, the DGRC should monitor progress on a regular basis.
(Paragraph 78)
23. We commend RCUK's
role in the implementation of the Je-S system, which will provide
significant improvements for researchers in applying for grants
and will make interdisciplinary applications more straightforward.
(Paragraph 80)


text:
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text:
Climbié inquiry
Tim Loughton: Response: ContactPoint failed to protect our children – it prioritised data input over social work
Diane Abbott: No senior managers accept responsibility for failing to protect Daniel – the lessons of Victoria Climbié haven't been learned
Simon Jenkins: From Stephen Lawrence to Bloody Sunday, an inquiry serves as the establishment's get out of jail free card
Police in London have a special unit to probe this type of crime but believe they have only scratched the surface
Evidence is emerging that a growing number of children are being subjected to exorcism rituals. Louise Hunt finds out why
Letters: The professional bodies embraced the system's audit culture, and seem to have no concern for the core skills required to engage with vulnerable or dysfunctional people
A Metropolitan Police detective sergeant's account of his harrowing five years working for a child protection team is published this week
Beyond the blame cultureEileen MunroEileen Munro: When child protection fails, we need a system of accountability that asks not who, but why
Let social workers fix familiesLola Okolosie
Lola Okolosie: At-risk children need frontline staff who are allowed to their jobs properly – something Martin Narey does not seem to understand
In the wake of the Baby Peter case, child protection referrals have shot up – but vilification of social workers means there are now far too few to handle the caseloads
Social workers should be able to complain without being sacked, and be allowed make practice mistakes in a supportive learning environment, says Liz Davies
Residential staff and family social workers deserve more credit for the contribution they make to the lives of many of our vulnerable young people
Local authorities are failing to check the fostering arrangements of children who are being looked after by friends or family, says head of Ofsted
The overhaul of children's services that followed the Victoria Climbié case made child protection work even harder, says Liz Davies
Simon Jenkins: Social workers under the cosh of compliance culture have less time than ever to understand problem families
Mend broken homes to end tragedyIain Duncan Smith
Iain Duncan Smith: The terrible death of Baby P will lead to talk of social service reform, but dysfunctional family life lies at the heart of the problem
Learning the lessons, againEditorial
Editorial: No adjective captures what every right-thinking person feels upon hearing the story of Baby P
Government orders urgent review into child welfare within Haringey council, the local authority responsible for the care of Baby P
Tory leader criticises PM for failing to answer his questions about the death of child
Children's minister calls for examination of Haringey council, which was responsible for the care of baby
Outcome of Baby P case prompts questions about value of post-Climbié: reforms
The death of another child on Haringey's child protection register seven years after Victoria Climbié's death shows that the care system is vulnerable, writes David Brindle
'Systematic and operational failures' blamed for second chiild's death while in care of Haringey social services
Foundation set up to improve child protection says 'this case is worse' than death of Victoria Climbié
Report accuses trusts of focusing on structures at expense of improving children's lives
Berthe Climbié says she feels betrayed by local authorities who continue to let children die in their care
Lord Laming's report after the death of Victoria Climbié called for a multi-agency approach to children's care, with adult services split from children's. Do the key players feel progress has been made? Janet Snell reports
The social care professions have failed to heed the lessons of Lord Laming's landmark inquiry into the murder of child abuse victim Victoria Climbié, government-funded research reveals
In the shadow of a tragedyLiz Davies
Lord Laming's report into the murder of Victoria Climbié has led to many tried and tested systems being ditched, warns Liz Davies
A survey today raised fears for the safety of thousands of 'invisible' children, five years after a child abuse inquiry urged tighter monitoring of private fostering arrangements
Efforts to keep track of private fostering are failing, potentially putting children at risk. Kerry Lorimer looks at the reasons why
The public inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié was the most extensive investigation into the child protection system in British history, but doubt has been cast on its long-term impact.
· The creation of a children and families board chaired by a senior government minister to coordinate policies and initiatives that have a bearing on the wellbeing of children and families.


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Wow...that's a unique design...
Considering a controller for a major console such as the box one can be obtained (with a rechargeable battery setup) for $75, I don't see this as a value. It's too expensive for an iPad or other mobile device. Can't you get that Ouya console with controller for$100?
it looks exactly like a 360 controller without the big X in the middle and the D-pad and joy stick switched..
I like the fact that it runs Bluetooth unlike some controllers which plug into the charging port, but personally I don't see myself bringing my iPad and a whole controller to the DMV.


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Zoltan Kovacs, who finished at the bottom Tuesday in the 105kg weightlifting, testified before the IOC disciplinary committee, according to Hungarian team spokesman Dezso Vad. A final decision on his case was expected Thursday.
"He said he made a mistake," Vad said. "He was very sorry, and that's all."
The weightlifter said he left the venue after his competition and learned a urine sample was needed only when he arrived at the athletes' village, Vad said. Kovacs said he went to the testing center three times, but could find no one willing to help him, the spokesman added.
The incident came one day after the Hungarian gold medalist in the men's discus was stripped of his title for failure to provide a drug test sample in an apparent attempt to beat the screening system. Robert Fazekas was disqualified from the competition and expelled from the Games.
Nine weightlifters were previously cited in doping cases since the games began.
These are the second Olympics for Kovacs, who turned 27 the day of the competition. He has been a weightlifter since the age of 10.


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There are no Dirtbags headed to Omaha for the College World Series that starts today, but the little bit of Long Beach that will be there could go a long way in deciding what team comes home with the CWS title.
Arizona State, the prohibitive favorite with a glossy 52-8 record, a 24-game win streak to start the season and only one loss to a team that didn't make the postseason, features former Wilson High standout Zach Wilson as its every day DH and occasional first baseman.
UCLA, the Pac-10 runner-up that is 48-14 and started the year with 22 consecutive wins, has two key local stars on only the third Bruin team ever to reach the CWS, closer Dan Klein, who was born in Long Beach and raised in Los Alamitos, and catcher and former St. John Bosco four-year varsity letterman Steve Rodriguez.
Wilson has had a four-year run of success that might make even Derek Jeter envious. In 2007, he was part of a 32-3 Wilson team that won the program's first CIF title in 50 years and was named No. 1 in the nation at season's end. In 2008, he made another appearance in the Division I final.
He went to Omaha in 2009 as a Sun Devils freshman and is back in Omaha. If he ever goes bald, it will be because teammates past, present and future have rubbed his head free of hair for good luck.
"It's been amazing," Wilson said from Tempe before heading to Nebraska. "The last four years have been the time of my life. I can't explain it other than having been a part of a lot of talented teams."
His Wilson teams were close - the '07 squad included Tyler Albright (Harvard), Elliott Glynn (UConn), Tommy Nance (Long Beach State), Ray Hanson (Cypress College), and minor leaguers Ryan Dent and 2008 first-round draft pick Aaron Hicks - and he keeps in contact with them.
"Right after we won the Super Regional, my phone was blowing up," he said, "Ten messages and 16 texts within the first five minutes, from friends and teammates and former coaches."
Wilson hit .275 as a part-time player in 2009 and became a starter this year, hitting .348 with six home runs and 43 RBIs, including a key home run in the regional-clinching win over Arkansas.
ASU won its first 24 games this season, and Wilson said the team's philosophy is simply to go out and play. "Half the time, we didn't even know who we were playing," he said. "It was `just don't let up.' We were kind of relentless."
ASU didn't lose two games in a row all season.
Closer to home are Klein and Rodriguez, who actually played against each other in high school. Klein was a two-way star at Servite, Rodriguez likewise at Bosco. Klein recalls with great
enjoyment the day he had a game-winning hit for Servite off Rodriguez.
Klein may not be as well known locally as some. His mother, father and four uncles all went to St. Anthony and he grew up in Los Alamitos always believing he would play for the Griffins. He attended John Barnes' summer camps and was enrolled before his freshman season.
Then his parents talked him into Servite in Anaheim.
"I was really all about Los Alamitos as a kid, and I had no idea what it would be like at Servite," he said. "My parents thought it was the best place for me, and it felt OK after I checked it out."
He played three years of varsity baseball and as a senior struck out 84 in 56 innings without allowing a home run. He also was Servite's starting quarterback for three years and left a lasting impact on Long Beach Poly when he threw three touchdown passes in a 28-20 upset of the Jackrabbits in the 2005 CIF playoffs.
"That was the most exciting game I ever played," he said.
He went to UCLA, though, as a baseball player because of his tools, even though there was a time in a lukewarm 2007 season when Bruin football fans were calling him the most talented quarterback on campus.
He pitched in seven games as a freshman in 2008 before a shoulder injury cut his season short. He decided to have surgery to clean up the joint and took a redshirt season in 2009. He was in the mix as a starter for the Bruins in 2010, but the rich depth of arms led him to suggest a switch to closer to head coach John Savage.
"I wanted to be a starter, but with our arms, I felt I could best help the team as the guy who wants the ball when the game is on the line," he said. Baltimore drafted him in the second round of the draft less than two weeks ago and wants to groom him as a starter.
That can wait. He's most interested now in having the chance to close out a title-clinching game with his local buddy Rodriguez behind the plate.
Oklahoma has three locals, too, courtesy of Cypress College coach Scott Pickler. Part-time outfielder Rick Eisenberg (Los Alamitos) is hitting .287, Tyler Brady is a reserve outfielder and Jarrett Semler has a 3.14 ERA in 10 appearances. Starter Bobby Shore (10-4, 3.86) prepared at Oceanside High before reaching Oklahoma via Palomar College.
CWS projections: The eight teams in Omaha are capable of winning and providing a nice cross-section of teams that have deep pitching staffs or powerful lineups.
UCLA (48-14) is in Bracket One and its biggest threat is a TCU (51-12) team that has comparable pitching in Steve Maxwell, Kyle Winkler and freshman Matt Purke (a combined 37-3). Florida (47-15) has solid pitching; Florida State (47-18) depends on its bats; ASU, the No. 1 seed overall, has the best balance of hitting and pitching but, as always, will have to prove capable of winning outside of Arizona, where the Sun Devils played 46 of 60 games (they were 3-3 when not playing in Arizona or California). Oklahoma (49-16) has a team ERA of 3.79. South Carolina (48-15) is even better at 3.61, and it's a very deep staff. Clemson (43-23) wins by outslugging opponents.
We'll go very provincial here and project UCLA vs. Arizona State in the three-game title series. ASU swept UCLA when they met this season-and in Westwood, too.


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Hotel La Torretta
Select your stay dates to check availability at Hotel La Torretta
Hotel La Torretta
About the Hotel
Property Location
When you stay at Hotel La Torretta in Bollate, you'll be in a shopping district and close to Arese Shopping Center and Fiera Milano Exhibition Center. This hotel is within the vicinity of Green Golf Club and Metropoli.
Make yourself at home in one of the 71 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge).
Enjoy a satisfying meal at a restaurant serving guests of Hotel La Torretta. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. This hotel has 3 meeting rooms available for events. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free self parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Free self parking
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Garden
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Restaurant
- Luggage storage
- 24-hour front desk
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Business center
- Free WiFi
- Total number of rooms - 71
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Number of floors - 5
- Multilingual staff
- Meeting rooms
- Number of meeting rooms - 3
- Designated smoking areas
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Elevator/lift
- Laundry facilities
- Bar/lounge
Room Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Satellite TV service
- Minibar
- Bathtub or shower
- Hair dryer
- Room service
- In-room safe
- Private bathroom
- Flat-panel TV
- Free toiletries
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport.
- Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2999.99, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.
- This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
- One child 1 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- Guests can arrange to bring pets by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.


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Author Rick Chiantaretto Re-Releases Facade of Shadows
Salt Lake City, Utah
BernardBooks announced today that award-winning author Rick Chiantaretto, who only releases a book on Friday the 13th, has revisited his writing roots with his first novel Facade of Shadows and re-released the novel with a new blanket of edits since the book was fist discovered and released when he was in high school.
"This book was my high school novel that was picked up by a small press. Getting it published so young was really inspiring at that age. This novel is often a point of interest for teachers and educators, and inspiring to youth," said Rick Chiantaretto. "Since releasing my second novel, Death of the Body, a dark fantasy, my fans have clamored for more and so I decided to re-edit with a fresh face and re-release it, while maintaining the juvenile tone and feel to stay true to the young adult genre."
Facade of Shadows is available at Amazon.
Praise for Facade of Shadows
"Rick Chiantaretto might be a name new to you, but you will definitely run across his name again. An emerging writer who works with old myths and legends and folklore of a spiritual nature, Rick manages to weave entertaining and telling tales. Keep an eye out for Rick Chiantaretto." ~Nancy Kilpatrick, author of The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined.
"A unique and entertaining mix of classic vampire lore and Egyptology with a healthy dose of Buffy and Blade. From a small-town school to the middle of the Sahara desert and beyond, this ambitious and expansive novel will take you on a journey from normality to the edge of oblivion, and leave you gasping for breath." ~David Moody, author of AUTUMN and HATER.
Rick Chiantaretto's dark fantasy Death of the Body was chosen as one of Indie AuthorLands' "50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading" for 2013/2014.


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Best New Candle
This candle is the epitome of brilliance. It glows from inside out, burns forever, and (thank god) is unscented. I bought several for my friends at work and they love them too. They make outstanding office gifts and because of the packaging don't even need wrapping paper!


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Juventus have shrugged off the threat of sanctions from both Fifa and the Italian football federation (FIGC) to lodge a civil court appeal against their punishment for match-fixing.
A spokesman insisted today that the club would put its shareholders' interests above all else, despite threats from Fifa earlier this week that the whole federation could be punished if they continued their appeal to bodies outside the governing body's jurisdiction. Fifa threatened to ban Italian clubs from European competition and the world champion national side from Euro 2008, though they appeared to have relented yesterday after the FIGC promised to impose its own heavy sanctions on the club.
Juventus were stripped of their last two Serie A titles and relegated in July by a soccer tribunal for their part in Italian football's match-fixing scandal; they were originally docked 30 points for the new season, but this was reduced to 17 on appeal. But the club has refused to accept their punishment, and believe they have been made a scapegoat where other clubs were let off lightly.
"Our position has not changed," said a spokesman. "We will go ahead with our appeal because Italian law allows us to. Juventus is doing nothing illegal."
The Turin giants have already had their appeal turned down at various levels, most recently by the Italian Olympic Committee. Now they will turn to the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, where their case will be heard on September 6.
Their ongoing protest has already thrown Italian football into further chaos as the authorities have been unable to release fixture lists for the upcoming season. These are currently due to be released on August 30, with league games to start on September 10, but may now be forced back further.
The FIGC said yesterday it would not hesitate to punish Juventus if they went ahead with the appeal, but have not specified what form this could take. The club have already promised to fight any further sanctions.


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More often than not, Ryan Gosling is a walking meme. His very presence is like one giant "Hey Girl." Even when he is simply standing there, minding his own business, he's being all Gosling-y, what with his sensitive eyes and his knowing smirk and that freaking hair.
So it's understandable that sometimes other, non-Ryan Gosling humans who find themselves around Ryan Gosling simply do not behave normally. Reality, and most social norms, go straight out the window. A person is no longer in charge of their faculties, and their limbs and facial expressions act as though independent of their brain; their brain that is now mush because they can't stop staring right into his eyes.
Fellow celebrities aren't immune from this affliction—in fact, they are even more susceptible on account of their frequent run-ins with the star.
It might be easy to assume that one A-lister could cool it around another A-lister. After all, they're all famous! They're all beautiful! They're all successful! They know each other for Pete's sake. These people have met the Obama family and been perfectly composed, so what's a run-in with a Gosling?
Apparently, it's everything.
Just look at last night. The beyond venerable Meryl Streep, who is still fresh off of delivering an incredibly impressive speech, completely lost control of her faculties around Ryan. He looked so cute that she just needed to ooh and ahh and scratch him under the chin, but because he is a man and not a puppy that she settled for fixing his bow tie.
But we can't blame Meryl (can you ever blame Meryl for anything?), as she is not nearly the first actor to behave in such a manner. Just earlier this month, at the Golden Globes, Emma Stone felt the same inclinations, except that she actually did give him a few pets. He was being such a good boy, and looked so pretty, that he really deserved this pat.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
And then we have fellow Famous Ryan (Reynolds, that is) at the Critic's Choice Awards. Reynolds is normally a very suave and composed man, assured of both his quick wit and his freakishly chiseled jawline. But this interaction proves that no face is angular or scruffy enough to compete with RyGos. Clearly what happened here is that a party photographer shoved Reynolds into Gosling, with some sort of directive about how the two Ryan's facing off during award season should pose together.
And, sadly, all Reynolds could come up with was a finger point. Sure, Gosling did the same, but his face is calm, cool and collected, as if to say, Hey girl, I look great in photos even when I do the finger-point. Reynolds, on the other hand, has a face that say, Holy crap can you believe I'm standing next to Ryan Gosling? And get a load of how good-looking his face is! Also, am I doing the finger-point? My vision is going fuzzy.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
But Reynolds shouldn't be that embarrassed. Fellow A-list actor and occasional heartthrob Russell Crowe was so overwhelmed he could do nothing but hide.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Respected television host Ellen DeGeneres has suffered likewise, unable to help herself on several occasions. Two times in recent history she has interviewed Ryan Gosling, and two times in recent history she has become so overwhelmed with emotion that she jumped into his arms. The first time, the glee on her face was palpable; you could feel the joy radiating off of her.
Michael Rozman / Warner Bros.
The second occasion was just as much Gosling's idea as it was hers. Clearly he realized he really enjoyed the feeling of celebrities not helping themselves around him, and found himself disappointed in an Ellen DeGeneres who held back. Luckily for both parties, it didn't take much convincing for her to throw caution to the wind.
Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.
And finally, there is one Jane Fonda. We don't really know what would happen if the comedian found herself face-to-face with the real Ryan, but let's just say we can think this picture provides all the evidence we really need.
Splash News


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Michael Jackson Marriage Rumors
No one has been the butt of more jokes by everyone from standup comics to fifth graders than Michael Jackson. But the self-proclaimed King of Pop is trying to change all of that… by getting married again.
There are rumors that Jacko is already married to his children's nanny Grace Rwaramba. And while there is confirmation that he WANTS to marry her, his reps are saying it hasn't happened yet.
The reason? Grace was already married to another man, Stacey Adair, in 1995 and the divorce hasn't been finalized yet. A source told press, "I can confirm (the divorce) was never completed. Jackson's lawyers were looking into it. It seems that even though (Rwaramba and Adair) didn't make an appearance to finish the divorce, under California law, there might be a default provision.... That's what his lawyers are researching."
Regardless of the legal red tape, there are reports that Rwaramba is all set to marry the "Beat It" singer. "Grace was happy to go along with it. She's always been devoted to Michael and has raised the kids since the day they were born."
So get ready to say 'hello' to Mrs. Jackson #3. Michael has already been divorced from Lisa Marie (Elvis' Daugher) Presley and Debbie Rowe.
Gossip Girls


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Ford just released the first pictures of its Focus E
electric NASCAR pace car and if you were expecting graphics of bright orange flames from the wheel wells, you might be disappointed.
The look is certainly tasteful, and would appear more at home at the supermarket parking lot than roaring down the track to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at the Richmond International Raceway this Saturday night. Fast and sexy? Forget it. Not when you put a graphic on the side of a wavy ocean and little leaves.
Two Focus electric models were dressed up for the occasion. Ford showed this off today at Virginia's state capitol. Having an all-electric pace car is being viewed as part of NASCAR history.
"It will be a special moment for NASCAR fans across the country, Virginians and the Ford family on Saturday night when the Focus electric completes its first lap as the official pace car for the Capital City 400," said Focus electric boss Eric Kuehn in a statement. "We will also be demonstrating to thousands of race fans and millions more on TV that you can combine performance and fuel-efficiency."
The electric Focus offers the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city, 99 MPGe highway and operates entirely on battery-generated power.
Chris Woodyard is an auto writer for USA TODAY who covers all aspects of motoring. He revels in the exhaust note of a Maserati and the sharp creases of a Cadillac CTS. Chris strives to live a Porsche life on a Scion budget. More about Chris


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by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) Dec 22, 2012
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the development of bigger rockets, state media said Saturday, after Pyongyang sparked international condemnation with a long-range rocket launch.
He gave the order to scientists, technicians and others involved in this month's launch at a banquet on Friday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
"You should develop and launch a variety of more working satellites, including communications satellite, and carrier rockets of bigger capacity," Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.
"The launch... was a grand declaration that demonstrated the DPRK's (North Korea's) independent and legitimate right to use space for peaceful purposes before the world," he said.
He added that the rocket, the satellite and monitoring devices were "indigenously produced, 100 percent".
Kim had already stressed the need to put more satellites into space two days after the December 12 launch, KCNA reported at the time.
North Korea says the launch put a satellite in orbit for peaceful research, but critics say it amounted to a banned ballistic missile test that marked a major advance for the communist state's nuclear weapons programme.
It sparked international condemnation, including from the United Nations, although the North's main ally China is said by diplomats to be resisting US-led efforts to order new sanctions against Pyongyang at the UN Security Council.
Pyongyang is already under international sanctions for conducting two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, which both came after long-range rocket launches.
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June 19, 2004 – 30 Sivan 5764
Annual: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 (Etz Hayim, p. 860; Hertz p. 639)
Triennial Cycle: Numbers 17:25 - 18:32 (Etz Hayim, p. 869; Hertz p. 645)
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1 – 24, 66:23 (Etz Hayim, p. 1219; Hertz p. 944)
Maftir: Numbers 28:1 - 15 (Etz Hayim, p. 929; Hertz p. 694)
Prepared by Rabbi Howard Buechler
Dix Hills Jewish Center, Dix Hills, NY
Department of Congregational Services
Rabbi Martin J. Pasternak, Director
The portion of Korach contains 95 verses. It is also the basis of 9 of the 613 mitzvot. There are six Torah portions (out of 54) that are named for individuals: Noah, Hayyei Sarah, Yitro, Korach, Balak and Pinchas (what values are lived and exemplified -- or not -- by each of these salient individuals?)
As the Israelites begin to assimilate the knowledge that the generation that left Egypt is going to die off in the wilderness due to events in last week's Torah reading, events begin to swirl and storm around Moses. The adage that you can take the Jews out of Egypt, but you cannot take Egypt out of the Jews seems to assume new meaning in the portion of Korach.
Moses, a member of the tribe of Levi, is confronted by revolt and revolution as two strands of rebellion coalesce in the narrative. Korach is also descended from the tribe of Levi and he stokes up a religious revolt against the leadership of Moses. Woven into this complex combustible confrontation is a civil uprising led by the enigmatic leaders Dathan and Abiram. They are descendants of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and claim their title of leadership based upon primogeniture, first-born rank birth order. Two hundred fifty prominent leaders also protest the leadership of Moses and join forces with Korach.
Moses accepts the gauntlet of challenge and speaks to Korach and his company of revolutionaries and offers to engage them in a test of faith as to whom God truly has chosen as a leader of the Israelites and through whom the Divine message is channeled. A remarkable gathering of 250 men with Korach and their incense pans (in a test of faith later paralleled and demonstrated on Mt. Carmel by Elijah in his confrontation with the Priests of Ba'al) opposite Moses and Aaron ends in a seismic denouncement – the earth itself opens up and the revolutionaries and their possessions are swallowed alive.
Aaron's son Elazar then forges the charred remains of their incense pans into the copper plating for the incense altar. This was meant to be a perpetual sign and reminder of the perils of revolting against the divinely chosen leadership. In addition, a plague then breaks out in the encampment and a significant number of Israelites perish "on account of Korach" (17:14). This outbreak abruptly ceases when Aaron offers atonement for their transgressions utilizing the copper-plated incense altar made from the charred remains of Korach's revolt.
The elevated status of Aaron is also confirmed in a most unusual fashion. Aaron's wooden staff and those of the 12 princes are gathered together. In a remarkable phenomenon, Aaron's staff blossoms and is then preserved in the Ark of the Covenant as a perpetual sign of his anointed Priestly leadership. The Torah then describes the roles of the Aaron and his Priestly descendants (Kohanes) and their role in leading the rituals in the Tabernacle and the subordinate role and division of labor amongst the Levites. The responsibility of the people to tithe and provide for the sanctuary and those who perform the sacred roles there is delineated. For example, the Levites are to receive the ma'aser rishon from the appropriate harvest, while the Kohanes receive the terumah, the best portions of the crops.
Levi is the tribe into which Moses and Aaron are born. As Aaron demonstrates his loyalty to Moses and fidelity to God, he and his progeny are promoted to become Kohane's - the Priestly aristocracy, while all others of the tribe of Levi remain as Levites. Over time, the Levitical role in the sanctuary was not only subordinate to the Priests, but they were also responsible for transporting the portable tabernacle, singing Psalms and functioning as intermediaries between the Priests and the people.
Levi is also the proper name given to the third son of Jacob and Leah and the root of Levi is related to the word "attach" as in the etymology given in Genesis 29:34 "my husband is attached to me and has given me this son, also". In this parasha, there is a deliberate word pun on Levites and attachment to the sanctuary in the word "yelavu" (18:2) which reads that the Levites will be attached to you (Aaron) and serve you and your sons.
The term Levi is often identified in triads, arrangements of threes. Levi is the third son of Jacob and is a three-letter name. Moses is the third child of Amram and Yocheved and has a three-letter name. Furthermore, Moses, a Levite, is hidden for three months in order to be spared potential destruction by Pharoah. Moses also receives the Torah in the third month of the Exodus from Egypt.
The demagoguery of Korah, Datan and Aviram permeates this Torah reading. Their rebellions and revolutionary posturing is alluded to in the very first phrase of the Torah reading "Va-yikah Korah" which translates as "and Korah took." There is no modifier for what Korah took and Rashi (the classic interpreter of Torah who lived in the 11th century in France and Germany) notes that Korach took himself and placed himself at odds with the community, communal values and communal leadership. He tried to seize the reins of leadership and grab glory and grandeur for himself. His envy and jealously of his distant cousin Moses sparked his fanatic passion to create the chaos revealed in this Torah reading.
Pirkay Avot, the Ethics of the Sages teaches that controversy for the sake of Heaven (as the invigorating discussions of Hillel and Shammai) will have lasting value, while controversy NOT for a Heavenly cause will not endure (as in the schism of Korah and his community). Hillel and Shammai disagreed on many points of Jewish law, yet they never became disagreeable! Ideas to explore include how can one convey an opinion or firmly held belief without resorting to verbal pyrotechnics, degrading comments or poisonous rhetoric? What are the techniques and values, which enable different viewpoints to be articulated without generating controversy and arguments? What are the guidelines to use our speech as a gift?
As Korach and his band of followers are dispatched in a seismic event of tremendous magnitude, look carefully at the Biblical verses that capture this moment. "They and all that was theirs descended alive to Sheol; the earth covered them over, and they were lost from among the community (16:33)." The Midrash speculates that Korach descended to Sheol, which is literally translated as a shadow/netherworld. The term Sheol is in fact one of the rare Torah allusions -- later amplified by Jewish theologians throughout history -- that life transcends our physical world and part of our humanity/soul always survives. The Midrash comments that Korach was kept alive forever in order to cry out: Moses was right!
A cursory reading of the text would have one believe that Korah died along with his family and the other households -- and this is in line with the thinking that the rebellious nature of Korach contaminated all around him, and that he, his family and all his followers were filled with evil and deserved punishment. Yet there is a curious and compelling notation in Numbers 26:11 that succinctly states, "The sons of Korach did not die."
As Jews, we affirm that each person is responsible for their own actions and deeds, and that the transgressions of past generations are not always an indicator for the future generations. The apple does not fall far from the tree is a nice aphorism, but not always good theology as God teaches that each person is responsible for their own sins. There is a remarkable prayer recited in our services, the Psalm for Monday, which commences with the phrase, "A song composed by the sons of Korach" (and other psalms as well!). The paradox is self-evident -- Korach is the paradigmatic demagogue and rebel leading people astray and suffering punishment divinely ordained. Yet his sons survive and go on to lead lives whereby they compose uplifting and inspiring poetry. This is a startling realization in that a man, who led so many to revolt, is blessed with children who lead us to piety. Korach the rebel provides faith in the future through his righteous children. How can we apply this teaching to historical figures? There are dynasties that seek to do evil, yet, at times, we must be careful not to prejudge. How do you react to this idea? Does evil always disappear and can goodness at times be filtered from horrific moments?
(1. 250 men. 2. To symbolize the unity of Aaron (elevated to Priestly status), Moses and other Levites served the people on behalf of God. 3. The new moon which appears is a slender crescent that waxes from the right and then wanes towards the left (the mnemonic device is that the moon progresses in the evening sky in the same fashion by which we read Hebrew - from right to left. The full or harvest moon is mid-month!