text:
Miss J.'s Tips On How To Work A Runway
Maybe it's that I was drinking—no, chugging—the Fashion's Night Out Kool-Aid the other night, but, gotta say, getting out and about and shopping felt pretty damn good, though not in a "I'm slapping down my credit card" way. Anyways, I wasn't the only one who turned up at H&M's Herald Square store. Miss J. Alexander of "America's Next Top Model" also attended. But he (or if you ask some of Miss J. superfans, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in the "ANTM" trenches — "she") had more on her night's agenda than just riffling through the racks for the perfect, red winter coat. (Though there were loads of people on line for the cash register with armloads of clothes!) Miss J. was giving runway strutting lessons. Man, did people just eat it up. The line to get some catwalking tips was—I kid you not—out the door and down the street. It was madness — sheer lunacy!
So how do you rock your thang down a runway? After the jump, a bunch of tips from the catwalk vet—and a few photos of her doing what she does best.
1. Heels are a must, ladies. You feel and actually do look sexier. One novice mistake—not roughing up the soles of a new pair of shoes and wiping out in front of rows and rows of people. Take a piece of sandpaper and scrub the soles of your shoes. You'll be thankful you did when you hit a smooth marble floor.
2. Confidence is everything—if you don't have a lick of it, fake it. Shoulders back, pelvis forward. A little self-confidence ups your hot factor by ten, honey.
3. Walk like it's for sale and the rent is due tonight. AKA, put some oomph into it, kids. And always land on the balls of your feet.
4. Go with the staredown—and never, ever look at your feet (or even remotely close).
5. Keep your arms close to your body so that only your lower arms sway. Your hands and fingers should be relaxed—don't death-grip your hands.
6. Foot in front of foot (as opposed to side by side). Take the center!


text:
Legislators push for bigger prizes to aid nonprofits
HARRISBURG -- A bill to expand prizes in small games of chance at clubs and fire halls was shelved when other gambling proposals took center stage in the Legislature.
Now, a bipartisan group of legislators is trying to revive House Bill 169, intended to help struggling nonprofit organizations by boosting prizes for drawings and raffles. Small games of chance, including punch boards, were legalized in the 1980s when the Legislature overrode a veto by the late Democratic Gov. Robert P. Casey.
"Hopefully, we'll get this moving," said Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington County, the bill's sponsor. He is Canonsburg's fire chief.
The bill was set for House consideration last April. But it was removed from the calendar and sent to the House Appropriations Committee. Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to legalize video poker in taverns and clubs got most of the attention before it fell flat. Then, in the midst of last year's budget impasse, an unsuccessful proposal to tax small games of chance emerged. Last fall, both chambers were absorbed in approving table games at casinos.
All of that contributed to slowing down House Bill 169, Solobay said.
"Everybody was nervous about having two gambling proposals on the floor at the same time," he said.
Solobay and Republican Rep. Sheryl Delozier on Friday urged House leaders to move forward with the small games bill.
"Our community groups are struggling to meet their expenses and fund projects and services throughout our local communities," Delozier said. "This legislation has bipartisan support."
"We are continuing to review the bill," said Brett Marcy, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne County. "This is a complex issue that requires thoughtful deliberations by our caucus."
Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, is finalizing another bill that would expand small games of chance prizes for nonprofits and legalize small games in taverns. DePasquale said his proposal would tax such games in taverns but not in clubs and social halls.
But some American Legion members with whom she has talked are leery of allowing small games in taverns, Delozier said.
Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Reading, is a co-sponsor of Solobay's bill. He said he would sign on to DePasquale's bill, in an effort to get something moving. Many clubs "are in terrible shape," Caltagirone said. "But mom and pop taverns have been taking a beating."
"Remember the idea of video poker in taverns sank like a stone," said Erik Arneson, communications director for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County. "I am not sure how much, if any, additional support exists for small games of chance in taverns."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
3 Aerocity hotels submitsecurity plans, await nod
A month ago, three of nearly a dozen hotels in Aerocity - the 45-acre hospitality district located right next to the Delhi airport - submitted their security plans to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to obtain permission for commencing operations. Faizan Haidar reports.delhi Updated: Jul 18, 2013 23:34 IST
A month ago, three of nearly a dozen hotels in Aerocity - the 45-acre hospitality district located right next to the Delhi airport - submitted their security plans to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to obtain permission for commencing operations.
But a committee formed to look into the security aspects of Aerocity is yet to either see or approve the plans submitted by the hotels as a number of meetings were postponed on several occasions.
The hotels, ready for nearly a year now, have no option but to wait for a go-ahead from the security agencies before they can actually start functioning.
According to sources, the hotels submitted detailed plans and also installed bulletproof glass in rooms facing the runway. However, the authorities are clueless as to how to the check the quality of the glass.
It is also mandatory for the hotels to have a biometric system for strict access control to the buildings close to the runway. "We have so far received security plans of three hotels and are satisfied with them. One of the hotels, which had faced a terrorist attack in Pakistan, has submitted the best plan. It comprised a seven-layer security system. We hope others will follow it and have the same security standards," said a BCAS official, requesting anonymity.
In July 2011, the Delhi Police objected to the construction of hotels right next to Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Delhi Police had conducted a security audit and found that once constructed, the hotels would be security hazard due to their proximity to the runway.
In the security plan, the hotels have claimed that the credentials of all the employees have been verified. As per BCAS standards, any kind of firearms are banned inside the hotels.
"Except government armed personnel, no one will be allowed to enter the hotels with firearms. Only authorized people will have access to the rooftops. All buildings in the Aerocity area will have dedicated security wings to ensure implementation of all desired security procedures," the official added.
The ball of security clearance now lies in the court of the committee, which consists members of Delhi Police, Airports Authority of India, the ministry of civil aviation, Central Industrial Security Force and the Bureau for Civil Aviation Security.
The panel will decide whether or not the security plans proposed are good enough for the hotels to start operations.


text:
Who We Serve
QSCAN Warehouse Software
In order to manage our own inventory, IBF's IT experts have developed custom warehouse software known as QSCAN. After seeing how well it works, many of our customers have licensed QSCAN to use in their own warehouse facilities.
The only software of its kind that integrates with Quantum, QSCAN utilizes the bar-code scanning capabilities of Windows-based Pocket PC devices to track your inventory. It consists of four modules for receiving, inventory reconciliation, releasing, and delivery.
If you'd like to see an interactive demo of how the software works, just give us a call at 800.388.3650.
View photos of a recent QSCAN installation here.


text: If it were a medium it would be different story. Does anyone have experience with the LIMBO POINTELLE KNIT WOOL CARDIGAN? I am looking for a few new cardigans but I dont want to spend more than$300-$350 each. Anyone know of where I can find a solid purple and solid red wool or wool blend cardigan?


text:
Geneva (AFP) Dec 16, 2008
Papua New Guinea has been pummelled by non-stop tidal waves and unusually high tides that have forced 75,000 people from their homes this month, the United Nations said Tuesday.
The autonomous PNG region of Bougainville, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia were also affected by the high waves, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
"Half the population of (Papua New Guinea's) Manus Island has been displaced," OCHA spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs told reporters.
"The government of Papua New Guinea has declared a state of national disaster and a team of OCHA experts should arrive Wednesday to examine their needs," she said.
"The fact that the affected islands are scattered and the never-ending nature of the tidal waves make the evaluation of the situation very difficult," Byrs said.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more
Macao's University To Analyze Data From China's Moon Probe
Macao (XNA) Dec 15, 2008
The Macao University of Science and Technology (MUST) Friday unveiled its lab of applied research of moon and planetary exploration science, which will analyze the data obtained by China's first moon probe Chang'e-1.
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement


text:
Any FCCLA member interested in purchasing a FCCLA letterman's jacket patch may do so now. They are $5 and can be purchased from Mrs. Adkison.
Any high school student interested in doing the spring play needs to sign up on the list outside of the high school office. The play will take place in the spring around Prom time. If you sign up, you are expected to be at all practices. The type of play will be a comedy and picked based upon the number of students who have signed up. We will hold a meeting soon and discuss any questions.
The Chillicothe YMCA will be holding the Elks Hoop Shoot Free-Throw contest on Saturday. Any student who will be between the ages of 8-13 on April 1, 2014 is eligible to compete. Students may pick up information from Coach Lin.
Attention students: Bring in your new or gently used winter clothing to your homerooms. The homeroom with the most items and points will win a pizza party. Last day to bring in items is December 18. Pizza party will be December 20.
The Angel Tree for the Backpack Program and Adopt a Child is available. Any school organization member, faculty or staff who would like to adopt a child may see Mrs. Holcomb for an ornament.
Attention Upward Bound students who do not stay after school for A Squared: Your advisor will be here for your monthly meeting today at 2:50 p.m.
The GHS Student Council would like to spread holiday cheer! They are asking each homeroom to help by decorating their doors for Christmas. The doors will be judged on the last day before break! Also Student Council has placed boxes under the Christmas tree by the office. Please bring canned foods to donate to those in need.
Attention Juniors: If you are interested in being chosen to attend Missouri Boys State or Missouri Girls State this summer, you need put your name on the list in Mrs. Cox's office no later than Friday.
The high school band concert will be Wednesday at 7 pm. Band students need to be at school at 6 p.m. to dress and prepare for
the concert.
FCCLA will be holding their annual Christmas party Wednesday during the lunch shifts. There will be pizza, punch, and a whole lot of FUN!!! Please bring school supplies for admission. These will be donated to the elementary school teachers. For more information please contact any FCCLA officer or Mrs. Adkison.
Sign-up sheets for high school and junior high Academic Teams are outside Mrs. Dyke's room.
NHS members – Reminder that dues double if not paid by the end of first semester.
Homeroom teachers, please dismiss the drum line to the gym today and Wednesday. Students are: Harrison Pettit, Melinda Hess, Charles Crabb, Jasmine RamIrez, Jonah Flanders, Coby Brogan, Garrett Pettit, Ty Hanson, Levi Davis, Briar Roll, Garrett Lewis, Jackie Flanders, Jade Wayne, John Gibson.
Attention Juniors and Seniors: Registration forms and deposit money for second semester dual credit Government, English IV, and Health are due to Mrs. Cox no later than Wednesday, December 18. A parent signature is required on the enrollment form.
Attention Sophomores: You have concession stands tonight. Please sign up to work on the sheet located on Mrs. Critten's door.
Lunch menu: Popcorn Chicken, Breaded Pork Steak, Meat for Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli, Milk and Unlimited Fruit and Salad Bar.


text:
- 8 total posts
- 1 comment
- 7 questions
Questions from 123anona
Visible Graft After Rhinoplasty
I had rhinoplasty abt 2 mnths ago &although there is still some swelling, there is a small bump sticking out on middle part of my nose where a cartilage graft was placed.... READ MORE
Pointy Tip Cartilage - What Can I Do?
I find my tip very pointy and edgy because the allar cartilage is sticking out, is very pronounced and pointed a bit downwards at the end (the actual shape of cartlg.). What... READ MORE
Tip Deprojecting and Reshaping Through a Closed Rhinoplasty?
Can you deproject the tip through a closed rhinoplasty? Also, is it possible to reshape lower allar cartilage through this approach? For instance if their shape is pointing... READ MORE
Rotate Tip Under Local Anesthesia?
Is it possible to rotate nose tip upwards slightly under local anaesthesia? That is, without doing it as an actual rhinoplasty surgery in the surgery room but more like a... READ MORE
Asymetrical Septum After Rhinoplasty
I had rhinoplasty 3 weeks ago. Among other issues I had a deviated septum. During the first week I noticed the cast was slitly tilting to one side& sure enogh my... READ MORE
Massaged Botox, Shorter Longevity?
Today I had 2 units of botox injected into the sides of my nose in order to further improve the look of my deep nasolabial folds. I didn't know better and massaged it a lot... READ MORE
Bringing Upper Front Teeth Down with Braces & Elastics?
My upper teeth show very little when I smile, and my lower teeth are mostly visible. How many mm can upper teeth potentially be brought down with traditional braces? Is it... READ MORE
Recent comments from 123anona
Your results look great. Did you have to wear elastics on front? If so, which teeth were they attached to? Was it in a triangle or square shape? Also, did you have to wear them all the time or only at night? Thanks! :) READ COMMENT


text:
Board Meeting Tuesday,
December 3, 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 6:00 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioners Wilhelm, Reynolds, Oslin, and Tellinghuisen.
Approve the agenda. (Wilhelm, Tellinghuisen; 5-0)
Roxy Traxler, County Administrator, gave a presentation on the Countys 2014 proposed budget and levy.
Approve the following consent agenda items: Approve Minutes of 11/19/13 Board Meeting; Review of Auditors Warrants; Approve the Cross-County Archiving and Confidentiality Agreement with Morrison County; Adopt Resolution to Approve Charitable Gambling by Prevent 7; Adopt Resolution PWD 12-3-13-22, Acceptance of Culvert Replacement Project; Adopt Resolution PWD 12-3-13-23, Acceptance of Bituminous Overlay and Aggregate Shouldering Project; Authorize the Public Works Department to proceed with preparation of a contract for mowing services; Authorize the Public Works Department to proceed with preparation of a contract for graveling; Authorize purchase of three pickup trucks for an amount not to exceed $85,000, and authorize disposal of three pickup trucks (Units #1901, 9520, and 9410); Submittal of various monthly reports. (Oslin, Wilhelm; 5-0)
Approve the purchase of Toshiba eStudio 5540c and eStudio 5520c color copiers from Minnesota Copy Systems for the amount of SI 6,499. (Oslin, Wilhelm; 5-0)
Authorize purchase of a Brush Bandit 12 drum chipper for an amount not to exceed $38,000, and to authorize disposal of the current chipper (Unit #60). (Wilhelm, Oslin; 5-0)
Approve the request by Dakoda Hudak for an Interim Use Permit on property generally located at 7585 90th Street, Princeton, subject to conditions. (Tellinghuisen, Oslin; 5-0)
Approve the request by Appcldooms Sunset Bay Resort to renew their interim Use Permit to allow outdoor weddings on property generally located at 45401 and 54332 Mille Lacs Parkway, subject to conditions. (Oslin, Wilhelm; 5-0)
Approve the request by Erick and Karen Jacobson for a Conditional Use Permit for an accessory structure without a dwelling on property generally located on the south side of Breeze Along, midway between Meander Way and Treasure Cove, subject to conditions. (Reynolds, Oslin; 5-0)
Approve the request by Thomas Briscoe for a Conditional Use Permit for a home-based business (seasonal antique store) in the Wild and Scenic River District on property generally located at 33171 US Highway 169, Onamia, subject to the conditions. (Wilhelm, Reynolds; 5-0)
Adopt Resolution 12-03-13-1, Issuing a Negative Declaration on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Eddys Demolition and Reconstruction. (Oslin, Reynolds; 5-0)
Table action on the request by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for a Conditional Use Permit for a commercial planned unit development to allow for an additional condition to be added addressing wetland delineation. (Wilhelm. Oslin; 5-0)
Close the meeting at 7:07 p.m., pursuant to M.S. 13D.05, Subd. 3(c)(3), to discuss right-of-way acquisition with the following present: Cmsrs Tellinghuisen, Wilhelm, Peterson, Reynolds, and Oslin; County Engineer Cochran; Sr. Engineering Project Manager Anderson; County Administrator Traxler; and Personnel Director Herges. (Tellinghuisen, Reynolds; 5-0)
Re-open the meeting at 7:21 p.m. (Wilhelm, Tellinghuisen; 5-0)
Authorize the County Engineer to purchase right-of-way for CSAH 4 from Kevin and Shirley Lee as recommended. (Wilhelm, Tellinghuisen; 5-0)
Authorize the County Engineer to purchase right-of-way for CSAH 4 from Walter and Mildred Schimming as recommended. (Wilhelm. Reynolds; 5-0)
Mille Lacs County Board Meeting Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m. (Oslin, Tcllinghuiscn; 5-0)
ATTEST:Roxy Traxler
County Administrator
Phil Peterson
County Board Chairman
Published in the
Mille Lacs County Times
December 26, 2013
December 3


text:
Friday, February 25, 2011
Two in the hand
Monday, February 21, 2011
Lorne Pier and poetry
Last dregs of summer
Left town after lunch on Friday, hoping to fly north but the flights were all full. Instead, we headed for the south coast, hoping to catch the last dregs of a disappointing summer. It was cold and wet driving down, and the wind picked up as we took the winding Great Ocean Road into Lorne. The wind picked up when we arrived and the whole weekend was covered in a fine mist of rain, even when the sun came out and the skies cleared, the misty rain stayed.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Six-word memoirs
I've been captivated by the idea six-word stories since I read this one by Hemingway, the master of the carefully selected and edited word: "for sale: baby shoes, never worn". This little video carries on in the same theme, but focuses on memoirs of ordinary (and some more than ordinary) people.It's funny and sad but always reminds me of a quote I wrote down, and now can't remember the author or where I found it, about being captivated by strangers.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Suburban warfare
Some days this feels like a prison, a detention centre of some sort or a scene from a (post)modern warfare flick like Tomorrow When the War Began or Red Dawn.
Labels: garden , neighbourhood
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I replanted the bulbs in the empty space behind the peak there. Come late winter, I'll probably be desperate for any hint of spring to come.
First blush
I hadn't been sure what kind of miniature capsicum these plants were growing. Are they going to turn red or are they meant to stay gree? When do I pick them?
Posted by Lilybett at 12:09 PM No comments :
Thursday, February 10, 2011
After the storm
The torrents of water that got dumped in about an hour of the storm a few days ago flooded the roads, made cars float away and thoroughly saturated Lovely Husband on his way home from work. Our neighbourhood suffered its own destruction, although compared to other places, we got off fairly easy.
It'll take weeks for the smell of all this debris to fade. Here, at the kids' playground, there are still garlands of SES tape around the swings and the slide set. The council's work trucks have gouged tyre tracks all over the marshy grass. The mosquitos are lingering.
Labels: flood , neighbourhood , storm
Christmas lingers still
Posted by Lilybett at 11:09 AM No comments :
Labels: Christmas
Water works
Our water company hand delivered a letter last week, outlining the works they were planning to do in our street. On Monday, two large trucks delivered a zippy little bob-cat and a larger window-rattling one on tank-treads, lengths of pale blue pipe, mounds of dirt and gravel and five orange-vested workmen (three of whom seem to have Irish accents).
The council's shivery gum seedling stands watch over the hole. During summer, council workers have driven around at least once a week to water these baby trees up and down the road. If the water workmen kill it, I won't be very impressed.
In the early afternoon, when the workmen knock off, they place tall orange poles and cones around the mounds of dirt, the abandoned machinery and the holes, and unfurl this safety ribbon. These tiny, fluttering strips snap and cry in the wind at night.
Posted by Lilybett at 11:03 AM No comments :
Labels: neighbourhood
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Year of the rabbit
Chinese New Year celebrations in the city. Wandered along the river and through the hawker's market, sniffing and nibbling at all of the food stalls. Hot spring rolls and prosperity salad with radish cake and egg. Tofu skewers and flat squares of warm honey beef jerky.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Not letting another library of Alexandria burn
Young people are joining hands and forming barricades to protect Egypt's library's from damage while people riot throughout the cities. The librarian of the Library of Alexandria put out a message on the library's homepage.
"The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the streets of Egypt. Led by Egypt's youth, with their justified demands for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns.
The library is safe thanks to Egypt's youth, whether they be the staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours. However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political issues that triggered the demonstrations." - Ismael Serageldin
A T-Rex in the library
I've been getting all Homer-Simpson-and-the-donut about Bookshelf Porn, a website for those who *sparkly heart* books, libraries, bookshelves and general nerdery. Perhaps it's the arrangements, the books themselves, the projection of myself into those spaces but mostly I think it's the delight you can sense from the other side of the lens.
This picture was taken in the Natural History Museum, by way of Matt Cox (of my.opera.com). It delights me.
It also reminds me what fun nerds can be.
This picture was taken in the Natural History Museum, by way of Matt Cox (of my.opera.com). It delights me.
It also reminds me what fun nerds can be.
Posted by Lilybett at 10:17 AM No comments :
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Where the roses grow
The front garden is full of roses in varying degrees of bloom and decay. The beds need mulching, the bushes need dead heading and I never water them, but somehow, miraculously perhaps, they survive. They grow, they flower. They smell lovely.
These photos were taken in the dying light of a 30 degree day. At a quarter to eight, the wind was blowing and a cool change had swept a bank of grey rain clouds across the sky.
These photos were taken in the dying light of a 30 degree day. At a quarter to eight, the wind was blowing and a cool change had swept a bank of grey rain clouds across the sky.
Posted by Lilybett at 12:45 PM No comments :
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )


text:
Bilstein Custom Valve 1-5/8 Inch Small Body Steel Shock, 6 Inch
Click image to enlarge
Reviews (0)
What's in the Box
These mono-tube gas shocks feature the latest development in shock valving technology; digressive valving. This delivers a new level of control by damping slow suspension movements more effectively while not allowing the chassis to be upset by sharp bumps. Bilstein has set the standard for years in Winston Cup, Indy Car and Formula 1. Now it's setting the standard for Modifieds, Late Models and Open Wheel.
- Use on the front of Modifieds and Sprints
- Also suitable for Midgets, TQ's, Dwarf Cars, etc.
- Monotube gas pressure construction
- Economy price
- Lightweight
- Low rod pressure
- Bilstein's famous consistent, fade-free performance
- Features one bearing end and one welded end
- 1-5/8" steel body
- 6" stroke
- Custom valving
Note: This shock is custom valved and assembled by our expert staff. Due to its custom nature, it cannot be returned for a refund.


text:
Industrial sales and lower wholesale prices lift Contact 1H earnings
By Pattrick Smellie
Feb. 18 (BusinessDesk) – Contact Energy reported a 5 percent improvement in underlying earnings for the six months to Dec. 31, with improved sales to industrial and commercial customers and lower wholesale electricity prices offsetting lower mass market sales and weak overall demand.
Statutory net profit, which includes the non-cash impact of items such as unrealised changes in the value of financial instruments, rose 27 percent to $112 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisatisation and fair value movements (ebitdaf) was up 4 percent on the same period the previous year, at $264 million.
The company's preferred measure for comparative performance, underlying earnings excluding one-off factors, showed a 5 percent rise to $97 million. It offered no guidance for the full year.
An unchanged 11 cents per share fully imputed dividend was declared, payable March 27. The company also announced it will be offering up to $250 million in retail bonds with a coupon interest rate of between 5.8 percent 6 percent, based on demand. Contact is close to completing a wider debt refinancing package, with future capital expenditure needs dropping dramatically after spending some $2 billion on new generation and upgrades over the last six years.
However, the company continues to experience significant delays in commissioning its new geothermal plant, at Te Mihi, with its hot well pumps not performing to specification. That will delay full commissioning until the end of this year, chief executive Dennis Barnes said in statements to the NZX.
"In the event that further modifications to the hot well pumps are required, the production impacts will be reduced by diverting steam to the existing Wairakei units," he said. "The associated commercial matters are in the process of being resolved with the contractor."
Geothermal generation of 1,087 Gigawatt hours was down 58GWh, largely due to Te Mihi commissioning outages. The new plant ran for a month at 159 Megawatts, close to rated capacity, in December.
Today's announcements do not appear to make any provisions relating to the issues at Te Mihi.
Contact also continues not to contract for additional natural gas, although it booked a $33 million cost in the half year under review relating to the injection of gas into its Ahuroa storage facility, taking stored gas to 11.6 Petajoules. The company is building a nine kilometre pipeline from Ahuroa to its Stratford combined cycle gas turbine plant to reduce reliance on production facilities at Waihapa, recently sold to New Zealand Energy Corp. Reduced reliance on take-or-pay gas and greater use of hydro and spot market electricity purchases instead of its own gas-fired plant also helped contain costs.
The average wholesale price received for generation during the half was $47 per MWh, down $9 per MWh in the corresponding period.
Total revenue for the six months was $1.148 billion, down 5 percent on the corresponding period, while operating expenses were 8 percent lower at $884 million.
Mass market electricity sales fell 4 percent to total $496 million in the six months to Dec. 31, while commercial and industrial electricity sales rose 8 percent to $279 million. Competition for retail customers using both gas and electricity remained intense, and retail gas sales fell 4 percent to $35 million, although retail gas customer numbers rose by 1,500 in the half.
On the retail customer front, Contact described New Zealand's electricity market "one of the most active … in the world", with average monthly customer switches between retailers rising to 33,500, compared with 29,000 in the previous six months. Total retail electricity customers fell 4,000 between December 2012 and December 2013, although the rate slowed in the six months under review to 1,000.
Just over half the company's customers are now on a discounted price deal, either its market-leading 22 percent prompt payment discount, or a fixed price, fixed term deal.
A "retail transformation" project, in planning since 2007, was delayed further "to ensure the business is fully prepared to provide customers with a seamless experience."
"Contact welcomes the more stable competitive environment that should result from the partial privatisation of previously state-owned enterprises," said Barnes. "While this will mean that the industry, including Contact, will be in the full glare of scrutiny from investors, customers and the community to maintain a reliable and competitive supply of energy, it is also expected this will ultimately be for the benefit of the customer with a lower cost industry driven by efficiency and innovation."
The company continues to argue against the Labour and Green parties' NZ Power proposal to create a single buyer and reduce wholesale electricity prices, saying there is "no evidence" that Contact earns "super-profits."
"Savings of $500 million to $700 million are targeted, but (it's) not clear they exist," according to presentation slides with the result. "Over 50 percent of savings will be borne by the government from lower taxes and dividends."


text:
Microsoft's hardware restrictions could leave Windows Phone 7 owners in the lurch.
When it comes to hardware requirements Microsoft rules Windows Phone 7 with an iron fist. In the pursuit of consistency, Microsoft has insisted for the last two years that WP7 handsets can only utilise single-core processors and offer a 480x800 screen resolution. This helps extend the battery life while ensuring that WP7 apps look and perform the same on different handsets. The Windows 7.5 Mango update also runs smoothly on older devices, something that can't always be said for Android.
It's easy to scoff at Microsoft's efforts to be one of the cool kids, but Windows Phone 7 is actually pretty good. Yet hardware limitations are frustrating when you're dealing with otherwise impressive new WP7 handsets such as the 4.3-inch Nokia Lumia 900 and the 4.7-inch HTC Titan 4G.
These slick WP7 superphones can hold their heads high alongside their Android and iOS rivals, until you take a closer look. To be fair the phones don't look blurry, not even the hefty Titan 4G, but once you fire up the browser you start to notice that the resolution is lacking in places. You also notice that pages render more slowly than on the Android dual-core and quad-core superphones.
These limitations aren't deal-breakers in themselves, but they're frustrating when you see what the competition has on offer. To me Windows Phone 7 would be more attractive running on the HTC One XL, designed for Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich".
In Microsoft's defence, imposing hardware restrictions on the platform is a sensible move in order to avoid becoming the fragmented mess that was Android's early years. Microsoft has followed Apple's example and put the user experience ahead of the spec sheet. But even Apple eventually took the leap and upgraded to the retina display with the iPhone 4. While it did somewhat fragment the iOS platform, Apple obviously balanced this with the need to keep up with the times. Microsoft is faced with similar tough decisions.
Of course Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 is just around the corner and we should learn more next week. Support for multi-core processors and HD displays is expected. Yet the top-of-the-line WP7 handsets which are only just hitting the shelves now won't be able to take full advantage of Windows Phone 8 which is only months away. Instead they're expected to get revamped versions of WP7, but we don't know for sure yet.
Considering the Lumia 900 and Titan 4G handsets will only be a few months old, I think WP7 users are entitled to be frustrated if these recent phones won't support the new features of Windows Phone 8. It's an inevitable result when hardware and software aren't developed in tandem like at Apple, but if Microsoft was a little more flexible with its restrictions then recent handsets would be better equipped to make the leap to Windows Phone 8. Handset makers must realise this and it will be interesting to see if partners such as Nokia pressure Microsoft to make concessions when the next leap is approaching. Perhaps Microsoft needs to consider a mid-term hardware refresh rather than forcing handset makers to stick with the same specs until the day the next version of Windows Phone is released.
Apple does a better job of handling such issues, although it does have the advantage of a yearly release cycle. When a new iPhone is released with new iOS software, existing iPhones are at least 12 months old. Apple tends to ensure that the previous model gets most of the new software features (with a handful of frustrating exceptions). So as a general rule an iPhone doesn't really start to show its age until it's at least two years old -- at which time you can upgrade your plan and get the new model thrown in. Microsoft can't afford to wait that long, but then it needs to be more flexible to ensure relatively new handsets aren't left behind.
The leap from Windows Phone 7 to Windows Phone 8 could burn recent converts to the platform. If Microsoft really wants to follow Apple's lead, in future it should give more consideration to supporting older devices and relaxing hardware restrictions when a major upgrade is imminent.


text:
As AltHealth's Nick Meyer points out, virtually all of America's corn supply is GMO, and corn is present in many packaged foods — even most bourbon is made with GM corn.
According to the USDA, almost 90% of the corn planted in the US is genetically engineered. Since 2000, the North American grain market has changed significantly. There is a rapidly shrinking supply of non-GM corn in North America.
Meyer notes most corn chip varieties are GMO contaminated, and even those derived from regular corn can end up the same way because of cross pollination from the huge percentage of GMO corn in U.S. fields.
Since the FDA refuses to label all genetically modified food, an alternative to GMO corn is blue corn. According to The Institute for Responsible Technology, blue corn currently does not cross with the current varieties of GM corn being grown.
"If you were growing blue corn on your farm and your neighbors have Roundup Ready yellow corn and pollen contaminated your corn, you could pick out the kernels," said Jim Gerritsen, president of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Organizations.
"If it wasn't blue corn, it would be a pretty good guess that it's GE (genetically engineered) corn."
Gerritsen said he's not aware of a Monsanto blue corn variety that is GMO, although it wouldn't surprise him if they had one in development because of how many other varieties of crops they have awaiting deregulation.
But Gerritsen insists the best way to ensure a GMO-free supply of food is to know your farmer and to buy from small organic farms that test for cross contamination as much as possible.
Meyer warns that consumers buying blue corn products such as chips should also be vigilant where labels are concerned.
"Some companies owned by bigger brands have been known to use organic corn while also sneaking GMO canola oil or other products that are likely to contain GMOs onto their ingredient lists."
The USDA approved Monsanto's genetically engineered Bt sweet corn at the beginning of the year. This is the agri-giant's first GMO corn product made available directly to consumers.
Monsanto's GMO Bt sweet corn will also be used in canned and frozen foods, and will be indistinguishable from natural corn because the FDA does not require genetically altered food products to be labeled.
Walmart signed a deal with Monsanto to begin carrying Monsanto's genetically engineered Bt sweet corn, and will stock their shelves with the un-labeled, pesticide-laced GMO corn.
Thanks to consumer pressure, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and General Mills have all agreed to not use Monsanto's GM sweet corn in any of their products.


text:
Looks like Winnisquam Village is no longer available on Rent.com which means this information is likely out of date.
Beautiful two bedroom townhome with spacious living room & master bedroom. Comfortable kitchen with breakfast bar and dining area. Large deck with privacy barriers and a 1 car garage under. 1380 & 1484 sq.ft. units.
12 month leases available. Deposit: 1 months rent.
Pet Policy: Cats and dogs allowed. $25 pet rent per pet. Call regarding breed restrictions.
Cats Allowed. Dogs Allowed. Call for service animal policy.
86 units
Don't have a Rent.com account? Create one.
Creating an account allows you to acccess your saved and contacted properties on any device. Already have an account?
Log In
We are experiencing technical difficulties at the moment. Please try again later.


text:
Brian Burke hired as Director of Hockey Operations by Flames
The Flames announced that Brian Burke is joining their franchise as the Director of Hockey Operations. GM Jay Feaster will report to him.
More NHL offseason: Rumors | Top 50 Free Agents | Buyout Tracker | Trades | Transactions
Bian Burke is back to a major role in the NHL.
After speculation ran wild on Wednesday night that Burke was going to Calgary to assume a role with the franchise, the team announced it on Thursday. Burke is stepping into the newly created role in Calgary of Director of Hockey Operations where he will oversee the Flames and GM Jay Feaster will report directly to Burke.
"It's a very proud day for me," Burke said. "I couldn't be more pleased to be here today."
With a significant role Burke is taking, you better believe Feaster is going to feel the heat under his seat starting now. Burke is a guy who has gone into places and called the shots in terms of team-building, leading as the GM.
Still, Burke wanted to make it clear he's not going to be the general manager, that will be Feaster's position.
"I'm not the general manager of the Calgary Flames. Jay Feaster is," Burke explained. "He is going to be in charge but with my guidance."
"To be able to bring in someone who has won a Stanley Cup, it's a great thing," Feaster said. "We want his information."
He was in that role in Toronto before patience ran thin and he was dismissed, just before the fruits of his labor started to become clear and the Maple Leafs finally made the playoffs. Since then he has been back in the Anaheim organization working in a lesser front-office role waiting for another opportunity (that wasn't from Rugby Canada).
If nothing else this will add some juice back to the Battle of Alberta with Burke in Calgary and Kevin Lowe in Edmonton. You might remember those two had quite the spat many years ago when Lowe signed Burke's player Dustin Penner to an offer sheet. Eventually it went so far as Burke to challenge Lowe to a barn fight. It would be more symbolic than anything, but some hate would be back in the rivalry.
Markov done with Habs, heading to KHL
The 38-year-old defenseman had been on the free agent market since July 1
LOOK: Rangers center wears Patriots gear
New York fans aren't too happy about it, either
McDavid upset NHL won't go to Olympics
The league is not backing down, but players aren't hiding their frustrations, either
EDM coach 'confident' of Draisaitl deal
Draisaitl remains unsigned as Edmonton's premier restricted free agent
WATCH: Markov, family in music video
Yes, it is as perplexing as it sounds
Top 10 NHL free agents still available
Here's a look at the best of what's left in the pool of unsigned veterans


text:
Live Commentary
Congratulations to Real Madrid, and we'll leave them to their celebrations, which are sure to get more and more debaucherous as the night continues. That's about my cue for an exit as well, so from me, Keeghann Sinanan, it's been a pleasure. Thanks for tuning in.
Casillas lifts the trophy! Madrid seal their 10th Champions League crown, putting the end to a 12 year obsession! La Decima is complete, and Madrid end the season with two trophies.
Now up come the winners, crowned by Uefa president Michel Platini, and they're lapping up every second of this! The trophy is about to be raised soon...
Up come Atletico to receive their runners-up medals,and they look like they want to get this over as quickly as possible. Heads are drooping but despite the stomach-punch stuff for them in this game, they have done themselves, their fans and indeed football proud this season. Rarely has there been an underdog story so absorbing.
However, Bale trumped them all. After winning the Copa Del Rey with a late goal against Barcelona, he puts Madrid's other great rivals to the sword with the go-ahead goal in extra time. I still don't believe that any player is worth 100 million euros, but my word, what a way to pay off that fee! Money well spent as far as Florentino Perez and Co. are concerned.
The hero changed so many times throughout the game. For so long, Godin's goal seemed set to etch his name in history, especially after his strike against Barcelona in the Liga decider. But then Ramos stepped up with a header quite literally at the death, to add to his double in the second leg of the semi final.
A 4-1 scoreline is perhaps harsh on Atletico, but Madrid won't care one bit. They've finally completed La Decima. The benches are cleared and everyone associated with Madrid is out on the pitch celebrating, accompanied by throngs of photographers.
The end of a final for the ages. You have to feel for Atletico, who were literally seconds away from lifting the trophy, but for the intervention of Ramos in the last minute of injury time. From then the writing was always on the wall for the Rojiblancos. Madrid were fitter and faster, and put them to the sword ruthlessly in extra time.
120' + 4'Varane is booked for his role in the confrontation but Madrid don't care! The final whistle is blown! Real Madrid are champions of Europe for the 10th time!
120' + 3'Yellow Card Raphaël Varane
120' + 3'Simeone is absolutely furious at Varane there, and has to be dragged away by multiple players. He's been ordered off the pitch by the referee, in a terrible end to an incredible Atletico season. Varane motions to Simeone that he'll see him in the tunnel later...was that wise Raphael? I'd back the Atletico boss in that fight every day of the week.
120' + 2'Both Ronaldo and Marcelo were booked during exuberant celebrations for their respective goals but never mind that! Simeone, simmering all game, has finally blown his top! He charges out onto the pitch for the second time, going straight for Varane after a foul!
120' + 1'Yellow Card Cristiano Ronaldo
120'Penalty Goal Cristiano Ronaldo
NO MISTAKE! He smacks it to Courtois' left, who dives the wrong way! Madrid celebrate, and La Decima is only moments away now! 4-1 to Real Madrid!
120'Yellow Card Diego Godín
120'MADRID HAVE A PENALTY! Ronaldo earns the spot kick after he was tripped by Godin inside the area! He's booked, and it's falling apart for Atletico, as salt and alcohol are being thrown mercilessly into their gaping wounds. Only one man stepping up to take this as Courtois steadies himself...
118'Yellow Card Marcelo
118'Goal Marcelo
Atletico have finally run out of gas, stopping right in the middle of the highway. Marcelo advances from a position deep on the left, and meets no resistance from the Rojiblancos. He strides right into the box and lashes a finish home, despite a touch from Courtois!
116'Suddenly all kinds of gaps are appearing in the Atletico half. They don't have the energy to chase both an equaliser and defend the Madrid threat on the counter. An untimely slip from Di Maria prevents him from having a one-on-one with Courtois! Is a third in the offing?
114'WHAT IS WRONG WITH CASILLAS? He's made some boneheaded plays this game, not least the one that left him stranded for the opener. And he's nearly caught up the creek again, as he comes for and misses a long ball, leaving his goal gaping! Luckily for him, Tiago whacks the loose ball over the bar!
112'Bale scored the winner in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, and looks to have outdone himself here! Aaron Ramsey won the FA Cup for Arsenal in extra time, and the other star Welshman is close to doing the same for Madrid in the UCL! Have Madrid snatched victory from the jaws of defeat?
110'Goal Gareth Bale
Di Maria has been a pest all night, and he forces what looks like the winner! Shimmying down the left, he shakes off his marker before angling to beat Courtois at his near post. The keeper deflects the ball high with his leg, but it goes right to Bale at the far post, who nods in with conviction!
110'Atletico pump a free kick into the box, and that man Godin gets some contact on it...but it's too close to Casillas! He whacks the ball upfield, and for a second it looks to have isolated Bale against a struggling and hobbling Juanfran! The defender recovers in time to clear though!
109'It's all Madrid out on the pitch, with Atletico having all 11 men well in their defensive third for large spells. A long range attempt from Modric garners a deflection which takes the sting out of it and gives Courtois a favorable starting position to make the save low to his right.
108'Both managers will be thinking about penalties now, but with the full roster of substitutions already used, it's up to the tiring men on the pitch to do the business from 12 yards, should it come to that. Ronaldo, meanwhile has missed penalties in both the semi finals and finals of this competition.
106'And the last chapter begins.
105' + 2'Simeone is eventually calmed down as both teams congregate in their individual huddles right out on the pitch. I think this interval benefits Atletico more than Madrid though, they're the team that needs a recharge far, far more. We'll be back underway in a second.
105' + 1'There is still time for a late Madrid corner, which infuriates Simeone to no end. The ball comes in and Ronaldo gets his head to it, but it's easy pickings for Courtois. The referee blows the whistle for the break and look at this! Simeone charges onto the pitch like a rabid bull, going straight for the referee to let him know exactly what he thinks.
105'Juanfran takes one for the team, bringing down Ronaldo on the ensuing counter attack and conceding the foul. He's one of the many in red and white on a yellow card, but the referee decides against taking further action and simply lets Madrid restart the game from the set piece.
104'Gabi presses Carvajal well into conceding a corner, and Atletico get men forward. However, the delivery is about as useful as dry toast on the hottest day of summer. Sosa smashes it onto the first defender, Madrid regain the ball and Atletico have men out of position...
102'The free kick finds a way into the area, where Godin gets there first to divert it out for a corner. Ronaldo pleads frantically for a handball on the Uruguayan, but the referee is unmoved by his case. Replays suggest a tight call, it would have been harsh to call Godin for a penalty there! This is the Champions League final after all.
101'Marcelo has been an inspired substitution from Ancelotti, but he gets his wings clipped there by Gabi, who is promptly booked by the referee. It's a free kick in Ronaldo range, and the man himself steps up to take it. Atletico have four men in the wall to put off the Portuguese.
100'Yellow Card Gabi
99'SCRAMBLE IN THE BOX! Marcelo weaves left and right, fooling Juanfran down the left and getting in position to whack a low ball across the face of goal. Miranda gets there ahead of Morata, and no less than three players desperately chase down the ball before Isco can latch onto the rebound!
97'Juanfran is moving gingerly after a tough challenge from Morata. He simply needs to soldier on here, as there are no subs left for Simeone, no cards left to play. You have to wonder, should Atletico be playing for penalties already? They've been defending since the start of the additional period.
95'There was space for one second as Di Maria advances down the left hand side, squaring to Morata at the top of the box. He's got Bale free on the right if he can react in time, but the attention of a pair of Atletico defenders makes his mind up for him, as he loses the ball.
93'Atletico have defied all the odds and predictions this season, but this will be the most herculean of their many labors. They were fatiguing noticeably well before the final whistle, and now have another half hour to slog through. The momentum looks to be with the white half of the Spanish capital.
91'Extra time is underway now!
90' + 6'Well, the Europa League final went to extra time and we've followed suit in the big brother finale. We've seen some really dramatic finishes to finals in continental competitions in recent seasons - with Robben, Ivanovic and Drogba scoring goals that won trophies or saved their teams. Add Ramos to that list now!
90' + 5'I mentioned Godin's potentially legendary week, but it looks like Ramos may just trump him here! The centre back scored twice against Bayern Munich in the semi finals, lest we forget, and has now gone one further with the most vital of equalizers. And indeed, it's extra time as the referee blows the whistle!
90' + 3'Assist Luka Modric
90' + 3'Goal Sergio Ramos
An absolutely THUMPING header from the defender, who brings Los Blancos back from the dead! The corner was met by Ramos, who got enough power and placement on the header to take it past Courtois! Looks like we're heading to extra time folks! Atletico must be devastated.
90' + 3'BIG HEADER from Alderweireld, who rises just ahead of Ramos to take a raking ball from Marcelo off his head! Had Ramos gotten onto the end of that, it would have been hard for Courtois to save that! Marcelo too has been dangerous from his deliveries out wide!
90' + 1'STOPPAGE TIME NOW, and there will be FIVE minutes here to end the final. Can it be that two Godin goals in the space of a week wins Atletico the league and the Champions League? The Rojiblancos players are running their socks off to chase down every white shirt in sight.
89'Simeone is waving his arms like a crazy man down on the sidelines, to pump up the fans for the final stretch. Villa makes an excellent play, sprinting almost half the length of the pitch to win the ball back, before getting hacked on his way up the field. Another key respite for Atletico.
87'Koke gets shown a yellow card for tugging back Modric. It's now five bookings for Atletico, but Simeone will want to keep them coming if it keeps the score as it is. Time is fast ticking away here in Lisbon and the question is, are Madrid finally out of ideas?
86'Yellow Card Koke
85'JUANFRAN WITH A GAME SAVING PLAY! A moment of defensive genius from the fullback. Ronaldo flicked the ball from the far post back towards the opposite side, where Marcelo is charging to meet it. But in sneaks Juanfran, who shows no concern for his own welfare, flinging himself towards the ball and just getting there ahead of Marcelo, leaving him in a heap! No penalty, no problem for Atletico!
83'SubstitutionFilipe Luis Toby Alderweireld
83'The game is delayed, perhaps strategically, as Gabi goes down with a knock. The physios attend to him as the break allows the Atletico players time to get a quick drink and a word in their ear from the touchline staff. A more authentic injury sees Filipe Luis depart for the Belgian Toby Alderweireld.
81'You would need a chainsaw to cut through the tension emanating around the Estadio da Luz at the moment. It's all hands to the pump for both teams, with traffic flowing squarely in the direction of Courtois' goal. Atletico are defending with their lives, and time is not on Madrid's side.
79'SubstitutionKarim Benzema Morata
79'Benzema has been mostly a peripheral figure throughout the game, and in the last throw of the dice for Ancelotti, he is sacrificed for the young striker Morata. He's been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, but a game-changing moment here and I bet that situation changes!
78'IT'S BALE! SOMEHOW IT'S NOT IN! Oh my, those are the moments that you dream about! Picture this - Bale getting the step on Godin down the right flank with daylight in behind. Godin simply cannot live with his pace. He scampers into the open field and into the box, but he loses his composure at the vital moment, poking his finish wide!
76'NOW IT'S RONALDO! Madrid are really launching it from the left flank, and another cross-field ball from Marcelo is touched on at the far post towards Ronaldo centrally. He attempts a quasi-overhead kick, and despite an awkward starting position, he still makes good contact on the ball. sending it narrowly over!
74'Yellow Card Juanfran
74'AGONIZINGLY WIDE! Madrid are starting to turn it on in attack, as Bale narrowly misses the target, taking advantage of some shooting space at the top of the box. Make no mistake, that was a good chance. Immediately after, Juanfran is cautioned by the referee for a foul on Di Maria.
72'Yellow Card David Villa
72'An early cross from the right hand side sees Casillas and Villa challenge for the ball. The Madrid keeper gets down low to smother the effort, and promptly gets clattered by the boots of Villa, who had slid in with hopes of getting on the end of that ball. Booking for the striker.
70'Marcelo hooks a long range cross-field ball into the path of Bale on the right flank. He brings it down and is suddenly in a good position to take on Godin inside the area, but the referee's whistle halts him in his tracks. Replays show that he used his arm to bring it down, silly boy.
68'A glimpse of a gap towards goal sees Isco drag a 20-yarder off target. It was an attractive setup, as Ronaldo fed Benzema, who held up the ball against his marker before laying it off to the substitute. Madrid need to unlock the defence far better than that though - they're not winning anything if that's the best that they can do.
67'Fascinating progression to the game this. That Ronaldo chance moments ago was something of an aberration, as Atletico have repelled Madrid at every turn. It's not been a classic final in an attacking sense, but the individual battles out on the pitch have been utterly absorbing.
66'SubstitutionRaúl García José Sosa
65'Raul Garcia's race is run, as his number is held up on the sidelines. He's not had a whole lot to say in the attacking third, truth be told, but his effort doubling up on the flanks has been noted with a hearty greeting from Simeone. Interestingly, it's the winger Sosa that comes on, as Atletico eschew a defensive change in favour of keeping a similar attacking presence on the pitch.
63'RONALDOOOO! Madrid fashion a solid opening that had Atletico panicking for a second! The Portuguese leaps high into the air to meet a ball in from the left flank, but he gets a little too much on the header. Crucially, it takes it away from the boot of Benzema following up at the far post. Madrid should take that as some encouragement though.
61'It looks to be all hands on deck for Atletico now, and all men to the front lines for Madrid. Two attack-minded substitutions have signaled their intent to throw everything forward for an equaliser. Khedira's departure has robbed their midfield of a good deal of defensive structure, at least on paper.
59'SubstitutionSami Khedira Isco
59'SubstitutionFabio Coentrao Marcelo
59'Indeed, the double change does occur. Not a shock in the slightest to see Khedira sacrificed for Isco. The German has looked lethargic, rusty and not fully fit, and his departure for the former Malaga man will, in Ancelotti's mind, add more creativity and impetus centrally. Marcelo for Coentrao is more like for like, but is the Brazilian quite at 100 per cent?
57'Madrid are forced into more desperate defending, and get bodies in the way of another Atletico foray forward from a short set piece. The game's really kicked into life in the last few minutes! Meanwhile, down on the touchline, a double dose of Isco and Marcelo seems to be in the offing from Ancelotti...
56'Ronaldo misses the target with a header from the resulting corner, and Atletico are straight back down the pitch, hammering on the door at the other end. A narrow block from Carvajal on the left hand side prevents Atletico from escaping into a glorious position! Corner to come...
54'Ronaldo stands over the ball, as the referee's insistence on making sure there's no monkey business in the wall gives the set-piece an appropriate dose of tension. The Portuguese eventually strikes it, and it takes a deflection that forces Courtois to react to turn it out for a corner!
53'Yellow Card Miranda
53'Miranda picks up Atletico's second yellow card of the day, and it looked premeditated. He would preach that his actions were for the greater good, as he grabbed onto Di Maria to prevent him from scampering into the box. It sets up an interesting position for Ronaldo...
51'Raul Garcia sends the pulses racing for a second with a Zidane-esque volley from the edge of the area, after Koke had dug out a cross from a seemingly hopeless position on the left flank. Immortality beckoned had he caught that one correctly, especially with the innovator himself seated on the Madrid bench. Too high, too bad though.
49'Gabi gets pulled up by the ref for fouling Modric inside the Atletico half. This gives Di Maria the opportunity to launch a free-kick into the danger area. Plenty of white shirts are lining up to meet it, but it's the considerable presence of Miranda who gets there first to head clear.
47'No changes to report from the half time break, as Costa's departure for Adrian stands as the only substitution so far. I've made a lot of noise about the Brazilian's injury woes, but remember, Ronaldo and Benzema were also struggling with thigh complaints in the buildup to this game. And after a blunted first half, I wonder about the effect that those knocks have had on Madrid's fortunes.
46'We're back in action folks! Atletico restart the game.
Madrid may look to Isco's creativity or Morata's clinical and physical touch if they really need to shake things up in the attacking third in the latter stages. How much would they pay for a Higuain to bring off the bench though? Atletico have a few tasty attacking options of their own in reserve, with the likes of Diego and Rodriguez offering varying threats.
The BBC attack hasn't really been at the races, while Madrid are missing Alonso's influence in the middle. Khedira has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar on a few occasions and looks rusty. Ancelotti has his work cut out for him at the break as his side chase La Decima.
The 36-goal Brazilian-turned-Spaniard has departed, but it is Madrid who look in more trouble. Bale fluffed his lines from Los Blancos' best - and only - chance of the first half, but other than that, like so many sides before then in Europe, they've found the defensive ranks of Atletico hard to breach.
It's the red half of the Spanish capital on top as we enter the break at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Godin has come up trumps on the big occasion once again, using his head to send Atletico in the lead from a corner. They shook off that Costa injury in no time, didn't they!
45' + 2'Villa gets the step on Khedira, who is fooled by his quick change in direction and brings him down. The referee obliges him with a yellow card, to put the finishing touches on a miserable first half for Los Blancos. It's half-time in the Champions League final.
45' + 1'Yellow Card Sami Khedira
45'We haven't seen a whole lot out on the pitch from Madrid, apart from that one excellent opportunity for Bale that he really should have buried. Will they live to regret that? The omens don't lean that way - Madrid have never lost against Atletico when Casillas has been in the starting lineup - winning their last 11 straight during that streak.
43'What a week for Diego Godin! He was the man who scored the all important equaliser against Barcelona in the Liga finale last weekend that won them the title. And now, somehow, he's one-upped himself with a goal in the final - the first ever Uruguayan to score on such an occasion.
41'NOT TOO FAR OFF! Gabi delivers another corner that the defence struggles to absorb. Adrian gets past his man and rises highest to meet the delivery, but he plants his header over the crossbar! Simeone's men are really looking to cash in from these set pieces.
40'All the momentum is with Los Colchoneros at the moment. A long, searching free kick from the Atletico half is nearly weighted perfectly onto the head of Villa inside the box, but Ramos is there just in time to clear for a corner. Atletico are licking their chops at this set piece...
38'That was so typical of this smash and grab Atletico team. We've seen it countless times this season - they will happily defend this lone goal with their lives. And in truth, they haven't often lost from such a position. I just looked at the goal again - Modric was also at fault, reacting late to the ball back in the box.
36'Assist Juanfran
36'Goal Diego Godín
Make that eight goals from headers this campaign! What a vital, vital goal! The corner from Gabi is only cleared to the top of the box, where it's sent back into the heart of the area by Juanfran. Casillas comes for it but hesitates, and is caught in no man's land. Godin beats his man to the ball and flicks it into the back of the net!
35'Atletico win a corner as Varane is forced to step in front of Adrian, who was set to escape towards the byeline. Diego Godin has scored seven goals from headers this season, while Miranda and Garcia are no slouches either. Bated breath here...
33'HUGE, HUGE CHANCE! How has Bale failed to profit? It all came about thanks to a terrible brainfart from Tiago, which allowed the Welshman to turn on the afterburners and streak his way past two players into the centre of the box. But with only Courtois to beat, he lashes his finish wide! He did all the hard work already, and he had that one on his left boot too...
31'Some action in the opposition half for Simeone's men, as Juanfran's low cross isn't cleared convincingly, and Adrian drives it right into a wall of players. It could have ricocheted anywhere, but thankfully for Madrid, it did so in the opposite direction from Casillas' goal.
29'Two fouls inside two minutes for Koke, who is fast drawing the ire of the Real Madrid contingent in the stands. Both times, the Atletico midfielder pulled something illegal on Carvajal, and the referee looks like he has taken a mental note of those incidents. Looks like he's on his final warning already.
27'Yellow Card Raúl García
27'Yellow Card Sergio Ramos
27'The referee eventually pulls both sets of players apart, and books Ramos for his ringleading role in the ruckus. Second such scrap since the opening whistle. Bets off on both sides finishing with a full 11. Meanwhile, Ronaldo takes charge of the resulting free-kick, but pings the ball right into the grasp of Courtois.
26'More animosity out on the pitch as Di Maria scampers down into the opposition half, only to be cynically hacked to the turf by Garcia. He knew what he was doing every step of the way - taking one for the team there lest he offered Di Maria a virtually clear run at Courtois. He is booked, and Ramos leads a throng of Madrid players right into his face.
24'It's catching practice at the moment for Courtois, who springs into the air to pluck a Di Maria cross into the safety of his grasp. Atletico will surely want to have him back at the Vicente Calderon for another season, the question is, will parent club Chelsea oblige? The rumored transfer of Costa may help in that respect.
22'Gabi gives up a free kick on the left hand side of the Atletico half, after a delayed challenge on Di Maria. Modric takes charge of the attempt, but he can't place it anywhere near a teammate, and its an easy grab for Courtois. Madrid have to do better from those positions, at least make the defence think!
20'Ronaldo and Bale have swapped flanks in a bid to confuse the defensive matchups of opposition fullbacks Luis and Juanfran, who have both been stellar defensively in the opening exchanges. There has been not a whole lot to trouble either Casillas or Courtois so far in this game.
18'Like most games involving Atletico in Europe this season, it's a tightly contested event out on the pitch. Space in front of the 18-yard area is hard to come by, and Madrid are having no luck of it at the moment. This is exactly the type of approach that has seen los Rojiblancos navigate all their European games this season without defeat.
16'Gabi takes a challenge from Coentrao a little too personally, squaring up to the Portuguese full back and enticing him into a little back and forth. I looked at the replay, there was barely anything malicious in the challenge. The officials do well to step in and quell the fires quickly.
14'Splendid atmosphere inside the Estadio da Luz under the Lisbon sun. The Atletico fans are briefly whipped into a frenzy when Gabi's slingshot pass sets Adrian on the run ahead of Madrid's out-of-position fullbacks, but he's not quick enough to beat Casillas, who races off his line to punt it clear.
12'That's twice now that Di Maria has drifted to the flanks and elected to loft in an early cross, instead of attempting to get closer to the byeline. Both times, Atletico have lapped it up without much difficulty. Surely that can't be Ancelotti's plan of attack? Costa's injury has to have given them some sort of boost.
10'So Atletico's 36-goal man is taken off prematurely in the third big game this season. Los Colchoneros did not fare too badly in the other two matches where such a scenario occurred though. They closed out their quarter-final second leg against Barcelona to progress, and squeezed out a 1-1 draw against the same team on the final day of La Liga to win the trophy.
9'SubstitutionDiego Costa Adrián
9'Oh dear. I spoke far too soon. Costa has pulled up here and is immediately summoned by the bench - his game is done. What a devastating blow for Atletico, but not entirely unexpected as he's been struggling to keep fit for a long while. Simeone swaps him out for Adrian Lopez.
7'Diego Costa looks to be moving without too much issue, as he chases down a weak clearance from an Atletico free kick. He's immediately swarmed by white shirts though, and cannot do a whole lot more than cut it back to Juanfran, who in turn fails to pick out a teammate.
5'Ronaldo is fouled on the charge forward by Miranda. It's already shaping up to be an interesting battle between the Portuguese-speaking pair. What Simeone will NOT want is for one of his back four to pick up a yellow card this early - that just hands the incentive to Madrid's BBC to run right at the booked party.
3'What we've seen so far is a start to the game with a lot of possession for Madrid. Which is about as predictable as the sunset - Ancelotti's version of Los Blancos may fancy themselves as a counter attacking outfit, but Simeone's men are on another level in that respect entirely. They absolutely thrive without the ball, and live for forcing and punishing mistakes.
1'Here we go then, in the first ever local derby on the biggest stage of them all!
Right, the players are in position, and everyone's ready to go. Take a deep breath...
The pre-match festivities are well underway. After an acrobatic display from a few performers, both sets of players line up to a live signing of the Champions League anthem. Not sure they would want to try that next year, it was strangely distant compared to the traditional goosebump-inducing experience of the theme blaring out from the speakers.
Atletico beat Real in the Copa del Rey final last season, lest we forget. This campaign, the sides have locked horns four times. The first encounter came back in September, where Costa's lone goal gave Atletico a Liga win. Madrid got some revenge with a 5-0 aggregate win in the Copa, before playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the return league fixture in March.
Though it is the fifth one country UCL final, tonight's game is the first between teams from the same city in the 59 year history of the competition. Prior to 2013, Real had not lost to their city rivals in 14 years.
Tonight, Atletico will wear shirts dedicated to the memory of former four-time manager Luis Aragones, who passed away in February of this year. He was on the pitch in the red and white for their only other European Cup final 40 years ago, and will be more familiar as the man who won Euro 2008 with Spain, helping to usher in the era of tiki-taka at the turn of the last decade.
I've said it before, but should Diego Simeone pull this off tonight, it surely ranks in the pantheon of coaching achievements. When he took over at Atletico, they were in mid table in La Liga, coming off a loss to second division Albacete in the Copa. Since then, he's blazed a trail through Europe, clinching top honours in the Europa League, Liga and Copa del Rey - on a miniscule budget no less. Win tonight, and he tops it all.
Atletico have beaten Madrid in four of their last five finals - with all four wins coming in the Copa del Rey. But with the greatest of respect to Spain's cup competition, this is a different kettle of fish entirely. This is the fifth one-country final in the competition's history and lest we forget, Madrid won the first such encounter 14 years ago, beating Valencia 3-0.
Don't sleep on the reshuffle in the spine of Madrid's teams either. Pepe has been a rock this season, while Alonso provides that unique blend of creativity and defensive coverage that is so rare these days. Khedira has plenty of experience in big games, but after missing most of the season, it's right back into the hottest of fires for him. Varane too is another who has struggled with injuries, and should Costa and Villa be fit and firing, he'll have to have a hell of an evening at the back.
The biggest question for me in terms of personnel is Diego Costa. He's been hauled off in two of Atletico's biggest games in the run in, succumbing to injury in both Barcelona games - the quarter-final second leg and the Liga decider. A long season on a thin squad has really started to take its toll. Is he fit enough to be decisive for his side?
Instead, it's Raul Garcia who will play as the most advanced midfielder - watch for him to overload into the attacking line on counter attacks. The rest of the Atletico team more or less picks itself, with Koke and Gabi in the middle, while Juanfran, Diego Godin, Miranda and Filipe Luis make up the defensive line in front of Thibaut Courtois - in possibly his final game as a Rojiblanco.
And in the red corner, the horse placenta seems to have done the trick. Diego Costa has been passed fit enough to start after travelling to Serbia to undergo the bizarre treatment from crazy person/genius healer Marijana Kovacevic. He will be supported by David Villa, though poor Arda Turan could not recover in time from an injury sustained in their Liga decider against Barcelona.
Sami Khedira, so recently returned from a massive injury layoff, starts in midfield due to Xabi Alonso's suspension. Luka Modric also mans the middle, while Angel Di Maria will tip the trident in the centre of the park. Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both recover in time from thigh complaints to complete the attacking trio alongside Gareth Bale.
Let's start in the white corner, shall we? There is no miracle recovery for Pepe, who cannot shake off his calf issues in time to make anything more than the bench. Raphael Varane steps in, and with Marcelo still missing, Fabio Coentrao continues at left back, with Dani Carvajal on the opposite flank. Sergio Ramos completes the back four in front of Iker Casillas, summoned once again ahead of Diego Lopez for Europe.
SUBS: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Mario Suárez, Cristian Rodríguez, Sosa, Diego, Adrián López.
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Courtois, Godín, Filipe Luís, Juanfran, Miranda, Tiago, Koke, Raúl García, Gabi, Villa, Costa.
SUBS: Diego López, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Isco, Illarramendi, Morata.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Casillas; Varane, Ramos, Fábio Coentrão, Carvajal; Khedira, Di Maria, Modric; Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema.
I've got tons of pre-match cocktails to whet your appetite, but first, let's take a look at our teams for tonight's clash.
This promises to be an insane evening of football ahead of us. Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid. One side staring down La Decima, while the other aims to add European spoils to their Liga triumph to cap off one of the most incredible achievements in football history.
Estadio da Luz is the venue. El Derbi Madrileno is the game. The Champions League trophy is the stakes. I'm Keeghann Sinanan, delighted to welcome you to our blow by blow coverage of the final.


text:
MDALLEGA-L ArchivesArchiver > MDALLEGA > 2001-01 > 0978898348
From: "Bill Pyles" <>
Subject: [MDALLEGA] SK Census Waiting List Information
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 15:12:28 -0500
References: <email@example.com>
I see where many are reluctant to give their credit card number over the
Internet, yet you give a waitress, a total stranger, your credit card and
she goes to the back and you are lucky to see her for 15 minutes. I don't
know of a credit card company that will no guarantee should something be
charged on the Internet or elsewhere without your permission, you can appeal
it and the charge will be removed. In fact, I think this is a federal law.
However, if you send a check for something and don't get it, try getting
your money back. Your only choice is to write or call the company. I have
had companies go bankrupt and I had an order using a credit card. All I
have to do is notify the credit card company and the charge is removed.
Bill Pyles, Titusville, FL
> Regarding the 1880 census, I tried last month to place an order and it
> seems you needed to give credit card info on the internet and I was
> reluctant to do that. Is there some way I can order thru the mail? I
> encourage everyone to help us reach our goal and thank Carol for all her
> hard work. It would be wonderful to have 1880 census on line. Thx for
> help. Karen Creegan Cooper
> At 07:35 AM 1/7/01 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi all, I was curious to see how the SK Census
> >waiting lists were coming so I went to check this
> >morning. Thought I would post it here in case anyone
> >else was curious.
> >
> >Census Year Needed To Date
> >1920 70 10
> >1910 63 8
> >1900 54 5
> >1880 39 20
> >1870 49 11
> >1860 35 7
> >1850 27 8
> >
> >It was neat to see that we're over half way there to
> >the 1880 Census. I am waiting to place my order until
> >I see where I can be most helpful. Thank you Carol
> >for getting this ball rolling. Hopefully by mid-year
> >we may have a census year for Allegany County online.
> >
> >Sharon Ringler
> >
> >http://www.skpub.com/genie/census/md/allegany.html
> >
> >
> >==== MDALLEGA Mailing List ====
> >MDGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdgenweb
> >ListHostess Carol Askey
> ==== MDALLEGA Mailing List ====
> Allegany Co Bios: http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdallegh/bios/biograph.htm
> ListHostess Carol Askey
This thread:
|[MDALLEGA] SK Census Waiting List Information by "Bill Pyles" <>


text:
Items 0
Sub Total $0.00
Bee Educated
Photographs include pictures of capped and uncapped honey, pollen, brood, old/new comb, and drone comb. Also included are photographs of diseased and parasitized frames, including different stages of AFB, small hive beetles, varroa mites, and more.
Altogether there are 16 frame-size pictures with over 16 close-up insets. Sold with assembled 8-frame hive body, or if you choose you can order the frames only .


text:
It appears you have not yet Signed Up with our community. To Sign Up for free, please click here....
Anxiety Message Board
Am I dying from a brain tumor? Really freaked out, please respond quicklya
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:49 AM.
Site owned and operated by HealthBoards.com


text:
Best Of :: Shopping & Services
Someday, when those Lotto numbers finally hit, we'll do more than buy a throw pillow or just ogle the shimmering fabrics in this NorthPark shop. Maybe by then we'll have developed enough good taste to do justice to Silk Trading Co.'s vast collection of materials--they offer a selection of 2,400, from embroidered silks to cotton and linen, as well as paint and other goodies to fix up your mansion. More than simply a drapery store, they also do custom bedding and furniture; you pick the cloth, they cut and stitch it or use it to upholster couches and chairs sold at the shop. (Prices vary depending on the fabric. The cost of one style couch, for example, can range between $1,600 and $5,000.) Just the thing to dress up the trailer when that lottery ship comes sailing in, which we don't doubt will be any day now.
The new Sam Moon is only a stumble away from the old Sam Moon on Harry Hines Boulevard, but the larger parking area feels like a whole new world. The crowds are still crazy, and the patrons are still overly aggressive, but with more space, there's less a chance of injury. Who are we kidding, though? They could move Sam Moon to an un-air-conditioned warehouse in the bowels of the suburbs, and we'd still make the jaunt for the shiny baubles and "designer-inspired" handbags. We blame it on the cheap, sparkly chandelier earrings; we swear they hypnotize us.
We've seen the movie High Fidelity. Even thought about reading the book once. So we get the whole music-clerk snob thing. But it doesn't impress us. Not even a little bit. That's why we shop at CD Source in the Old Town shopping center. These folks know music, and their eclectic stock is often surprising. But by no means are these music clerks snobs. They know that people have different tastes, and they cater to everyone without prejudice. So we bought an Ashlee Simpson CD. Sue us. But even if the folks at CD Source looked down their noses at our poor taste in music and robbed us of our guilt-free shopping, we'd probably still go there. The prices are low, the new arrivals section always has something we want and their buy-back rates are pretty decent, too.
Readers' Pick
CD World
2706 E. Mockingbird Lane, #110
A man, at least once in his life, needs to go Tom Wolfe, take the money he saved for the kids' education and buy himself a killer suit. The best place to shop is at Neiman Marcus on Main Street in downtown. There he'll find Oxxford, Zegna, Armani, Hickey Freeman, Paul Smith and Brioni suits. And he'll find them in bulk, racks upon wonderfully tailored racks of clothing--as well as made-for-measure fabrics in the store, which result in still more clothing options. Neiman's is seldom busy during the weekday. Yet the sales associates do not meddle with a man's browsing habits. They answer questions when needed, sure, but then return to their spaces, and the browsing continues. Suits start at $900 and can run upward of $3,000. Tuxedos there can go for more than $4,000. Belts, ties, shoes, all the other accessories that accommodate a man looking great--they're available, too. Plus, a man can get a shave at Neiman Marcus, so there's no way he's leaving ugly, which leaves only one thing to do: strut.
For years (and years and years), comic-book lovers were pretty much S.O.L. when it came to the convention scene. They were almost always second-rate affairs that brought in third-rate talent. But then last year, Wizard magazine finally decided to bring its mammoth affair down south. There were so many booths packed into the Arlington Convention Center--bursting with toys and videos and original art and T-shirts and so many other things we could scarcely afford but bought anyway--that we got lost. Twice. Even though we had a map. And everywhere we looked, there was a writer or artist from Marvel or DC. Jim Lee, the artist who revived a flagging Batman franchise. Joe Quesada, who, as editor in chief at Marvel, revived a flagging company. Filmmaker and comics scribe Kevin Smith, whose appearance in town prompted at least 30 chubby gentlemen to dress themselves as Silent Bob, the character Smith has played in most of his films. It. Was. Awesome. Best part is, it looks like it's becoming an annual event: The second installment of Wizard World Texas is coming in November.
Though he's never let us paint his toenails, our boyfriend has submitted to some of our tamer grooming requests--i.e., "Let me pluck your eyebrows, sweetie." He probably didn't feel very manly as we fluttered around with our cold wax and tiny tweezers, bent on reshaping his brow growth. For men who are not quite as patient or just prefer to put themselves in the hands of professionals, Aqua Spa offers a "men only" night the last Wednesday of every month, where guys can indulge in massage, waxing, facials and other spa services without having to worry about disapproving looks from over-tanned trophy wives. If he still balks at a buttocks waxing (yes, they offer that), tell him, "That's OK, I'll just let my body hair grow out, too."


text:
Pawn Shop Circuit: Stocking Stuffer
The little revolver appeared to be in fair shape, except it appeared to have a non-functioning hammer block safety, and it apparently had been converted to double action only. The hammer would not stay cocked, and a notch was not palpable. It had apparently never been oiled or cleaned. I had to wonder if a little elbow grease might whip it back into shape. Neil had a $69 price on the gun. That was agreeable to me. It will make a great stocking stuffer.
Labels: Pawn Shop Circuit


text:
Does Fraxel Treatment Get Rid of Craters?
Doctor Answers 4
Fraxel for crater scars
Fraxel restore done in many sessions helps lift up the scar surface and remodels or resurfaces the epidermis of the scar. The edge looks less angled and the scars improve usually, although there is no guarantee, but they are not eliminated. The Fraxel repair is more aggressive and involves serious down time of a 12 days or so. The Fraxel Restore leaves you red and slightly flaking and slightly swollend for a week or so, but you are able to carry on socially unlike the repair which will not allow you to be out for a week.
Fraxel and "crater" scars
The answer is that it depends. It depends on how deep and angular the scars are, it depends on which Fraxel technology is used, it depends on how aggressive the treatments are and it depends on how many treatments are performed.
Fraxel lasers certainly have the ability to help with crater type acne scars, but not necessarily to the point where the scars would be completely gone. We suggest you consider all of the below before making a decision on your scar treatments.
- Laser Resurfacing (not just Fraxel, but full CO2, fractional CO2, full Erbium)
- Dermabrasion
- Punch Excision
- Subcision
Go to several consultations with different specialties (derm, plastic) to see what your options are. Likely the answers will be different but at least you will have better information.
Be wary of any practitioner that tells you he/she has the "best" solution, because likely there are several good options.
Learn more: http://www.celibre.com/acne-scars.aspx
Fraxel Laser can often improve crater-type scars
Both the Fraxel Restore and Fraxel Repair lasers can improve various types of scars. In my experience they work on both ice-pick type and also crater type scars that have occurred from acne. Usually, the scar will be softened and will blend in better with the surrounding skin but will not completely disappear. We have had tremendous success with surgical scars also.
You might also like...
Does fraxel treatment get rid of craters?
Hi Mtran,
It would be helpful if you include a few photos of the "craters" that concern you.
Fraxel repair laser is effective at treating acne scarring, but not helpful with ice pick scars.
Dr. P
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.