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Each year, right about now, the story of Hunky Santa emerges — and according to tradition, that story is supposed to be straightforward, decadent and giggle-inducing. In short, we all tuck in for a tale of ripped abs, unfathomable gorgeousness and ogling onlookers at an L.A. mall.
This year, though, Hunky's story took a turn for the serious when one of his fellow mall performers — a 26-year-old female aerialist — plunged three stories in front of hundreds of horrified spectators and landed on a video projection cube on the mall's first floor. Hunky Santa was the first person to rush to her aid.
Miraculously, the aerialist survived Saturday's disaster with injuries to her wrist and pelvis, and she's recovering nicely. Which leads to an inevitable question: When will it be OK for fans of Hunky Santa to relax, take a deep breath and start drooling and giggling again?
James Ellis, 29, the fitness model tapped to bare his chest this year in Hunky Santa's signature wide-open vest, said the answer to that question is easy: Right now.
"We're all happy that she's doing so well," Ellis said of his injured colleague, whom he's been visiting in the hospital. "I told her yesterday, 'You're my hero.' ... We all know she's OK ... and the result of that is, you know, the show must go on."
And what a show it is. Ellis, or Hunky Santa, dons his barely-there, faux-fur-lined vest, travels down the escalator of the Beverly Center mall and waves to the crowds while sexy Candy Cane Girls dance around him. Then the Candy Cane Girls suspend themselves in the air inside the mall and do acrobatic tricks. At the finale of each 15-minute performance, Hunky Santa is raised up, up and away inside a big steel sphere — and then he poses for photographs.
Now in its ninth year, the show has proven to be a huge hit with mall goers. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the holiday season, people crowd along the mall's balconies to get a glimpse of the handsome heartthrob and see the death-defying acts.
The next performances — scheduled for 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday — are to include additional safety precautions. (Sunday's performances were canceled after Saturday's accident.) Mall managers and show producers are on edge, hoping nothing else will go wrong between now and Dec. 24, when the show wraps up for the season. After all, in a down economy, Hunky Santa and the Candy Cane Girls help draw shoppers to the mall.
"We're excited to bring the show back and make everybody's shopping experiences more interesting," Ellis said. "People run to see it because they hear it starting — it's a really neat feeling. I know all the Candy Cane Girls feel the same way."
Working out seven days a week
So how does a guy get to look like Hunky Santa, anyway? This may not come as a surprise, but it doesn't happen by accident. Not by a long shot.
Ellis' description of his seven-day-a-week workout regimen brings to mind scenes of Rocky Balboa training for his next big boxing match.
"My typical week is: Mondays I do chest; Tuesdays I do back; Wednesdays, legs and forearms; Thursdays, shoulders and traps; Fridays, bi's and tri's; and then Saturdays legs and forearms again; then back to chest again on Sunday. I just continue to go through that cycle."
In addition to body-building in the gym for as many as three hours a day, Ellis also pursues other forms of exercise to "keep things from being so boring": surfing, rock-climbing, hiking and running four to five times a week.
He also loves skiing — something he used to do a lot while growing up in Indiana but that he hasn't been able to do while pursuing his modeling and acting career in sunny Southern California.
"I'm very crazy on skis. I'll do anything on skis," Ellis said. "I want to get that on film someday!"
As for his diet — well, it's about as disciplined as his workout schedule. He's big on lean proteins such as chicken breasts and fish, as opposed to fattier red meats. And with a workout regimen like his, he knows he needs carbohydrates for energy. He's just strategic about when and where he includes those carbs in his diet.
"It's a matter of taking in carbs at the right time," Ellis said. "Breakfast is the most important meal of day. That's when I get the most carbs in, because I have all day to work them off."
Ellis said he loves the role of Hunky Santa because it lets him encourage people to exercise, eat right and get enough rest.
"Being Hunky Santa is, to me, an opportunity to be that fitness role model," Ellis said. "Clearly traditional Santa — no one's asking him for tips on how to stay in shape. Hunky Santa is the guy you want to look like."
(By the way, the standard jolly and rotund Santa Claus appears at the Beverly Center mall as well; Hunky is just a bonus.)
When people at the mall ask Hunky how he does it, he has a simple answer for them: Friend me on Facebook.
"I get the same exact questions all the time," he said. "So I tell people, 'Facebook me. My name is James Ellis, and I can answer your questions there.' "
The 'Hunky fraternity'
If just one Hunky Santa is enough to leave onlookers breathless, imagine three of them being buddies and hanging out together regularly. That's actually the case with Ellis and two past Hunkies: Eli Wilhide and Greg Plitt.
"Oh yeah, Eli and I work out together a lot," Ellis said. "He got an LA Fitness membership so we could work out together more. ... And Greg lives right up the street from me."
The Hunky alumni have been doing well for themselves after landing their high-profile roles at the mall: Wilhide is just finishing a movie called "Captured," and Plitt is featured in Bravo's "Work Out With Jackie Warner."
The three Hunkies have helped each other land modeling jobs and other work in Los Angeles.
"We're kind of a tight-knit little group," Ellis said. "Rather than be competitive with each other, we try to help each other out. ...
"I hope one of my friends gets [the Hunky job] next year so we can keep it going!"
Looking aheadAfter he hangs up his red pants, black boots and sexy vest on Dec. 24, Ellis hopes to keep landing jobs as a fitness model and actor — and he's really keen on the idea of securing a contract to promote vitamin supplements.
At the moment Ellis is appearing in a TV commercial in Europe for Danish retailer Fleggaard. The ad features brawny men in different scenes; Ellis plays a sweaty, shirtless construction worker.
More than 400 men tried out for the Hunky Santa job this year — and Ellis is grateful that he nabbed the spot and the exposure that comes with it.
"This is a huge opportunity for me," Ellis said. "I'm on three billboards here in L.A. and I'm on one in New York and one in Vegas. ... It's just huge."


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Geneva (AFP) Jan 18, 2008
Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, storms and heat waves affected more people globally in 2007 than 2006, despite taking fewer lives, according to a UN-linked report published Friday.
The report warned that such disasters are likely to occur more frequently, especially as China and India experience aggressive industrial growth.
"The increase in the number of floods is directly a function of development policies or lack of them," said Debarati Guha-Sapir, director of CRED -- the Belgian research centre that conducted the study.
On average, 95 million people were affected by floods worldwide between 2000 and 2006.
"China and India are definitely going to see an increase" in flooding, added Guha-Sapir.
Floods alone claimed 8,382 lives last year -- significantly more than the average from the previous seven years (5,407 deaths) -- indicated the report by the Catholic University of Louvain's Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), presented Friday at a press conference at United Nations headquarters in Geneva.
Natural disasters of all kinds (meteorological, but also earthquakes) were responsible for killing 16,517 people worldwide last year -- fewer than the 21,342 people killed by similar events in 2006.
However, the number of people hit in general by natural disasters grew from 135 million in 2006 to 200 million in 2007, according to the same annual study.
Of this global toll, the majority were affected by flooding, and half of those suffered from inundations that occurred in China in June and July, said Guha-Sapir.
Globally, the ten deadliest disasters were all climatic, except for the earthquake in August in Peru, with a death toll of 519.
Overwhelmingly the region most touched by climatic disasters was Asia -- subjected to eight of the world's ten worst catastrophes last year, the two others being the Peruvian earhtquake and a Hungarian heat wave that also killed around 500 people.
But overall, the United States experienced the greatest number of natural disasters (22), ahead of China (20) and India (18).
And a heat wave in Macedonia affected almost half the population to some degree, the most widespread incident in relation to population.
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Manila (AFP) Jan 18, 2008
Japan has approved 19.4 billion yen (174.6 million dollars) in loans to the Philippines to support land reform and bring relief to communities threatened by volcanic mud, Manila announced Friday.
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The first step when buying a pup from us is to check out either of the breeding pages or the "pitbull puppies for sale" page. If you see a pup or breeding you like, please contact us via phone call, email or text and we can give you more information. After talking with us we can accept payment through PayPal, money order via our P.O. Box. Once payment is received we will keep you updated with pictures and or videos of your pitbull puppy up until it's time to be sent to its new home.
Here you will see some of the world's best pitbulls and some of the best Blue Nose pitbull puppies for sale! You will notice when looking at our site that the quality of our dogs and our puppies are way above almost any pitbull breeder that you can find, that is because we have taken an extreme amount of time making sure that every breeding that we do will be ground breaking!
We have gone all over the world and used all the best studs to start creating our own bloodline - we have used studs from every top kennel and combined them here to create the next generation of Superstars! My wife and I, being one of the few full time breeders, are able to be more hands-on with our pitbull puppies than any other breeder , this also allows us to spend time with every customer like they were our only client. Every single one of our Puppies is treated like one of the family, and every litter is inside of our house with our family which helps the bonding process immediately.
Every single one of our Pitbulls come from the best bloodlines in the world and by breeding those dogs with the best studs in the world we have ensured that we can give something to our customers that no other Pitbull Breeder can. Not only will you get one of the best looking XL pitbulls money can buy, but because My wife and I are hands on with our dogs it 100% reflects on the temperaments and personalities later in life. WE DO NOT SELL OUR PITBULL PUPPIES BEFORE TEN WEEKS ! It doesn't matter if someone offers us more money or says they will buy a Puppy elsewhere, we do this because dogs grow very rapidly in first few months and two weeks is almost like two months for a puppy mentally.
We have spared no expense when it comes to our dogs, we use the best studs from all over the world , have their frozen semen shipped in and we only do surgical A.I which is almost 100% effective when paired with proper progesterone testing. As you can tell we pride ourselves in being a Blue Bully Breeder, in being different than any other breeder and in being America's Top Kennel and one of the best places to find Red Nose puppies for sale so give us a call and find out the difference!
Q: What does picking order, 1st pick, or 2nd pick mean?
A: Picking order means the order you get to pick your puppy. Say we have a litter of 10 puppies. 5 males and 5 females. If you want to be the first one to pick out of all the available males you would get "1st pick male". If you wanted "4th pick male", you would have to wait until the other three families have picked their puppy and then you would have your choice of the remaining male puppies.
*Pick selection are made when the puppies turn 10 weeks of age.*


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Policyholders with New Zealand-based insurance group
The listed insurer said its latest reinsurance program would cover two catastrophe events, with each excess costing $NZ11.7 million ($9.4 million) compared with $NZ$6.7 million last year.
The group's reinsurance limit has also been lifted to $NZ525 million per event.
Tower policyholders will be footing some of the extra costs.
"The company has increased the premium rates for its house, contents and motor policies, consistent with the market, to adjust for the increased reinsurance costs," a Tower statement said.
"Due to changes in the program and an increase in premium levels charged by reinsurers, "Tower's total reinsurance premiums for 2012-13 year will be higher than 2011-12."
The insurer, which split from Tower in Australia (now TAL) in 2006, faced soaring reinsurance bills after the Christchurch 'quakes.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand said earlier this year that more than $NZ4 billion had so far been paid to Canterbury residential home owners and commercial businesses for damages stemming from the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.
More than $NZ1.1 billion of the total payout to May this year was for claims from Christchurch home owners, while a further $NZ3 billion was paid to commercial businesses which were impacted by earthquakes and continuing aftershocks.
Tower's reinsurance program comes after the insurer warned of a $NZ9.4 million profit downgrade for the year to September.
The group has also completed a strategic review of the business and is considering offers for various parts of its operations to improve returns to shareholders.
Last month Tower said it was weighing up "a number of proposals with interested parties".
At present the insurer has four business units – funds management, life and health insurance, and investments.
Managing director
"The board is open to changing Tower's business structure to improve the value achieved for shareholders and is considering proposals, including operational alliances and divestment of assets," Mr Flannagan said.
"At this point there is no expected outcome from this exercise and any such transactions would need to make sound business sense before being progressed," he said.
But Mr Flannagan added that it was in the best interests of shareholders to weigh up some of the proposals.
Credit Suisse downgraded Tower from "neutral" to "underperform" following the company's update in the middle of last month.
Insurance analyst Andrew Adams previously noted that Tower was less competitive as a stand-alone insurer.
"Following IAG's acquisition of AMI there are limited options for Tower besides significantly improving the efficiency of the current business," Mr Adams wrote in a research note.
"While we expect underlying earnings for Tower to improve in future periods, in line with our positive view on the New Zealand general insurance market, this is currently more than factored into Tower's share price, in our view."
JP Morgan insurance analyst Siddharth Parameswaran said there was "still a bit of tension in the company".
"It really comes down to if they can find buyers to pay a reasonable price for the assets," Mr Parameswaran said.
The Australian Financial Review


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Canada Stocks to Watch: Bombardier, Golds
By Judy McKinnon
Here are some of the stocks we're watching Tuesday:
Bombardier Inc. said a signaling contract between London Underground and its transportation unit has been terminated following discussions between the two companies. Bombardier, which said it has already completed "a great deal" of preparatory work, received the contract in 2011. Bombardier didn't say why the contract between the two parties ended.
Gold prices Tuesday are at their lowest since late June, which may weigh on producers of the yellow metal such as Goldcorp Inc., Barrick Gold Corp. and Kinross Gold Corp.


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We have some fantastic Kroger updates for you today. Check out all of these great new deals. Keep in mind that the Just Water deal ends on Monday and the Campbell's Soup deal ends on Tuesday. You have almost ten days to grab the Chunky Soup deal. Here are the scenarios:
At Kroger:
BUY THREE JUST WATER 16.9 OZ, on sale $0.88 through 9/12 (reg. $0.99)
Get $1 cashback from Ibotta for buying three Just Water 16.9 oz
Use two $0.25/1 Just Water 16.9 oz printable coupons (preclipped)
and use the $0.25/1 Just Water Kroger Digital Coupon – LIMIT 1
Price at Register: $1.89, but get $1 cashback from Ibotta
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $0.89 (or 30 cents each!)
BUY FOUR CAMPBELL'S CONDENSED CHICKEN NOODLE OR TOMATO SOUPS, on sale $0.79 through 9/13
Use one $1.20/4 Campbell's Condensed Soups printable coupon (preclipped)
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $1.96 (or 49 cents each!)
BUY THREE CAMPBELL'S CHUNKY SOUPS, on sale 3/$4 through 9/20
Use one $1.20/3 Campbell's Chunky Soups printable coupon (preclipped)
NET PRICE FOR ALL: $2.80 (or 93 cents each!)
Thanks Kroger Krazy.Extreme Couponing Tip: You can usually get two prints of most internet coupons. To find them in the easiest possible way, use our preclipped links that take you right to the coupon. Then come back and click the same link to get your 2nd print. This will save you the time spent searching for the coupon.
Never miss another hot coupon, deal or freebie again! "Like" Couponaholic .NET on Facebook, Follow us on Pinterest, Follow us on Twitter, Follow us on Instagram or Subscribe to our Daily Email Newsletter!


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History and background of Prada
The Prada label was begun in 1913 by Mario Prada when he began selling shoes, leather handbags and trunks. He opened two boutiques in Milan after experience in Europe and U.S.A.
The classic Prada suitcase was made of heavy walrus skin but as plane travel made heavy suitcases impractical, the company started to make lighter bags and high quality items made of crystals, tortoise shell and wood. They also sold garments of waterproof fabrics to the U.S. However the company had gone into decline in the 1970's.
1950 Miuccia Prada was born. By her mid-20's she had a doctorate in political science and in her 30's, she was a communist. In 1970 she started making backpack bags out of waterproof fabric called Pocone.
1979 She took over the Prada family business. Since sales were down, she expanded into luxury tote bags and backpacks in black with flat classic lines, made from nylon.
1985 She launched a line of footwear for women and her first pret-a-porter clothing line, using high quality fabrics. Her clean lines gave her fame, and she came to be known for under-stated elegant garments.
1993 She received an International award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
1995 She won "Designer of the Year" award.
1998 Prada opened their first menswear shop in Los Angeles, USA. They also opened new Prada stores in Manhattan and Las Vegas, as well as Miu Miu's first North American boutique, in Los Angeles.
Prada is now a worldwide empire, with stores in practically every country in the western world. It is a million dollar concern, with every celebrity wearing Prada clothes.
Prada style
Fabrics - Miuccia Prada uses a lot of crunchy polyester, parachute nylon and other synthetic fabrics. Colours - she likes Battleship green, browns, white, cream, and black. Simple destructured shapes, knee length skirts, her skinny belts had become the currency of success in the mid 90's. Her clothes are not exactly fashionable. There is no defining accent, just a grouping of desirable useful things in exquisite fabrics.
Her clothes, though often deceptively plain looking, have become widely influential. She gives traditional garments a modern handling, like trimming nylon parkas with mink and making trench coats and twin sets out of silk faille. It seems that the whole world craves Prada's ice-cool minimalism and deadpan eroticism
Financial Activities
Patrizio Bertelli (Miuccia Prada's husband) made a series of acquisitions which began in the late 90;s, taking over Helmut Lang, Church Shoes, Jil Sander, Fendi and other companies.
Prada (as part of a consortium) took over the house of Jil Sander in 2000, but Bertelli had a fight with the designer who had built up the house of her own name and the result was that she left. As part of her agreement to leave, Jil Sander is not permitted to have anything to do with fashion till 2003.
At the end of 2001, they were some $ 1 billion in debt. They decided to sell Fendi to LVMH (who own Dior, Givenchy and other houses) for S 250 million. Industry watchers felt that Prada was facing a serious cash crisis. Then in April 2002, Prada sold Byblos, a house that they had only acquired in June 2001.
See All products by Prada


text: The Ideal Home Show has been helping to build ideal homes in Britain for over a century. The first show was organised back in 1908 and it showcased labour saving devices of the time. From time to time it has introduced gadgets such as the taster, electric kettle, microwave, electric grass mower and more recently the concept of the 'energy efficient kitchen'. View the website to get the latest news about the exhibition, ticket information, group visits and exhibitor information. read more


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The Labour leader said he was "astonished" at the complaint when it was put to him on the BBC's Question Time.
Conservative shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Mr Blair is out of touch with what is going on in the NHS."
What do you think about the government health targets? How easy is it to get an appointment with your doctor? Send us your comments and experiences.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments. You can read a selection of them below.
I have never had any problem booking doctor's appointments in advance. When I call my surgery I get a choice of doctor, time and date, and I live in the inner city of Newcastle, not some outlying district.J Wright, Newcastle upon Tyne
It's obvious that this target based approach doesn't work. My GPs surgery has completely rehashed the way they handle appointments in order to meet targets better. Last time I went I waited over four hours to see a doctor.Tony Flitton, Halesowen
My GP service is brilliant. I can phone up that day and am always guaranteed an appointment, I can book nurses appointments in advance, or I can turn up at 8am or 4pm and will always be seen. I see the same doctor every time I go.SS, Worthing, UK
We have a 24 hour system operating here. So if you're unavailable during the 25-or-so minutes after the phones open at 8am sharp, you don't get an appointment.Ben, Canterbury, Kent
It was quite clear that this was something new to Tony Blair and he has promised to go away and look at it. He could not be expected to know about this, so saying he is out of touch is ridiculous.Derek, England
The trouble with all these responses is that they are all anecdotal. We need proper statistics to know whether this really is an issue or whether it's a lot of hot air blown up by patients of a few practices who are not reading the rules correctly. And how many of these apparently dis-satisfied patients are Conservative voters/activists?Chris, UK
The only problem I have with the GP is waiting times when I arrive for my appointment. If I have an appointment at 2pm, I have to wait at least an hour before I am seen. The reason I found for this is that GP's give out appointments every five or 10 minutes which is too short to see each patient and is done to see as many people in one day and causes huge delays. It might seem a small thing, but it can make a huge difference and maybe one day I will be seen on time for my appointment at the GP.Talal, Manchester, UK
My GP practice has also moved to the absurd '48 hours in advance only' system, to the great inconvenience of all those who go out to work and need to make appointments to fit in with their colleagues. It's about time Mr Blair and his cabinet started to actually use the NHS and General Practice so they can see what the rest of us have to put up with. No doubt they all have private doctors on call whenever they want and so swing the system, just as they can swing the education system and send their children to the most advantageous schools. Bitter? I should say so.Ann Keith, Cambridge
I have been able to make an appointment and see my doctor for the past three months. I used to phone a week in advance of the date he wanted to see me. It worked fine for me. In addition I got to see the doctor that I wanted. It took time to change but the new appointment system works fine. I am in no doubt that should an emergency arise I will be able to see a doctor immediately. Carry on Tony you are doing fine.Nora Bedford, Newark, Notts UK
This is why the Conservatives will get my vote.Phillip Evans, Wales
Rubbish. You all complained because you had to wait seven to ten days to see a doctor, now you moan because you have to see him within 48 hours. You all make me sick, now I have to make an appointment and I have got to see him tomorrow, not wait ten days.John L Cooper, Great Yarmouth
Never had a problem in my life to see a GP. Organisations need targets, the whole thing is a spurious distraction. The prime minister is not here to worry about GP waiting times, he has a minister of health to do that.John, East Sussex
I am a GP and agree that 48 hour access is not ideal, but has certainly cut down on non-attenders! The biggest problem facing us is lack patient awareness of the problem: No, we cannot all be female; no, you can't bring a list of problems to a 10 minute appointment; no, we can't all be there from dawn till dusk every single day; yes, we are human too and not indestructible. The sooner people start taking some responsibility for their own health and choosing a better government the better!CC, Oxfordshire
The reason some surgeries won't make appointments more than 48 hours in advance is that too many people fail to show up if the appointment is further ahead than that. It's as simple as that.Jasper Coggins, Birmingham, UK
I was asked to wait for four days before telephoning to speak to my GP. I need physiotherapy and have been told it is not available on the NHS.Peter Varnish, Hampshire
I phoned my doctors last Thursday for an appointment. I was informed the system had changed, and if I wanted an appointment I had to start phoning the surgery from 0830 on Friday. And where previously if I was on there door step when they opened I could see a doctor as a walk in patient had been stopped. On the Friday as instructed I started calling at 0829 the phone was engaged, and remained that way until I gave up at 0930. This did not help my high blood pressure.Ron Foster, Mitcham
Maybe it's time the government stop putting responsibilities on the doctors and start fining patients for time wasting valuable life saving services. Being responsible for each and every action in such a litigious age is demanding enough.Steve Manton, Stockport UK
I am extremely grateful for the targets now applying in the NHS. I have only had to wait nine months for my first hip replacement compared to what would have been 18 months to three years before they were implemented. Similarly, if I need to see my GP, I can see him either the same day or the next day. It really doesn't bother me that I can't make an appointment for a week in advance when it is not urgent.Mary Lewis, Telford
Government central planning of health services? I thought the Soviet Union tried to centrally plan things - and look where that got them. What on earth a bunch of politicians would know about running a health service is beyond me.John B, Edinburgh
At our surgery you can only make appointments on the day so you have to phone up in the morning and hope that appointments with your own doctor are still available. Of course, everyone phones when the surgery opens so it is very hard to get through. My wife is a school teacher and she is teaching when the surgery opens so for her it is impossible to make appointments. For many working people it is also inconvenient that you have to ask for time off work on the day.Stefan, Oxfordshire, UK
It is easy to say we need to scrap targets but remember folks, targets in government services around the world became a phenomenon in the 1990s when all nations realized that government systems must be run like businesses - in order to manage limited resources well. If Howard says there should be no targets, it is like going back to the dark ages.Gerry Lewis, Mansfield, Notts
My GP's system is great - they do book appointments in advance, but have one doctor each day who only sees people who book on the day. It means that if you want to see your own doctor you can book in advance, or if you need to see someone urgently you can (only it may mean seeing a different doctor). I have never had a problem making an appointment, whereas I did before the targets came in.Kerry, Woking
I have never had any problems getting an appointment to see my doctor. My doctor's surgery has an open surgery Monday to Friday 8.30 - 12.30, and if that time is no good you can book an appointment in the evenings.Hayley, Newport, South Wales
I am so glad this has come out. A few weeks ago I wanted to book an appointment with my own GP (who works part time, two days a week) and was told I could not book more than two days in advance. My appointment was not urgent I just wanted to speak to that GP about the care of my chronic condition. I was happy to book on two weeks, six weeks, even six months in advance but to no avail. Why can't I see my own GP for a non-urgent appointment when I want to?Linda, Leeds
My doctors' has operated 48 hour appointments for a while now, and it's now easier to see my own doctor.Sharon Strudwick, Woking
Anybody who is nitpicking about items like this should be forced to come to America and use their medical services. But bring thousands of dollars with you because you will need it! God bless the NHS - you just don't know lucky we are!Derek Hayman, Chester England and Lake Wales Florida
As a former practice nurse, I would like to point out that thousands of appointments are not kept by patient's every week. This is irresponsible and if this was rectified then there may be no need to have targets at all. For example, by a charge for missed appointments or by removing patients from the list after three missed appointments.Ailsa, UK
Since moving to Scotland we have had no problems seeing a GP. When living England we were interrogated by a receptionist who would then decide when you could see the GP.Karen Matthews, Dunbartonshire Scotland
The new appointment system means that you never see the same doctor twice in a row and there is no continuity of treatment and advice. The other recent innovation is an ageist policy, where prescriptions can not be issued for more than 28 days supply of medicine if you are aged over 60 years.Arthur Harlett, Crawley
People in this country think the PM should know and sort out every little thing in peoples' lives. Go to your local MP, that's their job if you have any problems.john, Shrewsbury
My doctors' surgery has improved. You can now see the doctor the day you are ill or make an appointment to suit your need. Bob Bowles, Manchester
I think everyone has a horror story about trying to get an appointment with a GP. I believe targets should be scraped completely and politicians should leave doctors and nurses alone to get on with doing their jobs. In my experience politicians do more harm than good when they try to improve things!Jack Stone, Southend on Sea.
Targets alone are not good management tools. They are quick fix with little thought for their implications. Considerably more thought needs to be given to other motivational factors which influence how people behave in response to targets. Common sense seems in short supply within this government.John, Ross-shire, Scotland
Politically set targets are damaging to the nation's health. I have been diagnosed as suffering from peripheral neuropathy. I need nerve conductivity tests to determine the cause and then can have treatment. There is a THREE YEAR wait for these tests. Because they are a diagnostic test they do not figure in the government targets so reducing the waiting time is not a priority. I am in pain and my condition gets worse the longer I wait. But because resources are being concentrated on reducing the figures that appear in the statistics, patient care is suffering.Edward Chapman, Cornwall
As a medical student currently on a General Practice attachment I have to say that after studying the GP system for a while it is clear that this 48 hour booking system is certainly not widespread. All the more ridiculous then for Tony Blair to jump on the bandwagon and pledge to reduce government targets.Piers Foster, Edinburgh, UK
My GP practice goes one better! Patients are unable to book an appointment for the next day! Being told that I had to ring up in the morning at a time when I was at my most busiest trying to sort out family and get to work means I often could not get an appointment because by the time I was able to ring there were no appointments left.Fran
I called my doctor's surgery at 9.20am on Tuesday for an appointment, I was told that there were no appointments available and I would need to call back the next morning to see if I could get an appointment for Friday. No, this surgery is not meeting government targets, it is just fiddling the figures and I now learn they are being given a financial bonus for depriving people of prompt treatment!Jill, West Midlands
My GP's practice operates a 'ring on the day' system. It's a nightmare. I managed to get through to the surgery ten minutes after the lines opened. I was told that in that space of time all the appointments had been filled!Barbara Garner, E. Sussex
Patients shouldn't be allowed to book appointments more than 48 hours in advance - that evidence shows that the longer in advance the appointments are booked, the fewer patients turn up for them! The 24-48 hour limit produces up to 25% more available appointments by cutting out these 'did not attends'.Gavin, Scotland
I don't think that the 48 hour system is such a bad idea but it is the financial rewards involved for implementing it that worry me. Similar thing happens with the MMR jab - the GP receives more money the more jabs he administers. The doctors are no longer offering an unbiased opinion just one based on financial rewards.Sue, Worcestershire
I am a GP working in a practice offering so-called "advanced access". The experience of the lady on Question Time is, I am afraid, typical. GPs have only so many hours in the day like anyone else. If we are to guarantee that anyone who wishes to be seen can be seen within 24 hours, then it follows that something else has to give to free up the spaces. That is why many practices only allow booking on the day. It is another example of an ill-thought-out target.Ian, Perth, Scotland
I've moved around a lot in the past few years and virtually all of the surgeries I've been registered at have a no appointment system in the mornings, where you arrive and get seen in turn. However, having moved to North Wales I tried to get an appointment with my doctor last month and the only appointment was 8 days away!Iain Alexander, Wrexham, Wales
Do not complain too much about the system of appointments ie 48hrs. I was surprised to find out about it. When I used the practice complaints procedure I was removed off the list and so were my whole family. This was supported by the PCT, GMC and BMA for being an alleged troublemaker for actually making a complaint! I was disgusted by the attitude of the PCT, BMA and GMC they should know better after all they publish on their websites.Clive, London
I have in my diary an appointment with my doctor for 12th May. He wanted to see me in six weeks from my last visit. I am sure that very few practices have interpreted the targets in such a stupid manner, but then any anecdote will do to discredit the NHS.Eric Heley, Lee on the Solent, UK
If Tony Blair is astonished, it's because nobody told him about it. What's John Reid for? It's a silly debate about nothing and media fuelled yet again.Heather, London, England
In our GP surgery, a new system of on the day booking has been introduced for some time. Life is unbelievably easy now, and we are able to see the GP when we really need to see him, not wait for a week or longer and suffer with your condition and when eventually arrive on the day you find your self behind the queue as the waiting room is full of patients with emergency cases. GP surgery and NHS in general has seen lot of improvements in last few years and we need continuity.Arshad Tirmizi, Hanwell, London
In some ways I think it's a good idea, you don't want people making it their life hobby to see their doctor but at present the system is a lottery and makes a mockery of the government's targets.John Pickles, Halifax
You have to know a week in advance that you're going to be ill, and then book your appointment with our doctors. Try getting an appointment before that, no chance.Peter Berry, Portsmouth
The new 48 hour system is brilliant. You get to see a doctor as soon as you feel ill. It works here very well indeed.P Rollason, Worthing
I find the system works if you have you have time to dial and redial from 8.30 to 10 am until you get through or if you can go down to the surgery and arrange an appointment. As I work full time I can do neither and consequently can no longer make appointments easily.Lin, Worcester
If Mr Blair was unaware of all these problems, maybe it's about time we elected a PM who actually does his job.Martin, England
My wife works in a surgery. No appointments left for today so patients have to call back from 8am Tuesday to make an appointment (next day that they are open). At that time it will be a bun fight if you do not get the engaged tone.M Webber, Bradford West Yorkshire
I hate this system and am astonished that Mr Blair appeared to know nothing about the inconvenience it has caused. In the past, my GP would always see an emergency on the same day. Most of my appointments were not urgent and I was happy to book a week in advance. Now I have no choice and feel I am wasting time by having to phone up on the day for something that can wait.Carol Scott, Huntingdon, Cambs
What row? The one the BBC has been trying to create all day? This morning I needed a quick appointment and I was given one for an hour and a half later. Was seen by a charming GP and treatment commenced. Thank God (and the Labour government) for our wonderful health service and for our equally wonderful nurses and doctors and all health workers. Stop knocking our NHS, want to know real injustice in the NHS? Then vote Tory on May 5th and be prepared to for large scale privatisation. Elaine, Kensworth, UK
My local GP surgery is only able to offer the earliest appointment for two weeks time. Unless I take time out of work and go to one of their drop-in surgeries, which requires me to cancel appointments. As I work for the NHS, this increases the pressure that I am under due to my job and makes it extremely inconvenient for myself and families I work with. Additionally, I recently wanted to confirm my pregnancy and the earliest GP appointment they could offer me was for two weeks. I was just lucky to get a cancellation appointment with the nurse within a week but again I had to cancel appointments, as they were unable to offer an appointment towards the end of my working day. Extremely frustrating and inflexible service. Mrs Wendy Moreline, Grays, Essex
Just a comment - booking appointments on the day does cut down on people missing their appointments, but even so, in the last two days, I have had three such patients fail to attend for their appointments. It is difficult to run any reliable system faced with such challenges.Dr J, West Yorkshire
I find the complaints against the 48hr GP appointments unfair. For years, I couldn't see my GP within the 48hr bracket. Now, it is possible to see him in the same day! People who want to make appointment week ahead, often do not turn up in time, and they waste the time of their GP and other patients. You are lucky to see a doctor within 48hr, so what are they complaining about? Jerald Portinee, London
What is really irritating about this debate is that Labour brought the targets in for the right reason, ie so people wouldn't have to wait a week or more for an appointment as used to be the case and also so GPs could reduce their workload. Unfortunately, some surgeries have adopted a rigid approach to this and have not offered advance appointments as well as 48 hour ones. For goodness sake, give some credit where credit is due. What's more, you can't expect the PM to know everything which is going on in every surgery! Get real.Dr Liz Saunders, Worthing, West Sussex
I find it strange that Tony Blair was "astonished" at the complaint. How can it be news to him? Wasn't Labour supposed to have been "listening"? Who has Tony Blair been listening to?Tim McElligott, Broxbourne, Herts
Here's another case for having private medical cover. To anyone in a decent job it's affordable, not expensive and it means you dictate terms. Although I'm from the UK I live a lot in the US. People in UK should be grateful for the NHS. In the USA many people go bankrupt because of horrendous medical bills, and lose their house as well. Thank God for the NHS. Ron Williams, Colorado Springs, USA
It shows Tony Blair and his government have little or no idea of what is actually happening on the ground. The Government needs to learn that just setting targets does not magically fix everything. They need to spend more time finding out what's actually happening locally.Pieter Dyson, Manchester
The PM must be naive to believe that organisations aren't rearranging their work practices, and fiddling statistics in order to meet those targets, at the expense of the service users.Ben Craig, London
My surgery will only take appointments for the next day and only via the phone - you have to be quick off the mark to get one.Myles Boyd, Wootton Bassett England
It's amazing that the government doesn't seem to know the knock-on effect of its 48-hour target for GP's surgeries. I was at my doctor's surgery at 8.05 this morning, going in person because I can't get through on the phone, and had found most of the appointments had already gone. Having said that, the current arrangement is still better than being told, when you or a member of your family is really ill, that there are no appointments available for the next week.Judy Trewin, Brighton
We have no opportunity to pre-book, everyone is told to ring at 8.30 am. It makes appointment making extremely distressing even for routine visits. Both my husband and I are disabled have long term problems.Lynn Standish-Dixon, Northwich
Why were some of the Question Time audience getting annoyed at not being able to book doctor's appointments a week in advance? How on earth do they know they'll still be ill in a weeks' time? This new 48 hour policy is a great idea and frees up the slots previously taken up by time wasters.Katie, London
The fact that Tony Blair needed to take part in a Question Time Election Special to find out the reality of seeing a GP only goes to show how out of touch he is.Tina, Berkshire
I thoroughly support the new system. It used to be impossible to get an appointment with my doctor in less than a week. Now you can phone up and get an appointment the same day - a massive improvement.Keith Turner, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire
Our practice operates a system where you have to ring between 8-8.30am for an appointment. This is fine, as we usually get an appointment, but it means we can't give much notice to work.Nicola BR, Sevenoaks
Why are people slating Tony Blair over this issue? He is not personally responsible for the system adopted by individual GPs.David, South London
Why would anybody want to make an appointment to see their GP in seven days time? If you are unwell, surely you would wish to see them ASAP? The 'ring on the day' system at our surgery ensures you normally see someone that day. Where's the problem?Alun Wickham, Wombourne, Staffordshire
I've never experienced this problem. If I need an appointment in advance I can make the appointment, and if I need an appointment that day, I can call at 8.30am and usually get an appointment.Amy , Aberdeen
The service probably works well enough if you do not have a job to go to. The people who have no problem obviously don't have their own work targets to meet.Jill, East Yorkshire
My GP offers first come first served sessions in the morning clinic, and appointment only in the afternoon clinic. It works really well because you can plan ahead for non urgent visits, but also get seen on the actual morning for urgent things. Alison, Glasgow
We can ring and speak to a triage nurse who can either offer advice or get us an appointment with a doctor that day. The system works very well.Hillman, Fareham
As an experienced GP, I was amazed last night when Mr Blair said he did not know about the chaos he has imposed upon us and our patients. Surely this shows a complete lack of responsibility.D Gerton, UK
Our surgery demands that you call between 9-9.30 on the morning that you wish to see a doctor. If you can get through you are very lucky.Nick, Kent
We are frequently told we cannot see our GP for anything up to a week. I fail to see where the 48 hour achievement comes from. Unless it is within 48 hours of the date they give us.Robin Pike, Swadlincote, England
I don't understand the system my doctors use. They tell me their policy is not to book appointments more than seven days in advance. When I try to get an appointment, they never have any for the next seven days despite having set aside appointments for people who work 9-5.Dominic, Plymouth, UK
My surgery used to be a quick, efficient walk-in type. If I needed to see the doctor, I would just turn up and wait about 30mins. Since Tony's Targets have been introduced, I have to phone and book an appointment no more than 24hrs in advance. I never understood why it changed, but now I do.Glen, Welling, UK
The NHS is falling over itself with targets and daft schemes. I've had the same problem with booking a GP. You can only book appointments at 8.30am for the same day. It's a joke. Scrap targets and think of patients.Dave, Manchester, UK
Our GPs surgery changed to booking on the day because so many people didn't show up for pre-booked appointments. It's brilliant now - you can always get to see your GP on the day you phone. It's far, far better than ever it was before. Carole Simpson, Nottingham
The same day (within 24/48 hr) doctor booking system according to my then doctor (in Scotland) stopped people booking appointments days/weeks ahead and then not turning up. The change meant that if I wanted an appointment I could get one. Prior to the change you may well have had to wait a long several days/a week, call out the doctor or visit a hospital - all counter productive. A downside on the doctor's part was that they could not plan ahead to have spare time. I do not feel enough weight has been given to the benefits of the system.Mike Trigger, Devon
I suffer from high blood pressure. I have to see my doctor every six weeks. Until last year I used to book my appointment about a week ahead. I can no longer do this. I can only book on the day and it is no good trying to telephone at 8am because it is impossible to get through, which means that I have to go to the surgery and stand in a queue. Walter Binns, Drifield
I am a GP and our practice does not offer an appointment system. Patients attend on the day of their choosing and they will be seen on that day. This obviously results in their having to wait for variable amounts of time, but they know that they can be seen. We have carried out a patient questionnaire from a random sample of our patients and they do not wish us to have an appointment system. Unfortunately, we are financially penalised because we do not offer an appointment system. The government have indicated that they want patients to be seen within 48 hours (which we do), but that this must be with an appointment system.TB, West Midlands
I have to admit I hadn't realised that was the reason why I had to telephone on the day. However, I have noticed this doesn't happen for every day only if I want an appointment on a specific day of the week, which I think is a Wednesday. Generally speaking my doctors surgery is good, very busy but good.Valerie Caldwell, Leamington Spa, England
If there are going to be targets set for GPs. Surely it should be say within 48 hours of the patients requested appointment date.S, Cambridge
Being able to make an appointment in the next 48 hours or seeing your own doctor is a luxury, my practice will only make an appointment on the day of the request.+Graham Wren, Derby, Derbyshire
My doctor only allows appointments on the day. So if I can't get through I'm late for work and still haven't seen a doctor and have to go through the whole process the next day. My boss is not happy when this goes on for three or four days on the spin.Kelvin Moon, Coalville
My wife frequently has problems booking doctors' appointments for the children. She has to phone at 8:30 and if no morning appointment is available she is told to phone back at 1:30. However she teaches in the afternoons and cannot leave her classroom to phone. So she has to leave it until the next day and go through the whole process again. Advance bookings are not allowed, which is most frustrating.Marcus Cullen, Camberley, Surrey
Since these targets have come in I've never seen the same doctor twice. I either have to ring in the morning on the day I want the appointment or wait a month to see my own doctor.Mags, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Amazing how out of touch a demagogue can be. I'm a locum GP. I work in many surgeries in central and south London. Every single one has to restrict or abolish advance appointments in order to meet the government's arbitrary targets. I won't be voting Labour again.Desmond Persaud, Wimbledon, London
It proves that most of these statistics are worthless. The question we should be asking is how much it is costing the taxpayer to collect all these statistics.Ian Baldwin, Buntingford, England
The truth is that for decades many GPs have stubbornly refused to change their methods of booking. Embargoing of appointments is simply their knee-jerk reaction to a target and a deadline. With will, forethought and careful management this can be remedied but other pressures are so great that it is not possible to prioritise this work.Emma, Sheffield, England
Personally, I am astonished that Tony Blair thinks that the best way to react to ill-thought/applied targets, is to make another ill-thought out rush to change them. Targets work, but only if the implications are thought through - changing them on the basis of one question on Question Time is hardly sound practice.Leanne, Newcastle
My GP surgery also operates a book on the day appointment system. It can be a nightmare. It is virtually impossible to get through at 8am, I have tried before, constantly redialling and when I eventually get through all the appointments have gone so I have to start again at 1pm on the same day for afternoon appointments.
I work so have to book time off if I need to see the doctor but I can't do this as I don't know when I will be going. I have booked time off before and have been unsuccessful in getting an appointment that day. Mr Blair seemed genuinely surprised at this, but I can assure you this is what is happening. I'm more surprised hear it is only happening in 2% of practices. I would welcome proof of this.Helen
I believe the system should change. In my country, Italy, there are only walk in GP surgeries, no appointment needed. I believe in this country we should be able to have the same, to be able to walk in, sit and wait and able to see the doctor the same day. I don't have particular problems with my GP at the moment as I always managed to get a same day appointment, but with my previous ones, I sometimes had to wait two weeks before to see a doctor which is ridiculous! Simona, London
Like the PM I was astonished by this complaint, although unlike him I am ordinary citizen and user of NHS. Just last week I asked and got an appointment with my GP during this week, as I wanted. Nobody told me to come or call again within 48 hours limit.
I suspect the complaint, which has now become big issue for the media and the opposition, relates to a bad practice or dogmatic misinterpretation of a sensible effort to ensure that patients see their doctor within 48 hours if they need to - but not that they must. I am registered with a largish GP practice and never had or heard about this so-called problem. Probably as a patient I am out of touch like, according to media and Mr Lansley, is Mr Blair.Ivan Klimes, Oxford
One of the major problems with doctor's surgeries has been the number of people who make appointments a week or more in advance and then can't be bothered to turn up, or cancel their appointment. The new system helps reduce that problem. Yet another storm in a teacup. Matt, London
My surgery operates a system whereby you will usually get seen on the same day if you ring when the surgery opens at 8am. An appointment with your regular GP cannot however be guaranteed. Ten days ago I found a breast lump. As I carry out a school run between 8 and 8.25am I rang at 8.25am for three consecutive days asking to be seen by my own GP or a female doctor.
For all three days my own GP was unavailable and on the third day I did manage to see a female doctor. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so choosey. Since then however my treatment has been brilliant. I was seen a week later at a breast clinic where it was found I had two breast cysts. Everyone at the clinic was totally professional and wonderfully caring and I thank God they were there.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that there has to be some flexibility. My choice to see a female GP was my own but what about those women whose religion or other lifestyle demands it. If you are unable to ring at the beginning of surgery when are you likely to get seen? Al, Guildford, Surrey
I'm not surprised that Tony Blair wasn't aware of the problem. Both my parents work for the NHS, namely as GP and Family Planning consultant. They work harder than anyone I know (ok I'm biased). They try their hardest to make things run smoothly but when they don't know what the NHS managers are doing or trying to do it doesn't help. The NHS managers quite often don't know what all the GPs and nurses really need so should we really be surprised that Tony Blair has trouble keeping up!Kim, London
I have worked under the old system and the new regarding advanced access. When it is used properly by the GPs it works well, reducing workload for doctors, giving better access to patients and making life easier for receptionists. Dr Reid is completely wrong in saying that only 2% of practices embargo appointments. What 90% of practices do is to embargo appointments until the 48 hour mark. Those practices who truly offer advanced access find they have reduced patient demand and find work more manageable. The real question should not be whether practices are offering true advanced access, but why they are not when it is to everyone's advantage.Dr Tim Coker, Southam Warwickshire
I've never had any problems with the system - I just phone up at 9am on the day I want an appointment, and usually within 10 minutes or so I have one later that day. I'm sure that in some places there are difficulties, but it's not a universal issue. Also, I think it's fair that Tony Blair didn't know about it - he can't be expected to know every detail about how all the government actually function, all of the time. Prime Ministers shouldn't have to mico-manage the country - they've got enough demands on their time as it is. Rob, Cambridge, UK
Our GP surgery only allows appointments on the same day. You have to ring at 8am along with many others and if you're very lucky you get an appointment that day. There are no advance booking appointments at all. I have been trying to get to see my doctor for 3 weeks! Jo, Bolton le Sands
I actually believe its a good system, I now get an appointment when I need it, instead of being told the next available is in 7 days time. It cuts out all those time wasters who do not show up for their appointments. But some allowance should be made for advance booking of routine appointments.Paul, Nottingham, UK
This fact of life is something which the Prime Minister was not aware of. Just as he is not aware of the endless paperwork that has developed by other well-meaning policies affecting the police, health service, financial services and a host of other industries. Why don't politicians just get out of people's ever day lives and stick to what they're good at - whatever that may be!P Thomas, St Helens
I have no problem getting same day appointments from my GP - in a brand new health centre funded by this government, just like the other brand new health centre that has been built down the road. The NHS might not be perfect, but huge sums of money are going into it under Labour and it is making a real difference.Fabian, Bristol, UK
Mr Blair was totally lost when confronted with the procedure for doctors appointments. Lucky for him, he does have a private doctorJohn Hindry, Fareham Hampshire
I was amazed that the prime minister was unaware of the fiasco of the GP appointment system and its appointment within 48 hours rule. Every one you speak to complains of this and other trivial irritations the public have to put up with in the health service. These rules filter down to the public very quickly - but when they go wrong the information does not seem to travel back to the top at all.D Pallen, Enfield, Middx
I am a doctors' receptionist and the woman on Question Time who said they could only get an appointment in 48 hours was talking utter rubbish in my opinion. We have a same-day appointment system or a patient can pre-book up to six weeks ahead. If her doctor was failing over the appointment system, she should complain to the practice manager or change doctors. I have never heard of any other surgery running this kind of appointment system.Angela Armstrong, Tyne and Wear
I'm amazed that he is astonished. Whenever targets are set it is human nature to work out ways to meet the letter without considering the intent. I am sure that similar behaviour is rife throughout all central and local government as well as the health service. Targets are not an alternative to good management.Martin Kirk, Inverness, Scotland
My GP certainly follows government guidelines! One cannot get an appointment more than 24 hours ahead - hell for routine reviews of medication. They are as frustrated as the patients. The genius who thought of this one should be given the idiot-of-the-year award.Judith, London
I am a mother who works full time and my GP surgery has same day appointments and it is brilliant. They do offer advance appointments but only for certain things and I think that is good because no longer do I have to wait two weeks to be ill. The only people who moan are the OAPs who want their visits to the doctors booked ages in advance. The surgery has less people missing appointments because you can't forget when you've booked that day!Rhyannon, Gloucestershire
A few years ago I had to wait a minimum of four days for a doctor's appointment. Now it's a maximum of two days, that's a huge improvement. OK, the booking system could be further improved to allow for advance bookings but please don't go back the old system.John, Wiltshire, UK
On three occasions recently I have had to see a doctor, each time I was given an appointment within the hour. Never had a problem with the NHS, a wonderful service.Mrs S Wadkin-Snaith, Bath, UK
My local surgery is fantastic. If you require an appointment for a morning, you call after 12pm the day before and if you want an afternoon appointment simply call that morning. It used to be the case where I was waiting for three to four days before I could get to see someone. I am very happy.Harriet Hotchkiss, Lancaster, England
In my experience of talking to other people, similar procedures are followed in most GP practices these days. Even scarier is that I hear from nurse friends that the same thing is happening in hospitals. Nurses cannot make follow up appointments on the spot because that would upset targets.Lyn Cooper, London, UK
If I'm ill I'd like to see my GP as son as possible. However this is not possible because too many people are booking appointments weeks in advance and then don't turn up.Mike Goalby, Marlborough
I did cringe for poor beleaguered Tony last night; this one really took him by surprise. Bound to happen when you are whisked off in a presidential style to any treatment you might need. I'd bet not many people in the government or our numerous palaces have clue about real life issues like seeing you doctor.Alan Hodgson, Brighton, UK
I read that the NHS (or somebody) claim that this only affects 2% of surgeries. Well, it affects my parents, who live in South West Wales and it affects three of my work colleagues in Chippenham (who go to three different surgeries). How many more people fit into this small sounding 2%?Jason, Somerset
Well, you do have to wonder what planet the prime minister and the rest of this 'target driven' government inhabit. There have been enough stories in the press about the way in which NHS administrators shuffle patients around and 'massage' figures just to comply with government targets. At last 'the people' are getting their message across - we'll tell you what's actually happening in the country, Mr Blair. David, London, UK
The targets are obviously not defined as well as Blair and his government had hoped! In practice, they are terrible. I have to call on the day that I want an appointment. Thankfully I live close to my surgery, so I can just show up and organise an appointment that day, and may even get in right away. Still, this does not work for the majority, and it needs to. I also have private health care so if needs be, I can go that route, freeing up a place for someone else. And don't be fooled, even though I have private care coverage, I am still taxed on it! So I get hit twice in taxes and still at times have to wait as many consultants also work for the NHS!Jackie, Surrey
This problem does exist. The fact that Tony Blair knows nothing about it is astonishing and shows just how out of touch he is with the real world. Then again I'm sure he doesn't ever have to wait to see his doctor!DB, Sheffield, South Yorks
Mr Blair should have a clearer picture of how his policies are implemented locally. Setting targets are a good thing, but not if that means GPs will compromise the service they provide because they are striving first and foremost to meet those targets. Clear guidance should have been given to the GPs regarding this, instead of simply issuing statistical targets. I hate to agree with the Tories, but Mr Blair really is out of touch on this issue.Jon Perrin, Lincoln, UK
My complaint with GP's is a complete reverse of this. If I ring my GP today it takes between two to three weeks before he can see me.Rizwan Saleem, UK
Doesn't this just say so much about these targets! Honestly, what is more important - being able to tick a box to say you've achieved a target, or being able to actually give your patients the time and attention they need, when they are able to see you?Steve Brereton, York, UK
The fact that Mr Blair was unaware of the effects of his own policies shows just how totally out of touch he is.Tim Walker, London
I never have a problem getting an appointment usually on the same day provided I call dead on 8:30 when the surgery opens. Trouble is, most of the time it is not an appointment with my regular GP. I usually get another GP who always tries to make me feel I am wasting their time and should just sit at home with some paracetamol!Ian, UK
The claims made in the programme match with my experiences. Hopefully this will highlight that much of the "improvement" within the NHS is down to number shuffling rather than real improvements in delivery.Mark Lowes, Somerset


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This gorgeous skirt has an artistically dyed stretch yoke in various tones of light to darkest grey ~ echoing the look of a stormy sky, accented with a shimmering rainstorm of clear dyed sequins. The yoke is accented with hundreds of hand knotted and applied strips of various tattered & sparkling black and metallic silver fabrics. The skirt measures approx. 33" long from waist to hem (yoke measures approx. 10" long), and has an elasticized waist which measures approx. 26" unstretched, but can stretch up to approx. 42" through the waist & hips to accommodate a range of sizes.
~Scroll down for other views~
Customer Gallery Updates Reviews Link to Kambriel


text:
The last time I travelled in Indian Railways trains I was hearing a lot of news of bullet train to be introduced into the system very soon. That was more than three years back. Recently when I was travelling from Bangalore to Chennai the discussions were still on about the Bullet train in between the fellow travellers.
But there was something that was new this time. Indian railway had introduced electronic ticket facility many years ago but for the long distance travellers and reserved tickets. This time I found that non-reserved tickets can also be carried in electronic format. That means you can carry your local journey un-reserved ticked as an e-ticket. Indian railway has provided a mobile app as a solution.
The new app UTS (Probably Un-reserved Ticketing System) provides all the ticket related facility to Central Railway zone recent RRB Chennai jobs also had some openings for ticketing. The app can be used to book, cancel, quick book ticket, check your booking history and other ticket related functions. The app can also be used to show your seasoned ticket to the TTE (Travelling Ticket Examiner). The seasonal ticket stays in your mobile so that it can't be misused.
Since mobile internet is still not as common in India, plus the connectivity is still not as reliable as it should be, the seasonal ticket can also be seen while you don't have internet connectivity. Indian Railway has not launched this service all over the country but it is being tried and tested in Chennai suburban section, Mumbai Suburban section and Delhi-Palwal section as a starter. The learnings from this section will be helpful in implementing the new mobile app technology in full Indian Railway system
The app still has mixed reviews while some complaining it not working properly, but since it is just a start, an update is supposed to fix most of the issues.


text:
"I know what you're thinking, punk," hissed Wordy Harry to his new editor, "you're thinking, 'Did he use six superfluous adjectives or only five?' - and to tell the truth, I forgot myself in all this excitement; but being as this is English, the most powerful language in the world, whose subtle nuances will blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' - well do you, punk?" (Stuart Vasepuru, Edinburgh, Scotland)
see here
lo·qua·cious (l-kwshs)
Very talkative; garrulous.
[From Latin loqux, loquc-, from loqu, to speak; see tolkw- in Indo-European roots.]
lo·quacious·ly adv.
lo·quacious·ness, lo·quaci·ty (l-kws-t) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words AntonymsAdj. 1. loquacious - full of trivial conversation; "kept from her housework by gabby neighbors"
chatty, gabby, garrulous, talkative, talky
voluble - marked by a ready flow of speech; "she is an extremely voluble young woman who engages in soliloquies not conversations"
but then garrulous. is nice too.


text:
a cappella: note spelling; do not italicize.
Acronyms: A few universally recognized acronyms are required in some circumstances. Some others are acceptable depending on the context. But, in general, avoid alphabet soup. Do not use acronyms that the reader would not quickly recognize.
Capitalize acronyms for such institutions as NOW, ROTC, USDA, UCLA or MIT, without periods or spaces (unless the entity uses such punctuation as part of its proper name).
Exception: U.S. should be capitalized and written with periods.
advancement terms: Founders Society, Lyons Athletic Club, Mary Lyon Leadership Society, The Parents Fund
WheaCanDoIt: Wheaton's crowdfunding platform
Wheaton Fund annual challenges: #GivingTuesday: challenge that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving; Pay it Forward: challenge in April
advisor: not adviser
African American: no hyphen in noun or adjective. Also French Canadian,
Asian American
African, African American, diaspora studies: official name of the interdisciplinary program and major at Wheaton
ages (of people): always use figures
He's 31 and his son just turned 2.
alumna, alumnus:
alumnus—masculine singular
alumni—masculine plural
alumna—feminine singular
alumnae—feminine plural
alumnae/i—at Wheaton, the preferred plural for a group that comprises men and women
alum—acceptable (in moderation) in informal text
alumnae/i parade: lowercase
the Alumnae/i Association: thereafter, the association
and/&: "and" is the preferred choice in almost all instances. Use the ampersand (&) only when it is part of a proper name, such as a corporate title (e.g., Procter & Gamble).
archaeology: not archeology
armed forces: capitalize Army, Navy and Air Force when referring to United States armed forces, whether or not preceded by the letters U.S.
assistant and associate: do not abbreviate when used in a title, such as Associate Professor of Chemistry Laura Muller
athletic clubs and teams: capitalize.
the Lyons
the Boston Red Sox
Board of Trustees: see trustees.
Christmas, not Xmas
class fund agent
class year: capitalize references to Wheaton class years: She's in the Class of 1976. Abbreviate as follows: Muffy Pepper '62. Be sure to use ' and not '. Note: Word will autocorrect the ' before a numeral as you type.
coed, coeducation, coeducational: no hyphen
college: do not capitalize the word "college" when referring to Wheaton College on a second reference.
Wheaton College enrolls 1,600 students.
Located in Norton, Mass., the college is committed to academic excellence.
comma, serial: do not use the serial comma before "and" or "or."
The president, vice president and provost spoke at Commencement.
Exception: use the serial comma if its omission might confuse the reader.
She bought bread, milk, chocolate chunks and peanut butter cookies.
To my parents, Ayn Rand and God.
(In the latter sentence, one could infer that the writer's parents are Ayn Rand and God. With the serial comma, there is no ambiguity: To my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.)
Also: use a semicolon to separate items in a list of long, complex nouns or noun phrases.
The committee will be responsible for hearing cases of alleged abuse; developing and monitoring policy related to abuse; and recommending sanctions when the policy is violated.
Commencement Reunion Weekend: capitalize only when referring to the official college events or weekend.
Commencement Reunion Weekend will soon be here.
Will I see you at Reunion? But:
She's attending her high school reunion.
Note: When alumnae/i meet as a group outside of Commencement Reunion Weekend, it's called a mini-reunion.
Members of the Class of 1967 enjoyed a mini-reunion in Florida.
comprise means "to include" or "to consist of," so do not say "comprised of" when you want to say "composed of." Think "The whole comprises its parts" and you won't go wrong. (See also AP's entry on compose, comprise, constitute.)
The United States comprises 50 states and 14 territories.
Connections curriculum: always capitalize Connection(s) when referring to the official Wheaton curriculum. Do not use quotation marks. As with the title of a course, use quotes around the name of a particular Connection:
Connections curriculum
The Connection "Genes in Context" links computer science and philosophy.
course titles: capitalize as you would a book title and place in quotation marks. (Quotes are not needed in a list of courses.)
"Introduction to Modern French Literature"
In the context of the course catalog, the registrar abbreviates the department name when a course number follows it.
In addition to an elective course in studio art, ENG 333 is recommended.
currency: see entry under NUMBERS.
Use an en-dash to indicate a range of numbers or a sports score.
The camp is for children ages 6–8.
Commencement Reunion Weekend is May 20–22.
The Sox won 12–0.
Also use an en-dash to hyphenate an open compound noun (e.g., New Haven) and another word:
Some say New Haven–style pizza is the best.
Keystrokes for en-dash
Mac: option-hyphen
PC: control-hyphen
An em-dash is used when there is a strong break or interruption in a sentence.
I admire you—and I always will.
The Psychology Department—one of the best in the country—attracts many bright students.
Keystrokes for an em-dash:
Mac: option-shift-hyphen.
PC: control-alt-hyphen
Or (in Word), two hyphens followed by the next word and then a space: I want to type an em-dash--just because I can. (The (--) will convert to (—) after you type the space after "just."
dates: use commas before and after the year.
Nov. 9, 1969, is the date of Joe's birth.
Note: Do not place a comma between the month and year when no day is mentioned, or between season and year.
October 1965
Fall 2011
Note: Spell out month if no year is mentioned
Joe was born on November 9.
decades: no apostrophe: 1960s, 1890s.
degrees (academic)
bachelor's degree
master's degree
doctor's degree, doctoral degree, doctorate
Do not capitalize college degrees when spelled out:
She has a bachelor of science degree in biology, a master of arts in literature and a doctorate in philosophy. Her younger brother is completing his bachelor's.
bachelor of arts—B.A.
bachelor of arts—A.B. (Wheaton's degree, from Artium Baccalaureus)
bachelor of science—B.S.
master of science—M.S.
master of arts—M.A.
master of business administration—M.B.A.
doctor of philosophy—Ph.D.
doctor of education—Ed.D.
departments (academic):
the Chemistry Department—thereafter, the department or Chemistry
Note: Do not capitalize words such as "departments," "offices," "schools" when referring to more than one office, school or department.
The departments of English, Classics and History.
Dr. On first reference, use the courtesy title Dr. when referring to a doctor of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine. Thereafter, do not use the title. Do not use the title to designate a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.).
earth, Earth: lowercase in generic references; uppercase when used as the proper name of the planet.
I'd move heaven and earth to be with you.
He studies the similarities and contrasts between Mars and Earth.
ellipsis ( ... )
To indicate omitted words within a sentence, use <space>...<space>
To indicate omitted words after a full sentence, use .<space>...<space>
The house ... stood on its own and looked over a broad spread of West Country farmland. ... It was about thirty years old, squattish, squarish, made of brick, and had four windows. ...
—Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
email not e-mail. Do not underline.
empty nesters
student-faculty research, not faculty-student.
farmers market: no apostrophe, as in the Parents Fund
First-Year Seminar: note the hyphen. Also, FYS.
Founder's Day (singular, referring to Eliza B. Wheaton)
Founders Society: Wheaton Founders Society is the official name of the group of donors who have included Wheaton in their will or established a life-income gift. (see advancement terms)
fundraise, fundraiser, fundraising: Spelled closed whether used as a noun or an adjective (now AP style)


text:
Is obscurity....
Poem removed
Unfortunately this poem has been removed from ourarchives at the insistence of the copyright holder.
Poet: Ogden Nash
Poem: Reflection On A Wicked World
Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Reflection On A Wicked World, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.
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Ogden Nash books


text:
Gilles Detillieux (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Thu, 19 Aug 1999 11:22:10 -0500 (CDT)
According to Robert Cerny:
> this is an error message I get:
> /var/lib/htdig/db/htdig6999.pdf: Segmentation Violation Caught. PDF::parse:
> error running pdf_parser on http://www.dataline.cz/Other/cenik.pdf
> it looks like the converted file (pdf->ps) becomes to big??!
Let me guess. Acrobat Reader 4, right? This seems to be a common problem.
There's a patch for htdig that may help with this problem, available at
Be sure you install the bugfixes patch first, then the acroread4 patch.
Note I said it MAY help - Acrobat 4 doesn't strike me as very solid. I
think Acrobat 3 might to a better job. However, my patch for htdig does
get rid of the -pairs option, which seems to be guaranteed to cause this
error. Also note that these patches are for htdig version 3.1.2, and are
unlikely to apply properly to older versions.
-- Gilles R. Detillieux E-mail: <email@example.com> Spinal Cord Research Centre WWW: http://www.scrc.umanitoba.ca/~grdetil Dept. Physiology, U. of Manitoba Phone: (204)789-3766 Winnipeg, MB R3E 3J7 (Canada) Fax: (204)789-3930
------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from the htdig mailing list, send a message to email@example.com containing the single word unsubscribe in the SUBJECT of the message.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Thu Aug 19 1999 - 09:23:37 PDT


text:
The nation's first state-chartered university recently became the world's first to have a star system named after it.
The University of Georgia and its Franklin College of Arts and Sciences received the honor after the Kepler mission, NASA's first mission capable of finding earth-size planets, confirmed in 2012 the existence of three new planets in the system known as Kepler-37. This year, NASA authorized the nickname designation of this planetary system as UGA-1785.
The announcement was made last month in a letter from NASA Ames Research Center Director S. Pete Worden to Franklin College Dean Alan T. Dorsey.
Franklin College alumnus Roger C. Hunter presented the letter to Dorsey during a recent visit to campus.
"It's a wonderful gesture on the part of NASA and a humbling tribute to the history of UGA," Dorsey said.
Hunter became program manager for the Kepler mission when it went into operation in 2008. He began looking for ways to connect the mission with the public imagination and honor his alma mater. NASA first approved the naming of one other planet, Kepler 16-B, for Tatooine, a fictional planet from the Star Wars film series that was the home of Luke Skywalker, before naming UGA-1785.
"I think the best science is when people take ownership of a mission and feel some sort of kindred spirit with it," Hunter said. "It's gratifying to know that the Bulldog nation now extends into interstellar space."


text:
GARDEN CITY, L.I. (Dec. 4)
An interfaith group called today for a ban on religious celebrations of any kind in Long Island public schools during the Christmas- Chanukah season, the Easter-Passover season or any other religious holidays. Catholic, Jewish and Protestant leaders joined in the recommendation which was issued by the Long Island Interfaith Council and sent to the administrative heads of the 110 public school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Religious neutrality, the Council statement said, meant "not only that the school should show no preference for one religion over another, but also that it should refrain from the promotion of any and all religions." The group defined "religious celebration" as worship of any kind regardless of whether conducted by a clergyman religious exhibits or displays except as part of the study of another subject in the curriculum; and the presentation of religious music, except when presented for its musical rathe than religious content. The Interfaith council also opposed "the substitution of 'winter season' celebrations for a religious observance" which it called "a profanation and secularization of what truly is a period of religious significance for Christians and Jews."


text:
COULD big cats really be roaming the countryside?
The savaged bodies of roe deer in Gloucestershire last month fuelled rumours
of a wild animal attack.
This was followed by the mauling of three privately owned wallabies. Days
later, in the Lake District, two terrified women came within feet of a huge
black feline.
Here, the wildlife expert and Springwatch presenter explains why he
believes the stories about ferocious felines – and we map out the most
notorious cases.
IN THE deep shade of a thick clump of brambles that entangle the trunk of a
large fallen oak, there is the sound of gentle breathing and the tiniest of
twinkles in a beautiful green eye.
The eye watches as you climb over the stile and continue your walk, the nose
twitches as it smells your dog.
And a pair of soft, shelled ears listen to your every footfall, to the sound
of coins in your pocket, to your heartbeat. But you see, smell and hear
The creature, whatever it is, is invisible — but it is there.
In fact, the vast majority of wild animals are incredibly shy and will do
anything to avoid contact with humans.
If they are also nocturnal and very, very rare, they become almost impossible
to see and find. This is one of the reasons that big cats could be at large
in the UK.
Even in their native ranges, species such as puma (US) and lynx (Canada,
Scandinavia, Russia) are rarely seen — even by scientists, naturalists or
The trouble is they always leave telltale signs of their presence.
For example, I have it on good authority that a lynx lived in woods in the
outskirts of Southampton for several years.
No one ever saw it — but I know from a trusted source that its footprints were
regularly found.
Last month there was a spate of potential big-cat killings in the West
Country. Deer were savaged on National Trust land at Woodchester Park,
Stroud, Gloucs.
Then three wallabies were mauled 12 miles away. All three were stripped to the
They all had puncture wounds to the neck — consistent with an attack by a wild
The results of DNA tests on the dead deer, commissioned by the National Trust,
failed to find evidence that a big cat was responsible. But that still
doesn't mean there are no wild cats anywhere in Britain.
Rumours of the creatures are nothing new. The Beast of Exmoor's infamy reached
a peak in 1983 when a Devon farmer reported 100 sheep killed.
The Government mobilised a team of crack snipers from the Royal Marines — but
all that was found at the time was a fox.
Attacks continued to be reported sporadically and the authorities decided the
spate of sightings was down to "mass hysteria".
Unsurprisingly, Defra — the Government department responsible for the
countryside — does not accept that "alien big cats" exist in Britain.
Before 1976, getting hold of big cats in the UK wasn't that difficult. In the
Sixties Christian the lion — who appears in a popular and very moving
YouTube video — was sold in Harrods.
The introduction of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in 1976 reversed this
relaxed trend.
Faced with new and onerous legislation, many people believe some big cat
keepers simply chose to turn their charges loose.
There is no doubt at all that these wild animals roamed free — it has been
A jungle cat was found on a roadside in Shropshire in 1989, killed by a
passing car.
In 1993 a leopard was shot on the Isle of Wight after feasting on chickens and
ducks. In 1991 a lynx was shot in Suffolk after killing 15 sheep and another
was shot by a police marksman in Northern Ireland in 1996.
Possibly the largest confirmed big cat discovered in the UK was a female puma
captured alive in Scotland in 1980.
Felicity, as she became known, had obviously been a pet and lived out the rest
of her life as a celebrity in a wildlife park.
There is no doubt these creatures could survive in the UK. They have food, an
ideal habitat and, surprisingly, even enough space.
Of course, many sightings are easily disproved as cases of mistaken identity —
typically large domestic cats glimpsed when there is no way of judging
There are hoaxes too. In 2009 a skull discovered on a Devon beach and thought
to be from a big cat was a grey seal.
And last summer a white tiger stopped play at The Rose Bowl, Hampshire's
cricket ground.
Police found only a foam-filled fake.
Many remain sceptical — not me. Lynx only disappeared from the UK 1,500 years
ago, persecuted by man, and I'm sure there could be some of these elusive
predators still out there.
The only remaining problem is, where do they originate from?
Well, there were those that were turned out in the Seventies.
But the chances of two of the same species meeting and breeding are improbably
small, so recently spotted big cats would have to be newly released.
In Ireland the law remains lax and there are plenty of big cats being kept as
'power pets'.
My girlfriend runs the Isle of Wight Zoo and has a lovely jaguar called
Chiquita that was seized from a Dublin drug dealer in 1996.
In England there are fewer captive cats.
If a few are on the loose in the Cotswolds, I for one won't be panicking.
I rather like the idea of sharing the countryside with something a bit
fiercer than a fox.
Big cat timeline
Puma was captured after being sighted for two years. Clearly once kept as a
pet, she was given the name Felicity and taken to a wildlife park, where she
lived for five years.
Beast of Exmoor became famous in the early Eighties after being blamed for the
deaths of 100 sheep. Sightings and animal killings have continued in the
area ever since.
A jungle cat was killed after being hit by a car in a remote part of the
county. In 2008 police said there had been 13 reported sightings of big cats
in the previous three years.
A 59lb adult lynx, blamed for killing sheep, was shot by a farmer near Great
Witchingham. Officials believed the animal had escaped from illegal
ownership or a zoo.
Islander Stuart Skinner shot a leopard, thinking it was a rampaging fox. He
didn't report it for several months because he thought he had shot a
protected species.
A large Eurasian lynx was gunned down by an RUC police officer after reports
of a lion being spotted. It was believed to have escaped from a private
The Beast Of Ossett was caught on film near woodland on the edge of the town
in 1999. Reports of a puma-like animal roaming the area have continued to
the present day.
Graham Pearce shot video footage of a suspected big cat near Measham village.
It was roaming through fields at the back of his house alongside the M42
A visitor to Mabie Park Farm in Scotland filmed a large unidentified feline
nearby. It moved through the undergrowth and was widely believed to be a big
The notorious Beast Of Burford was snapped prowling in fields. One farmer,
Colin Dawes, even said he watched the creature run away after killing three
of his sheep.
A black panther-like creature was seen slinking along the undergrowth near
Banff. It was about 5ft long and 3ft tall. Several sightings have been
reported over the years.
A black cat was photographed walking along a wall near Great Hucklow. It was
estimated to be 18ins tall and more than 3ft long – much bigger than a
domestic cat.
What looks like a puma was snapped by student Marek Cerny near West
Hanningfield. His pictures of the Beast Of Billericay were revealed in The
Sun four years ago.
Steve Hall filmed a big black cat in a field near Newtown Crossroads. He said:
"It was just walking across the hedge. Then it saw us and sat in the hedge
for a bit, watching."
The Beast of Burnham Thorpe was seen near the Queen's Sandringham estate. Some
thought it could be a Scottish wildcat or a lynx. Others said it looked like
a tabby.
A video of a large cat padding along a railway line was taken three years ago.
It was filmed by Chris Swallow, a dog handler who said it was as large as a
Student Lisa Sydenham photographed the beast while walking near Embo. It was
just a few miles from where 18 sheep were killed by a mystery creature.
Terrified Angela Jones and Eve Grayson came face to face with a big black cat
while out running last month. It was just a few yards in front of them – and
they fled.


text:
Washington Township School District issues crime alert
All Washington Township district families and staff were alerted Thursday in the wake of recent crimes on the Indianapolis north side.
The alert asks residents to increase vigilance in their neighborhoods, homes, and around school bus stops.
Kids told police a man in a green truck tried to lure them with money at 64th and Hoover. They say a man with a scooter claimed his scooter wasn't working and he needed help at 70th and Caroline.
The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township is sending out letters Thursday, warning parents and students about the incidents, telling them to be aware of anyone that seems suspicious at bus stops and to report it right away.
Mark Zinn watched his son's football team practiced Wednesday night, probably with more attentiveness than he has had with his two children at their school bus stop in Washington Township.
"They need to be watched every morning. My wife and I are always there, every day," he said.
Zinn will be stepping up even more so now, with the latest alert from the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township and police issuing a warning about two suspicious men at two separate bus stops in the district, trying to lure kids toward them.
"I want to seem 'em get on the bus," said Zinn of his children. "Maybe that's a little overprotective possibly, but I don't know that it is in today's society."
"There are just too many crazy things going on nowadays," added Evelyn Brown.
Brown was watching the same football practice to see her grandson.
"He's in the white shirt with the 56 on it," she pointed out.
Brown's focus here on out will be the warning from the school district. Her grandson and granddaughter live with her and she puts them on the bus to school everyday.
"I sit out on my front porch and watch 'em get on the bus stop," said Brown. "I just feel safer and I watch 'em until they get on the bus. I just feel safer that way."
That's how Zinn has felt since his children started school.
"Society's bad. So they're the only thing we have to protect 'em," he said.
Zinn said he's glad for the warning from the school district about the latest incidents so he and his wife can be even more aware. He said he's already got it covered and cautions other parents to do the same.
"Just watch your kid. No one else is," he added.
Letter to parents
Here's the message district families and staff received Wednesday night from Dr. Nikki Woodson:
"Last evening I called your home with an important community safety alert message. Today, I want to reiterate the importance of increased safety awareness for our community. Over the past few days there has been a rise in criminal activity in the Washington Township community. Two of these incidents include suspicious activity at bus stops and we are asking for all families to increase awareness around their homes as well as with the personal safety of students.
For your knowledge, and so that you can best protect your family; one bus stop incident involved a suspicious adult approaching children from their car and enticing them to come closer by throwing money to them. The other incident involved a suspicious adult riding a scooter, claiming to children that he needed assistance. Thankfully no students were harmed and both incidents were reported to IMPD.
The school district is acutely aware of these activities and we are taking action to do what we can to support safety of staff and students who are in our care. The recent incidents however have all occurred off school property in our general Washington Township community and neighborhoods. We are asking everyone to stay alert and follow the community safety guideline, "If you see something, say something" by calling 911."
The Washington Township School Safety Department and the North District of IMPD have increased direct and under-cover patrols in our community. Additionally, our school bus drivers have been directed to be watchful for suspicious activity, as they are in and out of neighborhoods, and to report anything that appears to be unusual.
Please stay extra vigilant with trick-or-treat activities that may be taking place in your neighborhoods tonight or over the weekend if you choose to participate. Lastly, as we turn our clocks back on Saturday night, please be aware that it will be even darker at the AM bus stops starting on Monday morning.
Suggested Links
Thanks for your commitment to safety in our Washington Township community!
Dr. Woodson, Superintendent


text: 11/22/16 12/27/12 POPSUGAR Celebrity Britney Spears Britney Spears in LA as X Factor Rumors Swirl | Pictures Britney Spears Steps Out While Her X Factor Fate Remains Uncertain December 27, 2012 by katie henry 34 Shares Chat with us on Facebook Messenger. Learn what's trending across POPSUGAR. View on One Page Photo 5 of 12 Start Slideshow ADVERTISEMENT () Share This Link Copy What's Your Reaction? Thanks for your reaction Don't forget to share this with your friends! ← Use Arrows Keys → 5 Previous Next Celebrity KidsJason TrawickCelebrity CouplesBritney Spears


text:
Everything you want to do these days costs money. We can help. We're looking for Retail Sales . You'll get to work with great people, and be able to take advantage of:
- Up to 3 raises in your first year
- Paid vacation
- Advancement opportunities
- Flexible scheduling
- A 401(k) savings plan
You love talking to people. In fact, you excel at initiating contact, engaging them in conversation and communicating in a friendly, professional manner. Naturally, you take great pride in doing your best, whether it's pricing and stocking sales items, setting up a display, maintaining order and cleanliness, or simply talking to guests about various store items.
Interested? Click Apply Now!
Source: http://www.jobs2careers.com/click.php?id=2131655941.96
• Post ID: 21007688 mobile


text:
Northfield Precision Instrument has introduced their Model 670 air chuck. This chuck has 2 sliding jaws (0.0001" T.I.R.) with special top tooling. Northfield's customer needed to grip the OD of a molded plastic part and have access on all 4 sides for machining in 2 set-ups – rotary and stationary. Specially-contoured top jaws, along with a shuttle pin for location (not shown), were created and mounted to Northfield's standard chuck to achieve this.
Northfield Precision Instrument designs and manufactures the world's most accurate air chucks for any lathe, boring machine, grinder or VMC. Models include through-hole, high-speed and quick-change. Chucks are available in SAE or metric, in sizes from 3" (76mm) to 18" (457mm). Accuracies of 0.001" to 0.00001" (0.254m) are guaranteed. Custom workholding chucks and jaws are available and free engineering assistance is offered.
For more information, visit www.northfield.com