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Xbox360 Games
Games are limited to Highland Park Library cardholders, limit 2, with a 7-day loan period. Games may be reserved.
View a list of all games by title here.
|Click Title to Find a Copy:
|Dante's Inferno
|Dead Space 2
|Deadrising 2
|Dirt 2
|Dragon Age II
|Dragon Age: Origins
|Dragon Age: Origins Awakenings
|EA Sports MMA
|Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition


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EcoTimber: Bamboo Flooring - Hardwood Floor
I really love wood flooring, especially eco-timber, which is both environmentally and socially responsible. They give you a full rundown (on where the wood is from, and) talk about how things are certified. You know where things (the wood) comes from when you buy through them. It costs a little more but it's the only way you can really be sure what you're getting because they have extraordinary standards.
This book shelf is so much fun. It is extremly flexible that I startet to adjust it almost every month whenever I get a new book or poster. I love it.
Great combo of organic and digital
This modern, sculptural jewelry tree is the perfect example of functional art..Tags: home, fashion, gifts, bathroom, storage, accessories, sculptures, modern, interior designAdded 9 Years Ago from Uncommon Goods
Made from wool but, copied from a actual vintage zebra rug. Have the style you desire without skinning an animal.Tags: home, furniture, accessories, stylish, interior design, Eco, organic, home decor, silkAdded 10 Years Ago from Vivre

subset: commoncrawl


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Spinning Wheels at Caltrans
Caltrans Participates in 'Bike to Work Week' With Giveaways, a Rest Stop and a Live Jazz Performance
The 14th annual Bike to Work Week kicked off Monday, May 12 at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District Office Building and at nearly 30 other locations around the downtown area. But it was Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 15 when the wheels started spinning.
For the first time, through the efforts of the Department's bicycling program, Caltrans was an official partner and co-sponsor of Bike to Work Week with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and many others to promote the event and provide safe "pit stops."
"It is very important for us at Caltrans to participate in these types of alternate transportation modes. It is not just healthy for you and for the region but, for us in transportation, it is an important piece of the transportation element and one that needs to be treated more seriously by a greater number of people," says Doug Failing, District 7 Director and a supporter of the Department's goals for its cycling commuters.
For several years, Failing has met with a bike advisory group or with its Caltrans liaison, Dale Benson, Senior Transportation Engineer, Local Assistance, for advice on how Caltrans can work better with the cycling community and make Caltrans' transportation projects more user-friendly for cyclists as a commute option as well as for recreational enjoyment.
The week long event's main purpose was to draw attention to what cyclists call the "Cyclists Bill of Rights,' which advocates for safe travel and parking, protection through the California Vehicle Code, law enforcement and judicial system support, equal access to streets, and accommodations to roadway projects and improvements, signals, signage and maintenance standards are among some of those listed.
During Bike to Work Day, Caltrans' in- house band, Traffic Jam, entertained the crowd on the Plaza with popular smooth jazz and soft rock tunes with a five person ensemble playing bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, and trumpet. Traffic Jam members are John Robertson on guitar, Xeryes Shay Banduk on guitar, Medardo De La Cruz on keyboards, Robert Colvin on sax and Eddie Issacs on trumpet.
Many of the giveaways were donated by Metro and included a bike map guide through Los Angeles County's 1,252 miles of bike paths, street lanes and designated bike routes, bike paths access points, and locations of bike racks and lockers.
Caltrans employees Dale Benson and Keith Sellers, Landscape Architect, organized the Department's involvement for the week with an informational booth offering customized safe cycling routes for individuals, an educational guide for safe cycling habits for children, maps, a bike tire emergency repair kit and an opportunity to special order a cycling jersey top with the Caltrans logo.
For more information on Bike to Work Day and the Caltrans-supported bike program, please e-mail or call Dale Benson at 213-897-2934 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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There is nothing I like more than good conversation over dinner and wine.
I consider myself to be a good friend. Loyalty and kindness to others is important to me. And I expect no less from my friends.
Foreign movies, mostly European, both eastern and western; American Independent films.
European, Latin music.
I love almost all ethnic foods.
Exploring new places
Plays and movies
Learning, always.
Working out
The way that food and wine bring people together.
I'm at a movie or a play.....I try not to stay home!


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Apply to MC
Submit your app.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic and endocrine disorder is very common (Padmanabhan and Veiga-Lopez, 2013). Estimates of it's prevalence have been as high as 1 in 10 women. PCOS is characterized by insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenism, anovulation, hyperinsulinemia and polycystic ovaries (Li, Youngren, et al, 2002). Our lack of understanding of the disorder and its long term affects have complicated the treatment of the disorder; yet it is clear that genetics, environment and behavior (Padmanabhan and Veiga-Lopez, 2013) are factors. To study this disease, scientist have used various animal models. To date, Drosophila melanogaster has not been used as a model for PCOS. In my research group, were are investigating the use of this classic model organism in the study of PCOS.
Submit your app.
Mississippi College's physical address is 200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS 39056.


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Goroka, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Solar Good Will Trip:
Our next SolarGoodWill.org trip will be to Goroka, Papua New Guinea in Asia. Brian Clark will be traveling to this remote area with donated solar cells and collecting most other supplies from the local markets.
The workshop runs from January 17th to the 28th, 2011 and is an intensive instructional course on the construction and maintenance of solar panel systems.
The scope of this project is to provide a workshop on how to build DIY solar panels and install them within the village. The goal is to provide the knowledge so the locals can later build and install additional solar systems by themselves.
The trip to and from Goroka is incredibly time consuming. Since we're traveling from Hawaii, a total of five flights each way is required.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most diverse countries, encompassing over 850 indigenous languages, and a plethora of cultures. The city of Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Situated 1600 meters above sea level and populated by a mere 19,000 people.A third of the country lives on just $1.25 USD a day, and most live in extreme poverty. This is a great chance to give them electricity which they normally wouldn't have. With electricity the quality of life, education and commerce improve affecting thousands of people in this area.


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Food Culture in Tokyo
Summary of Food Culture in Tokyo
Tokyo currently boasts a wide variety of cuisines from countries all around the world. Tokyo has it all, from global cuisine to fad foods, from rare finds to simple eats, and from relatively cheap meals to extremely expensive haute cuisine. Tokyo, or Edo, as it was formerly called, is constantly brimming with new styles of cuisine and foreign foods, yet Tokyo is still firmly rooted in the food culture developed a long time ago when it was still referred to as Edo. Much of Tokyo's cuisine doesn't so much represent old style Japanese food as much as it represents a cuisine loved by all Japanese people. In Tokyo, food culture can best be described as a mix of both old and new cuisines.
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History of Edo/Tokyo
In former times Tokyo called "Edo". This representative names, also represents the background. The mid-17th century to the 19th century, the Tokugawa family ruled Japan for up to 265 years, and called the Edo period (1603-1868 CE). Japan is rare this time of war and civil strife not long era of economic, industrial and cultural development both by the world. On food culture also. Culture of dining out, reportedly derived from the food stalls of the Edo period. The mid-19th century, the end of the Tokugawa family regime, and it has painted the Edo period. Since then, the former "Edo" was renamed "Tokyo" will.
Enjoying Tokyo Food Culture
Seafood caught in Tokyo Bay was referred to as "Edomae." Seafood was caught very close to Edo and was able to be freshly prepared and served. Nowadays, there isn't much seafood caught in Tokyo Bay, and anything good that is caught there usually fetches a high price.
Additionally, "Edomae" also includes the meaning "in the Edo style."
Edo Yasai
Vegetables cultivated in the vicinity of Edo during the Edo period are referred to as "Edo yasai." In the past few decades, vegetables that are easy to cultivate and distribute have become popular, and the varieties and amounts of Edo yasai being produced has declined. Recently there have been movements to revive Edo yasai, and farms have increased and some vegetables have made a comeback. Nerima daikon radishes and Senju negi onions are examples of Edo yasai.
Typical Tokyo Foods
Originally referred to sushi prepared with fish caught in Tokyo Bay, but now refers to sushi cuisine focusing on nigiri-zushi as well as sushi using carefully prepared ingredients.
Soba refers both to noodles made from buckwheat flour, as well as to a completed dish that includes soba. Soba can be eaten all throughout Japan, but it was in Edo that a sense of aesthetics was born around soba. Even now, many people have differing opinions regarding how best to enjoy soba.
Tempura refers to fish, vegetables, etc., dipped in batter and fried. Edomae tempura refers to seafood caught in Tokyo Bay, such as Japanese tiger prawns, conger eels, squid, etc., dipped in batter and fried in sesame oil. Tempura is dipped in a soy sauce-flavored soup called "tsuyu" and eaten with grated daikon radish.
Kabayaki is a dish made with unagi (freshwater eel). Unagi can be eaten all throughout Japan, but the Edo style involves cutting open the eel from its back, removing its head, bones, and organs, then steaming it. The steamed eel is then dipped in a sweet soy sauce and grilled over charcoal. Kabayaki was so popular with the Edo people that "Edomae" used to mean "kabayaki."
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In a new interview BioWare's Mike Gamble revealed that Commander Shepherd can 'lose' in Mass Effect 3. Without going into details he explains that,
"In Mass Effect 3, the theme is literally galactic extinction, so the choices that you make can have that much larger consequences, and because of that, you think a little bit harder before making them."
Confirming that it is the decisions the player makes that will effect your eventual out come he added,
"A lot of the satisfaction comes out of the choices that you made, so when a story concludes a certain way, the way it concluded was in part because of the choices you made."
A video of the interview can be seen here, [1]


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Aaron Watson Photography is well known for their vibrant photographs along with their friendly and personal service. With over 10 years of experience, Aaron and his team enjoy photographing weddings, family portraits and high school senior portraits in Charlottesville, Virginia and worldwide. Their unique combination of storytelling and lifestyle photography captures the emotion, personality, and beauty that become timeless photographs displayed in the homes of their clients.
Their work is frequently featured worldwide in numerous publications such as HGTV, Huffington Post, Style Me Pretty, the Knot Magazine, Brides, Inside Weddings, and many more. In 2005 Aaron was honored by the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) as one of the Top 50 Wedding Photographers worldwide. Aaron Watson Photography actively supports many organizations and charities within the Charlottesville community including annual fundraisers for UVA Children's Hospital and Pink Ribbon Polo.
Read more about the team below!
Aaron – Owner/Photographer
Aaron Watson began his professional photography career in 2004 and founded Aaron Watson Photography in 2007. HavingView full post »
Cassandra – Studio Manager
As the Studio Manager at Aaron Watson Photography, Cassandra Clark makes everything run smoothly. You'll oftenView full post »
Special thank you to Jeff Gleason for taking these wonderful pictures of our team!


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USA misses shot at 'something bigger' on World Cup stage
By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
IRENE, South Africa On a sunny Sunday afternoon at the team's base, adjacent to a dairy farm in this bucolic village, the U.S. players packed their bags, said goodbye to the cows and chickens, and prepared to head home. They leave the World Cup with full suitcases but empty feelings after their trip ended too soon.
"Coming out of the first round, we felt there was a chance of doing something bigger," coach Bob Bradley said a day after his team's 2-1 loss to Ghana in extra time. "We talked about that but we also talked about how that had to be done 90 minutes at a time, and at the end of it all, that leaves us a little bit empty."
Well after the game had ended, several players remained frozen as they sat on the bench and stared into the disappointment. It was really over. The enthusiasm the team generated back home has been put on pause.
"The finality of it is brutal," U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan said. "You realize how much you've put into it, not just in the last four years, but your whole life. There's no guarantee there's another opportunity."
ELIMINATED: Ghana ousts USA with 2-1 win in extra time
PHOTO GALLERY: Top moments from South Africa
Though the team met initial expectations, the disappointment lingers because of what might have been. After advancing to the round of 16, it had a favorable path to the semifinals, devoid of traditional heavyweights. Instead, the Americans were undone by what had haunted them throughout the World Cup. They allowed the first goal in three of their four matches, all surrendered within the first 13 minutes. The team held a lead for just three of 390 minutes played, as early goals allowed led to an early exit.
Throughout the tournament, the team searched for a way to break the pattern that began last year during qualifying, but it never found a solution. Managing a game's opening minutes without surrendering a goal comes with maturity and experience. An explanation for such lapses also can be elusive, Bradley said.
"That's just how the game works sometimes," he said. "I can watch games of the best teams in the world and see the same things happen."
Early goals a nagging problem
On Saturday, a midfield mistake led to Ghana's first strike. Underneath a full moon with smoke wafting above from nearby veld fires, the game started ominously for the Americans. Five minutes in, Ghana capitalized on Ricardo Clark's turnover when Ghana's Kevin Prince Boateng raced left and beat keeper Tim Howard on the near post.
"I feel like I let my team down and I take full responsibility on that goal," said Clark, who was pulled before the first half ended.
Ghana scored on its first shot of the game and then on its first shot in overtime. "The warning signs were there, getting scored on early, and it came back to bite us," Donovan said.
In the Americans' first game, against England, they fell behind in the fourth minute. In their second match, against Slovenia, they trailed after 13 minutes.
The game vs. Ghana was tied 1-1 after regulation and went into extra time, a fitting end given the USA's penchant for drama. In the 93rd minute, Asamoah Gyan beat defender Carlos Bocanegra, a teammate at French club Rennes, for the game-winner.
Though they had staged magnificent comebacks throughout the tournament, the Americans couldn't muster any magic Saturday. Not even the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, sitting in the stands near former U.S. president Bill Clinton, could provide an emotional rescue.
"We tried to push and push, and I don't know if we just didn't have anything left because we'd been pushing so much the entire tournament," Bocanegra said.
Howard said the defense needed to make teams work harder for their goals.
"Look at the best teams. Goals don't come very easy against them. They've been coming too much at the heart of things for us," he said. "At this level, when guys are inside the heart of the penalty area, you're asking for trouble. That's happening too many times."
Another significant concern: This is the second consecutive World Cup in which a U.S. forward failed to score.
"It's especially important up front because goals decide matches," Bradley said. "That is still the greatest challenge, to have someone who can consistently score. It's an area where we do need to improve."
Much was expected of 20-year-old Jozy Altidore. Though Bradley said Altidore played well in the World Cup, the forward failed to connect when his team needed him most. With 10 minutes remaining in regulation against Ghana, Altidore missed a golden opportunity in the penalty area, falling to the ground as his shot went wide.
Bradley said the absence of speedy forward Charlie Davies, who was a revelation during qualifying, hurt the squad. Davies, 24, is still recovering from multiple injuries after a serious car accident in October.
"Our hope is Charlie will get back to the level he was at before the accident and that ultimately he'll be better," Bradley said.
Perhaps this team's legacy will be the enthusiasm its dramatic run generated at home. With record television ratings, constant chatter on Twitter and social network sites and a catalogue of YouTube videos chronicling fans reacting to Donovan's goal against Algeria, soccer in America took center stage for once.
"It's a really special time for U.S. soccer," defender Jay DeMerit said. "There's a reason the U.S. sold more tickets than any other country to come here. These people care and want to be a part of these environments. If we can try to embrace that as players and try to keep them coming, then that's going to help us grow as a team."
Core likely back for more
As for the future, there is reason to be optimistic. In four years, Howard, 31, still will be at the prime of his career. Given the team's youth, the core could also return: Altidore; Michael Bradley, 22; Clint Dempsey, 27; Donovan, 28; and Oguchi Onyewu, 28. Onyewu sat out the last two games because his return to game fitness was not complete after knee surgery last year.
"In some cases, there's players that still can help the team, but you're not certain what that will mean in four years' time," Bob Bradley said. "In other cases, you feel guys have gotten experience and now for them to continue in their clubs to make progress will be critical for success for the national team. And then there's determining who are the next set of young players."
The World Cup is known as a big shopping window for European clubs. Players can increase their value with good showings, as Donovan, playing in his third World Cup, and midfielder and Cup rookie Michael Bradley surely did. Donovan, who shined during a loan to English Premier League club Everton earlier this year, could make a permanent return to England. For now, he will head back to Los Angeles and rejoin his Galaxy teammates in Major League Soccer.
Bradley, who plays in the German Bundesliga, established himself as one of the top young players in the tournament.
"In four efforts, he pushed the limits," Bob Bradley said, making sure not to single out his son by adding, "like a number of others."
As for the coach, speculation begins because his four-year contract expires at year's end. Bradley said Sunday that he hasn't had conversations with U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati about the future. Gulati will meet with news media Monday, and he certainly will be asked if Bradley will be the coach heading into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"It's too soon after the final whistle," Bradley said. "I'm sure in the future there will be more discussions."
Would he consider pursuing a job in Europe?
"I have always enjoyed new challenges," said Bradley, 52. "I believe that is what life is all about. … So as I move forward, there will always be an open mind in that regard."
As soon as Bradley gets home, he will begin focusing on the team's next game, an exhibition against World Cup favorite Brazil on Aug. 10 in East Rutherford, N.J.
"When one game ends, you start thinking about the next one," he said.
After all, it won't be long before the four-year preparation cycle for the next World Cup begins.
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Mini Croque Monsieur
These fancy sandwiches can seem like a lot of work, but once you've made the sauce, putting together two big sandwiches and cutting them into individual rectangles means it's no trouble at all to serve enough for a crowd.
- Prep:
- Total Time:
- Yield: Makes 20
Source: Martha Stewart Living, December 2011
- 1 loaf white Pullman bread (1 pound 2 ounces), bottom trimmed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1 1/2 ounces)
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 8 thin slices good-quality ham (5 ounces), such as Black Forest
- 12 large slices Gruyere cheese (12 ounces)
Starting from the bottom of the loaf, slice bread horizontally into six 1/2-inch-thick rectangles (about 4-by-8 1/4-inches each); discard rounded top. Toast each bread slice in a toaster until pale gold.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, continuing to whisk. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan. Let bechamel cool completely. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between 2 bowls.
Spread half the bechamel from 1 bowl on 1 slice of bread. Top with 2 slices ham and 3 slices Gruyere. Top with 1 slice of bread, then spread remaining bechamel from bowl over top. Set sandwich aside. Repeat layering with ham and Gruyere, and top with 1 slice of bread. Repeat with remaining bowl of bechamel, bread slices, ham, and Gruyere. Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Trim crusts from sandwiches. Cut each sandwich in half lengthwise, then crosswise 5 times to form 10 rectangles from each. Skewer each sandwich. Transfer to a baking sheet and warm in oven until cheese melts, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately.


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The Law Firm of Jeffery P. Reynolds, P.A., has added attorneys Carson Thurman and Pamela N. Grady to the firm. Both attorneys will focus their practice on oil and gas/environmental litigation, litigation on behalf of creditors, construction litigation, corporate litigation and general litigation.
Thurman is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Tennessee. He graduated in 2001 from Miami University of Ohio where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in marketing with a focus in business management. In 2009, Thurman graduated magna cum laude from the Mississippi College School of Law. He was a member of the Law Review at the Mississippi College of Law and received the American Jurisprudence Award for having the highest grade in Local Government.
Grady is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Louisiana and Mississippi. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and the Mississippi College School of Law. Grady was chairwoman of the Moot Court Board at the Mississippi College of Law. She received the Peter L. Doran Memorial Scholarship and the Joey L. Phillips Award.


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Koops Funeral Chapel
Frequently Asked Questions
What do funeral directors do?Funeral directors are caregivers, advisors, and administrators. They make the arrangements for the transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and carry out the wishes of the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death, are trained to answer questions about grief, and can recommend sources of professional help. Who should be included in the gathering or ceremony?Family, close friends, co-workers, fellow worshippers, neighbors & acquaintances, and in some cases, the greater community.


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Abortions were already illegal in Nicaragua, but today a law passed removing an exception in the previous law, which allowed a woman to obtain an abortion legally with the approval of three doctors who confirmed that the woman's life was in danger. Many conservatives in government advocated 30-year prison terms for women who terminate their pregnancies and the doctors who perform the abortions, but the stricter prison terms did not pass. Currently the punishment is a six-year prison term.
Nicaragua Eliminates Last Exception to Strict Anti-Abortion Law
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
MEXICO CITY, Nov. 19—Hopes among women's groups in Nicaragua that President Enrique Bolaos would stop one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Latin America from taking effect have been dashed, as the president signed it into law late Friday.
Abortion has been illegal in Nicaragua for more than a century, and most women who decide to end unwanted pregnancies seek procedures at underground clinics. But the new law strikes out a clause that made it possible for a woman to obtain an abortion legally when three doctors certified that unless she did, her own life would be in danger.
For months, the proposed law has drawn fierce criticism from several local women's groups, the country's association of gynecologists, the United Nations, the World Health Organization and Human Rights Watch, among others.
L.A. Times from 10/26/2006 (before law was passed):
"The worst message of this proposed law is that the lives of women don't matter to this president, or to the government or the church," said Marta Maria Blandon, Central American director of Ipas, a U.S.-based reproductive rights group.
Ipas estimates that 32,000 illegal abortions are performed in Nicaragua each year, many under unsafe conditions. Only 24 abortions authorized by law have been performed in the country in the last three years.
In 2003, a 9-year-old rape victim received an abortion under the current law's provisions.