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Opening Remarks
Well, we had terrible practices Thursday and Friday, so I challenged them to get more out of this game than they have gotten out of practice the last few days, and I think we really did. It was disconcerting to say the least to not have Marcus (Ginyard)--we knew that yesterday but didn't know we weren't going to have Dexter (Strickland) until this morning. We were trying to put some lineups out there that we haven't had very often.
I thought we were really so much more active defensively in the first half. We made shots, we didn't give them any second shots (but) we got second shots, so that was the ball game there in the first half. In the second half, I didn't think we had quite the intensity, which is human [nature].
But I think you have to congratulate Presbyterian because they shoot 57 percent in the second half, 58 percent from threes. I think they broke us down a little bit more off the dribble, and we weren't as active getting out and getting a hand up, but I think Greg (Nibert) would feel happy--not happy in his way about the whole game--but that his kids kept competing and made a bunch of shots.
Eddie (Davis) was really good for us. I thought Deon--I tried to keep his minutes down because his knee's tendinitis has been acting up. I got him only 18 minutes--I was pleased with that. I guess we had at least 12 guys play at least 12 minutes, so that part I liked. I didn't like the fact that they shoot 57 percent in the second half. Larry (Drew)'s line of nine assists, one turnover was good as well. That's basically it.
Could you speak to the performance by the guys who filled in and got into the rotation because of the guys out (with injuries)?
I thought Justin (Watts) was really active early--much more so than he was after he went out. And defensively, I think he did some nice things for us, but the best thing he did was chasing down--looking here, yeah--he had two offensive rebounds. I think both of those were probably in the first five minutes of the game.
Marc Campbell, I chewed him out a little bit one time when he tried to throw that lob that Superman couldn't have caught--and he shouldn't have thrown it. There were only 18 guys in the trombone section in the band in the way in there. Second half I don't think Marc had any turnovers. I think he did a nice job of coming in there as well.
Dave (Wear), Travis (Wear), John (Henson)--the guys off the bench all came in and gave us some things.
What more can you tell us about the injuries? Would Marcus have played today if it was Texas?
It would have been hard for him to play today because he hadn't practiced in three days, so that part would have been hard for him. If we had Texas coming up and it hadn't been exam period, who knows if we would have gotten things done quicker, but he has had an X-ray, an MRI, he has had a bone scan--took him and let him have sushi, all kinds of stuff, so we have done everything we can and we feel really, really comfortable, but we are trying to be very conservative and that is the best way to put it. There is nothing that has shown up yet, except Marcus's pain, that has made us worry. It could be that he just has a bruise there, too, which I have seen that happen before as well.
Dexter was at practice yesterday. He stole the ball, went down, jumped up to dunk it--did dunk it--felt something pop. We thought it was a hamstring, but didn't know what it was. Dr. Creighton looked at him this morning. He felt stiff and had a little swelling. He said his ACL looked good, the MCL looked good, he just had a little swelling, so we decided to hold him out because it was stiff. To answer your question, I think it would have had to be a different situation, if it was Texas. And I think Dexter, for example, felt much better tonight than he did this morning, but we are trying to be very caution with him.
What was it like for this team to get back on the court after a week of not playing?
We were just very anxious from having a bad taste in our mouth after the Kentucky loss, so we were just ready to play against someone new. We were just tired of fighting each other in practice.
The biggie is next week--Dallas Cowboys Stadium, No. 2 Texas. Your feelings about going down there and measuring yourselves yet again?
It going to be -- once again -- a good test for us on the big stage. Two great teams going at it, so we are really looking forward to it.
Could you talk about how the backcourt was depleted with injuries. It looked like you and Deon really decided to take matters into your own hands.
We knew going into this game that whoever we had on the floor (that) we were going to be still better than them, so we just had to play hard no matter what--no matter who we had on the court.
How do you focus in a game like this and continue to do what Coach Williams wants you to do, especially when you jump out so far ahead early?
The main thing was just trying to get the bad taste out of our mouth from the Kentucky game--especially me, I didn't play so well so I really wanted to play better and wanted to get a good victory for us.
With some of the injuries to guys on the perimeter, how do you think Justin and some of the guys who had to take on larger roles did?
I think they played good tonight. Justin was aggressive getting to the basket. You could see how athletic he is getting to the basket and finishing plays. I think something like this is only going to help us. It gives Justin a little more confidence putting him in the starting lineup and get out there and do some good things for us.
When you have a week like exams coming up, is a game like this sometimes different than practice in that it breaks the monotony of everything you are doing so it is good for psyche to do something a little bit different… especially a game where you are not going to be as taxed mentally?
Yeah, it is definitely good just to have a good game like this, just to tune up some things before we head to Texas. Coach tried to keep my minutes down. I think I only played 18 minutes. He tried to keep Ed's minutes down. We definitely got some good things and got some other guys in to do some things to help us.
Did you hear the guy yelling at you from the crowd that Roy got tossed (from the arena)?
Yeah, I [saw] him. Coach has a lot of pull around here, huh? To be able to get somebody kicked out of a game. So that is pretty impressive.
Was he cursing at you, or did he just say, "Miss it"?
He said I was going to miss it, but obviously I didn't miss it. I still heard it though.
Do things like that usually bother you?
I heard it, but it didn't really bother me. But I heard the guy up there, though.
Were you a little surprised by Coach's reaction?
Nah, that's typical Coach. That is something he would normally do in that situation.
When did you know that you were going to be in the starting lineup?
Around pregame meal. We have a meal before every game, and that is when he wrote my name on the board beside the other starters for the other team. That's when I knew.
So what were your thoughts when you saw that?
It was a rush of adrenaline and excitement, but I didn't want to get too overwhelmed and still stay focused on the game and what we do before every game and what I do before every other game this season.
Did any of the other guys on the team or any of the coaches say anything to you between when you found out and the start of the game?
No, no one said anything to me. They said to go out there and play, have fun and execute and play hard.
So what was it like to be out there playing?
It was fun. We had fun tonight. We really executed on offense, which has been one of our focuses, and we really were aggressive on the defensive end. So it was fun.
You personally, can you talk about what you were trying to do? It looks like it worked out for you--nine points, three assists.
I was just out there playing basketball. I did what Coach told me to do, got my teammates involved and played hard.


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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is required to disclose their spouse's income — just like any federal judge and justice. This law prevents people from influencing a judge or justice from piping money to them by way of their spouse.
A Supreme Court Justice is obviously aware of this disclosure requirement. Justice Clarence Thomas has not adhered to this very important requirement for at least five years.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to report his wife's income from a conservative think tank on financial disclosure forms for at least five years, the watchdog group Common Cause said Friday.
Between 2003 and 2007, Virginia Thomas, a longtime conservative activist, earned $686,589 from the Heritage Foundation, according to a Common Cause review of the foundation's IRS records. Thomas failed to note the income in his Supreme Court financial disclosure forms for those years, instead checking a box labeled "none" where "spousal noninvestment income" would be disclosed.
Virginia Thomas also has been active in the group Liberty Central, an organization she founded to restore the "founding principles" of limited government and individual liberty.
In his 2009 disclosure, Justice Thomas also reported spousal income as "none." Common Cause contends that Liberty Central paid Virginia Thomas an unknown salary that year.
In the case, Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, the court ruled that corporate and union funds could be spent directly on election advertising.
The Koch brothers have been key supporters of the group Americans for Prosperity, which spent heavily in the 2010 midterm election and claims a nonprofit tax status that allows it to avoid disclosing its donors.
Clarence Thomas has been the lone justice to argue that laws requiring public disclosure of large political contributions are unconstitutional.
Litigants in the 'Citizens United ' decision also attended the Koch brothers' meeting. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce attended the Koch gathering and filed a 'Citizens Unitied' brief supporting unlimited corporate spending in elections.
The Institute for Justice, founded by Charles Koch, and the Cato Institute, also founded by Charles Koch, filed briefs in support for overturning campaign finance laws. A number of the other groups filing briefs in the Citizens United decision, including the Center for Competitive Politics, are run by Koch meeting participants like Eric O'Keefe.
Thomas' noncompliance with this tax requirement shows again his own involvement in fund raising through his wife — while disregarding the disclosure requirements. Once more he attended an event of wealthy corporates assembled by the Koch brothers — the same Koch brothers who claimed no affiliation with the Tea Party. The event was to raise money for right wing political causes.
Thomas also attended a fundraiser by the far right think tank that formerly employed his wife. Corporations are more in power than ever, and now they're seeking an even higher level — they have been given, with approval by Thomas himself, to funnel money into elections — all of which was condoned by the right wing. Now their agenda is supported by several Justices.
Thomas isn't the only one.
Last year, Justice Thomas helped headline a fundraiser for the National Association of Broadcasters, a lobby group representing News Corp, Cox Media Group, and other media companies. The event raised hundreds of thousands for NAB's charity from a host of corporate sponsors, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, PhRMA, and CBS Corp. Justice Antonin Scalia also attended one of Charles Koch's right-wing fundraising and strategy sessions, and Justice Samuel Alito is a frequent speaker at fundraisers for groups such as the Intercollegiate Studies Institute — the corporate front that funded the rise of Republican dirty trickster James O'Keefe and that used to employ anti-masturbation activist Christine O'Donnell.
Worst of all, today's revelation that Justice Thomas has been submitting incomplete financial disclosures suggests that the conservative justices' engagement with corporate political advocacy could be much more widespread than previously believed. If the justices are not disclosing their activities, it's anyone's guess what they could be hiding.
Corporations' profits are up but they aren't hiring. Is this what the Founding Fathers wanted — were their intentions to put Corporations above the people's interests? Let's not hide behind a rewritten history. Corporations are not America — we are.
It's estimated that Charles Koch has given $50 million to anti-environmental groups — the self serving brothers are notably one of America's biggest polluters.
Given what we know now, 'Citizens United' should be investigated.
The Tea Party's inception came from grassroots supporters, but they were taken in by the wealthy Koch brothers, and now their party is bought and paid for by the billionaire siblings. Tea Party activists will awaken to this truth eventually and America knows just how angry they can get.
Ole Ole Olson from News Junkie Post wrote an article on Restoring Balance to the SCOTUS — which is a must read.
Our thanks to ThinkProgress
There is another post from Think Progress here on this issue.
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Copyright 2011 FreakOutNation.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Anybody wanting to win a few bets from well-informed friends can probably do so by putting the following question: Within the lifetime of Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400), what was the largest independent European State? Answer: Lithuania, which stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and in depth extended from the Polish border to the east of Kiev. In 1386 Lithuania's Grand Duke Jogaila married Poland's Queen Jadviga and became the Polish King.
Last week it was reported that the Nazis intend to create another Great Lithuania.
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Parking on Campus
Alma is a very walkable campus. Many faculty, staff and students are able to walk to and from their classes or offices and never bring a car to campus. However, if you need to park on campus, please be aware of the following policies.
General Information
The Alma College Campus Safety Department exists to provide a safe and secure environment for pedestrians and vehicles. These regulations have been designed to ensure orderly parking, provide access for parking lot maintenance and snow removal, to restrict or temporarily close any campus roadway or parking area for special events, and to provide access for emergency vehicles. The Alma College security staff (hereafter referred to as Campus Safety) has the authority to enforce these parking regulations.
The use of a motor vehicle on Alma College property is a privilege, not a right. The college reserves the right to revoke or restrict campus driving and parking privileges of anyone for just cause relative to violations of parking and traffic regulations.
Parking and traffic regulations are enforced year-around, including periods when classes are not in session. Drivers are expected to read and understand these parking regulations. Motor vehicles include:
- Automobiles, vans and SUVs
- Trucks
- Motorcycles, with the exception of those licensed for off-road use
- Mopeds
- Motorized scooters
1. All motor vehicles parked on campus facilities must be registered and display the proper permit. This includes faculty/staff, students, commuter students, dual-enrolled students and visitors. Faculty and staff can obtain permits at the Facilities and Service Management Office. Students can register and pay through the Online Payment System.
- The fees are as follows:
- Faculty/staff Free
- Resident Student $235
- Resident Student – Silver parking $210
- Commuter Student $150
- Dual-enrolled High School Student Free
- Visitor Free
- See the Color-coded Parking Map for lot designations and locations.
- The use of various adhesive tapes or temporarily attaching the permit to the vehicle's surface is strictly prohibited.
- Visitors may obtain a parking permit from:
- Admissions Office, Reid-Knox Administration Building for general campus visitors
- Hood Building for Smith Alumni House guests and Gelston guest rooms
Campus Safety Office, Reid-Knox Administration Building after business hours
- Student permits are affixed to the inside surface of the lower driver-side corner of the front windshield.
- Faculty/staff permits must be affixed to the exterior surface of the lower left corner of the back window.
- Visitor permits are placed face up on the front dash of the vehicle.
2. Anyone registering a vehicle for a parking permit must have:
- Valid Alma College ID
- Valid driver's license
- Current vehicle registration
3. Guests of students must be accompanied by the Alma College student host to register their vehicle and obtain a parking permit. Permits may be picked up at the Facilities and Service Management Office during regular business hours, or at Campus Safety after hours. The Alma College host student must present a valid Alma College ID.
4. Guests of faculty/staff are required to have a parking permit obtained by their host from Facilities and Service Management.
5. A parking permit is no longer valid after:
- The end of an academic year for students
- A student withdraws or graduates
- A faculty/staff member is no longer employed
- The status of student changes from resident to commuter, or vice versa. Permits may be exchanged at no cost to the student if a permit is available.
- Ownership of vehicle changes
6. Lost or damaged permits may be replaced at a cost:
- Faculty/staff $75
- Students Original purchase price
7. Anyone who operates an additional or alternative vehicle will need a parking permit under these circumstances:
- Students who drive vehicles on an alternating basis must contact Facilities and Service Management
- Faculty/staff who drive vehicles on an alternating basis may register for an additional permit; both vehicles are not permitted on campus at the same time
- Temporary permits are available at no cost to anyone operating a substitute or rental vehicle. Temporary permits should be picked up as soon as the vehicle arrives to campus. Driver must present a current vehicle registration for the temporary vehicle. Hang tags issued for use on temporary vehicles, are issued for a period of two weeks. If there is a need to a temporary vehicle to be on campus any longer than two weeks, the driver will need to come back and request another hang tag. The permit is valid in the parking lot for which you have your original registration.
1. Students who find their assigned lot full must promptly notify Campus Safety to secure a temporary permit to park in a designated overflow lot. Overflow parking is allowed until noon the following day.
2. Vehicles must be parked within marked spaces.
3. There is no parking allowed in fire lanes, garage entrances, dumpster areas, sidewalks, loading dock areas or on the grass.
4. Placing handbills, flyers or other advertisements on vehicles is prohibited unless approved by the Student Affairs Office.
5. When parking on city streets, there must be three feet of clearance on either side of a driveway and 50 feet of clearance to a stop sign.
6. Any vehicle parked on college property without a license plate and valid registration will be treated as abandoned and removed from campus.
7. Use of emergency lights or flashers does not excuse illegal parking.
8. In the event of a vehicle breakdown, the driver must contact Campus Safety at (989) 463-7777 and report the location, vehicle description, license plate number and estimated time frame for repair/removal.
- The vehicle cannot obstruct traffic or remain parked in a fire lane or space reserved for handicap parking.
9. Individuals not remaining on campus during break periods are encouraged to remove their vehicle from college property.
10. After business hours and on weekends the following lots are open to general parking:
- Faculty and staff parking lots are open from 5:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. on Monday through Thursday and from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 1:00 a.m.
- All student parking lots are open from 5:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
- Vehicles remaining in these lots after the stated hours are subject to citation
11. Special events or snow removal may necessitate the closure of parking lot(s). The Alma College community will be notified via e-mail.
Violations and Fines
1. Citations and fines will be issued when the above regulations are violated. Student fines will be charged immediately to the violator's account but may be appealed within 14 days as described below. Faculty and staff fines must be paid at the Financial Services Office in Hamilton, using cash or credit/debit card.
2. Violators with a valid Alma College parking permit who continue to violate parking policies:
These are vehicles with current and valid parking permit that are visible on a vehicle but have accumulated parking violations on Alma College property.
When a violator receives 5 or more unpaid citations, the following may be conducted:
- A warning letter from Campus Safety will be sent to the violator in regards to the 3 unpaid citations.
- The violator may appeal the ticket(s) within a 14 day time frame from which the ticket(s) were issued.
- Tickets are immediately charged to the student's account. However, upon the appeal being granted a credit will be posted to the student's account.
- With no response to the warning letter, Campus Safety recommends to Vice President of Finance that the vehicle be towed from Campus property.
- A letter will be sent to the violator that the vehicle has been towed. The violator may be informed in the letter that their parking privileges have been revoked. All tickets must be paid in full and then privileges would be restored.
- If the violator fails to comply, the violator will be continued to be towed. All tickets must be paid in full for privileges to be restored.
3. Violators without a valid Alma College parking permit who continue to violate parking policies:
- Will receive a warning letter after the issuance of three citations. A response to the letter or payment of fines must be received by the Campus Safety Office within seven days of the date of the letter.
- Upon issuance of a fourth citation, if no communication, payment or appeal is made, the vehicle will be towed and a letter will be sent to notify the violator the vehicle has been towed.
- Failure to comply will result in the continuation of the vehicle being towed until all violations are paid in full and a valid parking permit is purchased.
- Violators with an out-of-state license plate will not receive a warning letter, but will be towed immediately upon issuance of the third citation.
4. Parking citations, paid and unpaid, remain on record for an academic year.
5. Vehicle driving violations observed by Campus Safety will be documented and an incident report processed. The violator may lose driving privileges on campus. Campus Safety reserves the right to notify local law enforcement to report to campus to enforce such traffic laws as deemed necessary.
6. Parking violation fines are as follows:
- Motor Vehicle Background Check for non-registered Vehicles $11
- No registration / improper registration $ 25
- Posted No Parking zone $ 25
- Parking in a visitor's zone, fire lane, loading zone $ 25
- Unauthorized parking in designated accessible zone $ 25
- This cost is added onto the owner of the vehicle
Note: Failure to remove the vehicle from handicap parking will result in a second citation and immediate towing without notification.
- Parking in unauthorized areas or spaces $ 25
- Improperly affixed permit $ 25
- Grass / double parked $ 25
- Immobilization fee (boot) $50
- Fraudulent permit $235
A fraudulent permit falls under any of the following definitions:
- Creation and use of a fake parking permit
- Receipt and use of parking permit registered to another student
- Tampering with "Temporary Parking Permit"
- Theft of a parking permit registered to another user
- The $235.00 ticket will be waived when the violator purchases a parking permit at full-cost if a permit is available for purchase.
Failure to surrender the fraudulent permit will result in a second citation and immediate towing without notification.
7. Parking in a marked tow away zone will result in a citation and immediate towing without notification.
8. Unidentifiable Vehicles – Any vehicle that is unable to be identified and is not complying with the parking policy, the violator will not receive a "Warning Letter" because the vehicle is not able to be identified and the vehicle will be immediately towed when observed in violation.
Appeal Process
The person(s) in whose name a vehicle is registered, according to records maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State, is responsible for violations involving the vehicle, even when driven by other individuals.
1. Citations may be appealed within 14 days from the date the ticket is issued.
2. Written appeals may be made in the Campus Safety Office, Reid-Knox Administration Building on:
- Wednesdays from 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.–Noon
- By appointment
3. Appeals will be reviewed and the violator will receive notification of the decision via e-mail within 14 days of receipt of the written appeal.
4. If the ticket appeal is granted after the fine has been charged to a student's account, a credit will be posted to reverse the charge.


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text:
JERUSALEM (Sep. 13)
Premier Menachem Begin remained at home today, for the sixth consecutive day, raising speculation that ill health has prevented him from presenting his formal letter of resignation to President Chaim Herzog.
The Army Radio observed today that despite denials, illness was the only reasonable explanation for the delay, now that the newly elected Likud leader, Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, has succeeded in obtaining the support of Likud's coalition parties to form a new government.
Begin's press aide, Uri Porat, firmly denied reports that Begin is seriously ill although Haaretz reported today that he was refusing to eat. Porat said it was not true that Begin has come down with the flu. But Mattityahu Shmuelevitz, Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, said yesterday flu was the cause of Begin's indisposition.


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Prepare your resume and your ride. Hired In Michigan is hosting a job fair on August 29th, 2013. Employers are seeking to hire for production, engineering, safety, manufacturing, and inspector positions just to name a few. Please come dressed in business attire with plenty of copies of your resume. Good luck!
What: Hired In Michigan Career Fair
When: Thursday, August 29th, 2013
Time: 9am-12noon (morning fair)
1pm- 3pm (afternoon fair)
Where: Concorde Inns Hotel
1919 Star-Batt Drive
Rochester Hills, MI48309
LIKE WCHB On Facebook To Keep Up With The Latest Breaking News!
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text:
Hong Kong's Challenges
"Overwhelming? Absolutely. But the public-works projects that pepper the city's history have delivered a surprisingly manageable metropolis. Whether you're ascending to Victoria Peak, the island's high point, on a 19th-century trolley line or riding the comprehensive MTR subway to sightsee in Sheung Wan or attend the Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong's pleasures are easily grasped."
"To put things in perspective, we spoke with Hong Kong native Rocco Yim, whose Rocco Design Architects Ltd. is one of the city's most prolific architecture firms, responsible for the graceful Citibank Plaza, Number One Peking Road skyscrapers, and dozens of other local and international projects. We talked about Hong Kong's development, urban terrors and pleasures, and future challenges."
Dwell: "Where haven't public and private interests merged well?"
Rocco Yim: "On large residential projects. The efficiency the developer is trying to achieve is so great that the resulting architecture ignores the basic requirements of good living units. Like that they should be facing south, or that there should be adequate cross ventilation, or that they should not be overlooking other units. Usually such environmental considerations are given up in order to have as much usable area as possible squeezed out of limited available land. At the same time, it gives the city a good compactness."
Dwell: "What are the positives and negatives of Hong Kong's density?"
Rocco Yim: "It is a user-friendly, pedestrian-friendly city, something that cities like Beijing or Los Angeles really should learn. This compactness produces a very vibrant mix. You have living zones very close to commercial zones. You have a market, sometimes literally, downstairs. You are within walking distance of shops, bars, and restaurants.
On the other hand, in order to achieve this, some very basic concerns are neglected. You have to be able to stand the noise. Privacy is a problem-–you can't be the sort of person who likes living in Vancouver. And sometimes this density creates a 'wall' effect, blocking the winds from the sea and worsening pollution."


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Story by Carol Bodensteiner, photo courtesy Scott Olson/Lee Valley, Inc.
As spring approaches this year, Walter Utman is warily watching the Missouri River. And the levees.
Snowmelt and spring rains predictably cause the river to rise by March, but it's the unexpected that Utman is contemplating as he plans his planting. Utman farms 900 acres four miles west of Harrison County's Modale, right up against the Missouri River.
When the river left its banks in the summer of 2011, he lost 120 acres of corn and soybeans. "I couldn't imagine that the river would do what it did last year," says Utman, recalling flood waters that the USDA Farm Service Agency reports damaged 284,000 acres in six Iowa counties. "I still can't imagine it."
Utman says he and his wife, Ruth, went to bed each night wondering whether the dike a quarter mile from their home would hold, protecting the farmstead they'd farmed since 1978. "Nights were pretty unnerving. Sometimes we'd hear the train. We were sure it was the train — but what if it wasn't?" A few times they abandoned their home to stay with their daughter in Missouri Valley, just for a chance to sleep through the night.
Utman considers himself lucky. The dike held. Elsewhere the damage was extensive. Almost 90 percent of Iowa's flooded acres were cropland. The Iowa Farm Bureau estimates the economic loss at $207 million.
Iowa farmers were in the fields as soon as the water receded and the land dried enough, says Clarke McGrath, an Iowa State University Extension field agronomy manager. Returning flooded fields to productive cropland, however, is no easy task. According to McGrath, the flood created at least two major problems.
The first is visible: The river moved the land, depositing sand dunes up to 15 feet high while scouring out ravines 20 to 30 feet deep.The second is concealed below the surface: When water stands on the land for too long, the soil is robbed of oxygen, which, to oversimplify, alters soil chemistry and inhibits nutrient uptake by plants. The so-called flooded soil syndrome produced aerobically dead land.
"I was amazed at the damage. This is what a big, powerful river can do," says McGrath.
Before land altered like this can be farmed, the sand has to be removed or distributed and incorporated into the soil. Holes and ravines have to be filled in. "Where there are high amounts of sediment or where there's deep erosion, it may take two years to repair," says Shawn Shouse, Iowa State University agriculture engineering field specialist."Some farmers may farm around those areas while they decide if it's worth the cost. If a levee hasn't been repaired, they may question putting in a crop at all."
Farmers can take steps to speed the recovery process. Planting a cover crop such as rye, oats, or wheat is one approach agronomists recommend for getting live roots back in the soil and generating aerobic fungi levels necessary for crop growth.
"Fungi will come back on their own, but it takes months to build up to normal levels. The fungi are there waiting for roots to grow on," explains Shouse. "If the soil hasn't been covered up or washed away, it should be back to a good, productive state as soon as the soil has drained and roots are established."
"From a biological perspective, it makes great sense to try to get living roots in the soil as soon as possible," says Rich Pope, Harrison County extension agent. "The more time live, functioning roots are present before planting a crop, the better."
Unfortunately, persistent flood waters made that strategy unfeasible. Water wasn't off much farmland until September. Then western Iowa experienced the driest fall on record. Tens of thousands of acres needed a cover crop and didn't get it. A cover crop this spring is still an option.
"There's about a six-week window from mid-March to early May where a cover crop could be planted, get roots established, and beneficial fungi can reestablish on these roots," says McGrath. "If the weather cooperates, the cover crop could be established, then eliminated in time for corn and soybeans to be planted."
Can Iowa farmers expect the land to then produce a crop? "There is no real way to know," says Pope. "This flood event is unprecedented, agronomically as well as otherwise. Corn will likely be more affected than soybeans [due to nutrient requirements], but there is no way to know how much. We will have some nutrient uptake issues, especially with phosphorus and possibly with other nutrients."
The stress Utman felt during the flood of 2011 hasn't gone away. When he looks out across his land this spring, he thinks a lot about the levees. "The levees north of me are still intact, but they need work. They've never been tested like this. They were saturated. Will they hold?"
Farming is a gamble, admits Utman, who is putting in a crop this year, betting that the river won't flood again. "It's a chance you take. It's a roll of the dice."
Spring's late melting snow and above-normal rainfall in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains forced record releases from upstream reservoirs in May. Some communities and farms on both sides of the Missouri spent the summer submerged (top).
Learn more about flood recovery online at extension.iastate.edu > Topics of Interest > Recovering from Disasters. See more photos of the flood and aftermath online at leevalley.net.


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|incl. VAT
|excl. VAT
|Extended warranty + 1 year £17.20 Extended warranty + 1 year
|Return products within 60 days £10.74 Possibility to return products within 60 days
Sony comes with a product that combines great performance, advanced technologies, which are also packaged in an attractive and modern twist.Due to the properties of the radio as a way to enjoy your favorite song, you move to another level.Výhon massive 4 × 100 W is supported Mega Bass feature that will resound throughout your car. Press a button, enjoy instant bass boost and rhythmically pulsating lights.Use more quick-connect through automatic Bluetooth pairing and one-touch listening via NFC.The detailed information of the current track will take care always perfectly readable display. In addition to the interior of each car fits perfectly, thanks to changes in illumination buttons. Indulge yourself up to 35,000 color combinations. Then their color guaranteed to find.
Detachable front panel ensures reduced risk of theft when the car radio will not use. The panel can take them safely store or in the car. With the acquisition of radio but getting into the hands of unmistakable companion who will be an integral part of your mileage. Sony therefore wanted every ride was unmistakable. There is so modern technology, Advanced Sound Engine for clear and powerful acoustics, so you can hear exactly what you have.Choose where you want to hear the best sound. The listener's position automatically adjusts the sound for left or right front seat, both front seats or the whole car.
Taking the universal Bluetooth you a pleasant SongPal applications. Once connected, you can use the basic functions and seamless access to all your favorite songs, applications and other functions of the smartphone. It also understood the Siri iPhone. Offering the Siri voice commands to make phone calls, navigation, set reminders and more. You can even read text messages and respond safely, without having to pull your phone out of your pocket.
Additional information:
Dimensions (W × H × D)
178 × 50 × 178 mm
1.3 kg
Sony Corporation is a Japanese company founded in 1946. Its headquarters are in Tokyo. Though it started inconspicuously, selling transistor radios, they became one of the leading innovators in the postwar period, developing the CD and DVD, as well as the highly successful PlayStation line.
Though it occasionally struggled during periods of financial crisis and recession, the company always persisted, and today is one of the most prestigious brands worldwide, known for their innovative products in electronics, video games, and the entertainment industry.
Specifications can be changed without notice. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Retail Price (MSRP) means the manufacturer's/supplier's suggested retail price.
Link to Manufacturer's Website: Enter link to the external review


text:
The Ignition Coil wire insulation is often rubbed through by the Primary wiring harness which will cause a stalling/no-start condition. The coil wire will need to be replaced and the primary harness will need to be repaired and re-routed.
Problem Description and Possible Solution
Problem Data
RepairPal Verified
Average mileage: 208,152 (196,000–228,400)
Engines affected: 2.4L 4 Cylinder, 3.0L V6
12 people reported this problem


text:
Sustainability Report 2013/14
Around the world, Ford aims to deliver profitable growth for all. In all of our regions, we are taking actions to reduce the environmental impact of our products and facilities, support positive social change and ensure economic viability for long-term growth. Through the end of 2013, our business was organized into four regional segments: North America, South America, Europe, and Asia Pacific Africa.1
The Asia Pacific Africa region is our fastest-growing market. China and India, in particular, are expected to continue to experience rapid and substantial growth in the next 10 years. In 2013, we introduced eight new vehicles in the region.
Read more about Ford Asia Pacific Africa
We continue to offer our customers in South America a wide range of choices, including the new generation Ford Fusion Hybrid. We are also adapting our global vehicles with advanced flex-fuel technology, enabling the use of locally produced ethanol.
Read more about Ford South America
Ford offers one of the broadest low-carbon-dioxide (CO2) vehicle portfolios in Europe, including our ECOnetic lineup of low-CO2 vehicles with diesel powertrains, as well as vehicles powered by our advanced EcoBoost® gasoline engines. We began offering the all-electric Ford Focus Electric in Europe in 2013, and we will launch the C‑MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and a hybrid version of the Mondeo in 2014.
Read more about Ford of Europe
© 2014 Ford Motor Company


text:
Bankruptcy Law
Bankruptcy Law Questions? Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer.
Hi - my name is XXXXX XXXXX I'm a Bankruptcy attorney here to assist you.
The creditor surely can try to collect the money owed for that credit card from your husband's ex-wife. This is because your husband's Bankruptcy only discharged his liability to pay that debt. His Bankruptcy did not effect his ex-wife's liability to pay the debt.
Since his ex-wife is legally liable for that debt, non-payment of that debt will effect her credit rating. There is no getting around this fact.
Is this what you wanted to know?
Not necessarily the answer I wanted, but it is the answer I needed to know. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I am really sorry I could not give you better news.
I've never dealt with collection agencies before and NCO has terrible reviews for harassment.
Yes - most collection agencies are horrible - nasty, untrustworty, etc.
Will they send release papers to his ex-wife once it is paid?
Who will be paying - your husband or his ex-wife?
We will be paying, not his ex-wife.
or should she?
Did you already come to an agreement with NCO concerning how much would be paid?
Have you gotten the agreement in writing?
Yes - the money is supposed to be wired to them today.
This was done through e-mail with document attachments. I've not spoken to anyone, only his ex-wife.
only his ex-wife has spoken to NCO, neither my husband or I, but I'm trying to find out more information to make sure this is all done correctly and once the payment is made, this is over and legit.
As long as everything is documented in writing (email attachments are okay), then NCO should send confirmation to his ex-wife of the receipt of the funds.
Regardless of who pays?
Yes - because the communication is between his ex-wife and NCO, but between your husband and NCO.
The "but" in that last sentence should be "not".
Thank you very much - that's all I need to know. (I figured that)
Am I able to print out any of our "back and forth"?
Sure - please feel free to copy and pring anything you would like to.
The "pring" should be "print".
Thank you, XXXXX XXXXX to rate.
You're welcome! And please have a great day!


text:
Posted by anonymous
Attorney Jerome Gorgon showed great knowledge of the laws pertaining to my case. Mr. Gorgon was very professional, and the confidence he displayed made me feel secure. It was pleasure working with Mr. Gorgon, and I recommend Mr. Gorgon to anyone facing a complicated case, dealing in litigation.


text:
Agoura Hills Outdoor Living
We can create your sacred space. An outdoor BBQ or kitchen area or a quiet place to meditate; Daley Landscape, Inc. will turn your ideal outdoor living space into reality.
We design and build outdoor living spaces and outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and wood-fired pizza ovens, gas and propane fire pits, and install BBQs and EVO flat grills for our clients in Agoura Hills area.
Service Areas


text:
|View Thread | Return to Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg
The Loach Forum Archives (1)
Posted By: JD <email@example.com> In Response To: Keeping the Children Warm (Jayne)
Date: Saturday, 16 October 1999, at 10:07 a.m.
In Response To: Keeping the Children Warm (Jayne)
I made a one time payment of $800US. I bought a 5000 watt generator. Again, I too am unconcerned about Y2K, but I did loose power when Hurricane Floyd went through and it didn't return for 40 hours. That storm, combined with a few other things convinced my wife and I to fork out the cash. On our property the power company has two poles in the woods bringing the power to the house. Since it is in the woods, I am afraid that a tree could take out a line and the power company will not be to rushed to get it back on. There are other justifications, but the fish were always near the top


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The LSU Gospel Choir will perform its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the LSU Student Union Theater, Raphael Semmes Drive on campus.
This concert marks the last concert with the choir under the direction of Everrett Parker who is retiring at the end of the semester. Former gospel choir members are invited to participate in the concert, or secure a seat in the audience. Parker is assisted by Laurence Hebert.
Tickets are $18, general admission; $15, faculty, staff, seniors; $10, students. For tickets or more information, call (225) 578-5128.
Thesis exhibit set
The exhibit, (un)familiar, by artist Raina Wirta will open with a reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 19, in the loft space at the Capital Area Corporation Recycling Council, 1400 Main St.
The exhibit features a variety of nontraditional elements such as rubber, plastic and wallpaper and combines sketches, paintings and collage work. Wirta is a graduate student in the LSU School of Art, and this is her thesis exhibit. The council is presenting the exhibit as part of its community outreach effort.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Friday, April 26. Admission is free. For more information, call (763) 568-1159.
äON THE INTERNET:
Women in the Arts
The Associated Women in the Arts' Exhibiting Members Show will run through May 18 at Beauregard Gallery and Bistro, 715 Europe St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. For more information, call (225) 383-1932.
äON THE INTERNET:
At Cove, Rue Cou Cou
The exhibit, They Came from the Cove, a series of collages depicting sea creatures by recycle artist Karen Bottle Capps, will open Friday, April 19, at The Cove Cocktail & Oyster Bar, 2559 Broad Ave. The show runs through Saturday, April 27, and runs in conjunction with the Broad Avenue Art Walk on Friday, April 19. Also, the painting, "Egret Preening," by Milo will be on exhibit at Rue Cou Cou, 1857 Government St., during Art & Wine: The Wine Tasting Experience from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, along with new work by Amy Anderson, Jovann, Tanya F. Dischler, Joseph Melancon, Keith Morris and Katherine Rutledge.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call (225) 343-9722.
äON THE INTERNET:
Musical auditions set
Theater Baton Rouge, 7155 Florida Blvd., has set auditions for its upcoming musicals, Avenue Q and 9 to 5: The Musical. Avenue Q auditions are set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the theater. Vocal auditions for 9 to 5: The Musical are set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4. All auditions are by appointment only. Scripts are available for check-out for a $20 refundable deposit. For audition requirements or to make an appointment, call (225) 924-6496.
äON THE INTERNET:
Lunch and lecture set
Tickets are on sale for a lunch lecture with Suzanne Perron, along with a tour of her exhibit, Revealed: Exquisite Gowns by Suzanne Perron, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the LSU Museum of Art in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St.
Tickets are $35. For tickets or more information, call (225) 389-7210.
äON THE INTERNET:
At LSU
The LSU School of Music has scheduled two upcoming events:
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, the LSU Symphonic Winds concert directed by Dennis Llinas. For tickets, call (225) 578-5128 or visit http://www.music.lsu.edu.
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, LSU Schola Caontorum concert, St. Alban's Chapel, Dalrymple Drive. For tickets, call (225) 578-6941 or visit http://www.music.lsu.edu.
Photo society meeting
The Louisiana Photographic Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Baton Rouge Garden Center, 7950 Independence Blvd. The guest speaker will be photo column writer and past Louisiana Photographic Society president Elizabeth Mangham.
äON THE INTERNET:
Sunday In the Park
The next concert in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge's Sunday In the Park free concert series is set for noon-2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, on the North Boulevard Town Square. The concert will feature Moreland & Arbuckle.
äON THE INTERNET:
At Kress Gallery
A group exhibition of new work by Melange, featuring artists Amy Rickoff, Cassidy Breaux and Kelly Guidry, will open with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Kress Gallery, 447 Third St., Suite 200.
Gallery hours are 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call (225) 803-1023 or email email@example.com.
äON THE INTERNET:
At the Burden Center
Registration is open for "The Art of Seeing Creatively," an interactive photography workshop presented by The Tripod, Dede Lusk, Beverly Coates and Toni Goss, set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Burden Botanical Gardens, 4560 Essen Lane. The $55 fee includes lunch. To register or for more information, call (225) 763-2013 or visit the website.
äON THE INTERNET:
Partnership created
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra created the "School Partnership Program" to provide local schools with performances and teaching visits from the orchestra's musicians throughout the course of a semester.
This program was created to provide music education, elicit excitement amongst current music students, and help recruit more students into the schools' music programs. Each School Partnership includes four visits a semester from the orchestra's musicians that consist of a brief performance, group warm-ups, individual mentorship, and section coaching of band or orchestra music; culminating in a visit for their school to a Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra concert. For more information, call (225) 383-0500, ext. 123 or email email@example.com.
Summer camp registration
Registration is open for BREC summer camps, which include a summer camp at Baton Rouge Gallery. For a full list of camps, to register or for more information, call (225) 272-9200 or visit the website.
äON THE INTERNET:
Wife tickets
The final performance of the comedy, Run for Your Wife, will start at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at BREC Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Park Blvd. Tickets are $10. For tickets or more information, call (225) 216-0660 or visit the website.
äON THE INTERNET:
In Prairieville
The River Community Church, 36367 Old Perkins Road, Prairieville, will host a Family Art Extravaganza from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14.
The event includes the church's second annual community art and photography show, featuring work by area children, which will run through Sunday, May 12. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sundays and by appointment. For more information, email email@example.com.
Columbia Theatre donation
The Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau has donated $100,000 to Southeastern Louisiana University's Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 220 E. Thomas St., Hammond, to help the theater continue to bring quality entertainment to the parish and region. The funds will be used to engage top-notch acts to draw attendance from the broader region stretching from Baton Rouge to Slidell and will allow the Columbia to more aggressively market performances in corresponding media markets.
äON THE INTERNET:
At Three Rivers
The exhibit, Transitions: Artwork by Mary Monk, will run through Tuesday, May 7, at Three Rivers Art Gallery, 333 E. Boston St., Covington. For more information, call (985) 892-2811.
äON THE INTERNET:
Art classes set
Registration is open for art classes by Jane Hill at the St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington:
- 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 2-23, "Introduction to Acrylic Painting," for adults and older teens. The cost is $250.
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, "Teen Drawing Jam: Focus on the Figure," for ages 13-18. The cost is $75.
- 9:30 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 16, "Drawing the Head," for adults. The cost is $140 for association members and $160 for nonmembers.
- 9:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday, May 27-31, "Mud! Masks! Monsters!" for ages 6-11. The cost is $100 for members and $110 for nonmembers.
- 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 27-31, "Clay for Teens," for ages 12-17. The cost is $100 for members and $110 for nonmembers.
To register or for more information, call (985) 892-8650 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
äON THE INTERNET:
Artist lecture set
Renowned Peruvian artist Grimanesa Amoros will present a lecture at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, in the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise Theatre, 537 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, as a part of INNOV8 Lafayette. Amoros' installation, Uros House, has been most recently displayed at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, 710 E. St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette. The installation will be featured at Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise during her lecture to showcase how she blends art and technology. Uros House, made of polyethylene, steel, metal and computer controlled LEDs, was inspired by structures built by the Uros Indians in Peru. Admission is free but seating is limited. To register, call (337) 735-5483 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
äON THE INTERNET:
In Eunice
The Eunice Symphony Orchestra's 12th performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Liberty Theater, 200 Park Ave., Eunice.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The program is titled "Puttin' on the Ritz." Tickets are $5. Children age 6 and younger are admitted free. For tickets, call (337) 457-8151 or (337) 580-2493. Tickets also are available at the door.
In Crowley
Tickets are on sale for several upcoming shows at the Grand Opera House, 505 N. Parkerson Ave. Crowley:
- Saturday, April 20, American Tapestry.
- Friday, May 3, rehearsal "performance" for "Dancing With the Stars in a Caring Way."
- Saturday, May 4, performance of Dancing With the Stars in a Caring Way.
- Thursday through Sunday, May 16-19, the Acadiana Players present Some Enchanted Evening.
For tickets or more information, call (337) 785-0440.
äON THE INTERNET:
Rapunzel tickets
Tickets are on sale for Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts' production of Rapunzel, which continues Sunday, April 14, and Friday through Sunday, April 19-21, at the theater, 325 Minor St., Kenner. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $12-$15. For tickets, call (504) 461-9475 or (504) 468-7221 or visit the website.
äON THE INTERNET:
Courtyard concert
The Historic New Orleans Collection's Concerts in the Courtyard series continues Friday, April 19, with Lars Edegran's New Orleans Jazz Band at the Collection, 533 Royal St., New Orleans. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the show is set for 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes three complimentary beverages. Guests must be 21 or older. For more information, call (504) 523-4662.
äON THE INTERNET:
At the Ogden Museum
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., New Orleans, will open four exhibits on Thursday, April 18: To Paint and Pray: The Art and Life of William R. Hollingsworth Jr., Eudora Welty: Photographs from the 1930s and '40s, Walter Anderson: Selections from the Permanent Collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Southern Regionalists from the Permanent Collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The shows will run through Sunday, July 14. For more information, call (504) 539-9613.
äON THE INTERNET:
At Coup d'oeil
The exhibit, Please Be Quiet Please, featuring paintings by Chris Dennis, will run through Saturday, May 18, at Coup d'oeil, 2033 Magazine St., New Orleans.
For more information, call (504) 722-0876.


text:
The Hermitage, Paul Williams
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There are 4 Travel books of Russia from Explore Britain Books.
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The Hermitage
The Hermitage... This is an illustrated guide with an interesting and informative description of the halls and galleries of the Hermitage. 200 colour illustrations reproduce the palatial interiors, as well as works of paintings, sculpture, decorative and applied art from the collections of this world-famous museum. The book includes detailed plans showing the location of the state rooms and indicating the best routes for exploring this treasure-house of art and culture. The collections of works of art, gathered together and displayed in the museum known as the Hermitage, are rightly famous around the world. The buildings occupied by the museum today - the Winter Palace, Small, Large and New Hermitages - form one of the most brilliant architectural ensembles in the central part of St Petersburg, an ensemble that was a century and a half in the making. Here in the Hermitage complex history presents itself in all its many aspects; the various facets of the buildings existence merging together. Visitors find themselves at one and at the same time in the exhibition halls of one of the greatest museums on the planet, in a special world of architectural settings designed by some remarkable figures, and in a unique historical monument - the former residence of the Russian Monarchs.
The Hermitage by Paul Williams
AUTHOR: Paul Williams
195mm x 259mm x 10mm
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text:
Welcome To Brustkern Vizsla Kennels
Our first litter of Vizsla pups arrived on June 22, 2011. Flash, our female, is spirited and loving. Gus, the father, won 2007 AKC Nationals. We are expecting our next litter Summer 2012. We are now taking deposits. Contact Travis for more information.
About Our Puppies
Our puppies have been bred to be the best trial and hunting dogs. With a great temperament, these puppies will make great house dogs if you choose not to compete with them. We have done our best to make sure your pup is free of genetic defects. We ask that all puppy buyers have their Vizsla's hips x-rayed at two years of age and have the vet send the x-ray to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for an evaluation and a number. More details on our guarantees will be discussed at the time you decide to purchase a puppy from us. All our dogs are extremely healthy and we've had no major health issues. Once you commit to purchasing a Vizsla from us, we require a $200.00 nonrefundable deposit. After the deposit is received, your name goes on the "list" of puppy buyers for that litter. This is the order in which the puppies are reserved, and this is the order in which you will pick your puppy.
Contact Us
Travis Brustkern
1631 Aspen Dr.
Waterloo, Iowa 50701
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Euro, shares gain on renewed growth focus
(Reuters) - World shares rose and the single currency hit a new three-week high against a weaker dollar on Thursday, fuelled by the U.S. Federal Reserve's commitment to support growth and signs of some pressure in Europe to move away from harsh austerity.
Strong corporate profits emerging on both sides of the Atlantic and a dip in oil prices supported sentiment, but markets were cautious before a key test of demand for euro zone debt on Friday when Italy sells new bonds.
There are concerns - economic concerns, political concerns - but for now the overall momentum in company earnings and in the global economy should be an offsetting factor, said Gerhard Schwarz, head of equity strategy at Baader Bank.
The dollar has edged lower against a basket of major currencies since Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke reassured markets that the central bank would keep rates low to support growth, and would not hesitate to launch another round of bond purchases if the economy were to weaken.
The dollar index measured against a basket of major currencies was at 78.849, having fallen as low as 78.823 its lowest since early April.
Against the currencies of countries where central banks have recently said they were less likely to keep to easier monetary policies in the future, like the Canadian dollar and the British pound, the U.S. unit's fall was greater.
The greenback fell to C$0.9818 against the Canadian dollar, its lowest level since mid-September and sterling rose to a seven-month high.
The euro hit a three-week high of $1.3264, before settling to trade at around $1.3250 with the approaching Italian debt auction keeping traders cautious.
Italian bond yields headed lower before the auction, along with other peripheral euro zone government debt, following European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's call for a growth compact in the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Draghi gave little information on what this growth compact should consist of and also gave no indication the ECB was poised to give more support.
Weakening growth across the euro area has raised questions about the drive for tough government austerity measures which could worsen conditions further, making the debt burden more unsustainable.
France's Socialist presidential front runner Francois Hollande also seized on Draghi's comments, and said that leaders across Europe were waiting for his election to back away from German-inspired austerity.
France votes on May 6 in the second round of its presidential election, which Hollande is widely expected to win.
Italian 10-year government bond yields were 6.5 basis points lower at 5.59 percent. Two- and 5-year yields were down a similar amount.
On Friday, Italy will test sentiment in the euro zone debt market by selling up to 6.25 billion euros ($330 million) of bonds with a maturity of up to 10 years [nR1E8EG01F].
Italy paid the highest yield since January to sell six-month bills on Thursday indicating concerns about its low economic growth and large debt burdens have not eased much.
In European equities markets, investors were focused on the latest crop of corporate earnings which included many blue chip names like energy major Shell and Germany biggest bank, Deutsche Bank.
Shares prices briefly dipped into negative territory after weaker-than-expected euro zone sentiment data reignited concerns about the region's economy against a backdrop of mixed corporate earnings.
The FTSEurofirst 300 was up 0.1 percent at 1,043.38 points, after falling to a low of 1,042.00. It had risen as much as o.5 percent earlier in the session.
Investor sentiment globally has been boosted by strong corporate earnings out of the United States, where some 83 percent of the S&P 500 companies which have reported to-date have beaten or met forecasts, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine data.
This and the soothing words about growth from the U.S. Fed led to gains in Asia overnight and pushed the MSCI world equity index up 0.35 percent to a three-week high of 327.41 points. ($1 = 0.7585 euros)
(Additional reporting by Philip Baillie; Editing by Elizabeth Piper)


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"Light reflects light. A kitchen with light cabinets, floors and counters just seems fresher and more spacious."
Related quotes
"The spacious firmament on high, / And all the blue ethereal sky, / And spangled heavens, a shining frame, / Their great Original proclaim."
"The main street is the most spacious, the longest and best inhabited street in Europe... the buildings are surprising both for strength, for beauty, and for height..."
"A generation which has passed through the shop has absorbed standards and ambitions which are not of those of spaciousness, and cannot get away from them. Everything with them is done as though for sale, and they naturally have in view the greatest possible benefit, profit and that end of the stuff that will make the best show."
"We sent it back to the kitchen and they comped our meal. I called Ruby Tuesday corporate, they didn't seem to care much."
"One of dad's favorite tricks was to stand a kitchen match on a clothesline pole and light it by shooting the head.."


text:
Child Abuse Prevention Campaigns Take Center Stage In April
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
And, local organizations like South Florida-based Amigos for Kids are staging campaigns to raise awareness on the alarming statistics.
Amigos for Kids President Rosa Plasencia says the statistics are alarming, with four children dying daily as a result of child abuse or neglect.
Of those deaths, 80 percent of the children are under 2 years old and many meet their fate at the hands of their own parent or parents.
Plasencia says the community has a responsibility to report even any suspicion of abuse in order to prevent and stop it.
Over 3.7 million cases of abuse or neglect are reported each year across the country.
(Photo: Marty Melville / 2007 Getty Images)


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Snow is melting. Pitchers and catchers have reported to Florida and Red Sox fans were talking baseball Tuesday at the Vermont State House.
Montpelier was the first stop on NESN's New England wide tour to kickoff spring training. It was a meet and greet" session open to all Red Sox fans. About 150 people were in attendance on the House Floor. Many asked a wide range of questions to NESN Broadcasters Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy, and Jenny Dell. Fans with the best questions were given Red Sox gear. After the question and answer period, the NESN team signed autographs for the fans.
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text: September, 9, 2013 Sep 9 11:00 AM ET By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4714502/offensive-line-with-mixed-night ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Cowboys offensive line had two players make their debuts on Sunday night against the New York Giants. Rookie Travis Frederick, the Cowboys' first-round pick, started at center, and second-year right guard Ronald Leary earned his first career start. The Cowboys rushed for 87 yards and saw quarterback Tony Romo get sacked twice and he suffered an apparent rib injury late in the first half after two defenders hit him. The line also gave Romo some time to throw 49 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. On one of Romo's sacks the quarterback held the ball a long time and maybe should have just thrown the pass away. "It's never as good as it is and it's never as bad as you think it is," Frederick said of the line play. "You just got to watch the film and correct it. We ran the ball but I don't think we ran the ball as well as we wanted to. It's something we need to continue to work at and continue to improve."


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Sat Jan 12, 2013, 10:11 AM
DonViejo (29,876 posts)
Glenn Beck Attempts a Laughable Make Over as a Libertarian
Jan 12, 2013 4:45 AM EST
With a straight face, the king of ranting is cynically trying to recast himself as a sensible libertarian. John Avlon isnt buying it.
Glenn Beck is rebranding himself asget thisthe alternative to far-right, far-left polarized debates on cable news, dominated by people yelling at each-other.
We're not going to play in that crazy space as a network," he announced earnestly.
The irony meter just died. Hypocrisy and chutzpah had a child.
This is, after all, the man who rode to riches by screaming louder and crazier than anyone else in the collective conservative nervous breakdown known as Obama Derangement Syndrome circa 2009 and 2010. Here are just a few of his unhinged greatest hits, lest we forget:
There is a coup going on. There is a stealing of America done through the guise of an election.
Theyre marching us to a non-violent fascism. Or to put it another way, theyre marching us to 1984. Big Brother. Like it or not, fascism is on the rise.
The president is a Marxist ... who is setting up a class system.
The health care bill is reparations. Its the beginning of reparations.
We are a country that is headed towards socialism, totalitarianism, beyond your wildest imagination.
The government is a heroin pusher using smiley-faced fascism to grow the nanny state
read more:
9 replies, 1586 views
|9 replies
Glenn Beck Attempts a Laughable Make Over as a Libertarian (Original post)
|Jan 2013
|Buzz Clik
|Jan 2013
|Wounded Bear
|Jan 2013
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|Blue Idaho
|Jan 2013
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Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 10:29 AM
Buzz Clik (38,437 posts)
1. It would be interesting to hear Beck attempt to describe the political values of a libertarian.
He has no idea.
Great article, by the way.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 11:28 AM
Wounded Bear (16,916 posts)
2. Interesting concept....
Since I always figured that a Libertarian was a far right extremist, anyway. So Beck is trying to seel that as "Centrist"?
Interesting what the sheeple will buy into.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 11:42 AM
pnwmom (84,081 posts)
3. There is no such thing as a sensible libertarian.
They all have far right economic philosophies.
Response to pnwmom (Reply #3)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 05:42 PM
SunSeeker (24,768 posts)
6. Thom Hartmann says they're just right wingers who want to smoke pot.
Response to SunSeeker (Reply #6)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 09:28 PM
pnwmom (84,081 posts)
9. That's what I say!
No wonder my brother thinks I should listen to him.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 11:48 AM
zbdent (35,392 posts)
4. "done through the guise of an election"
was he one of those who was saying, in 2004 and 2010, that elections were showing "liberals" that the process worked, and that the "real America" had stepped up to smash down the (alleged) oppression???
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:09 PM
Blue Idaho (4,732 posts)
5. What a fucking lunatic
Poor Glen. He's watched his credibility tank, stared at the warehouse full of his unsold books, and no one is taking his calls. Smelling a financial disaster- he's desperate to "re-cast" his character to keep the cash flow going.
Too late Glen, your 15 minutes of fame are over.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 05:52 PM
Adenoid_Hynkel (13,637 posts)
7. The guy who used to sell "George W. Bush kick it old school!" shirts on his website
now tries to pretend he isn't a Republican.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 06:15 PM
Sunlei (19,123 posts)


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User talk:Sera987
From Grand Theft Wiki
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Always sign off your messages using four tildes (~~~~ ) to automatically add your signature.
Hi, welcome to Grand Theft Wiki! Thanks for your edit to the GTA 5 Wishlist page.
Please leave a message on my talk page if I can help with anything! -- Gboyers (Talk) 12:57, April 21, 2010


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Kristina Cutillo
School: Arizona State University
Hometown: Sparta, New Jersey
Major: Business & Public Relations
Kristina, Why did you want to be a 12?
I wanted to be a 12 because I knew it would be an eye opening experience for me. I've always been very enthusiastic and outgoing but extremely camera shy and insecure at times. I knew Tempe 12 would be the perfect way to break me out of my shell and I am definitely looking forward to that.
What do you want to be when you grow up/ how will being a 12 help?
I'm not exactly sure what I want to be when I grow up all I know is that I will be successful. My mother has raised me to never give up at anything I do and her vision of life is my motivation. Being a 12 will help me network and make connections that will be extremely useful later in life.
What is one think you wouldn't expect from looking at Kristina Cutillo?
I've been studying Russian on and off since High school. I find languages to be exceptionally interesting and I am extremely fascinated in the Cyrillic alphabet. My hopes are to one day visit Moscow and see the amazing architecture that symbolizes Russia such as the Kremlin. I am eager to experience the culture and perfect my diction.
What is Kristina's favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on Campus is definitely Starbucks. I'm obsessed with drinking lattes and doing my homework in a peaceful environment where I can actually concentrate.
What's your major and how did you decided on that?
My entire life I have always connected with people, no matter the shape, size, nationality, personality, etc. I find the uniqueness of each individual extremely fascinating. I have always known I was suppose to do something people-oriented I just didn't know exactly what that was. I initially thought my path was becoming a teacher or a psychologist but it just wasn't for me. I wanted to do something business related but sitting at an office doing paperwork was never for me. One day my best friend Hailey, and me sat in my room and researched majors for hours. We finally decided on public relations and it ended up being the perfect combination of business and working with people.
What is the best trip you have ever taken?
The best trip I've ever taken was road tripping to Florida in December. My mom, sister, brother and I drove all the way down to Florida from New Jersey to meet up with all my cousins, my grandma, aunts, and uncles. It was the first time in a long time that my entire family was together. It was amazing spending a few days down there; my family means everything to me so it perfect having all of us together. They are and always will be my biggest supporters.
How have things changed since you've become a 12?
My body has transformed like I never thought before. Working out Monday through Friday everyday at nine in the morning is definitely a struggle at first. Being a 12 has showed me the importance of eating healthy and working out. Its crazy how tweaking your diet just a little can make a huge difference.
Kristina, what is you favorite college memory?
My favorite college memory was my first Halloween party at ASU. My roommate Sarah and a few girls on my floor all dressed up and went to the Sigma Pi house together. I walked in and was instantly speechless. Coming from a small town I was overwhelmed to say the least. I've never seen that many people in my entire life, it ended up being one of the craziest nights of my life. All the guys were such gentlemen and we all ended up having such a fun night.
What do you look for in a guy?
All I look for is a genuine guy who knows who he is, someone who respects himself as well as others. Someone who is dependable and will always be there for you no matter what. Trust and loyalty are key.
Why did you decided on asu?
I decided on ASU because being all the way from New Jersey I wanted a totally different atmosphere. I absolutely love that I was raised on the east coast because it taught me how to hold my own, be independent, and have a strong backbone. As the first time leaving my family and being on my own I wanted to branch out in an environment less uptight. I felt like the easygoing west coast mentality and the gorgeous weather was exactly what I needed.
Tell us about where you grew up
I grew up in a small town in north New Jersey. We have a hand-made lake in the middle of our town called Lake Mohawk. Surrounding Lake Mohawk were six small beaches. It is the cutest town with the greatest people. I lived less than two hours from the jersey shore and less than two hours from New York City so it was the best of both worlds.
What's one item Kristina Cutillo can't live without and why?
One item I could never live without is my Grandpas rosary. He received his Rosary during his first communion and when he passed away he left it for me. My grandpa is hands down my biggest motivation in life, every night before I go to sleep I pray to him and hope that I am making him proud everyday as he is watching over me.


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Having to rely on your weaker side can leave you with an overwhelming feeling. The backhand stroke applies to any backhand shot, from the serve all the way to the smash. Unfortunately, this stroke comes from the weaker side of the body.
In this guide, you'll learn tips and tricks that you can apply while practicing or playing with your backhand. The sections are set up to become more and more challenging so you can progress through each more easily.
The standard grip for the backhand is simple and straightforward. If you hold the racket out so that the strings are facing your body, you should notice that the grip is wider on the front than it is on the sides. Place the upper half of your thumb along the wide part of the grip and wrap your remaining fingers around the handle. If you're holding it properly, you should be able to press your thumb into the handle to flick the racket forward.
You can slightly alter this technique to generate more power. This is done by combining the force from your thumb with your gripping power. To learn this technique:
If your grip is correct, your palm should not be touching the handle of the racket. As you become more comfortable using this technique, you can begin to integrate it into each of your backhand shots.
Learning the backhand serve can be a rather daunting task for beginning players. Although the technique is simple, it can take a while to become comfortable with it. When practicing the backhand serve for the first time, focus solely on the short serve. With this serve, you are aiming for the short service line in the diagonal service court.
For these short serves, your goal is to keep the shuttlecock as low to the net as possible and have it land close to the short service line in the diagonal service court. If you're ready to try the long serve, sometimes known as the flick serve, the setup will be exactly the same. Having a consistent setup will produce reliable serves and keep your opponent guessing. The only difference is using the strength and quickness of your wrist to generate power and catch your opponent by surprise. The flick serve is a fairly advanced serve and should only be used by intermediate players and above. Trying to flick serve before you are strong enough to execute it can injure your wrist.
The drive shot is vital to master for doubles players, because the pace of the game is much quicker than singles. Fortunately, the backhand drive isn't too difficult to adjust to, as long as you have the proper backhand grip.
The purpose of a backhand drive is no different than the forehand in that you are attempting to either make a kill shot or put pressure on your opponent to make a poor return. Like smashing, driving is purely an offensive tactic. This means that you need to stay aggressive while you're hitting drives. To do this, keep your racket out in front of you to deflect any shots immediately and quickly. By having the racket in front of you instead of by your side, you'll be able to return the shot earlier and stronger. If time allows, you can step into a drive with your dominant foot to produce even more power.
There are two distinct types of backhand drops that are used in badminton: The baseline drop and the net drop. Both drops will employ the backhand grip, but in drastically different manners. The baseline drop will use the overhand stroke, while the net drop will use the underhand stroke. Some tips for hitting the baseline drop are:
For the net drop you should:
Like the drop, there are two kinds of backhand clears: The overhand clear and the underhand clear. While a clear can sometimes be an attacking shot, backhand clears are strictly a defensive shot. As such, both backhand clears should be aimed high and deep to force the opponent to exert more energy to reach the shuttlecock. For overhand and underhand clears, the setup will be identical to the baseline and net drop. Ideally, the overhand clear should be taken with the shuttlecock just ahead of you. Doing this allows you to strike the shuttlecock as you move toward the net and simultaneously use the power from your momentum. Conversely, the underhand clear will only rely on your arm strength to guide the shuttlecock high and deep.
The backhand smash is not to be taken lightly, because excellent strength and technique together don't guarantee a great shot. With this stroke, positioning is especially important, as it is not easily compensated with power. Additionally, the amount of strain on your wrist can take a toll throughout the course of a match. Due to all the necessary factors that are essential for a solid backhand smash, this is easily the hardest shot you'll learn. This shot should only be attempted by advanced players who have had significant experience and training.
The setup will be the same as the backhand clear, but the smash should only be attempted if the shuttlecock is in front of you or level with you. Reaching back for a shot that requires so much force could seriously injure your wrist. Even if you manage to execute a smash while reaching back, it will likely be a poor one that leaves you vulnerable to your opponent's return shot.
The biggest mistake any new player can make is simply being afraid to use the backhand. It will undoubtedly feel awkward at first and it may not always be your best option. However, it's a vital stroke to learn. Many intermediate players have played the game for years and are held back by their inadequate backhand. The harder you try using your backhand now, the easier it will be for you to improve in the future.
© 2017 iSport


text:
Clear Lucite Cover - 6 Inch
6 reviews
The clear lucite Mezuzah Cover is simple and clean while allowing you to see the Mezuzah scroll inside. Shown with scroll for illustration. Scroll sold seperately.
Holds 5 inch Superior Scroll or Alter Rebbe (Chabad) Scroll - 6 inch. (Both are available in the product options)
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Mental Health
Have Mental Health Questions? Ask a Psychiatrist Online
Can a psychotherapist prescribe if needed any medication?
Hello, I am Rafael. Thanks for asking your question - I'm here to support you. (Information posted here is not private or confidential but public).
In the US only psychiatrist and any other medical doctor could prescribe psychiatric medication, while in some states psychologists are also allowed to prescribe medication; but other mental health professionals like counselors and psychotherapists are not allow to provide such service.
I am sorry to know about this person's suffering from depression and anxiety for this long. I agree with you, time alone has no power to rehabiltiate a person from trauma, depression,anxiety nor from any other serious mental health disorder. It is only through consistent psychological treatment that the rehabilitation process is possible, while medication could some times help relieving some of the symptoms the person may experience.
Dr. Z a colleague of mine here at JustAnswer, confirmed that psychologists in New Mexico, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and Guam, with a post-degree in psychopharmacology can prescribe these medications. Just remember that counselors, psychotherapists and clinical social workers, can provide counseling and psychotherapeutic support at different levels of expertise but cannot prescribe any medication.


text:
Milking life for all it's worth Connie Brown steps out of the business world into an ice cream parlor hoping to find a better family balance By Lorien Menhennett
It's Thursday, a little after 6 p.m. "Mama, mama!" a young voice cries, the words reaching out like the little boy's pudgy arms. Connie Brown looks up from packing a scoop of pink bubble gum ice cream into a sprinkle-covered sugar cone. She smiles. Into the Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor comes Connie's husband, Matt, carrying their 2-year-old son, Keegan.
It's family time.
It's common these days for parents to juggle their jobs to spend more time with their families. Some parents cut back their hours; a few choose to have one parent stay at home-not Connie and Matt Brown.
When this Forest Park couple decided they had to make family time a priority, Connie quit her marketing job but not to stay home full time. She quit so that she and Matt, who also has a full-time job, could open an ice cream parlor.
Their hope was to be able to spend more time with their son.
Sound crazy? Maybe. The Browns had never owned a business, much less an ice cream parlor. All they had was a vision that started a little more than a year ago. That, and a toddler.
Starting a new business during a shaky economy while raising a toddler might sound like a loopy plan. Some people, especially parents, might question the Browns' logic if their goal was to spend more-not less-time with their son.
But Connie feels that it works. Through prioritizing, simplifying and intricate timing, the Browns believe they've found a way to invest time, money and energy into their business, while keeping a focus on their family.
Matt, still carrying Keegan, walks up to the counter to order. "Strawberry?" he asks Keegan. "Yeah," the blond-haired boy replies, squirming with excitement. "Balderdash?" Matt asks. "No," Keegan says, laughing. He knows this is a joke. "Squiggle?" Matt asks again. "No," comes Keegan's reply. "Worm ice cream?" asks Matt. "No!" Keegan shouts.
Connie hands Matt a rainbow sprinkle-covered sugar cone and a small glass dish filled with vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream, for Keegan, and another dish for Matt. Matt and Keegan sit down at a table, Keegan in a booster chair.
In between customers, Connie watches her husband and son from behind the counter, laughing. She considers herself lucky. In spite of her hectic schedule, she believes opening the ice cream parlor will allow her to watch more of Keegan's growing up moments.
Work with-not against-family Connie admits that her job can be tiring and stressful. There are days she wishes she could spend a whole weekend lazing around the house. But for the chance to watch Matt and Keegan laugh as her son smears ice cream all over his lips-while she's on the job-it's worth it. She works as many as 90 hours a week but feels her schedule lets both parents spend more quality time with Keegan, though sometimes at the expense of spending time with each other.
Monday, Thursday and Friday, Connie works from 6 to 11 p.m. Monday morning she does payroll and paperwork. Tuesday and Wednesday, she works from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They split the weekend shifts.
With Connie working all day Monday through Wednesday, Keegan spends three days a week at daycare. In terms of hours, Connie doesn't have a whole lot more time with Keegan. But she says it's not so much about the amount of time as the quality of the time. "It's different time," she says. Before, it was "rigamorale"-get Keegan to daycare, pick him up, eat dinner, put him to bed. Now, Connie has all day Thursday and Friday with with Keegan.
Matt, too, says he spends more time with Keegan these days, especially when Connie is at the store. He picks Keegan up from daycare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They often stop at the Madison Commons construction site or the dog park before heading over to the Brown Cow for a pre-dinner snack. Then Matt and Connie, along with Keegan, head home for dinner together. The other weekdays, though, it's a quick dinner, a hug and kiss for Keegan, and off to work for Connie.
"You learn to prioritize," she adds. "Giving my son a bath is probably more important than dusting the lampshades. The house tends to go by the wayside. But it's not like we do a lot of entertaining now, so it's OK. You just make it work."
And it will be a harder to make it work in December, when Connie and Matt have their second. "It should make things interesting," she says. But she has 12 employees and will take December off. The store will close for winter, Dec. 23 to Feb. 1, leaving Connie at least a couple of months with her newborn before returning to work.
Founding the cow Owning an ice cream shop wasn't always Connie's plan.
"A year ago, if someone had told me I'd own an ice cream parlor in Forest Park, I would've said they were crazy," Connie says with a laugh.
A year ago, Connie was working four 12-hour days a week as a marketing consultant with Keegan in daycare four days week. She felt she wasn't there to see much of Keegan's growing up. Meanwhile, the corporate world was tightening its belt, leaving her little room for advancement. "If I'm going to put him in daycare, I want to do it for a job I enjoy," Connie told herself. "Otherwise, I'd rather be home with him." She knew it was time to get out. But to do what?
Connie had always loved ice cream-she frequented several local parlors while pregnant with Keegan. But there was nowhere in Forest Park for families to go. She and Matt decided Forest Park needed an ice cream parlor. The couple kicked around the idea of starting one themselves, but not seriously until last summer.
On Aug. 31, 2003, the Browns celebrated Connie's birthday. It was a normal birthday celebration until Connie opened her gifts. Matt's brother gave her a white apron with "Connie" emblazoned on it, alongside a scoop of pink ice cream sitting in a cone. Her grandma gave her a picture with cows on it-a reference to a "brown cow," the traditional name for a root beer float. And, incidentally, Connie and Matt's last name.
The message? "Shut up and do it," Connie remembers with a laugh. Two months later, the Browns signed a lease for 7314 W. Madison St. in Forest Park.
That's when reality hit: In a few short months after long days of renovating, Connie and Matt would have an ice cream parlor-and a 2-year-old.
The Browns hoped family and work would be compatible. After all, they were doing this for Keegan. "We had to keep that in mind on days when we had to pawn him off on grandma and grandpa," says Connie.
Balancing child rearing and store renovating was hard. But their family, Connie says, made it possible.
A new store, a new life After spending months renovating, searching for the best ice cream, buying equipment and developing a menu, the Brown Cow opened in March. At first, it was mayhem. "I just hope and pray a routine falls into place, because there isn't one now," Connie remembers telling herself in the beginning.
With a little experience under their belts, Connie and Matt are slowly developing a routine. That's not to say everything goes according to schedule. But even when things go wrong, the Browns seem to smile, even laugh about it.
"People are always in a good mood when they get ice cream," Matt says a few minutes after he walks in the back door, home from work just in time to help Connie whip up homemade pizza before she goes to work.
"I miss being able to go out and pick up and leave, but for now, you just kinda make due," he says, sprinkling oregano over the sauce.
Matt puts the pizza in the oven. The cheese sizzles and crackles as it cooks. Keegan runs over to Connie when he sees her put on her shoes. "Bye-bye?" he asks, thinking she's taking him somewhere. "No bye-bye," Connie says, picking him up and giving him a kiss. "Mommy's going to work."
Connie, Matt and Keegan sit down to eat. "More, more, more!" Keegan chants as Connie cuts the pizza, a little overcooked but still edible, into bite-sized pieces. Connie glances up at the wall clock-she has to hurry and leave if she wants to get to work in time to start her Thursday evening shift.
Rushing off to work after a quick dinner is a bit jarring, Connie admits. But work has its rewards too.
Even facing several hours of scooping, blending, pouring and dishwashing Connie finds herself with a smile on her face. She likes talking with her customers. She likes seeing the look on someone's face when they dip into one of the Brown Cow's specialties: Baa's Fudge Fantasy, named for Matt's grandmother; Ellie's Turtle Temptation, in honor of Connie's grandmother; or Keegan's cup of worms, named for you-know-who. Down to the names of the store's specials, Connie and Matt want the Brown Cow to be about family.
"This thing would not be possible without them," Connie said. "Whether it's watching Keegan or kicking us in the rear end to [open the store]. This whole thing is a tribute to our family."
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This content has been marked as final. Show 4 replies
1. Re: ClusteringBmilenov-Oracle May 2, 2012 2:03 PM (in response to 920802)Paul,
Can you be more specific about what exactly you are trying to achieve? What are the differences among the 10 runs? Do you use different settings or different data?
To compare 2 different models, one can consider things like:
1. How similar the hierarchical trees are (depth, branching out)
2. The distribution of data records among clusters (avg, min, max, etc.)
3. If you have class labels, calculate cluster purity - how many of the points within a cluster belong to the same class on average
Lastly, if you have the same data across models, you can use the cluster assignments of 2 models and calculate what percentage of the points fall in the same clusters. To do that you can consider all possible pairs and count how many pairs fall in the same cluster in both models.
I hope this helps,
2. Re: Clustering920802 May 2, 2012 2:43 PM (in response to Bmilenov-Oracle)Boriana,
Thanks for answer. I'm trying to focus on results.
I want to calculate the ratio of id, which falls into the same cluster in each run and pick 2 runs most similar.
I can produce sql who compares results of two runs.
But it requires to compare (as you wrote) each pair and will require many operations.
My question is whether there is a simple method to compare many (10) runs and find most similar....
Data are in 1 table and for each run (assignment to cluster) I have separate column in table.
SQL to compare 2 runs is:
select r.r1, r.r2,
round(count(r.r2)/(select count(o.r1)
from name_of_table o
where o.r1=r.r1
group by o.r1)*100,2) perc_r2_in_r1
from name_of_table r
group by r.r1, r.r2
order by r.r1, r.r2;
Edited by: 917799 on 2012-05-02 07:39
Edited by: 917799 on 2012-05-02 07:42
3. Re: ClusteringBmilenov-Oracle May 2, 2012 6:17 PM (in response to 920802)Given how your data is organized, it will be simplest to just write a loop in PL/SQL that considers each pair of columns and outputs the 2 columns with highest score.
4. Re: Clustering920802 May 10, 2012 9:08 AM (in response to Bmilenov-Oracle)Dataset is very simple:
Case_id, clustering_num_1, clustering_num_2, ... clustering_num_10
In dataset I have about 3000 rows.
Thanks in advance.
Edited by: 917799 on 2012-05-10 02:08