text:
Tiger Woods to bless us with his voice
Tiger Woods is making his first public announcement Friday where he'll pretend to have learned a lesson about whatever he did wrong. He's not paid to remember these things. People reports:
"Tiger Woods will be speaking to a small group of friends, colleagues and close associates … at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida," says the statement from his agent, Mark Steinberg, and his spokesman, Glenn Greenspan. "Tiger plans to discuss his past and his future and he plans to apologize for his behavior."
In an interview, Steinberg tells Bloomberg: "Tiger feels as though it's time to make amends and to publicly do that."
Woods will not be taking questions, Steinberg says. A group of reporters will be allowed to observe.
The Superficial has obtained an exclusive advanced copy of Tiger Woods' speech below:
Ladies and gentleman, members of the press, at this time I'd like to address the recent controversies surrounding my private life:
Just do it.
[Walk off stage. Collect $8 billion check from Nike. Stop leaving hookers alive after having sex with them.]


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The fundamental mission for all city of Tucson employees is to provide excellent service delivery to our community.
Efficiency, effectiveness, quality, readiness, responsiveness and a positive, problem-solving focus: These are the expectations the community, the mayor and City Council, and I have established for our organization.
In the past year, the city has made significant progress in meeting these expectations. In particular, Tucson's Department of Transportation is a point of pride, with new leadership and focus. This department is achieving impressive results.
The efficient movement of goods and services, and maximum safety for commuters, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians is critical to our local economy and quality of life. This includes the observable conditions of our streets. So together with the leadership of the mayor and council, we made street repair a top priority and have made investments to make change.
We began with the city's medians. They were in poor shape. Overgrown trees and tall weeds invaded the right of way. In response, the mayor and council and the city staff economized in other areas and partnered with the Transportation Department and private contractors to clean up the city's medians along our major streets.
Today the city's medians are in much better condition. Next year the city will begin repairing broken irrigation systems in our medians. This will reduce costs, improve water conservation in our desert city and again enhance the conditions of our medians.
In addition, last year the mayor and council recognized the need for a significant investment in road maintenance and repair. The mayor and council identified $20 million for our Pavement Preservation Program.
As a result, many of our major streets have been treated and repaired throughout the city since last summer. You can go to the city of Tucson Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityofTucson) and see the map. Or you can go and see for yourself the smooth black surfaces and freshly painted striping on streets, bike lanes and crosswalks all over Tucson, including Speedway, Broadway, Stone, Park and Campbell avenues; Nogales Highway; and Swan, Golf Links, Drexel, Pantano and Harrison roads.
I want to especially thank the mayor and council for identifying the necessary funds; and Daryl Cole, our new transportation director, and the Transportation Department's Streets Maintenance Division for their excellent work. The compliments regarding this program are received daily.
The most critical step in addressing our street-maintenance backlog is the voter-approved street bond program, Proposition 409.
City voters understood that a small increase in property taxes to begin to fix our streets is a better investment than paying mechanics for parts and labor for replacing pothole-damaged tires, rims, axles, struts and CV boots. They voted "yes." Now it is time to get to work.
Proposition 409 will mean $20 million in street repair each year for the next five years. A Citizen Bond Oversight Committee is now in place to oversee the program. The city has created a short video to show, step by step, how our street-repair programs work; it is also on our Facebook page.
The city will kick off this street repair program Monday, on Tucson Boulevard between Valencia Road and Tucson International Airport. Many business people and visitors get their first impression of Tucson on this road, and now we will get it in excellent condition. Here, too, I want to thank our citizens and business owners for their confidence in the city and their commitment to investing in our road system and our local economy.
In conclusion, according to the Transportation Department, the most dangerous potholes that are reported are fixed within 48 hours. Most are fixed within three days. Therefore, with a commitment to service, the long delays on street repairs are in the past.
We still have a long way to go to improve all our streets - including our residential streets.
But I can assure Tucsonans that city leaders have examined decades of deferred street maintenance and learned the right lesson. The cost of reducing or neglecting street-maintenance programs is much greater than the savings from not doing the work in the first place.
Therefore, the city staff will work with the mayor and council to re-establish Tucson's regular street-maintenance program. This will mean lower overall costs and better quality streets for Tucsonans into the future.
Richard Miranda is the Tucson city manager.

subset: commoncrawl


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Perhaps nobody is really to blame, but, if any one be, my own impression is that it is raglan.
Thanking Lord raglan for his extreme kindness, I took my leave.
Lyons gave us an interesting account of raglan's last illness.
raglan Church is not worthy of much attention if time is short.
Still Lord raglan stood his ground, watching the action with keen interest and the most admirable self-possession.
Pennefather had his hands full by the time Lord raglan arrived.
A few mornings after the mistake about the letter, Mrs. Clifford sat mending Horace's raglan.
raglan has gained great credit, and his march on Balaklava is considered a very able and judicious operation.
In the darkness of the tent, he caught up what he took to be his raglan, a sleeveless, waterproof garment.
raglan says the Russian force was even greater than at Alma, and vastly superior to his own.
type of overcoat, 1863, named for British general Lord Raglan (1788-1855), commander of British forces in the Crimean War. The name is from a place in Wales.


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Messages of thanks to the community, from the community.
...attended his performance on Jan. 17, as they would not otherwise have been able to go. Locke's message and talent were inspirational, and we thank JAHC for sharing this fine performer with us. Jetta Whittaker, executive director The Glory Hole
...Come enjoy a simple dinner of soup and bread, and select a beautiful pottery bowl made by a local artist to take home as a reminder that there are always empty bowls. We hope to see you there. Jetta Whittaker, executive director, The Glory Hole
JCF and Glory Hole Partnership The Juneau Community Foundation (JCF) and the Glory Hole would like to thank the Juneau donors (past and present) who made our challenge match such a success.
...Enoch. And very importantly, thank you to everyone who bought tickets and attended. We are sorry about the lines and sincerely hope to see you again next year. Thank you again! Mariya Lovishchuk Executive director, The Glory Hole Juneau
...money. Thank you again and if you feel that we missed you please forgive us and email us at firstname.lastname@example.com so we can humbly and happily correct the oversight on our Web site. Mariya Lovishchuk Executive director The Glory Hole Juneau
...had a Santa Claus for the first time in several years and that added to the fun and excitement. Joan Decker, director The Glory Hole ...for search help To all searchers, organizers and supporters from Southeast Alaska and other states: The...
Thank you so much, Juneau, for making another Empty Bowls event a success and for helping us reach our fundraising goal. A special thank you to our sponsors Flint Hills Resources, McKinley Capital, Sealaska Corporation, Goldbelt, Inc.
...and care, will be able to receive the basic essentials of life, in our city. Mariya LovishchukExecutive Director, The Glory Hole Special Olympics gives thanks for hoops successThe Special Olympics Juneau basketball team would like to thank...
...only adds to the sadness of the whole situation. Nevertheless, thanks are due to the writer of the article and the Juneau Empire for their effort in covering the story. We hope they keep up their good work. Joan Decker Director The Glory Hole
Juneau Empire ©2013. All Rights Reserved.


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Vogue Paris Original 1104; ca. early 1960s; Patou - Suit and Coat. Easy fitting jacket has shaped lower front edge. Scooped neck-line. Below elbow length sleeves and longer kimono sleeves. Slim skirt. Coat in two lengths has double-breasted closing below optional standing band collar. Kimono sleeves have below elbow length or wrist length extensions. Button trimming.
Featured in Vogue Pattern Book Early Spring 1962
Links to reviews/blog posts Edit
Sources/Vendors Edit
Gallery Edit
[insert your photos of this pattern made up]
Wishlist Edit
[insert your username, and make sure your preferences allow for people to contact you via e-mail. Do not list your email address here!]


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Just about everyone agrees that the health care status quo was not working for anyone. Costs were too high and too many Americans were without coverage. That was before the President and his allies rammed their massive government takeover of health care through Congress in 2010.
Unfortunately, the president's prescribed changes did not cure what was ailing the health care industry. Health care costs are still skyrocketing and many still don't have coverage. Ever since the president's plan passed, businesses and families now face fewer choices, more taxes and more federal regulations.
However, last week the Supreme Court ruled that the president's health care law is constitutional. It did so by showing that the individual mandate is a tax, and a massive one at that. The Court's decision runs contrary to administration's attempt to sell the mandate as a "penalty" or "fee."
Despite the president's promises to the contrary, the Congressional Budget Office found that at least 75 percent of the individual mandate tax will fall on those making less than $250,000 a year. The Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation recently released a report that even without the individual mandate the tax increases in the President's health care law will cost taxpayers more than $675 billion over the next 10 years
Other independent studies have found that the health care law is already leading to higher premiums, adding even more burdensome regulations and levying new taxes. On top of that it will also cut funding for Medicare by $500 billion.
As someone with nearly 30 years of experience in the private sector, it is clear to me that the president's health care law is hurting our economy by driving up health care costs and making it harder for small businesses to hire.
In response to the Court's ruling, I spent much of this week traveling around the 16th District meeting with small business owners and families to get their input. I also heard from doctors and nurses and most importantly from patients. Very few of them support this law or the federal government's ability to levy a tax on inaction, as the individual mandate does.
These are the people who make the decisions that affect how health care is delivered and received, and whether or not they will provide health insurance to their employees. Their opinions and their expertise are what matters most, and I will be calling upon them to contribute to the many actions we must take to fix our broken health care system.
As I have said all along, regardless of the Court's ruling, we must find ways to lower health care costs. I believe that comes from competition and the ability to choose, not from a government mandate. That is why I will continue to push for repeal of the law and then replacing it with legislation that increases consumer freedom and lowers health care costs -- two things the President's law has proven to be incapable of doing.
The solutions we come up with as a nation must focus on the doctor patient relationship, not on how the federal government can insert itself into every aspect of our health and our lives. The Supreme Court may have upheld this law and the federal government's right to tax citizens, but that doesn't make it good policy and it doesn't mean it should remain the law of the land.
U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci can be contact via Facebook (facebook.com/repjimrenacci) and Twitter (twitter.com/repjimrenacci) and at his Canton office at 330-489-4414 or his Washington office at 202-225-3876.
And the loons still think this is about health care?
The Unaffordable Health Control Act is getting more costly every day.
The 93% were Republicans and the 83% were DemocRATS. So that means 176% of doctors will quit. Fuzzy Buzzy you should understand that as somewhere around 176% of eligible voters show up to vote in your favorite Socialist/Marxist cities.
What lie would that be buzzy?Would it be the 93% of doctors who will quit with Obamacare?Or the other number which says ONLY 83% will quit.Not much difference there,any way you look at it your doctor will probably live in another country in a year or two.I am impressed that you ask for citation but at the same time you have none.You are just looking for trouble because you have no position that works to stand on.Obama is and always will be regarded as the WORST President in U.S. history.And you will still be standing in line for his handouts,amazing.
And yet you argue your point.As usual your weak position demands that you argue inane points.Your hero would NOT release his birth certificate to prove U.S. birth even when confronted about it BEFORE he was elected.This is a rule that is longstanding and his refusal just leads to doubt.I see that you are no longer arguing that Obama has lied to you so that is an improvement but I continue to be amazed that you don't demand the same openness from Obama that he promised you in his election run.Now you also don't demand that he run on his record but instead condone attack adds that at best don't tell the whole truth and at worst are outright lies.A shame you are so easily led through the gate.
Buzz is just like Barag. We already know they are liars, so why do they think they have to keep on proving it.
Is that the best you got buzzy?
The truth, in this case, is that the current occupant of the White House lies about virtually everything of importance to Americans. Baraq has lied about his birth, his childhood, his education, his influences and associations, his religion, his accomplishments, his policies, his true beliefs and his plans for America's future. In fact, after more than three years as president, Baraq's lying has become so embarrassing and undeniable that the only defense his supporters have is to change the subject or to claim "Republicans do it too."
You got the citation you so strongly insist on and still can't comprehend the meaning.What it means is the vast majority of doctor's will no longer practice in the United States.So when all is said and done where will you go for your medical needs?Maybe Iran?Oh well,the loons never will listen instead they will hate others.Right buzzy?by the way when will you give believable citation for any of your rants?
Thanks for confirming yourself a liar.
Oh wow,tax the top three percent and bring in 8.5 BILLION dollars.Now the government can run for 8 and one half DAYS.Big deal.All he wants is your vote and he will tell you any lie to get it.You want recovery?Then STOP SPENDING.Meanwhile when asked about the future 93% of Doctor's say it will force them to quit.Sounds real good for employment now right.To bad the loons just will not understand the truth,but they are easily swayed with handouts.Maybe if we tax the rich at 1005 we could run the government for an additional 80 days or so,but then the money train is dry,NOW WHAT loons?
justanobserver has an interesting post. However, the conclusion is a restatement of the progressive tactic of limited and/or bundled choice. Why is health care suddenly either government-provided or insurance-provided? What became of the patient-doctor relationship? The emergence of the federal government into the health care sector is the cause of increased costs. How can more government intrusion lower those costs? Employers began offering health care as a benefit when the government would not allow them to increase worker pay. Since then, the health care sector of our economy has had ever increasing costs. The solution is so obvious - get the government out of health care. Eliminate tax breaks to employers who offer health insurance or extend those benefits to individuals who pay their own insurance premiums. Scale back on Medicare and Medicare and place tighter controls on monitoring their activities at the state or local levels to reduce fraud and misuse. Eliminate the Department of Health and Human Services. Encourage people to take individual responsibility for their health care rather than have the nanny state make decisions for them. Continue to hold insurance companies to high standards in every state in which they are admitted to conduct business. When all of these burdens are eliminated, insurance companies would be more competitive and medical providers would have to attract patients like any other service operation. Prices would be more competitive and services would be far better. It is basic economics. When a willing buyer and a willing seller agree to the price, a transaction occurs. The government and the insurance companies have inserted themselves as third parties to this buyer-seller arrangement and the results are predictably disastrous. Remove the third party and the market will show us a fair price for quality services. Once the government exits the health care issue, the insurance companies will have to stand on their merit - if they cannot provide a quality service at a fair price they will close their doors. Make the consumer sovereign by allowing each individual to actually choose which, if any, insurance company they want. The trouble makers are not Democrats or Republican as both parties have led to where we are today. The progressives who continue to transform America into a socialized nation are to blame. The solution is for conservative-minded individuals to band together to overthrow the progressives at the ballot box this November! Only conservatives can lead to a meaningful recovery as more of the same will only make things worse.
I guess the loons haven't heard about the implications of the SCOTUS decision.But you can read this column and see the decision.
The tax man cometh to police you on health care
STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press Published: July 7, 2012 8:54AM
Deception from the current administration.In other words Obama is lying to us all.
It's easy you can find it right here on this site.
One question just for you buzzy:if Obamacare is modeled after Romney care why is one 70 pages and the other 27,000 pages and growing?
In July of 1798, Congress passed and President John Adams signed - An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen. The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance.
Keep in mind that the 5th Congress did not really need to struggle over the intentions of the drafters of the Constitutions in creating this Act as many of its members were the drafters of the Constitution.
And when the Bill came to the desk of President John Adams for signature, I think its safe to assume that the man in that chair had a pretty good grasp on what the framers had in mind.
And SOROS owns the loon media,but you know that right?To bad that some don't want to understand but SCOTUS rewrote law.Plain and simple with that ruling government can tell you to buy any brand of anything and if you don't they will confiscate your money buy "penalizing" you with a "tax".I understand with the limited real news that some just don't get it.But I am one who DOES understand what is happening and i wish everyone else did too.Unfortunately most just seem to want to be told what to think.Are you one of those Equalizer?or do you think on your own?Perhaps if the government owned all news entities we would get the truth.Yup,that would work out wouldn't it?How far away from that scenario are we?
Bam, the difference between Clear Channel, Fox Cable news and every other 'news' entity is: the latter are journalists. . . . . . Rupert Murdoch owns Fox with Roger Ailes as CEO; Bain Capital owns Clear Channel. BOTH hire folks like Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck as ENTERTAINERS. What part of 'they-don't-have-to-tell-the-truth, don't you get? Roger Ailes won this right in court due to the ENTERTAINMENT clause in contracts. . . . I know this comes as a shock to your libido; kind of like finding out Roller Derby and WWF is all choreographed. . . . . . .. . . .As for the 'right' not to be believed. . . . . that's par for course. . . . . . I spent YEARS supporting the Republican party; until it became so obvious the Mega corporation-controlled-GOP put greed first, NOT the country. It's YOU who are blind to other's views. Now I'll join the ranks of sane posters who are fed up with your excessive name calling; not to mention your ignorant claim to be an expert about SCOTUS legalese.
What Roberts did should be a real boon for local governments in need of revenue. The city of Wooster could require all residents to purchase a subscription to the Daily Record or pay a tax (penalty). I am sure the Daily Record would not mind as long as the licensing (for right to publish a newspaper in Wooster) costs they would have to pay to the city of Wooster were not to high.
good rant equalizer but one question just for you:Why are your loon sites like motherjones to be taken as gospel but nothing from the right can be believed?Just wonder since motherjones along with NPR has taken responsibility for getting foxnews off the air.Now if these loons were right why would it matter what ONE channel said about the dozens of loon sites lend up against them?Seems like maybe a little bit of an open mind might give you a different perspective.Or not as loons are loons and just can't take the truth.P.S.The mandate was stricken under the commerce cause and Roberts rewrote the bill under the tax code.Something that is blatantly illegal.
". . . .16,000 NEW IRS AGENTS who can seize everything you own (without due process) are being hired to FORCE YOU TO COMPLY!. . . .
JUST ONE OF MANY FLAT-OUT-LIES PERPETRATED BY FEAR-MONGERING HYPOCRITES . . . . Grover Norquist? - You've got to be kidding. - NewsMax? Owned by Rupert Murdoch - 'nuff said.
And the loons still think this is about health care.
20 Hidden Tax Hikes in The Unaffordable Health Control Act. http://www.newsmax.com/GroverNorquist/Obamacare-20-hidden-taxes/2012/06/29/id/443995
Lawyers Have Already Drafted 13,000 Pages of New Regulations for The Unaffordable Health Control Act. http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/lawyers-have-already-drafted-13000-pages-of-regulations-for-new-obamatax-law/
Don't forget these classics; "If you like your health insurance - you can keep it" "If you make under $250,000 you will not see one dime of tax increases" (75% of the costs of Obamacare are to be paid by those making $125,000 - and less, that's a fact - 21 new taxes) "We have to pass the bill to find out what's in it" (from the lovely Queen Nancy Pelosi). What about all the groups (unions, favored companies, etc. - 1,300+) who have gotten waivers from this atrocious power grab? How can our government pass a law and then tell a select few they do not have to abide by that law? This man has absolutely NO CREDIBILITY! There are over 13,000 new pages of regulation written by LAWYERS to force you to obey this law! 16,000 NEW IRS AGENTS who can seize everything you own (without due process) are being hired to FORCE YOU TO COMPLY! 55% - 60% of Americans want this law repealed! What a disaster.
10 things you need to know about "ObamaCare" now that it has survived: . . .
5 Lies from Republicans about AHC: . . . . http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/2012/06/top-5-republican-lies-abouit-affordable.html
First, insurance companies are in business to make money; their investors come first. So it wouldn't surprise me if they offered below adequate coverage to keep their board of directors happy. . . . .
No one on the Supreme Court has said that the Affordable Care Act is a tax. . . . . .The Court said the mandate is constitutional under the taxation powers of the federal government. Those are two very different things. For one, there's a huge range of provisions in the ACA that have nothing at all to do with the mandate.. . . . . Power to tax means, the government has the right to collect penalty fee from your tax refund, when you fail to buy health insurance when you can & should. Thus, power to tax does not mean your tax increases. . . . . No one's tax is increased because of this law, except penalty vs. free rider that fail to obey the law.---------------see link---------
I have several comments on this. First, how can you fully judge the effectiveness of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act when it hasn't been fully implemented yet? Of course more people don't have coverage yet as that part hasn't been put in place yet.
In regard to those making less than $250,000/year being most effected, of course they will be. Those making above $250,000 can better afford health insurance. I suppose the competition solution would be along the lines of what Georgia is now implementing. They are now allowing insurance companies to sell plans from out of state that don't meet the minimum requirements set by the state of Georgia. Is it not obvious that companies will sell useless plans for inadequate coverage or am I just missing something? Is this what is meant by competition?
Health insurance premiums have been increasing every year, why should this year be any different? As I mentioned above, the Affordable Care Act hasn't been fully implemented yet. My cynical side says that if premiums weren't going to increase this year (and I'm sure they would have regardless of the Affordable Care Act), the insurance companies are probably increasing them for no other reason than to be able to blame it on the Affordable Care Act. As usual, I see the insurance companies continuing to make increased profits. Do we really want the health care of our citizens to be a business? I always understood the Christian thing to be take care of others.
Lastly, as for the effect on small businesses. It would be helpful for politicians to define what they mean by a "small business." Businesses with 50 or fewer employees will not be required to provide insurance although they will have access to the insurance exchange which could better assist them in finding affordable insurance. For businesses of 25 or fewer employees they would actually receive a tax credit if they provided health insurance.
I personally don't think this legislation goes far enough. I would rather see national health care. I would rather have the government operating my health care than a for-profit company who is motivated by increased profit when making decisions about providing health care services or not.
Renacci talks about cutting government spending, yet he recently sent out a brochure that really looks like a campaign brochure. The problem is that us tax payers paid to send out that "campaign" brochure.
In this article he mentions that Obama's health care program would cut Medicare. Like that is a bad thing. What he doesn't mention is that every GOP cure for spending also cuts funding for Medicare.


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A fire at a Provo house Sunday caused about $350,000 in damage to the structure and valuables.
Provo Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Craft said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The blaze started inside a walk-in closet in a bedroom Sunday morning. No one was home at the time.
The flames burned through a skylight inside the closet and damaged the trusses above. Extensive heat and ash damage to antiques in the home near 1300 North and 1500 East also accounted for the high monetary damage to the home, Craft said.
Flames and smoke were visible when firefighters responded to a 911 call. Craft said crews extinguished the fire in about 40 minutes and were able to contain the flames to the room of origin. No injuries were reported.
Twitter: @KimballBennion


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Blood sugar test - blood
A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood.
Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including brain cells. Carbohydrates are found in fruit, cereal, bread, pasta, and rice. They are quickly turned into glucose in your body. This raises your blood glucose level.
Hormones made in the body help control blood glucose levels.
How is the Test Performed?
A blood sample is needed.
Preparation for the Test
The test may be done in two ways:
- After you have not eaten anything for at least 8 hours (fasting)
- At any time of the day (random)
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of diabetes. More than likely, the doctor will order a fasting blood sugar test.
The blood glucose test is also used to monitor patients who already have diabetes.
The test may also be done if you have:
- An increase in how often you need to urinate
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or a change in the way you normally talk or behave
- Fainting spells
- Seizures (for the first time)
This test may also be used to screen a person for diabetes.
High blood sugar and diabetes may not cause symptoms in the early stages. A fasting blood sugar test is almost always done to screen for diabetes.
If you are over age 45, you should be tested every 3 years.
If you have any of the risk factors below, ask your health care provider about getting tested at an earlier age and more often:
- Overweight (body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or higher) and other risk factors
- Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher, or unhealthy cholesterol levels
- Member of a high-risk ethnic group (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander)
- Woman who has delivered a baby weighing 9 pounds or more, or who had gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary disease
- Close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
Children age 10 and older who are overweight and have at least two of the risk factors listed above should be tested for type 2 diabetes every 3 years, even if they have no symptoms.
Normal Results for Blood sugar test - blood
If you had a fasting blood glucose test, a level between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered normal.
If you had a random blood glucose test, a normal result depends on when you last ate. Most of the time, the blood glucose level will be below 125 mg/dL.
The examples above show the common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
If you had a fasting blood glucose test:
- A level of 100 to 125 mg/dL means you have impaired fasting glucose, a type of prediabetes. This increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- A level of 126 mg/dL and higher usually means you have diabetes.
If you had a random blood glucose test:
- A level of 200 mg/dL or higher often means you have diabetes.
- Your health care provider will order a fasting blood glucose, HbA1c test, or glucose tolerance test, depending on your random blood glucose test result.
- In someone who has diabetes, an abnormal result on the random blood glucose test may mean that the diabetes is not well controlled.
Other medical problems can also cause a higher-than-normal blood glucose level, including:
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Pancreatic cancer
- Swelling and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Stress due to trauma, stroke, heart attack, or surgery
- Rare tumors, including pheochromocytoma, acromegaly, Cushing syndrome, or glucagonoma
A lower-than-normal blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) may be due to:
- Hypopituitarism (a pituitary gland disorder)
- Underactive thyroid gland or adrenal gland
- Tumor in the pancreas (insulinoma - very rare)
- Too little food
- Too much insulin or other diabetes medications
- Liver or kidney disease
- Weight loss after weight loss surgery
- Vigorous exercise
Some medicines can raise or lower your blood glucose level. Before having the test, tell your health care provider about all the medicines you are taking.
Blood sugar test - blood Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2014. Diabetes Care. 2014:37 Suppl 1:S14-80.
Buse JB, Polonsky KS, Burant CF. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 31.
Khan MI, Weinstock RS. Carbohydrates. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 16.
Related Images
|Review Date: 8/5/2014
Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial Team.


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Yesterday, I called Rush Limbaugh. In his first hour monologue, he told his audience that he is tired of hearing establishment Republicans whine about how formidable Barack Obama is as a candidate. This is standard fare for Rush; he's repeated this trope dozens of times. He always concludes by saying that the worst Republican in the field - including the nuts (Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman according to Rush) - are orders of magnitude more appealing than the "man-boy" that snuck into the White House, unvetted, in 2008. He reiterates that the Republicans don't need a strong candidate - a container of Turtle Wax could beat him in this economy.
My Call with Rush Limbaugh
Current Status: Blessed (1)
Seeded on Wed Dec 7, 2011 10:08 AM
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Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Contemporary YA
Published January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
Goodreads summary:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
This can't be appropriately called a review. How can I properly review a book that touched me as deeply as The Fault in Our Stars did? I even considered making a special format purely for this book before I decided to stick with the tried and true.
Looking for Alaska was the only John Green book that I'd read before. And don't get me wrong. I loved it. It was beautifully written and literary and I think I summed it up with the word "wow." But it didn't touch me the way that The Fault in Our Stars did. I just– I don't know how to say it better than other people have said it already. That Jodi Picoult blurb on the front? 100% agree.
I had a favorite quote from this book that I think sums up how I felt about it: "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once." I was falling in love with this book– with Hazel, with Augustus Waters, with how they interpret and describe the world around them. And before I knew it, I was in. There was no getting out of how I felt about the book and the characters and it all culminated in about 100 pages of mascara running down my faces as I huddled in my bed with a tissue and this book.
I always vaguely want to thank authors for writing– because obviously I love to read. But I want to thank John Green for writing something that made me feel ALL THE THINGS.
Overall rating: 5/5. Like my initial 1 sentence Goodreads review said: "John Green gets ALL the stars."


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Israel offers to transfer West Bank security - Palestinian girl killed in clashes (THE BOSTON GLOBE) By Dan Ephron JERUSALEM, Israel 01/27/05)
Source: http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/01/27/israel_offers_to_transfer_west_bank_security/
BOSTON GLOBE Articles-Index-Top
JERUSALEM -- Israeli officials yesterday offered to transfer control over security in several West Bank towns, part of a series of Israeli and Palestinian initiatives marking the most serious attempt yet to halt more than four years of fighting.
Officials on both sides said the latest moves were discussed in the first high-level diplomatic meeting between the two sides since Mahmoud Abbas was elected Palestinian president earlier this month.
The talks came amid a sharp drop in Palestinian attacks against Israel in the past week and signs that the Jewish state is willing to freeze most offensive military action in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including its contentious policy of assassinating top militants. But fresh clashes killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl and a militant yesterday, underscoring the fragility of the effort.
In Gaza, meanwhile, representatives of several Palestinian factions said they have agreed to hold their fire for a month, while Abbas tries to persuade Sharon to stop pursuing Palestinian fugitives, free thousands of prisoners, and withdraw to the lines Israel held before hostilities erupted in September 2000.
Those are among the conditions from the Islamic Hamas and other hard- line groups for a longer-term Palestinian cease-fire.
In exchange for their cooperation, Abbas agreed to consider sharing power with Hamas and other opposition groups, one representative said.
Saeb Erekat, a member of Abbas´s Cabinet and the principal negotiator on the Palestinian side, said yesterday´s talks focused on the agenda of a summit between Abbas and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, although no date was set.
He said the Israeli team, headed by Sharon´s chief diplomatic adviser, Dov Weisglass, inquired how quickly the battered Palestinian police force would be prepared to deploy in West Bank towns that Israeli troops have occupied since 2002 following a spree of suicide attacks against Israeli civilians.
´´They´re willing to hand over control in several towns as soon as we´re ready. We talked about our security people sitting down and discussing the transfer," Erekat said in an interview.
´´But we have to see what kind of capabilities we have [in the West Bank]. It´s a question of putting our credibility on the line. We can´t afford to promise and not deliver," he said.
Erekat said it was the ´´first time in a long time" he felt encouraged by a meeting with Israelis. Abbas, after being briefed on the talks, described them as ´´promising in all aspects."
Israel wants Palestinian security forces to impose order in the towns and prevent armed attacks on Israelis, an endeavor Abbas pledged to undertake while campaigning to succeed longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after his death on Nov. 11 of an undetermined illness.
Hundreds of Palestinian troops have taken up positions in the Gaza Strip in recent days, and that deployment has nearly frozen rocket attacks on Israeli communities in the area.
While Gaza´s security forces have remained largely intact during the years of fighting, Israeli strikes have nearly wiped out police units in parts of the West Bank, making it harder for Palestinians to reassert control there.
A spokesman for Sharon said yesterday that Israel was ready to stop raiding West Bank and Gaza towns once Palestinian troops take over, but would still act to thwart suicide attacks.
´´We made it very clear that in places where they are going to assume responsibility and control, we´ll refrain from military action. That includes targeted interceptions," said Ra´anan Gissin, Sharon´s media adviser, using Israel´s term for its practice of killing extremist leaders considered a threat to Israeli security.
´´However, in places where they are deployed or not, if they fail for whatever reason to stop ticking bombs, suicide bombers that we know are on the way, we reserve the right to stop them after we give the Palestinians a chance to stop them. We´re not going to sit back and play dead and wait for suicide attacks," he said.
Gissin confirmed that Israel offered to pull troops out of West Bank towns whenever Palestinians were prepared to assume responsibility. Except for very brief periods in the past four years, Israel has been unwilling to halt the assassinations of wanted militants despite criticism from abroad and from some left-wing groups at home.
According to the Israeli human rights group B´Tselem, Israel has killed 181 militants in targeted strikes since fighting began in September 2000, either in helicopter missile strikes or attacks by ground troops. But at least 107 bystanders have also been killed in the pinpoint operations, the group says.
Palestinians describe the strikes as ´´extrajudicial killings" and say they only help militant groups recruit new activists. But military analysts believe they have substantially weakened groups like Hamas, which Israel and the US State Department have declared a terrorist organization.
´´It has definitely been a success," said Zeev Livne, a reserve army general who served as the military secretary to two Israeli prime ministers. He pointed to the assassination last year of Hamas´s two principals -- Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi -- as a turning point.
´´I believe one of the reasons that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are willing to cooperate today is because their leaders have been targeted," he said.
In the West Bank yesterday, undercover Israeli troops shot dead a Hamas militant and wounded two members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs´ Brigades -- a militia aligned with Abbas´s Fatah faction -- in an operation that the Israelis described as an attempted arrest that ended in gunfire.
Later, in the Gaza Strip, a 3-year-old Palestinian girl died in her home from what witnesses said was an Israeli gunshot wound. Israeli officials confirmed soldiers opened fired after Palestinian fighters launched a rocket from the area but disputed the circumstances of the girl´s death.
A spokesman for the Al Aqsa Martyrs´ Brigades said if the Israeli assaults continue, his group would resume attacks against the Jewish state.
´´We demand that all killings, liquidations, and incursions into Palestinian cities stop within the coming 24 hours," Abu Mohammed, a spokesman for the group, told a news conference in Gaza City.
´´If not . . . we will find ourselves free of any commitment and will then respond to Zionist crimes by striking anywhere and at any time of our choosing," he said.
Members of all the Palestinian armed factions held talks with Abbas in the past week in Gaza on their conditions for a cease-fire with Israel.
Saleh Zeidan, a member of the opposition Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who participated in the talks, said reciprocity was the key to a cease-fire.
´´We agreed on the principle of a respite . . . until Abu Mazen achieves an official agreement with Israel on these issues," Zeidan said, referring to Abbas by his nom de guerre. ´´We have the right to defend ourselves during the period of calm. All the factions have accepted to give a chance to Abu Mazen."
Zeidan said the factions hoped to reach an agreement with Abbas ´´within weeks" on a leadership body that would advise Abbas´s administration and include members of Hamas and other opposition groups. Globe correspondent Sa´id Ghazali contributed to this report from Jerusalem. (Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company 01/27/05)
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Social Security Disability Backlog Delays Payments
An interesting New York Times article entitled "Disability Cases Last Longer as Backlog Rises" by Erik Eckhom discusses the Social Security Administration's ("SSA") backlog and how it affects disability payments to claimants. The article states that the wait for appeals hearings is about 500 days, twice as long as it took in 2000. In addition, the article notes that approximately two-thirds of appeals are successful. This is not news to group disability insurers who often have provisions in their policies allowing for offsets of SSA disability benefits.


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What is dr. gold's hz miracle
Maybe you have a sense of accomplishment? Hypnotherapy for motivation can seem to be too simple a solution for these problems; however you will be surprised at their effectiveness. A discussion of an attitude of success is to be prepared to work hard and work consistently to see it come to pass. Be as creative as you can, let your mind dream and don't hold back. It is easier to stay where you are, blame others and tell yourself: "No, this is too hard. Your partner can sense this, and subconsciously will react to this change in a favorable manner. Try to get seven or eight hours of sleep each night, too. A decision that will probably affect your entire being and surroundings as well. What is dr. gold's hz miracle.
what is dr. gold's hz miracle:
Having hope gives you the strength to understand that absolute certainty never arrives. That which you focus on most intently and with emotion your unconscious will start to work for you to find ways to make them a reality in your life. Responding to the failure on both these levels and stimulating course correction, results in success, sometimes in the most amazing fashion, where seemingly miraculous experiences appear to rescue the situation and deliver the desired outcome. Read them everyday and think about all the ways that you can make the goals a reality. You can now describe the comfortable situation that this new belief will provide and your behavior when you are acting under the new belief. Doubt brings to coming out of concentration, dispute and analysis, which actually is thinking. It took you more than one day to develop the habit. Once you have started work on your subconscious mind, through the route of hypnotherapy for relationships, you will find yourself to become calmer and relaxed. what is dr. gold's hz miracle.
What is dr. gold's hz miracle


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My little June baby does not fit many of our hand-me-downs, so I am getting to buy some baby boy clothes for the first time in about 10 years! I love Carters for cotton basics that wash and wear well, and I love that you can often buy them on sale and gain coupons for the next purchase, I think they are doubled on Tuesdays, but I am going to check before I purchase.
Anyway, I just got an email that baby things are 50% off there, and then I clicked through and saw this bundle. I can't copy the picture, so you are going to have to link over there and then come back and tell me what you think.
What are your thoughts about that one stop shopping, buying a complete matching set like that and then having all of the pieces work together for the entire season? On the one hand, it seems convenient, easy and cute. On the other hand, I might get sick of that cute little crab theme if it is all my baby wears all summer? And should I take the time to add up the cost of individual pieces that I would really use to see whether it would be cheaper to buy it without the mitts, bibs and blanket? On the third hand, I really do love the matchy match, and my kids could dress him and he would always look put together? That's how I get three hands, by the way, one of them belongs to my right-hand 10 year old daughter.


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Renewing Sensitivity: A Second Renaissance
Through studying both graphic design and history (dual degrees), I have realized that my passion lies in art criticism and curating. Through evaluating artworks, a greater understanding of other societies, cultures, and events can be drawn. Gathering artworks with unique importance and statements, cultures can come to terms with one another and reach a greater comprehension of what people attribute meaning and why. Through the use of gallery space, anyone can immerse him or herself in a foreign culture and attain sensitivity toward the world. With cultural awareness comes a profound sense of humanity itself, which may lead to a sense of globalization and allow people to have the compassion necessary to truly solve problems both domestic and foreign.
During my time at California University of Pennsylvania, I intend to fulfill requirements for a Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design, a Bachelors of Arts in History, and minors in Art History and Drawing. Following this, I hope to pursue a Masters degree in Art History with a focus in Museum Studies, and possibly even advancing my education to a Doctorate. Through affiliations with museums and galleries along the way, I hope to build a resume strong enough to earn a position as curator at a contemporary art museum. From this position, I hope to acquire influential and meaningful pieces of art from around the world to impart compassion and understanding onto those that visit the gallery space.


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Please log in to use theIdeas To Action form
Bath University Boat Club (CrewBath) had over 200 members in 2015/16 and we want to be even bigger and better! The vast majority of our members had never rowed before coming to University so don't worry if you've never rowed before.
Anyone can join and learn to row!
We have Women's and Men's squads, both very successful and rapidly growing. We won 7 BUCS championship medals this year as well as qualifying 9 athletes in the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta with our 1st 8+ reaching the Quater-Finals. Take a look at a video of our Henley preparation here.
We also go on a training camp over the easter holidays with last years' camp taking place in sunny Banyoles, Spain. Check out a video of our training camp from 2014/15 Here
Spain, Portugal, London, Henley, Nottingham, Bristol and Bath are just some of the amazing places you'll go to as a club to compete, train and go to socials and dinners.
It's a great sport if you want to learn something new.
As well as regularly rowing through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the South West...
Like our facebook page to keep up to date https://www.facebook.com/BathUniversityBoatClub/?fref=ts
Meet one of our members
If you have any queries then please contact the relevant captain:
Novice Mens
Alex Robbins
Rory McGurk
Novice Womens
Ella Flanagan
Gini Dunne
Senior Mens
Will England
Senior Womens
Jack Williams
Helena Crossland
For general enquiries, please contact our secretary Anna Kinnersley (email@example.com)


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Designed to accommodate the smaller Epos bookshelf speakers -- like the
new Epic1 and M5i -- the ST35 metal stand is both elegant and
functional and is available in a choice of either black or silver.
Their performance particularly improves the bass performance of small
speakers and their open frame design helps to build an exceptional sound stage,
with no shortage of presence. They are dynamic and solid and designed to be
acceptable in most domestic settings.
The ST35 speaker support stands 58.5 cm high and has a solid 4mm thick top
plate. It has a solid 4mm bottom plate which is rounded on the front edge and
tapered at the back and features an Epos badge at the front. Three heavy gauge
steel columns make up the supports, the larger of which has the added advantage
of a discreet cable management channel.
The ST35 does not allow sand to be added to the columns. They are supplied in
a self-assembly format complete with optional top and bottom spikes, that are
Technical Specification
Height without spikes 56 cm (22�)Height with spikes 58.5 cm
(23�)Bottom plate size 28 x 25 cm (11 x 9 ��)Top plate size 17 x 15.5 cm
(16 3/4� x 6 1/8�)Spike diameter 6mm (1/4�)Number of columns 2 x 35mm 1x
76mm (2 x 1 3/8? , 1x 3�)Top spikes OptionalBottom spikes
OptionalButton feet 8 supplied as an optionColour Black onlyWeight 5
kgs each (11 lbs)


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The Australian Rugby Union could pocket an estimated $1million if the Wallabies play a World Cup warm-up match against the USA Eagles in Chicago this year.
Fairfax Media understands the ARU and USA Rugby are in advanced talks around a September fixture. There is some discussion still around the venue and exact date, but it is believed the plan is for the match to be played at historic Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, and the same stadium that hosted a sold-out clash with the All Blacks in November.
The game would serve as a warm-up match for both sides in the lead up to the World Cup in England and Wales, which starts on September 23.
It would also provide a financial buffer for the ARU while it waits for money to start flowing from a soon-to-be-announced broadcast deal believed to be worth $45 million a year to Australia.
The SANZAR-negotiated deal takes effect in 2016, leaving the cash-strapped ARU on thin ice in a World Cup year when fewer domestic Test matches dramatically slashes projected revenue.
The All Blacks game, which filled the 62,000-capacity ground, was believed to have delivered the New Zealand Rugby Union an extra $1 million in cash last year, plus invaluable brand exposure in the hugely saturated US sports market.
The Wallabies, ranked fourth in the world, cannot command the same brand recognition as the World Cup holders, but the positive publicity generated from that match, which was viewed live by an average audience of 927,000 on NBC, would ensure a competitive level of interest if the gold jersey rolls into town.
The Wallabies are paid $1 million for each match they play in Europe outside the regular Test window at the end of the year, and it is believed they will want a similar sum from USA Rugby if the match goes ahead.
There is some discussion still to be had around when the match will be played, as the NFL fixtures have not been released. The Bears' first game is scheduled for September 13, although it is not yet known whether they will play home or away. Pre-season games could also affect the negotiations.
The ARU had to secure agreement with the Rugby Union Players' Association, which had signalled it would veto a planned two-match end-of-year tour to Europe on the grounds it would be too taxing on the country's top players after a full season of Super Rugby, a shortened Rugby Championship and a World Cup.
A warm-up game was seen as a win-win. The Wallabies, under new coach Michael Cheika, would benefit from an extra hit-out leading into their toughest World Cup campaign, and the ARU from the extra cash in a lean year.
It also avoids any conflict with the players' collective bargaining agreement, which stipulates they be given five weeks off after a World Cup.
Last year the All Blacks delivered a 74-6 master class to the Eagles. It was the first rugby international played at an NFL venue, generating a mixture of fascination and awe among viewers.


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MUBE – Museu Brasileiro da Escultura: Contributing artists from around the world are participating in this critical part and new chapter in the exhibition of "A Book About Death."
This exhibition entitled "Um Livro Sobre A Morte" at MUBE in São Paulo, Brazil opens on February 3, 2010 and runs through February 28.
A Book About Death is a collaborative project conceived by american artist Matthew Rose for the Emily Harvey Foundation in New York City, where the original exhibition took place from September 10 – 22, 2009. Approximately 500 artists contributed 500 artworks in the form of post cards of varying sizes each created from works made especially to create an unbound book about death.
The exhibition paid special homage to Ray Johnson (1927-1995), a highly influential figure in contemporary American art, a formidable collage artist and long acknowledged as the "Father of Mail Art" with his creation of a network, The New York Correspondence School. The exhibition also paid homage and celebrated the life of Emily Harvey (1941-2004), the late art dealer who tirelessly promoted Fluxus artist and whose Foundation generously supported the project.
The exhibition opened with a packed house, and a line snaking up Broadway more than 500 people long waiting to get in the doors to make their own book. Since then, the exhibition has traveled to the Otis College of Art and Design in LA, The River Mill Art Gallery in New Jersey, The Mobius Gallery in Boston, MA, The Queens Museum in Queens, NY, The Sexta Literary Arts Festival in Tijuana, Mexico, as well as smaller galleries and schools in Louisiana, Wisconsin and Long Island.
Complete sets of "A Book About Death" have entered into the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (Library), and the LA County Museum of Art Research Library.
A project by Matthew Rose | Curated by Angela Ferrara
MUBE – Museu Brasileiro da Escultura
Avenida Europa, 218 – Jardim Europa
CEP 01449 000 – São Paulo, SP – Brazil
MARY BOGDAN @ MUBE – Museu Brasileiro da Escultura, São Paulo, Brazil | Feb 3-28, 2010
click images to enlarge


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I have also written a review for the toaster that matches this kettle. I bought this kettle 6 years ago along with the toaster and this was without doubt the better buy out of the two.
It is still going strong now, I have descaled this kettle roughly every two-three months using the liquid descalers. I put the lid and the limescale filter in the kettle once it has boiled as limescale does build up on the lid in places and this is a quick way of getting it looking like new again.
The outside stays cool and when you pick the kettle up it automatically turns itself off. A hidden element and the fact it is designed by Porsche makes this a real special kettle.
The brushed metal on the outside means it cleans up a treat, it still looks brand new when I have cleaned it with a scourer and a bit of kitchen cleaner, the only part that is looking its age is the top of the handle near the lid where small lime scale deposits have built up over the years, I can't remember exactly how much we paid but I think it was around the £70 mark, my parents have had about 4 kettles in the time that I have had mine and we do use it every day without fail. It looks so stylish as well.
It was definately worth the money and I would not hesitate to recommend this kettle, i would definately look at buying another one when this does end up in the bin, although at the moment it shows no sign of giving up !!!


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Father: François-Amable-Louis LEFÈBVRE b: 1733 in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ile-de-Montréal, Québec
Mother: Louise ROUSSEAU- b: 2 OCT 1735 in Laprairie, Chambly, Québec
Marriage 1 François BRÉBANT- b: 1754
RootsWeb.com, Inc. is NOT responsible for the content of the GEDCOMs uploaded through the WorldConnect Program. If you have a problem with a particular entry, please contact the submitter of said entry. You have full control over your GEDCOM. You can change or remove it at any time.


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WindowsNetworking.com Monthly Newsletter of March 2008 Sponsored by: GFI
Welcome to the WindowsNetworking.com newsletter by Thomas W Shinder MD, MVP. Each month we will bring you interesting and helpful information on the world of Windows Networking. We want to know what all *you* are interested in hearing about. Please send your suggestions for future newsletter content to: firstname.lastname@example.com
1. Wireless Networking Best Practices
Without a doubt, wireless networking has to be the number one computer technology advance in the last decade. No longer are we chained to our desks to connect to the network. Now we can lug our laptops around to virtually anywhere to connect to the Internet or even connect to our home or office networks over the wireless connection to the Internet. Our information is always with us with the help of wireless networking.
But with all the goodness that comes with wireless networking, there are some potential downsides too. The biggest downside is that malicious users can break into your wireless networks a lot more easily than they can break into your wired networks. While hackers and other malcontents would have to breach the physical security of your home or business to get into your wired network, the same person can sit outside, comfortably in his car, and work on breaking into your personal or business wireless network.
There are a lot of methods shared on the Internet, in magazines, on TV shows and on the radio on how to secure your wireless network. Some of them are useful, but there are a lot of misconceptions out there that are considered to be best practices when they are not.
First, let's look at several things that you should not do to secure your wireless network:
The SSID is your wireless network name. Some people recommend turning this off so that casual users will not be able to determine the name of your wireless network. The problem is that SSID suppression does not prevent anyone other than a newbie from connecting to your network because there are management frames broadcasted that include this information. It also causes problems with the Windows Wireless AutoConfiguration and can negatively impact performance.
MAC address filtering allows you to control what MAC addresses can connect to the WAP. The problem with MAC address filtering is that it adds a significant amount of administrative overhead to keep the MAC addressees current and does not stop the hacker from spoofing an allowed MAC address, which is relatively easy to do.
WEP is an outdated method of securing wireless network and should be banned from all wireless network deployments. If you are still using WEP, you need to change to WPA2 and if your WAP does not support it, then you need to upgrade all of your WAPs.
VPN connections to a VPN gateway through a wireless connection can secure the communications within the wireless network. While this is a secure configuration, VPN connections are not really needed to secure wireless frames and they add unneeded complexity and often cause problems with roving wireless users.
Now, what should you do to secure your wireless networks? Consider the following:
EAP/TLS is the most secure method you can use to protect your wireless networks. However, it does require that you put together a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). If you do not want to put together a PKI, you can use Protected EAP-Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol Version 2 (PEAP-MS-CHAPv2). WPA2 is currently the standard wireless encryption protocol and should be the only version deployed on your networks at this time.
If you have older WAPs, you can use WPA instead of WPA2. While not as secure as WPA2, if you combine WPA with EAP/TLS or PEAP-MS-CHAPv2 and strong passwords, it can result in a reasonably secure solution that will protect you until you have the chance to upgrade your WAPs.
It takes some effort to create a secure solution, but the benefits of securing your wireless networks using these best practices will go a long way at protecting your home or business network from being compromised by a hacker across the street. For more information and details on implementing a secure wireless network using Windows servers and clients, check out the Microsoft Wireless Networking page.
See you next month. Thanks!
Quote of the Month - "We are an impossibility in an impossible universe"
2. ISA Server 2006 Migration Guide - Order Today!
3. WindowsNetworking.com Articles of Interest
4. KB Articles of the Month
5. Windows Networking Tip of the Month
I was setting up a new network last month and part of the project was to upgrade several machines to Windows Server 2008 and introduce completely new Windows Server 2008 machines. One of the reasons for introducing Windows Server 2008 into this new network was to take advantage of the new Network Access Protection (NAP). If you do not know about NAP, it is a new technology included with Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and Windows XP SP3 that allows you to quarantine machines that do not meet your security configuration requirements.
When you set up NAP, you need to configure the policy enforcement client software. The enforcement client is responsible for implementing the method of enforcement you want to use for NAP. Examples of enforcement clients are the DHCP and IPsec enforcement clients. While you can enable the enforcement clients on each machine manually, this is not really a realistic scenario. What you want to do it create an OU for those machines, then create a GPO that configures the NAP client settings, and then use Group Policy security group filtering to apply those Group Policy settings. This makes it very easy to deploy your NAP client-side settings.
The problem is that when you apply the Group Policy settings for the NAP enforcement client by clicking Apply in the context menu, those settings do not seem to stick. If you open the GPMC.msc console again, you will see that the GPO setting still reads "disabled", even though it said enabled when you closed the console. The solution is to repeat the enable procedure. I found this to be a consistent finding and it is something you might want to consider when your NAP clients cannot log on to the network.
6. Helpful Links
7. Ask Dr. Tom
QUESTION: I have a small network in my home and home office where I have Cat 6 cable wired into every room in the house and have a central punch panel in my server room (I dedicate a room in my house to the server room). Sometimes I notice the lights on the central switch all blink at the same time, like the switch is having a seizure or something. This seems to happen most often when my Internet firewall goes offline. I'm just curious why this happens. Thanks! --Johnson.
When you see all the lights on the switch seeming to blink in unison is often an indication of an Ethernet broadcast storm. What is happening is that one or more machines connected to that switch are looking for the MAC address of a machine that is not on the network. It makes sense that this happens when your Internet gateway machine is offline, since all of the machines on your network are configured to use your Internet gateway to find a path to the Internet. These machines are all sending out an Ethernet broadcast message trying to find the MAC address of the default gateway's IP address. Since the gateway machine is offline, it cannot respond to your machines' requests for the MAC address and they continue to make requests until they find that MAC address.
You will also see this kind of behavior when you have worms on your network and they scan your network for ranges of IP addresses to infect. When they are scanning, they are quickly broadcasting for MAC addresses of IP addresses that they are trying to connect to, and will cause your switch to light up in the same way as the missing default gateway example above.
QUESTION: I am looking for a better way to secure my network's wireless access point. Right now our company is using WPA2 with a pre-shared key. While I am sure that the sessions are protected using WPA2, the pre-shared key method is not very scalable and when I discover that the key has been compromised, everyone has to go out and manually change their pre-shared keys. Is there a way to make my solution more secure without having to do too much. Thanks! -Richard J.
There are a number of options available to you. If you want to increase the security of your WiFi connection, then replace the shared key method by using EAP-TLS authentication. EAP-TLS is the most secure 802.1X method of securing your connection. You will need to put up a Public Key Infrastructure and deploy certificates to your machines. Machines without certificates will not be able to connect. If you do not want to put together a PKI, you can still use PEAP-MS-CHAPv2 with strong user passwords.
Another option that you can use that will help secure all the computers on your network and prevent rogue machines from compromising your assets is to use domain and server isolation using IPsec. You can control the IPsec settings by using Group Policy, so you do not have to worry about configuring each machine. When rogue machines connect to your network, they will not be able to connect to your clients and servers because they will not be able to set up the IPsec security associations. Only domain member machines will be able to connect to other domain members. This allows you to provide network access to machines that are not members so that they can connect to the Internet, but they will not be able to connect to any of your machines.
Got a question for Dr. Tom? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Creating Success With Your Game Tips Website
There are many tricks to making a game information and guide website fruitful. Part of this includes using internet marketing and traffic analysis tools. When you implement them properly, you'll see a corresponding rise in both web traffic and resulting sales. Study these suggestions to assist your website and your business grow.
Your ESO character builds information and guide website will fail miserably if it cannot sustain high-speed page loads. Therefore, it is advisable to consider collaborating with a respected web hosting business in order to address the priority of your website's speed. To keep your site fully functional and lightning fast, use CSS. Upon selecting a designer for your website, make sure to have a handful of questions to ask that relate to increasing page load speeds and how they may achieve the best result.
You know your game information and guide website is successful if you easily accumulate e-mail addresses from new subscribers. If you gain more subscribers, you should also get more customers in the future. Top performing websites use e-mail marketing as a way to increase sales. If possible, landing pages should have an e-mail sign-up form.
Think about using plenty of domain names to make your site's search engine results a little better. Users select certain key phrases when they are searching for specific info, so you really want to use the ones that will be the most relevant to drive visitors to your webpage. Visitors will probably be more likely to find your webpage if one of the key phrases they specify is included in your domain name. Another option for boosting the optimization process is to include relevant content on the page.
Make it simple to enlist if your game information and guide website obliges enrollment. If visitors decide to make a purchase while on your website, it is a good business practice to require that they set up an account. While some people may opt out of registering, you should always offer them the option. You should offer something in return for a regular visitor taking the time to register, like order tracking or enhanced order information.


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Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35
The Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 from Hasbro is the hot Christmas gift for 2010. Make sure you get it for the lowest price by using the price comparison information on this website:
About the Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35
The perfect gift for children who love the thrill of high speed action packed games, the Nerf Nstrike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 is sure to be a hit this Christmas. Boasting the greatest amount of dart capacities from the legendary Nerf toy series, the Nstrike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 not only will have the children up and running around, or ducking for cover, but they will be perfecting their aim with each firing too.
The Nerf is ideal for children six years old and up, because of its easy loading features and rapid fire design. The Nerf Nstrike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 is both a breeze to handle for kids and indeed a formidable weapon! Of course the soft and agile Nerf darts are completely harmless and are no cause for concern, a perfect bulls eye or hit will surely set the kids aglow in a winning spirit. Each Nerf Nstriek Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 comes complete with of course the gun, one drum magazine, one shoulder stock, thirty-five darts, and an easy to read and understand instruction manual that explains everything.
The Nerf Nstrike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 promotes active outdoor play and will provide your little ones with hours of hunting and chasing fun! The toys is a great way to get children up and moving while also improving their conceptual and hand eye coordination skills. Bolstering their creativity as they invent plot lines and stories to their fictional conquests and adventures inspired by their Nerf guns, children will find hours upon hours of entertainment with this toy. Whether you are picking the Nerf Nstrike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 as the first Nerf gun for a lucky child, or as an addition to a formidable Nerf collection, either way it is sure to bring a smile to their face! Be sure to grab yours soon, as this Nerf is sure to be a hot item this Christmas season.


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By Jonathan Raban.
282 pp. New York:
Pantheon Books. $24.
Jonathan Raban's new novel, only his second in a writing career that spans nearly 30 years, contains the sort of McGuffin that would be relished by authors with quite different ambitions than Raban. His hero, Tom Janeway, sees a police sketch of a suspected child abductor and is horrified to find that it looks very much like ''a grotesque caricature of himself.''
Things get worse for Janeway when he realizes he was in the vicinity at the time, and that several witnesses noticed him there, behaving suspiciously. This behavior included being ''antsy,'' ordering a cheeseburger he didn't eat and talking to himself. But for Janeway this is business as usual; he's a writer and he was in the throes of composition, thinking aloud about important elements of a work involving Victorian British travelers in America. But you try telling that to the cops. Janeway does, and it makes his life no easier.
As McGuffins go, it's a good one, and you see how it could be the main plot device of a certain type of novel. But Raban doesn't unleash it until a good two-thirds of the way into the proceedings, by which time the reader has been made well aware that it's not that sort of book at all.
In part ''Waxwings'' is a historical novel, set in Seattle in 1999, a year that already seems incredibly distant -- one in which, among other things, there was a thwarted terrorist plot to blow up the Space Needle. It was also a year when Seattle was booming, when the Internet had finally reached a certain critical mass and when Y2K compliance seemed like a really big issue.
For all this historical overview, however, ''Waxwings'' is essentially a domestic drama. Tom Janeway is clearly a good egg, a Hungarian-born Englishman settled in Washington State. He has a cushy job teaching creative writing, he delivers commentaries on ''All Things Considered'' and drives an old Volkswagen. (Raban, I think, recognizes that being a good egg also involves being a bit dull.) Janeway has a wife, Beth, who earns a fortune working for a start-up Internet company, and a frighteningly precocious 4-year-old son, for whom he invents bedtime stories about a character called Mister Wicked.Continue reading the main story
It all seems too good to be true, and of course it is. Janeway's life starts to unravel long before he's suspected of child abduction. He's suffering from writer's block, his marriage is in trouble and his son develops behavioral problems, which a psychiatrist believes are largely Tom's fault -- those bedtime stories about Mister Wicked don't sound nearly so cute when repeated in a psychiatrist's office. Janeway also has some pressing practical problems after he employs a semi-competent contractor to work on his house, an illegal Chinese immigrant who seems bent more on demolition than construction and who moves, uninvited, into the basement.
Janeway's problems are real enough, but they're thrown into sharp perspective by the presence of this Chinese contractor. He's called Chick, and for my money he's the book's most vital presence. Having stowed away on a tanker to Seattle, hidden in a crate with a gang of others, two of whom died en route, he escapes the immigration authorities and takes to the streets and wastelands of Seattle. He not only survives there but actively thrives. Illegal and amoral, he enthusiastically takes on jobs that Americans want to have done but don't want to do: disposing of asbestos, felling trees, working on Tom's house, eventually finding himself the boss of a team of equally illegal, though far less enterprising, Mexicans. Those with particularly tender racial sensibilities may find something objectionable here, but Chick himself is fully developed and anything but a stereotype.
By comparison, some of the book's other characters can seem rather flat. Janeway's wife, for instance, comes across as both priggish and insipid. Her analysis of Tom is that he suffers from ''lifelong blind self-involvement'' and that ''he just can't process.'' When she moves out of the family home and into an expensive condominium there's a tendency to think that Tom's much better off. Knowing that her Internet company is surely going to tank and take her share options with it gave me, and I suspect the author, a certain amount of ignoble satisfaction.
Other characters are drawn with broad yet precise strokes: Tom's mother back in England, who eats boil-in-the-bag cod in white sauce and as an indulgence buys herself a weekly bottle of sherry; the cop investigating Tom's case, who writes screenplays; the lawyer who's happy to defend Tom but is far more interested in pitching a radio show called ''Bar Talk.''
Raban is a canny writer, and not one to let his characters be swamped by ''ideas.'' Nevertheless he's concerned with notions of migration and exile. His hero's stalled novel is about ''polymorphous, polyphonic, polycentric America,'' and this is ultimately Raban's subject too.
There's a terrific scene where Tom and Chick watch ''Some Like It Hot'' on video. Chick finds it screamingly funny, delighted that ''he make joke on America.'' The ''he,'' of course, is Billy Wilder, another displaced immigrant who did very nicely for himself on the West Coast.
There is a teasing autobiographical element to parts of the book. Raban and his hero share a certain amount of biography -- both, for example, are deracinated English writers who have belatedly found a home in Seattle. Mercifully, however, that's about as far as it goes. There's a considerable emotional candor to the writing, but there's no sense of exhibitionism or mawkish self-revelation.
This is a generous, affirming novel. By its end, the self-obsessed novelist comes to embrace life, its hardships as well as its possibilities. We don't believe he'll live happily ever after, but we do believe that for all its troubles it will be a life worth living. This is equally true of Chick's life, despite its containing hardships of a magnitude most Westerners are unlikely to encounter.
Raban also seems to be telling us that life in America is better than life in China, or indeed in England. Depending on your prejudices this will either seem like stating the entirely obvious, or evidence that Raban has become an apologist for American hegemony. In the interests of at least partial disclosure, I should say that as another English novelist who spends a lot of his time in America, I can see he has a point.Continue reading the main story


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Celebration of Hugh D. Young:
Physicist, Educator, Musician, Explorer
Please join Mellon College of Science Dean Fred Gilman and Department of Physics Head Steve Garoff as we celebrate the life and legacy of Hugh D. Young, whose 52-year career at Carnegie Mellon left an indelible mark on generations of students, colleagues and alumni.
His passion for physics, dedication to educational excellence, and insatiable desire to live life to its fullest shone through in all that he did, whether it was teaching, playing the organ or hiking desert canyons in southern Utah. Professor Young made a difference in the lives of thousands of students, and we look forward to honoring his life and celebrating his accomplishments with you.
- Join us in Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Hugh D. Young at Carnival 2014.
- Do you have a favorite memory of Hugh Young that you'd like to share? Email Amy Pavlak (firstname.lastname@example.com) with your story.
- Memorial donations may be made to the Hugh D. Young Graduate Student Teaching Award at Carnegie Mellon University, P.O. Box 371525, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-7525. Checks should be made payable to Carnegie Mellon University with the Hugh D. Young Graduate Student Teaching Award noted in the memo line.


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This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
The Asian rice gall midge,
The Asian rice gall midge,
Soon after hatching, the young larvae crawl onto the meristematic region near the crown of seedlings and commence feeding. The susceptible cultivars succumb to form tube-like galls—silver shoots—rendering the tiller sterile [
The gall midge-rice interaction operates on a gene-for-gene basis [
Most host plants subjected to larval feeding produce proteinase inhibitors (PI), as inducible plant defenses that belong to different families of serine proteinase inhibitors [
Serine proteases play a vital role in digestion in the rapidly growing larvae and probably also have an important role to play in the gall midge-rice interaction. Currently, there is major headway being made with regard to the wheat-Hessian fly interaction [
In the present study, we have investigated expression of the genes encoding digestive serine protease-like enzymes in the rice gall midge feeding on susceptible and resistant cultivars. As far as we know this is the first report of the cloning of genes that encode proteases in the rice gall midge and their differential expression in compatible and incompatible interactions. We believe that this study will be a step towards providing a better understanding of the interaction between rice gall midge and its host that would eventually ensure development of better strategies for protecting rice from this economically important pest.
Resistance against the Asian rice gall midge in rice is mainly expressed as larval antibiosis and is governed, generally, by a single dominant gene [
When feeding on resistant cultivars, larvae are killed within 24–96 h. This could be brought about by the inability of the larvae to digest and/or detoxify the ingested plant material. Therefore, we thought it pertinent to investigate the significance of gut proteases having a role in this interaction as suggested in the case of the Hessian fly, a midge of wheat and another member of the family Cecidomyiidae [
Here we report, for the first time, the cloning and transcriptional expression patterns of two serine protease-like genes (designated as
Based on the quantitative Real Time (RT) PCR we observed that both
It has been suggested that resistance of insects to PI is based, at least in part, on their ability to enhance the proportion of "inhibitor-resistant" enzymes in the midgut. The susceptibility of an insect to a PI is directly related to the proportion of proteolytic enzyme activity in the midgut that can be suppressed by that inhibitor [
A colony of gall midge biotype 4 (GMB4) insects was maintained in the greenhouse at the Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India, on a susceptible indica rice cultivar as described [
Rice seedlings (15-day-old) of both Jaya and RP2068 variety were infested with GMB4 and regularly monitored as described earlier [
Total RNA was isolated from 100 larvae each from the four time points
Vector contamination was removed and the raw sequences were analyzed using MacVector (v11.1.2; MacVector Inc., USA) using the in-built phred-phrap algorithm. Sequence similarity analysis was performed using the NCBI-BLAST program (
A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the amino acid sequence of serine proteases of other insects so as to reveal the relationship of the genes isolated in this study with its homologues. The tree was calculated by Neighbor-joining method available in the MacVector suite of programs. Bootstrap values for the branches were obtained with 1000 replications. Poisson-corrected distances were accounted for the phylogeny and the gaps were distributed proportionally. Phylogenetic tree was also constructed using the nucleotide sequences (data not shown) of nearest organism taking into account the distances after Tamura-Nei correction.
The Primer Express Software 3.0 (Applied Biosystems, USA) was used to design the RT-PCR primers for
In summary, we report here for the first time the cloning and sequencing of genes coding for digestive serine protease-like enzymes from the rice gall midge. Using RT-PCR, the expression pattern of these two genes was revealed. Importantly, expression of these genes was higher in larvae feeding on the resistant cultivar than those feeding on the susceptible cultivar. Thus, the two genes may play a significant role in the interaction of the rice gall midge with the host plant.
This work was partially funded by a grant (Number BT/PR8629/PBD/16/737/2007) from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, to SN.
Multiple sequence alignment of OoprotI (
Phylogenetic tree derived from homology between insect trypsins and OoprotI (
Transcript levels of


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The Phi Beta Kappa Society, founded in 1776, exists for the purpose of promoting
liberal learning through various scholarly programs and through public recognition
of distinguished academic performance. At Gettysburg College, up to fifteen percent
of the senior class may be selected each year for membership. In recognition of scholarship,
character, and love of learning, and in celebration of academic achievement,
the Iota Chapter of Pennsylvania has elected the following persons to membership in
the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Caroline E. Bassett Celie L. Katovitch
Jeffrey D. Butterworth Denitsa D. Koleva
Sara E. Coleman Spencer C. Kowitz
Jennifer L. Cooper Timothy W. Kurpis
Andrea L. Cortese J. Aaron Lawson
Timothy J. Cullen Kristina V. Marinova
Andrew T. Deen Jennifer D. Merrill
Jaclyn M. D'Innocenzi Raya H. Milkovska
Suzanne E. DiNello Kathryn A. O'Hara
Nicole M. Ditillo Lindsey A. Parker
Calynn Dowler Elizabeth A. Patterson
Kerrin E. Epstein Matthew T. Redman
Samantha H. Fay Andrew C. Reed
Marc R. Fialkoff Evan C. Rothera
Sarah E. Fritz Rachel L. Rutter
Sara F. Fry Lauren A. Schmidt
Andrew J. Furman Samantha A. Stocksdale
Jennifer A. Giambrone Sarah C. Studley
Theresa R. Gillmor Cheryl E. Tevlin
Hilary L. Green Marisa M. Tokarsky
Katherine M. Haas Jacquelyn M. Weber
Samuel D. Harrison Matthew A. Willoughby
Stephanie Hummel David A. Yager-Elorriaga
Katlyn M. Jones Samantha A. Yancik
Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership and merit fraternity. A Circle of this
prestigious society was chartered at Gettysburg in 1996. ODK recognizes and encourages
achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social
and religious activities and campus governance; journalism, speech and mass media;
creative and performing arts.
Scott C. Acornley Annela M. Levitov
Sarah M. Angello Margaret C. Lewis
Suzanne E. DiNello Caterina A. Mainardi
Marc R. Fialkoff Kathleen P. McGuinn
Jennifer A. Giambrone Amy M. Meros
Hilary L. Green Atlang Mompe
Matthew R. Gross Anthony J. Nappo
Katherine M. Haas Vanessa A. Pabon
Katlyn M. Jones Andrew C. Reed
Denitsa D. Koleva Evan C. Rothera
Mary L. Laphen Bethany K. Thompson
J. Aaron Lawson Marisa M. Tokarsky
Jennifer D. Lech


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The busiest online trading period of the year is now upon us, reaching its peak earlier than the high street, around the beginning or middle of December. Another important date for many online retailers is the 25th December when eager bargain hunters will be ready to make the most of the sales whilst high street shops stay closed.
Figures tell us that online spending is continuously growing despite the country's economic slowdown. The trend seems to be that we may be spending less money on Christmas presents but more people will use the internet to purchase their gifts. With 76% of the EU population now using the internet and 64% of those users having made a purchase online (figures from the European Commission), today's e-commerce sites need to accommodate for a more diverse customer base within a very competitive marketplace.
In order to maximise sales in the run up to Christmas it is therefore vital for online retailers to have implemented an efficient usability strategy for their checkout process. If the website's checkout process is not clear and easy to use, the online retailer may find a great number of potential customers abandoning their baskets somewhere during this process. Here are some general guidelines on how to make online shopping a more pleasant and successful experience for users:
• Basket or checkout links – Users will expect to easily and quickly find either a 'proceed to checkout' link or a 'view basket' button. Such a link needs to be in a prominent place above the fold. If it fits into the site's design it should be included at the top and bottom of all pages.
• Registration & login – For ease of use, customers should be able to use their email address as their user ID and for first time buyers the same form should be used for ordering and registering for an account. Keep required form fields to a minimum and don't force customers to create an account before they can add items to the basket.
• Additional charges – Display shipping and tax charges early on to save customers from a last minute (nasty) surprise.
• Delivery – At this time of year your delivery details should clearly display when purchases have to be made for pre-Christmas delivery.
• Progress bar – It is helpful to know where you are in the checkout process, what the next step is and how many steps are left to complete the purchase. Customers also like to see the basket and delivery charges throughout the process.
• Distractions – Cross selling and heavy marketing during the checkout only acts as an unnecessary distraction. When customers reach this point they should be left to carry on with their purchase.
• Flexible payment option – Apart from standard card payments, offer other payment options like PayPal and Google checkout. Customers will appreciate being able to use their preferred choice of payment.
• Bring confidence to the buyer by clearly displaying contact information so they know that they can get hold of a human being should something go wrong. Clearly explain delivery details, your security policy and provide sufficient assistance when an error is made. If a purchase is cancelled there should be a clear message showing that a purchase has not been made.
Conforming to accessibility guidelines, like those mentioned above, will not only make the website available to more users but make the site easier to use by everyone. By keeping the site and checkout process simple (but professional) in design and technology you should be left with a stable and fast website compatible with different browsers and versions – and as a result the site will accommodate a wider customer base.
There are many general rules and guidelines that should be applied to a checkout process – but there is not one perfect checkout template suitable for all e-commerce sites. Shopping habits vary between customers and our shopping habits also change over time. Optimising a checkout process is an ongoing procedure that should be continuously fine-tuned with the help of testing, analytics and customer feedback.


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Saison; San Francisco
Spiced Caramel Apple
Recently relocated to a dramatic, airy new space in an 1880s-vintage building in SoMa (South of Market), chef Joshua Skenes's restaurant offers one of the most spectacular multicourse prix fixe menus in the country. To create an indulgent dessert that wouldn't be too heavy at the end of a three-hour meal, pastry chef Shawn Gawle (an F&W Best New Pastry Chef) started with the concept of a caramel apple and then lightened each component. He cuts the caramel with lemon juice, then whips the mixture in an iSi cream whipper. He poaches apples in caramel cream that's been infused with Imperial Tea Court chai. The spices lighten the flavor profile further, and the chai makes the dessert especially good to eat with a cup of with tea—a bonus for Skenes, a tea fanatic.