text:
Would you like to save as your currency permanently or for this visit only?
Great location Rode our bicycles from Buffalo to Rochester 9-1-2014, along the erie canal. Easy to get to, on about 4mi of road off the trail. Locked our bikes in front of the entrance driveway on an iron fence. Unfortunately they were gone the next morning with parts of the lock laying on the ground. If you are traveling by bike take them to your room
Being that the hotel is in the middle of the city it provides an excellent location for easy access to any of the surrounding areas. The hotel seemed to be hosting some conferences, which weren't bothersome.
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was excellent, close to all the major highways and in the center of the city. NA
The beds were comfortable. There was police action there. A lot of partying and undesirable looking people were staying there.
I had to pay an extra 25 bucks to park. It's ridiculous to pay for parking when I already payed for the hotel. The hotel needs to cover the coast for parking Lin the garage or include it in there overall rate. They also need some major remodeling.
The service was amazing! Malgarita at the front desk especially!
The location was convenient. It was in the city, near Dinosaur BBQ and the local community college. There are a couple of convenience stores nearby if you need to run out and get a cup of coffee. I had to go to the front desk 3 times, because my key kept getting deactivated, and I was repeatedly locked out of my room. I spoke with some friends, and they have had similar experiences.
booking the hotel was easy and fast. Overnight parking was $4 and you could come and go as you pleased. The room seemed outdated and very dark. Even if it was clean, because it was so dark, it looked dingy. There were no comforters in the bed, which I was ok with but it was not at all what I was expecting. Specially after reading other reviews and for the price, I feel like I stayed at a different hotel then what was described online.
It's in a good location, and parking is pretty cheap. The 3 different pillows on the King bed is the worst sleeping arrangement I ever can across. They gave one almost normal frumpy pillow, and 2 smaller almost like sofa pillows of various firmness. I don't know why: but I just can't sleep well trying to sleep on sofa size pillows. Regular hotels give you 4 full size pillows: that works why can't Hyatt do that? The room temperatures vary widely between blistering hot and freezing cold. The air conditioner makes noises like you wouldn't believe. The walls are poorly insulated from sound: whoever was in the next room pulled a noisy all nighter which made it very difficult to get a good nights rest. All my problems getting rest made it very difficult for me get my business stuff done during the day. There is a insufficient amount of elevators for the amount of people that can be in the hotel at any given time. There was a wedding going on: and on average it would like around 30 minutes to get from the car to your room. The parking system is a big pain because you have to take your ticket to the front desk and get it validated every time you come and go from the parking lot.
Toilet leaked, shower screamed and stains on carpet, blinds were broken
bar, waitstaff, maintenance and housecleaning staff members were absolutely amazing, generous and good at their jobs. the four people I interacted with at the front desk were immature, unable to address a simple issue, and accused me of lying about pre-paying my hotel reservation online. on, and THEN charged me, even after speaking directly with the booking agent who confirmed I'd already paid for the one night in the hotel. absolutely ridiculous.
Location Old, worn and has not been upgraded for decades. I have stayed at many other Hyatt Regency's in the past that put this place to shame.
Especially at the restaurant
The pillows were soft. Our room was horrible. The cable was staticky with limited options. The shower tub was clogged so after coming up from a horrible pool experience wet and cold I got in to shower and the shower was not draining. We had to wait 20 minutes, wet, for maintenance to come and fix the drain. The bed had a blanket with a huge brown stain and we complained about that to. The view was horrible, especially for the price we paid.
The 25 floor bldg had 3 elevators only 1 of which worked. Service was slow Car valet gave incomplete information
I like the hotel service. Very good !
Location, good bed, comfortable room Blinds were ratty and torn, clock had not been set to daylight time and I almost missed my meeting, hotel is showing its age
The staff was pretty nice. We were given a room with an adjoining door (which I've learned my lesson to specifically ask not to have a room with one of these at check-in) with pretty loud neighbors. No problems switching rooms to an end room. Outdated decor but clean room and comfortable bed. Oh, and an empty fridge that is not stuffed with overpriced food and drinks is a nice touch. Wifi is $10 a day! Rip off! I guess that's why the room itself was cheap. Also, my boyfriend left a suit and several shirts hanging in the closet. He lives out of town, so I tried contacting the hotel for several days. Every time I got connected to their Lost and Found, no one ever picked up which was pretty frustrating. I finally just went to pick up the clothes, and they were handed to me crumpled in a trash bag. That was a tad unprofessional.
Comfortable beds First room we stayed at smelled like a smoking lounge. They moved us to a different room and that room had mold on the ceiling. It was late and we already moved rooms once so we just stayed and slept. The next morning the rooms next to us had a large family with kids and at around 8am we could hear them yelling and running around the halls. Then around 8:30 a baby in one of those rooms started wailing and didn't stop for about half an hour. How we the other part of our group that stayed on another floor enjoyed their room and felt They had a good nights rest.
All things are even better than what I can imagine It is better if the front desk receptionist can smell more.
Great location to be closr to THe university-front staff was very friendly
Friendly, attentive staff. MSNBC on TV in breakfast room. Very annoying.
I have a feather allergy, staff was very nice about exchanging feather pillows for fiberfill pillows.
Breakfast, room comfort, wifi., business room with computer/printer. Noisy pre-teen children running up and down halls playing hockey and slamming doors at 9 P.M. with adult chaperones not intervening to control them.
Front desk person was pleasant but not authorized to solve any problems This place belongs in the 60's, and not in a good way.
Breakfast Drunk people making noise in the hallways of the hotel. My room assigned to another person:(
Everything. We were staying for our grandson's hockey tournament and the location was perfect.
The staff was very attentive and efficient. Its a small hotel, but it has a good location, an effective gym and everything, specially the room, was very clean. The indoor pool was a hit with my nephew and niece.
The staff was friendly and helpful . The breakfast was great and easy to access. Very clean facility- cleaning staff was able to do extras easily- extra towels . And I enjoyed the pool with the windows to the outside-and the air conditioning inside . I liked everything and plan to stay here every time I am in town. Great value for the money!
Absolutely everything. The room was clean and well taken care of. The staff was polite and friendly. Best of all, the sheets were clean and the bed was comfortable.
Very clean with extremely comfortable beds. Very convenient to restaurants and shopping. Great breakfast!!! Nothing
Very clean, easy to find, good amenities -- fridge, microwave, kcup brewer. Wifi access good and sufficient bandwidth considering the teen in the room with me. Very difficult to set the temperature so that the room was comfortable. was too hot or too cold all night and the racket the fan makes on the system is awful. Also, extremely dry air.
It's very easy to get in and to stay in. Very close to airport, which make it easy to be on time. Free transp to airport. The lobby. I'd like more room and furniture.
convenient next to airport and clean. No toilet paper in the bathroom. Both vending machines were not stocked with water.
It was relatively inexpensive and had a pool. A sprawling hotel with small rooms and a low grade feel. A hockey team was here that weekend, and the hallways were taken over by middle school kids. They were yelling and screaming thought the night. No supervision as the chaperones were drunk. Called to complain but nothing was done. I left and got a refund and was told there were too many of them to control and nothing could be done. Great way to run a hotel.
Comfortable and clean. The staff were genuinely very helpful and friendly. Most hotels still don't seem to understand life has changed since the 1890s for business and even personal travel. We have devices, many of them. They require many accessible electric outlets. We need real desk space. We need quiet during business hours. We need consistent, reliable high speed internet, not sluggish intermittent access. The 19th and 20th centuries are now quite long past. Holiday Inn, catch up please.
business center was totally out of date and equipment did not work.
The staff was very helpful and the shuttle service to the subway was always available and the driver was very kind.
great toilet paper Dirty bathroom. No towels. No shampoo conditioner. No refrigerator
Great value for the room and good arrangement with the next door garage for free parking with first floor parking spots for the hotel. No electric vent fan for the bath room to clear moisture from taking a shower. Also room walls (at least one) needs brighter color...room felt dark.
This is a great place to stay for business. There are meeting rooms, downtown is less than a mile away and it's a nice walk. The pool and fitness center help to de-stress from the work fo the day. Service is exceptional - all staff were properly attentive, friendly and helpful. Room was very clean. Rooftop restaurant is nice. Restaurant downstairs is a bit pricey. Airport pick up and rop off available.
I found only the Housekeeping Manager and bartender to care about the difficulties I had. the name of the hotel is misleading. It is not an airport hotel. It is in Henrietta. Be prepared if you arrive late in the evening or before their shuttle in the a.m. to pay about $20.
Close to RIT Surly Desk staff.
The refrigerator and air conditioner in our room kept going through their cycles all night long, very noisily! Difficult to get to sleep, even harder to stay asleep Noise
Very comfortable bed. When booking through Kayak, the hotel does not guarantee the type of bed. A responsive customer representative at the front desk got us into the room we wanted...but we were assigned a room with the smallest bed by booking through Kayak. So be careful if you care about the bed size, like us.
We were looking for an affordable, decent place to stay while we attended a wedding. So the location (near mall shopping, walking distance to lunch spot, short drive to the wedding) and free breakfast filled the bill. We didn't need it, but appreciated the microwave in the room. The wifi connection was much less complicated than other, more expensive hotels. Adequate but small bathroom, with a small sink.
Clean room Comfortable bed, pillows Great staff Complimentary bottled water Small rooms Breakfast was very basic
The Hotel was clean and well maintained in a nice easy to find location. It is close to a large variety of restaurants and stores. The staff were very friendly and helpful. If I am ever in the area again I will book a room at this Hotel. Parking is limited.
Very clean, smoke free. Would definitely book again.
I loved the upgrades. The room was so nice and comfortable. The cable was great and I was able to connect to Wifi and complete my classwork with No issues. I always stay at the Best Western wherever I go! My daughter reserved the room for me with one of my credit cards through Kayak and the amount was in hold. When I went in I stated I have a reservation under my name with Kayak and I'd like to check in. They stated the card I used with Kayak won't be charged it's just to hold the money and that they will complete the transaction. I found that odd because this is how I do my business when hotels are involved all the time. Needless to say, they told Kayak they didn't know it was a reservation and they will issue a refund within 7-10 business days. other than that my stay was absolutely amazing!
Experience was great.. Check in Friendly easy and accommodating. They asked if I preferred a certain floor. The room was very clean and comfortable. The price was great
Rooms were spacious and clean. Breakfast was good. Fitness center was perfect for a workout. Kids enjoyed the pool, and the location of a nearby trail was perfect for taking the dog on a walk the next morning. The beds were the most comfortable ones we had the entire trip. The key card to the fitness center didn't work, so the lock had been taped to keep the room open. This wasn't obvious so I actually went to the front desk to ask. No one was there and no one answered the phone either, so I went back and pushed on the door and realized I could get in after all. Was also a bit confused because the hotel website also mentions a jogging and walking track among the amenities, and I didn't see anything like that when we were there. (I was also going to ask about that at the front desk, but see above: no one was around after we checked in that night.) No matter: the pool and fitness center were enough, and I would have taken more advantage of the trail outside the hotel if we'd been there longer.
The jacuzzi and pool. Breakfast included. Cable TV and free wifi. Noisy heater in room.
Hot breakfast with a varitey of options. We had our bod with us and having no pet fee was a huge plus. Other local hotels wanted $50-$150 in pet fees. The rooms were clean and modern. We were in a room at the end of the hall and people coming in and out of the doors all night was loud. Plus the cleaning staff had their room right there and so we could hear them moving around bright and early.
The rooms were very homey and comfortable Great room for a even better price No pool
The people that work at this particular Homewood Suites are fantastic and do anything they can to make you feel comfortable.. I have stayed here a lot over the last 3 month, and they need to fix the treadmills in the gym. One has had a temporarily out of order sign on it since August and the other two machines do not work correctly either. One other thing is that when they do have a full hotel if you are going to offer free breakfast you need to be prepared for the amount of people that you have staying at the hotel. If breakfast is from 7- 10 am The people that choose to have breakfast at 9:30 am should have the same options as the people who choose to have breakfast at 7 am..
Friendly staff and very nice rooms.
The staff was solicitous and pleasant. During the day, parking was easy. The color scheme was pleasant. The facilities were not getting the needed maintenance. 5)3 door lock had screws coming out, there was a panel that had clearly come in-nailed in the room and the pillows were so old the stuffing inside had become chunky.
Good location for me while visiting relatives. Comfortable beds. Breakfast was greatly appreciated. Very clean. Enjoyed the stay. Room was a bit small and no exhaust in bathroom.
Location Fact that parking is easy Good bars and restaurants close by Room access easy Staff is great Room and bathroom is very nice Breakfast could be improved. More options could be available for better experience...
Very nice, nothing fancy or exciting but a very comfortable bed and a clean room. I would return and recommend to others! Was unhappy with booking online through the price comparison site. The date was incorrect and I was charged for a room I did not use then I had to re reserve a room. I have no idea how the date was incorrect, so I am out money for a room never used.
The location was excellent, 3 mins drive from airport Nothing
It was close to the airport and they start serving the breakfast at 4:30am The hotel is older and shows its age. The room was not clean. The room needed to be renovated along with the entire building.
Location. Dirty. Poor service - room cleaning non existent. Terrible breakfast.
The location was perfect. With an old church across the street, we could hear the church bells chime every hour. It was very peaceful and relaxing. No
The Inn on Broadway is gorgeous! And the attached restaurant, Tournedos, is one of the very best steak houses I have ever eaten at. The hotel itself is extremely posh-feeling and I have stayed at many luxury hotels. The price is fair considering the accomodations, but probably a little pricey for the average traveler. I think the Inn would benefit from a bit more staff, perhaps a bellhop or at least someone other than the front desk person to run errands and help with bags. But overall it is a great experience and an enjoyable stay!
Location, Location, Location I was unable to find a wireless internet connection
Very classy & elegant. Accomodated our last minute late night request for a fold away bed for our daughter coming in the middle of the night. Good value and the fold away bed was only $25 too! So many restaurants & shops minute or two away walking. n/a
Comfort, decor, proximity to Eastman School of Music, helpful staff, excellent restaurant, homelike. Not a thing!
Great character/ awesome restaurant attached. Hotel was great, beware of the bums on the streets around the corner from the place. No need to leave really if you are eating at the attached restaurant.
Beautiful decor. Fabulous bed. Best shower I have had in years. Nice breakfast. It was all good.
The inn was beautiful and the food was fabulous.
Very helpful and friendly staff. We had three rooms for our party of 6 and two of the rooms were just great. The third was a little smaller but adequate.
Friendly and accommodating staff. It's a really beautiful old building and the rooms are nice. Convenient to downtown and the arena and getting there was a cinch. It's on the edge of a not great neighborhood - I went for a quick walk (on a 19 degree day) and within a block of the Inn had two cars pull over to try and sell me drugs in broad daylight. As long as you don't mind driving it's not a problem.
Location in college town, cleanliness, facilities (good laundry- you can treat your college student to a couple of loads done by mom), flexibility- they were nice about late check out. A little expensive-- cheaper to stay a couple of exits down the road in Marriott courtyard Brighton. I thought it was worth the extra $ though. Also, fitness room is a little dark and deserted
Thin walls


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Field Trips
Ah, the open road - if you listen to the martini-sipping intelligentsia, they'll tell you that it's the quintessential symbol of American literature. Whether or not you agree with them, there's no denying that taking your group on a journey can be equal parts adventure, education, and bonding experience. It can also function as a unique recruiting tool - let potential members come with, and a video or blog post about it will make a great advertisement.
The possibilities for a trip, locally, regionally, and nationally, are endless. Because some of these are discussed elsewhere, and because each trip will be different, we'll simply list some destinations and ideas.
Transportation will be one of your major coordinating tasks, as well as lodging for overnight trips. For companions or funding, look beyond student groups to university departments or off-campus organizations. Always remember to bring a camera or video recorder so you can provide evidence of your travels. To maximize the publicity value of your trip, be sure to write an article or press release about the experience.
- Educational
- Museums and planetariums with exhibits on biology, astronomy, physics, earth science and history. A few groups have visited the Creation Museum, a monument to irrationality in Kentucky. However, we do not recommend giving money to anti-science organizations; to get the experience, watch SAIU's video of their trip.
- Fossil hunting is available almost anywhere! Some resources can be found here.
- If you're not hosting your own SkeptiCamp, there may be one going on in your state.
- Some churches and Christian organizations run Hell Houses, dramatic walkthroughs that stress the punishments that await sinners. These displays of graphic violence, sexual innuendo, and unrepentant misogyny and homophobia are calculated to save souls; not for the squeamish or easily offended. More information is here and here, as well as anywhere theocracy is sold.
- Community & Activism
- Local skeptic, atheist, and humanist meetings.
- Look for protests being put on by allied groups for secular causes. One of the biggest was the Godless Americans' March on Washington in 2002, which brought thousands of freethinkers to the nation's capital.
- Showing up at trials involving church-state issues can be a great way to support the cause, as well as fascinating to watch.
- Service
- Clean up a polluted riverfront or park.
- Some groups have made an annual visit to rebuild houses in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity.
- Volunteer at a summer camp for freethinking youth such as CampQuest.

subset: commoncrawl


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Back to Trail
Log Page 1
Andrew Skurka back
in Chief Noonday country:
A native of
Massachusetts and now based in Colorado,
Andrew Skurka has managed to
make what many would consider a dream
career out of doing something he
obviously loves doing. Which is hiking and
backpacking more miles in more places
than most people could even imagine, and
then writing about his experiences and
traveling to all sorts of places to
share his adventures, his experience,
and his hard-earned wisdom about how to
get it all done.
An accomplished adventurer and athlete,
this man has backpacked, skied and
pack-rafted more miles than I daresay
most people have flown
intercontinentally — the equivalent
of 1.2 times around the Earth's equator,
I learned from
Web site.
He is best known for long-distance solo
backpacking treks, including spending
seven months doing a 6,875 mile trek
over what he named the Great Western
Loop, and his eleven-month 7.775
mile trek on the Sea to Sea Route
from Quebec Province to Cape Alava in
Olympic National Park, Washington.
Alaska. Wonder who
took this picture and
This latter
trek was where Chief Noonday Chapter
first got to know Andrew as he
hiked our stretch of the North
Country National Scenic Trail in the
winter time at his usual stunning Skurka
pace — typically 30 or more miles in a
day. Did I mention that the man is
an athlete?
The focus of
his programs during this visit to
Western Michigan University and
Kalamazoo College was his 4,679 mile
expedition along a great loop path
through Alaska and the Canadian Yukon
done between mid-March and early
September 2010. His lecture was
accompanied by stunning images and
compelling video.
This was my second time hearing
Andrew's presentation, having caught
it last year at the NCTA National
Conference in Dayton. I still was
spellbound hearing again about his
experiences — not only what he did and
the incredible places he saw and the
experiences he had with the "natives"
(the caribou, the grizzlies, the bugs,
and other denizens of this vast wild
region), but the feelings and emotions
he had to deal with, traveling mostly
alone, entirely dependent on his own
personal wit, wisdom and courage —
for 176 days. It blows me
You can read
more on-line about Andrew's
National Geographic
here and
Men's Journal
Saturday evening Andrew
gave a workshop at
Adventure Sports in Portage,
his Backpacking: Ultimate
Gear & Skills Clinic,
attended by more than 70
interested parties including
Lee's staffers, Chief Noonday
members, and many others.
Andrew is known for his
minimalist ultralight approach
to backpacking — which probably
helps account for how fast and
how long the man can move
on the trail.
Depending on the situation,
Andrew can travel
contentedly with 10 lbs of gear,
10 lbs of food (for a week), and
2 lbs of water. There is a
page on Andrew's Web site
where you can learn more.
Best bet is to get a hold of a
copy of Andrew's book,
The Ultimate Hiker's GearGuide.
as Andrew emphasized both
in this clinic and in his
earlier presentations, careful,
meticulous, thorough planning
is essential to
successfully pulling off
ultralight backpacking.
This is not a situation
where you can make it up as you
go along. Andrew displayed
slides illustrating the way he'd
commandeered his mother's living
room and kitchen laying out all
his gear and food during the
intricate planning process.
Coming as my brother and I do
from a more "everything but the
kitchen sink" philosophy of "be
prepared for any
eventuality" backpacking, I was
intrigued by Andrew's
techniques, although feeling
somewhat like a dinosaur too.
I rued the 50 lb packs I'd
lugged on the Jordan River and
High Country Pathways years ago
with my brother, who didn't even
weigh his pack because he
didn't want to know. Andrew's 22
lb pack sounded amazing.
Chief Noonday Chapter president
Larry Pio and his helpers
deserve major kudos for pulling
off a great event for Andrew
Skurka's visit to Chief
Noonday Country. Thanks to
all involved. And thanks
to Andrew for a great
visit and a great experience.
Mick Hawkins
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter
(Picture by Julie
Makarewicz, J-Ad
Graphics /
Middleville Sun & News.
Used with permission.)
Town in the making?
The Village of Middleville
in Barry County could become one
of the first (if not
the first) North
Country Trail Town in
Michigan if a team of committed
Chief Noonday Chapter members
have their way.
The North Country National
Scenic Trail follows a large
section of the Paul Henry
Thornapple Trail into town
from the south and continues
through the Village and on to
the Middleville State Game
Area northeast of town.
On March 20, Ron and
Linda Sootsman, along with
Jean Lamoreaux, made a
presentation to the
Middleville Downtown Development
Authority board aimed at
promoting the designation of the
Village of Middleville as Chief
Noonday's — and Michigan's —
premier Trail Town.
Ron is CND's
VP/Administration and Linda
is CND's Treasurer.
Jean is also Events
Coordinator for the Village of
According to Andrea Ketchmark,
NCTA's Director of Trail
Development, although the
concept was not
invented by the North
Country Trail, the pilot program
for the NCNST Trail Towns started in Pennsylvania. The
towns of Parker and Wampum are
now official Trail Towns on the
North Country Trail.
Using support materials
generated by the NCTA to promote
the Trail Town concept, Jean,
Ron and Linda
underscored the mutual
advantages afforded to the
Trail, its users, and the
Village as a result of the
approval and implementation of this
With the endorsement of the
Middleville DDA, next the team
will be presenting the proposal
to the Village Council on April
In addition to Middleville,
Chief Noonday Chapter's section
of the North Country National
Scenic Trail passes through
the Cities
of Albion, Marshall and Battle
Creek, the Villages of Homer and Augusta, and the hamlets of
Ceresco and Prairieville.
However, simply
being on the Trail is not
enough for a town to qualify as
a Trail Town. The concept
entails a mutual, active commitment
between a town and the Trail to
work together in a symbiotic
relationship that significantly
benefits the community of
residents, providers of
services, and all those who use,
tend to, and enjoy the Trail.
Mick Hawkins
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter
madness —
stepping out
Mick Hawkins
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter
Click here to see
previous Trail Log postings
in our archives
Last modified:
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
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Monopoly Hotels for iPad and iPhone
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- Take control of MONOPOLY's luxurious 5-star hotels
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Connect with friends via Origin.


text:
A passion for learning for every student
Who we are
The ANSN is a not-for-profit national network of schools seeking to find ways to engage every student with a passion for learning. It has a focus on rethinking and redesigning schools for a changing world. The ANSN works collaboratively with teachers, researchers, schools, systems, sectors, unions, universities, community and business partners to achieve its objectives.
The ANSN has a range of projects in which it is engaged; they have been grouped around the following themes:


text:
A Cruise to Bermuda: Norwegian Star Cruise Review by Hunt1530
Overall Member Rating
A Cruise to Bermuda
Destination: Bermuda
Embarkation: New York (Manhattan)
Days at sea passed quickly and it was extremely smooth sailing all the way - I thought crossing the atlantic might get choppy. Many activities for those so inclined.
Embarkation: smooth as could be. As members of "Latitudes" which is NCLs "alumni" club, we got special treatment. It took us no more than 30 minutes to complete the entire registration process. Luggage was delivered very quickly and the steward opened up the adjoining door between the two staterooms we had on deck 10 pretty quickly.
Service: Very friendly (but not familiar). Steward called me by name. In restaurants, bars, everywhere we went, More staff consistently pleasant.
Accommodations: smallish stateroom on deck 10 with balcony. Not a huge room but well equipped and no maintenance issues. Small quibble: why does NCL allow guests to smoke on balconies? Smoke wafts over. In fact NCL should restrict smoking to a specific section of the ship or ban it altogether as a fire hazard.
Restaurants: We like NCL because of the number of specialized dining options and we tried the teppanyaki, steak house, italian and french. All were very good - some threw in complimentary wine! Also tried the two main restaurants one of which aqua seemed much more busy (with waits to match) than the more formal Versailles. Being NCL, there was no requirement to dress up but to tell the truth on a cruise I actually don't mind doing that. Buffet adequate, and a superior poolside grill where there were also barbecues some days.
Entertainment: Another high point. Several high quality shows featuring juggler/comics, second city and musical revues in a theatre format (rather than "night club"). Always plenty of room. My son particularly liked the 'deal or no deal' which I must say was well organized. Did find a lot of focus on promoting tickets for raffles and games of chance.
Other facilities: Quite a number of bars and lounges but some not open during the day. Would have liked a lounge forward (like they have on holland america). Poolside "Beer garden" all right, but quite noisy and people tend to camp out there.
Pool: Small and crowded and rather noisy during days at sea. Many many people just stayed there all day long. NCL says that they have policies to remove towels from chairs after 45 minutes of non use but I saw no evidence of this. It's annoying to want to use the pool for a short time only to find rows of "occupied" chairs. In fairness, not a problem isolated to NCL.
Lots of hot tubs though, some in quieter sections of the ship.
Debarkation: again well organized and we appreciated the flexibility to leave when we wanted rather than have have our luggage removed the night before and then reclaim it. Also you are not rushed when leaving.
Excursions: Only had one. Much cheaper to get around by yourself and avoid costly excursions. The one we took was good but they lost track of time a little and we were almost late getting back to the ship (as it was about to sail). Would they have left without us? Who knows?
On Bermuda our only regret was not having more time to explore. We'll be back to do the rest sometime. The islands are small and easy to get around by bus, ferry or taxi. Very historic. Don't miss St George's on the far side. I was led to believe bermuda was an expensive place, but really it was no worse than New York. Less
Published 09/01/12
Cabin review: BA10568 Mid-Ship Balcony
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Paradise Fashions offers a great deal on infant toddler shoes including Hush Puppy and Kenneth Cole with quality product and competitive pricing.
Your baby is walking! Now is the time to shop for some baby walking shoes. Before You buy baby Shoes, You Should Read our article overview:
The steps involved in learning to walk and when to expect each stage Learning to walk is a key milestone in your baby's life. Over your baby's first year he or she will learn to sit, roll, crawl, pull up onto the furniture and stand. Most babies take their first steps between nine and thirteen months. However do not worry if your child does not walk until the sixteenth or seventeenth month, this is still perfectly normal. At about eight months your baby will probably start pulling him or herself up whilst holding onto furniture. If you hold him or her near a piece of furniture, to begin with, he or she will hang on, but after a few weeks your baby will begin to move around whilst holding onto the furniture, known as 'cruising'. At about nine or ten months your baby will begin to learn how to bend at the knees and how to sit after standing. At eleven months your baby will have mastered standing solo, stopping and squatting, but will not take his or her first steps for a few weeks. At thirteen months most toddlers are walking on their own, however it is genetics and environment that determine when your baby will take his or her first steps. By eighteen months your baby should be a proficient walker. Many can get up stairs with help and may try to kick a ball. At twenty five months or so your child's steps will be more even and he or she will get better at jumping. You can encourage your baby by kneeling in front of him or her and hold out your hands. You could also try buying a toddle truck. Baby walkers are known to make it too easy to get around and therefore prevent a child's upper leg muscles from developing.
Hold off buying shoes until your baby is walking outside. Going barefoot helps improve balance and coordination. Do not be concerned if your baby has been a little late in developing motor skills e.g. rolling over, crawling etc he or she will probably need extra time to learn to walk. However if your child does not demonstrate a strong interest in walking or forward mobility by fifteen months and seems to be significantly behind consult your doctor. Your child should show a strong interest in getting somewhere, how he or she gets there is really up to them.


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A Gibberlings Three Mod
Authors: Multiple, see below
Project Lead: CamDawg, aka 'Cam' Camagna
On the web: Home page and discussion forum
Version 10 - Check
for the most recent version
Languages: Chinese (simplified and traditional), English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Polish, and Spanish
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
The BG2 Fixpack is a WeiDU compilation of fixes for Baldur's Gate II. With the disappearance of Kevin Dorner and the cessation of activity of the Baldurdash fixpack for BG2, several modders began working on a new WeiDU fixpack to address the numerous bugs that have been identified since Baldurdash. This collaborative effort, including the work of modders from several different modding communities and assistance from BG2 lead writer David Gaider, has resulted in a fixpack that currently includes all of the fixes addressed by Baldurdash (including the Game Text Update) and several hundred new bugfixes. The project is ongoing, and we're working through a substantial list of bugs culled from various sites, the old Baldurdash forums, and our own research.
Though the project has now left beta behind, there remains a need to introduce and test new fixes. To facilitate these new fixes without compromising the stability of the project, a component entitled BETA Core Fixes is available. This component includes fixes intended for the Core Fixes component and tested in a limited fashion, but have not yet been tested 'in the wild' or with other mods. As such, this component is considered to be of a BETA status. As fixes in this component get tested and validated in the wild, they will move into the Core Fixes.
The BG2 Fixpack strives for complete transparency in its fixes. As such, complete documentation is available of the fixes on the project pages, visual fixes are noted in the BG2 Fixpack Gallery, and all discussions leading up to fixes are in the Fixpack forums. There are no private workrooms.
The Fixpack is designed to work with Baldur's Gate II with or without the Throne of Bhaal expansion pack. In terms of installation order, the Fixpack should be installed after the official patches, but before other mods. Do not install the Fixpack alongside other fixpacks such as Baldurdash. There is a compatibility and redundancy thread in the Fixpack forums for the most recent information; these are the known incompatibilities and redundancies as of v10:
The BG2 Fixpack is packaged and installed with WeiDU and is distributed as a self-extracting archive. To install, simply double-click the archive and follow the instructions on screen.
Alternatively the files can be extracted from the archive using WinRAR. If properly extracted, you should have a bg2fixpack folder and setup-bg2fixpack.exe in your BG2 folder. To install, simply double-click setup-bg2fixpack.exe and follow the instructions on screen.
Please run setup-bg2fixpack.exe in your BG2 folder to reinstall, uninstall or otherwise change components.
Mac OS X
If the mod was previously installed, uninstall it before extracting the new version. The BG2 Fixpack is packaged and installed with WeiDU. To install, simply extract the contents of the mod into your BG2 folder. If properly extracted, you should have a bg2fixpack folder, setup-bg2fixpack, and setup-bg2fixpack.command in your BG2 folder. To install, simply double-click Setup-bg2fixpack.command and follow the instructions on screen.
Download the latest version of WeiDU for Linux from weidu.org and extract (at least) the WeiDU, weinstall and tolower executables in a $PATH directory (E.G. /usr/bin). Following that, open a terminal, cd to your BG2 installation directory, run `tolower' and answer Y to both queries.
You can avoid running the second option (linux.ini) if you've already ran it once in the same directory. To save time, the archive is already tolowered, so there's no need to run the first option (lowercasing file names) either if you've extracted only this mod since the last time you lower cased file name. If you're unsure, running tolower and choosing both options is the safe bet.
After that, run 'weinstall bg2fixpack' from your game installation directory to install or uninstall the mod.
The BG2 Fixpack is basically four items: core fixes, a game text update, beta core fixes, and several optional but cool fixes. Optional But Cool is broken down further into individual components.
BG2 Fixpack (Core Fixes)
This component includes all fixes deemed to be core by the Fixpack team. While some bugs are clearly bugs, the team also has a review process for 'gray area' bugs to insure that fixes do not contradict developer intent. The result is a 'core fixes' component which aims to address true bugs only and in a manner consistent with BioWare's original goals. When we encounter something we happen to think is a bug (or just strange behavior) but appears to be intentional, we generally fix those as an Optional But Cool component. Complete documentation is available on the G3 web site. Additionally, the complete Fixpack forums are open, so if you want to see the reasoning behind a bugfix (or tell us we've got it all wrong), please join us on the forums and provide feedback. If you find a bug that is not fixed and is not in our Pending Fixes forum, please report it.
Game Text Update
English Only
This component, based upon the Baldurdash Game Text Update, seeks to address miscellaneous errors in the text. Typos, grammatical errors, item description inconsistencies, etc. are addressed by this component. It should be noted that incorrect text that is actually a bug is addressed by Core Fixes. The Game Text Update can be installed in two ways. The first (and recommended) option will install "GTU Light" (by Wisp), a fairly minimalistic dialogue update which contains only the most relevant typographical corrections. The second option will install "GTU Classic" (from Baldurdash, by Kevin Dorner), an in-depth dialogue revision, parts of which may be considered arbitrary by purists.
Super Happy Fun Lucky Modder Pack
This component has been discontinued due to lack of interest.
BETA Core Fixes
Though the Fixpack has long since left beta, new fixes still need to be added. This component includes fixes intended for the Core Fixes component and tested in a limited fashion, but have not yet been tested 'in the wild' or with other mods. As such, this component is considered to be of a BETA status. As fixes in this component get tested and validated in the wild, they will move into the Core Fixes. These fixes are shown in red on the documentation page.
Optional But Cool: Party Gets XP for
Sending Keldorn to Reconcile With Maria
In Keldorn's personal quest, if you go with Keldorn when he reconciles with Maria the party receives XP. However, if you send him alone to reconcile you do not--this component gives you XP for sending him alone to reconcile.
Optional But Cool: Improved Spell Animations
This component alters the animations of several spells, including Maze, by addressing subtle errors in their animation cycles.
Optional But Cool: Cromwell's Forging Actually Takes a Day
When Cromwell forges an item for the party, he says it will take a day but no actual time passes. This component changes the upgrades to actually take a day.
Optional But Cool: Mixed-Use Dagger Fixes
Daggers that can be used in melee and thrown are an irresolvable bug: when thrown, daggers should get an extra attack per round, but there's no way to apply this bonus without also granting it when he dagger is being used in melee. This component grants the extra attack but at the expense of removing melee abilities.
Optional But Cool: Ghreyfain's Holy Symbol Fixes
Basically, it makes the granting of Holy Symbols in the game a bit more logical. Aerie gets the symbol of Baervan, Viconia gets the symbol of Shar, and Anomen gains the symbol of Helm even when lawful good (he used to get Lathander's).
Optional But Cool: Additional Hero Quests in Trademeet Wait Until
Hero is Officially Named (DEPRECATED)
This was confirmed by BioWare as an actual bug and has been moved into the core fixes.
Optional But Cool: Giants Receive Penalties When Attacking Halflings,
Dwarves, and Gnomes
This component gives giants their P&P penalty when trying to attack undersized (halflings, dwarves, gnomes) foes.
Optional But Cool: Remove Dual-Classing Restriction from Archers
and Stalkers
In Throne of Bhaal, archers and stalkers can't dual-class to clerics as normal rangers and beastmasters can; for consistency Core Fixes adds this restriction to SoA-only games as well. This component will remove the restriction.
Optional But Cool: Remove Second Attribute Bonus for Evil Path in
Wrath Hell Trial
If the protagonist selects the 'evil' option when speaking to Sarevok in the Hell Trials, the PC gets rewarded twice with attribute bonuses. There are several factors that suggest one of the bonuses is leftover junk in the script, but there's not enough evidence of developer intent to include it in the Core Fixes.
Optional But Cool: Corrected Summoned Demon Behavior
This component alters the AI of summoned demons, causing them to behave less predictably, but at the same time, more realistically (i.e. Baatezu will attack Tanar'ri).
Optional But Cool: Additional Script Fixes
There are several additional scripting errors which can't be fixed by the core fixes. While clearly bugs, what was intended by the developers is more towards speculation and, as such, these fixes have been moved into their own component. Most of the bugs are missing checks in spellcaster scripts for memorized spells (or casting spells). A more detailed account of the changes can be found in the full Optional But Cool documentation.
Optional But Cool: Bard Song Fixes
The manual describes bard's Battlesong as granting "morale and luck improvement for the party." And then goes on to describe a luck bonus for the party as though it were a luck penalty for opponents. And then in-game battlesong grants only immunity to fear (without preventing the additional effects that can accompany fear) with no morale or luck effects at all. Our best educated guess at developer intent adds a +1 luck bonus to battlesong, which improves to +2 at 15th level and improves again to +3 at 20th level. Blade's version of battlesong in this component still does not improve with levels (as the class disadvantage states) and Skald and Jester songs (which already vaguely match their descriptions and work) are untouched.
Optional But Cool: Wizard Slayers Cause Miscast Magic on Ranged
The original kit description of the Wizard Slayer states as a kit advantage: "For each successful hit on an opponent, 10% cumulative spell failure penalty is applied". However, it was only applying this effect on melee hits. The Core Fixes do not change this and the Game Text Update clarifies the kit description to specify melee-only. This component allows players to extend the ability to both melee and ranged attacks and updates the kit description.
Optional But Cool: Additional Alignment Fixes
As part of the Core Fixes, the Fixpack addresses many creatures who either lack alignment, have conflicting alignments between their creature files, or have an alignment completely at odds with their behavior. These changes underwent a great deal of scrutiny in an organized review, and it was decided that some of them should be moved into an optional component as there was no general consensus for the new alignments of these specific creatures.
Optional But Cool: Change Free Action to Protect Against Stun
BioWare was very inconsistent about whether free action should protect against stun or not. The spell did not protect against it, but most items that grant free action did. However, per David Gaider, free action is not supposed to protect against stun. For players who think this overpowers stun (particularly mind flayer psionics) this component will extend free action to protect against stun.
Optional But Cool: Paws from Shapeshifting Can
Not Be Dispelled
Windows-only, requires TobEx
Dispel magic will no longer remove the paws of shapeshifted creatures.
Optional But Cool: Remove Thieving Start Bonuses from Bard and Ranger Skills
All thieving skills use one lookup table to determine their racial bonuses for their abilities. However, the table is actually a combination of racial bonuses and initial thieving abilities. This component seeks to remove the initial thief bonuses from non-thief classes. Specifically, bards will no longer receive a 15% bonus to their pickpocket skills, and rangers will not receive the 7% bonus to stealth.
The Fixpack is the hard work of many authors. For issues, suggestions and general feedback, the Fixpack forums are the best resource. Visit the Gibberlings Three Forums for information on this and any other Gibberlings Three mods on which we may be working.
The Fixpack would not be possible without the hard work of many, many people. There's no way to try and acknowledge this many people without missing someone, so if you've been left off please let us know so you can be properly acknowledged.
First, thanks to the entire Fixpack Team: Andyr, aVENGER, BigRob, Caedwyr, CamDawg, cirerrek, devSin, drake127, Ghreyfain, Grim Squeaker, hlidskialf, icelus, Idobek, igi, Kish, Loriel, Macready, NiGHTMARE, Nythrun, Rastor, SConrad, SimDing0, the bigg, Wisp, and yarpen.
Thanks to our alpha testers as well: afireinside, Aragorn II, Da_venom, Diana, DirtyAlex, discharger12, Drew, Evilyn, Falco, I. Rahn Maedin, Jyzabyl, Kanain, Kazey, Nim, Rubel, Sir-Kill, TinyMage, and Wounded_Lion.
Thanks to modders who had made previous forays into fixpacks, as well as modders who were kind enough to provide bug lists and/or complete fixes: aVENGER, CamDawg, Dyara, Extremist, FredSRichardson, Ghreyfain, Idobek, Igenous, japheth, jastey, jcompton, Kevin Dorner, King Diamond, Kish, Littiz, Miloch, plainab, Roana, Sabre, Salk, SimDing0, the bigg, Wes Weimer, Wisp and WizWom.
Finally, we'd like to thank even more folks, who may or may not fit well into the categories above: ababab, Anomaly, AnonymousHero, Ardanis, Ascendancy-Down, Azazello, Baronius, berelinde, Bex, blubid_boy, Blucher, Brett Frazier, cameltoe, Capt Massacre, Chev, clarient, cmorgan, cvieor, Daulmakan, DavidW, Domi, dragonian, erebusant, erik, ecoris, frabjous, G-Mon, Gorilym, Gort, Iroquois, Immortality, Jadefang, jester, John, kix, Kulyok, Luiz, Margrave, Meddle, mossgerila, Naleem, pro5, Qwinn, Rabain, Revy, Riveira, ronin69hof, russoc4, s w raly, s4r3v0k, seanas, shaitan, Sir Alexander, Six of Spades, Smoketest, steve, sturmvogel, temujin, TimesofTrouble, Topaze, truper, tz2z, web2air, Weigo, and ZFR.
In addition, there are a couple of folks we would like to single out for acknowledgement:
Thanks as well to yarpen for the Polish translation, Leonardo Watson for the German translation, Immortality and Clan DLAN (with revisions from Ghildrean) for the Spanish translation, Anomaly for the French translation, web2air for the Korean translation, Andrea C. for the Italian translation, and good0593 for the Chinese translations.
Versions 7-8 of the Fixpack were coded by DavidW, in consultation with devSin and using code and observations by Nythrun, aVENGER, Taimon, Wisp, ScuD, Icendoan and Mike1072. Version 9 was coded by aVENGER, in consultation with devSin, using code and observations by Nythrun, Wisp and Jason Compton. Version 10 is primarily an aVENGER-Wisp-CamDawg project, with the usual assistance from the folks on the Fixpack forums.
Tools Used in Creation
WeiDU by Wes Weimer and the bigg
Near Infinity by Jon Olav Hauglid
DLTCEP by Avenger
IESDP maintained by igi
BAM Workshop by Glenn Flansburg
IRE by DevArrah
ConTEXT Text Editor by Eden Kirin
WeiDU ConTEXT Highlighters by Idobek, updated by cmorgan
The modding community for the Infinity Engine has been going strong for more than 10 years now, and is the culmination of thousands of unpaid modding hours by fellow fans of the game. Modders produce their best work and players get the best, well-supported mods when we all work together.
There are two big ways to upset this harmony. One is to claim someone else's work as your own. The second is to host and redistribute a mod without permission from the author(s).
Be kind to your fellow players and modders. Don't do either.
Version 10 - April 14, 2013
Version 9 - March 14, 2010
Version 8 - February 20, 2009
Version 7 - December 29, 2008
Version 6 - January 31, 2008
Version 5 - January 28, 2008
Version 4 - July 4, 2007
Version 3 - April 19, 2007
Version 2 - January 28, 2007
Version 1 - November 8, 2006
Version Beta 4 - October 15, 2006
Version Beta 3 - September 18, 2006
Version Beta 2 - August 7, 2006
Version Beta 1 - July 9, 2006


text:
News release this morning -- we'll have a story later and in print Thursday. Comments at bottom from task force members, including Julie Hertzog, who was on our P-B Dialogues panel last week:
For Immediate Release:
August 1, 2012
Keith Hovis, MDE
651.582.8275 (o)
651.308.2252 (c)
Prevention of Bullying Task Force Delivers Recommendations to Governor Dayton
ROSEVILLE – After months of meetings and community sessions gathering input from residents across the state, the Task Force for the Prevention of Bullying submitted recommendations to Governor Dayton today.
"Every student deserves to feel safe and supported at school," said Minnesota Commissioner of Education and task force member Brenda Cassellius. "The task force, informed by the courageous voices of students and experts across the state, has yielded recommendations that will help create positive learning environments where students can thrive."
Created by Executive Order, the group was tasked with crafting recommendations for ensuring all students in Minnesota schools are provided with a safe and welcoming environment to learn.
The final report consists of eight recommendations to the Governor for immediate and urgent action:
1) Repeal existing, ineffective statutes, and replace with stronger law based upon the Task Force's recommendations.
2) Adopt the recommended operational definitions pertaining to bullying, harassment, and intimidation to increase effective identification and response to these issues.
3) Establish baseline policies within every school district that emphasize the equal, strong protection of all students.
4) Create policies and practices that enhance communication between school personnel, students, parents, and communities on the subject of strategies and techniques to reduce bullying.
5) Create a uniform, baseline data collection system regarding bullying issues to facilitate monitoring of these issues.
6) Create interagency and interdepartmental collaborations within the State of Minnesota to assist schools in their anti-bullying efforts.
7) Create a "School Climate Center" within the Minnesota Department of Education to:
Provide information and assistance to schools in their anti-bullying efforts
Improve safe-learning spaces for students, school-wide
Increase discipline
8) Fiscal resources must be made available at the state and local levels to facilitate these efforts, as outlined by the Task Force.
Department of Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey said, "These recommendations are the result of the Governor's leadership and the entire Minnesota community coming together to support our youth. We can no longer tolerate harassment, intimidation and bullying in any form in our schools. I look forward to when we will have legislation capable of helping keep our children happy, healthy and safe."
The Governor's Task Force for the Prevention of Bullying is comprised of 15 members, including, the Commissioners of the Department of Education, the Department of Human Rights and members of the legislature. Governor Dayton also appointed additional members with experience or expertise in psychology, education, pediatrics and anti-bullying advocacy.
With the completion of their recommendations, the Task Force will now work with Governor Dayton and the Legislature to pass legislation that will best serve Minnesota students.
A Statement from Governor's Prevention of Bullying Task Force Co-Chairs Julie Hertzog and Walter Roberts
ROSEVILE – Today, the Prevention of School Bullying Task Force submitted their recommendations to Governor Mark Dayton. Co-Chairs Julie Hertzog and Walter Roberts released the following statement:
"It was an honor to lead such an important effort on behalf of Minnesota youth. We thank our fellow Task Force Members for their extraordinary commitment of time and expertise, and Governor Dayton for his leadership and foresight in establishing this Task Force. We especially want to thank every Minnesotan who showed up at a listening session or a public meeting – especially the young people who shared their compelling stories.
We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure these recommendations are not only implemented, but have the backing necessary to keep our schools safe and welcoming places to learn."


text:
Clinical education is a rewarding and exciting component of physical therapist education. You will spend 35 weeks in clinical internships with clinical instructors who willingly share their time, expertise, professional values and patients. This clinical education web site is dedicated to you - the students in the Physical Therapy program at Eastern Washington University.
Please use the links below to provide you with the information and forms that you need. If you are unable to locate the information you want or need further information, do not hesitate to contact any one of us.
email: email@example.com
phone: 509.828.1354
fax: 509.828.1389
View the desktop version of this page.


text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 1/3/2003 (5256 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As it happened, there was someone guiding me.
Journalism instructor Duncan McMonagle was giving a personal tour of Red River College's new Exchange-area campus when we finally reached the top floor.
The graphic arts department -- a large, open space with rows of drafting tables and a wall of windows -- was remarkably quiet.
And empty.
"One of the students died this week," McMonagle said.
As she slept.
Mandy Coyne was only 19.
* * *
Later, what struck John Coyne was how normal everything was the Sunday night before his daughter died.
How normal Mandy seemed.
"She had dinner. Sat down and watched television with us. She was in fine spirits."
When Mandy woke Monday morning, she wasn't feeling well. She called her mother, Gerry, and asked her to bring home some Tylenol, then told her 17-year-old sister Karen that she was going to school that afternoon.
First, though, she was going to have a nap.
Later, Karen would try to wake her big sister.
She couldn't.
No one could.
The autopsy revealed she had died of a cardiac arrest.
Was she healthy? I asked her father.
"Well, yes. She certainly didn't give us any indications of problems. As a family, I think we have some idea what it was..."
What it was, they believe, was what the blood analysis revealed: Low levels of potassium, which affected the electrical charge to the heart.
What it really was, John and Gerry now believe, was a problem they thought had long since passed.
Her mother remembers the night then 13-year-old Mandy came to her room with a book the school counsellor had given her.
She insisted her mother read it. Right then.
It was a story about a girl with anorexia who is placed in a hospital room next to another girl with bulimia, the eat-and-purge fraternal twin of anorexia.
The girl with bulimia dies.
Mandy was like the girl in the next bed who lived.
She was anorexic.
"Oh Mandy," her mother said when she finished reading.
"I won't be that girl," young Mandy assured her mother.
John and Gerry Coyne kept watch over Mandy's eating habits in the years that followed, but there was nothing to suggest she wasn't eating.
Apparently the stubborn, independent part of Mandy had overcome the horrible hunger within. The insatiable inner emptiness that nothing, least of all a meal, could fill.
Now, in retrospect, her parents see the signs that Mandy had secretly turned into that girl in the book who died.
The girl in the next bed who was bulimic.
Last week, paging through her art portfolio, her parents finally got to read something Mandy had only let them see in passing.
The word "WHY?" was centred in large letters, surrounded by tiny sentence fragments, an internal conversation, that covered the rest of the page.
* * *
Last Saturday, 537 people signed the guest book at the memorial service in St. Paul's Anglican Church. Mandy's friends, her parents, her sister Karen and 21-year-old twin brothers, Chris and Kevin.
Many of the mourners would have read some of the "Memories" from her fellow students at Red River College:
"I met you only about a year ago and I'm so glad I did. You were always so fun and a delight to be around. You were there when I needed you, always... you were my shoulder to cry on... you were always so bright and full of life.
"You made me feel cool being me. You said I had dressing like you down to a tee. Always smiling and easy to talk to, you were everyone's personal pick-me-up...
Her father said that one of his best friends had actually purchased a star in the heavens for her.
"Mandy Coyne," the star previously known as 2093, is part of The Little Dipper, the second star, from Polaris.
One clear night recently, the Coyne's other daughter, Karen, drove out to the Floodway.
"I've seen Mandy," she told her parents later.
The tragedy, of course, is there was only one person who didn't know how special Mandy Coyne was.
The one who mattered the most.
But that still doesn't answer her own question. The one that her parents, and so many others, have asked.


text:
Not that I'm a genius or anything close to it but I have stumbled upon the source of all of America's troubles and I am happy to report that is it not me. And it is not you. You want to know what's really destroying this country? You want to know what's really breaking [Read More…]
The Problem with Talk Radio
September 5, 2012 by 11 Comments


text:
Genco Shipping and Trading
Market Cap: $172 million
YTD Return: 11%
When you start looking at dry bulk shipping stocks like Genco Shipping and Trading (GNK) that have market caps under $250 million, you've got to be willing to take on additional risk for the potential breakout returns.
Like most small shipping companies, GNK is cash-strapped and has been pummeled by dirt-cheap charter rates; it's also struggling with a debt load more than seven times its market cap.
But sometimes the smaller dogs have the bigger fight — and that's part of the proposition with GNK. The company has pared back costs in recent years and is lean, mean and agile. The bulk of its more than 50-vessel fleet is leased on short-term charters, enabling it to take full advantage of rising charter rates. If the Baltic Dry Index continues to soar, GNK could be a winner.
Nevertheless, this is a "mad money" bet — and the volatility can't be overstated. Genco has risen and fallen in huge chunks at various points of this week alone.


text:
PNC Field Saturated with Fans in 2013
Franchise-Record 61 Special Events Raised Numbers Beyond Baseball
By John Sadak / Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | September 3, 2013 6:23 AM ET
Moosic, Pa. - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) and PNC Field have concluded a fantastic first season for the reconstructed facility in 2013. In addition to the team's best season at the gates since 2008, a franchise-record 61 special events beyond baseball buoyed the season-long attendance figure to 462,052.
While the RailRiders' season concluded yesterday with a road game at Rochester, even more special events are planned. PNC Field will continue operation throughout the off-season leading up to the RailRiders' Opening Day on Thursday, April 10, 2014.
With the ability to host events year-round, RailRiders team president/GM Rob Crain was happy with the success of this year's turnout and hopes for even bigger numbers in 2014.
"This has been such a special year at PNC Field, not just for the team, but for the entire community," Crain said. "From the first Opening Night, to The Office Wrap Party; from new mascots to a whole new look, it's really been a dream come true. Now we'll get to work on bringing even more folks out next year."
With 435,839 fans attending games over 68 regular-season home openings, the SWB saw its best total and per-game average (6,409) since 2008. The RailRiders posted 25 fixed-seat sellouts in 2013 and had a number of other highlight numbers including:
-More kids came through PNC Field's Family Fun Zone in 2013 than from 2007 to 2011 combined
-There were 28,442 $1 Bud Lights/Pepsis sold this season over 11 home games on Budweiser Thirsty Thursdays
-The team gave away 46,500 free items through its 18 giveaways
-2,784 kids ate free over five Kids Eat Free Wednesday games
-Dollar Dog Nights led to 14,626 $1 hot dogs getting sold over six such dates
-The team shot off two hours and 20 minutes worth of fireworks
The RailRiders' 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals). The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


text:
A Shreveport juvenile shot Tuesday evening is at LSU Health Sciences Center with life-threatening injuries, and police investigating the case are trying to determine whether there is a victim and if there is a suspect.
According to police, a boy was shot in the 7500 block of Fairfield Avenue. Because of his life-threatening injuries, he was taken to the hospital.
According to neighbors and witnesses, a 12-year-old boy tried to pull a gun away from another person, and the gun discharged accidentally.
Police do not confirm this account.
Neighbors and witnesses add that the man ran from the scene in spite of efforts by family members to get him to stick around and talk with police.
Meanwhile, police investigators continue to speak with family members and witnesses.
No one is in custody.
Copyright 2012 KSLA. All rights reserved.
1812 Fairfield Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71101
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The brutal Feb. 19 attack was staged as workers were gathered in the bank to withdraw their pay.
He keeps order chiefly thanks to the patronage that he can grant and withdraw according to his discretion and whim.
Much of the rhetoric Obama has used to fuel his rise suggests he wishes to withdraw America from the world stage.
Kissinger opted to withdraw his nomination rather than disclose foreign sources of his income.
Let Gen. David Petraeus make the call on the rate of withdrawal—on whether to withdraw any troops at all.
I thought that the contact was disagreeable; and I endeavoured to withdraw my hand, but could not.
They forced Charles by an address to withdraw his pledge of toleration.
He was to withdraw his army from Syria and to maintain no larger force in Egypt than eighteen thousand men.
She put out her hand, and did not withdraw it, for Pearce forgot to let it go.
withdraw, my darling; the sight of you—the joy of your very appearance—eh—eh—yes, let me see.
early 13c., "to take back," from with "away" + drawen "to draw," possibly a loan-translation of Latin retrahere "to retract." Sense of "to remove oneself" is recorded from c.1300.


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Mad Mammal Mondays!
Good morning! This Monday we are looking at the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis). As the name describes the African clawless otter has hand-like forefeet which are its most remarkable feature, enabling it to grapple with its prey with notable ease. The forefeet have long fingers, rounded finger tips and lack any claws.
African/Cape clawless otters are 1 of 4 otter species that lives in both marine and fresh water ecosystems. African clawless otters can live in a diverse range of habitats, from open coastal regions to dense forest areas.
Their diet generally consists of a variety of small items including frogs, worms, fish, and crabs. They are very fast when it comes to catching and consuming prey. Once captured, the otter may float in the water whilst eating its prey, or take larger items ashore. They are avid hunters, even looking under logs and rocks for creatures that they can eat.
They use their whiskers as the primary source of finding food. These whiskers are highly sensitive to vibrations all around them. They rely on them both in the water and on land.
The African clawless otter may breed at any time of the year, giving birth to a litter of one to three cubs after a gestation of 63 days. At just one year of age, the young African clawless otters are independent.
~Megan Lategan ?#mammalmondays?
References: http://www.arkive.org/african-clawless-otter/aonyx-capensis/ http://oceanadventures.co.za/interesting-facts-on-cape-cla…/
The "page" for the Animal Demography Unit on Facebook now has 2000 "friends" who have "liked" it.
It is the best place to keep up to date with the goings on in the ADU and beyond. It is where the news breaks first!
You don't need to have a Facebook log-in to see the page, which is at www.facebook.com/animal.demography.unit.
Not sure how to submit your mammal / butterfly / reptile / frog / weaver nest / dragonfly / scorpion / bird / starfish / tree photo records to the various Virtual Museums? Here is a quick and easy "How To" guide – this link will take you to the PDF file.
The Virtual Museums of the ADU are helping to construct the 21st century distributions for thousands of species. They had a record month in April. A total of 2758 submissions were made.
The photograph of a snake was the last record that was formally accepted into the Virtual Museum during April. It was taken by Vaughan Jessnitz in Limpopo and it is Record 8350 in the ReptileMAP Virtual Museum. April was also the best month for reptile uploads to the Virtual Museum since the new system was implemented in June 2010. The reptiles in fact provided the impetus to start the initial Virtual Museum, and the first records were submitted on 10 May 2005, eight years ago. In the first years, submissions were made by attaching photos to emails. By 2010, "broadband" had become commonplace, and the mode of submission was transformed to the internet upload system we are using now.
The ReptileMAP Virtual Museum now totals 134909 records. Besides the photographic record, the database contains the specimen record data that goes back to 1834. So we are building onto the database that contains all the museum records. The advantage that this gives ReptileMAP is the abiliy to plot maps through time, and to examine range changes.
Please keep your submissions coming in to all the Virtual Museums. It does not matter if your collective upload power exceeds that of the identification panels for the various project – the important thing is the information is uploaded into the Virtual Museum, and is therefore curated and available. In contrast, the large numbers of photos that are uploaded into the social media such as Facebook are lots of fun, but they are ephemeral, and fade into oblivion within a relatively short space of time.
Uploading to the Virtual Museum is a bit more time consuming than uploading a photo to Facebook, but that is only to be expected. The spatial information is critically important to the Virtual Museum projects, otherwise the distribution maps cannot be made. Put your biodiversity photos to the ADU Virtual Museums, and make your photography count for conservation.
It is National Water Week and we are featuring a wonderful water mammal for MAD MAMMAL MONDAY! – the Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius. The hippopotamus, or hippo for short, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (?πποπ?ταμος), is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other is the Pygmy Hippopotamus). After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest species of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are the cetaceans (whales, porpoises, etc) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even-toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago.
The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of 5 to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.
Hippos are recognizable by their barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, nearly hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. They are the third largest species of land mammal by weight (between 1½ and 3 tonnes); the only heavier species on average are the white and Indian rhinoceroses, typically 1½ to 3½ tonnes, and the elephants, typically weighing 3 to 9 tonnes. The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 30 km/h over short distances. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Nevertheless, they are still threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.
You can help us to map this amazing mammal's 21st century distribution by submitting your photos, along with the location details, to the MammalMAP Virtual Museum at vmus.adu.org.za. The photo featured here is from our MammalMAP Virtual Museum database, where it is Record 3185
Reference: Novak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
For our first February Mad Mammal Monday post, we'd like to up the 'cute factor' and introduce you to the smallest antelope in Africa: the royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus).
With a maximum height of 30cm and a maximum mass of 3.6kg, this tiny ungulate is believed to range only in the West African forests of Sierra Leone. Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Royal antelopes are so small that an average-sized calf can fit comfortably into a person's hand! Like many of their larger antelope counterparts, the males grow horns (albeit a miniature sized pair) that are around 2.5cm long.
There is remarkably little known about these antelopes, with only a handful of ecological studies ever having been conducted, and there are no recorded observations of these animals in the wild (or at least, none have been published).
Needless to say, we're eagerly awaiting the day when the first royal antelope record makes it's way into MammalMAP!
(c) 2017
Animal Demography Unit,
Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Cape Town
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Insert any card from your wallet into the rotating clip, and Airframe transforms into the ultimate hands-free stand. Airframe works in portrait and landscape format, perfect for watching videos or playing games on flights and train rides.
Airframe works with all iPhones, and all other smartphones up to a 5 inch display with a standard case. The Airframe will not work with tablets.
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LAKEVILLE -- Delmar E. "Spike" Peebles, 77, of Lakeville, passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at Hospice of North Central Ohio in Ashland. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pioneer Cemetery with the Rev. Joanna Lance officiating. Friends may call Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Schlabach Funeral Home in Shreve.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at schlabachfh.com. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland 44805.
He was born Sept. 10, 1935, in McConnellsville to Carl and Mary (Huffman) Peebles and married Marilyn Doty Dec. 19, 1958, having just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. He served his country in the U.S. Army. He was employed by the Diamonite Co. in Shreve for 47 years.
Spike loved horses and was a member of the American and Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc. He was an avid NASCAR fan and was instrumental in the formation of Lakeville Speedway. He always looked forward to his Sunday morning coffee crew with John and Janet Baker and Walt Kline.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two children, Pam of Lakeville and David (June) Peebles of Big Prairie; three grandchildren, Daniel Peebles, Amanda (Matthew) Mallasch and Jeremy (Kim) Parks; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Sue (Wayne) Myers; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by a sister, Sarah Austin, and three brothers, Earl, Russell and Robert Peebles.
Sorry to hear of Spike's passing. I have fond memories of Spike working with my brother Fred Kaser at Diamonite. May God give you comfort in your loss.
Marilyn and Pam, I am so sorry to hear of Spikes passing. I could alway count on a friendly smile and hello. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,Heaven has a new Angel! God Bless, Mary Hites
Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear of Spikes passing. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty Bennett Harvey


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To Change The World
To Change The World
You don't have to change the world for every person; but you can change the world for a couple of people and still have left an amazing positive impact. Anyone can change the world; all it takes is time, effort and dedication. You have to find your passion and you must believe that changing the world will also change yourself.
I have an incredible passion to live debt free, I call it Financial Peace. I would love to see my friends and family live this way as well. It decreased stress individually and within relationships. In an article from the Huffington Post, it is said that, "Arguing about money is the top predictor of divorce", according to Sonya Britt, a Kansas State University researcher. "Arguments about money were longer and usually more intense than other types of marital disagreements."
I would love to earn a living training people how to manage their money. I believe if you want to change the world, the best way is to teach people to help themselves. This practice does the most good by enabling people to strengthen and improve themselves. If more people could stay financially free, there would be more financial stability in the world as a whole.
I have a good basis for being able to help people reach this goal of financial freedom. However, I would be more marketable and better equipped if I could get a degree in this area.


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A-C of the Knights Templars in America
October 03, 2012 molay No comments
All this week we will be taking a look at the Knights Templar in the USA and associations that claim affiliation with the ancient Order of the Temple of Solomon. Join us as we discover their history, foundation and the probability of them being anything other than a group of fantasists with nothing more than a romantic nod to the famous Knights.
Here we run down A-C of the Star Spangled Knights.
So the Templars appear to have landed in Arizona. One thing is for certain that their only point of research (their website) appears to be shrouded in mystery as much as the original Order was back in the 1100′s. They appear to have missed off any of their contact details, location of their meetings, schedule of events, their own personal history. Is this an oversight or could it be a ruse to attract our interest even more in their secret goings on. We are however given an email address where we can contact them so must be grateful for that. How is a Templar supposed to get hold of his colleagues these days?
There is no real history on the website about the foundation of the order in Arizona, when it began, who there members are. There is just a load of generic Templar history alluding to an organisation that is thriving the world over.
Well for all the secrecy shown by the Arizona bunch it appears that the group based out of St Michaels Mount in Arkansas would like you to know everything. Not very secretive at all but that doesn't make them appear any less interesting. They appear to have their own history which does cross over into the traditional and more academically agreed history of the original order but it gives them a unique standpoint in that they are also an organisation in their own right.
The history of Mount Saint Michael's is very recent in comparison to almost all other Priories in the United States.
The Young Commandery was found in July 2000 by His Excellency, the Honorable RADM Chev. Andrew P. O'Rourke, GCTJ, GMTJ
Grand Prior O'Rourke installed the Commandery of Mount Saint Michael's with a territory that included the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana.
He selected as their Commander, Chev. Frank E. Mulrine, CFE. GCTJ, Chev. Mulrine started the Commandery with 15 members.
The Commandery held many Socials, House Parties, General Meetings, and functions of different sorts, for the purpose of sharing Templarism with their friends and relatives.
So there you have it. If you want the best Templar House Party then contact these guys who are likely to put on a good performance of medieval madness.
Only in California, the Orange County, would an organisation claiming affiliation with the Knights Templar organise a "Beach Party" to show off their Knightly awesomness. Chastity belts and chain mail swimwear at the ready there is no stopping this medieval order from having a good time on the Pacific Coast.
From their website: "Unlike the Knights Templar of old, we have put down the sword and become bridge builders to operate as a modern-day worldwide network of educated professionals in such widely diverse protocols as senior government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior clergy, retired and active military, physicians and surgeons, engineers, attorneys, historians, and humanitarian caregivers."
It would seem they have missed off "Party Animals". For the coolest band of non-warrior monks (and monkettes) known to man, I would suggest joining this crew for the ultimate thrill of slow roasted pigs bladder on a beach BBQ!
Membership however requires you to be a Christian and is by invitation only. Damn I was so looking forward to next years beach jousting championships as well!
As per Arizona, they fall under the rather secretive Manus Minor of the Great Southwest. I have no idea how to find this lot. I would love to know so please feel free to contact us if you have any idea. Next time I pass through Colorado by train I will make sure I keep an eye out for a Knight in shining armour.
Idaho to Missouri Knights Templar Organisations will follow shortly……
Posted in: America Tags: America, Freemasonry, George Washington, Knights Templar, Membership, Priory, Star Spangled Banner, Templar Knights, US Flag, USA
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VMware, Inc., VMW is in the exchange NYSE and its industry is Technical & System Software in the sector of Technology. Based in USA, VMware, Inc., VMW has a market cap of 24277.18. Since its IPO date on the 8/15/2007, VMware, Inc., VMW performance year to date is 2.55%. Today VMware, Inc., VMW has gained -2.59%, with a current price of 56.51.
Ownership of the company is 1.20% for insider ownership while institutional ownership is 73.60%. The management of the company have seen the company have a payout ratio of 0.00%. Return of assets are at 6.30%, with return on investment at 10.40%.
In terms of debt levels and profit levels, VMware, Inc., VMW is seeing a long-term debt/equity of 0.18. While Total debt/equity is 0.18. With a profit margin of 14.30%, this is combined with a gross margin of 84.70%, and operating margin of 17.40%. VMware, Inc. ability to meet debt levels, with a current ratio of 2.4, while the quick ratio is 2.4.
For the last year VMware, Inc., VMW has seen a EPS growth of 14.80%. A performance for the year of -31.91%. The 52-week high is -39.52%, and the 52-week low is 30.66%. The average volume for VMware, Inc., VMW is 637209.
With a target price of 63.26, can VMware, Inc., VMW reach this target? Looking at the value indicators of VMware, Inc., VMW. VMware, Inc. has a P/E of 25.57 and a forward P/E of 13.13. Perhaps the more useful indicator than P/E, is PEG which has a value of 1.99. VMware, Inc. also has a P/S and a P/B of 3.61 and 2.97 respectively. For P/cash, VMware, Inc. has a value of 2.94, while it is 14.55 for P/free cash flow.
At the current price of 56.51, VMware, Inc. has a dividend yield of *TBA. We see a return on equity of 12.40%.
Looking more long-term VMware, Inc., is projected to get an EPS growth for the next five years of 12.82%. In the short-term an EPS growth of 6.33% in the next year is forecasted. This is after a EPS growth of 14.80% for this year and for the last five years a 22.60% growth has been seen.