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Evolution Hoax
A9 TV; 29 December 2011
Surah Yusuf, 1-34:
In the name of Allah, All-Merciful, Most Merciful
"Alif Lam Ra. Those are the Signs of the Clear Book."
Almighty Allah frequently declares that the Qur'an is a clear book, so that those who ascribe equals to Him should not go on in their own perverse way and should not produce their own inventions and fabrications.
"We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an so that hopefully you will use your intellect."
In other words, Almighty Allah says, "We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an so that you should use your heads and think on the wisdom in it and see its details." But if you do not think, you cannot find or understand them. "So that you will use your intellect," He says. That means that everyone has to reflect on the Qur'an individually. You cannot say, "It is of no concern to me, I am not ready." You have to study it.
"We tell you the best of stories in revealing this Qur'an to you, even though you were unaware of it before it came."
Not just any stories, but the best of stories, Almighty Allah says. "We tell you the best of stories" There are accounts in many places, but most are fabrications and not true evidence. But what does Allah say? The best of stories. We read a report in a newspaper and may be unsure whether it is true or not. But Almighty Allah says that the Qur'an is the best of stories. In other words, those stories are impeccable and perfect. They contain not the slightest error. They are completely true.
"even though you were unaware of it before it came."
He says that "you were unaware" of this secret knowledge. It is not something generally known. It is "special" knowledge.
"When Joseph told his father, 'Father! I saw eleven bright stars, and the sun and moon as well. I saw them all prostrate in front of me'."
Eleven stars, or 12 when we add the Sun. How many stars are there on the EU flag? Twelve. There are always stars, the Sun, the Moon, on Islamic countries'. What does this mean? Global reign. Look at the map and you will see it in all of them; they either have stars or the Sun or the Moon. The Turkish flag has both a star and Moon. Most Islamic countries have the Moon and stars, and many have the Sun. The term here refers both to global majesty and also to the EU coming under the command of the way of the Mahdi. That is what the Qur'an is indicating.
"He [his father] said, 'My son, don't tell your brothers your dream," It is useful to conceal a thing, even if it is true, if it will make people envious or jealous. It is best not spoken out loud. It is better to keep something that will make other people envious and jealous quiet. Look, "don't tell your brothers your dream lest they devise some scheme to injure you," it is best not to speak openly even if the other person is one's closest relative, if it will make them jealous. "Satan is a clear-cut enemy to man." Satan can easily incite envy, it says. I mean, even if the person does not think of it himself, satan can easily put it into his head, says Almighty Allah.
"Accordingly your Lord will pick you out," He imparts knowledge through revelation because he is a prophet. This is not something just anyone can know, it requires revelation. "Accordingly your Lord will pick you out," He will choose you and make you the Mahdi "and teach you the true meaning of events..." He will teach you to explain Allah's commandments very well, and you will have the power to speak well, accurately and in a satisfying manner, He says. "…and perfectly fulfil His blessing on you as well as on the family of Jacob as He fulfilled it perfectly before upon your forebears, Abraham and Isaac." What is described as the blessing on the family of Jacob? The global reign of Islam by means of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). Because Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is from the line of the Prophet Jacob (pbuh), the people of Israel, from the line of the Prophet David (pbuh). That is why our Prophet (pbuh) says that he "resembles an Israeli" as he describes Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). There are more than 10 hadiths about that, saying that he has "an Israeli body" that he "resembles one of the Israelites." "Most certainly your Lord is Knowing, Wise."
"In Joseph and his brothers there are Signs for every one of those who wants to ask" says Almighty Allah. In other words, there are signs and lessons, spiritual signs regarding the End Times, for people living then or in any other time.
"When they declared, 'Why! Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are." Why are the fanatics opposed to Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)? Jealousy. And what is going on here? Jealousy. What do they say? "Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are." Our father loves him more," they say. Jealousy regarding love is very dangerous. Most of them end up in murder or war, and terrible afflictions result. Look at the news in the papers, these things always stem from love, or alleged love. Of course it is not really love at all, but envy. "…although we constitute a powerful group." The Qur'an draws attention how the fanatics will all stand up for one another. The perverse behavior of the time. But then they improve, and that is a separate issue. But the Qur'an is referring to the fanatic state of mind here. "Our father is clearly making a mistake."
The Qur'an notes how when the extremist becomes totally fanatical he will not even recognize a prophet. Their father is a prophet, but what do these fanatics say? "Our father is clearly making a mistake."
Were our Prophet (pbuh) around today, they would oppose him. His interest in women and love for women drives them crazy. The fact he married so many women, women's attraction to him and the stipulations in the Qur'an would all cause them to oppose the prophet, if he were here, if Allah had given them such strength. They would have opposed the Prophet (pbuh), may Allah forbid.
Look, the Qur'an refers to the fanatics' bloodthirsty nature: "Kill Joseph". The first thing they think of, as a manifestation of what is in their souls, is killing. Look, the fanatic mindset either consists of bloodshed, "Kill Joseph", or neutralizing, imprisoning and crushing people in some way - "or expel him to some land so that your father will look to you alone." Look, "so that your father will look to you alone." In other words, the aim here is to give the impression he is not Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), not a person of any special value, and for someone else to step forward and attract attention. "and then you can be people who do right."
"We constitute a powerful group," they say, but they are not in the slightest way at all honest. But they make use of honesty.
"One of them said, 'Do not take Joseph's life but throw him to the bottom of the well, so that some travellers may discover him, if this is something that you have to do'."
Words and expressions of this kind in the Qur'an generally belong to Hazrat Khidr (pbuh). "One of them", that also appears in Surat al-Kahf, "one of them". He appears in the form of an old man. But he acts as a spokesman. "One of them said, 'Do not take Joseph's life..." Look, he prevents it. He convinces the others, "do not take Joseph's life" he sets up an obstacle to their extremist mindset. "throw him to the bottom of the well, so that some travellers may discover him," They would not believe him if he just said, "Do not take Joseph's life." He offers them another solution, in which lies salvation for the Prophet Joseph (pbuh), and it also contains a plan for making him a leader. He says, "throw him to the bottom of the well, so that some travellers may discover him," and he already knows what is going to happen. The boy might die at the bottom of the well, but he knows better. He knows he will be rescued.
"They said, 'Our Father! What is wrong with you that you refuse to trust us with Joseph?" Fanatics are unbalanced and loveless. Look at the language, "Our Father! What is wrong with you?" Look at the way they talk to a prophet. "…that you refuse to trust us with Joseph?" This means you should never entrust anything to a fanatic . Fanatics are dangerous and untrustworthy. "in truth we only wish him well." And this means that fanatics tell a lot of lies. And they are shameless. They look you right in the eye as they lie to you.
"Why don't you send him out with us tomorrow so he can enjoy himself and play about?" This means that fanatics are capable from time to time in a way that will win other people over. "All of us will make sure that he is safe."
So fanatics are capable of saying things they know other people will like to hear as they lie to them.
"He said, 'It grieves me to let him go with you I fear a wolf might come and eat him up while you are heedless, not attending him'."
The prophet of course makes a mistake here. "It grieves me to let him go with you…" for one thing, a believer never grieves. He sees good in all things. This is a mistake on the part of the prophet. "I fear a wolf might come and eat him up while you are heedless..." this is also an error, because he has revealed a weakness. He has unwittingly given them an idea of the kind of trickery they need to employ. Because they are stupid and could never find it for themselves. But he has revealed it by admitting such a possibility. That is why one should never state a weakness. For example, if one is afraid of something, one should never say so, one should never let on that one has a weakness in some regard. For instance, if one has no money one should never say, "I have no money" if that is going to put one in a position of weakness. On the contrary.
"We make up a powerful group..." Fanatics really do watch out for one another in their groups. "If a wolf does come and eat him up when together we make up a powerful group in that case we would truly be in loss!" In other words, they are saying; "we would be loser in such a case, and that cannot happen."
"But when, in fact, they did go out with him and gathered all together and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well," see how they heed that person's words? They initially wanted to kill him, but when he suggested they leave him at the bottom of the well they were immediately won over. That, by the law of Allah, was Hazrat Khidr (pbuh). "and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well" they did not just drop him down, of course, they lowered him down with rope and a bucket. "We then revealed to him..." see, Allah gives him revelation because he is a prophet. "You will inform them of this deed they perpetrate at a time when they are totally unaware." For example, extremists are unaware of the way of the Mahdi. So Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will inform the extremists what they do is wrong. He will tell them of the erroneous nature of their actions. In other words, he will tell them how flawed and ugly they. Because what does the Qur'an say? It says there are lessons to be learned; about the End Times, since we are in the time of the way of the Mahdi.
"That night they came back to their father in tears," evening is generally the favorite time for trickery and conspiracies. Because everyone is off duty. Means of communications are closed down. It makes it harder for the person concerned to escape. It is much easier to escape in the daytime. But since many possible sources of help and modes of transport are closed down in the evening, those who set ambushes generally prefer the evening, thinking the victim will fall into the trap. Allah speaks of the "evil of the night" in the Qur'an. "That night they came back to their father in tears..." what is one technique employed by hypocrites? Weeping. When they weep they look innocent. They go on the television and weep and wail, even though they behave totally immorally and vilely. But people think, "if he is weeping that means he must be sincere." "He must be honest," they say. Yet they are only weeping out of fraud and trickery. But people believe those tears. Many frauds appear on television, as you know – and my apologies to honest guests – and weep and wail and behave disgustingly, but eventually they get what they want.
"…saying, 'Father, we went out to run a race." Liars often begin their lies with the words, "The fact of the matter is…" "we went out to run a race", Allah draws out attention to another feature of the way they lie, how they do so in a highly organized manner. How used they are to telling lies, and this is a well-known trait of fanatics. They can make stories up at a moment's notice. "and left Joseph together with our things" they have a story about that, as well. "…and then a wolf appeared and ate him up." What did the Prophet Jacob (pbuh) say? "I fear a wolf might come and eat him up." What do they say? "A wolf appeared and ate him up." He put the idea in their heads. He put the idea of their plot into their heads, albeit unwittingly. He revealed a weakness, and they used that weakness against him. "A wolf ate him up," they say. Because if he were to ask, "where did the wolf come from?" they would reply, "you said there was the danger of his being eaten by a wolf." In other words, they would say "you admitted the possibility, and that possibility became reality." "…but you are never going to believe us now, not even though we really tell the truth." This is another technique extremists employ when they lie. They employ a kind of emotional counter-offensive. What do they say? "…but you are never going to believe us now." They now accuse him. They have established the offense of not believing someone who is telling the truth. This is an extremist technique.
"They then produced his shirt with false blood on it." Look, another foolish fanatic technique. "He said, 'It is merely that your lower selves have suggested something to you which you did; but beauty lies in showing steadfastness." Their father realizes that they are engaging in trickery. But here he says a very fine thing; "beauty lies in showing steadfastness." A Muslim must be steadfast. "…in face of the event that you describe." He identifies the situation very accurately, "the events that you describe." "It is all a lie," he is saying. "It is Allah alone Who is my Help" "I seek help from Allah alone," he says.
"Some travellers came that way." They are there for a purpose. They are not just any travellers. They were created beforehand by Allah. They are not passing that way by chance. They are there specially to extract the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) from the well. "and then dispatched their water-drawer who let his bucket down." Look, the Qur'an provides a detail; "he let his bucket down." A bucket. The Qur'an did not have to provide that detail. It says that he "let it down." By rope. It could have just said they fished him out in some way. But it goes into detail. It says "he let his bucket down." Because Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will come in the age of Aquarius (the Water Bearer). This is a deliberate reference to the age of Aquarius. The water pitcher is also indicated in the Gospel. It is the same thing. "He said, 'Good news for me, I've found a boy!'" This is also a reference to Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). "They then hid him away among their goods." There is the question of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) disappearing for a time, as you know. It is also in the hadiths. "They hid him away," that is a reference to it. "Allah knew very well what they were doing."
"I create," says Almighty Allah. They imagine they do things themselves, but it is Allah Who creates them in destiny.
"They sold him for a pittance, a few small coins, considering him to be of little worth."
People will underestimate Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). They will initially regard him as unimportant and trivial.
"The Egyptian who had bought him told his wife, 'Look after him with honour and respect. It's possible he will be of use to us or perhaps we might adopt him as a son'." Look, Allah makes him feel it, "Look after him with honor", Allah produces a love for him in his heart, to protect him. This also happens with the Prophet Moses (pbuh). Here, Allah produces a love for the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) in the heart of the Egyptian. "Look after him with honor and respect. It's possible he will be of use to us..." He was in fact useful, not just to them but to all of Egypt. Allah causes him to say this. "…or perhaps we might adopt him as a son," he also wants to adopt him; he loves him that much. "And thus We established Joseph in the land to teach him the true meaning of events." The Prophet Joseph (pbuh) has the ability to analyze and interpret events very well. "Allah is in control of His affair. However, most of mankind do not know."
"What Allah wishes is what happens," he says.
"And then when he became a full-grown man, We gave him knowledge and right judgement too." He gives him judgment and knowledge. Allah raises him to be highly cultured. Alongside the Egyptian, whom Allah uses as His instrument. The Prophet Moses (pbuh) also received an excellent general culture in Pharaoh's paradise. He also obtained enormous knowledge and opportunity with the Egyptian. Both divine knowledge and general culture. "That is how We reward all doers of good."
"The woman whose house it was solicited him." If you tell the fanatics, "The Prophet Joseph (pbuh) is living in the woman's house" they will stone him. They will try to kill him. "How dare you live in that woman's house!" they will say. This is an unacceptable state of affairs for a fanatic. Imagine how the fanatics of the time responded to the Prophet Joseph (pbuh). He was living in her house. There was nothing they would not do. No fanatic would ever accept his living in the woman's house. He lived with the woman for years. Alone, in that room. But the Qur'an tells us that when he reached maturity, the age of 22 or 23, "the woman whose house it was…", the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) was living alone with the woman. In the eyes of the fanatics the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) had sinned, had sinned very terribly, may Allah forbid. "…solicited him." She wanted to make love with him. "How can you say that? We watch with our families and children" they complain. But Allah says it, so how can I not say it? "You should not talk about that," they say. That means you should not read verses from the Qur'an. "She barred the doors." She locks the doors, to stop the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) leaving. So a man can be attractive, too. Not only women must. Look, she desires him. "...and said, 'Come over here'!" That means she is some distance away, and calls him to her. She wants to have sexual relations. They already live together and talk. She likes him, and they converse together. The prophet Joseph (pbuh) only refuses to have sexual relations. But the woman explicitly says that she wants to have sexual relations with him or. "Come over here" she says, in an invitation to sexual relations. "He said, 'Allah is my refuge!" Since he is a Muslim. How is it prevented? By the police? By building a wall between them? By the woman wearing a headscarf? No, by faith. He holds himself back with his intelligence, conscience and faith. So what is the measure? Faith. And fear of Allah. What prevented adultery? Fear of Allah. "He is my lord, and has been good to me." Because he has lived very comfortably. "Those who do wrong will surely not succeed." He says that would be wrong, and he will have no part of it. And people who do wrong will not succeed.
"She wanted him," he did not attract her interest when he was young, but now that he is a strong young man, he attracts her. "-and he would have wanted her, had he not seen the Clear Proof of his Lord [who forbids adultery]." He also desires her, but he does nothing about it as that would be a sin. Desire is there. He wants the woman, but what does he do, since he knows it would be a sin? He does not approach her. "That happened so We might avert from him all evil and lust. He was Our chosen servant." How does Allah transform evil and prostitution? Through faith, through faith in Allah, insha'Allah.
"They raced to the door." The prophet Joseph (pbuh) is a really lovely person. The house must be quite a large one to run in, as they could not have run in a small one. One has to get up speed in order to run, so the room is a big one, it would seem, from that description. "She tore his shirt at the back…" The woman runs after him and grabs hold of his shirt and tears it from the back. The Prophet Joseph (pbuh) is strong but so, it seems, is the woman. Since she is maddened by lust, and since the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) resists, the shirt tears when she grabs hold of it. And at that exact moment, "They met her husband by the door." Allah brought them together." She said, 'How should a man whose intention was to harm your family be punished for what he did except with prison or painful punishment'?" You see how treacherously she behaves? So much for her loving him! Love without fear of Allah and that is not based on love of Allah is a mere fancy, and is perfidious and base and ruthless, as in this case. How can you slander him like this when you supposedly love him so much? See what she says? This is a typical treacherous, hypocritical character. And she even provokes the man by saying, "a man whose intention was to harm your family." He wanted to do harm, he attacked your honor, she says. She leads him on and puts ideas in his head. "How should a man whose intention was to harm your family be punished for what he did except with prison or painful punishment'?"
What else could that mean other than whipping or beating?
"He [Joseph] said, 'It was she who tried to seduce me'." In other words, he wanted to enter in sexual relations with me. But "A witness from her people then declared, 'If his shirt is torn in front, she speaks the truth and he has clearly told a shameless lie'."
And this is Hazrat Khidr (pbuh), by the law of Allah. Because this is a very dangerous statement, because the woman could have torn his shirt from the front, in which case this evidence would not have been valid. She could have torn it from the front, say in trying to undress the Prophet Joseph (pbuh). And the prophet would then have seemed to be in the wrong. But he says this because he knows the shirt was torn at the back, by the law of Allah. He then goes on to confirm the position: "If his shirt is torn in front, she speaks the truth and he has clearly told a shameless lie." He does not offer this analysis beforehand.
"If his shirt is torn at the back," he first gives the negative possibility. He leaves the possibility that will save the prophet until last. This is very important in the law. He leaves the defense to last. The defense is also left to last in courts. "If his shirt is torn at the back, then she has lied and he has clearly told the simple truth." He produces a definitive ruling. "…and he has clearly told the simple truth." It could of course have been the exact opposite, I mean the shirt could be torn at the back in any way. Why should the woman be put in the wrong if she did not do it? He could have torn the shirt himself, or snagged it on something.
"He [her husband] saw the shirt torn at the back and said, 'The source of this is women's deviousness. Without a doubt your guile is very great'."
That is enough for him. He has been totally convinced. He issues his opinion, "…this is deviousness…" In other words, he tells the woman she has plotted against him. "Without a doubt your guile is very great." He says that she has engaged in a huge plot against the Prophet Joseph (pbuh).
"Joseph, ignore all this." He tells him not to speak to the woman again. This is a solution, since the cause of the trouble is obvious. "…and you, my wife, should ask forgiveness." The man approaches the matter as befits a Muslim. Someone else would just kill her. He just says, "…you should ask for forgiveness." "...and you, my wife, should ask forgiveness for your evil act." He states Allah's command at that time just like a commandment of the Qur'an. He behaves as befits a Muslim, doing nothing contemptible. Other people would just cut her up with a bread-knife, wouldn't they? People behave in totally crazy ways, may Allah forbid.
"Some city women said, 'The governor's wife solicited her slave. He's fired her heart with love. We see that she's the one to blame'."
Women never miss such things.
"The governor's wife solicited her slave. He's fired her heart with love." Look, they relate the story just like a current affairs scandal today. "We see that she's the one to blame." They accuse her of sexual perversion, but they are also getting very excited. Otherwise, what concern is it of yours? Is it normal to be so obsessed by it? That means that they shared the same desire, subconsciously. That is how things stand in some cases.
"But when she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them," so she knew what kind of people they were. When she heard of their criticism of her "she sent for them and made a sumptuous meal," for them to sit down to."...and then she gave a knife to each of them." It is a bit different in the original Arabic, but we take it as a knife. And fruit; there is special fruit from that region. It also appears in the Torah. An oval fruit. The name escapes me for the moment. "She said [to Joseph], 'Go out to them'." Why does she say that? Because she knows they will be affected by him. "'Go out to them.' When they saw him, they were amazed by him and cut their hands." The woman are powerfully affected. So it is not only women who can have that kind of effect! It appears that men can also have that effect. "They said, 'Allah preserve us! This is no man'." "He is so impressive, he cannot be human," they say. They are amazed by how impressive he is. They are also amazed at themselves, as how affected by him they are. There is an electricity that stems from faith, a divine electricity, and they are affected by that. "What can this be but a noble angel here!" "He cannot be human," they say.
"She said, 'You see! It's him you blamed me for'." "You criticized me, but you are even more affected than I was," she says. "She said, 'You see! It's him you blamed me for. I tried seducing him but he refused." A man is of course even more attractive when he is protective of himself. A man like a prostitute is repellent to a woman. But a man who protects himself and has faith is very, very impressive to a woman. A cheap man is like a prostitute. A woman finds him repellent. A woman with faith is also attractive. "If he does not do what I order him, he will be put in prison and brought low."
She says that if he refuses to enter into sexual relations she will have him imprisoned. "…and be brought low." "I will ruin him and bring him low," she says.
"He [Joseph] said, 'My Lord, the prison is preferable to me than what they call on me to do'." He does not say "she," but "they." In other words, the women are obsessed with the Prophet Joseph (pbuh). They invite him to enter into illicit sexual relations. " the prison is preferable to me than what they call on me to do," he says. But he speaks with the women. The Prophet Joseph (pbuh) appears before them, even though he knows they will be affected by him. He did not have to appear, did he? What did the prophet Joseph (pbuh) do in the eyes of the bigots? He committed a terrible sin. He sinned by living in the same house as that woman. But the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) protected himself with his faith. "He said, 'My Lord, the prison is preferable to me than what they call on me to do'." See the expression he uses? "…preferable to me." He does not say he prefers one scourge over the other. But look at his language; it "is preferable," he says. "I regard prison as preferable," he says. "Unless You turn their guile away from me, it may well be that I will fall for them," he is also full of desire, "and so become a man of ignorance." The women might have forced him. They were crazed and might have tied him down, mightn't they? Because that woman was crazy when she tore his shirt. And now the other women all became involved, too. They could have forced him to enter into relations.
"His Lord replied to him and turned away from him their female guile and deviousness. He is the One Who Hears, the One Who Knows."2012-02-20 12:32:11


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South Florida Sushi "best of" Awards for 2011
Here is our totally subjective list of standout sushi items in South Florida for the past year. Being highly subjective means you won't find any tempura cream cheese rolls on this list. It should be noted that there are sushi-boatloads of worthy runner-ups we're dying to mention. But to start listing them too would defeat […]Read the rest of this entry »

subset: commoncrawl


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Information Technology & Innovation Technology Training
Training is offered to all faculty and staff at WestConn. Please click on the links below for our current workshop schedules, summaries, and helpsheets and check back often to see what new workshops have been added! Please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com to sign up for a workshop, or to learn more.


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I think most obituaries of Robert Galvin – who helped take Motorola from a family firm to a $11bn leader in mobile phones – understate his contribution to management practice, for he was, at the very least, the godfather of Six Sigma.
The omission is understandable. Six Sigma – which focuses managers obsessively on improving quality and eliminating defects – was the process improvement technique of choice for large companies in the 1990s, but it seems to have faded from public view recently. I spent a day at General Electric's Crotonville leadership development centre in September and I didn't hear Six Sigma mentioned once. Yet 15 years ago, when Jack Welch was in his pomp, the air would have been thick with boasts about how many "black belt" leaders of Six Sigma initiatives GE had bred. Read more


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Eating your roots!by Operation Foodie in View All Posts, January 27th, 2009
Last week, a generous farmer from Ohio who was a judge on Iron Chef America delivered an abundance of vegetables. The table outside of our programming offices was piled high with fresh root veggies, potatoes, salad greens, micro greens, and herbs. Being invited to take a bag, I snatched up a colorful array of beets, carrots, turnips, and parsnips.
Check out what this Iron Chef did with them.


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SAN DIEGO — A San Diego man sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in 1996 is expected Wednesday to become the first inmate in the county — and possibly the state — to be released under California's revised three-strikes law.
Kenneth Glenn Corley, 62, has been serving a life term since he was sentenced after pleading guilty to four drug-related charges in October 1996. A lifetime drug addict, Corley's record dates to 1980 and includes convictions tied to his addiction for burglary, theft and drunken driving.
Lawyers for Corley have been working on his case for a year, well before nearly 69 percent of California voters this month approved Proposition 36, which modified the state's three-strikes law.
Under the changes to the 1994 law, inmates serving life terms for nonserious or nonviolent third strikes can seek new sentences and possibly get reduced terms. The ballot measure also requires life sentences only for a third strike that is a violent or serious felony.
It was last year that District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis asked her office to research which prisoners from San Diego County had been sentenced on a third strike for nonviolent felonies, had clean prison records and should be considered for possible release.
At that time, lawyers for the Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy at California Western School of Law in San Diego were asked to take on Corley's case and that of a second inmate, Sergio Ayala, 55, who is due in court next week and is also likely to get released. Ayala was sentenced in 1995 for stealing a leaf blower from a truck owned by his ex-wife.
Passage of Proposition 36 provided a quicker and easier path for Corley's release, said Justin Brooks a California Western professor who worked on the case. If it had failed, lawyers were preparing a habeas corpus petition for Corley — a lengthy process with an uncertain outcome, Brooks said.
Corley, who is serving his sentence at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, broke down in tears, Brooks said, when he was told of his likely release from prison.
"He had given up hope so long ago," Brooks said.
San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielsen is expected Wednesday to resentence Corley under the new law. The reason his release is likely is because of his record of nonviolent convictions and good behavior in prison, and the fact prosecutors are not opposed. Corley went to prison the first time in 1982, then again in 1985 and a third time in 1988 on burglary convictions.
Court records show Corley told a probation officer he had a $100-a-day heroin and cocaine habit, and would steal to support his addiction. When he was arrested in 1988 for trying to break into a condominium, he told a probation officer he had committed at least 30 burglaries over the previous five years for which he had not been caught — all to support his drug addiction.
But after he went back to prison in 1996, Corley maintained a clean record. He was not disciplined, had no affiliation with gangs and was involved in no violent incidents, according to court records.
He also obtained his GED certificate while in prison. He learned job skills to be an electronics assembler.
Based on his prison record and past crimes, the District Attorney's Office concluded Corley would not be a risk to public safety if he were released, prosecutor Laura Tanney said on Tuesday.
That is a key finding, because Proposition 36 requires judges to determine if an inmate poses an "unreasonable risk to public safety," and says release can be denied on that basis.
Brooks credited Dumanis with being willing to examine cases of nonviolent offenders, even before Proposition 36 was passed.
Tanney said the impetus for such a review was the realization that some inmates now doing life sentences may have been given lesser terms if their cases had come up recently.
Corley's case is the first in San Diego County to be brought under the revised three-strikes law and is likely the very first in the state, according to attorneys monitoring the law. The District Attorney's Office and the Office of the Public Defender estimated 250 to 300 inmates could file petitions for resentencing in the county.
For Corley to be released prosecutors are insisting he have a plan for integrating into the community, Tanney said. The plan is for him to first stay at a sober living home in downtown San Diego and then move in with two of his brothers in San Diego.
He is to get employment through the halfway house and has been guaranteed a part-time maintenance job in San Diego.


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Lacrosse news straight to your inbox.
Monday July 23rd, 2012 5:17pm
The New York State high school lacrosse championships being held Saturday at Middletown High School feature six teams with a combined record of 115 wins and nine losses this season. There are teams representing the Southern Tier (Section IV), the Rochester/Finger Lakes region (Section V) and Long Island (Sections VIII and XI) as they fight for state-level glory this weekend. Here's a look at each team that remains in the Empire State's high school title hunt. And for updates during the games, be sure to follow @ILPreps, as I'll be there live Tweeting.
Ithaca (18-1): Ithaca comes out of Section IV to advance to the finals for the second time in as many years. The Little Red are deep and have benefitted from a tight-knit crew of players that compete together year-round at tournaments. The Little Red were dominant against Liverpool (18-8) and then downed the one team that beat them all season in Section V's Fairport, 11-9, to reach the championship. The team has heady, quick creators at attack and midfield, including All-American seniors Paolo Ciferri (Syracuse) and Adam Fiore (Guilford), juniors Eli Lasda (Penn State) and Jaedon Henderson, but also has bigger, up-and-coming players that can hurt teams from both positions, like junior middie Doug Biondi and sophomore attackman Charlie Estill. The athletic Little Red defense was a big factor against Fairport, and it will need to be on its game against a dangerous West Islip team that hasn't lost a contest since March 31 (and that was to Chaminade). Ithaca wasn't given much of a chance last year, and that turned out to be a mistake, as the final against Farmingdale could have gone either way, ending in overtime. Little Red coach Frank Welch had a glow in his eyes when speaking about his team's chance to compete for the state title once more.
Key Players: Paolo Ciferri, M, Sr. (Syracuse); Adam Fiore, A, Sr. (Guilford); Eli Lasda, M, Jr. (Penn State); Winston Wenham, D/LSM, Sr.; Luke Mendola, D, Jr. (IL's No. 36 Young Gun Junior); Doug Biondi, M, Jr.; Emile Sassone-Lawless, M, Jr.; Jaedon Henderson, A/M, Jr.; Ryan Emerson, D, Jr.; Max Yavitt, G, Sr.
Goals scored/allowed: 14.5/4.9
West Islip (20-1): Stacked with Division I-bound talent, head coach Scott Craig and his team survived the Long Island battle and head into the state title game with an impressive resume and a roster that boasts a number of high-scoring players who have starred throughout the playoffs, including Nick Aponte (IL's No. 29 Young Gun Junior) and seniors Brendan Smith and Tom Moore. These guys were groomed watching current college stars win state titles, and they benefit at this point in the season from West Islip's winning tradition. These players have seen the older guys before them emerge victorious, and they're working to be on the same path. The Lions' defense is scary underrated, having just shut down one of the busiest offenses in the state in Section II's Niskayuna, a team that had averaged 17 goals per contest before meeting West Islip. The defense gave up double-digits just once this season. Senior Jack Kelly (Brown) gets the call in cage, and he's been extremely consistent down the stretch in terms of stats, keeping teams to six or below (including Ward Melville) in his last five starts and making an average of nine saves per game. This team is hungry to carry on the legacy of West Islip lacrosse in winning fashion, and they'll have to do it against a team that just knocked off the team's top Class A team in the state (Fairport) in the Ithaca Little Red, also fired up for its chance at the title.
Key Players: Tom Moore, A, Sr. (57G/23A, Denver); Brendan Smith, A, Sr. (54G/17A, Marquette); Jack Kelly, G, Sr. (142 saves, Brown); Nick Aponte, M, Jr. (19G/21A, Penn State); Ryan Wieczorek, M, Jr. (18G/20A, Delaware); Anthony DeLuca, A, Sr. (24G/32A, CW Post); Jon Reese, M, Sr. (23G/5A, Yale)
Goals scored/allowed: 11.6/5.3
Irondequoit (19-2): The story of the Eagles' 2010 and 2011 seasons isn't all that different from the Trojans – knocked out of the title hunt by Jamesville-DeWitt two straight years. But not this Eagles squad, a team with athletes all over the field, including two-time All-American QB attackman Nick Doktor, All-American mid Gunnar Miller, the freakishly athletic Briele and Loren Caples and the big bull of an attackman Jake Schmidt. The match-up of Andrew Cordes (Towson) and GC's Dwyer (if that happens) could be a real interesting one, with Cordes being an under-the-radar top defender out of upstate, a First-Team All-Section defender. Binghamton-bound goaltender Eric Fischer, who has been outstanding in his senior season, will need to be his best Saturday, as he'll be tested, for sure. The Eagles did damage to the Red Rams by winning the face-off battles for stretches with strong wing play. That same aggressive display of athleticism will need to be used to push Garden City on both sides of the field and in transition. That style of play could be a boost to this senior-led team (18 of them) that looks to pull off what could/would be considered an upset in the final game of the season. Coach Craig Whipple has accomplished a lot in his time leading the Irondequoit program, and he looks to add another achievement as he guides this Rochester-area squad the state championship game.
Key Players: Nick Doktor, A, Sr. (41G/26A, Penn); Gunnar Miller, M, Sr. (41G/18A, West Point); Briele Caples, M, Sr. (31G/11A); Connor Enright, A, Sr. (40G/14A, Mercyhurst); Jake Schmidt, A, Sr. (31G/12A); George Jerman, M, Sr. (23G/8A); Andrew Cordes, D, Sr. (Towson); Loren Caples, LSM, Sr.; Eric Fischer, G, Sr. (61.9 save %, 153 saves, Binghamton)
Goals scored/allowed: 11.9/5.8
Garden City (21-0): The nation's top program in the Under Armour High School Power Rankings since taking the number-one spot back on April 18, Garden City looks confident to win the Class B state title after being denied the last two seasons in the final game by the Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams of Section III. The loaded Trojans are headlined by the leading scorer out of Long Island in Harvard-bound assist wizard Devin Dwyer (108 big ones). The team is made up of players who were instrumental in getting Garden City to the previous two championships, and they're now in position to use their experience to their advantage. Battle-tested from one of the scariest schedules in the land, the Trojans will be a very tough team to beat. No one's been able to do it as of yet. While everyone knows about the potent trio of Dwyer, Justin Guterding (Duke) and Liam Kennedy, they should also know about a Garden City defense that has throttled its last three opponents in sectional and state play, allowing just two goals in the Long Island final and then just four to Yorktown in the semis. Virginia-bound netminder Dan Marino is tremendous in the cage, and he's supported by players heading to college lacrosse programs in Eugene Berkery (Middlebury), Ed Blatz (Georgetown) and Scott D'Antonio (Cornell). And don't forget about St. John's-bound Kyle Skramko and freshman standout Tom Wright. This team is stacked, and ripe to win a title it's been sniffin' since 2010.
Key Players: Devin Dwyer, A, Sr. (31G/71A, Harvard); Dan Marino, G, Sr. (126 saves, Virginia); Pat Berkery, M, Sr. (25G/11A, Penn); Eugene Berkery, D, Sr. (Middlebury); Justin Guterding, A, Jr. (50G/40A, Duke); Liam Kennedy, A, Sr. (54G/11A); Rob Savage, M, Sr. (18G/8A, Penn)
Goals scored/allowed: 13.7/4.8
Penn Yan (20-2): Scheduling a rigorous spring slate, the Penn Yan Mustangs entered the state playoffs on a mission and well-prepared having faced a slew of top teams in the regular season. The young Mustangs play in-your-face, fast and relentless, and it's carried them this far. Head coach Brian Hobart has spent 25 years of his life involved with the program, so he's instilled a great deal of emotion in a group of players that perform like they're older and more experienced than they are. Loose, hard-nosed and free-wheeling, they are a fun team to watch, no matter where you're standing. Bradley Voigt, a sophomore who's been racking up points since joining varsity as an eighth grader, has more than 100 points this season, and he's flanked by another highly-touted player in All-American Dylan Yonts (St. Leo), along with sophomore Rion Davison, another of Upstate's Class of 2014 standouts. The rugged Mustangs also have one of the top sophomore stoppers in the nation in Brandon Maciejewski, who has helped them get past some highly skilled offensive teams, which is what they are going to see in a gritty Shoreham-Wading River team. Penn Yan's James Burdette was assigned to Homer's Beau Riley for much of the semifinals match-up, and the beastly defender was tough to evade. He could very well be matched against Rotanz, who holds up very well against physical play, so it's potentially an interesting personnel match-up in what could turn out to be a showdown.
Key Players: Bradley Voigt, A, So. (62G/45A); Dylan Yonts, A, Sr. (46G/29A, St. Leo); Rion Davison, A, So. (40G/27A); Ryan Maciejewski, A, Jr. (35G/36A); Brandon Maciejewski, G, So. (68.5 save %, 213 saves) James Burdette, D, Jr.; Dan Guererri, D/LSM, Sr.; Owen Jordan, M, Sr. (18G/3A)
Goals scored/allowed: 12.1/4.5
Shoreham-Wading River (17-3): Led by Maryland-bound attackman Tim Rotanz (IL's No. 11 Young Gun Junior and a varsity player since the eighth grade), the Wildcats are a tough bunch of kids who spent their regular season taking on larger schools from Class B, losing only to an out-of-state team (Mountain Lakes) and two of New York's best in Garden City and Sayville. Since the loss to Garden City, SWR has not given up more than seven goals in a game, led by lockdown defender Chris Mahoney (Ohio State) and Tyler Lutjen (Siena) between the pipes. Meanwhile, the Wildcat offense has cracked double-digits in four of its last five games down the stretch. With a mix of talent across all classes, head coach Tom Rotanz has this team looking like a force to be reckoned with in the final week of high school ball in New York. His son Tim is a tough match-up for any defender, and other players have come alive this season around him, including Trevor Brosco, who's been on fire, dropping seven goals against Bayport-Blue Point in the Section XI (Suffolk County) Class C final, as well as senior James Higgins and freshman newcomer Ryan Bray. The defense will need to stay out of a racing match with the young Penn Yan squad, and give its own offense time to figure out the Mustangs defense, which is pretty tough in its own right, and their skilled sophomore netminder.
Key Players: Tim Rotanz, A, Jr. (43G/41A, Maryland); Trevor Brosco, M, Sr. (47G/19A, Notre Dame); Chris Mahoney, D, Sr. (Ohio State); Tyler Lutjen, G, Sr. (180 saves, Siena); James Higgins, A, Sr. (39G/22A); Ryan Bray, A, Fr. (27G/4A); Dylan Gorman, M, Sr. (16G/3A)
Goals scored/allowed: 10.2/6.1


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Places, People!!!Rebus brain teasers use words or letters in interesting orientations to represent common phrases.
If a noun is a person, place, or thing, what can be derived from the following?
The Actor = Person
The Theatre = Place
The Play = Thing
HintConjure up the Bard...
AnswerThe play's the thing!
"The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." - Hamlet (Act II, scene ii, line 633)
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
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HOUSTON - A man has been accused of trying to lure a teenage boy into his car twice.
Roberto Orellana, 27, has been charged with child enticement, a third-degree felony.
Alief Independent School District officials said Orellana was arrested near Holub Middle School, 9515 South Dairy Ashford, on Monday.
"On Thursday morning, the man actually stopped and got out of the vehicle and tried to get the boy to get into the car with him. The boy immediately called his father, who told him to go on to school and tell an officer," Alief ISD spokeswoman Susan Castro said.
Alief ISD police said they set up surveillance on Monday morning. They told the eighth-grade boy to walk to school as he normally does. As he walked, police said they were watching through binoculars and saw Orellana blowing kisses at the boy.
"He's not from this area, so he was coming from another part of town over here to follow this young man. We don't know if he's followed others," Castro said.
Orellana lives in the Gulfton area in southwest Houston, police said. That's about 11 miles from Alief.
Anyone with information about other incidents is asked to call Alief ISD police at 281-498-8810, extension 5570.
Copyright 2012 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Admissions Events Calendar
Thursday, February 7, 2013
CollegeWeekLive.com Event Time: 2:00p - 10:00p Location: Online Details:
A free virtual college fair where Mount St. Mary's hosts an information booth similar to a real college fair. If you are unable to make a campus visit, this is a wonderful way to get to know the Mount from the comfort of your own home. You may register forthis event by visiting the Admissions Visit page or click the link below.
Online Chat Time: 6:00p - 9:00p Location: Online Details:
Join fellow prospective students online to chat with Mount admisisons representatives about a multitude of topics-campus life, academics, athletics, financial aid, admissions and more! If you have questions, this is a great opportunity to get them answered from the comfort of your home. You may register for this event by visiting the website visit page or by clicking the link below


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Are all 9 month olds on stage 3 foods or table foods?
I am a little concerned about our daughter. She was 9 months old on the 9th, she can not tolerate the stage 3 foods or any of the table foods we have tried. She gags and...
Started by Marji on 06/22/2010 in September 2009 Munchkins
Last update on 04/17/2013 by Natasha


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|Embargoed for Release:
Thursday, December 1, 2011, 10:30 a.m.
|For More Information Contact:
Gene Russianoff (917) 575-9434
Paul Steely White (646) 247-6734
Pokey Award Goes to M50; Clocked at Dismal Speed of 3.5 MPH;
"You Could Push a Lawnmower Faster Crosstown Than M50 Travels"
Schleppie Award Goes to M101/102/103, Citys Least Reliable Bus;
More Than a Quarter Arrive Bunched Together or With Major Gaps
Good News: "Select Bus Service" Providing Faster Service
New York, New York The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives today gave out two awards for poor bus service in New York City.
The first is the tenth-annual Pokey for slowest local bus route in New York City. The uncoveted Pokey award is a golden snail on a pedestal. Its based on the speed of rides taken by Straphangers Campaign staff and volunteers on 35 routes. Lines were selected because they: 1) had high ridership; or 2) were historically slow Manhattan crosstown routes. (See methodology.)
The winner of the 2011 Pokey is ... the M50, which had the slowest bus speed at 3.5 miles per hour as clocked at 12 noon on a weekday.
The M50 is slooooow, said Gene Russianoff, attorney for NYPIRGs Straphangers Campaign.
Russianoff added: You can push a lawnmower faster crosstown than it takes the M50 to go from 1st to 12th Avenue, noting that a human-powered push mower could go 4 mph compared to 3.5 mph on the M50. (See: http://www.snapper.com/push-mowers/Pivot-N-Go/)
This years Pokey goes to yet another sad example of our underfunded transit system, said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. The M50 might be slow but the bus system itself is racing toward catastrophe at full speed. New Yorkers deserve better.
White said he was troubled by official transit statistics showing that breakdowns had increased on city buses by 12% since last year. In addition, the percentage of city buses that were 12 years or older had more than doubled in the past year, from 16% of the bus fleet in 2010 to 35% in 2011. Nearly $800 million is in the MTA's 2012 through 2014 capital plan for buying hundreds of new buses, but the funding for the program is uncertain.
In 2010, the M50 move 3,905 riders on an average weekday and ranks 151st in riders out of the 191 local bus routes. The M50 travels cross-town on 49th and 50th Streets between First and Twelfth Avenues.
According to the groups, the slowest bus routes in each borough are:
|6.5 mph
|Between Kings Plaza and Downtown Brooklyn on Flatbush Avenue
|5.0 mph
|Between Botanical Garden in the Bronx and Harlem
|3.5 mph
|Crosstown on 49th and 50th Streets in Manhattan
|7.2 mph
|Between Ridgewood, Queens, and Flushing/Main Street
|8.8 mph
|Between Richmond Terrace and St. George Ferry Terminal, Staten Island
The second award is the sixth-annual Schleppie for the citys least reliable buses and is based on official transit statistics, which measures how well buses keep to scheduled intervals.1
The Schleppie is comprised of golden lumbering elephants on a pedestal.
The winner of the 2011 Schleppie is ... the M101/102/103. More than one out of four M101/102/103's arrived with big gaps in service or bunched together. The three buses share the same trunk route in Manhattan, traveling on 3rd and Lexington Avenues between the East Village and Washington Heights (M101), East Village and Harlem (M102), and City Hall and East Harlem (M103).
The three buses moved 63,538 riders on an average weekday in 2010. The M101 was ranked the 10th highest route in bus ridership in the city out of a total 191 local buses with 32,266 average weekday riders. The M102 was ranked 36th with 16,951 average weekday riders; the M103 was ranked 54th with 14,321 average weekday riders.
The most unreliable bus routes in each of four boroughs with over 20% of buses bunched together or big gaps in service are:
|25.7% unreliable
|btw Sheepshead Bay and Williamsburg Bridge on Nostrand Avenue
|23.5% unreliable
|btw Williamsbridge and the Hub on White Plains Rd/Webster Ave
|27.3% unreliable
|btw Upper and Lower Manhattan on 3rd and Lexington Avenues
|24.0% unreliable
|btw SI Ferry and Tottenville/Bricktown Mall on Hylan Boulevard
Full tables of bus speeds and buses with unreliable service are attached.
Both the City and MTA New York City Transit have implemented two Select Bus Service routes. SBS employs a number of strategies to provide faster service, such as collecting fares before boarding buses and buses with three doors and low floors to speed up boarding.
The SBS routes are on the M15 (First and Second Avenues between lower Manhattan and Harlem) and on the Bx12 (Pelham Parkway and Fordham Road between Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx and upper Manhattan).
The groups found that the two SBS routes are living up to their promise.
In our survey of bus speeds for 2011, SBS on the Bx12 increased bus speeds by more than 51 percent over the Bx12 local. The Bx12 local was clocked by our surveyors at 7.2 mph. But the Bx12 SBS traveled at 10.9 mph 51 percent faster than the Bx12 local.
SBS on the M15 increased bus speeds by nearly 43 percent over the M15 local. The M15 local was clocked by our surveyors at 4.9 mph. But the M15 SBS traveled at 7.1 mph, more than 43 percent faster than the M15 local.
Additional SBS routes are planned for the 34th Street Crosstown (M34), Nostrand Avenue (B44) and the Hylan Boulevard corridor on Staten Island.
Among bus speed improvement strategies on the M15 SBS are: exclusive bus lanes painted in terra cotta to discourage cars from entering; payment of fare before boarding the bus; buses with three doors and low floors to speed up boarding; distinctive branding and flashing blue lights to heighten rider recognition; wider subway-style spacing between stops; and enforcement of the bus lane by camera to keep the lane moving.
In 2012, features to be added to M15 SBS are: traffic signal priority for buses; and sidewalk extensions at certain bus stops to increase passenger waiting area and allow easier access to the curb for buses.
In the 2002 Pokey Awards, the groups found that the citys slowest bus route was the M96. In 2003, the groups awarded the Pokey to the M23, in 2004 and 2005 to the M34, in 2006 to the M14A, in 2007 to the M23, the M96 in 2008 and the M42 in 2009 and 2010.
The groups cautioned that comparisons with past findings were difficult due to changes in methodology and bus routes over the years. In addition, changes in bus speeds since 2004 have generally been too small to demonstrate significant trends. (See methodology.)
The criteria for selecting buses to be evaluated for speed is largely the same as our 2010 survey. Between 2005 and 2009, bus routes to be surveyed were selected based on New York City Transit data. Specifically, we surveyed the ten slowest routes (all in Manhattan), as determined by Transit in bus profiles compiled in 2000. We also surveyed the three slowest routes in the other boroughs.
In this survey, the number of routes surveyed increased from 29 to 35. Two routes out of the 29 were dropped, while one new route was added, based on ridership. All of the crosstown routes between Houston Street and 116th Street were surveyed, adding five new routes to the survey. We also surveyed the M15 local and M15 SBS service for the first time since SBS launched in October 2010.
As of the end of 2010, there were a total of 191 New York City Transit local bus routes and two Select Bus Service routes. (See: http://www.mta.info/nyct/facts/ridership/index.htm#atGlance_b)
Schleppies went to any route with an average wait assessment greater than 20%. This determination is based on official wait assessments for 42 high-volume routes, chosen by Transit. Wait assessment measures how closely a line sticks to scheduled intervals for arrival. Wait assessment becomes poorer the more buses arrive in bunches or with major gaps in service.
The Schleppie went to the M1 in both 2006 and 2007, to the M101/102/103 in 2008, the B44 in 2009 and the Bx41 in 2010. Transits methodology for calculating this measure was changed in 2008.
The measure is known as wait assessment. It is measured weekdays between 7 a.m. and midnight. It is defined as the percentage of observed service intervals that are no more than the scheduled interval plus 3 minutes during the peak (7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and plus 5 during off-peak (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 p.m. to 12 p.m.) The results are presented for a sample of 42 high-volume routes (plus eight associated limited stop services and two select bus service routes).
News Release | Methodology
Table One: Pokey Award Slowest to Fastest | Table Two: Schleppie Award Worst to Best
2011 Pokey Award | 2011 Schleppie Award
Download the Full Report (pdf)


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August 12, 2013
WAUKESHA, WIS.— Steven Galloway, author of the international best-seller "The Cellist of Sarajevo," will be the keynote speaker at Carroll University's Opening Convocation on Sept. 4, 2013. The event will be at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Shattuck Music Center, 218 N. East Ave. It is free and open to the public. Galloway's talk, "The Cellist of Sarajevo: Artistic Engagement and the Construction of Humanity," will be the kickoff event in the university's yearlong theme of Humanity. In classrooms, workshops and discussions, and through the performing arts, the Carroll community will look at how things such as war, ethics, science, religion, hunger, abuse and lack of civility affect our humanity, both individually and collectively. Other yearlong themes have included Food in 2010-2011, Water in 2011-2012 and Energy in 2012-2013. Galloway, a British Columbia, Canada, native, published "The Cellist of Sarajevo," his third novel, in 2008. Based on a real cellist in war-torn Sarajevo, the novel follows the lives of four citizens as they struggle to survive. It has become an international bestseller with rights sold in 20 countries. His debut novel, "Finnie Walsh," was nominated for the Amazon.ca/Books in Canada First Novel Award. His second novel, "Ascension," was nominated for the BC Book Prizes' Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, and has been translated into numerous languages. Galloway has taught creative writing at the University of British Columbia and taught and mentored creative writing at The Writer's Studio, and in the writing and publishing program at Simon Fraser University. He has won the Borders Original Voice Award, the OLA Evergreen Award, and the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature, and been nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Richard & Judy Book of the Year Award and the Canadian Booksellers Association Fiction Award.
Contact: Jess Owens 262-951-3104
<< Return to view more news releases


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The police can't help you....
Former Marine helicopter pilot Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily - and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.
The press will destroy you....
Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.
Only one place to turn: Private....
But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson's sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.
©2010 James Patterson (P)2010 Hachette
"James Patterson knows how to sell thrills and suspense in clean, unwavering prose." (People)
"Patterson's novels are sleek entertainment machines, the Porsches of commercial fiction, expertly engineered and lightning fast." (Publishers Weekly)
I'm a big James Patterson fan so of course I buy almost every book he has put out. What I like about his books is they're fast-paced and they keep my attention. This book, Private, is no exception.
I do recognize that some may not like this book. I call James Patterson's books, especially these, the womens murder club, the Binnett series, etc. "Pop Cop" books. If you are looking for a book that has lots of mystery and you really have to think hard to figure out who killed who, this may not be the book for you. However, if you are like me and enjoy a fast-paced and very suspenseful read, I think you will like this book.
I want to make one final comment about the narator. He was good. I felt that he did the voices very well.
In short, I liked this book, but I do recognize that some will not. I think it's worth the five stars and the one credit.
"Gripping Thriller!!!"
This is my first audio book and i'm really happy about my choice! Every para tells you something interesting and makes you not miss even a word! Peter Hermann's Voice is SIMPLY GREAT! I gave it 4 stars because the author did give enough insight into the link between computer games and reasons for killers obsession and motive to score high! maybe i missed something but..its a well written thriller that's gripping and enjoyable, not a bad choice for a long boring plane ride!
"Twists at every corner."
Patterson ends almost every chapter with a hook making you want to listen just a little bit more. Fast paced. Awesome. I usually do not care for joint author efforts, but I am a huge James Patterson fan. This was the first one of his co-written books I have read. He and Maxine Paetro make a good writing team. I will definitely read another by the two of them.
"Not up to the Hype"
I like Patterson and (think) I have read all his books. This was a good time passer and was enjoyable but don't think it is up to all the hype. I'm sure I'll continue to read the other books he comes out with in this new series. If you like very light, fast paced, I know what's going to happen next, books you'll like this and is worth the download and credit. I wish Audible let us give 1/2 stars as I would have given it 3 1/2, not 4 stars.
Sci-fi, detective, cozy. Only give 5s to those books I think stand above the rest. 4 is a good solid book. 3 is average, nothing special.
OK I guess. The book jumps between too many cases, as if the author had a bunch of ideas and couldn't decide which to write about.
"Wonderful book"
First, I like the readers voice. It is perfect for this book. I very much enjoyed the entire book.
"Typical Patterson"
If you like Patterson Books (fast paced; short chapters), you'll like this one.The narration fits in very well with the story line.
"Jack Morgan is The Man"
Private presents a great character in Jack Morgan in the long line of defective detectives that we, the readers of murder mysteries have had the opportunity to glimpse inside their lives. The multiple directions and plot lines make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read. The story never gets bogged down and avoids the trappings of twists or turns that don't make sense. just to try to keep the readr off balance.
This work represents another solid winner for James Patterson, and warrants a thimbs-up for the collaboration with Maxine Paetro.
just enough action and thoughtfulness. kept winding the different stories together and wound it up nicely. Patterson is never a disappointment.
"Patterson surprises me again!!!!"
Twists, turns, surprises
I liked that Jack Morgan was not a perfect individual and had to deal with scars from his past
I have not had the pleasure to listen to Peter Hermann before
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


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Decision makers
- District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
- Vincent GrayDistrict of Columbia, Mayor
DC Fire and EMS: Drop the $780 bill for the ambulance that never came
On January 1, my family called 911 when my 71-year-old father was having trouble breathing. The ambulance took more than 30 minutes to arrive and by the time it did, my father had already passed away. Still grieving, my family was shocked to receive a bill for $780.85 from DC Fire & EMS for that ambulance.
In fact, a DC Fire and EMS ambulance never arrived. A neighboring jurisdiction, Prince George's County, had to come over 7 miles to help. So, D.C. didn't provide the service they billed and we'd like DC Fire & EMS to rescind this bill.
My father, Durand Ford Sr., died of an apparent heart attack. A person suffering a heart attack needs advanced life support as soon as possible. Thirty minutes is too late.
According to records, our 911 call was made at 1:25 a.m and a DC fire truck arrived nine minutes later, but an ambulance was unavailable. According to Prince George's County Fire & EMS records, DC Fire did not call Prince George's County for assistance until 1:47 a.m and the ambulance did not arrive to our home until 1:58 a.m.
Even one of the DC Council members Yvette Alexander, who represents our Ward, has said, "Based on my experience in similar circumstances, DC Fire & EMS has not billed."
We're thankful for the firefighters that arrived on-time and for the EMT's attempts to save my father's life, but it's not fair to bill our family for an ambulance that came far too late.
- District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
- District of Columbia, Mayor
Vincent Gray
Please rescind the $780.85 ambulance bill sent to Durand Ford Jr.
D. Ford started this petition with a single signature, and won with 174,584 supporters. Start a petition to change something you care about.
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Birds in SpaceTrivia brain teasers have some element of trivia in them, but they are not just pure trivia questions.
When NASA was considering animals to experiment on in space, they picked birds, because of the low maintenance. Although NASA was aware that most birds require gravity to swallow and would not survive the weightlessness of space, they did manage to find two types of bird that would survive the trip.
Which birds were they?
AnswerDoves and Pigeons.
Since most birds swallow water by tilting their heads back and using gravity to let the water run down their throats, they would dehydrate in space. Doves and Pigeons are the only birds that can drink without tilting their heads back.
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text:
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- Brand: Nike
- Country of Origin: United States of America or Imported
Web ID: 16NIKMHYPRDNK2014PRFA


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Captain James Cook uncooks the weather books, as reported in the Courier Mail August 4, 2008. More than 6,000 Royal Navy logs dating from the 1600's have been surveyed by the UK Meteorological Office and other experts The Sun newspaper reports. The ships' logs, of Captain James Cook, Lord Nelson and thousands more like them who sailed the globe and recorded weather observations, have revealed that recent global warming is not so unusual after all. Maritime historian Sam Willis said: "From these records, scientists can build a detailed picture of past weather and climate". These on the spot records show the world went through a similar period of global warming in the 1730's that could not have been man-made. And freak storms like the ones experienced recently also occurred in the 1680's and 1690's which were the coldest decades in what is known as the Little Ice Age - so could not have been caused by global warming.
Cook sailed from Alaska to the Antarctic, and Nelson, who maintained his ships' logs himself, covered the Arctic, West Indies, south east Asia and Mediterranean. Geographer Dr Dennis Wheeler, of Sunderland University, said: "British archives contain more than 100,000 Royal Navy logbooks from around 1670 to 1850 alone. They are a stunning resource. Global warming is a reality, but our data shows climate science is complex. It is wrong to take particular events and link them to carbon dioxide emissions." Evidence from the many logs, which are still being studied, will be published in respected science journal Climatic Change.
Editorial Comment: Let's just say the old lesson to be learnt again here is that it is wiser to rely on the records of those who were there than the opinions of Politicians and Greens who were not, who proudly and ignorantly believe they live at the most important time in history and the observations they make are the only ones that count. As the writer in the book of Proverbs recorded "there is nothing new under the sun!" (ref: climate, history, Gore)
Evidence News 13 August 2008


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You exercise your body to stay physically in shape, so why shouldn't you exercise your brain to stay mentally fit? With these daily exercises you will learn how to flex your mind, improve your creativity and boost your memory. As with any exercise, repetition is necessary for you to see improvement, so pick your favorite exercises from our daily suggestions and repeat them as desired. Try to do some mentalrobics every single day!
noun :: Cotton, or any soft, fibrous material, used as stuffing for garments; stuffing; padding.
noun :: High-sounding words; an inflated style; language above the dignity of the occasion.
adj. :: High-sounding; inflated; big without meaning.
"Ordinarily I am not given to long speeches, nor ever before had I descended to bombast, but I had guessed at the keynote which would strike an answering chord in the breasts of the green Martians, nor was I wrong, for my harangue evidently deeply impressed them, and their attitude toward me thereafter was still further respectful." -- Burroughs, Edgar Rice
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A QUIRKY hit West End puppet musical drew packed-out crowds to Bridgwater Arts Centre last week, with Pinstripe Productions latest experimental challenge, Avenue Q.
The Tony Award-winning show has been likened to 'Sesame Street for adults' – a striking image if ever there was one.
And Pinstripe's production, which took just 12 weeks to bring together, certainly seemed to hit the right note with the audience, if the explosions of laughter night after night is anything to go by.
Bridgwater-born Ed Creswick played Princeton, the struggling college graduate who gets a shock to the system as the harsh reality of New York hits him right between the eyes.
Ed told the Mercury: "It's been really, really good, and the audiences have come along either having heard a bit about the show, or not at all – they have just laughed from start to finish.
"Princeton's probably the straight man compared to the other characters, who are full-on joke after joke, and he gets some very funny lines. There's some good, chunky dialogue in this production, and some fantastic songs."
The puppets are what makes Avenue Q so unique of course, and at £1,000 a pop, they came with their own puppet mistress, responsible for their proper handling.
The colourful characters even swiped the main dressing room, booting out their living, breathing, counterparts into the wings to get ready.
Ed, who took on Avenue Q fresh from his run in the Witches of Eastwick at Weston's Playhouse Theatre, said the experience of the show was going to stay with him.
"I've done 80 or 90 shows over the years, and Avenue Q is definitely one of those that will stay with me a little bit."
James Tucker, director of Bridgwater Operatic Society, who founded Pinstripe with the late Brian Buttle, said his crack team had done themselves proud.
"Because they are hand picked – they're not a society – this is probably the most talented bunch I've ever worked with in one single group.
"We've achieved something a little bit different and I'm buzzing with pride about that."
To keep up to date with Pinstripe Productions' theatrical manoeuvres, visit www.facebook.com/pinstripe|productionsbridgwater


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Why does it give me that error, but when I run Backtrack 5 from a DVD instead of booting off a flash drive, it works just fine?
So BT5 works flawlessly when booting it off the DVD. When I try to boot off my flash drive using the same exact 32-bit image, I get that error that I wrote up above. Why is this?


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First the confession. After breaking the screen on a Nexus One in one week flat, I've now done in a Motorola Droid X in record time as well.
An envious store assistant at a Radio Shack in Los Angeles had just been pawing it and telling me how much he wanted one. Five minutes later, after an encounter with a few drops of coffee – honestly, nothing much – the screen was kaput.
What is it with these big, dazzling screens? I may be ham-fisted, but mobile phones should be able to handle some rough wear. My battered MyTouch Android has taken much more of a licking and is still going strong (though its weak, 528 Mhz processor heart now beats so painfully slowly.)
Anyway, this is not slowing the advance of Google's Android operating system, which is on a roll particularly in the US. Read more


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Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Frostbite is damage to skin and tissues from prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures. Frostbite severity is based on the depth of tissue injury. The most severe frostbite can lead to permanent damage and/or amputation.
The most common parts of the body to become frostbitten include your fingers, toes, ears, nose, chin, or cheeks.
Exposure to below-freezing temperatures can cause the body tissue to freeze. Ice crystals form within the frozen body part. Blood cannot flow through the frozen tissue. This causes the frozen tissue to be deprived of blood and oxygen. The combination of freezing and oxygen deprivation causes tissue damage or tissue death. Rewarming may also ultimately lead to tissue death.
Factors that may increase your chance of frostbite include:
Early stages of frostbite may cause:
Later stages of frostbite may cause:
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and the findings of the physical exam.
Rapid rewarming in a warm (100°F to 110°F [37.8°C to 43.4°C]) water bath is the treatment of choice. Slow rewarming may cause more tissue damage.
If you are stranded with frostbite and unable to get medical help:
If you're able to get medical assistance, treatment may include moving you to a warm place and wrapping you in blankets.
The injured body part may be soaked in warm (not hot) water.
Medications used depend on the severity of frostbite. Examples include:
Other frostbite treatments may include:
To help reduce the chance of frostbite:
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Environment Canada
Health Canada
Frostbite. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp. Updated December 3, 2012. Accessed August 5, 2015.
Frostbite. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116549/Frostbite. Updated December 15, 2011. Accessed September 28, 2016.
Frostbite. Nemours Kids Health website. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/frostbite.html. Updated January 2015. Accessed September August 5, 2015.
Last reviewed August 2015 by Michael Woods, MD
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services. All rights reserved.


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Spicy Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
3.5 4 3
Better pile these sweet and spicy orange fries high on the plate. Served with a thick dipping sauce, they create a craving for more.—Mary J. Jones, Williamstown, West Virginia
Recommended: 43 Amazing Ways to Love Sweet Potatoes
VERIFIED BY Taste of Home Test Kitchen
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1-1/4 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine the coriander, fennel, oregano and pepper flakes; grind until mixture becomes a fine powder. Stir in salt.
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, oil and ground spices; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
- Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until crisp and golden brown, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the dip ingredients; chill until serving. Serve with fries. Yield: 5 servings.
Originally published as Spicy Sweet Potato Fries in Country Woman April/May 2011, p35
Reviews forSpicy Sweet Potato Fries
My Review
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review
Average Rating
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2014
"The zest from the spices and the sweetness from the potatoes created a perfect balance of flavor. I halved the dip recipe, which was a good amount to accompany the fries. The brightness of the lime juice and cilantro added a coolness to the spice."
Reviewed Jan. 7, 2013
"My family loved this recipe - these are the best Sweet Potato Fries I've ever made!"
Reviewed Dec. 22, 2012
"This is spicy recipe, but the sweetness of the potato balances it out. I didn't make the dip. It's like a party in your mouth!"
Reviewed Apr. 6, 2011
"This is an extremely spicy recipe, particularly the dip, so you'll need something to cool your mouth down. The dip is more than twice what is needed for the fries. By themselves, the fries aren't too bad."


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A NEW youth officer has been appointed at the Diocese of Worcester.
Simon Hill, aged 38, will work with parishes and schools across Worcestershire and Dudley as part of his new role, which he will take up on Tuesday, July 1.
Mr Hill is currently the youth and children's work co-ordinator for St Nicholas Church in Durham and will be moving to Evesham with his wife Claire and two young sons.
The role will involve supporting churches in their work with young people, providing training and resources, working with chaplains in secondary schools, as well as further and higher education, and also liaising with other youth organisations and community groups.
Mr Hill said: "When I saw the role advertised, it sounded like a really exciting opportunity and when I came to interview, the team that I will work with was absolutely lovely.
"I am looking forward to getting stuck in and getting to know a new area and new people, although finding my way around the villages in Worcestershire and the more urban Dudley could be a challenge."
He added: "I hope to start by meeting as many people as possible and get a good sense of the youth work that's currently happening in parishes. I also want to listen to the young people to find out what they're hoping for and to pray with them."
Mr Hill will work alongside children's officer, Emma Pettifer, to support churches as they nurture children, young people and young adults in their faith.


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DETROIT - A 28-year-old Rochester Hills man could be charged with filing a false police report after the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said he made up a story about being confronted by two men to get attention from a woman.
In a statement about the incident, the Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to Woodside apartments on Woodview at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday to take the 28-year-old's report about the confrontation.
The man told deputies he had been walking on a wooded trail when two strange men, one armed with a gun, called him a terrorist, took a knife he had in a pocket and held it against his neck while they searched him for money.
The strangers then fled.
The Sheriff's Office said the man went to a friend's apartment and waited 45 minutes before calling for help.
While interviewing him, deputies said they found inconsistencies in his story. He later confessed that he had been trying to get the attention of a woman he was going to visit in another apartment.
The Sheriff's Office said they are now calling the victim a suspect and that he's enrolled in law school.
His name isn't being released, pending charges.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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After a US intelligence agency erases his past and wipes out his finances, blacklisted spy Michael Westen begins life anew as a private investigator in Miami, Florida.
Michael targets a group of con artists who scammed his mother's friend and wiped out her retirement savings.
Michael assists a waitress who witnessed a beating carried out by a drug cartel distributor; an Egyptian spy gives Michael a copy of his burn notice.
Michael assists a high school friend whose daughter took a job at a modeling agency, unaware that it was really a prostitution ring; a Czech assassin targets Michael.
Michael steps in when arms dealers threaten an airport security guard; Michael and Nate clash over who owns their father's Charger; Michael suspects Sam is to blame for bugging his car.
Michael tangles with Jamaican gangsters when he retrieves a boat loaded with ten million dollars; Madeline's house is ransacked by government agents.
Michael poses as a thief in an effort to help merchants in Little Havana terrorized by a criminal gang; Michael pressures Agent Bly to reveal information about his burn notice.
When Fi takes a job as a bounty hunter, a fugitive offers Michael and Fiona money to clear his name; Michael the man who ordered him "burned.
Michael kidnaps a kidnapper to win the release of a house-sitter's fiancée; a bureaucrat claims he can revoke Michael's burn notice.
Michael agrees to help Lucy in exchange for fake identification--only to become involved in a kidnapping case involving a woman, her estranged husband and their son.
Michael arranges a meeting with the man who "burned him; Sam, Michael and Fi aid a client being blackmailed by drug smugglers.
Michael uses underworld connections to help rescue Sam after he's kidnapped by drug smugglers; Michael arranges to meet a mysterious woman who may possess information about his burn notice.
All content, images, media and associated materials are property of ION Media Networks.
© 2017 ION Media Networks, all rights reserved.
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Hottest Taylor Momsen GIFs Ever
Are you ready to worship a veritable rock goddess? Check out these GIFs of The Pretty Reckless's Taylor Momsen.
You might know the panda-eyed rock chick from her time on 'Gossip Girl', but she really shines as the frontwoman for the band The Pretty Reckless. Her blonde hair, her dusky voice and her incredible amount of sex appeal make her perfect for the rock world, and we've got a gallery of GIFs to prove just how much of a rock vixen she is.


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All-Clad 7-Piece Tool Set
This matching collection of cooking utensils has everything you need to get the job done. Features a skimmer, a large ladle, a spoon, a roasting fork, a pasta fork and a small spatula, all in a matching stand. Everything is made of polished stainless steel, and is extremely durable. A great investment for any kitchen.


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Pioneering a source for awareness, preventing violence
June 26th, 2012 | SMWC
All too often, young women and men dive into a new relationship quickly, seriously and with eyes half open. With this blind leap of faith comes the risk of dating a complete stranger, or worse, a dangerous enemy. Myra Spearman of Gary, Ind., a current Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) student with the Woods Online paralegal studies program, has experienced this vulnerability firsthand. Once caught in the tangles of an abusive marriage, she has since overcome, thrived and pioneered a source that is gravely necessary, with a passion so strong, it is contagious.
Spearman founded the very first National Domestic Violence Registry (NDVR) and serves as its executive director. Formed in 200 7 and modeled after the National Sex Offender Registry, the NDVR is a not-for-profit organization based out of Gary, designed to provide the records of criminals who are repeatedly found guilty of domestic violence or related offenses. An entirely online database, the registry is the first free national database model for domestic violence convictions available to the public.
The organization is fueled by donations and corporate sponsors, and boasts a small group of dedicated leaders, spread out throughout the country. When having to face the harrowing fact that one in four women and one in six men will be the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, this vital resource could not have come at a better time.
When asked why she believes this registry is so important, Spearman adamantly explained, "You cannot take someone at face value. Looking at their past to see if they have had criminal convictions of domestic violence is the most accurate way to determine the worthiness of a partner." This belief in awareness and safe dating, harnessed with her education and past experiences, provided Spearman with the fire to expand her message beyond the borders of the Hoosier State.
With thirteen states currently involved, the NDVR has experienced a number of triumphs. In May 2011, Spearman and the registry's former deputy director, Lyn Twyman, attended a meeting at the White House with Lynn Rosenthal, White House advisor and enthusiastic advocate for domestic violence awareness. This meeting garnered attention and interest in the registry at a national level. Additionally, Guam became the first United States territory to have its own registry. An iPhone application is also in development. In 2009, NDVR won the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center's Award from the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana for its creation. The organization also holds a lifetime membership with the Society of Innovators.
Other areas of focus are:
- Prevention of domestic violence
- Intervention of repeat offenders
- Educating the youth and the public at large
- Safety of victims and the public at large
- Self sufficiency for victims, and
- Improving the way law enforcement and the legal system by and large process domestic violence related incidents and cases
According to Spearman, her recent successes largely stem from what she is being taught through her online education. A future law school hopeful, she said that the college is "grooming me for success. You are not simply getting a degree here. You are getting an education." Spearman is surprised to discover that guidance is always close at hand even in an online format. "My academic advisor makes my goals possible," she said. "She always calls me back, and is eager to provide explanations. And, she understands that I am balancing the registry, family and education."
This unique combination of technology-based education and sincere relationship building has provided Spearman with well-rounded, well-exercised confidence in her ability to push forward in her efforts with the NDVR, as well as in her ability to help and influence others.
Visit the National Domestic Violence Registry for more information.
Comment on this article
This story has been moved to the archive and comments have now been disabled.


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Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe
5 2 5
Cute Santas and a very creative string of lights are sure to steal the show this Christmas! They're the perfect centerpiece for your holiday cookie platter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Featured In: Christmas Treats
VERIFIED BY Taste of Home Test Kitchen
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- Assorted sprinkles
- Shoestring licorice
- 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 28 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 14 red M&M's miniature baking bits
- 28 miniature marshmallows, halved
- In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill in the freezer for 25 minutes or until easy to handle.
- For lights: On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. light-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using a plastic straw, make a hole 1/2 in. from the top of each cookie.
- Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Use a plastic straw to reopen holes in cookies. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For Santas: Roll remaining dough directly on an ungreased baking sheet into an 11-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Cut lengthwise into two strips, but do not separate. Cut each strip into seven triangles (do not separate).
- Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes; cut around cookies to separate. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To decorate: Microwave corn syrup for 6-8 seconds or until thinned. Working with a few cookies at a time, brush corn syrup over the surface. For lights, decorate with sprinkles as desired. Thread licorice through holes.
- For Santas, press coconut onto faces for beards. Attach chocolate chips for eyes and baking bits for noses. For hats, coat top of cookie with sprinkles; attach marshmallow halves for pom-poms. Yield: 4 dozen cookies.
Originally published as Holiday Sugar Cookies in Simple & Delicious November/December 2009, p55
Reviews forChristmas Lights Sugar Cookies
My Review
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review
Average Rating
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2011
"We made these with preschoolers and they were a big hit. After only the recommended time in the freezer the dough was still too soft to really roll out and make cut-outs, but the resulting dough was like Play Doh / fun dough and the kids had a blast rolling it out and making initials, balls that we flattened into thumbprint cookies (throw a chocolate chip in the center), et cetera. Did the classic swap of 2t white vinegar for the 1t cream of tartar and that was no problem. Would make again!"


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"Game changer" is a term you hear often when people talk about how technology has changed their industry.
Fountain Valley, CA-based Hyundai Motor America named Dave Zuchowski executive vice president of sales. Zuchowski joined the Hyundai team in 2007 as vice president of sales. He is responsible for all sales, sales operations, market representation, field operations, and overall dealer relations. During his time at Hyundai, Zuchowski has improved sales and market share, while also improving the quality of Hyundai's retail network.
Zuchowski, a 30-year veteran of the automotive industry, joined Hyundai from Mazda North America where he served as vice president of sales and field operations. He began his career in 1980 at Ford Motor Company as a sales associate. Zuchowski earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Washington.
Hyundai Motor America is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.