text: OverviewBack to top USP Labs - UNPUBLISHED Jack3d Advanced Formula Fruit Punch 45 Servings - 230 Grams Item# :136020UPC# :094922463005 Brand:USP Labs Size/Form:230 Grams Ship Weight:0.60 Servings:45 Dosage:1 Scoop(s) Flavor:Fruit Punch 45 Servings USP Labs - Jack3d Advanced Formula Fruit Punch 45 Servings - 230 Grams (8.1 oz.) USP Labs Jack3d Advanced Formula is an Ultimate Pre-Exercise Training Matrix. Advanced TasteYou're no stranger to the weight room and you've surely tried your fair share of pre-workout products. You might not even care what the product tastes like, as long as it works. Most of the time it's even a disappointing trade off—great taste with nothing but poor performance and a sub-par caffeine rush followed by a depressing crash. That might be fine for the noobs, but not for you; you're searching for the real deal pre-workout that gives you the best of everything…Good luck! What if there was a product that Worked Phenomenally AND Tasted Amazing too? Enter Jack3d "Advanced Formula." USPlabs contracted industry-leading flavor scientists and gave them one very specific goal: make this the best tasting pre-workout ever and, wow, did they ever deliver. Don't forget that there aren't any carbs in Jack3d "Advanced Formula;" making the "industry-best" taste a truly mindboggling accomplishment. Advanced FeelThe Intense Rush, the Telling Tingle, the Unapologetic Strength. It's like you have no choice but to Dominate the Weight Room! However, you must be warned; this Jack3d is no joke. In fact, it's so strong USP had to slap this warning label on top of the bottle: High Energy Stim Complex… …complete with Hard-Hitting Extracts…This new, precise complex targets a myriad of MOAs for an incredible feel that is so unique and strong that you'll literally need some time to acclimate. You must be absolutely sure to start with 1 scoop and NEVER go over 2 at any one time. Engineered Yohimbe Extract - standardized for Full Spectrum Alkaloids. This isn't some run-of-the-mill "dirty" yohimbe extract, but rather a particular yohimbe extract that USPlabs scientists worked on for months on end. It contains a full spectrum of alkaloids designed to increase norepinephrine levels in order to potentially increase muscle contraction while providing an advanced CNS stimulant effect. In addition, there's evidence in an animal model study that the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists present in the extract may also help reduce fatigue during high intensity activity like weight lifting. Norcoclaurine – is known to be a beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist. Some compounds also known to activate the beta 2-adrenoceptor have been shown to improve exercise performance and USPlabs believes that norcoclaurine could potentially do so as well. Yet, unlike most other beta 2 agonists, norcoclaurine has been shown to have vasodilatory properties as well!. Thus, you may have improved blood flow for additional pumps and vascularity—that's a pretty sweet "bonus"! Swertia Chirayita – is a plant that is indigenous to the temperate Himalayas and has, for the most part, been their little secret…until now!It has specific compounds present which animal studies have shown to possess CNS stimulant properties. Caffeine – is, of course, a "must-include" in any high energy formula. The key difference here is the precise amount included. USPlabs' goal was not to just include an insane amount of caffeine so you could "feel it", but to incorporate an amount that works perfectly with other key ingredients. When combined with norcoclaurine, caffeine could provide a substantial boost to you workout session. Yet, even on its own, caffeine is thought to potentially increase force production by each motor unit in muscle, enhancing contractile force of muscle, while reducing perceived exertion. Advanced Performance Exclusive "Nitrate Blast" Formula! Arginine Nitrate – allows you to utilize two major pathways to generate Nitric Oxide (NO). When you ingest this compound, you get the classic arginine, which works through the conventional l-arginine-NO-synthase pathway and that has proven to be a decent method to elevate NO. But, Arginine Nitrate also yields the nitrate ion, which works through a recently discovered pathway, called the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. In essence, nitrate is reduced to nitrite, which is further reduced to NO. Yet, this second pathway is also exciting because it can generate NO via several routes that are enzymatic and non-enzymatic, making this pathway, in some respects, a more reliable and better overall way to increase NO. Furthermore, this pathway becomes much more important and is favored over the classical pathway in conditions where oxygen levels are much lower and to some extent acidification occurs in a given tissue (e.g. anaerobic exercise like weight lifting, sprinting, etc.), allowing for vasodilation to occur and oxygen to be transported in these conditions. By combining the two, we can utilize both pathways to obtain extremely high NO levels to achieve a level of vasodilation never experienced before! Also, by utilizing both pathways, you're ensuring that NO levels can remain elevated regardless of the phase of your activity. This increased NO and vasodilation may be partially responsible for a potential improvement of exercise efficiency by reducing the amount of oxygen and energy needed in the form of ATP and phosphocreatine during exercise and muscle contraction. In short, it may allow you to be more resistant to fatigue and squeeze out a little more during your workouts, whether that's just a few more reps when weightlifting or allowing you to stay in the game a little longer. This isn't just hype! In fact, a recently published study found that nitrate can increase force production in fast-twitch skeletal muscle in mice used as an animal model. This is further corroborated by the fact that one paper in humans found that nitrate supplementation allowed for a prolonged maintenance of force production. It's also worth noting that this notion of nitrate increasing vasodilation and improving exercise performance isn't just hypothetical. Several studies have surfaced recently which have demonstrated that nitrate can and does accomplish just that. A recent meeting summary by leading researchers of nitrate's and NO's shows potential by commenting that the apparent enhancement of skeletal muscle efficiency seen as a reduced oxygen cost of exercise is seen from low to high-intensity exercise and in recreationally active and moderately trained subjects. Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract – This extract may further increase the conversion of nitrite to NO, while also increasing eNOS expression and NO formation, thus helping both NO generating pathways. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) – Vitamin C is known to play a role in maintaining NO bioactivity/bioavailability and is the reason why it is known to improve the effects of NO, whether the NO is derived from arginine or the reduction of nitrite. Studies suggest that vitamin C can work synergistically with the other key ingredients by improving upon both major NO-generating pathways; of particular interest is that it (as a reducing agent) can also increase the amount of NO produced from nitrite while also enhancing the level of vasodilation; yet, it also plays a role in the function of eNOS by acting to recycle tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor for eNOS. You're Not Still Getting Ripped Off By Creatine HCl, Are You?Advanced Creatine Ratio – including Creatine Monohydrate and Creatine Anhydrous. Everyone knows that creatine is able to improve body composition and strength. It's easily one of the most validated supplements around. It works and always has worked. Yet, many companies want to sell you a creatine complex, a supposedly superior salt, a new ester, you name it, claiming it will provide superior results over tried and true creatine. Some even make such claims with no scientific evidence (even though they will pretend it exists). They claim that bioavailability is a problem with creatine monohydrate due to lack of dissolution in the GI tract. Yet, scientific studies show otherwise. In fact, the absorption of the creatine monohydrate salt is nearly 100%. This begs the simplest question; if the oral bioavailability of creatine monohydrate is already close to 100%, how can it be significantly improved upon? The simple answer is that it can't be improved upon. It's like someone claiming they can fill the 13 gallon tank in your car with more than 13 gallons of gas. It doesn't matter how much more soluble you make your creatine product if creatine monohydrate already has nearly 100% bioavailability. If dissolution rate isn't a rate-limiting step for the compound, then improving solubility does nothing for bioavailability. You simply have a neat party trick to show friends how much creatine you can dissolve in a glass of water. Yet, just as important to consider is the fact that skeletal muscle can only absorb and store a limited amount of creatine. Even if we were to ignore the fact that oral bioavailability of creatine monohydrate has little to no room for improvement, we must then consider the fact that the muscle can only transport so much creatine and tissue saturation is going to occur regardless at some point. So, regardless of which form is used, only so much creatine is going to enter into the muscle and saturation is going to be reached at some point. For example, it's thought that a 154 lbs. person has a total creatine content in skeletal muscle of approximately 115 g, with a total creatine pool of approximately 120 g. And, for a specific example, a subject that was given 340 g of creatine monohydrate over a 34 day period only retained 38 g in the body. Or, in another subject that was given 270 g, only 58 g were retained (31). Studying the kinetics of creatine has provided support for this as well. In effect, this demonstrates again that skeletal muscle can only hold so much creatine and it isn't all that much higher than the baseline levels. Once Again, Bro Science Jumps Up To Get Beat DownEven if we were to ignore the fact that the absorption of creatine from the small intestine is thought to be close to 100% and believe the marketing from those selling these supposedly superior forms of creatine, the higher levels of creatine in the bloodstream would make little difference as skeletal muscle can only absorb and store a limited amount of creatine. Consequently, higher plasma levels of creatine don't mean that it will translate to higher levels of creatine in muscle. Ultimately, the level of creatine in muscle would need to be substantially higher in order for these other creatine products to be classified as being superior to creatine monohydrate and, most important of all; this higher level of creatine would need to lead to a significant improvement upon lean body mass, strength and power. Yet, conveniently, a study comparing the effects of these creatine formulations versus standard creatine monohydrate upon these parameters has not been sought out or published. Makes you think, doesn't it? What If You Could Make Your Creatine More Pure? If improving solubility doesn't matter, what about your creatine being more pure? Some manufacturers like to claim that their creatine form is concentrated because of the salt they use, but that's just not true. Creatine monohydrate is already nearly 88% pure creatine (88% creatine, 12% monohydrate salt) -that's nearly 10% more pure than products like Creatine HCl! But, what if there was a form of creatine that was 100% creatine? Would you want that in your pre-workout? Of course you would and that's exactly why they included it in Jack3d "Advanced Formula"! It has the same, if not slightly better solubility than creatine monohydrate, but provides about 12% more creatine. You can't get any more pure than creatine anhydrous! Beta-Alanine – serves as the rate-limiting precursor of carnosine and as such, it has been shown that by supplementing with beta-alanine, you can greatly increase carnosine levels in skeletal muscle tissue. It's important because it acts as a buffer of sorts, preventing the increase of acidity or Hydrogen ion accumulation in skeletal muscle; something which is thought to contribute to the fatiguing of muscles. Furthermore, there is evidence that by increasing carnosine levels, power output can be increased as well. In short, you are able to improve your power output while delaying fatigue - you can lift more explosively and for longer periods. It is no coincidence that the most explosive athletes, such as sprinters, have higher carnosine levels in their muscles. Also, examining the animals of our world provides us with yet another example; the most explosive animals, such as greyhounds and thoroughbred horses, have the highest level of carnosine in their muscle tissue. In short, beta-alanine supplementation has been shown to be an effective way of elevating carnosine levels in muscle. Consequently, it has been shown to increase the working capacity of muscle, elevate the buffering capacity of muscle, elevate the anaerobic threshold of muscle, promote endurance, delay fatigue during workouts, enhance exercise training and result in an overall improvement of muscle performance. If you think beta-alanine isn't necessary, you should also consider the fact that it is believed that muscle carnosine levels generally decline with age and are thought to be lower in those that don't consume much meat in their diets.


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I tried another flavor
We all scream for ice cream.
Longtime lurker, first time writer. I need your objective reasoning and advice with a somewhat complicated issue. To protect the innocent and not so innocent, I'll make it a tale of two half gallons.
So, I'd love your take, as well as your readers, on the idea of passion versus love. I relate it to vanilla versus chocolate. Say you are married to vanilla. Vanilla is good. Vanilla is a perfectly acceptable dessert every night. Vanilla respects you, admires you. Vanilla has committed to always being in your freezer, whenever you need it. Vanilla is love.
Then there's chocolate. One day, a bowl of chocolate gets set in front of you, and you scoop up a tentative spoonful. You're mouth explodes with excitement. You want more. Chocolate satisfies your taste buds, makes you realize you *have* taste buds that vanilla seemingly never even knew existed. Chocolate all of a sudden takes over your appetite. You want it for breakfast lunch, and dinner, and THEN dessert. But, alas, this half-gallon belongs in someone else's freezer. Pints find your way into your freezer here and there, and, in the meantime, you go back to vanilla. Chocolate is passion. Chocolate introduced itself to you, chocolate told you your freezer is the best freezer it's ever been to. That it dreams of your freezer. You and your freezer feel the same way.
You start to notice vanilla's flaws. But, vanilla is there for you, so you make do with vanilla, but dream about chocolate. You sneak a kiddie scoopful here, a pint there, but dream about having that half gallon in your freezer. There's only room for one in there though, and you can't bear giving vanilla the boot. Meanwhile, chocolate is attached to its own freezer anyway, and nearly melted the last time it tried to visit yours, and is now seemingly staying put where chocolate belongs.
So, the question is, how do you make yourself satisfied with the vanilla that's yours, after you've had the taste of forbidden, but delectable chocolate? Vanilla is good. Sometimes, it's rich and creamy and feels like a nice treat. But the taste of chocolate is still there, the craving for it, while dulled, is still there. You walk buy the freezer's glass door every day and see the chocolate. You know not to even try to open the door that is locked, b/c it ain't for sale, but that doesn't mean you don't pause to look. Can one go back to Happily Vanilla ever after? Will the desire for chocolate ever go away?
– I Could Eat Chocolate Ravenously Even After Meals, Foxborough
ICECREAM, what you're describing isn't vanilla vs. chocolate. It's vanilla vs. rocky road. And here's the thing about rocky road – it's awesome (so many marshmallows, nuts, etc.), but if you ate a dish of it every day, you'd get sick. It would make you want to puke. I swear.
I'm here to tell you that vanilla is the base of all things. It goes with everything. As you put it, vanilla is love.
All rocky road does is remind us of vanilla's potential. It gives us ideas for spicing up vanilla -- like toppings. Skittles? Fruit? Perhaps vanilla could be served with a slice of tart apple pie. Vanilla is flexible -- you just have to see its potential and ask for what you want.
Rocky road is a temporary joy. I'm telling you, if given the chance to have it live in your freezer for the rest of your life, you'd decline, especially if it meant never eating vanilla again. Can you imagine a life without vanilla? No vanilla ever? I can't.
Desire for rocky road may never fade. And there will be desires for other flavors (I'm partial to coffee ice cream), but whenever you have these urges, remember how bitter the world would taste without vanilla. Rocky road is all hype.
Readers? Does she have to tell vanilla about rocky road? How do you suppress the urge to go out and get a rocky road brownie sundae when you're married to vanilla? Does this letter writer win for best sign-off ever? Discuss.
– Meredith

subset: commoncrawl


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Italian league offers Tebow a 4-month contract
Published: Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.
ROME — Former Florida standout Tim Tebow has been offered a four-month contract by the Italian federation for American football, and the Milano Seamen are hoping to sign the free agent quarterback.
Excerpts of an offer sent by federation president Leoluca Orlando to Tebow's representatives were posted on the federation's website Thursday.
"The offer has been made to his agent and now we're waiting for a response," Seamen president Marco Mutti told The Associated Press. "We would be more than happy to have him."
A federation spokesman, James Dewar, told AP that the offer is for $200,000 and that it was sent Wednesday on the recommendation of a sponsor.
The 26-year-old Tebow was cut by the New England Patriots before this NFL season. He would be the most prominent player to appear in the Italian league — by far.
The eight-team Italian league is divided into two divisions. The other teams are located in Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Rome, while Milan has two teams.
The season begins in March and concludes with the Italian Super Bowl in July.
In last season's title game, the Parma Panthers beat the Seamen 51-28.
The Seamen have the league's largest stadium, with 8,000 seats. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani is a former owner of the team.
Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 with the University of Florida and tasted NFL success with the Denver Broncos, leading them to the playoffs in 2011 before his pro career faded with the New York Jets. He was released in the last cut by the Patriots before this season began and has not been picked up by anyone, even though many teams have had problems at quarterback.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Apple iPhone 5S: Hands On Videoby Brian Klug & Anand Lal Shimpi on 9/10/2013 3:00 PM EST
- Posted in
- Apple
- Smartphones
- Mobile
- iPhone 5S
12 Comments
Back to Article
Subyman - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - linkToo bad they didn't have an Infinity Blade 3 demo. Reply
Dman23 - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - linkThat was an Awesome video! Thanks for posting it Brian and Anand :) Reply
iwod - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - linkI may be wrong... but iOS7 seems way faster on 5S then on 5. Haven't tested GM on 5 yet. But all previous beta wont anywhere need as "instant" and "smooth" as the video as shown.
And this is with new Hardware that i think still has some more potential from Software and Compiler optimization. Reply
owbert - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - link@Brian Klug, Can you unlock the phone via fingerprint scan without pressing the physical unlock button first? Thank you both for the great coverage! Reply
owbert - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - linkNever mind! Reply
ivanatpr - Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - linkTime to organize a kickstarter to send Brian Klug to touchscreen typing school? ;) Reply
Impulses - Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - linkShould get him a 70D or something while we're at it... I kid!
Nice hands on video, I'm rather jealous of the fingerprint reader... Seems like a good alternative to the pins and patterns (unlike Google's face detect thing). Moto had something exactly like this on the Atrix over two years ago, I wonder why it didn't gain any traction on Android? (AFAIK no other Android phone ever had a print reader) Reply
Impulses - Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - linkAlso, how hard would it be to lift a print from the glass display or elsewhere and then crate a fake (silicon? Latex?) fingerprint to full the sensor? Reply
Impulses - Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - linkYikes, ghastly typos.
create a fake... to fool... Reply
joelypolly - Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - linkApparently this is suppose to read sub-dermal as well so the it should be more resistant to commonly available methods such as the ones you describe. Reply
joelypolly - Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - linkI had the Atrix and there were a few problems with the sensor the biggest of which is that it just didn't hold up to regular usage. After a few months on being thrown around the sensor just fell off... it wasn't protected under glass and you had to swipe it just the right way for the unlock to occur.
I think this implementation look a lot more robust from a daily usage point of view Reply
xaml - Saturday, September 14, 2013 - linkHaha, these quick movements look cartoony. Reply


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Corn futures closed sharply higher on Thursday. Corn futures surged after the release of the October WASDE estimates. USDA lowered corn production only 21 million bushels to 10.704 billion bushels. Corn yields were lowered as well to 122 bushels per acre, slightly below trade expectations. Prices responded positively as world and domestic ending stocks were lowered versus the previous month. Domestic ending stocks were lowered to 619 million bushels while global ending stocks were lowered to 117.270 million tonnes. December corn closed 36 cents higher.
Soybean futures closed higher on Thursday. Soybean futures closed sharply higher despite bearish estimates for 2012 crop production. USDA raised 2012 soybean production 226 million bushels to 2.86 billion. Yields were also raised. The average yield was pegged at 37.8 bushels per acre up 2.5 bushels per acre versus the September estimate. However, prices were supported by tight domestic ending stocks. As with the corn, soybean futures surged as a means to ration demand/use. November soybeans closed 25 ¾ cents higher.
Wheat futures posted sharp gains on Thursday. Spillover strength from corn and soy complex is boosted wheat futures amid a neutral supply/demand report. Production estimates were relatively unchanged from the previous month, while domestic ending stocks were pegged a little above trade expectations but lower than the previous month. Foreign production was cut as expected. Total production declined 5.7 million tonnes, with sharp cuts in Australia and Russia. December wheat at CBOT closed 14 ¾ cents higher; KCBT closed 20 ½ cents higher; and MGE is trading 13 cents higher.
Live cattle futures closed lower on Thursday. Buying interest picked up early in the cattle complex after corn prices skyrocketed on the release of a somewhat bullish supply/demand report. Futures also advanced on expectations for steady to higher cash trade this week but minimal cash trade movement dampened expectations for higher prices. Preliminary asking prices are $126 plus in the South and $195 plus in the North. October cattle closed 33 cents lower while December closed 65 cents lower.
Lean hog futures closed mixed on Thursday. Nearby 2012 contracts were pressured the majority of the session on profit taking and lower bids for cash hogs by packers. The October contract is set to expire tomorrow at noon and December will take the stage as the front month contract. Cash prices were steady today and futures found additional support from a higher pork carcass value as well as support from the grain complex. Buying interest in the deferred contracts increased as corn and soymeal prices skyrocketed; sparking worry that pork production will decrease further as a result of high feeding costs. The October contract closed 25 cents lower while the December contract closed 60 cents lower. Deferred (2013) contracts closed firmly higher.


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Brewer at the Legislature: Wind energy is testament to greed
Groene at the Legislature: Holding NRDs responsible
More opinion
NFU urges smooth, transparent transition to Fair Trade framework
New interim executive director named for state brand committee
More Ag News
A rundown of entertainment in North Platte and Lincoln County.
Every Saturday two outdoor farmer's markets. One in downtown Parkade Plaza, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Another at Garden Glove Garden Center (1800 E. 12th) 9-1. Produce, crafts, flowers, meats, baked goods.
Weekends at Golden Spike Visitors Center (1249 N. Homestead Rd) 10-acre cornfield maze. 5-10 p.m. Fridays, 1-10 p.m. Saturdays, 1-7 p.m. Sundays. $7 adults. $6 ages 4-11. Toddlers free.
Friday, Sept. 28
Harvest Christian NW campus (2607 US-30 W.) Spaghetti dinner sponsored by HCF Poland Mission Team with 50% proceeds donated to Kendra Burkholder Medical Fund. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Adult: $5, Children 10 and under: $3.
Cedar Bowl (1100 S. Jeffers) Cosmic bowling under black lights. 8-11 p.m. $4 per game.
The Depot - dinner music by Blue Swing, 6-8 p.m.
Sculleys Shooters (2221 E. Fourth) Live music by Lewis Brice. 9 p.m. Cover charge.
Saturday, Sept. 29
Potters Pasture (Brady) Campfire run with chili feed, smores, and live music. Live music by Paul Siebert. Starts at 5 p.m. Free laser tag at 2:30 p.m.
Childrens Museum (314 N. Jeffers) PaleoAdventures Day Camp lead by Walter Stein, student of fossils and dinosaur skeletons. Morning class for grades K-5 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Afternoon class for grades 6-12 1:30-4:30 p.m. Lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Members: $20, Non-members: $25.
Whistle Stop open air market (1800 E. 12th) Show tune songs by Maggi Welch. Crafts, produce, baked goods, flowers and meat. 9 a.m.1 p.m.
The Lakehouse (Lake Maloney inlet) -- Fall festival with live music by Rascal on the Stage by the Lake. 6-9 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 30
Linden Estates (3700 W. Philip) Hike to the Spike to End Alzheimers. Registration at 1 p.m. Walk begins at 1:30 p.m. Awards at 3 p.m. Silent auction and raffle prizes at 3:30 p.m.
VFW Post 1504 (2100 E. 4th) - Dance to Jim Calhoun. Open to public. Starts at 7 p.m. Free-will donation.
Monday, Oct. 1
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Story & Song Tour featuring top musicians Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, and Jesse Manibusan. Begins 7 p.m. Free will offering.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
VFW Post 1504 (2100 E. Fourth) bingo, total of 24 games, starts at 6:45 p.m.
North Platte Senior Center (900 E. Tenth) the Golden Classics, a four-piece combo, plays a dance. 7-10 p.m. $3.
Thursday, Oct. 4
Public Library (120 W. Fourth) Carnegie Libraries program by Laureen Riedesel, showcases libraries across Nebraska originally built as part of the Andrew Carnegie Foundations grant. Noon-1 p.m. No charge.
A to Z Books (507 N. Jeffers) Talk with Bob Thomas, the author of Crump, a book about North Platte High School football coach Crump Redding, who led the Bulldogs to the 1962 state championship. 6:30-8 p.m. Presentation at 7 p.m. No charge.
Friday, Oct. 5
Harvest Christian Fellowship main campus (1501 S. Dewey). Family movie night, Madagascar 3. 7 p.m. No admission charge.
Sculleys Shooters (2221 E. Fourth) Live music by Sheila Greenland. 9 p.m. Cover charge.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Whistle Stop open air market (1800 E. 12th) Live music by Shermie at the Piano. Crafts, produce, baked goods, flowers and meat too. 9 a.m.1 p.m.
Quality Inn & Suites (2102 S. Jeffers) 10th annual GREEN fundraiser to support North Platte Catholic Schools. Dinner, entertainment, auctions, and a lottery drawing. Begins 5 p.m. Tickets: $50.
Wednesday, Oct. 10
Friday, Oct. 12
The Depot (520 N. Jeffers) North Platte Business & Professional Women, wine & brews festival with mirco brews and hors doevres. Silent auction at 5 p.m. 5-8 p.m. Tickets: $25.
A to Z Books (507 N. Jeffers) West central Nebraskas Open Mic Nite. Established performers and newcomers. 7-10:30 p.m. Free-will donation. Refreshments provided or bring your own.
Saturday, Oct. 13
D&N Event Center Disorderly Conduct Mixed Martial Arts fights. 7-9 p.m. General admission: $20, Cageside: $45. Tickets available at cagetix.com.
Sunday, Oct. 14
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (3301 Echo Dr.) Pumpkin festival with games, food, auction, raffle, and pony, hayrack, and mini-train rides. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Sculleys Shooters (2221 E. Fourth) Live music by Jason Boland and The Stragglers. 9 p.m. Tickets $12.
Friday, Oct. 26
Sculleys Shooters (2221 E. Fourth) Heaven & Hell Halloween Party with live music by Hemlock. 9 p.m. Cover charge.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Sutherland Track (N. County Rd.) Trick or Feet 2012 run/walk. Costume contest. 8-11 a.m. Adults $20, Kids: $15. Proceeds benefit Boy Scouts.
Downtown Trick or Treat on the Bricks 14th annual Halloween Walk for 3rd graders or under. Trick or treat and enjoy games and prizes. 1-3 p.m.
Neville Center for Performing Arts (Old Fox Theater downtown) 7 p.m. Christian music concert by Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Andy Cherry and City Harbor. Tickets $22 in advance, $25 day of show. Group tickets $18. VIP tickets $32, includes meeting and greet.
Sculleys Shooters (2221 E. Fourth) Heaven & Hell Halloween Party continues with live music by JB & The Moonshine Band. 9 p.m. Cover charge.
To have your entertainment event listed, email firstname.lastname@example.com, call 308-696-0052 or drop a note at the Bulletin office.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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Marketing Sponsored by
Creating a connection with consumers has always been an objective for leading beauty brands. Today, new paths to reach this goal are emerging as marketers are increasingly able to access consumer/customer data, a valuable data set that goes beyond financial metrics to provide a longitudinal view into a consumer's shopping basket and behavior.
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Historically, beauty has been a product-centric industry. However, today, the availability of consumer data and the complexities of the current business environment are forcing this model to evolve into a consumer-centric approach, one that requires brands to prioritize existing consumers. Within the beauty industry, prioritizing retention over acquisition is a significant shift in thinking that will ultimately impact functions from product development to advertising to training and education.
Working with major retailers and brands around the world, dunnhumby has found that brands' current consumers deliver the vast majority of business growth. Most brands and retailers have a core following—typically 20–30% of all shoppers who contribute 70–80% of sales. However, many companies invest 80% of their resources on customer acquisition and only 20% on current consumers. The biggest opportunity for beauty brands is to effectively leverage their most valuable asset—their existing loyal consumer base. Consumer behavioral data proves quantitatively at a macro level what the beauty selling associate has experienced locally—it requires a greater level of effort to attract a new customer than it does to develop a relationship and grow spend with an existing customer.
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Winning with consumers today requires that brands decipher the nuances in consumer behavior such as shopping preferences, tastes, unmet needs and even affiliation for newness in addition to demographic factors such as age, income and ethnicity. Beauty consumers with similar lifestyles and demographic characteristics may exhibit drastically different beauty preferences. But if used appropriately, consumer data can build on existing knowledge to identify new opportunities and redefine success metrics.
For example, let's say a beauty brand knows from market data that its business is under penetrated within the eye treatment category. In response to this insight, the brand launches a new product within its portfolio to grow this category. Upon initial evaluation, the launch is disappointing in that it is not meeting financial sales targets. Using traditional data and measures of success, the product could be considered a failure.
However, after looking at the consumer data, the brand learns that the new product launch appeals to the brand's loyal consumers and is predominately being purchased with complementary products, driving up units per transaction and spend per household. As a result, the brand changes product marketing and visuals to present the product in a new marketing regimen. After further evaluation six months post-launch, this new eye care product shows a high repeat purchase rate, indicating success. Whereas the initial read may have led to an early discontinuation of this product, the core strength of consumer data lies in its ability to validate actual purchasing behavior and, most importantly, chart changes in behavior over time.
Beauty is a category with a focus on product innovation and newness. The risk of consumers migrating out of one beauty brand and into another is a challenge that has always existed. Yet beauty marketers have only recently been able to fully understand the magnitude of this behavior with consumer data and the ability to study consumer purchase patterns over time with a view directly into their shopping baskets. Truths regarding brand loyalty and retention are revealed by mining consumer data to answer questions such as: Is she buying both skin care and makeup from my brand? And how many of my loyal consumers tried my new product and returned to make a repeat purchase of the same item?
The omni-channel environment adds both complexity and opportunity for beauty brands. As cheaper communication channels have emerged, the risk of delivering irrelevant communications is greater. For example, according to The Wall Street Journal, in 2011, retailers sent recipients an average of 177 e-mails each, up 87% since 2007, while open and click-through rates have decreased dramatically.


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- SPI futures down 13 points to 4471.
- Australian dollar dips to $US1.0397
- Fiscal cliff keeps ASX flat
- US investors disappointed with leaders
- European shares recover early losses after US data
- Oil higher on strong US consumer sentiment
- Gold buoyed to three-week high by Obama re-election
- What is the fiscal cliff?
THE sharemarket has finished relatively flat for the week as investors remain cautious over the looming US fiscal cliff and the change of leadership in China.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index finished just 1.9 points higher for the week at 4462.
Health enjoyed a nice run, adding 2.2 per cent, telecoms and consumer staples rose 0.5 per cent each and materials gained 0.3 per cent. Financials and energy both finished lower for the week, falling 0.1 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively.
The ASX 200 lost 21.8 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 4462 on Friday, halving its early losses.
Despite a spike in the market late on Wednesday after the US presidential election, investors forfeited most of those gains as the realisation that the looming problem of the fiscal cliff is far from solved.
"Post US election, everyone got to prophesying what is going to happen with the fiscal cliff; our assumption has been that most of the shock will be avoided," said JPMorgan economist Ben Jarman.
"We can't avoid it completely but it looks like fiscal policy will drag around 2 per cent off US growth from the start of next year."
The result of the US election helped the dollar surge during the week, jumping almost a full cent.
Mr Jarman said the re-election of Barack Obama meant that quantitative easing would be more likely to continue. This weakened the US dollar against most major currencies and the Australia dollar was no exception.
The dollar jumped from a low of US103.32¢ on Monday to finish at US104.22¢ in late trading on Friday.
Mr Jarman said he expected the dollar to remain between US104¢ and US106¢ for the next year or so.
Markets are also waiting on the transition of power within the Chinese Communist Party.
"If they're of a mind to focus on this shift in the pattern of growth towards consumption and away from things like infrastructure, that will have ramifications for Chinese growth, for global commodities markets and therefore for the Australian economy and the Aussie dollar," Mr Jarman said.
This wait-and-see approach was also taken by the Reserve Bank, which kept the official cash rate on hold at 3.25 per cent on Tuesday.
"If you characterise the October rate cut as them being a little bit ahead of the curve and the news having then got a little better again, that was the clincher for leaving rates on hold," he said.
"The triggers for further easing are going to be further data weakness. We think the data has further to fall and the case will become clearer as we move into next year," he said.
On the sharemarket on Friday, the big miners were down. Rio Tinto lost 1.1 per cent to $58.69 and BHP fell 0.6 per cent to $34.46. Fortescue lost 0.3 per cent to $3.93.
Among the banks, NAB and Westpac, trading ex-dividend, fell 4.2 per cent to $23.81 and 2.9 per cent to $25.17, respectively.


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Basketball player missing forearm impressive on, off court
Published: Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 4:58 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 12:18 a.m.
MILTON, Ga. — Milton High School senior Zach Hodskins sized up the defender in front of him. Hodskins could sense that the overplay was coming. How many players before had tried to force him to his left, only to look foolish?
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First came the jab step. Then a behind-the-back dribble with his right hand that created just enough space to launch a smooth, 20-footer toward the basket. After the shot ripped through the cord of the net, students stomped on the Milton High gym bleachers, chanting his nickname "Zee-Bo! Zee-Bo!"
Hodskins would score 33 points against Dunwoody that January night, making eight of his 11 3-point attempts, two 2-point field goals and five free throws. It was a terrific night by the standards of any high school basketball player. Yet for Hodskins, it was more remarkable, considering what he's overcome to get to this point.
Born without his left hand and forearm, Hodskins grew up with the word "can't" missing from his vocabulary. It's why next fall Hodskins plans to attend the University of Florida after being offered a preferred walk-on spot on the Gator basketball team.
Hodskins caught the eye last summer of Florida assistant basketball coach John Pelphrey at travel-league events, displaying the frenetic energy on defense, court vision and shot-making ability that made him a fit for UF's running, pressing style.
An offer to walk on came from UF's coaching staff, and Hodskins accepted in October, turning down full scholarship offers and more assured playing time from Division II schools. As a preferred walk-on, Hodskins is assured a spot on UF's team in 2014-15 as a freshman.
"I've always believed in setting the highest goal you possibly can," Hodskins said. "I never want to underestimate myself."
While the first thing noticeable about Hodskins on the court is his birth defect, the second is how hard he plays each possession on both ends of the floor. At 6-foot-4, Hodskins is an SEC-caliber athlete with a strong basketball IQ to match. He's smart enough and quick enough to get into passing lanes and create steals.
"He's one of our fiercest competitors," said first-year Milton High basketball coach Matt Kramer. "He's competitive almost to a fault. It gets to him sometimes. One of the things he's really learned to do well is channel his intensity into real positive energy on the court.
"Everyone saw the threes, but that kid is playing great defense, too," Kramer said. "He gets his hand on loose balls, he comes up with rebounds. And if you watch him run the floor, he's running the floor really, really hard, and that's what's getting him open."
How competitive is Hodskins? One of his best friends at Milton High, senior Case Roytek, is a 4.2-handicap golfer on the high school golf team.
"He says he can beat me in golf, which I've never seen him actually play golf, but he is convinced that he can," Roytek said. "Football. I've seen him catch the ball. My friend, who has a big arm, will throw it down the field, and he'll be the receiver and he'll have someone in the corner, and he'll catch it with one hand."
Said Hodskins: "It's the same thing with any kind of sport. Like video games or baseball, I play all that stuff, and nobody believes it until they see it. So I always tell Case, I'm going to beat him in golf and I'm going to prove him wrong. That's just what I kind of do with basketball. It's just the chip on my shoulder to want to prove people wrong and get out there and show them that I can do everything."
Overcoming obstacles
Bob and Stephanie Hodskins didn't know that Zach, the youngest of their three children, would be born with his left arm rounded at the elbow. Growing up, Zach's parents insisted that he would be raised like his two older sisters.
That meant using his own utensils at the dinner table. Stephanie Hodskins was concerned about how her son would tie his own sneakers, but in second grade, while watching someone with a similar birth defect, he learned to tie his sneakers with one hand.
"He found out very early there was nothing he couldn't do, and we let him do anything he wanted," Stephanie Hodskins said. "He figured it all out. It just all came natural to him. He just found a way."
Sports instantly became an outlet for Zach.
"He was just a born athlete," Bob Hodskins said. "Outside all day, playing anything he could. He'd surf, skimboard, baseball, anything. He played it all."
But when the Hodskins family moved from Hilton Head, S.C., to Nashville, Tenn., Zach gravitated toward basketball.
"He figured out he could play basketball year-round, and that was it — that was his first love," Bob Hodskins said. "He loved the energy and the competition. He just loved the game."
All those crossover moves and behind-the-back dribbles with his right hand? Bob Hodskins said Zach worked on those countless hours with the family backyard hoop, sometimes while playing against his older sisters.
His older sister Logan, a former high school basketball standout in Nashville who is now a sophomore at Samford University, said the one-on-one games could be either really fun or really competitive, depending on how the two were feeling that day.
When sister Lauren was a senior in high school, she managed to beat Zach in a 3-point shooting contest.
"Everyone else sees it from an objective point of view, saying 'Wow, this is amazing,'?" Lauren said. "But I've never really thought of him as being different. I've just seen him how he is ... he's amazing because he's my brother, and he works really hard."
Inspiration to others
Two years ago, Zach Hodskins' family moved from Nashville to Milton, Ga., to expose him to a higher level of competition in high school. Last summer, after Hodskins received the walk-on offer from UF, he became an Internet sensation.
His highlight video on YouTube, featuring long 3-pointers, behind-the-back dribbles and bullet passes to teammates, has generated more than 4 million clicks. Celebrities congratulated him on Twitter. Michael Jordan retweeted his highlight video. Beyonce did, too, calling Hodskins "an inspiration."
Interview requests poured in from CNN, "Good Morning America" and other national news outlets. Pretty heady stuff for a 17-year-old. (Hodskins turned 18 on Feb. 16, days before Milton was knocked out of the state high school playoffs.)
Early in his senior high school basketball season, Hodskins said he was crumbling under the weight of expectations, so he started turning down national interview requests and shut down his Twitter account.
"Social media is such a selfish thing, I think," Hodskins said. "It's a good thing, in good ways. But sometimes it can make you feel selfish. And I started to feel that with a lot of attention, and I just wanted to focus on being a good person and playing with my teammates and being a good player.
"So I deleted all that stuff and got my mind set on basketball knowing that fans will still be there and everything," Hodskins said. "I intend to turn it back on once I go to Florida, but right now, it's a good time to just kind of focus on basketball."
Hodskins has preferred to make his impact face to face. Following the Dunwoody game, a 7-year-old from nearby Duluth, Ga., Jossef Santibanez, came down to the court to meet Hodskins and get his autograph. Like Hodskins, Jossef was born with his left arm rounded at the elbow.
Close to 120,000 children in the United States are born with birth defects each year, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hodskins said his goal is to touch as many of those lives as possible. Over the past few months, he has spoken at dozens of elementary schools in the Atlanta area, in classes with students with birth defects.
"I love when they come and see me," Hodskins said. "It makes me feel so good just to know that kid is going to be better off because he saw me play basketball. I do anything I can to help them."
How much of an impact Hodskins will make at Florida remains to be seen. Under NCAA rules, Florida coaches can't talk about Hodskins until he's enrolled at UF. Hodskins said Pelphrey keeps in touch with him on a regular basis.
Earlier in January, when Hodskins made six 3-pointers against rival Wheeler, Florida assistant coach Rashon Burno paid Hodskins a visit.
Bob Hodskins said that when his son visited UF's campus last fall, Florida coach Billy Donovan made him feel like a five-star recruit. Donovan also made it clear that Hodskins wasn't being offered a spot on the team for publicity reasons. He was being offered the spot because Donovan believed Hodskins could contribute to UF's success.
"We know it takes a special coach to give Zach the chance he wanted," Bob Hodskins said. "A coach that's secure and a coach that's confident enough. You can see tonight, he can shoot, he can play at any level given the chance. It will take time, but I think Billy and John especially have enough confidence in him where he may help."
Off the court, close friend Roytek says Hodskins is a typical teen who likes to chase girls and hang out with friends. "One of the bros," Roytek said.
But while Hodskins insists he wants no special treatment from his friends, family or teammates, Roytek said classmates at Milton can't help but admire his accomplishments.
"He's definitely really an inspiring guy," Roytek said. "Everyone in America is really inspired by him. And I'm going to say that I am, too. He doesn't really have the opportunity that we all do — he's got one arm; he's probably like better than average with his one arm.
"He can do anything," Roytek continued. "It doesn't hold him back, and I tell him that. He'll get down on himself every now and then, but he is truly a great character all the way around."
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Compare great Infiniti Turbo Faults and Replacement prices in Barking with Who Can Fix My Car.
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Benjamin Britten
David Austin Recommended Variety
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Former aircraft engineer Neville Boulton and his wife Thelma have a model way of entertaining youngsters at Easter – trips on a miniature railway around the garden of their Bulkington home.
Each Easter Bank Holiday the couple, helped by fellow railway enthusiasts, operate the 'Great Bulkington Railway'.
The steam and electric powered engines run on a 1,000ft line which even includes a 40ft tunnel.
Drivers were David Wood, Mick Richardson and David Clarke, while Mike and Claire Richardson took care of catering, and more than 170 passengers were carried on the day.
Mr Boulton and fellow members of the West Wiltshire Society of Model Makers put on train rides at events throughout the year in aid of charity.


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Adele is Pregnant! Boy or Girl? [POLL]
Submit your answer on whether Adele will have a boy or girl and give your suggestions for a name and we'll see if Mommy Adele's likes any of them! Keep in mind that Adele's last name is Adkins so it should probably be a name that goes well with that. I don't know what her baby daddy's last name is anyway!


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Get ready for some serious lazy-morning meals: Brunch @ Bobby's is back for it's second season, and Bobby Flay is dishing up strictly deliciousness.
Whet your appetite with a look at what's coming up this season:
And for today's premiere episode, Bobby creates an awesome menu inspired by one of his favorite places – Tuscany.
Tune in to Brunch @ Bobby's Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET.
Hungry for more? Get our best Brunch and Breakfast Recipes and host your own weekend feast.


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S/Sgt Julian Watt, 320th BG, 443rd BS, B-26 Lost 20 Oct.'43
1943 — Italy
Died: 21-Oct-44
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery
Florence, Italy Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
The B-26C which was being flown by the 443rd Bomb Squadron was actually a 441st Ship. She was named "Ramblin' Reck" with a Battle Number of *8* on her tail. The 443rd Crew was assigned to her that day because the CREW was ready but not the ship they regularly flew. Just before the Target (a Railroad Bridge West of Guardea, Italy) on 20 October, 1943 the engines were seen to start smoking. The pilot 1st Lt John J Turner made a water landing 50 miles off the Italian coast, near to Giamutri Island. The pilot and co-pilot 2nd Lt. John R Smart were killed but the other crew members took to the life raft. The surviving crew members were spotted in the water by other aircraft in the formation. Despite later sea searches the rest of the crew were never spotted again and presumed dead. (Information and actual story from B-26 Historian Paul Clouting)
B-26 #41-34912 Ramblin' Reck B-26 C BN *8* Tail # of the 441st BS
1st Lt Turner, pilot Lt John J Turner (Pilot) 0-668165
2nd Lt Smart, co-pilot Lt John R Smart C-Pilot) 0-669799
S/Sgts Chavez, Alexander T Chavez (Radio/Gunner) 13042573
S/Sgt Lefler, Albert L Leffler (Bombardier) 12038292
S/Sgt Miles Jr., Clarence H Miles ( Aerial Gunner ) 14068323
S/Sgt Watt. Julian Watt, Eng/Gunner 34125316


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Longest lived animal found, according to reports in BBC News and Bangor University News, 28 October 2007. Scientists from the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University have dredged up a clam named Arctica islandica from the ocean floor near Iceland. They estimate that it had lived between 405 and 410 years, making it the oldest known living animal (although it is now dead). The previous record was around 374 years, and clams with lifespans of over 200 years have also been found in the North Sea and Irish sea. The age estimates are made on the basis of growth rings in the clams' shells. The record breaking clam has been named Ming, because the Ming dynasty was ruling China at the time it was born. The clam was found as part of a project to study changes in the sea temperature and conditions over the last millennium. The growth rings in the clam shells vary according to temperature and food supply, so they act as a record of climate changes over the clam's lifetime.
The clams may also help scientists understand how some animals live to be very old. Chris Richardson of Bangor University told the BBC: "What's intriguing the Bangor group is how these animals have actually managed, in effect, to escape senescence (growing old). One of the reasons we think is that the animals have got some difference in cell turnover rates that we would associate with much shorter-lived animals." The scientists also suggest the clams "may have evolved exceptionally effective defences which hold back the destructive ageing processes that normally occur." Chris Richardson added: "If, in Arctica islandica, evolution has created a model of successful resistance to the damage of ageing, it is possible that an investigation of the tissues of these real life Methuselahs might help us to understand the processes of ageing."
Editorial Comment: Sceptics often scoff at the long human lifespans recorded in the early chapters of Genesis, but then turn around and seek to find out how to live longer, and how to stop us from dying whenever possible. The real conclusion to be reached here is that something tells us that getting old and dying are not what we humans are meant to do. At 410 years old, this clam has not yet made Methuselah status, whom the Biblical record of Genesis lists as living for 969 years.
This research was in part funded by Help the Aged, a British Charity which obviously wants people to live longer/better or both. If you take Genesis seriously your research will be a lot further ahead. Genesis tells us that the world started out "very good". Therefore, people and animals would have had perfectly functioning bodies with no disease causing mutations, and they lived in a perfect environment. Then Biological Death came into the world, not because of age or disease, but as the punishment for human sin and rebellion against the Creator. Death and aging were not and are not a natural part of life. That's why we fight it and even scientists are trying to stop it. Sadly though, if they do ever offer you eternal life on this planet or anywhere else in this Universe that has been afflicted by the curse of man's sin, living with people who can't die and won't forsake sin and rebellion against God and man - it will be a real let down. The Creator Christ's offer is much better, eternal life on a new earth with a new heavens and a final removal of the curse brought on by man's sin. (Read more in Genesis 1-3 and John 1-3 and Revelation 20-22) Further research in Genesis reveals that after death came, human bodies, which had started out perfect, took a long time to die and the first 10 generations till Noah's flood averaged almost 1000 yrs. It wasn't until after Noah's flood, when the environment degenerated significantly, that lifespans of land based humans began to rapidly decrease.
It may be that by living at the bottom of the ocean, protected from increased radiation by a water barrier and far from the cell damaging pollution of early post flood human civilisation, enabled the clam to live a long life. We will be interested to hear what the Bangor scientists discover about the climate from studying clam shells from the past 2,000 years. We predict they will find periods where the climate has been colder and hotter than it is now, because God told Noah that from the time after the flood to the end of the world, there would be periods of cold and heat, and that God, not climate politicians, would determine when the end would come. (Ref. aging, invertebrates, degeneration, prediction)
Evidence News 28 November 2007


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A growing number of communities have adopted multi-strategy, multi-disciplinary approaches to reduce the violence that has adversely affected youth, families, and neighborhoods across America. This program provides funding for localities to support federal, state, and local partnerships to replicate proven multi-disciplinary, community-based strategies to reduce violence.
Learn more.
© 2016 National Sexual Violence Resource Center – Founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
This site is supported by Grant/ Cooperative Agreement No. 1UF2CE002359-04 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


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StFX has been recognized as one of Canada's leading Universities and continues to receive the highest rankings in student satisfaction and academics. We hope you are proud of the achievements of StFX, as our success is due to the thousands of past Alumni and friends who helped create such a vibrant and unique StFX community. The StFX community and experience continues to be an important part in helping students acquire the skills and abilities to be successful in the future.
StFX strives to offer the premiere undergraduate education, and we are asking our alumni and friends to consider making a gift to ensure StFX maintains its leadership position and can help students prepare for the future. It's easier than you think to give, and after taxes, and on a monthly giving option, what may seem like a small monthly gift can greatly help StFX.
Annual Giving
On a yearly basis Alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff are approached for a donation through the Annual Giving program to secure support for the day-to-day operations of the university. Donors may designate their donation to a specific area should they so desire and the Annual Giving program employs approximately 40 students per year to call the designated donors. This allows alumni and friends to learn first-hand about StFX today from current students. Alumni can also leave FacultyGram messages for Professors and staff who they remember from their time at StFX. If you have any questions about Annual Giving, please contact [email protected] or fill out, print and send this donation form .
Capital Campaign
St. Francis Xavier University has the leading university experience in Canada. We are proud of our high academic standards, our ability to educate leaders through an abundance of opportunities and experiential learning, and our residential campus that creates lifelong friends and bonds that has created unparalleled student and alumni spirit. To continue to maintain and enhance this world class education and university offering, StFX has a number of important projects which cannot be supported through the operating budget. Capital Campaigns and fundraising to support student scholarships, bursaries or enhanced academic facilities and teaching equipment are critical to ensuring future student success. StFX University has the Premier university experience in Canada and we need your help to maintain this and ensure students are successful for generations to come.
One of the key initiatives at StFX is currently the StFX Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund was created by President Kent MacDonald and its goal is to raise $25 million for student scholarships and bursaries. No student should be denied access to StFX and all that we offer due to financial capability. Our objective is to create more opportunities for students from every corner of Canada and the world to come to StFX University and experience what so many alumni have experienced: a life changing culture and environment.
Past Capital Campaigns that were successful in helping make StFX greater still and enhance the student experience include:
For further information contact:
Wendy Langley
Director of Advancement Relations
(902) 867-5182 [email protected]
Planned Giving
The StFX Legacy Circle
Alumni and friends of StFX share a special bond. Time and time again, alumni describe their time at StFX as one of the most important and transformational experiences of their lives.
Today, the generous support of alumni and friends is an important and valued support in strengthening the university's commitment to maintaining academic excellence and providing the highest quality undergraduate education for future generations of students.
The StFX Legacy Circle recognizes individuals who provide support for the university with current or deferred legacy gifts, through their estate planning. Members of the Legacy Circle share a strong bond of generosity and commitment to StFX, ensuring the university's continued success.
To join the StFX Legacy Circle, please contact us . We can provide sample bequest language for inclusion in your will or assist you with a plan that meets your philanthropic and financial goals.
From time to time there is a need to raise funds for specific projects. Mini campaigns are conducted to acquire funds for new or operational projects. Corporations, charitable foundations, alumni and friends are contacted for support.
For further information contact:
Lynn O'Donnell
National Relations Officer
Phone: (902) 867-5017
E-mail: [email protected]
Estate Planning
Your will is more than a listing of property and valuables you have accumulated during a lifetime. It is your opportunity to leave a legacy to your family, friends and future generations. Many people also use their wills to give back to organizations that have been important in their lives.
By having your lawyer update your will or add a simple amendment, you can make a charitable bequest of a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, personal property or the residue that remains after taking care of other beneficiaries.
If you have already made a provision in your will for StFX, we encourage you to notify us. This will help us to plan for the future and assist us in ensuring that your gift is used in accordance with your wishes.
Click for a printable reply form that you can fill out and return if you wish to inform us that you have already made a will provision to include StFX as a beneficiary.
Types of Planned Gifts
Gifts of Stock and Securities
For more information on the benefits and tax advantages of contributing gifts of stocks and securities, see below:
Gifts of Life Insurance
Gifts of RRSPs or RRIFs
Charitable Remainder Trust
Gifts of Residual Interest
Sample Wording for Bequests
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should You Consider Including StFX in your Estate Planning?
Legacy gifts are charitable donations arranged for distribution during your lifetime or as part of your estate planning. Legacy gifts are often made as a bequest in one's will; other forms of planned gifts include stock transfers, life insurance policies, bonds, mutual funds, RRSPs, RRIFs and charitable trusts.
Planned giving offers a number of benefits to you and StFX:
More Information on Planned Giving Contact : Maria Hartery - [email protected]
Fundraising Policies
Development Office Contacts
Wendy Langley
Director of Development
(902) 867-5182 [email protected]
Cathy Fraser
Annual Giving Coordinator
(902) 867-5144 [email protected]
Lynn O'Donnell
National Relations Officer
(902) 867-5017 [email protected]
Maria Hartery
Planned Giving Officer
(902) 867-3380 [email protected]
Other Development Contacts:
Murray Kyte '87Vice-President, Advancement
[email protected]
Ann Arsenault
Prospect Research
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Annual Giving E-mail: [email protected]
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|Theodore Nott
|Biographical information
c. 1980
|Blood status
|Physical information
|Family information
|Family members
Theodore Nott was a pure-blood wizard who was a Slytherin student, he was in Hogwarts in the same year as Harry Potter at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Early lifeEdit
Theodore Nott was born to an elderly wizard, Mr. Nott, and his wife. After the death of his mother, Theodore was raised by his father, who was a Death Eater.[1]
Theodore started at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on 1 September, 1991 and was sorted into Slytherin house. During a Care of Magical Creatures lesson in his fifth year, he was one of only three students present who could see Thestrals, suggesting that he may have witnessed his mother's death firsthand.[2][3] He found the creatures rather distasteful as he watched one eating.[2]
Hermione Granger pointed out Theodore's name to Harry Potter for the first time in 1996, when Theodore was gathered in the school library with fellow Slytherins Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Draco Malfoy. All four boys had fathers who had recently been outed by Harry as Death Eaters in an article published in The Quibbler. Theodore was the only member of the group whose reaction to seeing Harry was not specifically noted as being either negative or threatening (it wasn't mentioned at all).[4]
- Draco Malfoy: "Maybe [Horace Slughorn]'s going a bit senile. My father used to be a bit of a favourite of his. Slughorn probably hasn't heard I'm on the train, or -"
- Blaise Zabini: "I wouldn't bank on an invitation. He asked me about Nott's father when I first arrived. They used to be old friends, apparently, but when he heard he'd been caught at the Ministry he didn't look happy, and Nott didn't get an invitation, did he? I don't think Slughorn's interest in Death Eaters."
- — Blaise Zabini talking to Draco Malfoy.[src]
While on the Hogwarts Express in 1996, Horace Slughorn waylaid Blaise Zabini and inquired after Theodore's father. Blaise replied that Mr. Nott was a Death Eater imprisoned in Azkaban for breaking into the Department of Mysteries the previous June. Slughorn, not wanting any association with Death Eaters, wasn't pleased and thus invited Blaise, not Theodore, to join the Slug Club.[5]
Theodore was one of four Slytherin students who progressed to the N.E.W.T. level in Potions. During his first lesson with Professor Slughorn, he sat next to Draco, and they both sniggered when Hermione revealed that she was a Muggle-born.[6]
Physical DescriptionEdit
Theodore is "weedy" and "stringy," indicating that he is tall, thin, and perhaps weakly built.[2][4] He was also considered to be "rabbity" in appearance by some.[3]
Personality and traitsEdit
Theodore is a clever, solitary boy who has never felt compelled to join "gangs," such as the one headed by Draco.[1] He is seen as a loner who does things by himself. Although he does seem fit to join in laughing at Hermione's blood-status. However, even while making fun of Gryffindors, he still excels in Potions.
Theodore is an English name that comes from the Greek name Theodros, which is derived from the words theos, meaning "God", and dōron, meaning "gift". Thus, it is often considered to mean "gift of God". It was the name of many early Christian saints. The Welsh version of the name, Tewdwr, was anglicised to Tudor, the name of a royal dynasty of England that ended with Elizabeth I.
In Norse mythology, Nótt is the personification of night. Also, Josiah C. Nott was a nineteenth century American physician who advocated and popularised polygenist theories about the inherent superiority of Caucasians.
Behind the scenesEdit
- A subplot that Rowling eventually cut from the series storyline was to have featured Theodore and Draco Malfoy talking in the garden of Malfoy Manor, which would have been one of the few times that Draco would be seen conversing with someone he regarded as an equal, as Rowling said that Theodore was just as pure-blooded as him (and even somewhat cleverer). Rowling stated that she liked the scene so much that she tried to use it twice: first in Chamber of Secrets and second in Goblet of Fire.[1]
- There is an unidentified Slytherin student in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban who was portrayed by Bronson Webb and credited as "Slytherin Boy"[7]. Tall and thin, he matches the physical description of Theodore Nott. However, this character also appears to be a member of Draco Malfoy's gang, which Theodore was not, and took part in the Dementor prank on Harry Potter in 1993, which Theodore was also not depicted as doing.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)[8]
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Quidditch Through the Ages (real) (checked out the book)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
Notes and referencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Malfoy & Nott" at Extra Stuff at J.K. Rowling's Official Site
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 21
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 F.A.Q. question on J.K. Rowling Official Site
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 26
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7
- ↑ Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9
- ↑ Bronson Webb profile at the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ Despite this character not actually being identified in the film, they were sorted in 1991 and therefore were present in the films adaption of the sorting amongst the crowd of first years, as they had to be sorted and even though they weren't mentioned they'd still be one of the students in that crowd.


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The Art of Lawn Tennis (Classic Reprint) Reviews
The Art of Lawn Tennis (Classic Reprint)
The game as played by such men as Norman E. Brookes, the late Anthony Wilding, William M. Johnston, and R. N. Williams is art. Yet like all true art, it has its basis in scientific methods that must be learned and learned thoroughly for a foundation before the artistic structure of a great tennis game can be constructed. Every player who helps to attain a high degree of efficiency should have a clearly defined method of development and adhere to it. He should be certain that it is based on sound principles and, once assured of that, follow it, even though his progress seems slow and discouraging. I began tennis wrong. My strokes were wrong and my viewpoint clouded. I had no early training such as many of our American boys have at the presen
List Price: $ 8.52
Price: $ 8.52


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Diabetes Resources
A plant-based diet can prevent, reverse, and manage diabetes. Get Started — Learn the Basics:
New: Rx for Type 2 Diabetes: A Low Fat Vegan Diet in Five Easy Steps Infographic (PDF) >
Videos and Webcasts
Watch Physicians Committee president Neal Barnard, M.D., present the Diabetes Dilemma at a TEDx conference:
The Power to Heal Diabetes: Food for Life in Indian Country
Featuring Neal Barnard, M.D. and Chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D.
See more diabetes videos and webcasts >
Latest Research Linking Diet and Diabetes
- Vegan Diet May Help Diabetic Neuropathy
- Meat-Eating is a Risk Factor for Developing Diabetes
- Even Modest Amounts of Meat Increase Risk for Diabetes
- Animal Protein May Lead to Diabetes
The Power to Heal Diabetes -
Food For Life in Indian country
Survive Diabetes Handout (PDF)
Order our Diet and Diabetes
Literature Kit >
Diabetes Resources from Dr. Neal Barnard >


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|Select the district to locate Air Conditioners
India is a country that experiences variation in seasons; here we witness gradual change in the level of temperature, humidity, precipitation which is marked by changing seasons. We experience 4 seasons in a year- winter, autumn, summer and spring. Summer being the most unpleasant season to pass, but after the age of industrialization and the modern civilization it has become somehow easier.
We have home appliances like air conditioners these days and they are proving to be the single most source of ease to face the effects of scorching sun. However it is an issue to find correct place from where you can buy an Air conditioner for you. Indiamapped.in is a portal to sort the issue, here you can see and find various A.C dealers and electronic showrooms and shops at any place in India by merely peeping into your computer sets with an internet connection.
Indiamapped.in will help you locate A.C dealers in any state, city, district and block of India. Moreover with the current pace of development in the rural areas, villages are now also standing at par with modern cities and the appliances like air conditioners are finding a place in villages as well. Through this portal you can get an A.C for your place in village too, just look at name of various dealers and get your one booked, serviced, and repaired for you. Here information like detailed address and the phone numbers are also provided for your convenience.
|Select the state to locate Air Conditioners


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Quest'opera è disponibile unicamente nei Paesi in cui il copyright è Life+70 e negli Stati Uniti.
The Jungle Book (1894) is a collection of stories written by Rudyard Kipling.The tales in the book (and also those in The Second Jungle Book which followed in 1895, and which includes five further stories about Mowgli) are fables, using animals in an anthropomorphic manner to give moral lessons. The verses of The Law of the Jungle, for example, lay down rules for the safety of individuals, families and communities. Kipling put in them nearly everything he knew or "heard or dreamed about the Indian jungle."
I just finished reading the wonderful JUNGLE BOOKS by RUDYARD KIPLING to my sons. They are a perennial favorite of mine (as is KIM). However, I couldn't recommend them for reading to children without pointing out that the language can be quite difficult. This is mostly because of all the setting specific diction. Kipling's familiarity with India led him to heavily spice his tales with local terminology, place names, and concepts. Add to this the sometimes antiquated diction of the late 1800's… (più)
Lingua: Inglese
Pubblicato in: 1894
Numero di parole: 50,772 parole (≈ circa 3 ore)
Fonte: Wikisource
Copyright: Quest'opera è disponibile unicamente nei Paesi in cui il copyright è Life+70 e negli Stati Uniti.
A list of books that were turned into movies.


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Radio Caroline changed the face of pop music.
In the 1950s and 60s, commercial radio and television in Britain were unknown. The BBC — the British Broadcasting Corporation — was the only game in town, a government run enterprise that was commercial free, but much like today's cable systems, obtained its revenue by requiring anyone who owned a radio or television to pay an annual licensing fee, a practice that continues to this day.
The BBC produced, and continues to produce, excellent television and radio programming, but in the early 1960s, the BBC wasn't inclined to embrace pop music, and so Radio Caroline, a "pirate" radio station, took up the challenge, and began broadcasting pop music from a ship safely anchored outside the three-mile limit international waters, creating an entirely new style of DJ programming – the "motor mouth DJ" who played as many records as possible during any given hour, sandwiched in between an avalanche of commercials – something that no one in Britain had experienced up until that point.
Teenagers embraced Radio Caroline, which broadcast the latest pop hits from 6AM to 6PM daily, and it isn't too much to say that it changed the face of radio in Great Britain, much to the BBC's displeasure. Radio Luxembourg was another "pirate" pop station of the era, broadcasting pop music from that country 24 hours a day, in English, again using manic DJs who played nonstop pop, while also throwing in as many commercials as absolutely possible.
None of this was new to the United States, of course, where radio stations had been commercial from the start, and flagship pop stations of the era, such as WABC ("Radio 77" – now, sadly, a talk radio station) were instrumental in bringing the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and other British pop acts to national prominence in America.
The pop musician Dave Clark once observed that if you wanted your record to be a hit on Radio Caroline or Radio Luxembourg, you'd better make it short, repetitive, and to the point, as you could estimate that only 45 seconds of your song would actually make it on to the air uninterrupted by commercial pitches at the beginning and end of the disc. But it served as an invaluable service for pop musicians, because it was the only way to get their music before the public — which teenagers would then buy as 45 RPM "singles" in record shops.
And thus it was with pop music in the 60s – relentlessly commercial, frantic in delivery, but opening up an entirely new world for listeners, and signalling the emergence of top 40 pop radio as an international format. It all seems very quaint now, but at the time, it was a revolution.
Click here, or on the image above, to see a 1964 newsreel on Radio Caroline from British Pathé News.


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The love affair with the mobile phone appears to have faltered a little, with worldwide mobile phone sales down for the second quarter in a row, according to new figures from Gartner. But is this just a small hiatus as consumers wait for the next round of handsets from Apple and Samsung to hit the shelves later this year, or a sign of something deeper?
Gartner is clearly a little worried, as it is paring back its earlier estimates for 2012 handset sales by between 25m and 40m units. Its not a huge drop, only about 2 per cent of the estimated 1.9bn unit sales this year, but Anshul Gupta, analyst at Gartner says he has been a little surprised by the fall. Read more


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A MAN who broke into seven cars and stole another before crashing it in a day-long crime spree has avoided jail.
John Biddle committed all the offences on March 4, stealing items including an iPad, handbags, designer sunglasses and cash from the vehicles.
The 29-year-old, of Lockerley Road, Havant, Hampshire, escaped with a community order and a year-long driving ban after pleading guilty to the offences.
Biddle was sentenced at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, May 7, having previously admitted seven counts of theft from a motor vehicle, one of aggravated vehicle taking and another of making off without payment.
He broke into two cars in the Whiteleaf car park in Monks Risborough, stealing an iPad, cash and a handbag from one and a sports holdall and clothing from the other.
Biddle then stole a bag of clothing from a vehicle in Chinnor Road, Bledlow, and an iPhone, laptop, clothing and wallet from a car parked in Cadsden Road, Askett.
He also targeted cars parked at Wendover Woods, Edwards Hill in Hungerford and at Swincombe Woods in Benson.
Biddle was convicted of stealing a Toyota Carina from Upper Icknield Way, Princes Risborough, and later damaged it following a collision. For that offence, magistrates banned him from driving for 12 months.
He also stole £30.04 of petrol from the Nashleigh Hill petrol station in Chesham. There was no separate penalty for that offence.
Biddle was ordered to pay a total of £470 in costs and compensation.


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Did you know?
Many mariners shipwrecked along the Wild Coast were assimilated into Xhosa culture.
The Xhosa people are an extremely proud group and their hold on their many traditions remains fierce. The Xhosa number approximately seven million, the majority of whom live in the Eastern Cape.
The Xhosa people are descendants of the Nguni, who migrated from central and northern Africa to settle in southern Africa. They comprise a number of clans such as Gcaleka, Ngika, Ndlambe, Dushane, Qayi and the Gqunkhwebe, of Khoisan origin.
Enchantment winds through the Xhosa language, dress and rituals. Their language is often called the 'click' language because of the three dominant clicks, which originated when they mixed with the Khoisan.
In Xhosa tradition a woman is easily recognised by her heavy dress, matching turban and coloured dots decorating her face. If she has children, whom she has raised to be adults, then it is usual to find her seated among her peers smoking a long-handled pipe.
Beadwork similar to the Ndebele is an integral aspect of Xhosa culture. It forms part of the ornamentation that reflects the different stages of a woman's life.
The head of the household is the man and it is the responsibility of a woman to be respectful to him and to the elders at all times. As is tradition in many African tribes, the man is accorded a higher status and can have more than one wife.
In Xhosa culture, each family has a head, and each clan a chief. Chieftainship is conferred by the mother's lineage, even if she's not accorded political authority. In each clan the land is communally held and everything is shared, with great emphasis on helping one another, whether through hut building or harvesting.
The Xhosa people recognise the presence of ancestral spirits and a supreme authority. The ceremonial slaughtering of animals is one of the many ways by which ancestors are called upon for help.


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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov 18 (Reuters) - McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won the U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday while Red Bull's championship leader Sebastian Vettel failed to clinch his third consecutive drivers' title on his 100th career start.
Red Bull did celebrate another victory, however, securing the constructors' title for a third straight year with Vettel finishing second in the race.
The battle for the drivers' title will now come down to the final race on the calendar in Brazil next Sunday with Vettel taking a 13 point advantage over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso into Sao Paulo. Alonso finished third on Sunday. (Reporting by Steve Keating, editing by Alan Baldwin)


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Have you finally retired your scarf and gloves and are itching to get in the kitchen to start whipping up some summery delights? Nothing screams humid, dawdling evenings quite like a scarlet strawberry baked good. Before you head out to pick a pint of these supple delights, though, brush up on some tips and tricks to ensure your first toe-dip into summer is a refreshing experience.
Strawberry Season
While strawberries are available year round, the prime time for picking and snacking ranges from April until early July, with June as the far-and-away reigning month for strawberries in most areas of the country. Strawberries all fall into one of three major categories—June-bearing, ever-bearing, or day neutral—each of which is best suited for different climate zones.
Strawberry Varieties
I was once fascinated for a summer by all the different kinds of bananas in the world (over 1,200!) and tried to learn how to bake with a smattering of non-Chiquita iterations. While there aren't 1,200 different kinds of strawberries to taste test, 600 varieties of the ruby red fruit will never leave cooks at a loss for new ways to experiment. Some of these include:
1. Baron Solemacher: Large, juicy strawberries that bruise easily but are ideal for strawberry shortcake or eaten fresh with homemade ice cream.
2. Earliglow: A solid go-to choice for strawberry cakes and bread with a fairly consistent color and flavor.
3. Blakemore: A tarter berry, it's the ideal candidate for jellies, jams, and pie filling.
4. Sparkle: An heirloom strawberry variety that has proven to be popular with home gardeners in cooler climates—look for them at your local farmer's market.
Selecting Strawberries
Whether you're at a friendly neighborhood grocery store or picking berries straight from the patch, the same rules apply to berry selection. The best of this crimson treat have a distinctive shine. The sheen on a strawberry is the prime indicator of its freshness and is the most distinguishing beacon of great flavor. In addition, berries should be dry and firm: pass on any berries or pints of berries with mushy spots or lingering wetness. (This becomes particularly important later on when baking with strawberries.)
Storing Strawberries
It is best to bake or cook with strawberries the day that you get them: the longer they sit, the more likely they will enter into soggy fruit territory. However, if you must store them prior to baking, several steps can keep your fruit firm. Most importantly: do not wash the strawberries until you are ready to cook with them. Unless you dry them very carefully, the excess moisture can increse the rate of spoilage. This goes for hulling strawberries as well—save this step until right before the strawberries are ready for their moment in the sun.
The ideal storage strategy for strawberries is inside your refrigerator in a dry paper towel or dish cloth-lined bowl. Between each layer of berries, place another paper towel lining so that berries aren't sitting in a lumpy stack. (Some folks argue that if the climate is cool enough in your area, strawberries can be left at room temperature, but I'd rather not leave the fate of my fruit to chance.)
Strawberries should always be used within 2-3 days of purchase. If you aren't planning on whipping up your berry treat until later than that, freezing them is the safest best.
Freezing Strawberries
Strawberries, like most of their berry counterparts, freeze beautifully. When you're ready for your fruit to hit the cold, wash them in chilled water and gently pat dry. Hull the strawberries with a strawberry huller (if you're into kitchen gadgets) or a paring knife (if you're like me) and spread them out on a paper towel lined baking sheet with a bit of space between each strawberry. Allow the berries to freeze overnight, then transfer them to air-tight storage containers.
When you're ready to bake, transfer just the amount of fruit needed for a particular recipe to the refrigerator to thaw. Fruit cannot be refrozen once it has thawed.
Choosing Strawberries for Baking
While the natural inclination is to select the plumpest, juiciest berries to add to your strawberry bundt cake or tea cake, don't be fooled. Strawberries are roughly 90% water, and the darker, fuller berries mean a higher concentration of water inside the berry. This leads to a sticky situation no one wants to have on their hands: unexpectedly soggy baked goods. The best strawberries for baking are just slightly under ripe, having just passed the stage of development where a white ring appears around the hull.
Strawberry Weights & Measures
1 cup strawberries (sliced): approximately 1/2 pint
2 cups strawberries (sliced): approximately 1 pint
4 cups strawberries (sliced): approximately 1 quart
Ready to get baking? Here are 12 strawberry recipes to make this spring.
About the author: Sarah Baird is a writer, editor, and petit four aficionado living in New Orleans, Louisiana. She likes planning elaborate dinner parties surrounded by her collection of dwarf citrus trees. You can read her latest musings and about her various misadventures on her website: hellosarahbaird.com or follow her on Twitter: @scbaird.


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Meet Mark Carlson and Musket
Book signings with Mark Carlson and Musket
•Noon to 2 p.m. today, Warwick's, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla
•1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Vinz Wine Bar, 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido
•May 12, Pet Day on the Bay, San Diego.
When a hereditary disorder eventually stole Mark Carlson's eyesight, he says he spent the first seven years of blindness "in Denial River without a paddle."
Friends and family encouraged Carlson to take formal classes to learn to use a cane and read Braille, and in 2002, he decided he was ready for a guide dog. Life after Musket, a yellow Labrador with "charisma and good looks," would never be the same.
"I lost my eyesight and was given Musket, and as far as I'm concerned, it was a good bargain," said Carlson, 51, a writer who lives in Carmel Mountain Ranch with his wife of 17 years. "He eliminated a big barrier to my independence because I wasn't about to slow down. So many good things have happened."
Musket helps Carlson work as a docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, where they have met four of the men who walked on the moon. Musket even has his own docent ID badge.
Musket and Carlson just celebrated their 10th year as a team and are busy promoting "Confessions of a Guide Dog: The Blonde Leading the Blind." Carlson's humorous memoir, self-published last fall, includes input from Musket, with frequent "quotes" and passages "written" by his constant companion.
"This is a story that needed to be told," Carlson said. "Having a guide dog is an experience the general public doesn't really know much about."
About 10,000 people use guide dogs in the United States and Canada, according to San Rafael-based Guide Dogs for the Blind, where Musket and Carlson trained.
The book is educational, explaining a guide dog's job, and humorous and heartwarming, sharing Carlson's experiences with the companion he calls "furry Prozac without the side effects."
Carlson, an aviation and history buff, now has a busy freelance writing career and relies on high-tech tools such as voice-activated computers and digital magnifiers. But low-tech Musket is every bit as valuable.
Musket, who turns 12 in August, will retire this year but stay with the Carlsons as their pet. Carlson will get a new guide dog.Copyright © 2017, The San Diego Union-Tribune


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The Museum's image archivist, Rene' Payne, came across this
photographic plate dated from 1915-1930 in our archives. Is this
real proof for the existence of the jackalope or is there a
biological explanation for this oddball bunny with
Although the actual specimen is not in our collections for
modern day inspection, this bunny was most likely infected with Shope
papilloma virus, a nasty virus that causes tumors typically
found around the face and head of the poor bunny. These tumors
might interfere with the bunny's ability to eat and eventually lead
to starvation.
The rabbit virus is related to the family of human
papilloma viruses (HPVs) that have been associated with genital
warts and in some instances, cervical cancer. The controversy over
preventative vaccination of young girls, before adolescence and
potential sexual activity, is related to vaccines developed to
prevent certain strains of HPV associated with HPV-induced
It is thought that Shope's might be the basis for the jackalope
myth, which dates back several hundred years. Check out the
images of "jackalopes" and see what you think. Also, check out the
Museum's on-line image archives on Luna, with lots of cool images from the Museum's
100+ year history.