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Going south on U.S. 1 near SW 220th Street, off to the right in a grassy clearing down a scarcely paved road from the Disco South Inn and a ramshackle grocery braced by metal bars that stretch over every gap in its faded wood faaade, you can see Pastor Bonny Coney's big blue-and-white-striped tent. On Sundays the preaching and testifying and singing pulsate from the tent on sound waves that drift upward into the tall pines and palms or lightly graze the ears of the crack and heroin dealers who congregate around the scarred buildings that 40 years ago were part of a thriving business district in the South Dade community known as Goulds.
Two whimsically lettered wood signs proclaiming "Believers in Christ" have been pounded into the ground at either end of Pastor Coney's tent. Inside, the ground is completely covered by beige carpet remnants, atop which rows of rusty metal folding chairs have been arranged to face a raised area where a clear acrylic podium stands in front of four decaying upholstered chairs, a drum set, and loudspeakers. The backdrop is a large poster that depicts bold red words scrolled across an open Bible: "'Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.' A 1 John 4:4." Despite a pair of generator-powered fans, the heat is stifling.
Pastor Coney is beside the podium in his chocolate-color double-breasted suit, crying and prancing. "What manner of love! What manner of love!" he yells into his hand-held microphone. "What manner of love! Glory to God! While we were yet sinners -- hallelujah! -- He came -- yes He did!" The pastor stomps, bends over, and hollers rhythmically, his lungs expelling a loud grunt after each phrase. "What love hafta do with it! HUNH! I heard Tina Turner say, 'What love hafta do with it.' Yes, Lord. HUNH! Love had something to do with it! He was crucified! HUNH! And He went down to Hell! HUNH! And on the third day He rose! HUNH! All power! All power!" His voice rises to a piercing chant. "ALL POWER! HUNH! IS IN MY HAND. HUNH! YES, LORD. THAT'S WHAT LOVE HAD TO DO WITH IT! I GOT A FRIEEEEEEEEND! HE SAYS: 'I WILL BE WITH YOU, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD!' THAT FRIEND IS JESUS! IS JESUS!" The speakers fairly steam in the wet heat.
The audience is mostly women, about fifteen of them, dressed elaborately in defiance of the weather in hats and ruffled jackets and patterned vests. Several have lived or are still living in one of the trailers arranged in a haphazard ring around the clearing. Others, while they were crack-addicted, had lived among the dealers and prostitutes plying their trades just a few blocks away. They came to Pastor Coney and he took them in, and now they're lifting their hands to Heaven.
Coney lets out a whoosh of amplified breath, stands hand on hip, then resumes calmly, rhythmically, his voice building again. "On this week, the county -- I'm talking about Dade County -- came down and said, 'Pastor Coney, we're gonna . . . close you down, we're gonna take your people . . . somewhere. Somewhere. Put 'em in a shelter.' I said, 'No, no.' I said, 'God, deliver us.' THEY ARE IN A SHELTER!"
The women sitting on the rusty chairs clap and call out, "Yes, Lord. Praise God!" Pastor Coney wipes his face with a white cloth.
"I HAD TO STAND. I HAD TO STAND AGAINST THEM! We lost two or three . . . they gone back on crack cocaine. I seen one of the brothers A you know him A down on the street all drunk. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT? THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. YOU GOTTA STAND FAST. UNMOVABLE!" He wheels his left arm back like a windmill, crouches, insists, anguished: "DON'T DROP YOUR GUAAAAAARD! I'M NOT WORRIED . . . BECAUSE THE DEVIL'S DOING HIS JOB!"
Coney's cluster of sixteen battered trailers, a remnant of the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, is the target of Dade officials who for more than a year have been warning the pastor that his so-called Dade Outreach Center is in violation of myriad zoning ordinances. Despite repeated attempts by community leaders and social-service workers to help Coney comply, the center has no running water, no sewers, no electricity, and none of the operating permits or licenses the county and state require. Coney has promised to purchase the land and build a church on it, but Dade officials have lost patience. In April they filed misdemeanor criminal charges -- operating a church without a proper public hearing, improper disposal of waste, et cetera. Having been granted several extensions, Coney is scheduled to stand trial next month.
So the unsettled souls in Coney's camp will again be displaced. Within Goulds, the close-knit community of 7000 where Coney and many of his flock grew up, the standoff has been swept up in a larger, often bitter conflict that emerged out of Andrew's winds. At its core, the rivalry is between Goulds's established power elite and a newly organizing collection of residents bent on sharing that power. Like the homeless people clustered in the impermanent shade of Coney's tent church, all of the citizens of Goulds are in some ways displaced, maneuvering for position in the communal history of their 90-year-old enclave.
On the other side of U.S. 1, several miles east of Coney's tent, is an entirely different sort of ministry to the poor. The twenty-year-old Community Health of South Dade Inc. (CHI) building is surrounded by neatly landscaped parking areas, patrolled by security guards, and bounded by a tall chain-link fence. Inside the blocky single-story structure, signs in English, Spanish, and Creole direct patients to physical, dental, and mental-health treatment offices. The gray floors and walls are shiny and clean; waiting areas are equipped with drinking fountains and color TV sets mounted onto the walls. In the bathrooms, toilets flush themselves and water faucets turn on and off without a touch. The setting is reminiscent of a shopping mall.
Here Odell Johns reigns supreme. Chairman of the board of the $21 million-per-year nonprofit agency, the 64-year-old Johns can't strut down the bustling hallways without nurses and other workers greeting him deferentially. A small, slender man with close-cropped graying hair and a mustache, Johns walks like the military man he used to be: straight-backed, square-shouldered, chest out. Groomed and dressed immaculately, right down to socks that match the stripes on his shirt, he gives no hint of the weekly kidney dialysis treatments he must undergo. As he speaks, he summons secretaries to provide him with information, look up phone numbers, fill in memory gaps, his manner a blend of ironic self-deprecation and braggadocio. Having grown up in the South during the Thirties and Forties, when white men were the arbiters at all levels of society, he has learned to conceal his individuality. "They just saw a little black person who couldn't be quiet," he remarks. "Then when I got things the way I wanted 'em, they came to find out Odell Johns got a doctorate of law!" The last words are italicized with glee.
Though he never did practice law, Johns has been the most powerful man in Goulds for a long time, having plied the equally persuasive art of politicking. Back in the early Seventies, he was largely responsible for the creation of CHI. South Dade's first facility for health care for the indigent now has 12 locations and more than 400 employees. As chairman of the Goulds citizens' advisory council of the Metro-Dade Community Action Agency (CAA) for the past fifteen years, Johns has been instrumental in channeling hundreds of thousands of county dollars to the community to build low-income housing, improve parks, install sewers, and pave streets.
Johns and his wife Juanita, a retired middle-school teacher, moved to nearby Saga Bay in 1976, but he has owned property in the neighborhood since 1959, when he arrived with his first wife. All told, he owns about a dozen rental properties in and around Goulds. Two are adjacent fourplexes in the blighted section of central Goulds that locals call the Stump, or the Hole, or the Stump-hole, a bleak area roughly between SW 220th and 227th streets and SW 115th and 117th avenues where crime is high and drugs are plentiful. Last year he rented the fourplexes to CHI for use as temporary housing for sixteen homeless people. CHI had won a grant from the Dade County Homeless Trust to operate homeless programs in Johns's fourplexes and in another apartment building in separate residential areas of Goulds -- at the time the only nonemergency housing available for the homeless in South Dade.
Just west of Pastor Coney's tent, across a weedy stretch, is a low wood-frame gray house with a porch. Amid the encroaching foliage, it looks long abandoned. In fact, though, it has been vacant only since mid-August. In front is a large sign: MOANN H. EVERETT CARE CENTER. SERVING THE SICK, HOMELESS AND ELDERLY SINCE 1916.
Moann Everett was the mother of the 74-year-old Lydia Walker, who lives not far from here, in a ranch-style home with coral-pink flowers growing in front and a vaguely violin-shape swimming pool in back. Also in back, near a satellite dish, is a big brown trailer, the kind that hooks up to a truck. Painted on the side of the trailer in large white letters are these words: WALKER'S FUNERAL HOME PORTABLE VISITATION ROOM.
"After the hurricane there was no place -- I mean no place -- to lay out bodies," explains Walker. Her dark skin is barely wrinkled. Her opaque eyes are shadowed by glasses. "I came up with the idea of using this mobile unit. It's really nice. Really nice. We did it all in this dark red velvet."
Though Lydia Walker was an entrepreneur when it was rare for any black person -- let alone a woman -- to own a business in South Dade, she has retreated from the energetic public life she used to lead. "I am bitter," she admits without hesitation, cocking her head and looking up sideways as if trying to avoid the memories.
After the hurricane, the most important people in South Dade met regularly at Walker's house to develop and implement a strategy for reconstructing the area, particularly the black communities. She was the secretary for the South Dade Alliance for Black Neighborhood Development. (Having since dropped the "Black," the group is now a powerful interracial assemblage of politically connected professionals from all around the county.) But Walker had a bitter falling-out with fellow officers over her proposal to secure funding to convert one of her properties into a day-care center.
Another property, Walker's Funeral Home on SW 216th Street, was ravaged by Hurricane Andrew and never rebuilt. Though it was the only funeral home in Goulds, Walker says it would be a waste of money to fix up the place. Crackheads have stripped the mirror-paneled interior of the elegant parlor down to the wiring in the walls.
Perhaps Walker's greatest disappointment resulted from her dream of building a 180-bed nursing home in east Goulds. In 1983, after she had bought the land, secured authorization, and broken ground, the state canceled her permit because of a delay in financing. Worse, it wasn't Walker but a former consultant to the project who received notification of the cancellation. Whereupon, she says, the consultant, a white man, offered to pay her to let him take over the project. She refused.
The Moann H. Everett Care Center, too, is testimony to a broken dream. When Everett built the place in 1951 with money Lydia had been saving to build a beauty salon, she called it Goulds Nursing Home. When Lydia came home from the army as a newlywed, her mother asked her to handle bookkeeping for the home. (Moann had dropped out of school in the sixth grade, whereas Lydia had a nursing degree from Florida A & M). Everett ran the home until she had a heart attack in 1977, whereupon Lydia's sister Johnnie Mae Mitchell took over. Lydia continued to do the paperwork, and after Everett died in 1979, the home was renamed after her. Walker became the sole administrator in 1989, but a succession of post-Andrew inspections revealed several code violations that cost her some $10,000 to repair. She filed for bankruptcy, and the Florida Health Care Administration shut down the home this past August, after discovering the building's air-conditioning didn't work.
Walker has written several papers about Goulds history and a small volume about the adjacent neighborhood of Princeton. One of her favorite topics is her father, Johnny "Catman" Everett, a small, fierce man who once held three Klansmen captive after they broke into the family's house to lynch him. According to Walker, the attempted lynching stemmed from Catman's refusal to unload a rum boat during Prohibition -- not because liquor was contraband but because the boat owners didn't plan to pay him for his work. She has a framed black-and-white photograph of that family house, a precariously leaning wooden structure that once stood in the field behind the Goulds Nursing Home.
These days Lydia Walker pursues her long-time hobby, pinochle, playing most evenings at home or in tournaments throughout the state. An elaborate foot-high trophy, a golden hand spreading a golden hand of cards at its top, stands in her living room. She is writing her autobiography, which she has already titled It's a Poor Rat with One Hole, after one of her father's favorite sayings. Catman spoke from experience, Walker says: He kept another woman and a whole other family in Princeton.
Lana Floyd doesn't think a low-income, minority locality such as Goulds is going to solve any of its problems by allowing outsiders to build government-subsidized housing or import the homeless to live in residential areas. "I know there's a need to take care of homeless people," she says, repeating with a determined set to her jaw the argument heard in poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods nationwide. "But we shouldn't be the ones to get facilities that other communities wouldn't stand for. You're not going to see one of these places in Coral Gables. If we're not careful, we're going to end up looking like part of Overtown."
A secretary at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Doral station, Floyd was born in Alabama but grew up in Goulds, and is a 1970 graduate of Mays High, which until desegregation began in 1967 was the only South Dade high school open to black students. (Mays is now a middle school.)
Floyd wasn't active in community affairs until the spring of 1994, when she and her neighbors learned that the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services' Juvenile Justice division intended to remodel a compound near their homes into a residential program for criminal offenders. Before the hurricane, it had housed cerebral palsy patients. Floyd helped form the Homeowners Association of Goulds in June of 1994 and began a campaign against the program. She wrote letters to state officials, complaining about what her association saw as a lack of community support for the project. Then she wrote more letters, complaining about rude and condescending treatment she received from the recipients of the first batch. The juvenile justice department eventually agreed to house only 15 girls at the site, not 33 boys and girls as originally planned.
That same summer, Floyd was elected to the Goulds citizens' advisory council for the Community Action Agency -- the group chaired by Odell Johns. When she found out about the two CHI homeless facilities, they were already operating. She was angry that the Dade Homeless Trust had awarded the contract with no public hearing. She questioned whether it was appropriate for Johns to rent property to his own corporation. And when she found out that several members of the CHI board also belonged to the board of the nonprofit corporation that owned the site of the other homeless facility, she said that, too, amounted to a conflict of interest.
Floyd protested to the CHI and the Homeless Trust and requested from both agencies information about the programs. She consulted the Dade County Attorney's Office, which told her informally that as long as Johns's fellow CHI board members knew about his financial involvement (he was paid $28,800 in rent; CHI also paid the electricity and sewage bills for the properties), he probably wasn't in violation of the state's conflict-of-interest statute. But by then -- around March of this year -- Floyd's numerous challenges, which had expanded to include two HRS facilities in residential areas, had begun to annoy Odell Johns.
"Everybody," he says, "had warned Lana not to play with Odell."
Johns embarked upon his own campaign, dispatching a series of disparaging communiques to practically everyone in the county bureaucracy with whom Floyd had any contact. In a March 23 letter to Metro-Dade Police Department Director Fred Taylor, Johns alleged that Floyd had used county time to verbally harass people involved in the projects she opposed. The letter also pointed out that Floyd had conducted business for her homeowners association on an office fax machine and attended at least three public meetings during working hours. She had, according to Johns, exhibited a "disrespectful attitude and lack of professionalism," particularly toward Commissioner Dennis Moss (whose district includes Goulds), showing "utter disregard or respect for him or his position as her employer." Johns attached to the letter copies of a homeowners association newsletter critical of a new apartment complex being constructed in Goulds, a clip from the Cutler Courier in which Floyd castigated Moss for having recused himself from the commission's vote approving the juvenile justice center, copies of several letters Floyd had sent to CHI and other organizations in which she listed her office phone number, and a copy of a letter addressed to him from prominent Perrine businessman and CAA advisory council member Freddie Bowe expressing "deep concern [about] . . . the outrageous and disgusting conduct exemplified by Ms. Floyd on March 1, 1995 at our regular meeting." (Floyd had read a statement to the committee alleging that her First Amendment rights had been violated and challenging Johns -- though not by name -- to "please have your facts straight" if he wanted to continue contacting her employer.)
In an April 18 letter to Hilda Fernandez, assistant director of the Homeless Trust, Floyd described the barrage of accusations made to her supervisors by Johns and requested an audit of the two CHI homeless programs the trust was funding. "I will not attempt to answer any of these allegations only to say that because I had the audacity to ask what I consider logical questions, Mr. Johns has been compelled to contact my employer . . . because of my involvement in my community."
Last week Johns delivered to Lillie Williams, the Dade County chair of the CAA, a three-page missive repeating his charges about Floyd's "illogical and irrational" assertions and her "disgusting" use of county time. He sent copies to twenty other county officials and community leaders as well as to the Metro-Dade Police Department's internal affairs unit, which he encouraged to "monitor and hopefully mitigate some of her continued ridiculousness."
Why would an influential, highly respected man such as Odell Johns react so passionately to criticism and scrutiny from a neophyte gadfly? "I got tired of it," he explains disdainfully, then warms to the question. "I maintain an extremely low profile personally, but when attacked I can come out and fight. The question is, 'Who is she? What has she done?'" His voice takes on a faintly ecclesiastical inflection. "I've fought with the best of 'em, and to have to put up with a little noisemaker like Lana -- gets me."
Odell Johns's first fight in South Dade was covered by the national media. In the late Sixties, when black students were sent to all-white South Dade Senior High as part of the county's effort at desegregation, the school's teams were called the Rebels, the fight song was "Dixie," and the Confederate flag was raised out front. Tenth-grader Otis Wallace, one of South Dade High's first black students and now mayor of Florida City, helped form Students Organized for Unity and Liberty (SOUL), which petitioned the school board to get rid of the Confederate symbols.
After signing up to play trombone in the marching band, Wallace had objected to the fight song and the Confederate soldier garb. "I refused to wear the uniform, and as a result they flunked me in band." he recalls. The issue became so heated that outspoken black students and residents received death threats. The Stars and Bars flew everywhere, white kids came to school with rifles in the back of their pickups, and a black dummy hanging from the greased flagpole greeted the minority students one morning. Many black parents' white employers threatened to fire them if they allowed their children to continue to press for change.
"Mr. Johns and a group of parents got together and met with us students to support us," says Wallace. "Mr. Johns also met with parents on the other side. Mr. Johns was one of the true leaders at a time when it wasn't so easy to stand up."
The school board at first refused to comply with SOUL's demands, suggesting instead that the black students return to Mays High. But eventually, in the summer of 1970, after a couple of riots, the board ended the Rebel era at South Dade. Johns went on to champion other civil rights causes, including a long public battle to compel the Metro-Dade Police Department to hire and promote more black officers.
Johns's father, an army sergeant, had moved his family from Fort Benning, Georgia, to Miami shortly after Odell was born. Johns graduated from Booker T. Washington Senior High in 1949, earned a bachelor's degree at Florida A & M, joined the army, then returned to FAMU on the GI Bill for a law degree. While in school in Tallahassee, he relates, he and about a dozen cohorts were thrown in jail after a big dance-hall fight. When he calculated the huge sum their bondsman got for a few hours' work, he decided he'd do that, too. (He also took the bar exam, but flunked.) In 1959, at the age of 28, he came back to Miami to live with his father, who was a cook in Miami Beach.
Married and having started a family, Johns sought to buy a house in Brown Sub (now known as Brownsville), the neighborhood where he'd grown up. Too expensive, he thought. He looked south, in Richmond Heights, but felt you didn't get enough there for the money. "Then I came down through Goulds, and I met Mr. Arthur Mays," he remembers. "He said, 'They're building some houses over yonder.' He said, 'You ought to go over and take a look at them.'" Mays, a black sharecropper who became a wealthy landowner, and his wife Polly were among the community leaders who in 1914 started the first school for black children in South Dade. In 1935 they were also instrumental in establishing Goulds Elementary, the region's first permanent public school for blacks. (That building, now part of Mays Middle School, has been designated a historical site.) The Mayses went so far as to purchase school buses to transport children to the school from all over South Dade; Polly Mays drove a bus for fifteen years.
For about $10,000, Johns ended up with a bungalow -- the dominant architectural style in the area -- east of U.S. 1 in what is now central Goulds. He opened Odell's Bail Bonds in 1966 and a few years later founded Odell's Insurance Agency. Pastor Bonny Coney was a bail-bond client several times during the Seventies, Johns recalls, as a result of numerous arrests for theft, robbery, and drug possession before he turned to religion. ("He bailed probably 50 percent of Goulds out!" Coney confirms. "Not only me but a whole lot of other people who are [now] doing good.")
"When I first came to Goulds, I perceived the place as a little dirt-road, bean-picking community," Johns relates with a dismissive wave of a well-manicured hand. "I had them to beautify Allapattah [Road, a main thoroughfare]. That road was not paved, the red lights weren't there. I'm also the first chair of the CAA advisory board. I was on the first Legal Services board. The type personality I am is not the type from Goulds. I was raised in Overtown." He pauses, rubs the crease between his eyes where his amber-tinted glasses rest. "Basically it was a slight challenge [to initiate civic improvement]. I felt I had something to offer the community and that was my way of paying back what I get from the black community at large."
Johns had a natural gift for playing the political system, for cultivating officials who could channel pieces of the pie to South Dade. "I fought like the devil to have that [CHI] center in Goulds," he asserts. The system worked the other way, too: Politicians who needed voter support in South Dade had to know how to play Johns's game. Rep. John Cosgrove, a seven-term state legislator whose district used to include all of east Goulds (it's now just a small section), thinks of Johns as "the unofficial mayor of Goulds. I know him from several different perspectives," asserts Cosgrove, a lawyer who once handled a case for Johns's bail-bond business. "I've always found him to be accessible, fair, honest in every dealing I've had with him. He's got tremendous health problems and he takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
(Others see things differently: "He used to have a lot of power as far as elected officials," says a county staffer familiar with South Dade politics who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Everyone had to kiss his ring." Adds another observer, a Goulds resident who likewise asked not to be named: "The mention of his name evokes fear.")
Johns still bears some rancor toward former county commissioner Larry Hawkins, who lost a bid for re-election last year in the midst of a state ethics commission investigation into sexual-harassment allegations and his dealings with CHI, among other matters. "The first problem Larry Hawkins had was created by me," Johns boasts. "We went to the State Attorney on him." Johns alleged that as chairman of the Health and Human Services committee, Hawkins had threatened to slash funding to CHI if the agency didn't change its insurance carrier to a company Hawkins was working for. Hawkins explained that at the request of his mother (a CHI board member at the time), he merely had asked his company to review CHI's policy to determine whether it was excessive A which later prompted CHI's carrier to reduce its rate. As for funding cuts, Hawkins argued, most social-service appropriations were cut that year. Late last month, a Florida Commission on Ethics hearing officer found that Hawkins had sexually harassed three former employees and had performed some insurance business on county time, but that he had not acted improperly in the CHI insurance matter.
"Knowing as I do the political scheme of things," Johns says, "you know you have to deal with not only the branches but the roots. People like Lana Floyd are all branches of the Larry Hawkins tree." Floyd, Johns asserts, is a friend of Hawkins. (Floyd says she's never met the former commissioner.)
As Johns has gotten older, he has become slightly less visible in community affairs. He has glaucoma and no longer drives; a former secretary, with whom he keeps in walkie-talkie contact throughout the day, takes him around. He has retired from his insurance and bail-bond businesses. Now he runs Odell's Investment Corporation, which handles stocks, bonds, and real estate. In August several community organizations honored him at an Odell Johns Appreciation Dinner, where he was cited for "risking your life for the children of South Dade."
"Thirty years ago, Odell Johns was one of the first people willing to come out and say what was on his mind," says Lana Floyd. "It was refreshing at the time, but things are different now."
"I'm a part of the new generation," interjects William Beaty, a prelaw student at the University of Miami and a second-generation Goulds resident. "There's a small circle of people who've been doing everything for years, and I don't think they should dictate how things should be."
Beaty and Floyd are among the twenty or so members of the Homeowners Association of Goulds who have gathered to meet in a recreation center at Goulds Park, in a room filled with small tables, tiny blue plastic chairs, and children's arts and crafts. This month the members' voices must compete with the shouts from 300 kids practicing football and cheerleading outside.
"I'm part of the old generation," says Lillie Coleman with a laugh, "and it's heartbreaking to be born in a place and see it deteriorating the way it is." The talk touches on, as it does regularly in Goulds, the plight of Pastor Coney; most at the meeting think Coney is being unfairly ostracized by the powers that be. "These people will pounce on him, but the man -- all he says is he received a call," remarks the fiftyish Coleman, also a second-generation Gouldsian. "At least he's trying to help people with their problems, but what have they done? Nothing. They got all this money, but unfortunately people like Odell Johns brought in housing projects -- and that's what's causing all this crime."
"I wake up almost every night to the sound of gunfire," Beaty puts in, and urges his colleagues to drum up support for the crime-watch meetings that have commenced at Metro-Dade's new police storefront ministation in the Goulds Shopping Plaza.
Floyd, the association's president and writer of its uncommonly substantive newsletter, announces that a representative of the Liberty City-based nonprofit Tacolcy Economic Development Corporation has failed to put in a scheduled appearance; the guest had been slated to answer questions about a nearly completed Tacolcy apartment complex on SW 114th Avenue. The apartments and grounds look picturesque, but Floyd wants the developer's assurance that low-income tenants will be carefully selected and the property will remain well-kept. (The Tacolcy rep arrived after the meeting broke up; Floyd received the assurances she sought.)
When Floyd asks if anyone present supports the two CHI homeless facilities, few know what she's talking about. "It's for people on drugs or alcohol and who might have AIDS," she explains.
"We don't need that," someone says.
(Though Floyd and her colleagues had not yet been made aware, owing to a CHI staffer's error, the agency missed the Homeless Trust's September 13 deadline for funding renewal, so the homeless facilities will be closed by the end of December. Next year the money will go to three other South Dade homeless projects, one of which is in Goulds.)
J.L. Demps, president of the fledgling Goulds Optimist Club and treasurer of the Goulds Community Development Corporation, steps up. Wearing red shorts and a red Mays Rams T-shirt, a whistle strung around his neck, Demps proclaims that the football teams the club is sponsoring this year are a great success but says he has $50,000 worth of equipment he hasn't yet paid for. Also, he wants fellow association members to be aware, the Optimists aren't involved only in sports -- the owner of the Christian bookstore in Goulds Shopping Plaza teaches an "abstinence class" at a local church. Later he adds, "We got some people who want to come out and sit around and drink and smoke marijuana. We want to make sure we constantly have a police force out here, and that hasn't been happening."
Goulds was settled at the turn of the century while the Florida East Coast Railway was being built, as a community of railroad and agricultural workers. The town, never incorporated, was named after Lyman Goulds, a white railroad worker from Indiana. The population of Goulds, however, has always been mostly black. The majority of residents were railroad employees or sharecroppers who worked for white landowners, though a class of business owners and professionals began developing in the Forties. A post-Andrew study of the Goulds and Florida City areas commissioned by the Metro-Dade Office of Community Development found that more than half of all Goulds households have annual incomes below $15,000; the rest earn no more than $25,000. Much of the area still lacks sewers. More than half of the working-age population in Goulds is unemployed, the study's authors determined. "This statistic indicates an eventual 'meltdown' of the community if the employment problem is not solved," they wrote. Still, many of its residents maintain second- or third-generation ties to the community. The shared sense of history is nurtured by Goulds's twenty churches, most of of which are tiny neighborhood chapels; all but a few practice some strain of Pentecostalism.
One of those chapels, the Church of the Rock "Jesus Christ," Inc., was founded by Pastor Barbara Broussard. A few months ago, the pastor was crossing the railroad tracks in west Goulds, heading toward U.S. 1 in her black Hyundai, when she spotted a woman loitering on a corner. "I don't usually pick up people like that, but there was something about her that made me think she shouldn't be on the street," recalls Broussard, a tall, slender woman who talks and moves quickly, as if powered by a motor that's always revving. "When I came out of my car, she started crying. I said, 'What in the world are you doing out here?' She said, 'My children are hungry.' I asked her: 'Don't you get a [welfare] check?' And she said, 'Yes, but by three weeks the money's all gone.' I took her home, and there wasn't a stick of furniture in that apartment. She and her kids had been sleeping on the floor."
Six months ago April (a pseudonym) moved with her five children north from Naranja into the Mays Villas housing project. Stick-skinny, her hair up in a baseball cap, she was out near SW 220th Street and U.S. 1 that night because she could think of no other way to get money to feed her kids and her crack habit. "I was praying to God that someone would come and take me off this corner," she says, staring straight ahead with round, makeupless eyes. "Then I seen a car coming and I walked towards it. It was her -- she got out and stood there. I was glad, too, damn glad, excuse my language."
Broussard got on the phone straight away and rounded up donations of clothes and furniture. Now a worn brown sectional sofa and four chairs sit on the shiny linoleum floor of April's apartment; a kitchen table should arrive any day. April says she hasn't smoked crack since the night God answered her prayer. She and her two youngest boys have begun attending church with Broussard.
The pastor, who worked as a registered nurse for ten years until the Lord called her to the ministry a decade ago, suffers from her own habitation woes: The white, tangerine-trim house her church bought as its permanent site is locked up and vacant, its front yard overgrown. The neighbors, who live a football field away on either side of the church in this more rural southern section of Goulds, had complained about the church meetings. The fact that the neighbors are white and the church members are black may or may not have been a factor, but Broussard admits she's going to have to get a zoning variance for the property before the church can operate legally. Until the variance is awarded, meetings are held in a member's home.
Broussard is not disheartened; she points to a vacant lot across the street from the white house and says she hopes to buy that land, too, and build housing for the homeless. While she sympathizes with Pastor Bonny Coney and his zoning problems on the other side of U.S. 1, she feels it's important to abide by the county's rules. "I think he means well, but the Bible does say we are to obey the laws of the land. I'm going to trust God to work it out," she says, then adds, "Seem like when He tells me to do something, it's the hard way. This is something big we're fixing to do."
In Goulds, as in other South Dade neighborhoods, the months and years following Hurricane Andrew saw an increase in the number of citizens' groups organizing to compete for the rebuilding funds that were flowing in.
There aren't as many leaders as there are groups, however. The Goulds Community Development Corporation, for instance, was one of several community development corporations (CDCs) mandated by the county's post-Andrew recovery plan. The Goulds CDC, whose goal is to attract business to the area and help finance residential and commercial development, is part of an umbrella group, the Goulds Coalition of Organizations for Community Development, Inc. Both bodies are headed by Joseph L. James. A former realtor, James also sits on the boards of CHI and the South Dade Alliance for Neighborhood Development, a communitywide network that serves as the umbrella for the various neighborhood councils, clubs, and CDCs. James is director of public relations for the eleven-year-old Coalition of Ministers and Lay Persons, as well.
According to James, since its inception two years ago, the Goulds CDC has been working with other South Dade CDCs to fund construction of single-family homes and revitalize existing businesses. The group also has collaborated with developers who sought to build three federally subsidized apartment complexes, including the nearly completed Tacolcy project. Members of the Homeowners Association of Goulds have made it clear they will vigorously oppose the construction of any additional apartments, and James concedes that the three current projects will probably be the last, at least for the foreseeable future.
While they acknowledge that a relatively small cadre controls most of the money coming into Goulds, James and others say that's not such a bad thing: They have the planning and development expertise, the savvy required to negotiate with bureaucracies, all of which was crucial during the hurricane recovery period. Now that things have stabilized, James says, he intends to relinquish one of the directorships he holds.
In her role as secretary of the Goulds Coalition of Ministers and Lay Persons, Barbara Broussard is present at the coalition's September meeting, held in the Goulds Temple Church of God in Christ on 120th Avenue. Near the end of the meeting, Broussard arises and tells the 30 or so people who have assembled -- ministers, social-service workers, county bureaucrats, Metro-Dade police officers, and the principal of Pine Villa Elementary -- about her recent encounter with April. "As a minister, I don't know what else to do except get out there," Broussard asserts. "With all these program cuts, where are these people left? They're left at our doorstep, and as Pastor Coney knows, they're not going away."
Coney has come to the meeting, too, although a year earlier, he wouldn't have been welcome. Coalition officers were among the many social-service workers, bureaucrats, and law enforcement officials who attempted to persuade (and help) Coney to comply with the ordinances and statutes he'd been flouting. For a long time the pastor steadfastly rejected all offers while simultaneously complaining that no one was helping him and his flock. Lately, however, as Coney has made an effort to raise $18,000 to buy the land (he says he now has about $2000 in donations), and actually had plans drawn up and applied for permits to build a church, he and the coalition have reached a tentative rapprochement. Many of these men and women practically grew up with Coney, a sharecropper's son whose family moved to Goulds from Georgia in 1959 -- the same year Odell Johns and Lana Floyd arrived. Joseph James and Coney were in the same class at Pine Villa Elementary and Mays High.
A purple-shirted Coney rises from his wooden pew and gives a short, emotional sermon of sorts: "Our mission is on the street, and living there, people don't have anything. Once they get their check, they're in so much distress that it's gone. Their kids go to school and see other kids with their new clothes, their new shoes -- they don't want to go to school like that. We have a big problem here, a terribly big problem here. It hurts in our bones. But as you see in the newspaper, the county is wanting to close us down. I say, 'But where is unity? Where is help?' Now they got me [criminally] charged. We have two other homeless centers here [in Goulds], but there's more homeless. We need to start looking around and filling the need. I'm sorry if I violated the codes; I didn't know nothing else to do. Four of our people went back on the street last week. Now they're back on crack. Somebody's gotta pay for this. My hands are clean. Take it under consideration. Pray about it."
James asks Coney to give the closing prayer. "Let us all go back and work, Lord, to see that we develop this community as a power-packed community," the pastor concludes.
Back at Coney's Goulds Outreach Center, there's little sign of life under the blazing midday sun. Cars, pickups, a van, and two green Port-O-Lets are scattered about. Wires with a few generator-powered light bulbs are strung out to the tent, an office trailer, and a kitchen trailer. A pair of two-room trailers are in a state of half-vacancy: The couples who lived in them for more than a year have taken most of their belongings to temporary apartments in Naranja and will soon receive permanent low-income housing courtesy of a Homeless Trust-funded program. The two couples, stalwart members of Coney's church who are struggling to repair past lives of drug abuse, violence, and prostitution, continue to come back for church and weeknight Bible studies. Behind the trailers, grayish sheets hang on a wire between two trees. To the west and south stretch yellow fields and oases of deep green, wildly tangled tropical brush. Cotton-ball clouds gather high in the pale blue sky.
At eleven o'clock on a Saturday morning, Barbara Broussard is speaking in tongues in front of the South Dade Government Center on SW 211th Street in Cutler Ridge, just north of Goulds. She and about seven other members of her church and their children are holding hands in a circle and praying, as they have been doing every Saturday since June.
"Corruption will cease right now," Broussard proclaims.
"Cease now," some of the women answer. "Yeah," echoes a young man.
"Bring justice right now in the name of Jesus," Broussard continues. "We bind the stronghold of Satan. He ain't got no power." She stamps her foot and lifts her hands. "Holy Spirit, we thank you for leading us."
The circle weaves rhythmically. The participants are gathered on a stark paved surface at the northwest corner of the government center. Ropes flapping against a pair of metal flagpoles make a strangely sharp sound against the murmuring voices in the weekend stillness. Broussard says God told her to go to the government center to pray against corruption, and that she brings her congregation on Saturdays so they won't be arrested for disturbing the peace while everyone is working. They pray from eleven until noon. "I can't stop," she says, wiping her brow with a white handkerchief, "until He says stop."
"The Devil's gonna be mad with you," Broussard's prayer continues. "He's gonna try to make you go back." The people clap their hands. "I'm gonna pray a little bit harder," she says. "We pray our government will not do corrupt things. Remember: God put them up there, and He has the power to put 'em down."
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Then, as the Israelite army did upon the orders of the Lord thousands of years ago outside the city of Jericho, the tiny congregation marches seven times around the building. Broussard holds a multicolored umbrella over her head as she walks. "We're marching up to Zion/The beautiful city of God," they sing. Down steps, through a courtyard, up more steps, holding on to red metal railings, clapping hands.
"We are soldiers in the army. We got to hold up the banner," Broussard chants. After each circuit, everyone stops to rest in the heavy heat. Finally Cleo Bethel, the congregation's associate pastor, offers a closing prayer.
As the amens fade, Broussard steps back and observes with satisfaction: "While you were praying, I saw the angels in the atmosphere. Blowing their horns for victory. Trumpets for the Lord's people.


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Exclusive Update: 60 Out of 420 Got Callbacks on First Day of MISS SAIGON Auditions
Co-written by Precious Lee Cundangan
Manila, Philippines, November 19, 2012 - 60 out of 420 auditionees got callbacks on the first day of the much-talked-about "Miss Saigon" auditions, spearheaded by British stage director Laurence Connor ("Miss Saigon," "Les Miserables") and Cameron Mackintosh's representative in the Philippines, Dong Alegre ("Miss Saigon"), held at the Philippine Opera Company's headquarters in Makati City early today. Experienced thespians Karylle Tatlonghari, Tippy Dos Santos, Jake Macapagal, Julia Abueva, Lorenz Martinez, OJ Mariano, Noel Rayos, Cathy Azanza, Kyla Rivera, Cara Barredo, Topper Fabregas, and Jay Pangilinan were among the 60 who made the short list.
Contrary to previous media reports that these auditions were meant to cast for a supposedly "Miss Saigon" revival production in London next year, notices posted on walls at the audition venue have indicated that "These auditions seek to find suitable candidates to play the role of Kim and the male and female Asian ensemble performers for future productions of 'Miss Saigon'…There shall be no cast announcements made during the course of the audition exercise. As in past auditions, this audition exercise is 'exploratory' in nature."
"We are going to spend a little more time with them [shortlisted applicants]; if we continue to like them, we would spend a study session with them," Connor told GMA News.
Auditionees, another 420 are expected tomorrow, will have to go through two stages: a singing audition and a dance audition. According to Alegre, extra attention, prompting, and coaching will be given by Connor to aspirants whom he deems potentially suited to join the future productions of the megamusical.
"An actor is only as good as his last audition," Alegre told BroadwayWorld.com in an exclusive interview. "Anybody can audition. Nobody can stop anyone from dreaming, and from trying to reach as high as he or she can reach."
"'Miss Saigon' had taught us that as long as we have a dream and the courage to pursue that dream, we can win. Take for instance Lea Salonga: from obscurity, this young lady reaped awards and became the toast of the West End and Broadway. For the Philippine stage, 'Miss Saigon' raised the bar higher in terms of production standards and work ethics," he added.
With the powerful reach of social media, including notices on BroadwayWorld.com, the auditions in Manila have enticed applicants coming from different parts of the Philippines and other countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
"Many thanks for BroadwayWorld's support these past weeks. Indeed, the website has served as every auditionee's 'lifeline' to the auditions," said Alegre.
Auditions will run until Thursday, November 22.
Images c/o GMA News, Philippine Opera Company


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I was recently contacted by Michaelangelo Matos for Red Bull Music Academy. He wanted to interview me about the start of the NY techno scene in the early 90s. Sometimes in life you are at the right place at the right time and you get to take part in something new. Be sure to click the link below to read the full article.
"That was the mindset Chesler played to under his alias the Horrorist. "Somewhere around '96, I started to really get an itch to return to new wave and industrial," he says. "There are really good techno producers with a lot of skill. The only way for me to stand out was to use my own voice and tell my own story. I did my first drugs around that time, so I [wrote] stories about drugs." Tales such as "Mission Ecstasy" – with its unforgettably blunt tag line, "Because I like fucking drugs" – and "One Night In NYC," about an NYU student's trip to the Limelight to pick up a guy who "fucks her all night" in her dorm room, were unsettling. Chesler shopped them to a number of labels. "Nobody wanted them," he says with a laugh, "so I started my own label." He called it, hopefully, Things To Come." – redbullmusicacademy.com
Read the full article: redbullmusicacademy.com/new-york-techno


text: Home → Sports Photos: USC crushes Fresno State in Las Vegas Bowl Posted: 12/22/13, 1:09 PM PST | Updated: on 12/23/2013 # Comments Southern California players celebrate on the field after receiver Nelson Agholor's 17-yard touchdown reception was ruled good against Fresno State in the second quarter of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, in Las Vegas. USC won 45-20. (AP Photo/David Cleveland) Photos from the USC football team's 45-20 win over Fresno State in the 2013 Las Vegas Bowl.See complete gallery. Advertisement Click here to subscribe to Digital & Home Delivery - 50% off More Related Steve Sarkisian wants Ed Orgeron to return to USC football program


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Almost every Red Bulls fan had to cringe on Sunday night, when a surprising 4-5-1 formation trotted out on the field, bringing back shades of a 2009 team that floundered so helplessly under former coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
But there was nothing shameful about Sunday night's performance, a 1-1 tie against a very tough Colorado side. The 4-5-1 formation was a tactical move to combat the Rapids' strength in the midfield, giving New York some defensive balance and shape against a midfield that holds possession well and overwhelms with numbers.
"I just had a feeling that, for this game, we needed that extra player in the midfield," Red Bulls coach Hans Backe told MLSSoccer.com. "They have their forward, and after him some attacking players that can really push forward really quite well."
Backe said that Colorado midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy, the creative force in the midfield, is a player to be reckoned with. As such, he felt that the team's 4-5-1 did an overall good job in controlling the game, even as the team fell behind in the 14th minute.
After falling behind, Backe then pushed midfielder Dane Richards to a forward position, creating the team's traditional 4-4-2 system.
The added offensive pressure paid off with a first-half goal by Juan Pablo Angel, and the team maintained the shape for much of the second half until Colorado began to push for the winner.
It was a different formation for the coach, who has adamantly kept the 4-4-2 formation throughout the season, saying that he wanted a certain system and that teams would have adjust to New York. This was a sudden switch from last year, where the team constantly tinkered with formations and player roles for each match.
Backe doesn't envision using the 4-5-1 always to start the game, just in certain situations on the road.
"I think maybe only when we're away at Los Angeles, Salt Lake and then obviously Colorado," Backe said. "In a way it's to get a result against a good team on the road."
Kristian Dyer is a reporter for MLSSoccer.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.


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Neutrogena Body Lotion Reviews
Moisturized SkinThe Nivea Smooth Sensation body lotion was my favorite for a long long time. It moisturized like no other body lotion. I tried the Neutrogena body lotion and my skin has never been softer. The price may be a little more than the Nivea lotion but I'm sold and will pick up another bottle when I go to the store. It absorbs into the skin immediately and takes away any roughness without being a thick rich cream and needing to wait before putting on your clothes. — 4 years, 6 months agoleo1999 | 678 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
refreshing and lightI tries this at a hotel and really liked it. It has such a soft different smell that doesn't overwhelm the senses.... — 5 years, 7 months agokeg | 62 reviews
Eh....This has a nice light scent, and maybe would work better in the summer...but it just didn't moisturize my skin at all. Still felt dry after I put this on and felt like I needed more. Would not purchase again. — 6 years, 7 months agoelizabethoconnor | 15 reviews
I Can't Live Without This Lotion, I Love ItMy favorite lotion ever, it goes on lightly and blends in easily. I use it everyday and my skin stays so moisterized and soft. I buy the big bottle whenever I can find it, its cheaper than having to buy the little bottle. The scent is not over-bearing, its just a clean, fresh scent. — 8 years, 1 month agoleaseag | 1 reviews
Must repeatI love the oil(lasts longer) but this lotion you have to repeat and apply more through out the day. Good on moisture and not greasy at all. I love the feel and smell. Just perfect. — 8 years, 4 months agoamako1 | 6 reviews
Amazing!I love this lotion! It is light so it won't make you break out or make your skin feel greasy, it has a lovely scent and moisturizes really well. The only thing that bothers me about it is that you need to put it in a zip lock bag if you're traveling because you cannot lock the pump. — 8 years, 5 months agoIvy | 29 reviews
Depends on what you likeI also felt like this lotion what a little too light. My skin sucks up moisture like there's no tomorrow, so I generally need a rich moisturizer, and this was not one for me. VERY light. HOWEVER...The smell is heavenly, and sometimes, I found myself using it just for that at night before bed for instance. Very fresh smelling, so it depends on what you value most: Scent v. Moisturization. — 9 years, 1 month agoNewWife08 | 29 reviews
Just right for meI need just a light weight moisturizer, especially in the summer, and this product did the trick. — 9 years, 2 months agohotsherry | 7 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
great lotionthis lotion is very light on the skin and works great for dry skin luv it — 9 years, 3 months agosher67676 | 1 reviews
good lotionthis is a really good lotion but kind of expensive. if you want a gof lotion but dont mind payin a little extra this is the stuff for you!!! — 9 years, 3 months agojshields | 1 reviews
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THE district council has agreed to renew the Stroud farmers' market license with the current operators for a further three years.
At the strategy and resources committee meeting held at the council offices tonight, Thursday, councillors debated for almost an hour on the future of the award-winning market.
Three options were considered including renewing the licence with Made in Stroud for three years, putting the contract out to tender or for the district council to take over the running of the market itself.
Cllr Simon Pickering (Green, Slade) proposed that the committee resolves to delegate authority to the Head of Asset Management to renew the licence to Made in Stroud Ltd to operate a weekly farmers' market, and monthly flea market, at Cornhill Market Square and adjacent streets for a further three years.
However the proposal is subject to a number of conditions including that the operator provides its accounts for the market for the last three years by the end of July.
The agreement is also subject to a new licence fee, the agreement and implementation of a complaints and appeals procedure for settling disputes at the market to include Stroud District Council and stallholders representatives, the development of a business continuity plan and also that members of the strategy and resources committee be consulted on any terms which cannot be agreed.
It was also agreed that the head of asset management explores alternative models of operating the market in order for the Council to consider how it wishes the market to be operated in the future.
There was a public outcry in December when the district council revealed plans to invite new bidders to run the market in Cornhill.
Therefore a public consultation was launched in February after 2,000 members of the public signed a petition against the move.


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The Anaphylaxis Campaign, founded by a small group of parents, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The campaign was founded in 1994 by a small group of parents led by David Reading OBE.
Mr Reading's daughter, Sarah, tragically died aged 17 from anaphylaxis triggered by a peanut in October 1993.
Her death, and others that were triggered by nuts, became national news and it was clear there was very little awareness of how serious allergy could be.
The campaign accrued 1,000 members in just six months and began lobbying government to provide better allergy care, including a meeting with Nicholas Soames, Minister of Food in early 1994 and set about convincing the food industry of the importance of clear accurate food labelling.
A helpline for those affected was launched and in the last 20 years has taken over 100,000 calls.
The campaign produced accurate information about allergens and a programme of workshops and support groups was launched to support patients, their families and carers, while school nurses were trained on how to safely manage and care for allergic pupils. The list of its activities is still growing but the campaign says its original objective remains the same – to help people with severe allergies live their lives.
Mr Reading became part-time director in 1996, and full-time director in the summer of 1999. He was awarded an OBE for his work in 2005.
He retired from full-time work with the campaign at the end of 2009, but retains the title of honorary vice president and works part-time for the organisation at its office in Farnborough, Hampshire.


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Quick Links:
Lead in Jewelry Certification
California law requires that a manufacturer or supplier of jewelry be able to certify that its jewelry complies with the lead and cadmium restrictions in the Metal-Containing Jewelry law. More specifically, a manufacturer or supplier of jewelry sold or offered for sale in California must either provide the certification to a person selling or offering to sell that jewelry or display the certification prominently on the shipping container or packaging of the jewelry. Please see the attached sample of certification wording.
Please note that this is merely a sample and other versions may be used to comply with the certification requirement set forth in Health and Safety Code section 25214.3(b) and (c).
Additionally, a manufacturer or supplier of jewelry subject to the Metal Containing Jewelry law must, upon request from DTSC and within 28 days, provide to DTSC technical documentation or other information showing that the jewelry is in compliance with the law. If you have knowledge of a possible violation of the Metal-Containing Jewelry Law, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) would like to know about it. Please use the Cal/EPA Environmental Complaint Form to file an environmental complaint with Cal/EPA. In the "Complaint Information" section, under "Complaint Related To," be sure to check the box for "Toxic Substances" to ensure the complaint is received by the Department of Toxic Substances Control. You may also call the complaint hotline from anywhere in California at 1-800-698-6942.
Contact us with questions or comments at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Join our E-Lists for updates about this law.


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Grower-shippers expect limited supplies of cabbage and high prices for St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
"I think the market will stay high like it is now — some feel it could get stronger," said Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers Produce Sales Inc., Cheriton, Va.
Mike Owens, a salesman for Belle Glade, Fla.-based Pioneer Growers Co-op, also expected robust supply-driven demand heading into the holiday.
"There was a lot of weather on some crops. We're expecting the price to be higher than normal," Owens said. "We're looking forward to prices in the $12-14 range."
That's "considerably higher" than typical St. Pat's prices, Owens said.
On Feb. 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a price of $12 for 50-pound cartons of medium round green cabbage from Florida, up from $6.50-7 last year at the same time.
While growers in Southern Florida were expected to produce normal, high-quality crops, Northern Florida was hit by freezes and, Cullen said, the Texas crop could be down 30% thanks to Mother Nature.
While the cold hurt growers elsewhere, it actually helped growers in South Florida, Cullen said.
"It tightened the heads up a bit," he said. "We should have good weight in boxes, and the quality should be excellent."
Cullen expected strong demand and steady volumes for St. Patrick's.
"The cold set us back a bit, but I think we're catching up," he said. "Everything's looking good right now."
Owens also expected good quality for the holiday, with plenty of fancy grade product availability.
"It should be very nice," he said. "We're expecting 55 to 60 pounds per box for a 16, 18 count."
Pioneer expects to pack about seven loads of cabbage per day in the runup to St. Patrick's, about normal, Owens said.
After a slow beginning to the season, exacerbated by truck shortages, red potato growers in the Red River Valley are back on track and looking forward to a strong St. Patrick's Day, said Ted Kreis, marketing and communications director for Northern Plains Potato Growers, East Grand Forks, Minn.
"Our shippers are very busy," Kreis said. "After a late start this fall, volume has been very good."
Grower-shippers were experiencing fewer transportation problems in February, and quality heading into the holiday was much better than last year, he said.
Prices have inched up in recent weeks, Kreis said, and shippers expect them to be stable in coming weeks, with strong pull expected for St. Patrick's Day.
"Red potatoes traditionally get a big push from retailers" for the holiday, he said.
On Feb. 11, the USDA reported a price of $10.25 for 10 5-pound film bags of size A reds from the Red River Valley, up from $6.50-8 last year at the same time.


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Greetings from the College of Pharmacy. The fall 2011 semester is off to a terrific and exciting start! Our entering class, the Class of 2015, have easily integrated themselves into the life of our College. Our pool of candidates for the class was very strong with 865 individual applicants to the program. The Class of 2015 has 100 students of which 76 are females and 24 are males with an average age of 24.3 years old; their overall math/science GPA being 3.20. We are very fortunate to have 22 students join us after completing their pre-pharmacy studies at the University of New England Biddeford Campus. 64 students have completed a bachelor's degree and one has completed a master's degree. The Class of 2015 joins us from throughout the country and world. This class includes 20 students from Maine and 37 students from New England. In addition, we have in this class, 27 students who have joined us from California, 5 students who come from Texas, and 5 students from New York. Other students hail from the Northeast and Mid-coast Eastern states (3), from the Southeast and Southern states (7), from the Midwest states (6), from the Southwestern states (2), from the Western states and Alaska (5) and from Kenya (1). The Class of 2015 joins their colleagues in maintaining our culture of an ethnically diverse college.
We will officially welcome these students to the profession of pharmacy during the White Coat Ceremony on October 15, 2011. This White Coat Ceremony will be the capstone event to a series of activities on Friday and Saturday. The Class of 2015 and their families are invited to a reception on Friday then 'Pharmacy 101' and a student organization fair on Saturday. We are hosting all these events on our beautiful Portland Campus.
As I reflect on the history of the College, it is clear that the success of the College of Pharmacy over the last few years occurred only through the dedicated support of the many preceptors and friends of the College. We are truly appreciative of your support as a preceptor and friend of the College. It is your support that has enabled the students, faculty and staff to be successful in our efforts to educate pharmacists you want on your team. We remain committed to educating pharmacists that are patient centered in a team environment, focused on service to their communities in their professional and personal activities and are committed to providing the best evidenced-based care to their patients. While we have been very successful in all our achievements, there is so much more on the horizon that is exciting. It will require the dedicated effort and service of all as we continue to advance the College and our educational, research, clinical and service missions. Thank you for being a part of the UNE Family and Team. I think this idea of service to each other was clearly articulated by the words of Mahatma Gandhi who reminded us that, "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Thank you for your service and commitment to the University of New England College of Pharmacy.


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'"We had to respond to the injuries," said sports director KAC Manny Viveiros. "And with Tyler us a good commitment succeeded. He is certainly in the next 10, 15 years, one of the top defenders in the NHL and wanted to come to Klagenfurt.'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Defender Tyler Myers comes to EC KAC


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A TRAINEE doctor who worked at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospitals has admitted he asked colleagues to sign him in for teaching sessions he failed to attend.
And Dr Omar Sultan Chaudhry has also accepted he took an unauthorised day off while on a placement at Darwen Healthcare, a hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service was told.
One doctor insisted he was one of at least two student GPs in his class who were getting other trainees to 'sign in' for them, the trib-unal heard.
Dr Chaudhry also receiv-ed pay he was not entitled to for missing the sessions. Each trainee GP had to complete 70per cent of them to complete their course.
He was caught out by an investigation launched by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust after concerns were raised by senior figures in the organisat-ion's clinical education dep-artment.
The doctor told Linda Whitfield, head of clinical education, that around the time of the missed lectures there had been concerns about the health and well-being of a family member.
He confessed to asking his friends to 'sign him in' the attendance register, and knew he had done wrong.
Another trainee, Dr Mich-ael Dawber, said one of his friends had been having difficulties attending sess-ions because of work comm- itments on the accident and emergency ward.
And he did not believe it was fair he should be pen-alised – when Dr Chaudhry and a second doctor did not appear to be attending most lectures.
Giving evidence, Dr Chaud- hry said he had attended a number of the sessions in question, but accepted he could not provide dates.
He said: "I extremely reg-ret involving third parties in my dishonesty and app-reciate that this is an agg-ravating factor in my misconduct."
The doctor has secured testimonials from a number of medics, including cons-ultants at the Royal Oldham Hospital and colleagues at his new surgery in Heyw-ood.
He has admitted failing to attend teaching sessions between September 2010 and July 2011, causing his signature to be entered on attendance registers when he was not there, and rec-eiving pay he was not ent-itled to.
The MPTS panel must now decide if his fitness to prac-tice is impaired.


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A third executive of Adams Produce Co. has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge in relation to a scheme to defraud the federal government.
David Kirkland, who was purchasing director for the now bankrupt Birmingham, Ala., produce distributor, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy.
"This defendant … joined other employees in a fraud meant to cover the company's deteriorating financial condition," U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said in a Feb. 6 news release. "The investigation of wrongdoing by former Adams officers and employees continues, and any who have committed crimes will be held accountable."
Kirkland supervised Adams Produce purchasing program specialist Christopher Pfahl, who pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to defraud the government of $481,000. The conspiracy involved a scheme to create false invoices and purchase orders for produce the U.S. government bought for the military and public schools.
Scott Grinstead, former chief executive officer for Adams, has agreed to plead guilty to fraud against the company, failure to report a felony against the government and failure to file federal income tax returns.
Adams Produce was founded in 1903 by Edwin Calvin Adams. The Adams family sold the company to executives and a private equity firm in 2010.


text:
Note: This item is more than 13 years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
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News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
April 12, 2004
Eastern Turkey Season Extension Approved
AUSTIN, Texas — Turkey hunters in East Texas will be able to spend more time in the woods trying to outsmart a wary gobbler beginning in the Spring of 2005, thanks to hunting season changes passed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Recognizing the ongoing success of the eastern turkey restoration effort in the Pineywoods, the commission approved doubling the season length for eastern turkeys to 30 days with an April 1 opener. Mandatory check stations and use of shotgun-only will remain in place.
"This marks another milestone in the state's successful effort to restore the wild turkey on suitable habitat in East Texas," said Mike Berger, Ph.D. and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's wildlife division director. "The commission's charge to us has been to maximize hunting opportunity whenever that resource can sustain it."
Since 1995 when Texas' first spring eastern turkey hunting season was opened in Red River County, TPWD has maintained a conservative approach — a 14-day season, mandatory check stations, one gobbler bag limit — to give the birds ample opportunity to establish themselves in new haunts. As turkey numbers have increased and flocks expand into new areas, the agency has steadily increased hunting opportunity by opening a spring season in 42 East Texas counties.
The commission also approved adding two more counties, Hardin and Liberty, to the mix beginning in 2005 and expanding the season to encompass all of two others, Montgomery and Tyler counties.
In addition to the turkey season changes, the commission modified the late youth-only deer season to reduce confusion and increase opportunity. The changes extend the same opportunities granted youth during the early youth-only season to the late season, including the opportunity to harvest bucks where county regulations provide that option.
Other changes adopted by the commission as part of the 2004-05 Texas Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation include:
- Implementation of a 4-day doe season in eight East Texas counties where the current antlerless harvest is by permit only. Areas receiving doe days Nov. 25-28 include: Brazos, Cherokee, Gregg, Grimes, Houston, Madison, Robertson and Rusk counties.
- Re-establishing the season framework in the Panhandle for pheasants to a 30-day season to begin on the first Saturday in December.
- Implementation of fall season for Rio Grande turkey in Denton and Johnson counties.
- Implementation of a 14-18 inch slot limit for largemouth bass on San Augustine City Lake (San Augustine County).
- Implementation of an 18-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass and restricting angling to pole and line only for new Lake Pflugerville (Travis County), which is scheduled to open in 2005.
- Alteration of rules on community fishing lakes (statewide) to eliminate length limits for blue and channel catfish.
- Implementation of statewide regulations for white bass and white bass/striped bass hybrids on Lake O' the Pines (Camp, Marion, Morris, and Upshur counties) and Pat Mayse (Lamar County) and removal of the downstream tailrace areas from the boundary definitions for these two reservoirs.
- Creation of a boundary definition for Lake Murvaul (Panola County) to extend the 14-21 inch slot limit for largemouth bass to the downstream tailrace area.
- Modification of saltwater perch trap rules to incorporate degradable panels
- Inclusion of "star trap" as legal gear to capture crabs in Texas.
- Legalized the use of minnow traps in saltwater.
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(5.4.16 i)


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A SCHOOL is celebrating the official opening of their £1.2 million maths block.
Perins School, in Alresford, opened the new building on Wednesday (July 16) at a special ceremony including tours of the eight classrooms.
It will be used as a maths block, relieving pressure on existing classes and enabling the school to accept extra Year 7 students in September.
School business manager Clive Surry said: "The number of students at Perins is increasing year on year and classroom space is at a premium. This new block allows us to re-house the maths department, vacate the 'temporary' mobile classrooms that are at the end of their life-span and give the English department more space in the existing block, helping to raise standards across the school."
Headteacher Janice Bernard said: "The new maths block will help us to achieve our ambition to be one of the highest-performing schools in the country."
The build was funded by the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund after it was approved by the Education Funding Agency.
It was named 'Turing' after the mathematician and World War II code-breaker Alan Turing, and features the latest technology in energy efficiency.


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Derahk's Wrestlemania Predictions
by, 04-03-2013 at 04:17 PM (3916 Views)
Here it is again, prediction time. This time it's for the granddaddy of them all, Wrestlemania. Here we go!
Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz (Challenger) vs Wade Barrett (Champion)
I hate to think of the Miz with a loss here. The Miz made a stellar return last year, showing much improved pacing in the ring. Aligning with Ric Flair helped him return to form later only to brought down again by Cesaro. A win here is needed but he already beat Barrett on Raw and what would happen to Barrett?
Winner: Painfully Wade Barrett
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Jack Swagger (Challenger) vs Alberto Del Rio (Champion)
Despite the extreme amount of hype and push surrounding Jack Swagger, I don't see him emerging as the victor in this match. The obvious reason is the possession charges that are looming for the superstar but there are a few other reasons. Triple H is trying to beef up the importance of the titles by not having them change as often and I believe it is working, a Swagger win would only hurt the title and Del Rio and do very little for Swagger. Finally, the initial excitement around the Swagger angle has faded and what is left is a very effective mouthpiece in the form of Zeb Coulter and an average performer in Swagger. The best business decision here is for Zeb to shed himself of Swagger and pick up a more effective protege.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Chris Jericho vs Fahndahngoh
It's hard to recall a bigger debut with higher expectations than Fandango. The video packages for Mr. Dango started as early as December and since he has pulled, ironically, a 2012 Chris Jericho refusing, instead of speaking, performing in the ring. I hope all goes well for the dancer, his leg drop two weeks ago was absolutely marvellous. Hulk Hogan and I hope for his sake that it isn't his finisher given Hogan's many spinal surgeries.
Winner: FAHNDAHNGOH
Tag Team Championship Match
Zigs 'N Bigs (Challengers) vs Team Hell No (Champions)
I expect a lot of Ziggler in-ring time especially against ole DB. Kane gets the hot tag from Bryan and then Bigs gets the hot tag from Ziggy for a big man clash. This one is a hard prediction because I believe that creative had no plan for this. They needed to do something with Ziggler and stuck him in this situation. I feel a Hell No split is coming and a six week build for their rivalry would be great but I don't think it's necessary for them to lose the belts for the build, at least at this time. This would help Zigglers current stagnation but that is not a new situation for the Show Off and he'll be ok in the end.
Winner: Team Hell No
No Holds Barred
Triple H (with Shawn Michaels) vs Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)
This is the 'so predictable it's not predictable' Wrestlemania match of this year, the title usually relegated to the Taker streak match. From a business standpoint, this should be Brock grabbing Triple H's shovel and burying superstars left and right but Trips himself is in the match so that ain't happenin'. I would have Shawn, seeing the beating Brock has given and about to give Triple H further, leaps into the ring and superkicks Brock. HHH recuperates, realizes what Michaels has done, gives him the 'WTF I didn't want to win this way' and have Brock take advantage for the win. This sets up a Michaels/HHH bout at WM30 they want with both men being babyfaces.
Winner: Bork Lazer
Hall of Fame Introductions
Piss break #1
Ryback vs Mark Henry
A showcase for Ryback to shell shock Henry.
Winner: Ryback
Six Man Tag
The Shield vs Randy Orton, Sheamus & Big Show
The Shield has had a lot going for them as far as momentum but the angle is getting stale. Their leader WILL be revealed at Wrestlemania. The most likely to be crowned is Randy Orton. He has been chomping at the bit for nearly a year to make his return as the 'Apex Bro Douchebag Affliction-Shirt-Wearing Predator.' That isn't a knock, I LOVE me some 2007 Randy Orton and would welcome his return. There also is the possibility of Cena but don't count on it. The WWE is known to make some surprise swerves, I could also see Sheamus making the turn as well.
Winner: The Shield via Randy Orton heel turn
The Streak Match
CM Punk vs The Undertaker
This is the first streak match that actually have people guessing. The first reason is coming from the fans saying that the Undertaker is 'getting too old for this shit.' I don't think he is and I would like to see his final appearance to be at Wrestlemania 30. The biggest reason is from the CM Punk angle, he is the reigning IWC champion, is coming off from the longest WWE title reign in the last 25 years and has had three high profile losses in the last few months. However, the nail in the coffin *wink* is the rumor of his time off post Mania. Not only would the story fit for him to take time off with a loss, but the meaning of a win here would be diminished if he did also. CM Punk is already over and needs no other significant milestone in his career. It would be more effective to give to someone who isn't over but has major potential like an El Generico. Sorry, not this year.
Winner: 21-0
Diddy Performance
Piss break #2
WWE Championship Match
John Cena (Challenger) vs The Rock (Champion)
A dull match with Cena getting the clean win. This will happen and you will feel robbed, disappointed and questioning why you still watch wrestling just like you felt after the Royal Rumble.
Winner: John Cena
WWE Championship Match In A Dream World
John Cena (Challenger) vs The Rock (Champion)
The Royal Rumble disappointment was all just a planned set up for the finish of this match all along and everything you've been waiting and hoping for will come true. The Rock will be cheered and Cena booed out of the stadium. These men will bring everything they have and produce one hell of a match. It will be aggressive, and visceral. John Cena will get the upper hand early with Rock making a triumphant comeback. John Cena will take an absolute beating but will not succumb to the power of the Rock. John will make, what the audience will think, his predictable comeback only to be thwarted again by the Rock. The Rock gets the 1, 2, 3. Out of sheer frustration and anger, Cena attacks the Rock, beating him with his own belt then several FUs. The refs come out to break it up. Cena picks up the belt, looks at the camera, points at the fallen Rock and mouths to the camera 'The Champ is Here'' and drops the belt on the Rock. Fade to black. You feel better than you have in years, you make love to your SO for hours, go to work or school, talk to your friends about it, it's all over the news, people love wrestling again, Raw starts with a big TV14 plastered on the screen, after the being the best Raw in years you switch to the Powerball numbers being drawn and you've won 300 million dollars. When that came happen, then and only then will John Cena turn heel.


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logical-systems和routing instance的区别在于在logical-systems还能再建立routing instance。也可以这么说,一台路由器可以启用16个logical-systems,而这16个logical-systems就是相当于16台路由器,routing instance只是这些路由器下的某一进程,或者路由表。
在juniper的设备中, routing instance是分很多种类的, 根据情况,需要进行配置的。
* Forwarding--Use this routing instance type for filter-based forwarding
applications. For this instance type, there is no one-to-one mapping
between an interface and a routing instance. All interfaces belong to
the default instance inet.0.
* Layer 2 VPN--Use this routing instance type for Layer 2 VPN
* Layer2-control--Use this routing instance type for RSTP or MSTP in
customer edge interfaces of a VPLS routing instance. This instance
type cannot be used if the customer edge interface is multihomed to
two provider edge interfaces. If the customer edge interface is
multihomed to two provider edge interfaces, use the default BPDU
* Nonforwarding--Use this routing instance type when a separation of
routing table information is required. There is no corresponding
forwarding table. All routes are installed into the default forwarding
table. IS-IS instances are strictly nonforwarding instance types.
* Virtual router--This routing instance is similar to a VPN routing and
forwarding instance type, but used for non-VPN-related applications.
There are no VRF import, VRF export, VRF target, or route
distinguisher requirements for this instance type.
* Virtual switch--(MX-series routers only) Use the virtual switch
instance type to group one or more Layer 2 bridge domains. A bridge
domain consists of a set of ports that share the same flooding or
broadcast characteristics. Each virtual switch represents a Layer 2
network. You can optionally configure a virtual switch to support
Integrating Routing and Bridging (IRB), which facilitates simultaneous
Layer 2 bridging and Layer 3 IP routing on the same interface. You can
also configure Layer 2 control protocols to provide loop resolution.
Protocols supported include the Spanning Tree Protocol, the Rapid
Spanning Tree Protocol, and the Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol.
* VPLS--Use this routing instance type for point-to-multipoint LAN
implementations between a set of sites in a VPN.
* VRF--Use this routing instance type for Layer 3 VPN implementations.
For this instance type, there is a one-to-one mapping between an
interface and a routing instance. Each VRF instance corresponds with a
forwarding table. Routes on an interface go into the corresponding
forwarding table.


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Phase I Study of ON 01910.Na in Refractory Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Acute Myelocytic Leukemia Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Myelodysplastic Syndromes
|Drug: ON 01910.Na
|Phase 1
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Phase I Dose Escalation Study of ON 01910.Na With Increasing Duration of an Initial 3-Day Continuous Infusion in Patients With Refractory Leukemia or MDS
- Safety data, including laboratory parameters and adverse events, will be collected for all patients in order to determine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity, and reversibility of toxicity, of ON 01910.Na. [ Time Frame: 2 - 4 months ]
- To investigate the clinical pharmacology of ON 01910.Na including plasma pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and biological effects on cell-cycle pathways. [ Time Frame: 2 - 4 months ]
|Study Start Date:
|October 2008
|Study Completion Date:
|December 2015
|Primary Completion Date:
|November 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: ON 01910.Na
The starting dose is 650 mg/m2 per day for 3 continuous days every 2 weeks. In successive courses, infusion time may be increased by 1 day up to 7 days every two weeks and/or drug dose may be increased (650, 1050, 1700 mg/m2/day, etc.). After 4 2-week cycles, cycle length may be extended to 3 or 4 weeks. Treatment continues until evidence of disease progression, intolerable adverse events or withdraw of consent.
Drug: ON 01910.Na
The drug is a sterile, concentrated 75mg/mL solution in polyethylene glycol 400, in labeled, sealed glass vials. The Concentrate must be diluted with aqueous infusion solutions (0.9% NaCl, USP and Water for Injection, USP according to instructions) immediately prior to intravenous administration.
Other Names:
Detailed Description:
Patients must have histologically documented or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of acute myelocytic leukemia refractory to standard induction treatment, or relapsed after standard therapy; acute lymphocytic leukemia refractory to induction treatment, or relapsed after effective therapy; chronic myelocytic leukemia refractory to imatinib therapy or second line tyrosine kinase inhibition, or relapsed after tyrosine kinase inhibition, in chronic, accelerated, or blastic phase; chronic lymphocytic leukemia refractory to standard therapy, or relapsed in second relapse; a myelodysplastic syndrome (including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) refractory to azacitidine; and an int-2 or high myelodysplastic syndrome relapsed after a hypomethylating agent. Patients may not be eligible for, or must have declined, bone marrow transplantation or other chemotherapeutic regimens known to produce consistent remissions. Because hematopoietic criteria in leukemia and lymphoma are confounded by the nature of the diseases themselves, there are no hematologic exclusions from treatment. If leukopenia is clinically determined to be attributable to prior treatment, ON 01910.Na treatment may start when the leukocyte count increases on two successive determinations performed at least three days apart. Thrombocytopenia is not a criterion, and patients will be supported with platelet transfusions as clinically necessary. In the absence of leukopenia, a failed prior treatment may be succeeded immediately by entry into study of ON 01910.Na if the leukocyte count is stable or rising, on two successive determinations performed at least three days apart, in the absence of other drug toxicity.
The patient population will involve approximately 12 to 28 patients ≥ 18 years of age in the dose escalation portion of the protocol. All patients must have relapsed or refractory leukemia or poor risk MDS (i.e., int-2 or high risk MDS who have failed standard therapy). They must not be candidates for known regimens or protocol treatments of higher efficacy or priority. Patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia or poor risk MDS must have an ECOG Performance Status of 0, 1, or 2. Patients must have an expected survival, in the opinion of the Investigator, to allow a sufficient observation period for evaluating ON 01910.Na, and meet the eligibility criteria for patients with leukemia or poor risk MDS. After the maximally tolerated dose and the Recommended Phase II Dose (RPTD) and duration are determined, up to 12 additional patients with histologically documented or cytologically confirmed leukemia or poor risk MDS will be added to confirm the appropriateness of the RPTD. Inclusion criteria for the dose confirmation phase will be similar to those of the dose escalation phase of the study, but the ECOG Performance Status must be 0 or 1.
Safety data, including laboratory parameters and adverse events, will be collected for all patients in order to determine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity, and reversibility of toxicity, of ON 01910.Na. Leukemic cells and MDS cells in peripheral blood will be measured on a daily basis during infusion, and at least two times weekly during the following week. If leukemic cells disappear from the blood or blood counts improve as defined by IWG criteria in MDS patients, a bone marrow aspiration will be performed to determine response status in the bone marrow.
All patients may continue therapy for at least six cycles unless rapid disease progression is documented. Patients with an objective clinical response or stable disease can continue up to six more cycles. Further continuation will be determined by the clinical judgment of the Investigator.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patient must have histologically documented or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of acute myelocytic leukemia refractory to standard induction treatment, or relapsed after standard therapy
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia refractory to induction treatment, or relapsed after effective therapy
- Chronic myelocytic leukemia refractory to imatinib therapy or second line tyrosine kinase inhibition, or relapsed after tyrosine kinase inhibition, in chronic, accelerated, or blastic phase
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia refractory to standard therapy, or relapsed in second relapse
- A myelodysplastic syndrome (including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) refractory to a hypomethylating agent
- And a int-2 or high myelodysplastic syndrome relapsed after a hypomethylating agent.
- Patients may not be eligible for, or must have declined, bone marrow transplantation or other chemotherapeutic regimens known to produce consistent remissions.
- There are no hematologic exclusions from treatment.
- Patients with prior radiotherapy are eligible unless leukopenia is ascribed to prior radiation treatment, and then entry to study of ON 01910.Na may be initiated when two successive leukocyte counts are rising.
- ECOG Performance Status of 0, 1, or 2 if patient is in the dose escalation phase or 0 or 1 if patient is in the dose escalation phase.
- Patients may have any hematologic parameters without regard to numbers provided that transfusional support is available and the Investigator stipulates that leukopenia is attributable to disease rather than to prior therapy.
- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL, unless the patient has active hemolysis, or the elevation is secondary to ineffective erythropoiesis.
- Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL, or a calculated creatinine clearance of ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
- Women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) while in the study. If a woman becomes pregnant or suspects she is pregnant while on study, her treating physician should be informed immediately.
- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who have positive blood cultures until they are afebrile for 3 days on antibiotic therapy which will continue.
- Patients who have leukopenia attributed to prior chemotherapy until two successive leukocyte counts are increasing. Patients with rapidly rising WBC (e.g. >50% increase over the previous day for 3 consecutive days) or WBC > 40 x 109/L.
- Patients who have continuing toxicity other than hematologic from prior therapy until it has resolved to grade 1 or less and will not compromise ON 01910.Na administration.
- Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents or concurrent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
- Patients receiving corticosteroids or colony-stimulating factors may continue on these treatments. These agents will not be introduced if previously not employed.
- Patients with known meningeal infiltration may be included in this clinical trial only if intrathecal therapy and/or radiation has been completed, and cerebrospinal fluid cytology is improved.
- Patients with a history of allergic reactions attributable to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ON 01910.Na.
- Patients should have no major third space fluid accumulation, ascites requiring active medical management including paracentesis, peripheral bilateral edema, or hyponatremia (serum sodium value less than 134 Meq/L).
- Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to uncontrolled ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
- Pregnant and nursing women are excluded from this study.
- HIV-positive patients receiving combination anti-retroviral therapy are excluded.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00854646
|United States, New York
|Mount Sinai Medical Center
|New York, New York, United States, 10029
|Principal Investigator:
|Lewis R. Silverman, MD
|Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Additional Information:
|Responsible Party:
|Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00854646 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
Onconova 04-05
|Study First Received:
|February 20, 2009
|Last Updated:
|June 22, 2017
Keywords provided by Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.:
ON 01910.Na
cell cycle
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Leukemia, Lymphoid
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
Leukemia, Myeloid
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive
Leukemia, B-Cell
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Pathologic Processes
Neoplasms by Histologic Type
Bone Marrow Diseases
Hematologic Diseases
Precancerous Conditions
Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Lymphatic Diseases
Immunoproliferative Disorders
Immune System Diseases
Myeloproliferative Disorders
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


text:
UK retailers are rallying against reported plans to prevent pre-owned sales on the next Xbox.
Website VGLeaks reported last week that Microsoft's next console will require a permanent online connection and will not need to read optical discs once a game has been installed.
The report adds weight to persistent rumours that Microsoft's next console will block second-hand games – something Sony says will not happen on PS4.
"If Microsoft blocks pre-owned, it will be shooting itself in the foot," says Insane Games' Gregory Smith. "There could well be a shift in the market towards Sony and the PS4."
Games Centre boss Robert Lindsay added: "The publishers are completely out of touch with consumers if they don't understand how important pre-owned is in funding new releases.
"A new release with no sell-on value will put a massive hole in consumers' spending budgets. At a time when retail is struggling, this will create an even quicker downward spiral."
Some retailers stated they may consider not stocking the device if they are unable to make money from it. Others expressed concerns over the dependence on an 'always-on' internet connection.
"The UK broadband infrastructure isn't robust or fast enough for this to be a prerequisite," said Dixons Retail's category manager for gaming Christopher Rogers. "Surely the teething troubles with SimCity are a warning against this?"
Chips boss Don McCabe surmises that Microsoft may focus on customers who regularly spend on Xbox Live.
"Blocking second-hand and forcing always-on connection will make the retail market shrink rapidly, but Microsoft will still make a profit out of Xbox," he said. "As for the rest of us, tough titty."