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The organizations will share and integrate weather, climate and environmental content in NWF's Eco-Schools USA and Earth Networks' WeatherBug Schools Programs, which are used in thousands of K-12 classrooms nationwide. In addition, both organizations will promote public awareness campaigns about nature and conservation. The popular WeatherBug web, mobile web and mobile apps will soon include additional content on the outdoors and wildlife, while NWF's apps and website will incorporate weather data and information.
This collaboration brings together two established organizations with close ties to the planet and its atmosphere.
Earth Networks was founded 1993 and is "Taking the Pulse of the Planet" with the largest worldwidenetworks for monitoring weather, lightning and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Earth Networks puts weather information at the fingertips of millions worldwide via its WeatherBug mobile apps, desktop app and website and provides enterprise solutions for all industries impacted by weather including education, government, agriculture, energy, broadcasters, sports and recreation and transportation.
Earth Networks' WeatherBug Schools Program is a network of over 8000 school-based weather stations and 1,000 weather cameras. It is the largest weather network in the world and provides K-12 and post-secondary educators and students with interactive tools and lessons to teach math, science, and geography, all using live data.
The U.S. Department of Education announced in April 2011 the creation of the Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. Click here to learn more!


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A fast and secure browser that's designed for Windows 10 Get started
Show off your avatar's b-ball skills with this fresh new animation! You'll have better handles than all your friends as you represent your team in style with this officially licensed team basketball.
Click to create and send a link using your email application

subset: commoncrawl


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CLEARLAKE -- The Clearlake Police Department welcomed two new officers Monday.
Chris Reagan previously served with the department but left in 2010 to join the Shasta County Marshal's Office. The U.S. Army veteran reapplied to work with Clearlake Police after missing friends and the community, Sgt. Nick Bennett stated.
Trevor Franklin grew up in Middletown, graduating high school in 2007. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College before earning a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice studies from San Francisco State University. Franklin completed the basic police academy program at Napa Valley College in December.
Reagan and Franklin were selected after an extensive process that included an oral interview, polygraph test, in-depth background investigation, psychological examination and thorough medical exam, Bennett stated.
(Photo courtesy of Clearlake Police Department).


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Producer Profiles
APROVAT - Asoc Productores Orgánicos del Valle de Tabaconas
APROVAT members for the most part live in the buffer zone below the sanctuary. The organization works with 174 farmers to promote better management of existing natural resources and production of high-quality coffee beans. To that end, APROVAT provides environmental awareness workshops on protection of the Tabacones Nabmalle Santuary and promotes sustainable coffee production practices. Their training approach promotes sustainable coffee crop management with a focus on organic cultivation.
APROVAT leaders believe Fair Trade helps guide their members to be good stewards of their land as they work towards a better quality of life for their community.
Without Fair Trade, it would have been impossible to move forward as an organization, to have a development perspective and to find solutions to the production and environmental problems our community faces. Today, better coffee prices have been established in the local market and we are ensured a better price for our coffee in the international market. For us, Fair Trade is the backbone of change and development, it guides inspires, moves and gives us, small producers, hope for better times. "
Luis Bobadilla Solórzano, VP Exec Council APROVAT
Fair Trade Training
In order to explain and promote the standards and benefits of Fair Trade, APROVAT invested $406 USD of their Fair Trade premium on cooperative member trainings. An additional $221 USD was used to prepare, print and distribute the Bylaws and Regulations of Fair Trade premium use to cooperative members.
Credit Program for Members
APROVAT dedicated $2,505 in Fair Trade premiums to a credit fund for cooperative members. Farmers many times use the credit system to purchase organic and mineral fertilizers for their coffee farms.
Quality Control, Equipment and Organic Certification
APROVAT invested Fair Trade Premiums towards training cooperative personnel on Coffee Cupping skills. Staff members attended courses on coffee tasting techniques and bean quality analysis. Upon "graduation" from the course, staff members were awarded participation certificates. The cooperative used $792 USD in Fair Trade premiums to purchase quality control equipment, including a new mesh kit, scale and moisture measure. APROVAT also used portions of the Fair Trade premium to fund their organic and Fair Trade certification fees and on-site audits.
First Aid Kits
APROVAT used Fair Trade premiums to purchase first aid kits for various educational institutions throughout 13 communities in the Tabaconas region. At a ceremony where the first aid kits were delivered, managers and directors of the local schools were trained on how to utilize the kits.


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What's your toddler's personality type?
Knowing this could impact your parenting style more than you realise. more
Club foot, also known as talipes, is a congenital problem, which means that it is present at birth. One or both feet are turned inward, making them look a bit like a golf club. Although doctors aren't sure what causes club foot, they do know that it isn't painful for the baby. Club foot can be corrected. Kids with untreated club foot can suffer from arthritis and low self-esteem due to embarrassment about their disorder.
Doctors aren't sure what exactly causes club foot, but the do know that it has nothing to do with how the baby is positioned in the womb. Sometimes club foot is accompanied by other congenital abnormalities, but usually it is the only abnormality in an otherwise healthy baby.
Left untreated, club foot can affect the way your child walks. Until he starts walking, however, club foot will not affect your child at all. Despite how it looks, club foot is not painful for infants. Kids with club foot tend to walk on the outside of the affected foot/feet. Older children with club foot may suffer from arthritis and low self-esteem due to the obvious deformity of their foot and leg.
Since doctors don't know what causes club foot, it's not easy to know how to prevent it.
Most babies are diagnosed at birth since club foot is usually very visible. The disorder is called club foot because one or both of the child's feet are turned inward so that they look a bit like a golf club. Kids with club foot may have one leg slightly shorter than the other and weakened calf muscles on the affected leg.
Club foot can be treated surgically, through a series of massage, or a series of plaster casts called the Ponseti Method. Using the Ponseti Method, your child's affected foot is manipulated into a normal position and then a cast is applied to keep the foot from turning back. The cast is changed every week or so to allow further manipulation and correction of the foot and leg. Once the position of the foot has been corrected, your child may need to wear a brace and/or perform regular therapy exercises to maintain the position.
Club foot is most often diagnosed at birth or during infancy. Your doctor can give you advice and discuss treatment options that are best for you and your child.
Written by Rebecca Stigall for Kidspot, Australia's parenting resource for family health. Sources include Better Health Channel, NSW Health and Health Insite.
Last revised: Wednesday, 20 January 2010
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.


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Complaint Management, an integrated component of Pilgrim's SmartSolve solution suite, makes it easier for pharmaceutical and medical device organizations to expand into new countries by providing them valuable intelligence regarding global complaint management requirements. The solution combines product market approval information with country-specific regulatory reporting requirements to efficiently determine global adverse event reportability. Depending on the country of expansion, Complaint Management leverages pre-built or user-configured decision trees to ensure the right documents are being submitted to the appropriate global regulatory body.
"Complaint handling and regulatory reporting are critical requirements in the Life Sciences industry and any quality management program," said Thierry Durand, Pilgrim's Chief Executive Officer. "At Pilgrim, we understand these two processes are frequently intertwined, so our solution, unlike other complaint management solutions, enables users to consistently differentiate critical customer complaints from other issues, and then facilitates accurate global regulatory reporting through its intelligent decision trees."
Once an adverse event has been identified, Complaint Management's escalation capabilities help to eliminate bottlenecks and facilitate reporting and resolution of the complaint. The solution drives consistent handling of customer issues and effective, timely resolution to global adverse events through enhanced and configurable workflows, forms and decision trees. These capabilities make it easier for regulatory professionals to design and implement standardized regional processes, leading to reduced regulatory scrutiny and audit time.
"As globalization continues to press outward, Life Sciences companies are looking to improve the efficiency of their operations," said Atulya Risal, Pilgrim's Chief Technology Officer. "Likewise, Pilgrim is always looking to boost its customers' efficiencies by enhancing the functionality of its solution and keeping up with the latest regulatory requirements.
"SmartSolve's Complaint Management solution includes advancements in its technology and functionality based specifically on recommendations our customers have made. The new features and enhancements allow customers to better address their complaint handling requirements and expedite their business processes while remaining fully compliant with industry regulations on a world-wide scale."
About Pilgrim Software, Inc.
Pilgrim Software, the world leader of cloud and on-premise enterprise solutions for quality and compliance management, delivers integrated applications for pre- through post-market operations of Life Sciences companies. For more than a decade, Pilgrim's tightly integrated 21 CFR Part 11-compliant system has enabled its clients to proactively manage documents, audits, complaints, nonconformances, corrective/preventive actions, supplier quality, and training, helping ensure product safety and regulatory compliance, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve customer satisfaction. For more information, visit Pilgrim Software's website at www.pilgrimsoftware.com.


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outnorthwest issue 117
Ten years ago - TEN! - Manchester hosted EuroPride, and it just so happens that was also when The LGF launched outnorthwest.
So this issue see's us reach the grand old age of 10, and I just want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. For any magazine to survive ten years is a remarkable feat, and we really couldn't have done it without your support, and the support of every venue that carries us. Onwards and upwards!
No time for birthday celebrations though, not when we have Manchester Pride on the horizon! Once again, outnorthwest is an official media partner for Manchester Pride, which means we can bring you the latest, official up-to-date news and interviews. In this issue we speak to Dan Gillespie-Sells, lead singer of The Feeling who are headlining Manchester Pride's Main Stage. We also go straight to the top and interview John Stewart, Chief Executive. Whether this is your tenth Manchester Pride or your first, we hope you have a fantastic, safe time. Don't forget to pop in to The LGF - our doors are open all through The Big Weekend.
Each year, we produce an Annual Review highlighting the key work that The LGF has undertaken during the previous year. This is a summarised version of our Annual Report, and is designed to be more community friendly. We'll be publishing our Annual Review 2012/13 in the next issue of outnorthwest, but in the meantime,we'll also be uploading it to our website mid-August. Check out www.lgf.org.uk/about-us.
Thank you again for your continued support of outnorthwest and The Lesbian & Gay Foundation.
Published: 07/08/2013
Size: 6.7mb


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Family tree▼
1850 The Town of Rock Run, Stephenson Co., Illinois, FN #1758, dated November 1, 1850:Samuel Francis age 45 Farmer b IrelandElisha age 21 Farmer b MassachusettsJonathon age 15 b MassachusettsEllen age 11 b MassachusettsAnn age 60 b IrelandSamuel Francis' real estate is valued at $800. He is living next door (FN #1759) to his sister Mary Francis Burrill and her husband and children.
[Contains 1850 census transcript.]


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Word-of-Mouth Marketing That Goes Beyond Tactics -- Fiskars Case Study
February 17, 2010
Chad Vincent, president of Fiskars Brands and Spike Jones of Brains on Fire lay out the blueprint for the creation of the "Fiskateers," Fiskars' crafting ambassador program. This best practice case study not only connected the company with its customers, it increased loyalty, online conversations, and sales - and that was only the beginning.
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Ian Wright joins SAT as a consultant and primary architect of diagnostic business strategy. Previously Ian led a series of key activities at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, where he served as head of the Strategic Innovation group, head of Global Assay Development, (leading multi-site groups developing FDA-cleared assays on multiple platforms) and as Core Team Leader for development of the Vista® instrument platform (a program combining routine chemistry, LOCI® homogeneous immunoassay technology, ion-selective electrodes and nephelometry into a broad menu, next-generation, clinical analyzer).
Gustavo "Gus" Salem joins SAT's Board of Directors, bringing over 20 years of life science sales, marketing, and business management experience. Most recently Gus was Vice-President and General Manager, LC/MS at Agilent Technologies, with responsibility for P&L, product development, and marketing strategy for Agilent's mass spectrometry business. His previous positions included President and CEO of Assay Designs, a venture-backed life science company developing immunoassays and antibodies for drug discovery research and Division Manager of the Protein Separations Division at Bio-Rad Laboratories, where he managed the P&L, was responsible for the chromatography and electrophoresis product lines and headed the company's Expression Proteomics program.
"SAT is extremely happy to welcome Ian and Gus to the SISCAPA team", said Leigh Anderson, SAT's CEO. "Their collective experience in global diagnostics and mass spectrometry businesses, including both the instrument and reagent components of the diagnostics industry, will help us accelerate the shift from conventional immunoassays to SAT's high-specificity, multiplexable mass spectrometry-based assay products and services."
About SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc.
SISCAPA Assay Technologies Inc. (SAT) delivers high-sensitivity, high-throughput specific assays for clinical protein biomarkers using SISCAPA® affinity-MS technology. Additional information about SISCAPA technology, reagents and business opportunities is available at www.SISCAPA.com
For more information contact Leigh Anderson at (301) 728-1451


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About Tesla
Tesla's goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs, as well as EV powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler. In Q1 of 2013 Tesla has delivered more than 10,000 electric vehicles to customers in 31 countries. Tesla's Model S is the world's first premium sedan designed and engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle and was named Automobile Magazine's 2013 Automobile of the Year® and Motor Trend's prestigious 2013 Car of the Year®.
The Role
Tesla Motors is seeking a 12V Electrics Product Engineer who has had 3-5 years of integration, validation, and troubleshooting responsibility for 12V sensors, ECU's, modules, and electromechanical sub-systems. This engineer should have a strong background in 12V vehicle architecture. Previous electrical design experience is a plus.
Tesla Motors is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, age, sex, ancestry, marital status, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information or any other classification protected by state or federal law.
|Deer Creek, OK
United States
|Web Site:
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San Carlos, CA 94070
United States
|Cleantech / Energy
Support Tesla Motors with Social Media services
Find more Product Engineer, 12V Electronics jobs


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Home > Regulation
& Examinations >
Bank Examinations >Trust Examination Manual
Trust Examination Manual
Advisory Opinion
December 18, 2002
Leonard A. Davis, Chief Counsel – Benefits
Sharon W. Vaino, Assistant Tax Counsel
Tax Department
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
One MetLife Plaza
Long Island City, NY 11101-4015
Dear Mr. Davis and Ms. Vaino:
This is in response to your request for guidance concerning the selection of annuity providers, pursuant to Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 (29 C.F.R. § 2509.95-1), in connection with distributions from defined contribution plans. Specifically, you have requested the Department to address the application of specific requirements of Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 to defined contribution plans.
Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 (the IB) provides guidance concerning the fiduciary standards under Part 4 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) applicable to the selection of annuity providers for purposes of pension plan benefit distributions. In general, the IB makes clear that the selection of an annuity provider in connection with benefit distributions is a fiduciary act governed by the fiduciary standards of section 404(a)(1), including the duty to act prudently and solely in the interest of the plan's participants and beneficiaries. In this regard, the IB provides that plan fiduciaries must take steps calculated to obtain the safest annuity available, unless under the circumstances it would be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries to do otherwise. The IB also provides that fiduciaries must conduct an objective, thorough and analytical search for purposes of identifying providers from which to purchase annuities and sets forth six factors that should be considered by fiduciaries in evaluating a provider's claims paying ability and creditworthiness. (§ 2509.95-1(c)). Further, the IB recognizes that there may be situations where it may be in the interest of participants and beneficiaries to purchase other than the safest available annuity, such as when an annuity is only marginally safer, but disproportionately more expensive than a competing annuity. However, the IB notes that increased costs or other considerations could never justify putting the benefits of participants and beneficiaries at risk by purchasing an unsafe annuity. (§ 2509.95-1(d)).
The following information is provided in response to the specific issues raised by your request.
The general fiduciary principles set forth in the IB with regard to the selection of annuity providers are equally applicable to defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Accordingly, the selection of annuity provider by the fiduciary of a defined contribution plan would be governed by section 404(a)(1) and, therefore, such fiduciary, in evaluating claims paying ability and creditworthiness of an annuity provider, should take into account the six factors set forth in § 2509.95-1(c).
With regard to factor six (§ 2509.95-1(c)(6)) relating to state guarantees, you requested a clarification as to the scope of a fiduciary's consideration. Factor six indicates that fiduciaries should consider "the availability of additional protection through state guaranty associations and the extent of their guarantees." For purposes of factor six, fiduciaries should determine whether the provider and annuity product are covered by state guarantees and the extent of those guarantees, in terms of amounts (e.g., percentage limits on guarantees) and individuals covered (e.g., residents, as opposed to non-residents, of a state). Such information should be available to the public and easily accessible through state guaranty associations and state insurance departments. Of course, if there were facts known to the fiduciary calling into question the ability of a state association offering guarantees to meet its obligations under the guarantee, it would be incumbent on the fiduciary to weigh that information when selecting an annuity provider.
In evaluating the six factors, the IB indicates that, "[u]nless they possess the necessary expertise to evaluate such factors, fiduciaries would need to obtain the advice of a qualified, independent expert." With regard to this provision, you express concern that fiduciaries should be able to make evaluations of annuity providers without becoming or hiring an expert in annuity matters. The standard set forth in the IB follows from the prudence standard of section 404(a)(1)(B). That section provides that a fiduciary shall discharge its duties "with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent man acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims." (Emphasis supplied). Accordingly, in those instances where the fiduciary responsible for the selection of an annuity provider has, at the time of the selection, a sufficient level of expertise or knowledge to meaningfully evaluate the claims paying ability and creditworthiness of an annuity provider, including the factors set forth in the IB, the fiduciary would not be required to engage a qualified, independent expert to evaluate such factors. For purposes of the IB, "independent" means independent of the annuity provider.
With regard to paragraph (d) of § 2509.95-1, relating to costs and other considerations, you request confirmation that, in evaluating competing products, cost is an appropriate consideration for the fiduciary of a defined contribution plan when the participant receives an increased benefit as a result of reduced costs. It is the view of the Department that it is appropriate for the fiduciary of a defined contribution plan in selecting an annuity provider to take into account the costs and benefits to the participant or beneficiary of competing annuity products. Consistent with the IB, however, a lower cost cannot justify the purchase of an unsafe annuity even when the annuity would pay a higher benefit amount to the participant or beneficiary.
Lastly, you raise a question concerning the applicability of paragraph (e) of § 2509.95-1 to defined contribution plans. Paragraph (e) requires that special care be taken in reversion situations where fiduciaries selecting annuity providers have an interest in the sponsoring employer that may affect their judgment. In such situations, the IB advises that the fiduciary will need to obtain and follow independent expert advice calculated to identify those insurers with the highest claims-paying ability willing to write the business. In the absence of any possibility of funds reverting to a plan sponsor in connection with the termination of a defined contribution plan, it is the view of the Department that paragraph (e) would not apply to such plan.
This letter constitutes an advisory opinion under ERISA Procedure 76-1. Accordingly, this letter is issued subject to the provisions of the procedure, including section 10 relating to the effect of advisory opinions.
Louis Campagna
Chief, Division of Fiduciary Interpretations
Office of Regulations and Interpretations


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Once you are finished entering your information and formatting your Avery project, select File in the top toolbar. Select Save As from the File drop-down list.
On the Save As screen, select where you want to save your project on your computer in the Save in field. Name your template file in the File Name field. Click Save. Avery DesignPro projects are saved as .zdl files.
Be sure to remember where you saved your project on your computer.
At any point, click the Help button in the program for more instructions.


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Josh Smith just became the Pistons' problem.
As it became obvious that the Rockets' interest in Smith had fizzled and that Houston could not give him the kind of deal that Andre Iguodala had received from the Warriors, Smith instead signed a four-year, $56 million deal with Detroit. Yahoo! Sports first reported the contract.
MORE: Smith at SF problematic | Howard could be '16 free agent | Howard speaks post choice
The Pistons are trying to climb out of the rut they've been in for the last six years, and see an opportunity to claim a playoff spot in what has become a watered-down Eastern Conference. But whether Smith is the guy to yank them out of that rut is highly questionable.
The reasoning goes back to the past nine years in Atlanta, where Smith could be as maddening as he was thrilling. When Smith was locked in defensively and stayed within himself offensively—driving to the basket, working to get to the paint—he was one of the East's top power forward.
But for some reason, Smith has always fancied himself a shooting guard, and he took an average of 2.6 3-pointers per game last year, despite making only 30.3 percent of them.
A telling exercise comes courtesy of Synergy Sports. Take all the NBA players who had 300 or more possessions as spot-up shooters last year, and you'll get a list of 13 names. Eight of those (Klay Thompson, Danny Green, Wesley Matthews, Carlos Delfino, Caron Butler, Ryan Anderson, J.R. Smith and Chandler Parsons) averaged better than 1.0 points per possession on those spot-up shots. Two (Metta World Peace and Chris Bosh) averaged 0.90 points per possession. Two more (Luol Deng and Corey Brewer) were at 0.85 points per possession or better.
Only one player jacked up that many spot-up shots and failed to reach the 0.80 mark. That would be Josh Smith, who averaged just 0.788 points per possession, by far the worst in the NBA.
It could be that the worst thing that happened to Smith was what many might think of as his best season, '09-'10. Before that year, general manager Rick Sund and coach Mike Woodson sat down with Smith and convinced him that if he would stop chucking 3-pointers and instead focus on playing in the post and defending, he would be an All-Star and possibly the Defensive Player of the Year.
Smith complied. And he was fantastic, averaging 15.7 points on 50.5 percent shooting, setting career highs for rebounds (8.7), assists (4.2) and steals (1.6). Moreover, he took only seven 3-point shots the entire season.
But he wasn't an All-Star. He was the runner-up to Dwight Howard in the Defensive Player of the Year balloting, but was not selected for first-team All-Defense, finishing behind LeBron James and Gerald Wallace. Smith had done as the Hawks had requested, but wasn't rewarded. The next season, he was back to hoisting 3s, shooting 33.1 percent and taking 2.0 per game.
The Pistons' problem is that you can probably live with Smith taking a reasonable number of 3-pointers, as long as he does the bulk of his work in the post and is engaged when it comes to defense, rebounding and tapping into his impressive playmaking skills. But the Pistons have a frontcourt-of-the-future in place, with Greg Monroe at power forward and Andre Drummond at center.
That means Smith will be at small forward, on the perimeter. That means he will have a license to take those spot-up shots, the ones he is among the worst in the league at actually making. That means we could see a whole lot of Smith missiles from the 3-point line. That is a problem.
Smith is very talented, there is no question. He is probably the best player in the NBA to have never made an All-Star team. But he has got to be in a system that brings him closer to the basket, that forces him to work in the post, that encourages him to pass up on those outside spot-up jumpers.
It is hard to see how that will happen with Monroe and Drummond in Detroit.


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user functions
Current Ithaca College community members may contribute stories and comments as well as view additional topics by logging in.
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First-Year Cabaret: The First-Year Experience Set To Music! 11th Annual Show!
Contributed by Sarah Schupp on 10/22/13
Come see your friends perform in a musical revue that parodies the First-Year Experience!
On Sunday, October 27th, 2013 at 11 AM in Emerson Suites, come watch a First-Year Experience tradition, the First-Year Cabaret! A part of Family Weekend, this musical revue parodies the experience of the typical first-year student. The show will include music from Pippin, Legally Blonde, She Loves Me, Shrek, Hairspray, Wicked, Guys and Dolls, and many more! Come out and enjoy the cabaret!
For more information and photos from last year's show please visit our website!
History of The First-Year Cabaret:
It all began in 2002 with the vision of Brad Forenza, Class of 2004. The First-Year Cabaret started as a mere area-wide program; a social activity for residents of Boothroyd, Rowland, and Tallcott Halls. The event was advertised as a Karaoke night of sorts, where first-year students could showcase their otherwise overlooked talents. After 18 auditioners were cast, shtick was added to transition between songs—shtick pertaining to dorm life, cafeteria food, and other woes of the first year experience. Soon thereafter, costumes, props, and choreography came into the mix. What had been a genial "area-wide program" was now a fully-staged musical extravaganza, just shy of a pyrotechnic display. "Rolling Along" premiered on Monday December 9, 2002 in IC Square. The response to it, from students and staff, ended in a standing ovation and a command performance at Longview, a senior community near the college. The 10th Anniversary show in 2012, written and directed by Julie Sullivan, Class of 2015, provided a show reminiscent of a full fledged professional play. "In Our Shoes" involved the work of over 40 students and brought an audience of over 300 people during Family Weekend.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Sarah Schupp at email@example.com. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
© Copyright Ithaca College. All rights reserved; unauthorized use prohibited. All material on this server is produced by our community but, except for designated pages, is neither approved nor verified by Ithaca College.


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When Jessica, the owner of the St Louis Bar Method studios, asked me to write my success story, I was taken aback. I am just an ordinary person with an extraordinarily crazy, busy life! But I have lost 30 pounds this year, and I want everyone to know it's possible! I'm still trying to get used to my evolving body, and I have days where I feel like I'm still chunky. But when the doubts go away and I see the reflection in the mirror, I am really proud of the work I am accomplishing. Once I made time for myself, changes started happening.
I was thin most of my life, bouncing back to a size 4 after my first two pregnancies. During my third pregnancy at age 38, I was diagnosed with insulin dependent, gestational diabetes. When our daughter was born, the diabetes disappeared. But a year later, I became very ill. My worst fear was realized; the diabetes was back. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. My pancreas does not produce insulin. Without the insulin pump I wear, I would die. This diagnosis changed my life and my body.
Since the diagnosis, I gained a lot of weight. I went from a size 4 to a size 8. Enter The Bar Method. I was fortunate enough to attend classes in October 2010. I was hooked. I went to class five days a week, whenever I could squeeze it in. I would even go to the 6 a.m. class before work so I could get my five days in. I dropped to a size 6 within two months. But life got crazy busy, and I stopped making time for myself. I was in and out of the Bar. In May of 2011, I had a hysterectomy. I gained a lot of weight. I was too embarrassed to go to class.
Then in December of 2011, I just sucked it up. I knew without the Bar, I would not get better. I needed to be healthy to deal with my chronic illness. I also needed the Bar to help me with my mind, not just my body. The friendly, knowledgeable instructors make me feel great about myself. The students in class support and uplift me. No one cared that I was heavy. They only cared that I took enough time for myself and attended class. And slowly, the weight and the inches melted away.
The Bar has made me stronger, mentally and physically. When I leave class, I feel like I can do anything. I never thought I could tone my core without a tummy tuck. And now, after attending religiously at least 4 times a week for the last year and a half, I am close to looking like what I did before diabetes. I have been told so many times in the last month, "Mary, you are skinny!" I never thought I would hear those words again. I actually can wear a 4 again. I am so excited to be 48 years old and feeling great!
My advice to anyone is to know that no matter what shape you are in, it doesn't matter. The Bar accepts you for who you are and where you are. Also, make time for you. Attend classes four times weekly. Take before measurements so you can be proud of the inches you will lose. Read Burr's blog for helpful hints. Take a new option weekly. Try pushups on your toes – it changes your core. Try to lift your feet during flat back – it also changes your core. And throughout class, breath in and out, getting that belly button back to your spine with your breath. Know and believe that you are strong. And when you see the reflection in the mirror and the changes that happen, embrace them. You are worth it.
Photos show the difference from May 2012 to July 2013 in my son and me!


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The Script Behind Today's Selloff
It's too easy a call for a broker to make. It's too easy to say, "Sell, sell," and that explains a lot of the decline we are seeing right now.
So let me put on my brokerage hat, the one I wore in the 1980s when I worked at Goldman Sachs, and give you my script, a script that's probably behind a lot of the selloff you see. It's a script with an undercurrent that says it is time to make some changes in your portfolio. It's a script meant to meet objections all along the way, because, believe me, there are always objections when you are trying to get that transaction and generate commissions, even as you genuinely believe that the trades must be done and the investments switched around....1284 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
Already a Subscriber? Please login.


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If you're looking beyond your LCC experience to additional opportunities, we have the programs and services that can put you on course to your next achievement.
Explore our transfer opportunities or search for specific schools or programs through our online transfer guides.
Have you set your sights on a bachelor's or master's degree? Our University Center houses six universities where you can complete either degree on LCC's main campus.
And if you're looking to transfer to a Historically Black College or University, we provide that opportunity, too.


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The hosts battled to victory to head into the final two games before the knock-out stage begins with a three-point cushion in second place.
The Greek champions' home record in the competition had included seven wins from its previous 10 games, but it had to rely on an impressive display from ex-Benfica goalkeeper Roberto to pick up three points Tuesday and make second place their own in Group D.
The two-time European Cup champions initially looked more threatening, but Olympiakos took the lead 13 minutes in as the visiting defenders failed to pick up the run of Kostas Manolas, who headed home Jose Holebas' corner.
Benfica continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides, but found Roberto in inspired form.
The 27-year-old pulled off numerous saves to keep Olympiakos in the lead, but the visitors' finishing left a lot to be desired as they continually wasted great openings, while the hosts offered little in attack.
Benfica made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with the Greek side in their last Champions League match, with talented teenager Lazar Markovic among those returning.
Olympiakos head coach Michel made only two alterations from the teams' last meeting, former Benfica man Javier Saviola coming back in together with Sambou Yatabare.
Visiting coach Jorge Jesus insisted beforehand that the hostile atmosphere in Greece would not affect his players and their start supported his claims as both Oscar Cardozo and Markovic forced Roberto into saves in the first 10 minutes.
Despite Benfica's good start, the hosts took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute as Holebas' corner was headed in powerfully by the unmarked Manolas.
Benfica should have drawn level two minutes before the break, but Nemanja Matic completely missed the ball when Ezequiel Garay headed a corner back towards the six-yard box.
Jesus' side started the second half similarly well, but again Roberto denied it as Markovic saw a volley from the edge of the area parried away by the on-loan Atletico Madrid man.
The anxiety of Olympiakos' fans became more apparent as the match approached the hour mark and in the 57th minute Benfica left-back Silvio broke into the area, only to then deliver a feeble effort that Roberto palmed away.
Enzo Perez flicked the ball over his head four minutes later before unleashing a volley towards the bottom corner, but Roberto was equal to the task once again.
Benfica pressed with determination in the final stages and with 10 minutes left former Olympiakos youth player Filip Djuricic skipped past two men before firing at goal, but Roberto clawed his effort away, ensuring the Greeks go three points clear of Jesus' side.


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TROY - A portion of Pawling Avenue will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. Friday for the demolition of the former Ardex building. City officials expect to re-open the road by 6 p.m.
"It must come down," said city engineer Russ Reeves in a statement from the city. "Once it becomes a safety issue that could impact our residents, it's imperative we act in a way that ensures continued safety."
The demolition was prompted by high winds last weekend, which severely contributed to the building's deterioration, bringing it to the brink of collapse.
The building at 744 Pawling Ave. is an old mill that has past the point of rehabilitation.
Eastbound drivers along Pawling Avenue will be detoured onto Winter Street to Whiteview Road. Westbound traffic will be sent up Mountain View, while tractor trailers will be directed over Route 150.
Pedestrians will only be allowed to travel on the north side of the sidewalk.


text:
Number of SiblingsProbability puzzles require you to weigh all the possibilities and pick the most likely outcome.
Ten-year-old Bert Sampson lives in the town of Springvale, where, out of all households:
2% include five children
7% include four children
14% include three children
31% include two children
16% include one child
30% do not include any children
What are the chances that Bert lives with two sisters and no brothers?
(Consider all children living in any given house as siblings).
Since Bert is a child, he cannot possibly live in a household with no children. Therefore there is a (14*3)/(16+31*2+14*3+7*4+2*5), or 26.582% chance that he lives with two other children (i.e. in a household with three children).
There is a 50% chance that each of these other children is a girl, so there is a 25% chance that they are both girls.
Therefore, the total chance that Bert lives with two sisters is 25% of 26.582%, or 6.646%.
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text:
1. Move over Michael Phelps, this man is the greatest aquatic athlete of all time.
4. At the end, he seems okay. Well as okay as anyone who would do this can seem. (read: Insane, but alive)
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You are here:
The Museum of Vision provides brief biographies of fascinating lives in ophthalmology.
Oral Histories
The Museum of Vision oral history collection preserves the memories and experiences of people whose lives are an inspiration.
- Oral History Collection Details
- Oral History Topics: Academy History
- Oral History Topics: Legacy Project
The Legacy Project
The Legacy Project celebrates families with multiple generations of ophthalmologists.


text:
Mushroom Barley Soup with Ham and Leeks
(Makes about 6 servings)
2 cups (loosely packed) dried Shitake mushrooms
1 large leek
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
2 T olive oil
10 cups chicken stock or water with chicken soup base
1 T Better than Bouillon mushroom base (optional but recommended)
3 fresh bay leaves or 2 dried bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 cups diced ham
1 cup pearl barley
2 T dried parsley
salt/pepper to taste
Trim most of green top off of leek, trim roots, cut into 1/4 inch strips and cut into small dice, then wash thoroughly and drain. In large soup pot, saute leeks in olive oil for 3 minutes, add celery and carrots and saute 3-5 minutes more.
Add strained mushroom water, chicken stock, mushroom base if using, bay leaves and thyme. Simmer 30 minutes on low heat. Add diced ham, barley, and dried parsley and simmer one hour, or until barley is completely soft and flavors are well blended. You may need to add more water during the cooking time. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve hot, with a drizzle of best quality balsamic vinegar if you wish.
South Beach Suggestions:


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Effect of Rosuvastatin in Abdominal Sepsis
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Drug: Rosuvastatin
|Phase 2
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Use of Rosuvastatin in Integral Management of Abdominal Sepsis
- Plasmatic levels of Interleukine 6 and 1B, and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (pg/dL) [ Time Frame: day 3 ]
- Number of survivors [ Time Frame: 1 week after randomization ]in-patient follow-up will be considered as well
- Plasmatic levels of Reactive C Protein (mg/dL) [ Time Frame: day 3 ]
- Classification of severity by APACHE II scale [ Time Frame: day 3 ]
- Incidence of complications or secondary effects [ Time Frame: day 1, 3, 7, 14 after randomization ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|August 2006
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|September 2011
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|July 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Drug: Rosuvastatin
The sepsis is often lethal, the mortality's ranks are identified among 25 to 70%, this depends on definition, severity and co-morbidities. The number of deaths by sepsis could be similar to myocardial infarct. Patients who get shock have 26-fold risk of death.
In preliminary studies have been observed, that patients with treatment with statin have minor incidence of severe sepsis. A retrospective study suggests the association between using statins and reduction of bacteriemia by Gram negatives and S. aureus.
There are many experimental studies which demonstrate the possible profit in sepsis. However there are no clinical prospective studies for determinate if statins are effective in management of sepsis. The investigators designed this study to demonstrate the utility of rosuvastatin in one kind of sepsis, abdominal sepsis.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Man or women > 18 and < 80 years old with abdominal sepsis, confirmed diagnosis by surgery of broad peritonitis before 48 hours in progression
- Injury by steel or firearm with contaminated abdominal cavity
- APACHE II major or equal than 8
- Acceptance to be included
Exclusion Criteria:
- Ingestion of: fibrates, niacin, cyclosporin, azoles, macrolides, inhibitors of protease, nefazodone, verapamil, diltiazem, amiodarone
- Hypovolemic shock III and IV after get surgery
- Cardio-respiratory failure pre or trans surgery
- Allergy to used drug
- Use previous of statin
- Hepatopathy or myopathy and(or) history, hepatic failure (Child B y C)
- Management in other Hospital
- Pregnancy
- Thoracic injury, head injury (moderate and severe), multiple fractures or with bone exposition, rectal injury
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00357123
|Contact: Martin Sanchez-Aguilar, MSc
|Contact: Antonio Gordillo-Moscoso, PhD
|524448262345 ext 519
|Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto
|San Luis Potosi, Mexico, 78240
|Sub-Investigator: Lorenzo Guevara-Torres, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Jorge H Tapia-Perez, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Martin Sanchez-Aguilar, MSc
|Principal Investigator:
|Martin Sanchez-Aguilar, MSc
|Experimental Surgery , Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi
|Responsible Party:
|UASLP, Martin Sanchez Aguilar
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00357123 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|July 26, 2006
|Last Updated:
|February 18, 2011
Keywords provided by Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosí:
abdominal sepsis
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Pathologic Processes
Rosuvastatin Calcium
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Anticholesteremic Agents
Hypolipidemic Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Enzyme Inhibitors
Lipid Regulating Agents
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Boston -- The number one reason people choose to shop either in-person or online is convenience and not price, according to the results of a new survey released by Continuum, a global design and innovation consultancy. Continuum's 2012 Service Design Report looked at data from more than 1,000 consumers across the country and uncovered the top reasons they choose whether to shop in-stores or online.
The top reasons respondents say they shop in stores are:
• For convenience (40%);
• They don't trust the quality online (22%);
• They don't want to pay for shipping/returns (17 %);
• For better prices (17%); and
• For personal interaction (4%).
The top reasons respondents say they shop online are:
• For convenience (43%);
• It is easier to find what they are looking for (29%);
• For better prices (25%); and
• To avoid interaction with employees (3%).
The fact that convenience seemed to matter more for shoppers than price was a surprise, given that many large national big box chains have begun to fiercely combat a trend known as 'showrooming' where consumers browse a physical store before buying an item online, presumably because it is cheaper. But showrooming is still something that shoppers enjoy, with 70% saying they found browsing in stores and then finding the product cheaper online was a satisfying experience.
"There is clearly a benefit for retailers to concentrate not only on price but also how they are designing as holistic an experience as possible for their customers to be able to efficiently interact with their brand whether it is in-person or online," said Craig LaRosa , principal of Continuum's Service Design group. "A one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to designing a great customer experience or service."


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Okay, this is something I've never given much thought to, and this is directed more so for you disc-physicists. If this has already been discussed, I missed it somewhere.
I never used to be a fan of hyzer-flipping as, the way I always thought of it, it was introducing another source of error which seemed counter intuitive to trying to get a straight, reliable shot. I've realized this generally isn't the case though. For me, it is in fact much easier to throw straight with a hyzer flip than it is trying to throw flat. It seems to me at least, that a hyzer flip has a higher tendency (depending on the stability of the disc of course) of flipping up to flat and holding that angle to the straight part of the flight.
What I'm looking for is, in technical terms, why is this (or rather, does this even seem to occur for other people)?
Is it simply matter of "learning" that throw, and knowing how much the disc will turn and being able to repeat it? Or does the disc reaching a flat state when it has that initial forward momentum provide a sort of "path of least resistance?" Or have I just been too bored today and need to go throw discs around?


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is threatening to hold up final passage of three coveted free trade agreements unless lawmakers expand retraining assistance for American workers who lose their jobs because of foreign competition.
The move comes as administration officials begin talks on Capitol Hill to finalize the agreements the White House reached to expand trade with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. President Barack Obama has said the deals are an integral part of his economic agenda, and the pacts have broad Republican support.
While administration officials have long said they supported expanding the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, or TAA, Monday's announcement was the first time aides said they would be willing to delay the deals without it.
"We will not submit the FTAs without an agreement on an enhanced TAA," said Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council. "But we also believe we can work on congressional leadership to get that accomplished."
The assistance program was expanded two years ago as part of Obama's stimulus package to include aid for more displaced workers, but the expansion expired in February. Labor unions and some key Democratic lawmakers have demanded the expansion as a condition for supporting the trade deals.
While Republicans have typically been supportive of the TAA program, several GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns that the level of spending under the 2009 expansion is no longer sustainable given the Capitol Hill negotiations on debt and deficit.
Administration officials said Monday they did not have an estimate for how much it would cost to renew the assistance program. Sperling said the administration is working with Congress on ways to fund the program so it doesn't add to the deficit.
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said the administration's decision to link the trade deals with the assistance program was "hugely disappointing."
"With our economy struggling and our nation broke, it's time to stop the excuses and give our exporters fair access to international markets," Hatch said in a statement.
The White House and Republicans had appeared to have a breakthrough on trade earlier this month when the administration started informal talks with congressional staff on the three trade deals. The talks are the first step toward the final ratification process.
The administration wanted lawmakers to pass the South Korea deal, the largest of the three, first while it negotiated outstanding issues with Colombia and Panama. But Republicans demanded the White House send all three agreements together, threatening to block the confirmation of a new commerce secretary and any trade-related nominees if that didn't happen.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press


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text:
Crimson Rising
Friday, January 29, 2010
By: Pablo Torre for Sports Illustrated
What's most surprising? The possibility that he might become the first Asian-American
draft pick in NBA history? The bigoted jeers he regularly hears at games (everything
from "wonton soup" to "Open your eyes!")? The number of
microphones and cameras of Chinese and Taiwanese outlets --five covered
Harvard-Dartmouth on Jan. 9 -- that broadcast Crimson highlight packages,
including interviews with his coach, Tommy Amaker?
Or is it the hysterically proud new fans, the ones filling gyms from Cambridge, Mass., to Santa Clara, Calif., toting signs and wearing customized T-shirts (WE LOVE YOU JEREMY!) more befitting a Jonas brother than a Taiwanese-American Ivy League point guard?
"The most surprising part," Jeremy Lin concludes, shaking his head and exhaling, "is pretty much everything."
It's a mid-January afternoon, and the senior econ major driving the unlikeliest revival in college basketball sits in his fourth-floor dorm room overlooking a frozen Charles River. He's surrounded by photos of family and friends back in Palo Alto, Calif., a poster of Warriors-era Chris Webber and an Xbox in disrepair. Nothing suggests Lin's status as the first finalist in more than a decade for the Wooden award and first for the Cousy award (nation's top point guard) to come from the scholarship-devoid Ivies.
"I never could have predicted any of this," says Lin. "To have people talk about you like that? I'm not really used to it."
Neither is Harvard (13--3, 2--0 in the Ivy League). An institution whose academic prestige is in inverse proportion to its hoops futility, the Crimson has never won even a conference title. But now, 64 years after making its sole NCAA appearance, the oldest university in America has a big-name coach, a player of the year candidate and its best start since 1945. "I always wondered, Why can't the basketball team be great?" says Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, a booster who kept stats for the team as an undergrad in the 1970s. "Finally, things are building."
So it is that when Harvard visits two-time defending Ivy champ Cornell (16--3, 2--0) this Saturday, it will be the most anticipated conference game in decades -- the NCAA selection committee's midseason bracket projects the Crimson as a No. 11 seed and the Big Red as a 12, which would give the Ivies their first at-large tournament bid -- and the spotlight will fall not only on high-scoring Cornell forward Ryan Wittman but also on two point guards.
The first one is the curiously under-recruited Lin, a 6'3", 200-pound dynamo who was averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.3 blocks at week's end. "I've been around a lot of good players in my life," says Amaker, the 1987 national defensive player of the year at Duke, "and Jeremy's up there. He's sensational."
The other is Tommy Amaker.
To read the read of Pablo Torre's piece on Harvard hoops, as found in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, please click here.


text:
A recent graduate of the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program
and the recipient of a 2012 Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Performing and Visual Arts,
Paul Appleby has emerged as one of the most inspired voices of his generation. He is an
admired and exciting presence on the world's leading concert, recital, and opera
Mr. Appleby's engagements during the 2012-2013 season include Metropolitan Opera
performances as the Chevalier de la Force in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites
(conducted by Louis Langrée) and Hylas in Les Troyens (conducted by Fabio Luisi),
as well as debuts with Santa Fe Opera as Fritz in Offenbach's La Grande-Duchesse de
Gérolstein (conducted by Emmanuel Villaume) and Boston Lyric Opera as Ferrando in
Così fan tutte (directed by Sir Thomas Allen). His symphonic appearances
include performances of Mozart's Requiem with Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra in Pittsburgh and on tour to Vienna, and Beethoven's Mass in C with Mr. Langrée
and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra.
Passionate about the art of song, Mr. Appleby has performed recitals with Steven Blier and
the New York Festival of Song; at the Kennedy Center under the auspices of the Vocal Arts
Society; for the Marilyn Horne Foundation; the Aspen, Caramoor, and Music@Menlo festivals;
the Schubert Club in St. Paul; and on
A Prairie Home Companion. He made his Lincoln Center recital debut at Alice Tully
Hall, accompanied by Brian Zeger, with Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin.
Mr. Appleby's recent highlights have included Metropolitan Opera performances of The
Enchanted Island and Ariadne auf Naxos, a European operatic debut as Tom
Rakewell in a new production of The Rake's Progress with Oper Frankfurt, The
Bartered Bride in a co-production between the Metropolitan Opera and The
Juilliard School (conducted by James Levine and directed by Stephen Wadsworth), and
concerts with James Conlon and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Alan Gilbert and the New
York Philharmonic, Manfred Honeck at the Wolfegg Festival, David Robertson with Ensemble
ACJW, and Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony.
One of the most highly regarded collaborators of her generation, Russian pianist Natalia
Katyukova is currently working as an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera.
A native of Klin, where Tchaikovsky owned a summer home, Ms. Katyukova has been invited
numerous times to play in the Tchaikovsky House-Museum on the composer's own piano. She
also played a solo recital in the Liszt House-Museum in Weimar, Germany. Ms. Katyukova has
performed at several festivals and summer programs, including the Ravinia Festival and the
Merola Opera Program, with instrumentalists and singers such as Irina Arkhipova and
Ekaterina Semenchuk. She has appeared in recital throughout the US, Russia, Germany, Italy,
Finland, Japan, and other countries. Ms. Katyukova has also been featured as a solo pianist
with renowned orchestras, including the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra under Vladimir
Fedoseev, Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano with Ola Rudner, and Moscow State Symphony Orchestra
led by Dmitry Orlov.
Ms. Katyukova previously served on the faculties of Texas Wesleyan University, Russia's
University of Fine Arts, Italy's Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Claudio Monteverdi," and
Mississippi's Natchez Opera Festival. She has accompanied for master classes led by artists
such as Renée Fleming, Malcolm Martineau, Sir Thomas Allen, Roger Vignoles, José van Dam,
Martin Katz, and Warren Jones. Ms. Katyukova has been a recipient of many awards, including
the Zonta Club Award and a Russian Arts Foundation grant. She is a winner of the MTNA
National Piano Competition (USA), International Piano Competition (Spain), International
Ettore Pozzoli Piano Competition (Italy), International Piano Competition "Premio Massaza"
(Italy), and International Chamber Music Competition (Ukraine). Ms. Katyukova's
performances have been broadcast on WFMT Chicago, All-Russia State Television and Radio
Broadcasting Company, Bavarian Broadcasting, and Southwest German Radio.
A graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory, The Juilliard School, and the Lindemann Young
Artist Development Program, her teachers have included Margo Garrett, Jonathan Feldman,
Brian Zeger, Ken Noda, and Lev Naumov.


text:
Valladolid, Spain
5th June 2013.
Dear Mr. McMahon:
I'm a WWE fan who regularly watches the product, and would like to take the chance to address an issue that's been happening all around WWE programming.
I'm aware that I am what it is generally known as an Internet Wrestling Community (IWC from now on) member. The reputation those members
© 2011 eWrestlingNews, All Rights Reserved.


text:
Biography Speech Titles Scheduling Honorarium
Michael Smith and his wife Elizabeth, along with Michael Farris and his wife, Vickie, incorporated Home School Legal Defense Association in 1983 and were the original board members. Mike grew up in Arkansas, graduated from the University of Arkansas where he played basketball, majoring in business administration. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served three years before attending law school at the University of San Diego.
In 1972, he was admitted to the bar in California and also has been admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. He is licensed in Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.
Mike and his family began homeschooling because their 5-year-old flunked kindergarten. This was quite a disappointment to Mike in light of the fact that he was preparing this child to be President of the United States by starting his education as early as possible.
His family's life changed drastically when he heard a radio program in 1981 which introduced him to the idea of homeschooling. When they started homeschooling, they began homeschooling one year at a time to meet the academic and social needs of their children. After spending lots of time around people like Mike Farris, he became convinced he had been called to use his gifts and talents in the legal profession to assist homeschoolers who were being prosecuted because they didn't hold a teacher's certificate or satisfy the school district that they could competently teach their children.
Mike came to HSLDA full-time in 1987 and has served as president of the organization since the year 2001. In addition to serving as president, he also is a contact lawyer for California, Nevada and Puerto Rico. All of Mike's children are now grown, and three of the four were homeschooled. The most enjoyable part of Mike's job is when he is able to go to homeschool conferences and meet what he calls America's greatest heroes, homeschooling moms.
Biography | Scheduling
If you would like to schedule Mike Smith as a speaker for your upcoming event, contact his legal assistant at 540–338–5600. Mike is willing to speak up to four times over a two–day conference.
Mike requires the host to pay for his travel and hotel expenses. Mike will speak up to four times with one session being a general or large group session. His speaking fees are as follows:
Convention Honorarium: $250 per session
Local Support Group Honorarium: $500
Graduation Honorarium: $500
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text:
Lyran Commonwealth
Sarna News
|Lyran Commonwealth
|Faction Profile
|Time period:
| 2341[1] – present
Part of Federated Commonwealth from 3055 to 18th September 3057
Named Lyran Alliance from 18th September 3057 to 3084
|Successor State
|Controlled systems:
|over 300
|Capital world:
|Ruler title:
|Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF)
|Secret Service:
|Lyran Intelligence Corps (LIC)
The Lyran Commonwealth (also known as the Federated Commonwealth or the Lyran Alliance) is a large Inner Sphere Successor State in the BattleTech universe. The Lyran state is located in the coreward, anti-spinward region of space relative to Terra. For the majority of its history, the Lyran capital was located at the Triad on the icy world of Tharkad. While the Commonwealth was the realm of House Steiner, the Lyran Alliance was ruled by the Steiner-Davion family.
The Lyran Commonwealth is renowned for its strong economy, powerful nobility, and its military policy of promotion based on pedigree as well as talent. Unfortunately for the Lyran state, the promotion of so-called "Social Generals" has resulted in a military of varied capabilities. Even though incompetent "social generals" are not the rule, the prevalence of many poor officers has hindered the Lyran state throughout its history. Additionally, the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces tend to fight defensive campaigns with heavier BattleMechs.
Though the military history of the Commonwealth is filled with missteps, the Lyran state has endured for many hundreds of years based on the capabilities of its industrial base and by the merits of the rare, capable officers produced by the system.
- 1 History
- 2 Military
- 3 Economy
- 4 Politics
- 5 Rulers
- 6 Era Specific Data
- 7 Maps
- 8 Historical Maps
- 9 See Also
- 10 References
- 11 Bibliography
The Lyran Commonwealth was formed in 2341 as a merger between three mercantile alliances, the Protectorate of Donegal, Federation of Skye, and Tamar Pact. The founding charter called for nine "Archons" to rule to nation, but the impracticality of this system led to a coup by the leader of Donegal, Robert Marsden, who declared himself Archon Basileus in August 2375. An invasion by the Draconis Combine in 2407 resulted in the death of then-Archon Alistair Marsden, brother of Robert, in 2408. Rule fell to his wife, Katherine Steiner, safely ensconced on the new capital of Tharkad. The reign of House Steiner had begun.
The Lyrans lost territory to their neighbors, but the tide turned when a 2455 commando raid gave House Steiner plans for powerful new war machines, BattleMechs. The Age of War gave way to the golden era of mankind, watched over by the Star League, which the Steiners pledged to join in 2558. The Commonwealth economy prospered during this era, but it did not last. The Amaris Civil War laid waste to many worlds in the Terran Hegemony, though the Commonwealth was enlarged when it absorbed many Rim Worlds Republic systems.
The First Succession War between the remaining five Great Houses broke out in 2785. The 1st and 2nd Wars blasted the Inner Sphere back into the industrial age as total war resulted in the deaths of millions, cities were destroyed, and JumpShips annihilated. The 3rd War lasted generations, but saw a return to the Ares Conventions that limited the collateral damage. The Commonwealth traded worlds with the Free Worlds League, but steadily lost ground to the Combine.
In 3020, the waning years of the Third Succession War, Archon Katrina Steiner circulated a peace proposal to the other Great House rulers. Though they all rebuffed her, First Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Suns was intrigued and the duo began a dialogue that resulted in an alliance the betrothed Hanse to Katrina's daughter and heir, Archon-designate Melissa Steiner. Coinciding with their marriage ceremony on Terra in 3028, the two nations launched invasions of their neighbors. The Commonwealth used Rasalhagian revolutionaries to their advantage during the Fourth Succession War, taking many systems away from the Combine. These gains were neutralized when Theodore Kurita recognized their independence in 3034, forcing the Lyrans to give up their hard-won planets to the nascent Free Rasalhague Republic. The abortive War of 3039 was intended as a full-scale invasion of the Combine, but the surprising strength of House Kurita caused the allied nations to rethink their intentions, calling off the attack in short order. The two nations merged together more closely after the failed war, resulting in the informal creation of the Federated Commonwealth.
In 3050, the Clans invaded the Inner Sphere, and Commonwealth forces lost battle after battle to Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf. The 3052 Truce of Tukayyid stalled the Clan Invasion, thanks to ComStar, but many Commonwealth worlds remained vulnerable to attack. The 3055 assassination of Archon Melissa Steiner resulted in the formal union of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns with the acceding of Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion. Because of his younger sister's manipulations, he quickly became unpopular among his subjects. When Free Worlds Captain-General Thomas Marik discovered in 3057 that Victor had replaced his son Joshua with a body double, he allied with Capellan Confederation Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao and launched an invasion. Katherine Steiner-Davion seized on the opportunity and invoked war powers to secede the Lyran half of the nation from the alliance, calling it the "Lyran Alliance", and signed a peace treaty with Marik, resulting in the creation of the Chaos March. Grand Duke Morgan Kell all but seceded from the Alliance, creating a semi-autonomous region along the Falcon border known as the Arc-Royal Defense Cordon.
|Lyran Alliance
|Faction Profile
|Time period:
|3057 – 3084
|Successor State
|Controlled systems:
|Capital world:
|Ruler title:
|Lyran Alliance Armed Forces
|Secret Service:
|Lyran Intelligence Corps
A Clan Jade Falcon incursion in 3058 was stalled at Coventry by a multinational coalition led by Archon-Prince Victor. The powers recognized the need for cooperation to end the Clan threat, resulting in the resurrection of the Star League. Archon Katherine offered Tharkad to host the Whitting Conferences, though her scheming never resulted in assuming the mantle of First Lord for herself. When Victor led a task force to Clan space to ensure the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar, Katherine seized on the opportunity to take over the remaining half of the Federated Commonwealth. Though he initially did not contest Katherine's reign, Victor's hand was forced in 3062. The FedCom Civil War engulfed the Lyran nation for five years, including another Jade Falcon incursion in 3064. Katherine's loss in the civil war allowed Victor to set the lines of succession. He formally separated the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth and installed Peter Steiner-Davion as archon in 3067.
In December 3067, the Star League fell apart as the Lyrans and others refused to support it any longer. The Word of Blake, a faction that was about to gain legitimacy with League membership, was furious and launched a Jihad against the other Inner Sphere and Periphery powers. The Lyran Alliance was devastated by the fourteen-year conflict because the Word targeted the Lyran's strong industrial base. The Alliance also faced off against the Free Worlds League and the Clans at the same time. Devlin Stone emerged as a state-less leader who united many of the various factions against the Blakists, eventually ejecting them from the Alliance and liberating Terra in 3079.
On 5 January 3084, the nation was renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth. The nation enlarged at the expense of the fractured Free Worlds League, including a full-scale invasion in 3136. Archon Melissa Steiner's attempt to ally with Clan Wolf and settle them on the former League border backfired. The Wolves conquered dozens of worlds, batting aside every unit the LCAF threw at them. Simultaneous invasions by Clans Jade Falcon, Hell's Horses, and Wolf was more than the nation could take. The Wolves landed on Tharkad and routed the Lyran defenders, killing the archon, though the Clans did not attempt to hold the Lyran capital. After returning home and attaining the rank of khan, Alaric Ward revealed that he is genetically the child of Katherine Steiner-Davion and announced his intention to become archon.
Since the fall of the Star League, the Lyran Commonwealth's High Command had a reputation for being bloated, inept, and ineffective. Early in its existence, the Commonwealth created the title of "Social General" for those important individuals who lacked other titles. Social generals are not unique to the Lyrans, but there is a preponderance of them compared to other nations. These individuals are officers (not necessarily high-ranking, despite the term) who received their position through networking as opposed to martial talent. These social generals decided in time that they possessed military authority and began overseeing actual military operations. Rank and awards were handed out like so many party favors and the structure soon became top-heavy. The incompetent leadership of the Lyran military has been responsible for many a bad decision, and poor leadership has reflected in the performance of their troops.
To compensate for the shortcomings or their High Command, the Lyrans are known for their use of large 'Mechs. Using their well-established industrial base, the LAAF fields a higher ratio of Assault 'Mechs than any other nation in the Inner Sphere. This has not always been a boon, however, as their enemies have been able to use more balanced forces to outmaneuver and defeat the Lyrans on many occasions.
The problems with the Lyran military only began to be reduced during the Archonship of Katrina Steiner, but even then, the command structure was often distrusted by the regular troops that engaged in battle. During the Third Succession War, the Commonwealth lost several worlds to the Draconis Combine due to poor planning, logistics, and support by the Lyran command structure despite strong commitment by ground forces. The Federated Commonwealth Alliance did much to change that, even eliminating social generals for a short time. Though the Federated Suns tried to help the Lyrans bring their military up to par with the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, much of that effort was undone when Katherine seceded the Lyran Alliance and removed many of the quality officers because they remained loyal to her brother. In addition, Katherine brought back the so-called "social generals."
Recruits can enter the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF) at the age of sixteen. The LCAF has and does implement drafts to bolster unit strengths, especially in periods of intense warfare (such as the start of the Fourth Succession War in 3028).
Military Ranks[edit]
The military ranks for the Lyran Commonwealth were originally established in 2413 by Archon Katherine Steiner's Brandenberg Edicts. They were merged with those of the Federated Suns during the formation of the Federated Commonwealth, but re-established after Katrina Steiner-Davion separated the nation from the FedCom, forming the Lyran Alliance.
Manufacturing centers[edit]
A detailed list of some Lyran manufacturing and company centers.
Heavy Aerospace Industry[2][edit]
Major Defense Industries[3][edit]
- Arc-Royal MechWorks
- Blackstone BattleMechs Limited
- Blue Shot Weapons
- Bowie Industries
- Brigadier Corporation
- Coventry Metal Works
- Cyclops Incorporated
- Defiance Industries
- Gienah Combat Vehicles
- Lockheed/CBM Corporation
- New Earth Trading Company
- Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated
- Quickscell Company
- Semier Data Tron
- Shipil Company
- StarCorps Industries
- TharHes Industries
- Tharkad Aerospace Group
- Yankee Weapons Systems
Lyran Commonwealth (and Lyran Alliance) was basically a feudal monarchy with an assembly that served in a largely advisory capacity. This does not mean, however, that the people do not have rights and freedoms. The Steiner Archons have traditionally been rather liberal rulers, allowing their people the right to assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. Indeed, occasions in which these rights were taken away have been cause for crisis in and of themselves.
The Archon is the head-of-state of the Lyran Commonwealth. He or she is also the commander-in-chief of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces and has the authority to make any and all decisions relating to domestic and foreign policy.
The Lyran nobility is very powerful. For instance, in the time of the Lyran Alliance, the state was divided into five provinces named for their capital worlds, Alarion, Bolan, Coventry, Donegal, and Skye. The rulers of these planets hold the title Duke or Duchess, and also serve as provincial rulers for those areas. They could essentially serve as head of state in their province so long as they did not override the authority the Archon. Indeed, some of these rulers were powerful enough to challenge the central authority.
Other noble rulers existed at every possible spectrum. Some ruled multiple worlds, while others ruled a city or tract of land. For every layer of nobility, a ruler could exercise his or her authority so long as he or she did not infringe upon the rights of the people or go against what a higher authority decreed.
Estates General[edit]
The Estates General was integrated into the governance of the Federated Commonwealth rather than subsumed. The Estates General is an assembly that meets on Tharkad and is theoretically composed of one individual from each world in the Lyran state, but in fact the least populous worlds are not represented. A member of the Estates General is elected to a six-year term and cannot hold a title more powerful than Baron.
The primary function of the Estates General is confirming the Archon, though this is often little more than a rubber stamp that grants legitimacy to House Steiner. In fact, it was originally created in 2376 by Robert Marsden in order to grant his coup legitimacy. Despite its origins, the Estates General has taken a leading role in determining who holds position of Archon, as it did in 3007 when it voted no-confidence in Alessandro Steiner, paving the way for his niece Katrina to take power.[4]
|Archon Basileus of the Lyran Commonwealth 2346 - 2395
|"The Nine Archons"
|2346 - 2375
|Robert "The Crusher" Marsden
|2375 - 2395
|Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 2395 - 2408
|Alistair Marsden
|2395 - 2408
|Steiner Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 2408 - 2849
|Katherine Steiner-Marsden
|2408 - 2445
|Wife of Alistair
|Alistair Marsden-Steiner
|2445 - 2467
|Son of Katherine and Alistair
|Michael I
|2467 - 2472
|Son of Alistair Marsden-Steiner
|2472 - 2501
|Brother of Michael
|Margaret Olsen-Steiner
|2501 - 2503
|Wife of Steven
|Robert I
|2503 - 2528
|2528 - 2555
|Son of Robert
|2555 - 2570
|Cousin of Craig
|Viola Steiner-Dinesen
|2570 - 2596
|Kevin Steiner-Dinesen
|2596 - 2647
|Son of Viola
|Sarah Steiner-Dinesen
|2647 - 2672
|Sister of Kevin
|2672 - 2704
|Son of Sarah
|2704 - 2729
|Son of William
|Michael II
|2729 - 2760
|Brother of Jonathan
|Robert II
|2760 - 2781
|Son of Michael II
|2781 - 2791
|Sister of Robert II
|2791 - 2823
|Son of Jennifer
|2823 - 2844
|Nephew of Richard
|Melissa Nin-Steiner
|Wife of Marcus
|Claudius "the Cruel"
|2845 - 2849
|Brother of Marcus
|Triumvirate Regency of the Lyran Commonwealth 2849 - 2859
|Rebecca Morgan Steiner
|Wife of Claudius
|Speaker of the Estates General Henry DeCalidore
|Ilysa Aten
|Steiner Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 2859 - 3055
|Elizabeth Steiner
|2859 - 2895
|Daugther of Claudius and Rebecca
|2895 - 2913
|Simon Borge-Steiner
|2913 - 2914
|Son of Eric
|2914 - 2937
|Sister of Simon
|2937 - 2952
|Son of Tatyana
|2952 - 2980
|Son of Marco
|2980 - 3007
|Son of Giovanni
|3007 - 3039
|Niece of Alessandro
|Melissa Steiner-Davion
|3039 - 3055
|Daughter of Katrina
|Steiner-Davion Archon-Prince of the Federated Commonwealth 3055 - 3057
|3055 - 3057
|Son of Melissa
|Steiner-Davion Archon-Prince of the Lyran Alliance 3057 - 3067
|3057 - 3067
|Sister of Victor
|Steiner Archon of the Lyran Alliance 3067 - 3084
|Peter Steiner-Davion
|3067 - 3071 (first term)
|Brother of Katherine Steiner-Davion
|Adam Steiner
|3071 - 3072 (first term)
|Cousin of Peter
|Peter Steiner-Davion
|3072 - 3073 (second term)
|Brother of Katherine Steiner-Davion
|Adam Steiner
|3073 - 3084 (second term)
|Cousin of Peter
|Steiner Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 3084 - 3141
|Adam Steiner
|3084 - 3121
|Cousin of Peter
|Andrew Steiner
|3121 - 3127
|Son of Adam
|Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)
|3127 - 3141
|Daughter of Andrew
|Brewer Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 3141 - 3143
|Vedet Brewer
|3141 - 3143
|Steiner Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth 3143 - ????
|Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)
|3143 (second term)
|Daughter of Andrew
|Trillian Steiner
|3143 - ????
|Great-Granddaughter of Peter
Era Specific Data[edit]
- Location (Terra relative): Coreward and Anti-Spinward quadrant[5]
- Total (Inhabited) Systems: 319
- Estimated Population (3130): 955,000,000,000
- Government: Constitutional Monarchy (with German feudal stylings)
- Dominant Language(s): German (official) , English, Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
- Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Muslim
- Unit of Currency: Kroner (1 kroner = 2.13 C-Bills / 3.88 C-Bills (3145)[6])
Map showing Protectorate of Donegal, Federation of Skye, and the Tamar Pact in 2341.
The Lyran Commonwealth in 2571.
The Lyran Commonwealth after First Succession War (2822).
The Lyran Commonwealth after Second Succession War (2864).
The Lyran Commonwealth after Third Succession War (3025).
The Lyran Commonwealth after Fourth Succession War (3030).
The Lyran Commonwealth after War of 3039 (3040).
The Lyran State of the Federated Commonwealth during Clan Invasion (3052).
The Lyran Alliance after Clan Invasion (3067).
The Lyran Commonwealth in (3085).
The Lyran Commonwealth in (3130).
Historical Maps[edit]
after Reunification War
Star League Era
after First Succession War
- LC-2864.png
after Second Succession War
- LC-3025.png
after Third Succession War
- LC-3030.png
after Fourth Succession War
after War of 3039
beforce Clan Invasion
after Clan Invasion
in 3057
- LC-3063.png
after Operation Guerrero
- LC-3067.png
during Second Star League
during Jihad
after Jihad
in 3081
creation of the Republic of the Sphere
before Gray Monday
in 3135
in 3145
See Also[edit]
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 14, "False Start: Reign of the Nine"
- ↑ Strategic Operations, p. 14
- ↑ Tactical Operations, p. 14
- ↑ House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
- ↑ Touring the Stars, p. 55
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p.194, "Currency Conversion Table"
- Blake Ascending
- Dawn of the Jihad
- FedCom Civil War
- Ghost War
- Grave Covenant
- Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
- Handbook: House Steiner
- Historical: Reunification War
- House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
- Jihad Hot Spots: 3070
- Malicious Intent
- MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction
- Prince of Havoc
- Prometheus Unbound (Proliferation, Part II)
- Strategic Operations
- Tactical Operations
- Technical Readout: 3085
- Touring the Stars


text:
I think the argument that JO was banged up against the Pissed-On's both of the last two years is true, but when is he NOT going to be banged up after a preseason, 82 games in the regular season, and either a first-round, or first- and second-round series already played?
I have serious doubts that this team can survive long enough to make a title run....It seems we have a team made of glass sometimes.
Also, you don't cut slack to someone with a max contract....You just don't do it.


text:
4. Demographics don't swing elections
Even if Republicans did bring up their percentage of the Latino vote, it wouldn't make a great difference nationwide. Say Mitt Romney won George W Bush's percentage of the Latino vote, he still would have lost the nationwide vote by 1.4pt. The reason is that the Latino vote still only makes up 9-10% of the vote in the national exit polls, and slightly less in most other surveys.
The rate of growth of the Latino vote nationwide has been relatively slow. A solid estimate matching past trends from David Broockman and Ethan Roeder put the Latino vote growing about 0.6pt as a portion of the electorate every presidential election through 2024. Obama's margin of victory would be just 0.7pt higher according to projected demographics for 2024. That puts an onus on Republicans to win more Latino votes, though it's not as large an imperative as one might assume.
5. Most Latino voters don't live in swing states
Most of the growth in the Latino vote is occurring in non-swing states. California and Texas are where most the Latino voters are and will continue to be. California will be blue for the foreseeable future, and Texas isn't going to turn blue for another decade and a half. Arizona is an intriguing state for Democrats, though the recent Republican turn of the white vote makes it a non-swing state.
The only swing states in which Latinos make up the same or a greater percentage of the electorate than nationally are Colorado, Florida, and Nevada.


text:
Fowler getting and taking big hits this year
PHOENIX -- Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler has stung baseballs to the tune of seven home runs going into Friday night's game against the D-backs. But Fowler has been stung by baseballs, too.
He has fouled a pitch off his left foot, and needed an X-ray to make sure it wasn't broken. He was hit in the wrist by a pitch. Thursday night, D-backs right-hander Trevor Cahill smoked him with a pitch on the outside of his right knee.
"I hope I'm not a magnet," Fowler said. "Sometimes I hit my own self, sometimes I get hit. I don't know.
"That one last night was pretty bad. But my foot was bad. But it's part of the game."
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Hardball in the Rockies, and follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Guest blogger: Trip to New Hampshire
2013 July 12
I went on vacation to the North Conway area of New Hampshire last week, and had a great time. The kids went boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, and we made our first trip to Storyland. Really just an amazing time with the family. Oh, and I drank some New Hampshire beers too.
First up was Squam Brewing Company I was able to get this at Discount Beverage in Conway. They had a number of their beers there, but I chose No Wake Wheat since I was in the mood for a wheat ale. It was really good. Just a perfect wheat ale with hints of banana, citrus, and aroma of peaches.
I then got some Altitude from Tuckerman's Brewing. Wonderful beer. It was really malty, and sweet, In fact, it made me start to rethink all of the hoppy beers I love, but that's a different blog.
What trip wouldn't be complete to the North Conway area without going to Moat Mountain? Answer, none. Anyway, I had their Kolsch, and their Matilda's Red Ale. The Kolsch was good, but their Red Ale was more memorable. In my quest to find a really good red ale this made my top five list easily.
I also picked up Henniker Brewing Company's Slop Slinger. A very good IPA, and was perfect for a night of having to listen to extended family members talk about stuff I didn't want to listen to.
All in all this was a fun trip that allowed me to try a good variety of New Hampshire beers. I'll be headed back to New Hampshire soon, and will be trying some more while I'm there, and will report back on what I had as well. The family will be with me too, but the beers will be all for me.
No comments yet


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Drive home safely!
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Drive home safely!
Paul was the man today, just so you guys know his value would never be this high.
Go Pacers !!!!
3-1 on a road trip....really nicely done by the boys. I said at the start of the season if we were 10-11 after 21 games it would be a huge win. Well I never thought we would be seriously looking at that when we were 4-7. nice job.
And thanks Tom T for leaving the clown of Nate in the game long enough for him to help us win.
So mad I missed this game up until midway through the 3rd. It's always fun to beat the Bulls.
Cant make out any of Nate's tats.
This is why we'd be fools to give up on PG anytime soon. You don't trade a 22 year old who can play like that. He has the potential to be one of the best offensive players the Pacers have ever had. He just has all of the tools. God his shot is pretty when it drops like it was tonight.
Just wait till he hits his mid 20's.
Paul "MJ" George!
Please don't ever tell me to settle with Paul just being a great defender and 14 ppg player when he is able to do things like tonight.Probably he will never become dominant i know but it's a damn shame cause the talent is there.Plus he drove to the basket.How's that for a change?Nate Robinson you're a punk and i don't see you celebrating now.Idiot!
pacers seem to be getting back on track but they're going to have to do something about the backup pg position.
"We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.
Anybody still want Paul George traded?
Larry Bird and Ryan Grigson- wasting the talents of Paul George and Andrew Luck
Nate Robinson giveth, Nate Robinson taketh away
Larry Bird and Ryan Grigson- wasting the talents of Paul George and Andrew Luck
Man Paul why do you have to renew my confidence in you every time I've lost almost all hope?
Great win tonight and a win against the Bulls in Chicago is always extra sweet!
PG24 was the man tonight and hopefully that continues.
Lance with the play of the game!
Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel
Look at that, Paul. When you drive, good things happen
Best game of his career.
so that's what having a superstar is like
Anyone watch the Bulls feed? It would have been golden to hear Stacey (sp? boombaby?) King blaming the refs for the loss. By far the worst commentary in the league. I HATE the bulls! Go B&G!
George Hill (3-16) and David West (3-12) had rough outings. You'd expect a blowout loss looking at those numbers. I guess PG was seriously upset about his last performance.
This is the first game that Paul George impressed me on offense. He shot very few threes. He hit several midrange shots. He got to the rim. He penetrated and dumped to other players for easy shots.
Until tonight, all I've seen is three point attempts and drives to the rim where he usually did not convert. Tonight's performance was something very different. It was great.
"Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." Kevin Pritchard press conference
one way to describe this game: Paul George, wasn't like he just got lucky and hit 9 threes in a game, he was creating his own shot a lot and got to the rim some too, best game of the year for him IMO


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Horror isn't what it used to be. Villains like Freddy Krueger have fallen by the wayside. Ghosts and zombies are what keep people up at night.
In the same way, the face of horror has changed in video games. Gone is the golden age when terrifying titles could leave you screaming in the dark or give you nightmares. Nowhere is this more apparent than in two recent releases: "Resident Evil 6" and "XCOM: Enemy Unknown."
Both manage to instill an intense sense of panic and dread at times, but they don't do it as well as the games of the past. "XCOM" is an updated take on the classic strategy game. Players are in charge of a secret organization tasked with defending Earth against an alien invasion.
Players must figure out what resources to put toward research and development, how to build the base and which countries to protect. It's an overwhelming responsibility at first -- the learning curve is high -- but once players get used to the gameplay loop, it becomes second nature juggling satellites, equipment and squads.
That's half of the game. The more entertaining part is the ground missions, where players command a squad that's focused on objects such as alien crashes, abductions or rescues. This is when "XCOM" gets nerve-wracking as players guide their troops methodically over the map, checking around corners and buildings on a turn-by-turn basis.
A wrong move could leave a squad stumbling into an ambush or open for a counterattack. The combat is deep, as players have to take into account not only the composition of their team, but their special abilities as well. It's vital to winning and enlightening. Players build a bond with their squad members, even though their appearance and names are randomly generated.
A few bugs get in "XCOM's" way. The PC version is full of annoying moments when the user interface gets tangled up or the game just freezes. It even affects basic gameplay: One soldier I had was wounded for the whole campaign. The other problem is with the movement inside shuttles and alien bases. It gets difficult picking out where you want to move a soldier or trying to line up a shot.
But for all its faults, "XCOM" is still engrossing in the same way other turn-based strategy games are. I'm looking at you, "Civilization V." If the team at Firaxis just cleaned up the game more, it would be perfect.
Like "XCOM," "Resident Evil 6" has its flaws. In its new iteration, the series moves away from its survival horror roots and turns into an action game. It's less about the abrupt scares and exploration and more about fighting zombies and monsters.
Trying to start a new chapter, the game features familiar heroes such as Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield along with new characters such as Jake Muller. The game is split into three campaigns, each telling a different part of the narrative about a zombie outbreak, purportedly from a terrorist group called neo-Umbrella.
Focused on cooperative play, it features a lot of gameplay design and choices of "Resident Evil 5." Players are supposed to work together online as they traverse linear levels and solve simple puzzles. But having a buddy takes away from the scares that made the past games great.
Capcom developers also fail to communicate to players parts of the control and level design. The lack of explanation can be confusing and make normally easy situations difficult, especially if you're stuck with a partner who has no clue about what he's doing.
It feels like the rest of the industry has passed the franchise by. There are more compelling zombie stories out there with "The Walking Dead" game and, at times, it seems as though Capcom is borrowing heavily from Valve's "Left 4 Dead."
Horror gaming needs a rebirth. "Resident Evil" has to lead the charge, but the latest attempt is more of a stumble.
Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or gcacho@bayareanews group.com. Read his blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei.
'xcom: enemy unknown'
* * *
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Rating: Mature
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Rating: Mature


text:
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text:
'Pominville admits it was a long process, "I was in a cast for 2.5 weeks, then in a walking boot for four weeks, but I couldn't walk on it. I could take it off to sleep or take a shower. Then once that came off I was able to walk with crutches a little bit. I would say at the middle or end of June I was able to put the skates for the first time and just do something really light, nothing crazy, then I took a week off. The first time it didn't really feel that good, but as it went along after a week off it felt so much better and then it started progressing really, really quick and I was able to get back to what I usually do."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Sabres Pominville ready for camp


text: Brookwood Farms BBQ has hired Chuck Mastruserio as its new regional manager for the Mid West region. "We are very excited to have Chuck join our team as we expand our sales and growth into the Midwest region of the country," said Twig Wood, Brookwood Farms president. He will assume the responsibilities of managing sales