text:
"The response from the games industry to the idea has been amazing. When we initially proposed a consumer show we went to all publishers and 90 per cent said "we'll support you, we're in" – and that's been the case all the way through. It may be a testing time of the year for the number of games released, but without doubt, publishers have come through with some excellent stands and great content. We're also extremely pleased with the response from the press with coverage in The Sun, and film crews from T4 and ITN capturing all the action at the show.
"One big feature of the show will be the stage. We've got over 20 bands lined up, such as We Are Scientists, in addition to games features with Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Pro Evo, ensuring there will plenty of entertainment throughout the weekend.
"I don't know if a UK games show will ever be able to take on trade shows such as the old E3 and the Tokyo Games Show for sheer size as we do not have the headquarters of Sony or Microsoft based in this country. But I do know that we need to engage the UK consumer, which is why I am so impressed by the commitment these huge companies have given to this show.
"It's great to know that MCV's readership will be out in force. Over 800 VIP tickets have been snapped up by you all – and with a special trade-only MCV/Pro Evo Pitch View Room, you should be well looked after.
"So next weekend, why not come to the finest football stadium in the world and witness what we hope will be a step in the right direction for gaming and the games industry in the UK.
"But first, sit back and take a look at just what our partners have got to offer – and why we're so excited about what we've got in store..."
Stewart Rowe - Managing Director, Play.com
Sony looks to show off Killzone 2 – with a full trailer on the cards, which should have Sony fanboys agog from start to finish.
Elsewhere, the platform holder is demonstrating the power of its PlayStation Network with some impressive titles – not least Echochrome. As we get closer to their release, a significant portion of the crowd will definitely be looking to get their hands on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Everybody's Golf: World Tour, whilst long-awaited sequel God Of War: Chains Of Olympus will be available for fans of the PlayStation Portable.
Sierra is planning something pretty strange for Wembley's neighbourhood… a giant StayPuft Marshmallow man. But it promises to be pretty wonderful, too. Rumour has it that other Ghostbusters-related props will be on show, including a replica of the 1959 ambulance-Cadillac the 'busters used to get around town. The Ghostbusters game will be demoed along with the very sexy-looking Prototype.
The open world stormer from Radical Entertainment has been making preview journos in the PS3, 360 and PC specialist press salivate for months now. As an added bonus, a similarly eye-catching outing is also planned for The Bourne Conspiracy, which promises to be a major hit when released in the summer on the Xbox 360 and PS3.
"Ghostbusters is a pop cultural milestone for the core audience of next-gen games – so there's little doubt that Sierra Entertainment is onto a winner," explained head of games at Play.com Gian Luzio. "We're ecstatic to have the giant Stay Puft marshmallow man at Play.com Live – it will be a real centrepiece. The rest of Sierra's line-up for the event shows just how strong a roster it has for 2008."
If Electronic Arts' colossal showing in Trafalgar Square during last year's London Games Festival is anything to go by, the publisher will provide visitors to Play.com Live with a real treat. EA has big plans for Rock Band, which will feature a large amount of audience participation. The firm is even utilising Play.com's main stage at Wembley to show what the title can do. Elsewhere, the publisher will be showing off new urban sports romper FIFA Street 3, alongside co-op shooter Army Of Two, Burnout Paradise and The Simpsons Game. In addition, My Sims will get an airing – sure to be a hit with the family audience.
"We're ecstatic with the level of commitment that EA has shown the event," adds Luzio. "The buzz around Rock Band is really growing – and Play.com Live is a perfect platform to show off just how good it is."
It will be a scary atmosphere over at Sega's corner of the event, as it shows off the eerie Condemned 2 (pictured right). To offer some family-friendly respite, the publisher will also be giving mums, dads and kids alike the chance to fiddle with chart-topping wonder Sonic and Mario at The Olympic Games, which is sure to draw the crowds once newcomers get to grips with the intuitive Wii version. In addition, Sega Superstar Tennis will be playable.
Very little is known about the newest in the Resident Evil series, but Capcom is likely to show off a cheeky glimpse of Resident Evil 5 (pictured left) to the assembled crowd. Judging by the furious forumite action that the title inspires day-in-day-out, Capcom's stand should have no problem in attracting a very healthy number of attendees.
Once there, they will be given another unprecedented treat – with a non-playable peek at Street Fighter 4 (pictured inset).
For those itching to get their hands on a console, former All Formats number one Devil May Cry 4 will be playable, and will be joined by the PS3 version of popular third-person action title Lost Planet.
One of the biggest draws of the entire Play.com Live experience will be a video of the still-mighty-secretive Star Wars adaptation, The Force Unleashed (pictured right). When a game promises the prospect of scything through rebel scum with a motion-sensing Wii Remote lightsabre and taking on the role of Darth Vader's all-too-willing assistant, you know it's going to engage the crowds.
The title promises new truths about the Star Wars universe – with its story set somewhere between the conclusive Star Wars: III Revenge Of The Sith and Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
Activision will also offer playable demos of exciting upcoming titles including LucasArts' LEGO Indiana Jones and Paramount cartoon movie adaptation Kung Fu Panda – which will hit cinema screens this summer.
No games party would be complete without a showing from Guitar Hero – and FPS of the moment Call Of Duty 4 will also be demonstrated.
With the recently created games publishing division adding another valuable string to Warner Brother's gigantic media bow, Play.com Live offers an ideal platform for the firm to demonstrate its power as an all-round entertainment company.
Alongside a showcase for the eagerly awaited Batman film Dark Knight, consumers will also get a first look at the equally anticipated LEGO Batman. Developed by LEGO Star Wars kingpins TT Games, DC Comics' caped crusader cruises around a fully LEGO Gotham with boy wonder Robin.
Warner's other major feature at the show will be Speed Racer, the next film from The Matrix creators the Wachowski brothers that looks set to be an early summer hit – both at the cinema and on console.
"It's great to have Warner Bros on board," says Play.com's Gian Luzio. "2008 is looking like a very exciting year for them. Lego Batman and Speed Racer are both smashing properties that should turn more than a few heads over the weekend."
With a release date now finally set for May, interest in Ubisoft's Haze (pictured left) will be skybound when Play.com Live rolls around next week.
The title has suffered a bumpy ride to release, with a delay that took it past Christmas, but Play.com Live will be a real opportunity for Ubisoft to show off just how special the FPS is.
Developed by Free Radical – the team behind Timesplitters – the title looks set to push the genre into areas it's never been before, and has been lapped up by the specialist games press.
For the more stealthful ticket holder, Ubisoft will also be presenting a playable version of Tom Clancy Rainbow Six Vegas 2. Ubisoft has told MCV that the title is an 'all-in-one prequel, sequel and conclusion' to the first game, and the title's innovative co-op mode will certainly be worth a browse for attendees. And Ubisoft will prove that Activision won't be the only company to have a Star Wars force on show – with Soul Calibur IV, which allows gamers to play as Yoda and Darth Vader.
Microsoft is going all out to target the family audience at Play.com Live – with a wealth of titles perfect for connected audiences to play together. From button-bashing movie quiz Scene It! (pictured, inset) to garden building chillout marathon of Viva Pinata, the platform holder is providing a feast of fun for all ages. It will also demonstrate the power of Xbox Live, which it is looking to take to the mainstream, family audience with initiatives such as Video Store and mainstream titles – which will be demonstrated at Play.com Live. The beautiful REZ HD, addictive Boom Boom Rocket and card-based joy of Uno will all be on display. But Microsoft's stand won't be 100 per cent about casual gamers – with a handful of 'core' gamer exclusives also rumoured.
As well as unveiling new IP such as get-up-and-workout Wii title Big Beach Sports, THQ has gone down the route of showcasing its strongest existing product. And with big hitters such as Frontlines: Fuel of War (pictured, left) and MX vs ATV Untamed, who can blame the publisher? The king of THQ's current product roster is, of course, WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw (pictured, inset), and the latest iteration is sure to get a good airing – and attract the teenage male demographic like nothing but nudey pictures could otherwise achieve.
New titles won't be in short supply, however, and whispers of titles such as Battle of The Bands and DeBlob will satisfy curious hardcore punters and the family audience alike.
Codemasters is going all out with its latest triple-A racing cracker. Still without a release date, Race Driver: GRID promises to really wow petrolheads when a playable version is made available at Play.com Live.
The title, which is due out on DS, PC, PS3 and X360 later this year, began life as TOCA, but the name change hasn't affected its appeal.
The game takes players to dramatic race locations over three continents to compete, and is packed with the most powerful race cars – from new and classic to circuit and drift.
Prestigious European racetracks abound, whilst Japanese night races are set to be a highlight.
But it's in the US where visitors to Play.com Live will find the most iconic cities. – including San Francisco, Washington DC and Detroit.
The best of the rest...
Both Konami and Midway were two of the first publishers to sign up to Play.com Live when the concept was revealed in MCV last year – and they've seen that commitment through with two splendid competitions for attendees.
Midway's Unreal Tournament III is sure to be a hit at the expo regardless, but the publisher has gone the extra mile, with a major push for both the PC and PS3 versions of the game.
Meanwhile, any games show just wouldn't be complete without Pro Evolution Soccer, and Konami has laid on a real treat for fans. A very prominent turn for Pro Evolution 2008 will be a centrepiece of the show, with fans able to take each other on in the football-friendly atmosphere of Wembley stadium.
Square Enix's Dragon Quest: Monsters Joker on DS will also get an airing, and Oxygen will be looking to hit the bullseye with Wiimote-swinging chart smash PDC World Championship Darts.
And for those with a musical ear...
Let's be honest – music acts that turn up to games shows don't tend to be of the most respectable ilk. Youngsters needing exposure or old rockers on the way out tend to be the order of the day, which is why it's so impressive that Play.com has pulled out all the stops. Over the two days, ticket holders will witness on-stage antics of the likes of We Are Scientists, Elliot Minor, Starsailor and The Rumble Strips. In addition, genuine 'gonna-bes' are performing in the shape of 'new Winehouse' Beth Rowley and 50's throwbacks Vincent Vincent and The Villains.
There will also be plenty of other non-singing celebrity talent at the event, including 'It' girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, former boyband hunk Duncan James, Love Island ex-footballer Duncan James and chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Elsewhere, talented jazz imp Jamie Cullum has also been signed up – suggesting he's a big fan of games.


text:
Insuring Your Boat
Sunny skies, warm waters, the wind beneath your sails--and boat insurance? Insurance is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you set sail on the open seas, but it's still important. And even though insuring a boat is a lot like insuring a car, there are some unique issues to address. Here are some questions and answers to help you out.
Do you need to purchase boat insurance?
Most homeowners policies provide a small amount of coverage (e.g., $1,000) for physical damage to small boats while they are stored at your home, but not when they are on the water. Your policy may also provide a limited amount of coverage for protection against personal liability claims resulting from the negligent operation of your boat. Liability coverage for mishaps involving your boat may be expanded through the purchase of a watercraft endorsement for your homeowners policy.
But if you want additional coverage for your boat, you'll want to purchase boat insurance. And in some cases, you may not even have a choice: Your state may require you to carry a minimum amount of boat insurance, and many marinas and yacht clubs won't allow you to dock your boat unless it's insured.
What's covered under a boat policy?
Although boat policies vary, the two main coverages are for physical damage and liability claims. The physical damage portion of a boat policy pays to repair or replace your boat if it is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril (e.g., fire, lightning, windstorm, hurricane, explosion, collision, capsizing, sinking, vandalism, theft) listed in your policy. As for liability coverage, boat policies typically respond to bodily injury and property damage claims, as well as cover the costs of defending those claims. Similar to auto insurance policies, boat policies may provide medical payments and uninsured boat coverage.
What is a warranty?
When you buy boat insurance, it is often subject to one or more warranties, which are much like promises made by you to the insurer. If you break one of these promises when a loss occurs, the insurer may deny your coverage. A common warranty is the navigational warranty, which relates to the bodies of water that a boat can be used on. For example, a policy might only cover your boat while it is being operated on inland bodies of water (e.g., rivers, lakes) and coastal waters within a certain area. Or, it might limit boat usage to a specified body of water and the area immediately surrounding it.
How much does it cost?
The cost of boat insurance depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- The age, size, type, and power of your boat
- When and where you use your boat (e.g., coastal areas during hurricane season)
- How safely you store your boat when it is not in use
- Your level of boating experience
- Whether you use your boat seasonally or year-round
For the most part, the larger and more powerful your boat is, the more expensive it will be to insure. But prices do vary, so it pays to shop around. And keep in mind that some insurers will offer discounts (e.g., safe boater, use of protective devices, multiple policy).
What about yachts?
The insurance industry defines a yacht as a vessel that is 26 feet or longer in length. Yacht policies are similar to boat policies in that they provide coverage for physical damage (known as hull insurance) and liability claims (known as protection and indemnity coverage), along with optional coverages (e.g., legal defense, medical payments) and limitations.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=2/3. Realtime Strategy set during the Golden Age of Piracy with a unique control system built for the xbox controller. Use wind, terrain and different ship types to out manouver your enemies. Presented in 3D, moveable camera to get close in or take a long distance view. Multiple locations, times of day and weather conditions. Campaign and Skirmishes. System Link and !Live play
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


text:
[RIO DE JANEIRO] Natural capital accounting will "remain a wish" for many developing countries without significant international investment and capacity building, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) heard yesterday.
Putting a price on the benefits of maintaining natural resources allows governments to calculate the cost that would be incurred through their destruction or loss. It has long been argued by some scientists and economists that this information can help policymakers make better decisions on utilising natural resources more sustainably.
The idea has gained traction at the Rio+20 summit this week where 37 financial institution directors have signed up to implement natural capital accounting in their companies. The move followed a commitment last month by ten African countries to include the economic value of natural resources in their national accounts.
But the process could take up to a decade to implement in African countries — even those at the forefront of its implementation, such as Madagascar, according to Leon M. Rajaobelina, regional vice president of Conservation International in Madagascar.
This article is part of our coverage of preparations for Rio+20 — the UN Conference on Sustainable Development — which takes place on 20-22 June 2012. For other articles, go to Science at Rio+20
Rajaobelina is also the chair of the World Bank 'Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services' (WAVES) project — a five-year global partnership between UN agencies, governments and experts that aims to promote sustainable development by ensuring that the value of natural resources are included in measures and plans for economic growth.
Madagascar is one of five pilot countries involved in the World Bank's WAVES project.
But Rajaobelina said his country lacked the expertise necessary to bring together the management of different natural capital sectors — such as forests, fisheries and mining — and to produce accounts for them.
"We don't have [the requisite] cadre of environmental economists," he told SciDev.Net on the sidelines of a Rio+20 fringe event organised by the World Bank, Brazil's Ministry of Environment, and Conservation International yesterday (19 June).
Those concerns were echoed by one of the speakers at the event, Dikalala Gaseitsiwe, the deputy permanent secretary for socio-economic policy at Botswana's Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
To quantify resources and assess their worth, he told SciDev.Net, countries "need to do a lot of work in training. The methodologies are not so obvious to a lot of people".
Gaseitsiwe said capacity building remains the primary obstacle to natural capital accounting, saying that "without it, everything else will remain wishes".
"[Botswana] wants to partner with people who possess the capacity to augment the little that we already have in terms of scientific knowledge and information," he said.
Rajaobelina said Madagascar is keen to use natural capital accounting to value its rare earth metal reserves, so that the mining industry can sell the metals at a price reflective of full extraction costs.
He said he hopes the support of the World Bank — coupled with assistance from such countries as Brazil and the Philippines, which have natural capital accounting experience — would enable Madagascar to build the necessary capacity.
Russell A. Mittermeier, president of Conservation International, which is a firm advocate of natural capital accounting, agreed that scientific capacity was "very variable" between countries.
But he added: "The fact that it is such a central topic for discussion, and that people are exploring all angles of it, means the world has finally understood that this is a priority".
This article is part of our coverage on Science at Rio+20. Read more in our live blog.


text:
Sam Vara wrote:At my local monastery (Cittaviveka, in Southern England) the monks do sometimes go on almsround. But most of the food is provided by volunteers who cook and serve it at the monastery.
SarathW wrote:Is it illegal to beg in the street in Western Countries?
James the Giant wrote:SarathW wrote:Is it illegal to beg in the street in Western Countries?
Not everywhere, but yes in many cities and towns it is illegal.
The police do not enforce it much unless there is a complaint from the public, and an annoyance being caused.
Return to "Ordination and Monastic Life"
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


text:
You are currently viewing this site as a guest. Sign in or sign up to gain full access to the many resources and services available at noblood. If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please Contact Us.
You can view the page at http://noblood.org/content.php?r=235-Proteins
New Feature! NoBlood Answers!
Click here to see the Best Answers to Top Questions.
View Tag Cloud
Forum Rules


text:
MINI vs Porsche Challenge
June 7, 2011
In 2010, MINI was faced with a dramatically repressed market and no new product news. Our task was to create a campaign that would drive deep engagement around the strategy that MINI was a feisty way to move through an increasingly serious world. The idea to challenge an icon of seriousness, Porsche, to a race was born.
Restricted Content
Access to this content item is restricted to:
- ANA Corporate Marketer Members
Please login below or create an account.
You may already be a member. Find out if your company is already an ANA member.


text: Dunkin' Brands Inc. says NBA superstar Lebron James has agreed to market Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream in Asia. Dunkin' said in a statement Monday that the agreement will last at least two years and is worth at least $1 million. Dunkin' said James will promote its brands in China, Taiwan, India and South Korea through advertisements, online media and in-store marketing.


text:
Finish this sentence, Nation readers!
January 29 2008 09:55AM
"When I look at Alexander Ovechkin, and realize that he makes over $110,000 US per game I think to myself ___________________."
"... I think to myself that I've wasted all my time going to those Cirque du Soleil auditions, when I could have been easier on myself and become a hockey player."
I think get some bloody work done you troll. Nice unibrow for heavens sake
he is so gross
January 29 2008, 12:44PM
I think he should hire the Doctor from face off and trade faces with a beautiful female russian model and then audition to be the next James Bond girl....oh thats rich
I think spend $4.25 and buy yourself some eyebrow tweezers and buy a pack of chiclets and shove one where your tooth should be
January 29 2008, 01:09PM
Me thinks 3 things:
1. Respect to your Soviet grill 2. Props to Bolshevik bite 3. Big up to your Trotsky teeth
I need a drink to handle this
EW barf
I wish I was him; even with the ugliness.
Oh barney don't say that! Im sure you have perfectly manicured eyebrows
...spend more than $14 on a haircut Alex! (and that's a fact)


text:
Also, Donald Brown dropped two passes and missed at least a couple blitzes. Made me miss Addai.
'); var yuipath = 'clientscript/yui'; var yuicombopath = ''; var remoteyui = false; } else // Load Rest of YUI remotely (where possible) { var yuipath = 'http://yui.yahooapis.com/2.9.0/build'; var yuicombopath = 'http://yui.yahooapis.com/combo'; var remoteyui = true; if (!yuicombopath) { document.write('
Also, Donald Brown dropped two passes and missed at least a couple blitzes. Made me miss Addai.
It's not the RG3's a Vick style if the #1 read isn't there take off and run guy. It's that Shanahan's designing runs for him. Like 8 of his 10 carries were designed runs. That's fine, RG3's obviously a good runner. But don't be surprised when your 220lb QB gets hurt if you're going to have him running 160 times a year.
Also Reggie Wayne looked like a mythical being yesterday. Holy crap he was good.
My other issue yesterday and maybe it was just me, but I saw an awful lot of our bull **** zone rearing it's ugly head which IMO totally neutralized Vontae and Powers.
His interview after was even better
Always felt like Reggie wasn't as appreciated as much as he should be, Peyton's shadow I guess. Shame, guy's a class act professional.
Something else to consider.
Only FOUR rookie QB's have ever thrown for over 300 yards on opening day in the NFL.
Manning, Cam Newton, RGIII, and Luck. So yes he may not have played incredible, but he is still in ratified air after just his first professional start. Just think of what he'll be able to do if we are able to get our offensive line fixed a bit...
Read my post again, I said "he wasn't able to throw it that far on the other pick" I didn't say that "he isn't able or is incapable of throwing it that far", I think he is capable but the notion that he didn't have time to throw it that time is not true.
Here is a video of the highlights by the way, Luck pick is at the 11sec mark.
1) That was the free play pick that was sposed to be a CHI offsides. That interception should not have counted. Watch Bears' #71, pre-snap. Luck, everyone watching on TV, and everyone at Soldier Field thought it was a free play and would likely come back as a CHI penalty, but the replacement refs thought otherwise and decided to give the Bears a free possession.
2) Notice that he hikes it and immediately is flushed from the pocket. It wasn't like he had a hard pocket to stand there and deliver from; he had to run backwards about 10 yards just to be able to plant and deliver. Admittedly, it wasn't the best throw, but regardless it shouldn't have counted.
Last edited by Kid Minneapolis; 09-10-2012 at 02:37 PM.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
Nice Luck footage of the game, good stuff, bad stuff.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
Griffin undoubtedly played great. But lets see how he plays with some heat before we claim he is better than Luck.
If you go back and look at Griffin's college tape you can clearly see his main weakness is a relative lack of pocket presence. He doesn't quite feel the pressure as well as Luck. Of course I can't prove it, but I'd be willing to bet that Griffin would of had quite an ugly game if he had the "pocket" that Luck was getting most of the game.
I know it was just preseason, but RGIII couldn't move the ball, at all, against the Bears.
I want to see Luck with some consistent time to throw the football.
But, you did write it were it sounds like you are saying he physically could not throw it that far.
I agree with you. He just badly under throw it. He had time, he just didn't step into the throw. Consistent pressure will do that.
"Just look at the flowers ........ BANG"
Honestly, I was very unimpressed with his longer throws. They were all underthrown. Not saying that means he's inaccurate or lacking arm strength, but I'll certainly be watching closely the next few games.
I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.
-Emiliano Zapata
Next two games at home vs. lesser opponents will tell a lot. If we can't stop run and can't protect within reason, it probably means a top 2 pick in the draft. If we compete and show some potential in the trenches, there's hope we won't be in another 2-14 year.
I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.
-Emiliano Zapata
He was far less accurate than normal, all over the field.
He definitely was. Yeah he got pressured a ton, but he did in preseason too and he threw more bad balls just in the 1st half than he did all of preseason. It would've been a lot worse if Reggie didn't put stick-um on his hands. Hopefully just some first real game jitters.
Ya I wouldn't be looking at this first game as typical Luck.
Hell, I remember being a little uncomfortable after Peyton's first game, because he got rocked against Miami, it was pretty brutal, but he still managed to piece together a few drives. He didn't throw his first TD until under 2 mins left in garbage time.
You just can't judge off the first game, improvement will come. And RG3 isn't gonna throw 330 2-0 75% of his passes forever, either. They'll even out, probly sooner than later.
Last edited by Kid Minneapolis; 09-10-2012 at 09:50 PM.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
Just watched the game for the first time. I expected the Colts to really stink it up but I think things were actually closer than the score indicated.
For one, while the Bears broke a few big runs, I thought the run defense was decent. Davis and Powers also looked fairly good in man to man coverage, although Brandon Marshall being the talent he is outclassed them at times. What annoyed me was the Colts playing zone coverage at times, where they were routinely carved up. I hope to see less of that as our personnel becomes more familiar with the defense. The pass rush was pretty awful.
On the offensive side, for all the pressure he was under Luck showed a lot of poise. He made some misguided throws, but some pretty good ones too. I don't think he's really that far away, and really that's something you can say for the entire team. The Bears are pretty good and should be a playoff team at worst and have the potential to overachieve a bit and win the NFC. The Colts are a lower middle class team, not as good as the first or second team out of the playoffs in the AFC this year, but I think somewhat better than Buffalo, Jacksonville, scrub teams like that.
Minnesota will be a good test and I think a better barometer of where the team is. Based on what I saw this week, I think they're good enough to beat Minnesota 27-17.
Ya, we weren't entirely blown out, there were periods where we actually could have made it real interesting in the 2nd half, but they'd score and put it out of reach again. Seems like we scored a TD to start the 4th quarter and were down only 13 points, which..... not easily surmountable, but you just never know. I remember thinking, if we can force a punt, we can maybe throw another score on and get this within 6 and that would be a real interesting way to finish the game, but then CHI orchestrated a fairly draining drive ending in a touchdown and sealed the deal.
The game felt a lot like Peyton's first game 14 years ago... like a much better playoff-bound team was beating the snot out of a rookie QB and his very mediocre team, but you could see flashes of something good in that young QB.
Last edited by Kid Minneapolis; 09-11-2012 at 10:28 PM.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
It would've been nice had Vinateri hit that FG to close the half. Not only would that have tightened the score but it would've been good for morale and momentum. I think that drive kinda got lost in the shuffle because of the deflating miss.
The Colts got nothing out of a pretty good drive and in fact came away deflated....
Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.
"A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, thats teamwork."
-John Wooden
This was just one loss against a good team that has an excellent defense and running game. Give the team time to gel, especially with the newcomers. I still see us as a possible 7 win team this year. I think Andrew will improve by leaps and bounds as he experiences the speed of the NFL compared to college and preseason. We won't make the playoffs but there will be signs that this team will be good a few years down the road. I still think that trading Freeney for some skilled talent that fits the 3-4 scheme better and could make an impact on the defensive front seven. I like Bethea and Zibby as the safeties for right now. I think after a few more weeks our CB tandem will be much better as well. Once we get Angerer back it will be a bit smoother. Next years draft and free agency will be critical for us and I expect our new coach and GM will fare better as far as drafting than the past few years.


text:
A Real Professional In Pottery Apron
Product Color:
Product information
Wearing this Apron A Real Professional In Pottery proves to everyone that you really CAN cook. I mean, who else would put on an apron for no other reason? And everyone knows that a Barbeque is a messy (and yummy) ordeal. A Real Professional In Pottery might even protect you from extra heavy duty splatters and spills.
The Pottery Apron includes neck ties and extra long waist ties and makes any cooking experience rewarding. You are sure to receive many compliments! 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable.
Sku: MD0BL0000002062525250324WH0000000


text: Humming a Few Bars With 'Oisk' aka Carl Erskine May 2, 2013 | Tom Bartsch | Leave a reply Carl Erskine, still with a spring in his step at age 86, shares stories about his career, sports memorabilia and playing with Al Hirt. Guess who he was most afraid would hit a home run off him? Read More


text:
Click Click Click Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link. Here to view this Link.
The Cliff-down has begun. The Fighting Illini are set to host 2014 big man Cliff Alexander for an official visit this weekend. How big of a visit is this for the Illinoi program? It just may be the most important visit in Illini basketball history, and that's saying a lot.
Old-school fans will point to Audie Matthews (1974), Levi Cobb (1976) Eddie Johnson (1978), Nick Anderson (1986), and Marcus Liberty (1987), among others.
Liberty was the most highly regarded of that group, ranked by most services as the No. 1 player in the nation coming out of Chicago King High School. Matthews, from Chicago Heights Bloom, was recruited by Gene Bartow and recruiter Tony Yates. His signing helped Illinois get back into the Chicago market. Yates stayed on to join Lou Henson's staff, and aided Henson in nabbing Cobb out of Morgan Park.
But those were the old days, before the internet and AAU basketball put college basketball recruiting at the forefront. Only the most dedicated recruiting junkies followed closely, getting their fix from a handful of gurus and the local newspapers.
Nothing tops the Alexander visit for shear hype; not even Derrick Rose surprisingly stopping in at the Orange and Blue Scrimmage in 2006 after leaving Illinois out of his top five.
Fast forward to Oct. 26, 2013. "Big Cliff" will make the trip to Champaign with most analysts projecting it as a two horse race between Illinois and Kansas. Yep, Kansas - and former Illinois head coach Bill Self. Illinois coaches have battled Self for recruits before, most notably guard Sherron Collins and forwards Brandon Rush and Julian Wright. But this is the big fish - the program changer.
Alexander, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Chicago Curie, ranks No. 4 nationally in the class of 2014. He is widely believed to be one-and-done at the next level. While Illinois coach John Groce already has a strong class assembled - guard Quentin Snider and forwards Leron Black and Michael Finke - Alexander could be the missing piece in a Final Four-type roster.
Expect Groce and his staff to roll out the red carpet for Alexander. One of the stops on the visit will be the Illini football game vs. Michigan State, and Alexander shoud get a warm welcome from the fans, especially the student section.
Having trimmed his list earlier this month to Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State, DePaul, and Memphis, Alexander plans to announce his decision on ESPN November 16th. Until then, it will be tough for Illini hoops fans to focus their attention on anything else.
Stay tuned to Orange and Blue News throughout the week for in-depth coverage of the Cliff Alexander visit.
Sign up today, and talk about Cliff Alexander with other Illini fans on the Orange Obsession Board.
Click Here to view this video.


text:
Some of Tuscaloosa's most violent criminals are off the streets after a lengthy investigation into gun and drug crimes, authorities said Tuesday.
Some of Tuscaloosa's most violent criminals are off the streets after a lengthy investigation into gun and drug crimes, authorities said Tuesday.
An eight-month investigation led to 22 arrests of repeat criminal offenders who U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance called "the worst of the worst."
"Many of these individuals are gang members or gang affiliates, but not all of them," Vance said at news conference Tuesday afternoon. "Some are simply the kinds of criminals who thought it was acceptable to go out and use firearms in their thuggish criminal activities in the community."
The investigation between members of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms led to the seizure of more than 40 guns and large quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Those arrested face charges of violence with a firearm, using a gun during the commission of a felony and drug trafficking.
TPD Chief Steve Anderson said that the local agencies sought assistance from federal authorities because federal charges bring stiffer penalties. The 22 people arrested during the roundup have, together, been arrested more than 200 times over the years, he said.
"We're seeing people with lengthy criminal histories being sentenced to community corrections," he said. "These people are being let back into the community. They're people who are convicted felons who are selling drugs or illegally dealing in firearms and still out here victimizing the citizens of our community."
A person guilty through the federal court system must serve a minimum of 85 percent of their sentence, according to federal sentencing guidelines. State sentences are often much lighter because of overcrowding and prison funding challenges.
"We're living in a day and time now in the state of Alabama where it seems that we pursue the same people each and every day, arrest the same people over and over again and yet nothing happens to them," he said. "We're going to get some really bad people off of our streets and they're going to serve some real time."
Jeff Fulton, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said that the average person convicted on drug charges in federal court in the state is sentenced to serve eight years.
"That's pretty substantial," he said. "It isn't a turn-key operation, with people going in and going out."
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ron Abernathy said that the types of guns confiscated represent a danger to Tuscaloosa citizens and law enforcement.
"This is what we and the citizens of Tuscaloosa are facing," he said. "By using the federal system, we're able to make sure that the people using them stay off the streets for a long time."
The handguns and assault rifles confiscated and displayed for members of the media Tuesday aren't illegal if possessed by law-abiding citizens, he said. They were confiscated because they had been used in criminal activity, had been reported stolen or had obliterated serial numbers. Around 25 of the more than 40 confiscated firearms were taken from one defendant. The guns were likely used to protect turf, Fulton said, or during robberies of innocent citizens by people who used money for drugs.
"These firearms were used to fuel the drug trade," he said.
Thirteen of the suspects were arrested in the previous couple of weeks. Six were arrested Tuesday in different areas of Tuscaloosa by heavily armed and highly trained ATF and local agents. Warrants have been issued to arrest three more suspects.
"Today is not the end of this process," Vance said. "It's simply part of our ongoing commitment to citizens of Tuscaloosa to be presence here and to ensure that this sort of violent crime that these firearms represent is no longer in this community, and that our children don't have to grow up in the midst of these types of firearms."
ATF agents will continue to work with local Tuscaloosa officials to make cases against people who qualify for federal prosecution, Fulton said.
People arrested Tuesday include Matthew Sims, 27, of McCalla; Michael Barrett, 42, of Gordo; Florencewel Welch, 38, of Tuscaloosa; Timothy Wooley, 20, of Tuscaloosa; Raregus Rice, 29, of Tuscaloosa and LaJohnagan Sterling, 22, of Tuscaloosa. Suspects recently arrested include Terek Antone-Herron, Darryl Chandler, Antonio Head, Antonio Lockett, Maurice Moore, Bernard Morrow, Willie Nash, Santony Noland, Torrian Riley, Kerry Robinson, Oscoren Shepherd, Cornelius Washington and Demardus Tarver. Their ages and hometowns were not made available.
Reach Stephanie Taylor at email@example.com or 205-722-0210.


text:
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
McCreary, PhD, LLC
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Ohio State University
Dr. McCreary is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio. She has published articles in journals like Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and Schizophrenia Research to name a few. Dr. McCreary went to The Ohio State University and graduated with a Doctorate degree of Philosophy in Psychology.
More about Dr. McCreary


text:
How Bad Will the Minnesota Twins Be in 2013? [POLL]
Opening day of the Major League Baseball season is Monday, and the baseball 'experts' are busy with their predictions for 2013.
Sports Illustrated is offering up a rather bleak outlook for the Minnesota Twins:
A last place finish in the American League Central – 34 games behind the Detroit Tigers.
Only two pitchers with double digits in wins (Kevin Correia and Scott Diamond – 11 each).
Only one player with more than 21 home runs (Josh Willingham – 30).
A projected 60-102 record.
Those 102 losses would match the Twins record for a season, which has happened only once before, in 1982.
So what do you think about this year's team?


text:
Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week features student
research presentations and The Homer A. Anderson Lecture with Erin Klenk '05
The Science Division held its annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
Week April 11 – 15 on the campus, featuring the annual Homer A. Anderson
Lecture, delivered by alumna Erin Klenk '05
The week-long event also included poster presentations of undergraduate
research findings from across the university's Science Division, which
encompasses biology, chemistry, geology and psychology, as well the
interdisciplinary program in neuroscience.
Klenk's address, titled Navigating Through the Murky Waters of a Post
Muskie World, chronicled her professional and academic experiences since
graduating from Muskingum with majors in molecular biology, chemistry and
mathematics. Currently, she is earning her M.Ed Licensure for Secondary
Education and Chemistry. She also holds a master's degree in immunobiology
from the University of Cincinnati.
As a research assistant III in the lab of Charles Samson, M.D., Division of
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Research Foundation, Klenk does research on disease pathogenesis in a mouse
model of pediatric Crohn's disease. She is also the co-author of numerous
publications and has presented multiple posters at Cincinnati Children's
Hospital and the 36th Annual Autumn Immunology Conference.
Following the Anderson Lecture, the Science Division students made poster
presentations of their most recent undergraduate research.
The following students received awards for their research presentations:
First place:
Benjamin A. Pasley '11 and Derek Simonette '12 for Volume of Oxygen Uptake Sensory System
Second place:
Alissa G. Anderson '11 for Embryo Culture of Freshwater
Mussels in Artificial Nutrient Media Containing Different Concentrations of Fish
Serum to Achieve Transformation of Glochidia to Juvenile Mussels
Third place:
Yixin Cui for The Effects of Carvacrol, Thymol, and
P-Cymene on Growth and Protein Synthesis in Bacillius Cereus
Honorable mentions:
Douglas R. McClain '11, with Dr. Daniel T.
Blumstein, for Can Breeding-Bird Density Drive Vocal Individuality?
A Preliminary Study
Seth Barrett '11, with Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Paul Szalay,
Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks From Aromatic
Also presenting were:
Logan Almasy '11, Physiological Effects Elicited by Various Questioning
Techniques: Implications for Conducting Voir Dire and
Kyle Axe '11, Active and Abandoned Sites of Castor
Canadensis on a Reclaimed Strip Mine Site
Seth Barrett '11, with Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Paul Szalay,
Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks from Aromatic
Matt Bjelac '11, Investigation of Salivary IgA Levels as a Predictor of
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Division III Collegiate Soccer Players
Elizabeth M. Bullard '12, with Assistant Professor of Geology Dr. David
Rodland, Effects of Polychaete Borings on the Preservation of the Brachipod
Bouchardia Rosea
Joe Castle '12, with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Eric Schurter,
Fluorescence Studies on Synthesized Naphthalated Lignin
Douglas Caton '12, with Associate Professor of Geology Dr. Stephen Van
Horn, Modeling Effective Fetch in a Small Linear Man-Made Lake using Arcgis
and Wrplot View, Salt Fork Lake, southeastern Ohio
John D. Cook '14, The Process of Landform Denudation as Illustrated by
the Erosion Pattern Observed in Guernsey County, Ohio
Alexandria DeVoll '11, Self-Control and Parenting and the Effects on
Leah Dobbelaer '11, It's Not Like We're Married": Reasoning, Influences,
and Gender Differences in Romantic Infidelity
George E. Dolney '11, The Relationships Between Pay Satisfaction and Job
Satisfaction: A University Study
Sasha Eby '11, Effects of
Developmental Alcohol Exposure on Isolation Induced Ultrasonic Vocalizations in
Ashley Fox '12 Jayme Workinger '12 and Joseph Castle '12, Determining The
Efficiency of Oak Wood Toasting Methods in the Extraction of the Volatile
Compound Vanillin
Zack Franks '12, Emily Boothby '12 and Carrie Liff '12, The Effect of
Aging on the Chemical Composition of Red Wine
Kristen Fuller '11 senior, with Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Brian
Bergstrom, Effects of Exercise and Caloric Restriction on Cognition and
Neuropeptide Y in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Rat
Chip Halko '11 and Mary K. Richardson '11, with Assistant Professor of
Biology Dr. Amy Santas, Utrophin Transcripts in Human Epithelium
Ryan Loe '11, with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Eric Schurter, The Synthesis and Coupling of Dendrites to the Common Phenyl Groups in
Lignin Polymers
Alyssa Lowstetter '12, Attachment Style and The Rate of Forgiveness of a
Sexual Transgression
Adrian Matthews '11, Contrast and Assimilation of Physical Attractiveness
on Facebook
Jordan Mayberry '11, with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Stephanie Allen, The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Response to UV-Induced
Jenna Parrish '11, Intraperitoneal Alcohol Injections in Neonatal Rats
Induce Hyperacivity
Mary K. Richardson '11 and Michael Halko '11, with Assistant Professor of
Biology Dr. Amy Santas, Investigation of Gene Expression in
Jimmy Siford '12, Estimating The Number of White-Tailed Deer among the
Various Habitats at The Wilds
Jonathan Smith '11, with Assistant Professor of Geology Dr. David Rodland, Dinosaur Paleobiogeography and its Implications for Stegosaur
Ryan Sparks '11, with Professor of Chemistry Dr. Ray Rataiczak and Associate
Professor of Education Dr. Linda Rogness, Efficiency of Inquiry-Based
Learning vs. Traditional Methods in the High School Chemistry Classroom
Heather Stoller '11 and Douglas Caton '11, with Associate Professor of
Geology Dr. Stephen Van Horn, Predicting Areas of Shoreline Erosion in Salt
Fork Lake, southeastern Ohio, Using Digital Elevation Models and
Jeffrey P. Storz '11, Vegetation and Habitat Characteristics of Bobcats
and Coyotes on a Reclaimed Surface Mine (The Wilds)
Carson Thomas '12, Cody Hammond '12 and Yixin Cui, Design of a Portable
Desk Extension
Jessica Walsh '11, The Child Care Consumer: Understanding Parents' Search
Behaviors and Perception of Child Care Quality
Cally Webster '12, with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Amy J. Santas, Determination of the Presence of Neospora Caninum at The Wilds
Allison Wills '11, with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Amy J. Santas, Investigation of Utrophin Protein in Epidermis
Maps & Directions
Academic Affairs
Undergraduate Admission
Financial Aid
Graduate & Continuing Studies
Business Office
Academic Catalogs


text:
Man wants PG&E help with property that burned during storm
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Oildale resident Martin Stewart says power lines downed during Sunday's windstorm started a fire in his backyard, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has not returned his calls for help.
With no homeowner's insurance and no money to make the repairs himself, Stewart and his neighbors could be stuck with an eyesore.
"It was like a twister," said Stewart, "and the flames were going up as high as the power lines. It was blowing like 40 miles an hour out here."
Stewart says the fire department arrived to put out the fire, and the power lines were later repaired; but with a burned out trailer, melted hot tub, and burned-down fence, what remains of his backyard is a blackened wasteland.
Stewart estimates the repairs could thousands of dollars, and the damage may be even more extensive than it looks. For example, the pool filter would require extensive repair workincluding tearing out the concrete and replacing underground lines.
Stewart wants PG&E to reimburse him for the damages, but says his cries for help have fallen on deaf ears.
"It's not my fault that the power line came down," said Stewart, "I keep calling every day, get a voice mail, and nobody will call me back. They gave me the number to the claims rep and no response."
Stewart says he's tried to get in touch with PG&E for the past three days, to no avail.
"It's an eyesore, you know, and it's unsafe," said Stewart, who is worried the neighbors may become aggravated if the charred remains are not removed. "If somebody's kid crawls over the fence and falls in the pool, then I'm liable for that."
He says the fence is now below the state-mandated height requirement for a backyard with a pool.
With a severe back injury and surviving on a meager disability check, Stewart says he can't afford homeowner's insurance. He worries that without assistance from PG&E, He and his neighbors may be forced to live with the mess.
"How is one supposed to sleep when you look out your backyard and there's nothing left?" Said an emotional Stewart, "Memories can't be replaced on a lot of this stuff."
The PG&E claims representative says she's tried to reach Stewart, but says there's no guarantee he even has a claim, as PG&E is not liable for power lines damaged by weather conditions.


text:
If you have the time and inclination, please consider voting for Bloomington to be one of the cities to receive a free orchard from Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF.)
We're in the first voting period right now, and we're locked in a heated battle with Flagler County Florida for first place. Voting lasts until April 30. You can vote once a day. You will have to provide an email address to vote.
Thanks for your support.


text:
The recently washed-out Highway 162 will be closed to all traffic from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 p.m. Thursday while work continues to temporarily restore two-lane access to the road, Caltrans announced Friday.
The closure will allow workers to lengthen a pipe put in as a temporary culvert so that the open portion of the road can span two lanes and allow large trucks bearing oversize loads that need permits, currently not allowed under the one-lane traffic control that's in place, according to Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie Jr.
"Right now, the road is so narrow that not all trucks can get through," Frisbie said. "One-lane traffic control is just not a good long-term solution."
Caltrans will pave the road again eventually, which, without the 24-hour closure this week, would mean that the road would be closed during paving, according to Frisbie.
The highway is known as Covelo Road because it branches off of Highway 101 and is the main access route to the town of Covelo. It was closed for three days after the road's surface gave way underneath a big rig that was headed east just before 6 a.m. Dec. 21, ripping the trailer's rear axles off and leaving a 20-foot wide, 30-foot deep hole in the highway.
No cargo was spilled and the driver was not injured, the California Highway Patrol reported previously. Caltrans reopened the road with one-lane traffic control on Christmas Eve morning.
The inlet of the original culvert that ran under Highway 162 became jammed with debris as the water from a nearby creek swelled with recent rainfall, making the road itself into a dam, according to Frisbie. The water "found a weak spot" as it flowed around and outside the culvert, eroding the soil around the pipe.
"The ground underneath the road became like a cave," Frisbie said. "There was an archway of soil left with asphalt on top" when the big rig drove over it, causing the surface to give way.
The temporary and permanent repairs to the highway are estimated to cost $750,000, according to Caltrans.
Tiffany Revelle can be reached at email@example.com, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.


text:
Most Holy Rosary Church hosts a free Thanksgiving meal noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at 21 E. 15 St. For information, call 925-757-4020.
Bay Point
Agape International Ministries hosts a community Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Agape Bible Fellowship, Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road. The dinner is free, but reservations should be made by Thursday by calling 925-709-4424 or email email@example.com. See www.agapebfm.org.
First A.M.E Community Church hosts a free community Thanksgiving dinner from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at 2915 Willow Pass Road. For more information, call 925-458-0521.
Word of Life Christian Fellowship hosts a free Thanksgiving meal 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 4501 O'Hara Ave. Volunteers and donations are needed. Any leftover food will be distributed to local shelters. For information, call Jackie, 925-634-5433.
Golden Hill Community Church provides a free Thanksgiving dinner 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Brentwood Veterans Hall, 757 First St. Donations of clothing, nonperishable food or beverages, diapers, blankets and jackets can be dropped off at Sharp Realty, 320 Fairview Ave, Brentwood. Donations will be distributed at the dinner to those in need. For information, call the church at 925-516-0653.
Discovery Bay
The Discovery Bay Boy Scouts will collect nonperishable food donations 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Safeway, 14840 Highway 4. The donations will be distributed to the Food bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Discovery Bay Lions will be collected used eyeglasses for their vision programs.
The Pentecostals of the Bay Area will host its second annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18, 310 Central Ave. Some 150 complete Thanksgiving dinners, donated clothing, arts and crafts items, and children's games will be handed out. For more information, call 925-584-9452.
Plan B, A Taste of Soul Restaurant will feed the homeless from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 at 2227 Railroad Ave. Call 925-439-7685 for more information.
St. Vincent de Paul and Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County will host a free Thanksgiving dinner at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24, 1415 Simpson Court. For information or to donate, go to www.svdp-cc.org.


text:
First they were strangers on wrenching parallel odysseys, their children requiring multiple dialysis treatments each week as a bridge to a kidney-liver transplant. Over time, as they spent long hours together at UC San Francisco Medical Center's pediatric dialysis unit, Kristi Ouimet and Kim Welch became acquaintances, then friends. They had plenty to talk about, and plenty that didn't need to be said because it was understood.
Finally, as their wait for organs dragged from weeks to months, the mothers in arms came to embrace a shared dream.
"We were always talking about, what if we could share a donor?" said Ouimet, an Antioch resident. "Neither one of us wanted the other to have to wait while we got organs. And if we shared some, what a great story that would be."
It was a nice thought. Then in January, Alyssa Welch, 15, born with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary condition that affects 1 in 20,000 live births, received a liver and kidney from a deceased donor.
The organs were directed specifically to the teenager by the donor's family, a friend of a friend. That allowed Alyssa to bypass everyone above her on the liver transplant list -- including Ouimet's 2-year-old son, Matthew.
The organs were a perfect match for Alyssa, and the transplant surgery was a success. She is recovering at home in her small Central Valley hometown of Riverbank. Kristi Ouimet and Kim Welch, bonded by the empathy distilled from shared experience, can't help thinking about each other.
"I said to her, 'These organs could have been Matthew's,'" Welch said. "I get what she's going through. When you hear that somebody else got a transplant, you're so happy. But then you're also: When is it our turn? It's a very selfish thing to say. But it's a normal feeling."
Countered Ouimet: "It wasn't Matthew's time; it was Alyssa's time. There's no doubt in my mind that this is the way it was supposed to be."
Matthew was born with primary hyperoxaluria Type 1, a rare hereditary condition that leaves the liver unable to remove oxalates from the blood and puts other organs, such as kidneys, at risk. Twenty months after he experienced end-stage renal failure and 13 months after he was placed on the liver transplant list, he is still waiting for a miracle. Three times the Ouimets were told organs were available, but each time doctors determined they weren't a suitable match.
As he was when readers of this newspaper were introduced to him in November, Matthew is in robust health for someone who has to endure dialysis six days a week. His lab test results are mostly good. So doctors are comfortable waiting for organs that are a perfect match.
"It's like I've got a carburetor for a Ford," said Matthew's father, Kelly. "You could use it in your Chevy. They do the same job. They just won't do it as well. So we want the right parts."
The wait isn't entirely painless. The family still drives more than 2,000 miles each month ferrying Matthew to and from his dialysis treatments. Kristi still gives Matthew a home dialysis each night. The Ouimets' older kids -- Molly, 10, and Patrick, 7 -- continue to stay with Kristi's parents five to six nights a week.
And the Ouimets continue to sleep with one ear open, waiting for the call that tells them organs have become available, that they have received a godsend as a result of some other family's unthinkable tragedy.
"Their loss is going to be our blessing," Kristi Ouimet said. "The thought humbles me. I pray for them as I do for my own family every night."
Recently, a hormone imbalance in Matthew's blood soared, causing pain in his legs. At an age when most toddlers are beginning to run, Matthew rarely walks.
"It kind of goes in waves where I almost obsess about Matthew getting his transplant," his mom said. "Then there are other times when we're doing our routine and I've got other things on my mind. Honestly, those times are a little easier."
It's easier still when you can share your hopes, fears and frustrations with someone who doesn't have to imagine what you're feeling.
"It didn't take long at all for us to connect," Ouimet said of her friendship with Welch. "It's really cool to have a similar personality and sense of humor to rely on."
The women share several common denominators, heartache among them. Welch and her ex-husband, Paul, lost an infant son to the same disease that afflicts Alyssa. When Alyssa experienced renal failure at age 2, Welch donated one of her kidneys to her daughter.
Alyssa's donated kidney began to falter last year. Welch, a nurse, began driving her daughter to San Francisco -- a 180-mile round trip -- three times a week for dialysis, while working enough hours to maintain her benefits. When she lost her house, she and Alyssa moved in with her parents.
"A lot of people have said, 'I don't know how you do it,'" Welch said. "Well, what's your choice?"
Both Ouimet and Welch are passionate about raising awareness for organ donation -- the importance of donating, the number of lives one donor can affect, separating fact from myth.
"I have a family member who said, 'Well, they won't try to save me,'" Welch said. "People think (doctors) won't try to save your life if you're an organ donor, which is absolutely not true. I know that for a fact because I'm a nurse. That's why I think it's important, and I know Kristi says the same thing about talking to your family members about it, asking, 'Do you want to be a donor or not?'"
Ouimet believes that the more people know about donation, the better decisions they can make. As an example, she cited directed donation, which is how Alyssa received her organs. While many children and adults can wait years for available organs, directed donation allows the recipient to jump to the top of a transplant list. The family of Alyssa's donor knew of her situation because a family friend attended high school with Welch's oldest daughter, Amanda.
"Most people don't know about it," Ouimet said. "I knew about it because I saw it on 'Grey's Anatomy.'"
In fact, "it dates back to laws that were put in place in the 1960s," said Joel Newman, a spokesman for the United Network for Organ Sharing. Every state has a directed donation law, he added, which "gives the individual family of a deceased person the right to say, 'I would like to see if this person's organs can be donated to this person.' Then comes testing and consent. It would have to be compatible."
Now that Alyssa has been liberated from regular dialysis treatments, Ouimet and Welch have found ways to stay in touch. "We still Facebook, talk and text all the time," Ouimet said.
Welch is planning trips from Riverbank to Antioch to help the Ouimets any way she can.
"Now," she said, "it's sweet little Matthew's turn."
Contact Gary Peterson at 925-952-5053. Follow him at Twitter.com/garyscribe.


text:
Once again driving home its point that it's important for the federal Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to fairly address crash accountability, the American Trucking Associations today released results from several studies that found car drivers to be far more at fault in causing crashes than truckers.
In a University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study car drivers were assigned factors in 81 percent of crashes compared with 27 percent of truckers. Those totals were greater than 100 percent, the study noted, because 10 percent of crashes assigned blame to both car and truck drivers. This report assigned driver factors to 8,309 car-truck crashes as a proxy for fault.
Also in the UMTRI study: Cars were the encroaching vehicle in 89 percent of head-on crashes; in 88 percent of opposite-direction sideswipes; in 80 percent of rear-end crashes and in 72 percent of same-direction side-swipes, which it said were "obvious indicators of fault."
In a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, cars were assigned driver factors in 91 percent of head-on crashes; 91 percent of opposite-direction sideswipes, 71 percent of rear-end crashes and 77 percent of same-direction sideswipes. Trucks, however, were the encroaching vehicle in 98 percent of backing accidents, although this represented less than 1 percent of the sample set. This 2003 study assigned causal driver factors in 10,092 fatalities.
Thirty-six percent of car drivers were cited for two or more unsafe acts in an AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study while only 11 percent of truck drivers were cited for two or more unsafe acts. This study examined 10,732 fatal accidents
Two studies from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) were cited by ATA. In the first, 85 percent of cars and 26 percent of trucks were assigned driver factors in 2007; 85 percent of cars versus 25 percent of trucks were assigned driver factors in 2008 and in 2009, 81 percent of cars versus 22 percent of trucks were assigned driver factors in crashes. The figures are from annual large truck and bus crash data assigning driver factors in 6,131 car-truck fatalities.
The second FMCSA study was taken from a smaller data set of 221 fatal accidents (large truck crash causation study) which found 77 percent of cars were assigned driver factors while 23 percent of trucks were assigned driver factors.
"Every crash and every fatality and injury suffered on our nation's highways is a tragedy," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "But it is also tragic that carriers and drivers across this country are saddled with guilt and blame for many crashes they could do nothing to prevent."
To read the full study click here.
The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at email@example.com.
Find more news and analysis from The Trucker, and share your thoughts, on Facebook.


text:
The ongoing disputes that have lasted for years between prominent Syrian singers Mayada Al Hinawi and Asalah Nasri have finally ended with the two making up and overlooking their differences. Peace was made between the singers on the popular program Maestro, which is presented by Lebanese announcer Nishian, and it was asserted that this time the make up was real.
According to the daily Al Rai Al Aam, Nishian had at first hosted Mayada for one of the episodes and she had refused to make peace with Asalah stressing that she had been emotionally hurt by the latter and will not forgive her. On a different episode, Asalah was guest and Nishian was able to convince her to make a direct call to Mayada and apologize publicly for everything that she has done and so peace was made between the two.
Recently, Mayada Al Hinawi described her rivalry as being extremely jealous of her to the point of complication. Mayada stressed that Asalah's jealousy is similar to that some women have towards each other over things they wished they have but do not. Mayada's comments came in reply to statements made by Asalah on a TV program saying that she advises Mayada to resign because she is outdated.
The two singers have been in a verbal war since January, when a heated dispute erupted after Asalah publicly described Mayada as an old woman last year won a live TV interview, and said that Mayada has reached such an old age and was outdated.
Mayada became furious and attacked Asalah saying she has no respect for anyone and in turn does not deserve to be respected. Asalah tried to explain to Mayada that she did not mean what she said in the manner it was interpreted, but Mayada refused to accept any excuse from her. Mayadah also refused to accept Asalah's apology saying that she does not deserve to be forgiven after her rude comments. –Albawaba.com
[1] http://www.albawaba.com


text:
The Elk River High School football team returned to practice Monday, but without nine of its players and a head coach.
This was the first practice for the team since the district suspended the entire varsity program last week while investigating a hazing incident.
Sunday night, the school board removed four players from the team for the entire season, and suspended another five players.
The district isn't publicly naming those students, citing data privacy laws.
The entire team went through a training program to learn the district's policy on hazing.
Five coaches also remain on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues. Those coaches are head coach Mike Cross and four assistants -- John Pink, Brad Olson, Mark Leland, and Rick Michalak.
The Elks open their football season on Thursday.


text:
Titusville Canvas Tote Bags are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Titusville Canvas Tote Bag for a special occasion, give a Titusville Tote Bag as a present or need to represent with a funny Custom Titusville Bag during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Titusville Canvas Tote Bag for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Custom Titusville Bag with the perfect design for your mother, father or children (or friends!); Idakoos offers all of its Titusville Canvas Tote Bags as Custom Titusville Tote Bags. Personalize any Titusville Canvas Tote Bag the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 Canvas Tote Bag
<< Previous |Page: 1 | Next >>


text:
" Every November 5th, the East Sussex town of Lewes holds its annual bonfire celebration. A number of Bonfire Societies hold torch-lit processions through the streets of the town. "
Lewes Bonfire is a bit of a legendary past time! I have lived on the out skirts of Lewes for 21 years and you cant miss Lewes Bonfire.
The quite quant town in east sussex, loses its self for one night a year and that is the 5th November.
The are a number of different bonfire societies in the town, who spend the year fund raising for the big night. Each society has there own coloured strips and joing to gether every year to fill the streets of lewes with the presetion of torches. After the long walkes around the streets, each societybreak apart and go to their grounds for their individual fire work displays.
Some of the displays are free to enter and some have an addimission fee.
The fireworks are amaxing at Lewes Bonfire, with more money spent than you can imagin.
I would not recommend taking young children to lewes bonfire, There are thousands of people, and the streets are as busy as new year on the embankment in london. Throughout the whole night there will be bangers going off on the street, and as you would expect some asbo kids playing with fire in not the safest way.
I do however recommend that everyone should see Lewes bonfire at least once. Its amazing, majical, exciting and enchanting all rolled in to one.
Be Ware - Id you are getting the train- go early- they get packed- and if you driving be prepared to park out of town and expect to walk a long was on the night!
Pub get very very busy and you will always have a plastic glass!!
Enjoy and be safe
The title of the review may seem like a naughty euphemism for something that I can't discuss in print on a site as proper and clean cut as Dooyoo, but I assure you it is not. The relevance will become clear as you read on, first a quick history test. What have the following events in common? Firstly, the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs in Lewes High Street from 1555 to 1557, under the reign of Mary Tudor. Secondly, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when conspirators led by Robert Catesby planned to blow up King James I as he opened Parliament, the man at the heart of the action was, as we know, Guy Fawkes, and finally the landing of William of Orange (William III, half of William and Mary) on 5th November 1688 to restore a Protestant monarchy.
The correct answer is that they are all actions in Englands turbulent past that are commemorated in the Lewes Bonfire celebrations. According to the Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore, Throughout recorded history, it has taken very little persuasion to get English people to make a bonfire, and in Lewes they certainly take that to heart.
Bonfires have long been used as an expression of rejoicing in England, particularly to mark victories or deliverances, either spontaneously or by being ordained by the authorities. They have also formed an integral part of particular calendar customs.
The evolution of the English late-Autumn bonfire festivities is complex, with many strands woven into it. Some have attempted to trace it back to the Celtic festival of Samhain; others suggest that it is based upon the custom of lighting bonfires to protect against disease, or to burn bones for fertilizer.
A document from Henry VIII's reign recommends that people should hold processions and light bonfires as a celebration of their release from the grasp of the Papacy. It is certain that in Elizabethan times the accession of the Queen was commemorated by public bonfires on 17th November each year, and perhaps this made a significant contribution in her successor's reign to the later national celebration of "Guy Fawkes Night" (though it is never properly known by this name in Sussex!)
After a turbulent later period were mob handed anarchists more or less took over the celebrations, Bonfire Societies were formed in the mid-1800s, and the present day look of the festival took shape. These days sectarianism plays scarcely any part in the festivities. What is chiefly celebrated is a pride in freedom and independence, stemming from an innate dislike of being dictated to by outsiders - be they foreign powers, or any who attempt unfairly to exert their authority or influence. The major act of remembrance nowadays is that for the dead of the two World Wars, each Society in turn laying a wreath at the War Memorial. Although some societies in particular pay homage to the old traditions, with effigies of Pope Paul V (Camillo Borghese, Pope at the time of the Gunpowder Plot) and Guy Fawkes exploding in a blaze of fireworks, but I must stress that the Bonfire celebrations are certainly no longer a Protestant festival, and Roman Catholics and people of all beliefs participate freely in the celebrations.
Before delving into the details of the event, first a few precautions if you are thinking of attending. The first thing to consider is how you travel there. As arguably the most famous November 05th celebration in the country, Lewes attracts a lot of people, up to 80000 have been estimated throughout the course of the event. Also the streets will become impassable to any form of vehicle for the duration. As the hotels in the local vicinity are probably booked up months in advance the best way to approach the event is to stay in the neighbouring larger town of Brighton (less than 10 miles away) and travel there and back by the regular train service. This year £1.70 covered the journey both ways and the journey is about 15 minutes, queuing for the train will take a lot longer though.
The precession marches through the high street a number of times and that means that you need to invest a couple of hours to experience the whole show. Hundreds of people from the areas Bonfire Societies march through al armed with torches. Many wear the mask and striped Guernsey jumpers that have their origins in the days of anarchic mayhem of the Bonfire Boys whose enthusiasm for arson was curbed by the setting up of the societies. Many others march in fancy dress. Uniforms cover the whole of history from our ancient Celtic ancestors right up to World War II. Amongst these historical contributions are found some bizarre characters. Harlequins dance, mad animal figures roar and other unidentifiable figures beat drums or shout abuse at the crowd under the darting shadows of the hundreds of torches. Interspersed amongst them are marching bands adding a sound track ranging from Rule Britannia to Green Day to liven things up. The things that you will never forget are the tableaux and effigies that are carried through. Effigies are not burned in the streets, that comes later and are made up of heroes and Enemies of the Bonfire This years stand out hero was the obvious choice, Lord Nelson, but this version had him made as a nodding dog type portrayal. Enemies are often identifiable characters with a catholic bent. The most common is Guy Fawkes and often past popes from the times of religious persecutions but more recent depictions have been Osama Bin Laden and even Anthea Turner. These are paraded to the jeers and abuse from the crowds lining the street, Burn the Traitor or God Save The Queen as appropriate.
The Tableaux are more fun as they are boards and poles that are small firework displays in their own right. When these are lit, still being carried through the street, the sound and heat that assails you is overwhelming. Firecrackers are dragged along the street and flairs and a myriad of other wondrous pyrotechnics colour the night sky. If this assault of sound and colour is not enough, marchers have taken to dropping noisy thunder bangs at their own feet which are deafening but which send the crowd into squeals of delight and appreciative cheering. Once the procession has passed, things are not over as the participants then split off into five separate groups and head off to different parts of the town to burn the effigies and let off even more fireworks. These generally require a ticket so it may be best if you can organise this in advance. Even if you dont manage to get into a display, you can see lights dancing high in the sky everywhere you look above the town.
It is a most fantastic night and one that I thoroughly recommend. Not only is it the most colourful, irreverent and boisterous November 5th event you could experience, you will be sure in the fact that you are helping to perpetuate a 450 year old tradition.
It's nearly November 5th, Guy Fawkes' night. For Lewes it is Bonfire Night.
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, a small market town nestled in the shadow of the South Downs. It could well fit your image of a quiet well-healed liberal country town, with its fair share of eccentrics, unless of course you have experienced the Lewes Bonfire night.
Lewes Bonfire isn't any old Guy Fawkes Night; it is the loudest craziest one you may ever experience.
To give a little background, it might help if I start at the beginning.
The 1550's were a time of religious intolerance in England, as Queen Mary I demonstrated by burning 288 Protestants at the Stake. Lewes didn't escape her attention and 17 people (or martyrs as they are now referred to) were burnt at the stake.
This event coupled with Guy Fawkes' attempt to re-establish Catholic rule with his 1605 Gunpowder Plot ensured that the martyrs are now commemorated every year on November 5th. There was a resurgence of anti-Catholic sentiment in the 1800's, when the Pope Pius IX restored the Catholic hierarchy in England, and in the following years there were strong anti-Catholic and anti-police sentiments.
This background is I think essential to gain some understanding of why the event is such a spectacle. It is important to stress however, that today there is no sense of any sectarian hatred or intolerance, and the only hints of former rancour are banners reading 'no popery' over Cliffe High Street and the burning of Pope Paul V's (Pope in 1605) effigy at one of the society bonfires.
On the 5th November the town cuts itself off by closing roads in late afternoon, and locals start filling up pubs, balconies and any decent viewing space they can find. The crowd rapidly fills as trains arrive from the Brighton, Eastbourne and London lines.
The event usually starts at about 7.30pm. I have been a few times, never arriving early and have been swept up Station Road to the high street where the procession is already in full swing. The societies come round more than once so nothing is missed.
When you reach the high street you are come across a heaving crowd, loud music and colourfully dressed people, of both sexes and all ages, holding fire-lit torches streaming past. It can seem chaotic. It si difficult to move through the crowd and it is best to find a good spot as near to where you join the High Street as possible. It is also very difficult, if not impossible, to get into the pubs near the parade and it may be more relaxing to just enjoy the show.
There are five Lewes societies (Borough, Cliffe, Commercial Square, South Street and Waterloo) that lead the parades that have associated nearby societies following them. They are dressed in traditional costumes (some may say fancy dress) that have included among others Red Indians, Mogul Warriors, Zulus and Vikings (I am not sure whether they stay the same each year). Following their Standard bearer and the society band, they parade the effigy (the enemy of the Bonfire) they will later burn on one of their (five) bonfires. Victims over the years have included Margaret Thatcher, George Bush II and Osama Bin Laden, anyone who has caused minor or major offence during the previous year.
Eventually the parades finish and the processions wind off towards their bonfire. I have been three bonfire sites: Waterloo', which is well supported and often has an excellent fireworks display; Cliffe (which has moved from its rather cramped site since I last went to their bonfire) is also well supported and is the only one to charge an entrance fee. If you would be offended by the burning of Pope Paul V, it is perhaps best avoided. Lastly the Borough, high up on the downs, where on a cold night you can (and I have) freeze. You do however also get to see everyone else's firework displays. And the fireworks are impressive.
To find a bonfire just follow the crowds or ask and you won't get lost. If you do get to go, you will experience what is a unique unforgettable evening, but there are certain considerations.
The event can attract up to 80,000 people - it is said to be the country's biggest. It does get very crowded, and over recent years serious attempts have been made to reduce the number of incomers. It is not suitable for small children as they may be difficult to keep an eye on and possibly frightened.
If you do go (not all of dooyoo at once!), the last train usually leaves Lewes around midnight. Have fun.
More information on the event can be found here: http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/
If this is familiar, you may have read it first on Ciao (where I used to be a member).
Thanks for reading
This year I made a silly mistake on bonfire night. I went to a firework display in Ravenscourt Park, in West London. It wasn't very good, really. The only moment of genuine entertainment came when the music that was accompanying the display broke (in the middle of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells). Normally, I go to Lewes, in East Sussex. For some reason, probably laziness, I decided to not do that this year, and instead go to a Guy Fawkes event much closer to where I live. Next year, I think I'll be going to Lewes again. Getting to Lewes from London is a bit troublesome. Normally I go with a group of people who hire a coach to take them down, being picked up in the early hours of the morning by the coach in Lewes. If you're coming from farther afield then you'd almost certainly need to stay in a hotel (Brighton isn't too far away). The evening apparently gets under way with people rolling barrels down the streets of the town (I expect the barrels are on fire). I never get there in time for that, what with traffic and everything. By the time we arrive, the main procession is just getting underway. The various Lewes bonfire societies (there are about five, I believe), along with other local groups like the boy scouts and Salvation Army and what have you, march up and down the main streets of Lewes. Most are dressed in a variety of historical costumes (you'll usually see cavaliers, roundheads, cowboys and Indians, Zulus...). Many carry burning torches, and there are also traditional military style brass bands. The streets aren't very wide, and there are hundreds and hundreds of people watching, lining the pavements on both sides, all the way up and down the route the procession takes. Of course, all that fire in such close proximity to all those people does add an undeniable edge of danger to proceedings, but the police and St John's ambulance people are out in full force. The procession is pretty insane. It
's incredibly, well, fiery, for one thing. Burning torches are thrown into these large wheeled metal barrels when they've outlived their usefulness. These barrels are also used for throwing incredibly loud bangers into. In fact, people in the processions seem to be setting off bangers pretty much constantly. They can be unbelievably loud if they happen to do it near where you're standing. This, along with constant police loud-hailer pleas for the crowd to stay on the pavements, the crowd noise and the burglar alarms that get set off by the explosions, makes Lewes bonfire night one of the loudest things I've ever witnessed. You have to basically just try to find a place to stand where you'll be able to see what's going on, and then try to stay there until the processions end. The procession stops and starts at various points as new groups join it. If you're lucky, the Morris dancers will stop right next to you, and dance. If you're unlucky you'll get a bunch of guys setting off fireworks a lot right next to you. You see a lot of strange things - my favourite is people in robes with sinister silver fox masks on, menacing the crowd with burning torches (obviously not in a seriously dangerous way). And few things I've ever seen can equal the sight of hundreds of people marching up the road towards you carrying burning torches. Just don't try to join in with the procession, or pick up discarded torches - you'll get yelled at, maybe even physically accosted. The procession lasts for maybe an hour, I can't really remember. After that, it splits, and the various bonfire societies go off to their various bonfire sites. As mentioned, there are several, and I hear that there's a fair bit of rivalry between them. The one I've almost always gone to is the Cliffe society's display. You have to have a ticket, which you get in advance. You then progress to the field (this is not a wheelchair friendly
route - we had a chap in a wheelchair in our party last time, and I ended up having to help carry him up and down a lot of steps). You hang around in the field for a bit. After a while, the bonfire society arrives. But you don't just get a bonfire and fireworks, no sir. This is where things get kind of strange. Well, stranger. People often complain that the true message of Christmas is lost in our eagerness to eat lots of food, open presents and watch bad films on TV. Well, let's face it, Guy Fawkes' night has fared even worse. Fundamentally, it's about a plot by Catholics to destroy the Protestant establishment of 17th century Britain, and the fortunate foiling of said plot (let's ignore the conspiracy theories). The vast majority of people who participate in bonfire night events (myself included) don't think of Guy Fawkes, or Catholicism, or anything else to do with religion, any more than they think of the Nativity when they're eating mince pies and pulling crackers on Christmas Day. In Lewes, however, the religious side of it is very much to the fore. In 1757, during the reign of Mary I, a Catholic who occupied the throne for a few years in the midst of the first wave of Protestant English monarchs, 17 Protestants were burned to death in Lewes as punishment for their faith. The Lewes bonfire celebrations are as much a memorial to those 17 martyrs as they are a celebration of the defeat of Fawkes and his confederates. So there is a strong anti-Catholic slant to the proceedings. This begins before the firework display - three or four men, dressed as Catholic bishops stand on a platform and attempt to preach a Catholic mass to the crowd. At which point everyone starts chucking fireworks at them, and yelling anti-Catholic slogans ("No Popery!"). This goes on for a while, the bishops yelling at the crowd, encouraging them, the crowd yelling back at the bishops (who wear what I assume are fireproof casso
cks, and safety goggles). All good fun. Then you get the fireworks display, which is always very impressive - it probably isn't too different to a normal fireworks display, but somehow seems better. After which, you get the burning of the effigy of Guy Fawkes. Not just that, though. An effigy of the Pope, filled with fireworks, is also burned. And every year there's a third effigy, taken from a currently topical news story. I've seen effigies of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton burned, for instance. After which, the fireworks end. (This is what happens in the Cliffe society's bonfire celebration - I've no idea if all this stuff happens at the other bonfire sites.) I'm not sure how seriously the participants of this actually take the religious element. The Lewes bonfire has been going on for well over a century (I'm not sure how long exactly), and so it's entirely possible that the rituals of burning the Pope and abusing men dressed as Catholic bishops have lost their meaning over the years. There's certainly a strong pantomime element to the throwing fireworks at bishops. I certainly don't find myself fired up to go and assault Catholics after seeing it, and I doubt many others do. However, I have heard that local Catholics have condemned what goes on, and say they find it threatening. Also, the Rev. Ian Paisley's web site contains an article defending the Lewes bonfire - for some on the rather more fanatical side of Protestantism this could all be taken very seriously indeed. There are rumours that Orangemen from Ulster have been known to come to Lewes to participate in the anti-Catholic ceremonies on bonfire night. No idea if this is true or not. Anyway, whatever the truth of the whole anti-Catholic element, it doesn't really affect my enjoyment of the whole spectacle, nor the enjoyment of (I'm sure) the huge majority of people who go to see it every year. (Although, not being reli
gious myself, I suppose I'm not likely to take offence.) And it doesn't end with the fireworks, either. After the display is over, when most people have gone home, things get even more chaotic. The various bonfire societies parade through the streets of Lewes again, this time setting off more fire crackers and bangers than before. You can follow them, watching the chaos unfold. I get the impression that by this point all the tourists are supposed to have gone home - if you try to pick up a discarded burning torch at this time of night you're far more likely to get punched than shouted at. By this stage everyone's pretty drunk. Eventually the various bonfire clubs disperse and go to designated areas for the end of the night. The Cliffe procession ends with an antique fire engine arriving to put out their fire. A friend and I once accidentally got trapped in a small town square where one of the bonfire societies was having its end of night ritual. The whole square was cordoned off, and the chief guy made a speech thanking all those involved, and condemning people who only came to watch the bonfire night celebrations without putting anything back into Lewes. Fights seemed to be breaking out on the periphery of the crowd. At this point my friend and I decided it would be prudent to leave, and we had to beg the guy manning the nearest barricade to let us go. Yes, this is where things can get a bit scary. You may see fights, especially if a tourist dares to question the meaning of all this pomp and ritual. On the whole, though, as long as you treat the people and their customs with respect and stay out of their way you'll be fine. (I hope this hasn't started to sound too Royston Vasey, it isn't really like that at all. I can certainly appreciate that people in Lewes might get quite irritated with loads of tourists flocking in to gawp at their quaint ways. I rate bonfire night in Lewes as one of the most incredible things I
9;ve ever seen, and am very pleased that the townspeople willingly tolerate the tourists.) After that, everything ends. It's usually about 1 am, and I go back to meet the coach. If I'm lucky I'll be in bed by 4. I realise that bonfire night has just passed, and so anyone who reads this will have forgotten about it by this time next year, but I would strongly recommend going to Lewes on Guy Fawkes' night. Slightly strange, a little disorientating, and with slightly dangerous undertones, but also quite fantastic.


text:
Hey all. It's been a long time. Now this blog ins in response to Speezy88's blog titled "WWE vs TNA one night only battle of the brands" I liked his blog but felt he had too many tag matches and didn't tell us his match types for each match. Leaving that aside I think he did a great job and i thought I'd give it a try. So this is my WWE vs TNA PPV. SOOOOOOOOOO... Layth the subject on the
Updated 06-05-2013 at 03:56 AM by deadsector
Well now, how are you all doing? Been a long time. To be honest, i wrote a couple of blogs just after EC that never got posted and figured I'd been given the boot... But then I got an email last week saying they Missed me around here. LOL. So anyway I figured I'd give this another try. I hope all of you are pumped and ready to rock with wrestlemania just around the corner. With Wm comes great moments,
Welcome, layth the sujbect on the table we'll waste no time.
pre-show- who gives a damn? Never watch the things myself.
all other matches- Who gives a damn? I don't know how its possible, this is the time of year when fans should be getting pumped about Wrestlemania. Instead we're slogging our way through a road built so bad the romans wouldn't piss on it. I'm sorry, I love wrestling
First before we head downstairs, I just wanted to say think you for reading my other blogs, and for not making fun of me... See i relized about two seconds after i hit the post button on my WM dream card that I had made a typo in my name. I can be a real idiot at times. SO thanks for ignoring that, or at leasting laughing quietly... These will slow down shortly but I had something else I wanted to
Hi all. I'm sorry about the spelling in the last blog, my auto-correct it seems wasn't working very well. I hope this is better
I'm stepping out of my dark setting for a bit here, i wanted to talk about my dream WM card. This isn't likly to happen but its a way for you guys to kind of get to know me and my tastes in wrestling. It's ten matches i'm not going to go into great detal about them,
Welcome to my morgue. You may call me Doctor Deadsector. Yes i'm the same dude that often commets on the intresting stories. But i've taken on great airs, I've allowed my head to grow over large and with a large head one needs a large title. So Doctor Dead will do just fine.
Now the subject, it's on the table lets pull out the Y Saw and get to work. We've got an atopsy to conduct.
© 2011 eWrestlingNews, All Rights Reserved.


text:
LYE Town boss Martin Thomas says his side will not dwell on losing the West Midlands Premier League top spot due to Bartley Green resigning from the league.
Bartley Green's results this season have been removed. It means that Lye have lost six points and 18 goals compared to the six points and 10 goals taken from title rivals Shawbury United. The result is that Shawbury have moved top of the table by just one goal, and still have a game in hand.
However, Thomas insists his side have not even spoken about the matter and are more focussed on picking up as many wins as possible as the season draws to a close.
"It's just one of those things," said Thomas. "We won't dwell on it, we haven't even discussed it.
"It is disappointing that a team like Bartley Green have gone and it is something no-one wants to see. From our point of view, the whole thing is out of our control. All we can do is keep picking up wins, that is where our focus lies.
"We can see where we have stuttered this season and we know where we should have got more points. At the end of the day, if Shawbury win all their games then they will deserved to finish above us. The situation with Bartley Green won't change that.
"But there is still a long way to go and more twists and turns will happen when you least expect it. We need to make sure we do our job each week with that in mind."
He also said he hoped the club and it's fans would get the promotion they deserve.
He added. "If we go up or not, the one thing that this season has shown is that this club deserves to be playing in the league above. Lye is a grand old club that a lot of people have a lot of affection for. The fans have been great and followed us really well this season.
"It's not about personal glory, it's about getting the club to where it deserves to be. We will be trying our best to make that happen."