text: Thieves make stealing copper a career, police say By Travis Crum December 8, 2012 Story Share CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Although copper thefts seem to be declining slightly from previous years, police say it remains an ongoing problem as thieves become more experienced and more brazen.New laws designed to punish thieves and scrap dealers who buy stolen copper seem to be working, but police said the laws haven't stopped career criminals.West Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous said copper theft remains a constant problem across the state. Authorities linked the crime to the price paid for scrap copper, which was about $3.62 per pound, according to figures available online.In June, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law two new bills designed to clamp down on copper theft. One bill makes it a felony to steal copper cable and disrupt telephone or utility service. The other law restricts the sale of copper and other metals at scrap yards across the state.In October, state lawmakers heard from the West Virginia State Police and others that the new laws were working and cited the decreasing number of reported copper thefts as proof. But lawmakers pointed out those figures were calculated in the first and second quarter this year, when copper prices were at the lowest.Appalachian Power Spokesman Phil Moye said his company has never seen any significant decreases in copper theft. What they're seeing instead are thieves who become almost as experienced as electricians."Actually it varies," he said. "There are some that use bucket trucks and other places people are using very primitive homemade tools not designed to be used on electrical wires like bolt cutters."He said a recent theft of only about $700 worth of copper from a substation in Kanawha City is an example of how severe the problem is.The thieves, he said, were putting themselves and others in severe danger just for a few hundred dollars worth of metal."That station was very unstable and very dangerous," he said. "It's a situation where you could go in to make repairs and touch up against a piece of equipment and die." That theft also knocked out power to nearly 3,000 people and forced CAMC Memorial Hospital in Kanawha City to switch to backup generators for a few hours.Baylous said these thieves are rarely first-timers and usually have extensive criminal histories. They gain experience with trial-by-error or by helping other thieves."These are organized crimes," he said.Baylous said a copper theft at the State Police Detachment in Whitesville demonstrated bold lengths thieves would go to commit their crimes.In May, two Boone County men stole phone wiring from the detachment causing about $25,000 in damage and disrupted phone service for the detachment and community for nearly two days. But what threatens to undermine police's efforts to curb copper thefts are transient scrap dealers from states as far away as Texas and Michigan bringing trucks to West Virginia to buy scrap metal.The new law is designed to make it more difficult for transient scrap dealers to operate in West Virginia.The rules require operators to have a business license, a permit through the Department of Environmental Protection, a scales certificate with the Division of Labor Weights and Measures section, and a registration with the Secretary of State's office.However Baylous said sometimes these scrap dealers ignore the law and operate illegally.Reach Travis Crum at firstname.lastname@example.com or 304-348-5163. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Innerviews: Dual-identity surgeon riding high in horse racing world 2 Former State Police captain now chief in Winfield 3 Deer in 8 WV counties found dead from EHD 4 Parole hearing set for Putnam man who claims wrongful sex assault conviction 5 Man charged after motorcycle pursuit early Sunday New SMART529 plan gives users more flexibility Previous Story Hancock plant blaze, two years later Next Story


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For more information and to register for our upcoming events, visit our Events calendar.
Visit our media centre to find out how NSW Business Chamber is campaigning for businesses at regional, state and federal levels.
Sydney North West Region NSW Business Chamber has signed a pledge with Defence Reserves Support to become a Supportive Employer of Reservists and to help promote the advantages to local employers of employing members of the Defence Reserves.
Defence Reserves Support (DRS) provides a link between the Australian Defence Force (ADF), employers and the community from which the Reserve force is drawn. DRS aims to enhance the availability of the Reserve component of the ADF by promoting the benefits of employing members of the Reserve. DRS also aims to establish a flexible partnership with the community and employers so they are encouraged to support those in the Reserve.
DRS specialists in each State and Territory can help eligible employers of Reservists apply for substantial financial support payments, develop supportive leave policies, participate in the Employer Engagement Program and utilise the unique skills and qualities that only a Defence Reservist can bring to their workplace or business.
Benefits to local businesses of employing Defence Reservists:
We encourage local employers to take the opportunity to visit the website and see what advantages could be brought to their business by employing and supporting Defence. For further details please visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves.

subset: commoncrawl


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Case In Point: Eczema Herpeticum: An Uncommon Complication of Atopic Dermatitis
Case In Point: Eczema Herpeticum: An Uncommon Complication of Atopic Dermatitis
A 2-year-old boy was brought for evaluation of a rash and fever of 2 days' duration. He had atopic dermatitis since 6 months of age that was partially controlled with low-potency topical corticosteroids and emollients. His father reported that recently the facial dermatitis had worsened, with increased redness, pain, and some skin breakdown. The child's medical history was otherwise unremarkable. His mother had a history of ;cold sores.;
The patient was irritable during the examination; temperature was 40°C (104°F).He had scaly, erythematous patches on the extensor surfaces of all extremities. Lichenified plaques were present on the wrists and ankles. There were multiple monomorphic, 3- to 4-mm, umbilicated, crusted vesicopustules with erythema on the face, particularly on the forehead above the right eye (Figure 1).
No conjunctiva involvement or ocular symptoms were noted.
No conjunctiva involvement or ocular symptoms were noted.
The history and clinical features are typical of eczema herpeticum. A Tzanck smear of a specimen taken from the base of involved vesicles revealed multinucleated giant cells, con- sistent with herpesvirus (Figure 2).
The patient was treated with oral acyclovir, 400 mg tid for 7 days. In addition, cephalexin, 250 mg tid for 7 days, was given because of a suspected secondary Staphylococcus aureus infection, indicated by the yellow crusting. At follow-up, the lesions and fever had resolved.
Atopic dermatitis, which affects between 12% and 26% of children in the United States, has become increasingly common over the past 30 years.1 Superimposed viral infection is an uncommon complication of atopic dermatitis. Atopic patients are prone to opportunistic infection because their skin barrier is compromised and their immune response may be suppressed.
Kaposi varicelliform eruption refers to a cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in patients with a preexisting dermatosis.1 Eczema herpeticum represents HSV infection in the setting of atopic dermatitis.2 Eczema herpeticum can be caused by either type 1 or type 2 HSV.
Epidemiologic data on eczema herpeticum are scarce; however, there has been an increase in the number of patients treated for the condition in university hospitals in recent years.3 Eczema herpeticum may be associated with an early onset of atopic dermatitis and a high total serum IgE level.2


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Genus: Ochotona
Species: princeps
For years, the polar bear has been the symbol of the global warming movement. But today, the American pika has good grounds to compete with the polar bear for this unwanted honor.
American pikas are suffering because global warming has brought higher temperatures to their western mountain homes.
Pikas live in high mountain ecosystems that are cool and moist. Higher temperatures can cause the pikas to overheat.
Unlike other mountain species that can move to higher altitudes in warming climates, pikas live so high on the mountain that there is no where for them to go. Without our protection and help, American pikas could be the first species with the distinction of going extinct due to global warming. We can't let this happen!
Learn more about global warming's impact on the pika >>
American pikas are small, rodent-like mammals. Although they look like a squirrel or guinea pig, they're actually more closely related to rabbits and hares. Pikas have short, stout bodies with big, round ears. They do not have a visible tail.
Pikas have brown and black fur. The fur is colored to camouflage with rocks. Pika fur is thick to keep them warm in the winter. During the summer, they put on a much lighter coat of fur--however, the fur is still thick enough that a pika might overheat if exposed to very high heat for long periods of time.
Size: Pikas are about 7-8 inches long.
Diet: Pikas are herbivores. They especially love grasses, weeds and tall wildflowers that grow in their rocky, high mountain habitat.
Pikas like to be prepared! In the winter months, there are a lot less grasses and flowers growing in the mountains. To prepare for the lean times, pikas like to save up food during the summer. A pika will collect a pile of extra wildflowers and grasses and lay them out in the sun. The sun's heat dries the plants so they do not get moldy. The plants are stored in the pika's den until winter.
Typical Lifespan: American pikas can live around 6-7 years. Many die after 3 or 4 years.
Range: American pikas live on high-elevation cool mountains west of the Rocky Mountains. They can be found in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico.
American pikas are often heard before they are seen. They make calls and sing to define and protect their territory, alert others to the presence of dangers and attract mates. The call sounds like the bleat of lamb, but more high-pitched and squeaky.
American pikas have adapted to living in very inhospitable environments. They live where most other mammals do not venture to go--the treeless slopes of mountains. It is very cold, rocky and treacherous for the tiny pika.
Pikas help protect themselves by living in colonies. They live near other pikas and will alert the group to predators by sending out a warning call. Weasels, hawks and coyotes can prey on pikas.
Although pikas live in colonies, they are very territorial over their den and surrounding area. They will give off territorial calls to define the boundaries between each pika neighbor. They make their dens among rocks.
Pikas are active in the daytime and they do not hibernate in winter. They are active throughout the year, but they tend to spend most of their time inside the den in the winter. Pikas eat stored grasses to survive and venture out to forage when the weather permits.
In early to mid-spring, American pikas begin to breed. Many pikas breed twice--once in spring and summer. The female is pregnant for a month before giving birth to a litter of 2-6 young. When born, the young cannot function on their own and they depend on their mother for care. It takes about a month for the young to be weaned and 3 months to reach an adult size. After a year, the young develop into breeding adult pikas.
Pikas have already disappeared from more than one-third of their previously known habitat in Oregon and Nevada. The situation is so dire that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering the pika for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
No Room at the Top
High-mountain species are particularly susceptible to global warming--and North America's cold-loving pikas may be the most vulnerable of all.
Read more >>
Sources: NatureWorks, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, eNature, University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
Oil and Gas Methane Pollution Report


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Tens of thousands of U.S. college students are flooding into the Mexican city of Cancun, where officials have stepped up patrols of marines, soldiers and special tourist police in zones packed with hotels and bars.
City officials said Friday that they expected thousands more visitors than the 25,000 who came to the Caribbean coast resort last year. They said at least part of that increase might be due to people avoiding Pacific Coast resorts such as Acapulco, which have been hit by high-profile incidents of criminal violence in recent years.
Cancun tourism director Maximo Garcia Rocha said some major tourist agencies were expecting as many as 43,000 spring breakers, but the major influx was only beginning Friday. The Cancun Hotel Association said occupancy was at 90 percent citywide.
Brad Madani, a 24-year-old from Toronto, said he had come to Cancun for the second time and was drawn by the beaches, discos and bikini contests. While many Canadians think Mexico is dangerous, Madani said, he felt safe in Cancun, particularly with the heavy presence of marines.
Speaking in halting Spanish, he added, "Hay muchas chiquitas bonita," or "There are many pretty girls."
Garcia said city authorities were distributing flyers at the 10 main spring break hotels giving numbers for the U.S. Consulate and advising spring breakers not to drink or urinate in the streets, use drugs, start disturbances or destroy property.


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Topic: Asprin
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080307/ … bf950.html
Perhaps my angina will do me some good after all.
cholangiocarcinoma.org :: Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Discussion Board
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|La fundación de colangiocarcinoma (CCF) ahora ofrece servicios de traducción en Español.
Por favor publique sus preguntas en Español y un intérprete le va responder.
Join our new Mentoring Program
A new discussion board experience is coming this September!
After 10 years, we're upgrading our discussion board to a new modern system. The new forum will be easier to use, mobile-friendly and loaded with new features! We'll be taking all of the existing posts and users over to the new board, you won't have to do anything. If you have any questions, we've started a thread here to discuss.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080307/ … bf950.html
Perhaps my angina will do me some good after all.
thanks for sharing. I hope you are doing well, I always think about my fabulous 7 years living in Scotland when I see your posts.
Hi Kris
Always good to read your posts. I am feeling fine. As I wrote the other week, I am no longer in line for any more surgery and am being looked after by Prof Evans at the Beatson in Glasgow. I think I mentioned to you that this is a brand new facility in the grounds of Gartnavel. I am not displaying any symptoms and the Prof does not recommend taking any action hile this is the situation. He is not even that keen on me having scans but I think I have persuaded him to change his mind on that one. I am just waiting for an appointment. I found that whole attitude at the Beatson quite strange and a bit worrying since all the time I had been attending Edinburgh Royal there was always something being done or planned. But now I am feeling more relaxed about it. Having read so many stories written about people who have had various treatments which have not really been successful I think it may be a good idea to leave things alone for as long as possible. Anyhoo, time will tell.
How are you just now? I have always followed your adventures and see that you are currently off the transplant list. That must be really draining to have your expectaions built up then dashed repeatedly. How are you feeling about t/p? I just can't get my mind straight on it. It seems such an obvious course but there seem to be so many real problems with it. At on statge you thought you might be able to get back to Edinburgh. Has that fallen through? Edinburgh Royal was in the news a couple of weeks ago after having successfully performed their first live liver donor transplant. I thought they had done them before but apparently not.
I hope you manage to get back over to Scotland soon, it's still a great place to be. Take care.
The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.


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Started this discussion. Last reply by Matthew Redmond Aug 22, 2012. 18 Replies 0 Likes
A "National" Certification Mill Expelled by BPIBPI's requirement of Video taping proctored tests appears to have scored if not its first, but its Biggest Culprit. A well known, if not respected,…Continue
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How to make a javelin paper plane
Making paper planes is a simple paper craft activity for kids that leads to fun outdoor games when they fly their paper planes. This javelin paper plane is designed for long-distance flying.
Number of players:
What you need:
- 1 x A4 sheet of paper
Start with the classic paper plane figure: fold it in half lengthways, open it out, then fold each top corner down to meet the centre crease.
Now fold each side ALMOST to the centre line. Leave a 1cm gap from the edge to the centre line on each side (just like in our how-to video).
Fold the top down to meet the horizontal line created by the first two triangular flap folds (see video).
Fold the whole thing in half lengthways.
Now create wings and a fuselage on your paper plane by folding the top wing over - but keep the edges parallel. Do the same on the other side.
Make wing tips by folding the edge of each wing back about 1cm. Do the same on both sides.
Pop up the wings and your javelin paper plane is ready to fly.
Hints and tips:
This javelin paper plane design may need a little boost to get up high, but in still air it will fly straight over a long distance.
Find more kids' craft ideas:
- Easy kids craft ideas
- 30 fun activities and crafts to do with kids
- How to make puppets
- Colour by numbers printables
- Crafty painting ideas to do with kids
- Handmade crafts for the home
- Make a tooth fairy box
- Crafts to make for babies
- Crafts to make with toddlers
- Crafts for 3-4 year olds
- Crafts for 4-6 year olds
- Crafts for 7-9 year olds
- Crafts for 10-12 year olds
- Play dough games for kids
- Melted crayon canvas art
- Christmas crafts for kids
- Easter crafts for kids
- Christmas crafts for the home
- Make finger puppets
- Make animal masks
Read about the learning benefits of play, craft and activities:
- Benefits of crafts for kids
- Craft ideas to make for babies
- Why reading is important
- Your child's development milestones
- Why play makes kids smarter
- The importance of outdoor play
- Types of play
- How craft helps unplug kids from screentime


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$80 million is the amount by which Congress' continuing resolution (CR) for FY 2011 increased the budget for regulation and oversight of all offshore drilling.
$337.7 million is the amount by which the CR increased Los Alamos National Laboratory's budget for nuclear weapons, alone.
" So, today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons"—President Barack Obama, in his now-famous Prague speech of April 5, 2009
In addition to war, the 1940s brought us many things: Velcro, Tupperware, microwaves, the Frisbee—and the atomic bomb.
Nuclear weapons spending has since declined—or was declining, until Oct. 1, when the Obama administration approved the largest increase in nuclear weapons funding since the �ber-secret, �ber-costly ($22 billion in today's dollars) Manhattan Project.
Los Alamos National Laboratory fared particularly well, landing the largest "weapons activities" increase ($337 million, which represents a 26 percent increase over its FY 2010 weapons budget) of any lab, plant or test site receiving weapons activities funding from the US Department of Energy.
Unsurprisingly, this irks Greg Mello, the executive director of the Los Alamos Study Group, a pro-disarmament group currently suing the DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration to stop the construction of a huge, ever-more-costly facility for manufacturing plutonium pits—basically, the guts of new atomic bombs.
Mello's group contends that the construction is based on insufficient environmental review, and that its mushrooming costs—especially this latest increase, most of which goes to the new facility—are therefore unjustified.
But all is not lost.
In a Sept. 14 letter, all 23 Republicans on the US House Appropriations Committee wrote a letter to committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., decrying the spending increases—and calling out nuclear weapons spending as one of a handful of examples.
"There was some irony in it, that they specifically named the nuclear weapons program," Mello says. "They could have not named it, but they did."
Ah, for the hawks of yore.


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Veo, Veo: colors, numbers and animals Ebook
Book 1
by Maria Veronica Antich
Other versions of this book
Print Book
About the Ebook
This is the 1st book of a series
This book was inspired by the traditional game "Veo, veo" (I spy). Using a simple dialogue; "Veo, veo " would introduce your child to the Spanish language. Learn in a fun and easy way the colors, numbers, and animals.
"Veo, Veo" (I see, I see)
"¿Qué ves?" (What do you see?)
"Veo... " (I see...)
About the Creator
Maria Veronica was born in Caracas, Venezuela on June 24th, 1980. She taught English as a second language since 1996. In 2000 she went to Florida, US to study Digital Publishing. After graduation she returned to her country where she worked as a Graphic and Web Designer for 5 years and kept teaching English to children. In 2006 she moved to Massachusetts, US. She got an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2006 and transferred to Fitchburg State University to continue her education. She received an Award for Outstanding Student in a Minor in Spanish in 2011. She graduated from Fitchburg State University with a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Spanish in May 2011. In her free time Veronica loves going out Latin dancing and enjoys gathering with her friends. She also enjoys going for walks with her husband and four legged kids Bela, Chopper and her cat Bruschi.
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New tensions in the Middle East have buoyed crude prices for the moment, but I don't believe that the latest Israeli/Palestinian dust-up will continue for long, and crude prices will continue their drop into the high $70s. This rally is an opportunity to sell oil stocks that you might want to take profits on going into 2013.
Another round in the endless struggle between the Israelis and Palestinians began with increased missile launches coming from the Gaza strip and Israel retaliating with targeted assassinations and air strikes of military installations. While avoiding the obvious human tragedy associated with new military action from both sides, what has been most telling is the strong increase in coverage from the media, both in the U.S. and Europe. It's not as if these incursions haven't happened before and with much more intense confrontation and destruction. It's sad but true that many who cover the Middle East are now accepting that these violent outbursts are a recurring fact of life, and this is, at least so far, a relatively small one.
That could change with a land incursion of Israeli troops into Gaza, but that is looking far less likely by the day. Egypt's Islamist leadership is a non-factor, without the will or military cooperation to be important. It's likely that there will be an Israeli sortie to destroy missile sites and transport tunnels, followed by another "permanent truce" agreement destined to fail again.
But for the oil markets, this is just a small respite from what has looked like a bear move since mid-September. Consolidation of the first leg of this bear move starting in early October and running the West Texas Intermediate spot price between $84 and $92 seems about done. The next leg down will bring the price under $80 in my view, when we can again seriously look to buy oil and oil stocks.
There are other reasons I dislike oil and stocks here in the short run, but this rally brought on by the latest action in the Mideast is still an opportunity to take profits in the oil companies and oil service sectors that still have some for 2012 going into the late stages of the fourth quarter. One important thought to keep in mind is the fiscal cliff, not only because of its effects on the economy, but largely because any deal of increased revenues will almost certainly increase the 15% capital gains tax. This I can say with 100% certainty: You'll never see a lower rate than you're seeing right now in capital gains.
That's a reason to continue to harvest gains in the big multis that are still showing positive action this year, including Exxon Mobil (XOM), Conoco (COP), Chevron (CVX) and Shell (RDS.A) among others, even if you missed the chance to cash out at the highs earlier in September. And even if you buy back higher in 2013, your tax advantage is secured.
But I don't think you'll need to buy them back higher; I think you'll get them much lower.


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I've about crossed my eyes with videos.
I'm getting consistent throws with my cute little Leopard out around 300' or so. I don't have a real target, but I think i'm getting up and down (aiming at trees) from 100' with fair consistency. It's hard to tell, but probably 50% of the time.
I'd like to get into a clinic somewhere in So Cal. Is there a global list of upcoming clinics or does anyone know of any happening in the near future in So Cal. San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange County are closest, but LA would be cool too.
About a target. I've exausted craigslist for used portables, and have pretty much figured out that I need to build a couple of semi portable targets. Anyone know good plans for one. I've seen a few on youtube and the web. I think I've got a pretty good handle on how I'll build one, by combining ideas from several.


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In honor of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I asked our tour guide, Christie Coykendall to share with you how she discovered that she needed to be gluten free. Here is her story.
I thought I was suffering from menopause for TEN YEARS! I just couldn't get my old energy back. It seemed like the month I turned 50 I had gained 20 pounds and couldn't get it off. My immune system was so low I'd catch every cold that blew into the neighborhood. I remember crying one day because I felt so awful, thinking there must be something really wrong with me because I was eating all those high powered vitamins and buying all those super energy tonics and I still felt sooo tired all the time.
I'm naturally an outgoing, friendly person but as soon as the door closed behind the outside world I'd collapse on the couch and sink into despair. Deep inside what I really feared was the inability to focus my thoughts. I'd be talking to my son and point to the refrigerator but say, "Put it in the stove," or something else equally disjointed. I had to stop reading books because I just couldn't remember what one page had said by the time I turned it over. I remember thinking frequently how nice it would be to die and be able to just rest. Then one day a sympathetic clerk in a health food store suggested trying a wheat free diet. I read up on the gluten-free lifestyle and thought about it for a few weeks. I didn't have the typical digestive symptoms but as she said, "Why not just try it." I faithfully read every label and didn't cheat at all. I remember so clearly that first week-end, I woke-up feeling alive. It was amazing!
I've been on a fairly strict gluten-free diet for two and half years now. I learned I'm a second-day processor so if I eat something with wheat I get a "gluten hangover' the next day, feeling tired, groggy and depressed all over again. I lost 25 pounds the first year without even thinking about it. Four months after I went GF I got a part-time job at Bob's Red Mill giving the daily factory tours. It's a high energy job that I love and I'm proud to say I haven't had one sick day since I started. Now I get to share my story every day and encourage others to 'just try it.'
My favorite BRM product? I love the versatility of the new GF Vanilla Cake Mix. Strawberry shortcake season is coming up and I'm tasting it already!


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This star rating is the opinion of the property owner only. A Self-Rated hotel has not been assessed by the AA or Visit Britain, whose official star ratings we use across LateRooms.com.
Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre4 Self rated
Temple Way, Bristol, BS1 6BF
Price FromView Rooms
- Very Good
- 46 guest reviews
"A nice clean new hotel. Friendly staff. Room not the biggest but immaculate with good facilities, particularly the shower. Very quiet but o..."
"Comfortable but overpriced. Staff really helpful and professional Breakfast let down but dreadful bread and a useless toaster..."
"Very good...."
"Clean,comfortable room. Attentive and polite staff. Great Breakfast!..."
"Lovely hotel, great location right in the middle of the city, 2 Minute walk from the train station Bristol Temple Meads. All amenities reall..."
About the hotel
Located in the heart of Bristol, the contemporary Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre hotel is within short walking distance of many tourist attractions and local business. Bristol International Airport is 10 miles south-west of Bristol, with an approximate travelling time of 20 minutes to the hotel and a dedicated express coach service running every 10 minutes during peak times. All 167 of the Evolution Guest Rooms at this Bristol hotel offer a choice of King, Queen and Twin-sized beds, many of which offer views of Temple Park.
Each room is equipped with a 42" LCD TV, complimentary wireless internet access, air conditioning, a mini refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. Hold a meeting at this modern Bristol hotel in one of 2 flexible conference rooms, all of which feature the latest in audio/visual technology and stay connected to the office with our complimentary 24-hour business center. Dine on the terrace or inside at Recess our city centre hideaway and enjoy unrivalled views of Temple Park while sampling contemporary British cuisine prepared by our team of chefs, or shop for snacks and ready-made meals any time of the day or night in our 24-hour Pavilion Pantry®. Keep fit in our complimentary 24-hour Fitness Center or travel into the Bristol's city center for a large variety of shops, bars, restaurants and leisure activities.
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- Up to 12 years old
- The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are not allowed
Customer Reviews
Our reviews are from genuine LateRooms.com customers. We verify that the customer has stayed before leaving a review.
Very Good
87% would recommend it to a friend
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Very Good
A nice clean new hotel.
Friendly staff. Room not the biggest but immaculate with good facilities, particularly the shower.
Very quiet but o...
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Comfortable but overpriced.
Staff really helpful and professional
Breakfast let down but dreadful bread and a useless toaster...
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We had some special friends over for dinner on Thursday. We prepared short ribs in a French style. We then compared the 1998 CC (it's the oldest CC I have) vs. a 1990 Margaux. One of our guests fancies himself as a French wine kind of guy. I prefer American Cab, but I do appreciate a great Margaux. Both wines were fantastic, but everyone agreed that the best was the Clark-Claudon. It was really obvious. Thought you should know!! (but then I bet you already did).
— Bob Paluck


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David N. Snyder wrote:retrofuturist wrote:alan... wrote:instead of forcing belief, this would be a page or forum section that presents firm practice and results that do not require belief in anything that is not testable and quantifiable here and now. something like: buddhism can be practiced without belief in anything whatsoever, here's how and why...
Yeah, I've already done that...
Buddhism for the Modern Skeptic
http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?tit ... rn_Skeptic
... and deliberately kept it offsite.
And/or Retro's post above sounds like a good guideline to go by for new members and moderators.
For more info on what happened at e-sangha, see this thread at our sister site:
Why was E-Sangha controversial?
i agree! that's exactly what i would like to see on the forum itself (in addition to a perfect balance counterpart that would be the exact opposite) but i understand where you guys are coming from in keeping it off site.


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With General Ironside's Forces in North Russia 3
The Film
Plein écran
Cliquer «visionner le film» pour voir la version plein écran
Running Time
09 min 55 s
British and other national forces in the North Russian Intervention Force in and near Archangel, and normal peasant life in the area, December 1918 to September 1919.
Sledge-ambulances bring the wounded back to the hospital in Archangel, where surgery is performed. The village of Toulgas is shown. Men of the Royal Scots Fusiliers carry out PT exercises in the snow. US troops come back to the village from the front, together with Canadian sleigh-mounted 1 8-pounder guns. In May 1919 the relief force arrives and marches through Archangel. Local boy scouts march at the rear of the column. Earlier, in the snow, White Russian; Cossacks ride in on patrol, bringing in Bolshevik prisoners of war. In Archangel, troops use the YMCA carriage, and there's a tug of war between US and Canadian soldiers. In September the last US troops evacuate the city by sea, their ship passing the repair base at Solombola. The great fire at the lumber mills at Maimaxa is shown from the river.
Pieces of History
Overseas Training in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Andrew Iarocci
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
the sole object of training is to prepare our forces for war, success in battle being constantly held as the ultimate aim... It is the function of training to develop the mental, moral, and physical qualities as highly as possible in each individual, and also to inculcate by theory and practice the methods of employing the various arms in co-operation to the best advantage...1
As this passage demonstrates, military instruction consisted of two fundamental aspects: training of the individual soldier and training of formations. When new recruits joined the service, they first needed to learn the basic skills of soldiering—marching, drill and marksmanship. Once these were mastered, the soldier would continue to train for his specialized trade, whether it be infantry, artillery, engineering, signals, medical or supply. Then the individual would join a formation based on his trade, and training continued at the unit level on a regular basis. The ultimate objective was for each component of the army to function cooperatively as part of the whole; this was achieved through exercises at the battalion, brigade and divisional levels.
The first overseas contingent of Canadian troops was formed at Valcartier, Quebec, during August-September 1914. Much of the time at Valcartier was occupied with administrative details, and limited training was accomplished before the contingent—soon to be known as 1st Canadian Division—embarked for England in October. Upon arrival, the division was posted to Salisbury Plain, a large British training area, where it remained until February 1915.
The weather that winter was especially wet, and until recently, scholars have agreed that relatively little training was completed before the division moved to France. Recent research suggests, however, that despite inclement weather and other distractions, most elements of the division engaged in productive training on Salisbury Plain. The infantry learned to manoeuvre in conjunction with artillery and machine guns. Other divisional elements, such as engineers, artillery and signals, as well as mounted and transport troops carried out their own specialized programs. The engineers, for example, learned how to construct field fortifications, while the artillery brigades rehearsed their gun drills. The divisional transport and ammunition columns, meanwhile, discovered the intricacies of moving supplies around the battle zone.
The training of 1st Division did not cease after it crossed the English Channel in February 1915. Upon arrival at the front lines near the Franco-Belgian border, the Canadians were matched up with experienced British troops for orientation tours. The evidence suggests that this formative experience was overwhelmingly positive. As one soldier later recalled, "nothing could surpass the patience of" his British teachers "or their brotherly kindness to us as comrades in arms."2 The Canadians also learned about the costs of war, as they suffered their first casualties and witnessed the damage inflicted on the landscape.
In the summer of 1915, the 2nd Canadian Division arrived in England and began to train at Shorncliffe Camp. The open ground was ideal for company and battalion manoeuvres, and much of the instruction revolved around the challenges of trench warfare. Some of the officers attended British courses, while others went to France for short combat tours with 1st Division.3 With the expansion of the Canadian Corps to four divisions during 1915-16, additional training space was required for the new arrivals in England. A camp was opened at Bramshott in late 1915, and additional camps were added in 1916, including Crowborough, Hastings, New Shoreham, Seaford and Witley.4
As the war progressed, a broad selection of specialized schools was established—both in England and in France—covering everything from hand grenade training to field sanitation. Instructional programs were gradually standardized, while the British Army Printing and Stationery Depot produced a vast selection of training literature on every conceivable subject.
New technology appeared on the battlefield throughout the war and was reflected in training programs. In April 1915, for example, the German Army introduced chemical weapons to the Western Front. All soldiers were issued with respirators for the duration of the conflict and gas drill became an important component of basic training. Later in 1915, the .303 calibre Lewis gun, a portable automatic rifle, was issued to British and Dominion forces. Here again was a new piece of equipment to be mastered. In common with other types of military training, the correct procedure was subdivided into a simple series of component tasks.
Not all military instruction revolved around weapons systems and tactics. Sport and physical exercise were also important; peak fitness was vital if soldiers were to function under the strain of battle. As the British Army Manual of Physical Training explained:
a soldier should be well disciplined, a good marcher, intelligent, smart, active and quick, able to surmount obstacles in the field and capable of withstanding all the strains and hardships of active service...5
Fitness was achieved through physical drills, "Swedish" exercises and regular sporting events. Organized games and competitions not only fostered physical fitness, but also improved morale and encouraged teamwork. During the summer months, battalions, brigades and divisions organized their own sporting events in rear areas. After the war a veteran fondly recalled a sports day from the summer of 1918:
Who lives that does not remember the day of brigade sports at Izel-les-Hameaux? There were races and jumps and hurdles, something for everyone, a ring to box and wrestle in, baseball and football championships. The day was fine... everybody was there. It was a gay scene, the boys of four battalions and the airmen who joined us for the fun, all rollicking together...6
By late 1916 the Canadian Corps was a veteran formation, and had suffered heavy casualties in a series of costly battles, including Second Ypres, Festubert, St. Eloi Craters, Mount Sorrel and the Somme. In addition to formal training routines, this practical and bloody battle experience shaped the capabilities of the Corps. At the same time, the high casualty rates meant that large numbers of new recruits were constantly arriving in France and Belgium. Some Canadian commanders were dissatisfied with the level of basic training displayed by these reinforcements, and decided to establish their own courses at the battalion, brigade or divisional levels. These short refresher courses helped to ensure that new arrivals were familiar with the basics of soldiering before being thrust into the unforgiving front lines.
Training was an ongoing process throughout the First World War, as Canadian units were created, consumed in combat, reformed, and once again committed to battle. Under the challenging tactical and operational circumstances of 1914-18, nothing could have prevented high casualties, but effective training improved the chances that soldiers would succeed on the battlefield.
1Training and Manoeuvre Regulations, 1913. London: General Staff, War Office, 1913, p. 10-11.
2George Drillie Scott Fonds, LAC, MG 30, E 28.
3G.W.L. Nicholson. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919. Ottawa: Queen's Printer, 1962, p. 113.
4David W. Love. "A Call to Arms": The Organization and Administration of Canada's Military in World War One. Winnipeg: Bunker to Bunker Books, 1999, p. 91.
5Manual of Physical Training, 1908. Rev. ed. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1914, p. 7-8.
6James H. Pedley. Only This: A War Retrospect, 1917-1918. Ottawa: CEF Books, 1999, p. 175-176.
Military Logistics of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914–1919
Michel Litalien
Canadian military logistics is a dimension of the history of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) that is often overlooked. Yet just a few days after Canada's entry into the First World War, it was obvious that there was no way of ignoring it. When huge numbers of military and civilian volunteers showed up at Valcartier, near Quebec City, in August 1914, logistical support services, which had only recently been established, were soon put to the test. Clothing and equipping the members of the first contingent turned out to be a real headache. Manufacturers had to be found and contracts drawn up in a hurry for the production of uniforms, boots, belts, weapons, vehicles and so on. From a logistical standpoint, mobilizing the first contingent destined for Europe was a nightmare.
Throughout the Great War, the Canadian Expeditionary Force's logistical support system was an immense, complex operation. Of all the support services, the Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) was the most diversified. Its main responsibilities were transporting combat troops, delivering equipment and materials, and providing the troops with fresh supplies. In addition to these essential tasks, the CASC also evacuated the wounded (ambulance drivers belonged to the corps), salvaged equipment that had been captured from the enemy or left behind on the battlefield and delivered mail. The CASC worked closely with the Canadian Ordnance Corps, the Canadian Army Medical Corps, and the Canadian Artillery Corps for the transportation of specialized ordnance.
The CASC operated from seaports located hundreds of kilometres from the battlefield, all the way to just behind the front lines. Its replenishment system could supply not only small groups of just a few men but also formations the size of an infantry battalion (approximately 1,000 men).
Resupplying front-line units was a multistep process. From ports and depots, supplies were first taken by railway to railheads. From there, CASC units were responsible for moving the supplies by truck or light railway to supply dumps. These operations took place in the third line of supply. Thanks to their small size, light railways could run and reach areas closer to the front lines more easily. It was also harder for enemy artillery to pinpoint them. The administrative area behind the front lines was crisscrossed by light rail lines that were built and maintained by Canadian railway troops.
From the supply dumps, the CASC's divisional train and ammunition supply column, both of which were horse-drawn, were responsible for bringing supplies closer to the front lines, to their respective divisions or individual units. This was the second line of supply.
Lastly, operations to supply front-line units constituted the first line of supply. These units had to come back to the rear to get their own supplies of gear, ammunition, weapons, technical and communications equipment, water, medication and food. These supply expeditions were carried out chiefly at night so that the soldiers could not be seen by the enemy. But assigning combat troops to this task meant that a battalion's defensive positions at the front would be short of manpower for a time and so vulnerable to enemy attack.
Toward the end of the war, however, a Canadian officer from Montreal proposed using the tumpline system — the method that Canada's aboriginal people and coureurs de bois had used to carry large loads on foot. Before the introduction of this system, infantryman had to carry supplies in their arms, thus limiting the quantity of materials due to their size and weight. The tumpline system, which involved the use of a head strap, allowed the soldiers to carry more weight and freed up their arms, thus giving them more freedom of movement. With this system, each soldier was able to transport a greater quantity of supplies and so fewer men were required for the job, leaving more troops to ensure the defence of the front lines.
Besides regularly providing drivers and vehicles to other units, the CASC also maintained and repaired its vehicles. It also had to make sure that the troops were fed, which meant that fresh and hard rations had to be allocated and distributed properly; its military cooks oversaw the operation of field bakeries and butcheries.
The CASC was not the only logistical support corps to play a key role in the CEF. The Canadian Ordnance Corps was responsible for procuring, storing and distributing uniforms, boots, equipment, weapons, ammunition and shells to combat troops. Specialized supply depots, located in the second line of supply, helped ensure more effective distribution.
The Canadian Ordnance Corps' other major role was to maintain equipment in the field. The repairmen in the specialized ordnance mobile workshops could get closer to the deployed units and repair their weapons, both light and heavy, as well as their equipment. If the mobile workshops were not able to do the repairs on site, the weapons and equipment were shipped to heavy or stationary workshops at the rear, where virtually anything could be reassembled or rebuilt. The small detachments of the Ordnance Corps worked closely with the various units of the Army Service Corps.
Despite the gradual mechanization of the war, horses remained a vital component of the CEF. The cavalry, the artillery and, of course, the Army Service Corps used huge numbers of horses right up to the end of the war. At one point, Canadians were using as many as 24,000 horses and mules in their overseas operations. Horses could often manage in places where motorized vehicles could make no headway! Inevitably, some horses suffered injuries or fell ill. The Canadian Veterinary Corps operated mobile sections to take care of horses; it also ran veterinary hospitals for horses, advanced remount depots and specialized basic provisions depots.
Other logistical support services also played a crucial role in enabling combat troops to get on with their job. The Canadian Postal Corps, for instance, helped maintain the morale of soldiers at the front, at the rear and also those convalescing in hospitals. Army chaplains, who constituted the smallest organized support group, provided religious services to Canadian soldiers of different faiths and offered moral support at difficult times. Lastly, despite the enemy's efforts to maintain a naval blockade by submarines, the Canadian Forestry Corps ensured that Great Britain, France and the Canadian Expeditionary Force obtained all the timber they needed to carry out their military operations.
Thousands of men served in these various organizations. The Army Service Corps, for example, counted over 17,000 officers and non-commissioned soldiers in its organization. Even if these units were not combat troops, many of them, including the Army Service Corps, played important roles in all military actions. One hundred and four members of the CASC were killed, and 363 were wounded.
Selected Bibliography
Brown, Ian Malcolm. British Logistics on the Western Front, 1914-1919. Westport: Praeger Publishers, 1998.
Canadian Army Service Corps, 2nd Divisional Train: Record of Service of Officers, 1914-1919. Brian Pontifex, comp. Toronto: Carswell, 1920.
Davies, W.J.K. Light Railways of the First World War: A History of Tactical Rail Communications on the British Fronts, 1914-18. Newton Abbot, UK: David & Charles, 1967.
French, Cecil. A History of the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps in the Great World War, 1914-1919. C.A.V. Barker and Ian K. Barker, eds. Guelph: Crest Books, 1999.
Jackson, H.M. The 127th Battalion, CEF; 2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops. Montreal: Industrial Shops for the Deaf, 1957?.
Johnston, James Robert. Riding into War: The Memoir of a Horse Transport Driver, 1916-1919. Fredericton: Goose Lane Editions and The New Brunswick Military Heritage Project, 2004.
Love, David W. "A Call to Arms": The Organization and Administration of Canada's Military in World War One. Calgary: Bunker To Bunker Books, 1999.
Phelan, Frederick Ross. "Army Supplies in the Forward Area and the Tumpline System: A First World War Canadian Logistical Innovation." Canadian Military History 9, no 1 (Winter 2000): 31-45 [reprinted from the article published in the Canadian Defence Quarterly in October 1928].
To the Thunderer his Arms: The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. William F. Rannie, ed. Lincoln, ON: W.F. Rannie, 1984.
Warren, Arnold. Wait for the Waggon: The Story of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1961.
Battlefield Medicine
Bill Rawling
Historian, Department of National Defence
On the battlefield, stretcher bearers, who were selected from the infantry or detached from a Field Ambulance unit, determined if the soldier needed to be treated, required immediate evacuation, or a combination of the two. The same process was repeated at the Regimental Aid Post (which was part of an infantry battalion at the front), at the Advanced Dressing Station (a section of a Field Ambulance), the Main Dressing Station (another section of the Field Ambulance), the Casualty Clearing Station, and the various forms of hospital near the front or well behind it, in England or even Canada.
The need for triage was not limited to times when the Canadian Corps was fighting battles—far from it—for disease had caused more casualties than combat since time immemorial. Even after such developments as vaccination in the 18th century and the studies of germs in the 19th, the sick were still plentiful among Canadian soldiers. Many conditions still forced tens of thousands to seek treatment. Among them were influenza, with some 65,000 ill in 1918-19; gonorrhea with over 45,000 ill in the course of the war; tonsillitis and sore throat with about 20,000 ill; syphilis with approximately 18,000; trench fever (caused by a bacterium transmitted by fleas), though non fatal, struck 18,000; myalgia (muscle pain) made some 15,000 sick, as did intestinal disease.
The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), however, was free of the kinds of epidemic diseases that had caused such ravages in the Crimea, the Spanish-American War and South Africa.
Near the end of the conflict the medical corps did find itself in the midst of one of the great pandemics of human history, the influenza scourge of 1918–19. Killing millions, it can be compared to the plague of Justinian in the 6th century or the Black Death in the 14th. Though 30–50,000 Canadians would succumb to the disease, the great majority were on the home front and not members of the expeditionary force. According to official history, 3825 of those who went overseas died of disease, 776 of influenza.
The CEF still had a problem on its hands, as the illness "flooded the rest station and camps with sick" in the summer of 1918, and "The ailment was peculiar in that, while exhibiting the symptoms of influenza, it ran its course in a week or eight days. It spread rapidly and necessitated the promulgation of extensive and stringent precautionary orders to prevent its spread. All public places such as Unit Entertainments, YMCA Cinema Shows, Estaminets [small French cafés serving alcohol] &c were closed for a time. In the latter places it was permitted to serve drinks at tables outside the buildings."1
Treating Wounds
Such illness was in addition to the medical challenges posed by the weapons of war and by the very ground being fought over. The conflict on the Western Front took place mainly on farmland that had been well-fertilized with manure, and its accompanying bacteria, for decades or centuries. The result, according to Canada's official medical historian of the conflict, was that nearly all wounds were infected. Sulpha drugs would not become available until the 1930s, and antibiotics would have to await another world war before coming into use, so infection was a serious challenge that could only be met by irrigating wounds with available chemicals and convalescence that could last months.
Another danger of wounds on the battlefield was shock due to blood loss, which could be fatal. The simple solution, first attempted in 1916, was to replace the patient's blood with blood drawn from a donor; chemical preservatives and refrigeration allowed for the life-giving fluid to be stored for a period of time, and such blood was being transfused by the end of 1917. One practitioner was Norman Guiou, who recalled in April 1918:
We had our first opportunity to do several transfusions. The dressing station was set up in a Nissen hut, the stretchers were supported on trestles. There were a number of seriously wounded... One lad was brought in on a blood-soaked stretcher, with a shattered humerus - his upper arm swathed in copious blood-soaked dressings. A flicker of pulse was present. He was pale, "starey-eyed", and tossed about and pulled his wound tag off... We bled a donor about 750cc while the chaplain talked to him. If there is a dramatic procedure in medicine it is the blood transfusion. Color came into that lad's cheeks. He raised himself on his good elbow, drank tea, and ate some YMCA fancy biscuits, then was on to the casualty clearing station.2
Psychological Injuries
One final challenge is worthy of mention here, that of psychological injury. According to medical historian Tom Brown, the condition was "the storm centre of military medicine" at that time. Symptoms could include uncontrollable weeping, trembling, paralysis, deafness and other manifestations without known physical causes. At first it was called shell shock, as it was thought that it resulted from the shock wave of an exploding shell damaging the brain, but by the middle part of the war the condition was thought to be purely psychological in nature. The patient could be diagnosed as suffering from hysteria or neurasthenia and could receive shock
treatment, talk therapy or simple rest in a hospital out of earshot of artillery. Most of the Canadian soldiers who suffered from such injuries were sent to No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital in France, which specialized in such care.
Hospitals serve as examples of just how complex the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers had become by the First World War. Institutions specialized in ear and eye conditions, rheumatism, psychological injury, tuberculosis, orthopaedics, and venereal disease, in addition to general, stationary and convalescent hospitals. In an industrialized war, hospitals could become battlefield targets. Many nursing sisters and patients were killed when a hospital was bombed in 1918. They were among the 504 medical practitioners killed on the battlefield serving with Canadian units; another 127 succumbed to disease.
1Library and Archives Canada, RG 9, III, v.4715, 107-20, Passchendaele to Gouy-en-Artois, June 1918
2Norman Guiou, Transfusion: A Canadian Surgeon's Story in War and Peace (Yarmouth, 1985), 34-35.
Selected Bibliography
McPhail, Andrew. Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War 1914-19: The Medical Services. Ottawa: Department of National Defense, 1925.
Nicholson, G.W.L. Canada's Nursing Sisters. Toronto: S. Stevens, 1975.
---. Seventy Years of Service: A History of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Ottawa: Borealis Press, 1977.
Rawling, Bill. Death their Enemy : Canadian Medical Practitioners and War. Ottawa: B. Rawling, 2001.
Artillery: The Great Killer
Tim Cook
Historian, Canadian War Museum
In 1914 and 1915, artillery proved it was the great killer. For those caught in the open, shrapnel and high explosive shells wreacked havoc. Thousands were left rotting on the battlefields. However, artillery guns were vulnerable to small arms fire, and they could be driven away from the front. But the guns were soon firing indirectly from hidden positions several kilometeres to the rear, still causing terrible damage. Soldiers were forced to find safety in trenches, digging beneath the ground to escape the murderous fire.
As trenches were strengthened with barbed wire, deep dugouts, and machine -guns, an enormous weight of fire was needed to smash the enemy defences and support the infantry. But there were not always enough shells in the early years to feed the guns. And so the infantry were killed in the tens of thousands as they attacked undamaged enemy trenches in frontal assaults. As the war lengthened, artillerymen received nearly unlimited supplies of shells through the enormous production of munitions factories. New tactics were also developed to improve the accuracy of the guns.
Artillery shells contained high explosives, shrapnel, and, later in the war, poison gas and smoke. Both the high explosive and shrapnel shells were timed to detonate in the air above a target. High explosive shells blasted holes in the trenches and the concussion alone could kill, as lungs collapsed under the force of the explosion. Shrapnel shells were equally deadly, consisting of more than 300 rounded metal balls that exploded downward in a cone-shaped rain of whirling metal. As well, the casing of the shell was designed to explode outward, creating jagged, uneven shards of steel that tore through flesh.
By 1916, commanders believed that massive artillery shoots, involving hundreds of thousands of shells, would annihilate the enemy defenders. This would allow the infantry to punch a hole through enemy lines and restore mobility on the Western Front.
However, it was often hard to hit, and then destroy, the narrow and well-fortified trenches. The problem also lay in the shell fuses. Earlier types were not sensitive enough to explode on contact, especially with shells tasked to clear barbed wire. As a result, many of the shells exploded in the ground, killing very few of the enemy, leaving the infantry to fight their way through defences-in-depth. By the end of 1916, newer, sensitive fuses that exploded on the slightest contact harnessed the destructive power of the artillery and, equally important to the infantry, cleared barbed wire from in front of enemy trenches.
Tactics again changed during the later phases of the bloody battles of the Somme in the last half of 1916. The gunners would never be able to destroy all of the German defences, and even one machine -gunner could kill hundreds of attacking infantry. Instead, the artillery sought to suppress enemy fire through a "creeping barrage," and give their own attacking infantry enough time to cross the killing zone of nNo Mman's Lland.
Gunners fired their shells to create a "creeping" wall of fire that slowly moved forward over the enemy lines at fixed intervals: 50 yards (46 m) every couple of minutes, less for muddy ground, more for open warfare. In effect, it was a screen of fire and explosives. As this moving wall of shrapnel and high explosives chewed up the ground in its path, the infantry were told to "lean into the barrage" and stay as close as possible. Although friendly fire was expected and occurred, the casualties would still be lighter than if the creeping barrage moved off and allowed German machine -gunners, waiting in the safety of deep dugouts, to get to the top of their trenches before the infantry crossed nNo Mman's lLand.
At the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the gunners had perfected the creeping barrage. Yet enemy gunners still took a fearful toll as they laid down their own counter-barrages to catch the follow-on waves of infantry. The enemy guns had to be stopped, or slowed, but it was exceedingly difficult to identify, target, and destroy camouflaged guns several kilometeres away.
Accurate intelligence was essential, and new and refined forms of science aided the gunners. The Canadian Corps was lucky to have Brigadier-General Andrew McNaughton, commander of the counter-battery office for much of the war, who embraced new technology and tactics. A prewar professor at McGill University, he turned to science to save his soldiers lives.
The Canadian Counter Battery Office (CCBO), established in February 1917, gathered intelligence and processed information on the enemy to assist in knocking out his guns. Aerial reconnaissance from the Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) was of great assistance as airmen photographed the front from great heights. Later in the war, observation aircraft circled the battlefield, passing real-time information to the gunners through letter drops and primitive wireless radio.
As the CCBO developed after April 1917, this information-gathering and target-selection became more sophisticated, with new technology, like sound-ranging and flash-spotting, assisting gunners to find and destroy enemy targets.
Flash-spotting involved the coordination of observers. At least three posts were needed, usually spread out along several kilometeres. When an enemy gun position was spotted by the revealing flash as the shell left the barrel, the observers were telephoned by headquarters to turn their attention to that spot. After studying the flash of the gun, the observers would hit a key that was connected to a lamp at headquarters. From the observers' bearings, and by triangulating their estimates, enemy guns could be located with high precision.
Sound-ranging worked on a similar principle. Listeners sat two kilometeres behind the line with their microphones. Additional posts were manned well ahead of these positions. As long as there was not more than one shell per second being fired, on hearing the crash of an enemy gun, the forward listening post pressed a key that started an oscillograph, an instrument that recorded on film the sound of the shell in flight as it reached each microphone in turn. The time-intervals between the microphones allowed the CCBO to analyse the information and, if conditions were optimal, pinpoint enemy guns to within twenty-five 25 yards (23 m). All available counter-battery guns would be aimed on that spot to deliver a destructive shoot of 50-100 shells. Chemical shells were also used to kill or force the enemy gunners to wear debilitating respirators that severely affected the rate of fire.
In the last year of the war, artillery had perfected the creeping barrage and was steadily improving its counter-battery work. Further tactical refinement allowed gunners to fire more complicated barrages, like a box barrage. The box barrages set up a wall of fire and explosives around an enemy position —-- usually a trench —-- which effectively isolated it from reinforcements. It allowed assaulting Canadian infantrymen to capture and consolidate a position without fear of immediate counterattack.
By war's end, 43,914 gunners had served in the Canadian artillery, and 2,565 had lost their lives from disease, injury, and battlefield wounds. They had fired tens of millions of shells, reducing the landscape to a desolate wasteland, and an estimated 60% of all wounds were inflicted by shell fire. The First World War was indeed a gunner's war.
Selected Bibliography
Cook, Tim. No Place to Run: The Canadian Corps and Gas Warfare in the First World War. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 1999.
McNaughton, A.G.L. "Counter-Battery Work." Canadian Defence Quarterly 3, 4 (July, 1926).
McNaughton, A.G.L. "The Development of Artillery in the Great War." Canadian Defence Quarterly 4, 2 (January, 1929).
Nicholson, G.W.L. The Gunners of Canada: The History of the Royal Regiment of the Canadian Artillery, Vol. 1: 1534-1919 Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1967.
Rawling, William. Surviving Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps, 1914-1918. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1992.
Swettenham, John. McNaughton, Volume I. Toronto: The Ryerson Press, 1968.


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Struggling League remains Dodgers' closer
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are sticking with Brandon League as their closer, for now.
"For right now he is," manager Don Mattingly said before Monday's series opener against the Nationals. "I hate to say it like that."
League allowed two runs on three hits in the ninth inning Sunday vs. the Marlins in a non-save situation, his third straight appearance allowing at least one run. The right-hander has surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) in his past 11 appearances entering Monday.
Following three scoreless innings in three appearances to begin the season, League's ERA has increased to 6.28. Still, he's converted eight of his nine save chances.
But given League's recent struggles, the Dodgers are considering shuffling roles at the back end of the bullpen.
Of course, changing roles in the 'pen is not so simple, according to the manager. League, setup man Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario all lost games last week.
"If we're getting to the ninth consistently and everybody is pitching well and everybody is doing their thing, then it's a lot easier to set a role," Mattingly said. "We just haven't put ourselves in a good situation very often. We've been inconsistent."
Jansen has been the most consistent of the bunch. The hard-throwing right-hander has turned in a scoreless outing 16 times this season, allowing runs in just three appearances entering Monday.
Austin Laymance is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Private Kingdoms
An Island Paradise May Sound Romantic, But Be Real About Your Dreams Before You Buy
(continued from page 4)
"I don't know if I like this trip," sighs the swarthy, German-accented Vladi. "I'd much rather take a look at islands from a boat or low-flying helicopter so I'd know I could take an easy swim."
His Gucci bags in tow, Vladi, 49, reluctantly boards the rickety plane. As the world's foremost broker of private islands, trafficking in fantasies of returning to Eden, he's compelled to discover remote, attractive properties, all in the quest to pad his portfolio of $150,000-to-$10 million getaways.
"Loving islands and all they represent--escape, freedom, control over one's environment--I'm often forced to go exploring," laughs Vladi, who has amassed maps, serial photos and a database of more than 4,000 islands. His clients range from supermodels to Japanese millionaires and the late shah of Iran's family. Yet sounding boyishly innocent and thrilled at the prospect of visiting Crusoe's shrine, he blushes. "Ever since my father took me to Capri and we toured the grottoes, I've been an island fanatic."
Having sold 500 isles and being frequent-ly called on as an expert witness in island-related lawsuits, Vladi insists islands are a terrific investment because of their finite supply. He excitedly quotes numerous examples of investments tripling, even quadrupling, in value. Yet judging by his visit to Crusoe's Más a Tierra Island, a property not for sale, it's clear he's driven by more than just commissions (8.5 percent, normally paid by the seller).
"Regrettably, Más a Tierra isn't available, but then an island is not just another piece of real estate, a mere transaction," says Vladi, who earned a master's degree in macroeconomics from Hamburg University and later focused on tax and property laws. "Whether it's Crusoe's island, the $235,000 Hatchet Cay in Belize or the $9 million Kaimbu Atoll in Fiji, every island has a magnetic pull. Each one has unique soul, magic, mystery."
Rhapsodizing about "white sandy beaches, idyllic azure coves" and his own "perfect paradise" on Sleepy Cove Island in Nova Scotia, Vladi is more a romantic than a hard-sell land dealer. In business 23 years as Vladi Private Islands (based in Nova Scotia and Hamburg, Germany), this Canadian citizen of Iranian and German descent says, "I lose all stress on my island, and that's what I want for my clients. I want to find them those special retreats that work best for their personalities."
But brokering private islands is still a highly competitive business. Vladi has rivals in every Caribbean port of call because most conventional realtors have an island or two to sell. These salespeople will bombard potential buyers with catalogues and phone calls. Yet when it comes to producing solid information about the tropics' political stability and costs, only Nick Bailey and Jeremy Hurst, both with Sotheby's real-estate affiliates in the Caribbean, candidly discuss all the ramifications of island ownership. Sotheby's International Realty maintains such affiliates for prime properties in many parts of the world, so you may be able to use them to find islands outside of the Caribbean, through local broker affiliates.
Internationally, Vladi only has one "competitor," his friend Bob Douglas. The two men share listings and often work as partners for certain transactions. A fellow Nova Scotian, Douglas left conventional real-estate sales to broker islands 25 years ago and says, "there are only two of us in the business because most guys are afraid to take the risk. We just sell luxury. Let's face it, everyone needs a house, but no one really needs an island."
Despite his romantic bent, Vladi is also the realist. He realizes an island escape is no panacea for clients. While dreams of a tropical, Gauguinesque existence die hard in his Halifax office, he must usually set people straight: there are no voluptuous, barely clad island girls fanning settlers these days.
Island life is a major, often traumatic adjustment. As Vladi warns the uninitiated island-goer, living on an isle, no matter how short the visit, means a daily sameness. Travel, maintenance of facilities and accessibility to necessities become pricey and complicated. Plus there's the separation factor, that all-too-common sense of isolation, which prompts premature returns to the mainland.
How can fateful mistakes be avoided? Before writing a seven- or eight-figure check, can prospective buyers determine whether their personalities and lifestyles are suited for island ownership?
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer recently asked Vladi these questions, and he gave her the same advice given to other "island virgins." Postpone buying. First test island life by renting.
Other real-estate brokers are far less scrupulous than Vladi, intent only on quick sales. To brokers, a potential island buyer is a marked man, a cross between a sucker and Fort Knox. Numerous Caribbean salespeople never mention renting as an option or even talk about the pitfalls of island life, its particular rhythms and demands. They instead inundate the customer with spiels about pristine islands with lovely coves--that just happen to lie in the middle of popular drug-smuggling routes.
Vladi, though, emphasizes renting as a first step in the buying process. Hoping this will "strip away false illusions about islands," especially as "paradise," he encourages clients to sample island living in several diverse locales--arranged, of course, through his own rental service, which has more than 40 destinations, from Scotland to the Fijis and the Bahamas, for $75 to $7,500 a day. Sounding particularly enchanting is Kudahithi in the Maldives, which, at $255 a day, offers bungalows on glistening white beaches. Sororoka Island, one-and-a-half hours from Rio de Janeiro, was developed by an Italian architect; it showcases thick tropical vegetation and dramatic views of the sea, at $1,500 a day. Cistern Cay in the Bahamas is a picture postcard of beaches and greenish-blue lagoons, at $15,000 per week.
"Renting will show if a client is emotionally ready for island ownership," says Vladi, who, unlike agents with only local properties, constantly updates a catalogue that lists islands from 10 diverse regions. "Renting helps buyers see what's real and important about island life. It gets them away from the escapist fairy tale."
One fantasy that most potential American buyers are hooked on is easily summarized: living in the Caribbean amid sun-drenched palms and lagoons. The beachcomber life.
But the Caribbean isn't magical to Vladi. While offering numerous beach properties for rent in the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and off Panama, he has serious reservations about buying in the tropics, mainly because he views much of the Caribbean as "shark-infested banana republics" where political payoffs are mandatory for development and land prices are way out of line.
As he bitterly describes, on many Caribbean islands he's either struggling with local brokers who typically jack up prices or wrestling with governments empowered to approve all land sales and housing plans. This often means that well-connected operatives can delay or even sabotage his transactions. It took nearly two years to finalize a Grenadine island sale for a member of the Ferragamo family because of interference and stalling by government authorities. Even when threatened with the loss of his commission, Vladi often stops dealing with bureaucrats.
"Governments demand all kinds of documents. Then you wait and wait...nothing happens," he bristles. "Once you start handing bribes out, you'll pay for a telephone permit, permission to build a wharf, an airstrip--everything."
A master sleuth often forced to conceal his real-estate interests when exploring an island, Vladi can still find an occasional Caribbean bargain. Little Norman's Cay in the Bahamas, an 85-acre prize selling for $1 million, has several white sandy beaches. The lushly landscaped Calivigni Island near Grenada goes for $1.5 million, while the 259-acre Ginger Island in the British Virgin Islands, with a large lagoon and mountains affording 360-degree views of the sea, is priced at $5 million.
Offering the same tropical climate, yet at one-third the price of Caribbean properties, Panamanian islands are an increasingly popular destination (if buyers can live with political instability). Taborcillo, John Wayne's former 80-acre playland, is now for sale, as well as several islands ideal for tobacco growing, including the $300,000 Isla de Coco, and Platanal at a mere $185,000.
The storybook allure of all these tropical sites is undeniable. They offer exceptional swimming, picturesque terrain, a rich nightlife and are easily accessible to the United States. "The Caribbean is more than just samba, sand and sun; there are also some good buys," says Jeremy Hurst of the Grand Cayman-based R.C. Bodden Realty Company. "No islands in the world can match the untouched beauty of the Caribbean's white powder beaches and turquoise waters. And best of all, on many of these picturesque islands, there's tax-free living." Vladi reminds clients that the tropics, for all their charm, are a haven for drug dealing, are wracked with political turmoil and are a potential economic nightmare.
In the Caribbean, such routine expenses as having a caretaker, desalinating water and repairing a boat average more than $100,000annually, as compared with $10,000 in Canada. Since buying Necker Island (British Virgin Islands) in 1973, Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways, has sunk $20 million into developing the property. "After adding up all the costs, you will find that taking care of a Caribbean island is like running your own country," he laments.
Even if money is no object, the Caribbean has one other essential drawback. Typically, most island buyers can take extended vacations only during the summer. And that is not the time to be in the sunbaked tropics.
Where, then, does the smart money go?
To northern climes, where verdant islands are serene and still financially inviting.
Vladi particularly prefers properties off France's Brittany coast, off Scotland and in Nova Scotia. Though prices are rising there as they are elsewhere around the world, due to heightened demand and dwindling supply (looking to develop new resort destinations, cruise lines and hotel operators are fueling the spurt in the tropics), good buys are still plentiful. Especially in Canada. "Canada is the only place to be," argues broker Bob Douglas. "I don't agree with Vladi about Scotland. It's a foreign place with very dry people. Yet Nova Scotia, with great fishing, deep waters, political stability and friendly natives, is the best buy in the world today."
In Vladi's current catalogue of favored properties, he lists 32 islands in Nova Scotia, including such densely wooded spots as Cow and Calf, Strawberry, Coddles and Spectacle Islands. These relatively untouched isles are easily accessible to Europe or the United States, are blessed with moderate temperatures and, ranging in price from $35,000 to $1.25 million, are far more affordable than tropical sites or similarly sized islands in the United States.
Recalling the recent $150,000 sale of a 100-acre beach-lined retreat in Nova Scotia, Vladi insists the same property could easily have gone for $2 million in Maine. His own island, sitting in the middle of a lake filled with trout and salmon, was purchased for $80,000 in 1989. It offers amenities and tranquility that Vladi says make it a steal. Then there's Mouton, an 800-acre island with a freshwater lake that he sold to a German doctor in 1973 for $500,000; valued today at $3 million, it could sell for $20 million in the tropics.
"Canadian islands offer everything the buyer wants: solitude, beauty and far better access to infrastructure than in the tropics," Vladi concedes. "But buying here does demand a radical reeducation. Before consummating a sale, I typically spend six to nine months traveling around the world with clients. Most people ultimately see the drawbacks of their particular island fantasies. Yet it's still a long process before they start adjusting to reality--that owning an island is much more than sitting naked on a beach all the time." The broker of islands repairs to his own, Sleepy Cove, to "rediscover" himself after traveling about 250 days each year.
Once drawn to the Caribbean but now sharing Vladi's excitement about Canada, island owner David Hays, artistic director of the National Theatre of the Deaf, says, "I love the tropics for vacations, the sailing and swimming. Yet our 55-acre Canadian island sits in a dramatic part of the world where the swift changes in the weather are thrilling. It is surrounded by crystal-clear blue water and cliffs. Our property would cost millions in the Caribbean."
Vladi's Japanese clients still cling to typical notions of tropical havens, demanding to be in Polynesia, Hawaii or off New Zealand. The French prefer to luxuriate in sun-kissed Indian Ocean locales. And as for his newest clientele, American and European corporations, they are adding to the current buying frenzy in the Caribbean by acquiring islands for conference centers and executive think tanks.
Vladi, however, favors climates where "the magic of changing seasons is keenly felt" and so continues to play the detective, snooping around Brittany and Scottish seaside towns for enticing properties. His voice filled with excitement, he recounts talking with French fishermen to find Costa Eres, a granitic, pink-cliffed island off Brittany, complete with a 12-room medieval castle. "What an incredible spot. It was simply a terrific bargain."
That jewel sold for only $1.5 million. True to his dream-merchant calling, Vladi has numerous other gems.
"Rion Island off Brittany, 50 acres with two working farms, at $750,000, is charming, a fantastic buy," he says, falling into one of his habitual island reveries. "The Brittany coast has very few islands for sale, yet this is a superb property, accessible to Paris, with a distinctive lighthouse.
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KEXP Reviews
|Browse by one of the following:
- (Back Porch)
This British singer-songwriter follows up his acclaimed third album Normal For Bridgwater with another first-rate set of tuneful alt-country stylings ranging from rootsy pop-rock to country-folk ballads. Combining dark, sometimes biting lyrics and a strong melodic sensibility, Bruntnell's fast becoming one of alt-country's most promising songwriters. 8/15/2002 - Don Yates
Other Peter Bruntnell album reviews:
Normal For Bridgwater - 7/15/2000


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Machu Picchu
12 Dec 2012 at 08:28
Mariella is learning how to make a sweater out of llama hair. It takes a lot of hard work! Looks like Mariella is having a great time.
With Mariella
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I know RedsZone wrote Cozart off the minute he was drafted, but he looks like a potential top ten list prospect to me. Said to have a great glove, now with an .800 OPS at Dayton. The report on him was that he was a pull hitter without the power and would be better hitting to all fields.
People seem to lump him with Janish, but he seems to have more offensive potential.
Anyone who has seen him play with views on his potential?


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Inkscape at Google Summer of Code 2012
24 april 2012 18:57
We are happy to announce that five Inkscape students will be participating in the Google Summer of Code 2012 program.
- Jan Pulmann will create Python bindings for lib2Geom, the computational geometry library we use.
- Samuel Chase will improve guides management in Inkscape.
- Veronika Irvine will create a new tool for on-canvas tessellation.
- Eugene Lezhnin will improve the way Inkscape works with text and implement some much desired features such as indentation and underlines.
- Cheng Zhang will convert more code to C++. namely SP Event Context.
We wish our students happy coding!


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THE last remaining cricket festival is upon us – no other county can provide 11 days of first class cricket on an 'out ground'.
Marquees, music, stalls and trade stands as well as some crucial cricket will be on offer. Gloucestershire should be proud of maintaining the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Festival while other counties have lost theirs.
Of the other once popular 'out grounds' there is no Bath, no Weston and only one game at Scarborough. But a festival feast lies ahead at the College Ground.
The Championship matches are both winnable. Derbyshire (July 14-17) are not strong and we shall be tackling Worcestershire (July 21-24) without their top two players. Moeen Ali will be on Test match duties and star spin bowler Saeed Ajmal will be playing for Pakistan. If we can collect 40 points from those two matches the promotion race will be wide open. The T20 games will be thrilling and the Festival sees the start of the 50-over competition.
The T20 Blast win against Sussex, achieved in Bristol gloom, showed that once more our county knows how to play the short version of the game. Be flexible with the batting order, switch your bowling around, but above all be bold and keep going. Graeme McCarter hit 15 off five balls in the last over and off-spinner Jack Taylor, taking 3-12 at the death, showed they knew their team tasks.
Ian Cockbain bashed and bludgeoned a rapid half-century and was deservedly man of the match. Acting captain Alex Gidman looked visibly joyous and showed astonishing mobility, taking a catch in the outfield. It was almost as good as the boundary one taken by Hamish Marshall the ball before.
The two-point penalty because of the poor Cheltenham pitch at last year's festival has been a ball and chain holding our team back. I have no problem with the ECB judgment, but it should not have affected us this season. We erred last season and should have been punished then.
Injuries are still a problem but there is some good news. Wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick has been playing as a batsman in a 2nd XI fixture this week and bowler Craig Miles also played, bowling a restricted number of overs, with Cheltenham appearances in view. James Fuller and Matt Taylor are definitely out but captain Klinger, speaking exclusively to your columnist, wants to play and thinks he will be able to. "I love Cheltenham, John, I cannot miss it." He speaks for us all.


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This year's Tech Week show stopper? Tetris on the Cira Centre
Don't say we didn't warn you:
That was an early trial run captured after last year's kickoff event. Letting people play Pong on the Cira Centre was a big hit; why not go even bigger with Tetris?
"One regret that I had was that we only used one side of the building," said Drexel game-design professor Frank Lee. "This year, I wanted to find a way to use all sides of the building and truly create an aesthetic of a unique and fleeting moment shared by all the people in Philadelphia."
The bigger-and-better encore for Lee and Philly Tech Week (organized by NewsWorks partner Technically Philly) is scheduled for Friday, April 4.
Interestingly, Tetris, not Pong, was the video game that inspired Lee's project in the first place:
Lee says the vision for his tech-art mashup came when he was driving by the building one day.
"Other times I passed by, I didn't really think too much about it, but this time, in 2008, when I was passing by, I saw Tetris shapes rotating and falling. And that began this long journey to make this game," he says.
Last year, gamers squared off from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This year, the joysticks will be set up at nearby Eakins Oval.
And here's the really important part: If you go to ph.ly/tetrislottery, you can sign up for a chance to play.
Support provided by


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SANTA CRUZ -- Santa Cruz police veterans David Forbus and Jose Garcia have been promoted to sergeant positions, police said this week.
Forbus has worked with Santa Cruz police for 12 years in patrol, investigations, a countywide drug enforcement team and other roles, said police spokesman Zach Friend.
Garcia has investigated several homicides and gang motivated crimes as a detective. He also has worked for the department for 12 years.
"Sgt. Forbus and Sgt. Garcia embody the work ethic, commitment to service and community values that are hallmarks of our department," said Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel. "Our community can be proud of the next generation of leadership at the Santa Cruz Police Department."
Forbus received a Hazardous Duty Award for disarming a suspect who attacked him with a knife. He is a Santa Cruz native.
Garcia started as a police volunteer and has been a SWAT team member, a K-9 handler, firearms instructor and has participated in other areas.
The positions were made available after a retirement and Dan Flippo's promotion to lieutenant.
Follow Sentinel reporter Stephen Baxter on Twitter at Twitter.com/sbaxter_sc


text: WVU's hoops problems are many By Mitch Vingle November 24, 2012 Story Share LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - With one game to go in the Old Spice Classic, the punchline around West Virginia University's basketball team has been, well, at least it's not playing Gonzaga again.Today, the Mountaineers will take on Oklahoma (3-1), which, like WVU, was hammered by the Zags this season. The Sooners lost to Gonzaga 72-47 Friday and dropped into today's 4:30 p.m. consolation game against WVU, which will be aired on ESPNU.To fill you in on Oklahoma (which WVU could now play four times this season), the Sooners were was outrebounded by Gonzaga 51-24 and shot 32 percent (16 of 50) from the field. Oklahoma hit but 31.3 percent of its 3-point attempts.The Sooners' victories have been over two cupcakes and Texas-El Paso. Coach Lon Kruger has been starting no player taller than 6-foot-9 Amath M'Baye and is led in scoring by 6-8 forward Romero Osby, who had 13 points and five rebounds against Gonzaga.The bigger story here, though, is the plight of the Mountaineers, who are expected to have a fine season with transfers like Aaric Murray and Juwan Staten in place.WVU coach Bob Huggins' new contract has a bonus that he'll get paid $25,000 for every win over Kansas, but forget the Big 12 kingpin for now. WVU (1-2) couldn't beat the Southern Conference kingpin, Davidson, on Friday.So far, the only claim the Mountaineers can stake is they are better than Marist, picked to finish eighth within the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. (Give the Red Foxes props, though, for beating Vanderbilt on Friday.)First there were concerns about WVU's football team. Now there are concerns over the men's basketball team - and the Big 12 portion of the hoops schedule has yet to begin.After the Marist game, Huggins seemed calm."We're playing so many guys, it just takes a little while," he said at the time. "We need to play some games. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We've got 31 games and the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament, so we've got a lot of games to go."But will WVU's team make the NCAA tournament for the sixth straight year?The Mountaineers have eight players averaging 6.3 points or more. Murray is averaging 10 points and 5.7 rebounds. Jabarie Hinds is averaging 9.3 points.But the team has offered up more bricks than Home Depot. Freshman Eron Harris is by far the best shooter at 78 percent, but he's only attempted nine shots, making seven. As a team, WVU is hitting 41 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the 3-point arc and 62.5 percent from the free-throw stripe. In sum, it's awful.The Mountaineers took 60 shots to Davidson's 41 on Friday - and lost 63-60.There's more. Do you know who leads West Virginia in assists? Center Deniz Kilicli with seven. Point guard Staten has seven turnovers and three assists. Hinds has four assists. Kilicli also leads the team in rebounding with 23, but he's also the team leader in turnovers with 12 and is but 5 of 14 (35.7 percent) shooting free throws. The poor shooting has led to long scoring droughts and much frustration."That's the problem, and that's been the problem for years," Kilicli said. "The team that went to the Final Four would have eight-minute droughts. It happened, but we guarded pretty good, and this team is more talented defensively than that team. We had Da'Sean [Butler] and that was it. Truck made shots and [Kevin Jones] got rebounds. Everybody [now] can make shots."Defensively, WVU has shown flashes. It did against Davidson. But after pulling to within one point, it allowed a wide-open Chris Czerapowicz trey from the corner.One can point to so many reasons for the early troubles. Kilicli cut loose of another."I don't know ... [The newer Mountaineer players] gotta get used to Hugs," Kilicli said. "I mean, we have new guys and once they get used to him, they'll start to make shots." He pointed to discord."If they just play relaxed and stay positive with each other ... That's the whole problem. Everybody misses shots and we yell at each other. That doesn't help at all."Hinds disagreed with the characterization. "We don't get on each other when we miss shots; we try to encourage each other," said the guard. "Some don't take it that way. That's not the case. We just have to play all 40 minutes and not take plays off."WVU has committed too many fouls. Already Murray and Kilicli have fouled out of games. That has led to frustration as well."You can't touch people," Kilicli said. "I'm working my ass off all summer, then the guy comes in and flops and I get a foul. Then when I flop, it doesn't work. I think that's total bull crap."Within the Big East, officials allowed more rugged play. The Turk doesn't know what to expect within the Big 12."I haven't heard anything and, even if I had, it doesn't matter," he said. "I'm going to play my same game. I'm going to bully people. That's what I do. If they're going to call a mess of fouls because I'm going for rebounds, well, I'm going to keep going."For four years, I've heard I don't rebound the ball. [Friday] I had 11 - and I still don't rebound the ball. Whatever."Get the team vibe? Not good.Oh, and sometimes it seems WVU loses steam defensively."We can be in better shape," Hinds said, "but we also have people coming off the bench that can play."Perhaps we should stop here and take stock. After three regular-season games, WVU is dealing with poor shooting from the field, 3-point arc and free-throw stripe. It is dealing with poor distribution and handling of the ball and Huggins' coaching style. There are signs of team discord and frustration with officials. There's the question of conditioning. Other than that ..."We don't have a lot of great players in there," Huggins said. "We've got some guys who can do some things. But individually, we're not very good. Collectively, we can be pretty good. We have to have them buy into 'collectively.'"We recruited Terry Henderson to be a good shooter. We've had guys who couldn't dribble. We've tried to get guys who can dribble. I don't think anyone wants to give Juwan Staten back. I don't think anyone wants to give Jabarie [Hinds] back. I don't think anyone wants to give Gary Browne back. This is the first time we've had guys not make plays."If you can't read the exasperation in Huggins' words, read on."I tell them all the time, you've got to get the ball in the lane, draw help and pitch it," said the coach. "We've haven't done that. [Opponents are] making us play laterally and there isn't reason for it. All we have to do is split 'em. We don't do it."It's not like they haven't been told. It's not like we haven't worked on it. We worked on [Davidson] and ball screens basically the two [practice] hours."He sighed."I don't know. Why do we miss 1-footers? Why do we shoot the ball without looking at the rim? Why, when we have a practice facility, aren't they shooting 1,000 free throws a day if they're shooting 2 for 7? I can only make them do what I'm allowed to make them do."And see how it goes at 4:30 today.Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, firstname.lastname@example.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Cabin Creek Health Systems 2 Teen pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Oakes Field shooting 3 Reunions: Sept. 26, 2017 4 Safety shutoff disabled prior to June coal-mining death, report says 5 Huggins, WVU tap South Florida hoops talent Scoring 59 points not enough for Herd Previous Story Chillin' from the backfield Next Story


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The fast-paced nature of high-tech industries requires an unparalleled leadership style, one that blends a breadth of technical expertise with a firm foundation in business principles. The coordinated graduate degree of a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Engineering provides graduates with the unique opportunity of leading technology firms through dynamic shifts of innovation.Rice University's Brown School of Engineering collaborates with Texas Medical Center institutions and other Rice departments to enhance research opportunities in industries such as nanotechnology, information technology, and biotechnology. Please contact your department of interest for more information.
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