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David N. Snyder wrote:I don't think some romantic love is an unreasonable expectation from her.
David N. Snyder wrote:Renunciation is great, but has a time and place. As lay people we can still practice forms of renunciation, for example, going on a retreat for our work-vacation time instead of a cruise and other things.
puppha wrote:What about if she is unhappy because I don't drink alcohol? I have been reproached that many times...
David N. Snyder wrote:If you started the Buddhist practice after marriage, you may need to do more compromising, since it's "not what she signed up for" so to speak, but that still doesn't mean you can't follow and progress on the path you have chosen.
A balanced mind is necessary to balance the unbalanced minds of others.
—Sayagyi U Ba Khin
puppha wrote:For example, she would like me to experience stronger emotions (of joy or sadness), enjoy wordly pleasures,
"Desire can be compared to fire. If we grasp fire, what happens? Does it lead to happiness? If we say: 'Oh, look at that beautiful fire! Look at the beautiful colours! I love red and orange; they're my favourite colours,' and then grasp it, we would find a certain amount of suffering entering the body. And then if we were to contemplate the cause of that suffering we would discover it was the result of having grasped that fire. On that information, we would, hopefully, then let the fire go. Once we let fire go, then we know that it is something not to be attached to. This does not mean we have to hate it, or put it out. We can enjoy fire, can't we? It is nice having a fire, it keeps the room warm, but we do not have to burn ourselves in it.
When we really contemplate suffering, we no longer incline towards grasping hold of desire, because it hurts, is painful, there is no point in doing it. So, from that time on, we understand, 'Oh! That's why I'm suffering; that's its origin. Ah! now I understand. It's that grasping hold of desire that causes me all this misery and suffering, all this fear, worry, expectation, despair, hatred, greed, delusion. All the problems of life come from grasping and clinging to the fire of desire."
puppha wrote:Are you responsible for his/her unhappiness?
Khalil Bodhi wrote:Quite simply: no. You are responsible, however, for your own actions and the intentions which underlie them.
SDC wrote:Responsible? No. Happiness/unhappiness comes from how a person thinks and you cannot be responsible for that. An influence on their happiness or unhappiness? Absolutely.
SDC wrote:With any relationship that you value, you should give it your best to make adjustments towards one another's way of thinking if you want to prevent resentment and anger.
puppha wrote:My question is the following: someone has some expectations from you (either spoken or unspoken), you do not meet those expectations for whatever reason, the person is unhappy. Are you responsible for his/her unhappiness?
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Dylan Smith, a lifeguard from Queens who used his surfboard to save lives during Hurricane Sandy, has died surfing. He was 23.
"It was kind of a punch in the gut," Smith's former neighbor Ray Marten told NY1. Marten's house burned to the ground the night of Hurricane Sandy, leaving him and his family chest deep in water. As the Martens struggled to swim, Smith came along with a surfboard to bring them to safety.
Smith ultimately helped rescue six people that day using a homemade rope bridge and his surfboard as fires and flooding spread across the Rockaways, NBC New York reported. Smith's heroics attracted major media attention, and he was recently named one of People Magazine's 2012 Heroes of the Year.
More from GlobalPost: Timeline: Tracking Hurricane Sandy's fury
On Sunday, police found Smith's body floating off a popular beach town in Puerto Rico, the Associated Press reported. The town, called Rincon, attracts surfers from across the world. Police say locals brought his body to the shore and tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail. Police are now investigating the death.
Smith's neighbor Michael McDonnell, who worked with him saving people during the height of the storm, remembers Smith as a "guardian angel," writing in the New York Daily News: "His calmness and ability to work with me like a team stood out to me immediately, and it was at that moment I knew I had a great person at my side.Dylan did not care much for the media; rather he wanted to stay very clear of any publicity. When I approached him for the People magazine 'Hero of the Year' award he said he would pass on the photo shoot."

subset: commoncrawl


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Flaherty's versatility may land him roster spot
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Ryan Flaherty homered for the second time this spring on Sunday afternoon, as the 26-year-old continues an impressive spring fighting for one of the Orioles' final roster spots.
"He's doing the things to put himself in the position to make it," manager Buck Showalter said of Flaherty, the organization's Rule 5 Draft pick last year. "You guys can tell he's got a little different sureness to his step. He knows the level and what's expected and he's playing like a very confident player right now, I think defensively and everything he's doing.
"He's not a Rule 5 guy that we didn't know that walked into camp. He did well last year. Whether he was a Rule 5 Draft pick or not, last year he would have made our club. So, we will see where it takes us. Proud of the way he came in, I think winter ball, it was good for him."
Flaherty played in the Dominican Winter League, following a solid finish for the Orioles down the stretch, and is batting .286/.375/.667 in 11 spring games.
"The time you're kind of down there, you don't realize it, but coming to camp, you feel a little more comfortable at the plate," he said of the extra at-bats. "It's definitely helped."
Flaherty -- who platooned at second base in the playoffs last year -- is in one of the more interesting camp battles because he could make the team even with a healthy Brian Roberts and Alexi Casilla slated for a bench spot. A left-handed hitter who can play the corner outfield and every infield spot, Flaherty -- the team's emergency catcher -- could back up first baseman Chris Davis and be a fifth outfielder, which assumes that Nolan Reimold, dealing with right shoulder soreness, is able to play defense.
Given that he's been in the organization for a year, Flaherty has options remaining and could also be sent down to the Minor Leagues without having to go on waivers,
"Ryan can be an everyday player at some point. I'm not going to use his versatility against him," Showalter said. "It's an asset. An asset for us as a team, but also he's a guy that can man down a position for us or somebody for a long time."
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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For those of you who don't know Aaron Rodger's is Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, and will surely be this year's NFL MVP, here's a clip I found from his weekly radio show where he mentions that he plays disc golf. He's from Chico, CA and played his college ball at Cal. Nor Cal has some great courses so I'm not surprised. With an arm like his I bet he crushes.
He sounds like he knows a thing or two and not just your weekend hucker, well up until the point where he calls it frolf.


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/12/2012 (1744 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Dozens of mechanics worked overlapping shifts to rebuild 282 bicycles for Winnipeg children in need during the second annual marathon Cycle of Giving event at the Atomic Centre on Logan Avenue.


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Avery® Heavy Duty Vinyl Sheet Protectors 73907, Clear, Box of 50Product Number: 73907
For often-used papers, you need strong and sturdy protection. These Heavy Duty Vinyl Sheet Protectors encase your pages in durable vinyl for vigorous protection that withstands heavy use. The top-load style makes it easy to insert pages, and the protectors' excellent clarity allows you to read your pages with ease. Get even more life out of your frequently handled reports, manuals and more. With these vinyl sheet protectors, your work will stand strong and tough.
Product Description:


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I haven't seen anything about him in the Philly trade, but CJ mentioned on Twitter that OJ is gone. Separate trade? Buyout? Or bundled with Granger?
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I haven't seen anything about him in the Philly trade, but CJ mentioned on Twitter that OJ is gone. Separate trade? Buyout? Or bundled with Granger?
This space for rent.
Not sure, but I'm pretty sure it's separate.
Turner and Young are THE FUTURE!
We had to cut someone to make room for Allen since we only shipped Granger away. I'm guessing Orlando got cut.
CJ's tweet:
Tough seeing my boy @Pace_O11 leaving the team today goin to miss him and his pregame dances.— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) February 20, 2014
OJ's tweet:
I want to thank the city of Indy and the Pacers family for being first class. I appreciate everything! #FailureisNotanOption— Orlando Johnson (@Pace_O11) February 20, 2014
I guess that he is gone as well
Good luck, OJ. I appreciated all the good minutes that you gave us as a Pacer. I really hope that you succeed in your career
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
I want to thank the city of Indy and the Pacers family for being first class. I appreciate everything! #FailureisNotanOption— Orlando Johnson (@Pace_O11) February 20, 2014
Good luck OJ. Fix that hitch and you'll find a spot.
Make sense... His deal's not guaranteed past this year. I like the kid though.
This space for rent.
Tough life for the second round guys. One bad season and you're gone.
Remember when people thought OJ was better than Plumlee? Life is funny sometimes.
Good luck to OJ, but he didn't impress this year pretty much at all. Love the kid though. Hope he sticks around Indy for the rest of the season.
Well, Solomon Hill will be getting some minutes next season.
Was it OJ or Solo who complained about minutes in Fort Wayne?
This space for rent.
Solo at least produced, OJ has been really struggling with shooting, at the end of the NBA is all about making buckets.
Honestly, if Solo was a 2nd round pick or wasn't a rookie it wouldn't be far fetched that he would be cut in favor of OJ. OJ was still above him on the depth chart.
O.J. seems like one of the nicest human beings in the world based on his Twitter. Sad to see him go. He had a very promising rookie year, but his shot's just not falling this year. Still, he's reasonably young, has prototypical modern SG size and athleticism, and a decent skillset. I suspect he'll get another shot in the NBA in due time.
He was cut to make room for the trade. I really liked the kid.
If he finds his 3 point shot again he will, and will have a decently successful career as a back-up.
Except that Solo is a first round pick and thus has guaranteed contract.
I liked OJ a lot but at the end of the day he is too short to play the 2 in the NBA and he is not a PG. I can see him making a living as a backup if he can find his shot.
I want to know what happened to him... last year, he showed so much confidence and produced. Then it just poofed.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
The life of a streaky shooter.
Counting down the days untill DJ Augustin's contract expires.
I like Solomon Hill more as a player, if Hill can develop a reliable 3 pt shot this off-season, he could be a solid back-up
I liked OJ but he is a SG that can't shoot. I don't think his shot can be fixed.
Solo looks like the better wing shooter and defender long term, plus more size and length that the Pacers seem to love.
"Just look at the flowers ........ BANG"
The best part of the trade is that OJ is gone.
Have something personal against him? It isn't like he was getting minutes outside of garbage time.
To be fair, I like Solo and think he could become a good glue guy type of player. But I like OJ too so


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Did you know that a product does not have to travel across the U.S. border to be considered an export? In fact, an export need not involve a product at all. Under the rules governing deemed exports, merely exposing a non-U.S. citizen to information about export-controlled technology, even on U.S. soil, may be treated as an export. Such a disclosure of information, if made without a proper license, is potentially a violation of federal law that could result in harsh penalties. It is therefore vital that universities researching, or utilizing, export-controlled technology thoroughly understand this rule and how the exemption for "fundamental research" may — or may not — apply.
The Deemed Export Rule is codified in §734.2 (b)(2)(ii) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and it basically states that a release of controlled technology, software or information to a non-U.S. citizen will be considered an export to that individual's home country. This rule covers any activity on the campus, not just sponsored research. However, these provisions generally do not apply to information that is released to individuals holding U.S. citizenship, green cards or status as a "protected individual."
Under the provisions of §734.2 (a)(3), a "release" can occur from something as simple as the following:
- Providing a tour of a facility that uses controlled technology
- Allowing someone to inspect a diagram of controlled technology
- Instructing someone on how to use controlled technology
- Giving a presentation about controlled technology
Therefore, prior to making such a release, universities should first ensure that they have complied with, or are otherwise exempt from, the Deemed Export Rule.
The chief enforcer of the Deemed Export Rule is the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This agency is chiefly concerned with regulating the export of "dual-use" items. These are products that were developed for commercial purposes, but that can have military or other applications as well. The BIS has created a Commerce Control List (CCL) that tells which kinds of dual use items are subject to export controls. Each item on this list is given a number — called an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) — which indicates the type of license that is required prior to the release of any information about that item.
If the item falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Commerce but is not listed on the CCL, it is designated as "EAR99" and will generally not require an export license. However, some items that are not listed on the CCL may nevertheless be controlled by another agency. The Department of State, for example, controls the export of defense-related items and services covered by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Department of Energy controls the export of technology related to the production of nuclear materials, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which is part of the U.S. Treasury, administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security.
Universities should be aware that U.S. employers petitioning for H1-B visas on behalf of foreign nationals are now required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to affirm that they have reviewed the EAR as well as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This requirement is found in Part 6 of Form I-129. Part 6 of Form I-529 further requests petitioners to indicate whether a license is required from either the Department of Commerce (DOC) or the Department of State (DOS) to release technology or technical data to the beneficiary of the petition. If a license is required, the petitioner must certify that the beneficiary will not access such technology or data until the license has been obtained.
These demands may appear burdensome, especially since a single research project could require a school to obtain multiple export licenses. For example, a given study might involve the collaboration of scientists from several different countries, and it might require the use of many different kinds of technology. And if universities fear being punished for inadvertently failing to obtain the proper export license, they may simply decide that the research project is not worth the risk. Just imagine if a school like Harvard, Stanford or UCLA suddenly stopped seeking a cure for cancer because they were afraid of violating export-control laws. What a tragedy that would be!
Fortunately, there is an exemption under §734.8 of the EAR that allows universities to conduct "fundamental research" without needing to comply with all of the detailed licensing requirements. This provision covers basic and applied research in science and engineering where the resulting information is ordinarily published and shared broadly in the scientific community. However, this is not a blanket exemption that applies across the board. For example, research involving certain types of encryption software may not be exempted (see Supplement No. 1 to §774 of the EAR), and proprietary research or industrial development, design, production, and product utilization — the results of which are ordinarily restricted for proprietary or national security reasons, as defined in §734.11(b) — may not be exempted.
It is also important to note that even if a project is exempted, a university can lose the umbrella of protection afforded by the fundamental research exception. If, for example, the school has agreed to allow a corporate sponsor the opportunity to review and withhold some or all of the information provided, the research would no longer be covered by the exemption. Prepublication review is only allowed to ensure that the publication will not compromise proprietary information provided by the company to the researchers, or to preserve patent rights. Prepublication review that allows a business entity to edit the results of the research, or even if it simply causes a significant delay in publication, could result in the fundamental research exception being nullified by§734.8(d). Such nullification could place the school in violation of export control laws if the proper export licenses were not obtained prior to release.
Clearly, America's institutions of higher learning should exercise caution prior to engaging in any activity that may violate the Deemed Export Rule. Breaking this rule, even unintentionally, can lead to severe penalties. Administrative penalties can reach $11,000 per violation, and $120,000 per violation in cases involving items controlled for national security reasons. Criminal penalties for willful violations can reach $1 million per violation and up to 20 years imprisonment. Further, violations may result in the denial of future export privileges, which could mean that a school would be prohibited from engaging future research or other activities governed by the EAR. Universities should therefore work with qualified legal counsel to establish campus-wide programs and preventive measures that will ensure compliance with the Deemed Export Rule.


text: The Can Grip is a newly developed novelty drinking accessory that easily clips onto 12-ounce cans giving them a stein style handle. The Can Grip ensures the can stays cold and the hand stays warm and also eliminates the need for a coaster. It can be used on sodas or beers making it a versatile


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Several nonprofits and companies, including the Waterfield Foundation, Chapman Fund, VisitFortWayne, Barrett & McNagny, Fort Wayne Metals, Chase Bank, Parkview and others, contributed to the success of the event.
With some exceptions, most elected officials were absent, including City Council, County Council, County Commissioners, as well as various appointees and agencies dedicated to the advancement of the quality of life in the Fort Wayne area.
It seems an organization such as Fort Wayne Sister Cities International that contributes to international understanding, economic development, tourism, educational opportunities, advancement of the arts, diversity and multiculturalism should receive greater support from Fort Wayne's leadership.
Hundreds of citizens from other nations have visited Fort Wayne through the efforts of FWSCI. Hundreds of local residents have traveled at their own expense to advance the mission of the organization.
The vitality of existing sister city relationships influenced Mayor Henry to cooperate in establishment of an alliance with Taizhou, China. A delegation from Taizhou visited earlier in the summer to participate in the signing of documents establishing Fort Wayne's fourth sister city.
A few hours of officials' time to acknowledge FWSCI's contribution to the community seems reasonable. If nothing else, international guests are entitled to the courtesy of a personal welcome by those who represent the greater Fort Wayne area. I hope this new relationship with Taizhou receives greater deference than that displayed to Gera and Takaoka visitors.
Stanley BarkerBecause we are a republic, the unalienable rights of the individual are protected. The minorities are not beholden to the tyranny of the majority found in democracies.
When unjust laws mandate activities that are against the natural law and the law of nature's God, they do not have to be obeyed. Past history of civil rights movements as championed by Martin Luther King Jr. and the media show that truth and justice can prevail against unjust laws.
The requirement to provide abortion and contraception that goes against religious beliefs will put citizens once again to the test. Failure to comply with these will lead to confrontation and fines, arrests and imprisonments. In the end, this attempt by a government dictate to force people to go against their consciences will fail.
Paul A. Reszel


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401 (k) Plans
- Borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan
If you have a 401(k) plan at work and need some cash, you might be tempted to borrow or withdraw money from it. But keep in mind that the purpose of a 401(k) is to save for retirement.
- Deciding what to do with your 401(k) plan when you change jobs
When you change jobs, you have to decide what to do with the money in your 401(k) plan. Generally, you have several options. You can withdraw your funds in a lump sum, leave them where they are, or roll over the funds directly or indirectly to your new employer's retirement plan or to an IRA. Carefully weigh the tax consequences of each option and how your retirement savings will be affected before making a decision.


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BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - A local man remains behind bars after police said he opened fire at the home where he used to live.
Boynton Beach Police said John May Noel, 22, returned to his former home at 437 SW 10th Ave. to get some personal belongings on Wednesday. But then he refused to leave.
Miller St. Vil and Martha Dieuvet told police they tried to get Noel to leave, and that's when police said Noel pulled out a .32 caliber handgun and opened fire.
Neither St. Vil or Dieuvet were hit. Dieuvet said there were two children next to her when Noel opened fire.
Noel then took off running.
Officers said they found him a few blocks away from the shooting scene.
The officers said they found 22 grams of marijuana on Noel.
They also found a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun about 15-20 feet away from Noel.
The two victims were taken to the scene and they both positively identified Noel as the man who opened fire at their home.
Noel was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.
He's charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of aggravated child abuse and other charges.


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- PIO Number: 13-11-2A
- Date: 11/1/2013
- Time: 6:39 a.m.
- Place of Occurrence: Southwest 52 Avenue, just south of Hallandale Beach Blvd., Pembroke Park
- Jurisdiction: Pembroke Park
- Makeda Elliott, 17, female, Pembroke Park
- David Barton, 17, male, 8/13/96, 131 Edmund Road, West Park (IN CUSTODY)
Description of Incident:
Broward Sheriff's Office detectives arrested a teenager for shooting at a group of students congregating Friday morning at a school bus stop in Pembroke Park.
The suspect, David Barton, 17, was attempting to shoot at a boy who was walking toward the bus stop behind Makeda Elliott, 17. At least four shots were fired, one of which grazed Elliott in the neck.
The shooting happened on Southwest 52 Avenue, south of Hallandale Beach Boulevard and just past Watkins Elementary School. Luckily the elementary school had not yet opened for the school day at the time of the incident.
About a dozen other teens scrambled as they heard the shots fired just after 6:30 a.m. Elliott called her dad to notify him of the incident and her father transported her to Jackson North Medical Center in Dade County. Elliott was then taken to Ryder Trauma Center where she was treated and released.
Violent Crimes detectives went to Hallandale High School to speak with potential witnesses. Evidence located on the scene and witness statements helped detectives zero in on Barton as the suspect . Barton was taken into custody at the school and will face charges of premeditated attempted murder, felony murder and shooting at an occupied dwelling.
No one else was injured.
The investigation continues.
Anyone who was in the area or has any information about the shooting is asked to contact BSO Violent Crimes Detective Timothy Metz at 954-321-4224 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $3,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.
INVESTIGATORS: Dets. Metz & Torres, VCU CID; Crime Scene; Pembroke Park
THIS REPORT BY: Keyla Concepción/PIO 11/1/13 2140
Posted At: 11/01/2013 08:51 PM
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the one thing that i dislike most about descriptions of golf discs is that they dont show what the rim looks like. discrafts website is the only one that does. personally for drivers i base about 80% of my decision on the feel of the rim. i know what style rims that i like but when it comes to online ordering i'm hesitant to purchase a disc i have never felt before. taking it one step further would be to add demensions to the cross-sections. even if the online stores began do this that would be awesome like gottagogottathrow.com ('hint' hint').
just a suggestion.......lol


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Aloka wrote:Personally I wouldn't take any notice of stories on a site which also runs an article on "The True Story of the Hybrid Bear Woman" !!
As a qualified hypnotherapist, I can also say that "Past life regression" is so completely unreliable that I don't do it with people myself.
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I'm giving it a try to see what it's like to have.
For now as you can see it's on its own board that doesn't allow posting.
I have it feeding from Indystar.com/Sports, ESPN.com/NBA, Yahoo.com/NBA, and Pacers.com.
It can also be set to post on any board, so if it's clear that the feeds will only post what we care about, I can switch it to post the stories on the Pacers board, where we could reply to them.


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New Zealand has a unique and dynamic culture. The culture of its indigenous Maori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their place in the South Pacific, and their love of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their
culture unique in the world.
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres. All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.
You can calculate the value of your currency in NZ Dollars using this currency converter.
The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand provides a monthly online summary of the New Zealand Dollar's average value against the US Dollar, the Pound, the Australian Dollar, the Yen and the Euro.
Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.
All goods and services are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months. You do require:
A passport that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter
Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person
To find out if your country qualifies for a visa waiver, check out the Visiting New Zealand section of the New Zealand Immigration Service website, where you'll find a list of all eligible countries and other useful visa information. Your travel agent, airline or nearest New Zealand Embassy will also be able to advise you if you require a visa. British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK may be allowed to stay in New Zealand for up to six months.
If your country is not on the visa waiver list, or you wish to stay longer than three months, you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa. You can download application forms from the New Zealand Immigration Service website, or contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy.


text: Hi there! I did some extensive searching on the forums here and was unable to find what I'm looking for. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction here. What I'm trying to accomplish I thought was pretty simple however it's proving to be a bit tougher than originally thought. What I'm trying to do is simply replace certain characters in the QUERY_STRING with a RewriteRule and then redirect to this filtered url. The behavior of this code does what I want it to do, however it does not include the QUERY_STRING which is what I need. Code: RewriteRule ^(.*)-(.*)$ /$1_$2 [N] Currently this rewrite rule will change: this-file-test.php -> this_file_test.php What I need to do is: this-file-test.php?t=this-is-a-test -> this-file-test.php?t=this_is_a_test I believe what I need to do is something like.... Code: RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} ^/(.*)-(.*)$ RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /%1_%2 [N] ...however the proper syntax to accomplish this is escaping me. (is it even possible?) My only option here is to use lsws rewrite or a .htaccess file. As much as I'd love to just do this in code which would be SO much easier, the code is written by a 3rd party developer and I do not have the ability to alter it due to our contract with them. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help on this.


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Community Meeting to be Held on Chesapeake Bay Ordinance
Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
June 20, 2003
Community Meeting to be Held on Chesapeake Bay Ordinance
A community meeting on the Chesapeake Bay amendment will be held this Monday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the West Springfield Government Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. The public meeting is open to any concerned county citizen. Residents and representatives from homeowners' associations contiguous to the watershed and all others with a special interest are encouraged to attend.
The community meeting will allow residents to discuss the proposed
changes to the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance that will come before the Fairfax
County Board of Supervisors. For more information on the meeting, contact
Norman Byers in the Springfield District office at 703-451-8873, TTY


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found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
I am already spayed and up to date with shots.
Gypsy is a tan/golden tabby, born about July 2007. She is extremely affectionate, sweet and a playbaby (chasing any toy that comes her way -putting her kittens to shame).
Please go to: www.cat-talesrescue.petfinder.com to open the Adoption Application [we MUST have a complete address (City, State and ZipCode)]....listed at the top of the page.
Please ...if you FEED them FIX them! Todays kittens become TOMORROWS breeding & unwanted mom cats.........literally. www.ucan..org - LOW cost spay/neuter clinic in Cincinnati .......cost for spay/neuter about $35. There are NOT enough rescuers, helping hands or HOMES for all the animals in need. The county that Cincinnati is in Euthanizes over 23,000 cats/year......this is just ONE county in the state of Ohio - ONE state in the 50 states of the U.S.A. ...........this IS worldwide ........spay/neuter your pets as welll as stray/feral cats. Information on Stray/Feral cats; www.alleycat.org and www.neighborhoodcats.org. Two well known organizations out of NY city that offer educational materail to help educate the public and teach you the right thing to do for the life of the strays/feral cats in your neighborhood.
Cats can get pregnant as young as 4 months of age and can have 4 litters a year. STOP the cycle of breeding Spay/Neuter Today! There are not enough homes. Every human being would have to care for and own 12 cats in order for every cat to have a home. Thus, a family of 3 people would own 36 cats!
We always take the cat back. It may be one year, three years or ten years down the road... we want the cat to have a home. Whether it be due to moving, allergies or something else. We're in it for the cats. At Cat-Tales Rescue we offer the option of Microchipping your cat, if not already done so [we've just started to do it the summer of 2007 and have it done when they are spaye/neutered. IF they are not already done they can be done for a fee of $12. We give you all the necessary paperwork to register them with 24-Pet Watch. We offer a discount if adopting a pair of kittens/cats. Each cat[under 3 yrs of age] or kitten is $80 to adopt......if a pair of cats/kittens are adopted at the same time it is $70/cat [under 3 yrs of age] or kitten. Cats over 3 yrs of age are $60. Owner relinquished cats are $55. All of our animals are tested for FIV/FeLV [if they are kittens the mom is tested and we strongly suggest the new owners have them tested when they are 6 months of age, as a guideline for the cats health]. All are spay/neutered, vaccinated [if adopted before the age at which their rabies vaccine can be given (3-4 months of age) it is the owners responsibility to get them their vaccine]. We also treat them for earmites, roundworms/hookworms and if necessary protozoa and giardia. We give you all the baby photos we have. We also give you their favorite toys and some catnip. We have lots of information available in handouts if there is a subject that you have questions about [we use very well known internet sites on cat care]. We are always available should any questions arise. We offer cedar scratching posts that all of our cats use, we also have nail clippers that are at our cost. Trimming a kittens nails when they are falling asleep is the best time. It is just a matter of getting them into the habit a couple times/month of having it done.
GiGi kitten, a Cincinnati Domestic Shorthair kitten was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Domestic Shorthair for sale in Cincinnati, or seeking a Domestic Shorthair kitten from a breeder in Cincinnati.


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No, the XL is longer than the Cyclone, The XL and and the ASS are pretty comparable if you take in the differences in speed. The ASS having a sharper and longer wing makes the differences in flight more pronounced. The Xl will be more controllable.Yehosha wrote:Anakha wrote:The XL will be shorter and have a more gradual turnover, depending on the plastic you get it in.Yehosha wrote:Yehosha wrote:So after all the love for this and the esp cyclone, I'm torn between sticking with my Z Avenger SS, or trying out one of these. What do you guys think?
Question bump.
So is an XL more like a mid and a Cyclone a fairway driver?
Damn ninja edit!
Shorter than the Avenger, longer than the Cyclone.Yehosha wrote:Shorter than the Avenger or the Cyclone or both?


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A rebound in investor confidence in eurozone powerhouse Germany has sent Frankfurt stocks to a nearly five-year high and lifted equities across Europe.
Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.78 per cent to 7589.75 points, its highest level since the beginning of 2008.
Meanwhile in Paris the CAC 40 jumped 0.94 per cent to reach its highest level since July 2011 at 3646.15 points.
London's FTSE 100 index of leading companies edged up 0.06 per cent to 5924.97 points, close to a nine-month high.
Milan's FTSE Mib benchmark meanwhile rebounded by 1.51 per cent to 15,585.61 points, one day after slumping 2.22 per cent after Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced his intention to resign.
Madrid's IBEX 35 rose 1.49 per cent to 7920.9 points, clawing back the previous day's losses.
In foreign exchange trading, the European single currency climbed to $US1.2990 from $US1.2939 late in New York on Monday. Gold prices eased to $USUS1710 ($USA1637.54) an ounce on the London Bullion Market, from $US1712.50.
German investor sentiment topped a seven-month high this month on hopes Europe's top economy will dodge recession, data showed on Tuesday.
The widely watched investor confidence index calculated by the ZEW economic institute soared to 6.9 points in December from minus 15.7 points in November.
That was the highest reading since May and also the first time since then the index has been in positive territory, the institute said.
"It is an early unexpected Christmas present for markets," said ETX Capital trader Ishaq Siddiqi in reference to the upbeat data.
"After a run of poor German data and growth forecast downgrades by Bundesbank and European Central Bank, the ZEW today shows business confidence is regaining ground.
"German businesses clearly feel the worse of the euro zone crisis is over, with recovery hopes now in place for next year."
Matt Basi, a trader at CMC Markets, said stocks were also boosted "as peripheral European bond yields continue to retreat from yesterday's highs in recognition of what can now be viewed as a knee-jerk reaction to Italy's ongoing political dramas."
Italy's 10-year bond yield dropped to 4.718 per cent from 4.817 per cent, while Spain's fell 5.459 per cent from 5.563 per cent on Monday.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said he would resign and Silvio Berlusconi threatened a comeback on an anti-austerity platform over the weekend.
The banking sector meanwhile shifted into focus after HSBC said it would pay US authorities a record $US1.92 billion to settle allegations of money laundering.
HSBC, which is listed in Hong Kong and London, said in a statement that it would pay the equivalent of 1.48 billion euros or 1.2 billion as part of an agreement with several US authorities including the US Department of Justice.
The bank admitted to having "inadequate" controls in place, accepted responsibility for the group's past mistakes and added that it would finalise a deal soon with Britain's Financial Services Authority watchdog.
The global giant was thrown into crisis earlier this year when a US Senate report found it had allowed affiliates in Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh to move billions of dollars in suspect funds into the US without adequate controls.
US politicians accused the company of giving Iran, terrorists and drug dealers access to the country's financial system.
In reaction to the fine, HSBC's share price added 0.56 per cent to 644.80 pence in London afternoon deals. The group's Hong Kong-listed shares rose 0.31 per cent to end at HK$US79.70.
"HSBC is anxious to draw a line under the affair. Emphasising a transformation at the bank over the last two years, the bank has agreed to pay a record fine," said analyst Keith Bowman at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.
The bank had already set aside $US1.5 billion for fines linked to money-laundering in the United States.
Asian markets traded mixed with Hong Kong ending 0.21 per cent higher, Tokyo flat, Sydney gaining 0.4 per cent, while Seoul won 0.37 per cent.
US stocks headed solidly higher in opening trade following gains in Europe's markets and on expectations the Federal Reserve will decide on more stimulus measures at its two-day policy meeting that begins on Tuesday.
In afternoon trade the Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 0.90 per cent to 13,288.04 points.
The broad-market S&P 500 added 0.94 per cent to 1431.88 points, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.40 per cent to 3028.87 points.


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The New London Collection by Feiss offers a striking wall mounted design. The square bell shades are a slightly off-kilter shade of acid etched glass. Presented on a dark rubbed bronze rod, these fixtures are available with two, three, or four lights. Add style to your vanity with these illuminating pieces.


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Since emergency personnel will be overwhelmed during the first 72 hours following a large disaster, it is essential that you learn life-saving skills to help yourselves, your family and your neighbors. The following classes are offered by Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department:
Disasters such as an earthquake, fire or flood can strike quickly and without warning. Learn steps you can take to prepare today.
Classes are customized for groups of 20 or more people, including:
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program trains you to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations at home and in the community. Learn how to be self-sufficient during the first 72 hours following a disaster. The seven session training includes:
Is your neighborhood, community group, business or school prepared? Sign up as a group, and LPFD will customize the class to meet your needs. Class size is 20-30 people.
In Livermore, contact the Livemore Adult School at (925) 606-4722 or http://www.livermoreadulted.org . The website contains a current course catelog.
For additional information on CPR and First Aid training, call the American Red Cross at (415) 427-8000.


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Nick Thomas loves football. "I don't care what level the game is, if the teams are competitive I love to watch," he says. As the current chairman of the East-West Shrine Game® – the longest running college all-star game in the country – Thomas recently tipped his hand to his West Coast roots when he said, "This year's East-West Game was a close one, but we pulled it out right at the end." The West team won in the final seconds of the game, 24 to 17, making it not only a game for a good cause, but a great game to watch.
Featuring some of the best college players from around the United Sates and Canada, 2012 marked the 87th time the Shriners have hosted the East-West Game as a fundraiser for their Shriners Hospitals for Children® system of 22 facilities.
Thomas's history with the game dates back to his school days. "Back then, in California, the Shriners also hosted a high school all-star game. It featured players from Northern California against the South," he recalls. "I signed on to be what amounted to an errand boy. I ran for supplies, made sure the players had water and took care of the equipment. Eventually that role lead me to being camp coordinator (the week of practice before the game was referred to as camp), and after that I became chairman of the California game." While chairman in 1995, Thomas came up with the idea of expanding the game into a competition between all-stars from California and Texas. The change in format resulted in a sold out crowd of 12,000 the first year.
As a result of his success with the California game, Thomas, who has been a Shriner since 1966, was invited to Tampa to share experiences on improving the game with other game staff from around the country. From there he was invited to attend the college East-West Shrine Game, over which he now presides as chairman. "Back then the game was always played between Christmas and New Years," recalls Thomas. "When the game was played in Stanford's stadium, in Palo Alto, we'd have 85,000 fans. Of course, then there were only a handful of post-season college games; now there are over 30."
After being played in Orlando the past two years with marginal attendance, the 2012 game was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Florida. "We had a good crowd of over 20,000 this year," said an encouraged Thomas. "The East-West Game Committee is working hard to keep that momentum and build on it. Over the next five years, our vision is to see the stadium packed with fans. Our long-term goal is to get the game back to being the premiere post-season college game in the country. That's a big goal for sure – but without a doubt, under the committee's leadership progress will be made."
Thomas is a humble man, who doesn't like to honk his own horn, but if you read through his bio you can't help to be impressed. What follows is a partial list of his accomplishments: He was owner of Thomas Furniture Mart in Fontana, California for 20 years before retiring in 1992. He was a teacher for 10 years at Fontana High School, where he coached football, basketball and baseball. He was raised to Master Mason at the Fontana Lodge #653 in 1964, and served as Master of the Lodge in 1971. In 1966, he joined Al Malaikah Shriners in Los Angeles, and served as the Temple's Potentate in 1993. From 2001-2006 he chaired the Imperial Membership Committee, he also served as chairman of the Imperial Athletic Committee from 1996-2006. In 2006-2007 Thomas was the fraternity's Imperial Potentate, followed by a stint as Imperial Recorder in 2009-2010. Currently, as well as serving as chairman of the East-West Shrine Game, Thomas also serves as chairman of the fraternity's International Development Committee.
In June of 2012, Thomas was inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame in Louisville, Kentucky. Emphasizing leadership skills and character building through a program of social, sports and community development activities, Demolay is a community-based international organization for young men ages 12 to 21. Modeled after Freemasonry, there are over 1,000 DeMolay chapters worldwide.
Thomas was initiated into the Fontana Chapter of DeMolay in 1950. "I was 14 years old and my father, who was a Mason, practically had to drag me to my first meeting," remembers Thomas. "I'm glad he did because it was one of the biggest turning points in my life. Being a member of our Masonic family and the Shrine has been an incredible journey. I don't know where I would have ended up if it wasn't for the all the friendships I've made and people I've met who gave me the direction in life that I've enjoyed so much."
Which brings us full circle back to Thomas's passion for football, and his efforts to revitalize the East-West Shrine Game. "Anytime you are around the things you love it's a blessing. I enjoy all aspects of working on the game. People really don't realize how much work goes into putting on a game like this; it's a 12 month effort. We have an excellent East-West Committee, along with Harold Richardson, executive director, Deb Vincent, coordinator and Teresa Whitney, administrative assistant, they all make my job a lot easier," said Thomas.
"This year moving the game to St. Petersburg required a lot of extra work to get all the details squared away," reflected Thomas. "St. Petersburg and the people at the Tropicana Field have really embraced the game. The player's visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children – Tampa was truly amazing. We had over 300 NFL scouts attend practice, and over 90 of our 2012 players made it into NFL training camps. All in all, I'd say our first year hosting the game in St. Petersburg was a huge success, and we're all working hard to make 2013's game even bigger and better," said Thomas.
"In the end, the game's motto of it is MORE THAN JUST A GAME rings true for us," concludes Thomas. "The payback is that the money we raise goes straight to helping the kids through the hospitals and the wonderful care they provide."
Go to www.shrinegame.com to learn more about the history of the game, find details on how you can be a sponsor, or attend the record-setting 88th playing of the East-West Shrine Game. The 2013 game will be played on January 19, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Florida.


text: The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the winners of the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night. HBO received 7 Emmys, bringing the total number of wins to 27, more than any other network. Cinemax received 1 win at last week's Creative Arts ceremony, held on September 15. Jeff Daniels picked up the prize for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Will McAvoy on 'The Newsroom.' This is the twelfth consecutive year HBO has received the most wins out of any network. The full list of winners can be found at the link below.


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Kathryn Steward
Assistant Director of Health Education
Phone: (270) 745-5033
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Kathryn obtained her Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Western Kentucky University in 1996. She was employed by the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates as a Hospital Development Coordinator in 1996 for four years. In August 2000, she became the Health Education Coordinator for WKU Health Services. While at Health Services she received a Masters of Public Health Degree from Western Kentucky University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Kathryn was promoted to Assistant Director of Health Education in January 2009. In June 2011, Kathryn received Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) certification. In July 2014 Kathryn became a staff of the Intramural Recreational Sports Department.
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One of the first ?'s was about PG and DG...
Any of the assets on those teams excite any of you?Jesse (DC)
What is the best way for the Pacers to reintegrate Danny Granger without disrupting Paul George's emergence and reviving an anemic offense (bench in particular)?
Chad Ford (1:11 PM)
I fully expect that by the start of next season Granger will be wearing a different jersey. The challenge right now is how to bring him back, prove to teams he's still a pseudo-All-Star so that his trade value is high, and not disrupt what's happening in Indy. George is the future of the franchise and Granger's absence has given him the opportunity to emerge. They can't mess with that. But they don't want to sell Granger for pennies on the dollar. Lots of veteran teams would be interested in him if they are comfortable that he can stay healthy. Look for Golden State, Toronto, Houston, Dallas to all pursue.


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DIAMOND BAR — Tickets are available for the 20th annual Wine Soir?e on Saturday to benefit the Diamond Bar Library.
The event offers an afternoon of good company, music, food and wine tasting with all the proceeds directly benefitting the Diamond Bar Library.
The Friends of the Library is sponsoring the Beer and Wine Garden at the Diamond Bar birthday celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets are available at the door and at three Diamond Bar locations: Basically BOOKS, 23447 Golden Springs Drive; California Bank & Trust, 1200 S. Diamond Bar Blvd.; Diamond Bar Library, 21800 Copley Drive; and U.S. Bank, 1175 Grand Ave.
Tickets are $50 per person in advance and $60 at the door. A unique souvenir wine glass and program are included with each ticket. Tickets are also available by calling 909 861-2002.


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(1) One can only expect the fulfillment of one's aspirations if one is perfect in morality.
(2) When practicing generosity (dana) in the religion of the Buddha, the mental attitude and volition involved are very important.
(3) Believing in the law of kamma, one should always act with an upright mind.
(4) One should not aspire to any happiness of either the human or celestial worlds — which are impermanent — but only to Nibbana.
(5) Because of the arising of the Buddha we have the opportunity to practice right conduct (carana) and wisdom (pañña) fully and thereby to benefit greatly.
(6) From the moment we are born to the moment we die, there is the in-breath and the out-breath. This is easy for everybody to understand. Every time we breathe in or out, the breath touches near the nostrils. Every time it touches we should be aware of it.
(7) While we are walking, working, doing anything, we should always be aware of the in-breath and the out-breath.
jcsuperstar wrote:'Way to Ultimate Calm' seems liek a great book name... im gonna have to find this now
upekkha wrote:it is also available freely on google books,
http://books.google.com/books?id=B8gwRy ... lt#PPP2,M1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
kitztack wrote:upekkha wrote:it is also available freely on google books,
http://books.google.com/books?id=B8gwRy ... lt#PPP2,M1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
sorry about bumping such an old thread but with recent threads on Burmese Vipassana i have been reading from this truly great book available as a downloadable PDF file here for anyone who is interested.
http://www.internationalmeditationcentr ... ourses.pdf the way to ultimate calm
some great passages on anapanasati contained in his discourses
Return to "General Theravāda Meditation"
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Like Kona in the post below. or i should above. i want to embrace Buddhism myself as well. im a fresh newbie too.
in this forum, I asked a little while ago the best way to go about theravada.. or maybe i havent, My mind is going in 1000 directions at 10,000 miles per hour.
I dont have a zen master or any teachers in my area.
My daughters mother and I are trying to achieve peace within us, and learn the Theravada and zen, so that we too, can become masters.. and maybe at both.
i wanted to know some daily practices for a person who cannot got to the Goenka retreat, and wants to work on achieving the nirvana state, and make daily progress in a busy schedule.. I could take a weekend sometime and do a personal two day retreat at my own home.
But, as probably a lot of us, I have a busy schedule, plus Im job hunting right now... and I could really use the inner peace and anticipated prosperity that comes with the benefits of learning the Theravada. Im also trying to understand Zen.. but one at a time.. ill choose theravada first.
so what are the ways of doing daily practice, that works, and If there are many ways to go about daily practice, how can I explore this? And then, share this with my daughters mother?
if we both, or just I achieve this.. ill be a much better person.. Slow to anger.. if i have justifiable anger left at all at the mastery.
Yes, I am requesting that I want to train myself to be a Aharat. Did I spell that right.
What is the righteous path to go about this?


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
October 10, 2012
Playoff Prospectus
ALDS Game Three Preview: Orioles at Yankees
Game Two, a one-run game, went the Orioles' way. Well. You'd never have guessed. Now we have a tied series, and the question becomes, how can the Yankees get and hold a two-run lead? Here are your PECOTA odds and the projected starting lineups for Game Three:
Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez) at Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda) – 7:30 p.m. EST
PECOTA Odds of Winning: Yankees 62.0 percent, Orioles 36.6 percent, Ross Perot 0.0 percent.
Projected Starting Lineups:
*Update* Replaced Raul Ibanez with Eric Chavez, which reduced the Yankees' odds of winning by 1.4 percent.
Facing the Yankees on the road might not be the big disadvantage for Gonzalez that you would automatically conclude (what have I told you about automatically concluding things?). His road ERA is 1.34 lower than in the friendly-ish confines of what up until this season had been called Yankee Stadium South. Both times Gonzalez faced the Yankees this season came in New York, and he went 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA, holding them to a .196/.212/.373 slash line.
Kuroda has also faced his opponents twice, once on April 30 and once more on August 31. He posted numbers similar to those of Gonzalez: a 2.93 ERA against, with Baltimore getting to him to the tune of .231/.250/.346. Remarkably, considering Baltimore's perpetual roster turnover (next thing you know, they'll call up Steve Balboni), five members of the starting lineup Kuroda faced in late April are still on the team and will be waiting for him today. As for direct contact, the two have faced each other once this season, with Kuroda's previously mentioned start on August 31 coming against Gonzalez. Kuroda came out on the short end after giving up four runs in 8 1/3 innings to Gonzalez's seven shutout innings.
In a way, Gonzalez is the Orioles, a nobody pitcher who, when given the chance on the big stage, played better than ever before and certainly better than could reasonably have expected of him. Contrast that with Kuroda, the star pitcher who took the expensive ($10 million) one-year contract to come to New York to win a championship. In a way the Orioles are the Yankees' best-case scenario for achieving that championship, and in another real way, they are their perfect nightmare.
The big news out of New York, other than their train failing them as they tried to escape Baltimore at 2 AM, was the potential move of perennial failure and future Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez from the three-hole in the lineup. There will inevitably be comparisons to Joe Torre's panicked dropping of A-Rod to the eighth spot in the elimination game of the 2006 Division Series versus Detroit. Shockingly moving the team's star player out of the middle of the lineup didn't work that time, and the Yankees lost 8-3, but this situation is different. For one thing, this isn't an elimination game and, more importantly, this isn't the same Alex Rodriguez. Seriously. Skin cells take seven years to turn over completely, so this Rodriguez is different. Also, he's older and not as good a hitter.*
Matchup of the Game: Nick Swisher versus Miguel Gonzalez: 0-for-6, five strikeouts. In such a limited sample, it's probably foolish to look for patterns, but I didn't let that stop me. To the extent that any patterns exist, it seems Swisher has trouble with Gonzalez's changeup, often chasing it out of the zone after falling behind on the fastball. Just about every (all six, I know) at-bat features a Swisher swing-and-miss on Gonzalez's change. The one non-strikeout was an infield pop up.
On paper—where as we all know, games are played—this is a mismatch in favor of the Yankees, who are at home, with a star pitcher on the mound, facing an upstart team starting a minor-league cast-off. Yet that scenario comes close to describing the Orioles' entire season. Who's to say they can't keep the mojo going one more day, one more series? Other than PECOTA, I mean.
*While Rodriguez's struggles are keeping him in the spotlight, Orioles owner Peter Angelos is staying out of it. How, you ask? By being featured on the front page of Baltimore's major newspaper, of course!
I'm not sure if this is a commentary on Angelos, on what Angelos thinks of our deductive powers ([picks up paper] "Guess that guy's staying out of the spotlight."), or on the newspaper industry in general ("Hmm… where to hide… Ah ha! The front page of my city's newspaper of record! Nobody will find me there!"). In any case, if the Orioles pull this series out, you can expect to not see lots more of Angelos as he struggles to avoid all the press his press office lines up for him.
Matthew Kory is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @mattymatty2000
7 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Johnson Magic
As a life-long O's fan I'm all for Angelos bashing. But ripping him because the Sun ran a story about him staying out of the spotlight? There are so many other, better (fairer) things to rip the guy over.
Oct 10, 2012 07:22 AM
The interesting thing about Miguel Gonzalez is that he wasn't supposed to be this good, was he?
Oct 10, 2012 14:38 PM
Saying there is a 62.0 percent chance of the Yankees winning is surely an example of false precision. With the O's having a 66.6 percent chance of winning that means there is a1.4 percent chance of neither winning. So what happens then?
Oct 10, 2012 16:55 PM
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International Edition
September 24, 2017
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President Ma pays homage in person to the Yellow Emperor
By Joe Hung, The China Post Saturday, April 4, 2009, 4:59 am TWN
Taipei, Taiwan -- President Ma Ying-jeou made himself the first head of state to pay homage in person yesterday to the legendary Yellow Emperor.
The Yellow Emperor, believed to have founded China as a nation more than 5,000 years ago, has a mausoleum on the Chinese mainland.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek made it a rule for the Republic of China to pay homage from Taiwan to the Yellow Emperor on National Tomb-Sweeping Day on April 4 after he moved his Kuomintang government from Nanjing to Taipei at the end of 1949.
But President Chiang never paid homage in person. Nor did his son, President Chiang Ching-kuo. They appointed the minister of the interior at the time to perform the ritual by proxy.
That tradition has continued in Taiwan under Presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian. As a matter of fact, Chen wished to terminate the tradition but he didn't dare for fear of repercussion.
President Ma decided to preside over the rites in person. Accompanied by all his government leaders from Premier Liu Chao-shiuan on down, the president went to the Martyrs' Shrine in Yuanshan to worship the Yellow Emperor in China.
They sang the Republic of China's national anthem as the starter. Ma then burned joss sticks, laid a wreath, and offered fruit, cloth and wine to the mythological national founder. He read a eulogy before he concluded the rites by bowing three times to the west, where the Chinese mainland is located.
Tony Wang, Ma's spokesman, said the president wanted to pay his respects to the Yellow Emperor on National Tomb-Sweeping Day in person to stress the importance of China's ancestor-worshipping tradition.
But the precedent-making ceremonies at the Martyrs' Shrine, rebuilt on the site of a Japanese Shinto temple dedicated to the war dead, are meant as a show by President Ma of his unprofessed commitment to maintain an umbilical relationship between Taiwan and the People's Republic.
Incidentally, that Shinto shrine was burned weeks after it had been dedicated, because an American bomber shot by ack-ack crash-landed on its roof in the spring of 1945. The shrine was made of wood all over. It burned like a match box.
Ma is doing what he can to improve relations across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing, on the other hand, doubts his sincerity.
The best and easiest way to show his sincerity is to reinstate the National Unification Council made to cease to function by President Chen. Or to sign a peace accord with President Hu Jintao.
Either of the two ways demonstrates the Kuomintang government's commitment to eventual unification with China. But President Ma dare not do either lest he should be condemned by the Hoklo majority in Taiwan for selling out their country.
By worshipping the Yellow Emperor from Taipei, the president, a son of a Chinese mainlander, hopes Hu Jintao will understand he is committed to the Chinese nation, which is one though there are two separate political entities on both sides of the strait now.


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Good thing Rush is a lefty
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Pervis Ellison/Michael Olowokandi (Chronically injured, underachieving bust)
Kent Benson (Serviceable but ultimately not a #1 pick level center)
Patrick Ewing/Bob Lanier (All-Star level big man who never could win the big one)
Shaq/Hakeem Olajuwon (Dominant All-Star big man with multiple championship rings)
Other (please specify)
Good thing Rush is a lefty
Tinsley, you're 1/7 from three for the night. It might be time to defer.
Good look Danny to Shawne.
R.I.P. Bernic Mac & Isaac Hayes
Danny with the nice interior dish to Shawne for the lay-in.
Me likes.
Tins has ice water in his veins.
Ok well I am glad he took that 3
No matter how much success Larry Bird attains in Indiana he'll never top that first command to fire Thomas. -Peter Vecsey. NY Post 12/4/07
Jamal shot not a 3 but they counted it as so.
"He wanted to get to that money time. Time when the hardware was on the table. That's when Roger was going to show up. So all we needed to do was stay close"
Darnell Hillman (Speaking of former teammate Roger Brown)
Did they give us three for Tinsley's shot. That was a two, but the scoreboard gave us three
The reason why Jamaal keeps having to shoot threes is because Shawne and Danny keep passing it back to him late in the clock. Keep moving guys!!!
Nice "three" by Tins.
(did they really give us that?)
why is rush in the game? he couldn't guard hicks if he was on the floor!
Pacers still have poor recovery on D. Gotta hit free throws down the stretch.
Man it seems like just as the Pacers start making some shots, Tinsley steal and passes to Rush for the layup, Granger finds Williams for two, and then Martell Webster gets left wide open for a three. Dang.
Yahoo sports gave us a 3~~~~ lol
3:04 IND - J. Tinsley made a 26-foot three-pointer from the top of the arc
you know who i would like next to jeff foster out of anyone on there team?? travis outlaw..the guy is hard nose dirty worker exactly like foster..**** everyone else on there team..roy is overated and so is aldridge..most of there plays are off open looks whether there rebounding shooting ...losers haha
wow.. changed
3:04 IND - J. Tinsley made a 23-foot jumper from the right wing
Danny with a block.
When did Brandon Roy become an All Star?
That was obviously goal tending. I hate the refs.
foster is doing everything in this team..
Day he was drafted. Kid is for real for real. Him and LA both.


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Kabul, June 25 (Xinhua-ANI): Eight Afghan women and two children were killed and three adult men were wounded Tuesday morning when a vehicle was struck by a roadside bombing in the southern province of Kandahar, an official said.
"The ill-fated minibus was traveling from Zharay district to neighboring Khakrez. The bus touched off the bomb placed along the road in Khakrez district. The explosion killed eight women and two children on the spot at about 8:00 a.m. local time," provincial government spokesman Jawid Faisal told Xinhua.
Kandahar, 450 km south of Afghan capital Kabul, has been notorious for growing poppy and the Taliban hotbed.
The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since the militant group began annual rebel offensive against Afghan government forces and about 100,000 NATO-led troops stationed in the country in April.
Taliban militants, who have been waging an insurgency for more than one decade, use Improvised Explosive Devices to launch roadside bomb attack on security forces but the lethal weapon also inflicted casualties on civilians.
More than 2,000 civilians have been killed or injured since January this year in the war-hit Afghanistan, according to the United Nations mission in the country. (Xinhua-ANI)


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These cylindrical candles of various sizes are individually hand decorated using completely natural press dried flowers and leaves. Scented with natural essential oils, these elegant candles make a wonderful gift.
Decorated with dried flowers and scented with natural essential oils, these elegant candles make a wonderful gift. The natural fragrances evoke the joy of nature, the dried flowers add a touch of simple beauty. No artificial colors or fragrances. Guaranteed non-toxic.
California's Proposition 65 Warning: May This item contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Reference by California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) at: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.
Please Read Item Label and Packaging for Recent Product Information.
Place lit candle in an upright position on plate or other nonflammable surface.
Protect from wind and keep the wick trimmed to approximately 1 cm for even burning. Allow a new candle to burn until the top is filled with wax, this will prevent the formation of a wall.


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United Couture embodies the essence of juvenile bliss with memorable pieces and one-of-a-kind products that are perfect for girls looking to add personality to their style. Inspired by sunny days in L.A., driving with the top down, and dancing all night long, United Couture began in 2011 with the goal of providing the public with the most exclusive mixture of new and vintage apparel. The minds behind United Couture describe their brand as a "mixture of new fabrics as soft as your first kiss, to the comforts of your mother's fur coat incorporates a concoction of the present future." With a diverse collection of edgy designs and unexpected cuts, United Couture has something for everyone.
No products match your selections. Try clearing your filters.


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Dallas, Blockbuster Inc.'s total revenues decreased 1.6% to $1.40 billion for the second quarter of 2005, down from $1.42 billion a year ago. Net loss for the quarter totaled $57.2 million, or 31? a share, compared with net income of $48.6 million, or 27? per share, for the second quarter of 2004.
"Our second quarter results reflect both the success of our new initiatives as well as the impact of the declining store-based video-rental industry," said John Antioco, chairman and CEO, Blockbuster. "Our 'No Late Fees' program is working and our on-line business continues to perform extremely well. These two initiatives helped increase our total rental revenues 9% quarter over quarter, excluding extended viewing-fee revenues. Although we invested heavily to achieve our revenue results, which combined with industry trends impacted our bottom line, we believe we are affecting a permanent improvement in our business that will enable us to address the decline in our core rental business, develop new revenue streams and drive future growth."
In other news, Blockbuster Online is changing the price of its three-movies-out rental plan from $14.99 to $17.99, reflecting enhanced value and service levels for consumers. Launched in August 2004, the service has a subscriber base of more than 1 million members.
Besides receiving their movies faster, Blockbuster Online customers have a growing library of more than 40,000 titles to select from and should now experience increased product availability. Additionally, Blockbuster Online now gives customers two free in-store rentals per month for as long as they subscribe to the service.


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Live Pictures from the 2010 LA Auto Show
Sonoma, California—There's a lot of new-for-2011 product at Dodge, but most isn't clean-sheet-of-paper new. Charger, Challenger, Grand Caravan, Avenger and Journey are all heavily improved; fixed and upgraded, re-engineered and reinvigorated. But only one, the Durango, qualifies as "all-new." Departing from its origins as an SUV derived from the Dakota pickup, the new Durango shares mechanical parts and a factory with the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee. That makes it a unit-body, rear- or all-wheel-drive crossover instead of a body-on-frame truck, and gives it a Dodge badge where other trucks are shifting over to the Ram brand. We drove a new Durango R/T over a challenging route of California wine country backroads and interstate freeways for our first sample tasting. –
The Specs
The Jeep was already five inches longer than before, but Durango's chassis is stretched another five inches over the Grand Cherokee's so Dodge can offer a third-row of seats. Jeep focuses on off-road ability and luxury while Durango serves the market for family hauling, towing and other mainstream crossover duties. Both, interestingly, share architecture with the Mercedes-Benz ML, a project that began long before the current Chrysler partnership with Fiat and even before the disastrous era under Cerebrus that ended in government bailout and bankruptcy. Those travails delayed but did not prevent the new Durango from being a giant leap forward; call it a long-delayed payoff on the effort to find synergies between the Daimler and Chrysler halves of the de-coupled merger.
At Dodge, buyers can choose between the new 290 hp, 260 ft.-lb 3.6-liter V6 dubbed Pentastar or the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 found in the driver-oriented R/T we sampled. Each engine mates to a different five-speed automatic and the buyer's choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive systems—via a single-speed transfer case for V6 models or two-speed (with off-roadable low range) for the V8. Dodge stresses the longitudinal, rear-drive foundation as an advantage over crossovers that derive from transverse-engine front-drive car chassis (notably the newest Ford Explorer), particularly when it comes to handling, steering, turning circle and towing ability. Durango is rated to tow 5000 lbs at entry level, but with optional tow packages the ratings go up to 6200 lb with the V6 and up to 7600 with the Hemi (only 7400 for 4x4s).
They may not be "real trucks" anymore, but the Durangos haven't lost any of their ability to haul people, cargo and trailers. So these rigs aren't lightweights on their own, with curb weights ranging from 4750 to over 5300 lb. Rear-drive V6 models carry EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (22 with awd) while the V8s, which employ the cylinder deactivation (MDS, or multi-displacement system, in Chrysler speak) carry a 14/20 rating and 13/20 for the 4x4. If you just need a third-row, Dodge would be happy to sell you a more fuel-efficient minivan. If you need to carry or tow heavy stuff, though, Durango is available.
Where the Durango departs most from its past is in the stiff unit-body structure and all-indepenent suspension—unequal length control arms (short/long arm) up front and multilink at the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering and better tires than Dodge used in the recent past aim to ensure that the new crossover meets the high standards for vehicle dynamics that division chief Ralph Gilles has established for the brand.
The Drive
Our test route over parts of Highway 1 and wine country mountain roads put a premium on the handling of the new Durango, and the performance-oriented R/T measured up well. Gilles and Durango engineers said they benchmarked premium-brand vehicles like those built by Audi and Lexus, and—aside from the very American V8 rumble at full throttle—the Durango's performance over these tough roads suggest it will measure up to those more costly crossovers. When we got lost a couple of times and had to turn around in tight quarters, we really appreciated the 37-ft. turning circle and fast-ratio steering—the old Durango would have been a real handful to maneuver through K-turns in those situations, but we caught ourselves doing one-handed U-turns without a second thought.
There's a lot of standard equipment, with a heavy emphasis on safety equipment. It's too extensive to detail it all here, but one notable shortcoming is that Chrysler's U-Connect multimedia system is largely a product of its partnerships with suppliers and is not as fully integrated as, say, Ford's Sync. One aspect that bugged us, for instance, is that even with the top-end, 8.4-inch screen system, the Garmin navigation uses the same simplified, primary color cartoon-like graphics you'd find in a phone-sized pocket unit. If Chrysler is going to benchmark the dynamics and fit-and-finish of the industry leaders, its suppliers need to match the sophisticated color palette and textured displays found in those products.
But that's the one kludgy aspect we found. What the specs and descriptions can't tell you until you check it out for yourself is how much higher the standards are at Dodge for materials, fit and finish as the company strives to reverse its reputation. One-piece instrument panels, soft and soft-touch materials, crisp and tight panel gaps and serious attention to noise levels in the cabin pay off across the range, but no where more dramatically than in the Durango. Anyone familiar with the old one won't recognize the quiet, rattle-free, nimble 2011 model as the same vehicle. Because it's not—it's the one Dodge that's truly all-new. And much better for it.
The Bottom Line
Durango is offered in four trim levels, Express, Crew, R/T and Citadel, which includes all the toys and a more comfort-oriented demeanor than the R/T we drove. The Express is $30,405 including destination fee and comes with V6, rear-drive, with stability control, 18-inch wheels and other features. Step up to Crew at $34,045 and you get remote start, keyless entry, premium audio and a rear-view backup camera standard. The R/T comes with the 360 hp Hemi V8, HID lamps, 20-inch wheels with performance tires, a monochromatic trim scheme, it's lowered 20 mm and has sport exhaust. Otherwise equipped like Crew, it's $36,315. The loaded Citadel model offers very few options, almost everything is standard, and the MSRP is $42,645. That's no one's idea of cheap, but given the vehicle and the content, it looks like a bargain. The people who've been working to revive Dodge know they can't command a premium with their brand name and recent history—in fact, they're being aggressive with pricing because they know they have to convince people that they've changed their tune.
The ecomodding trend might have finally hit the big time. For years ecomodders, fuel economy minded enthusiasts, have been happily (and, at times, somewhat crudely) smoothing the aerodynamics of their older cars to achieve sometimes-incredible fuel economy gains. Well now Chevy has built a car that embraces the ecomodding spirit. The new $18,995 Chevy Cruze Eco uses subtle aero tweaks, weight reduction, and drivetrain changes to achieve a hybrid-like 42-mpg on the highway. That's a seriously impressive number.
The Cruze Eco uses the same 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as other Cruzes get. But here, you've got a choice of and automatic or a new a six-speed manual. The manual transmission is lighter than the automatic and has an overdrive gear in three of its ratios. On the highway, it allows the Cruze Eco to rev at a lazy 1850 rpm at 60 mph. While manual Cruze Ecos return 28 mpg city and 42 on the highway, the automatic models return a still-respectable 26-mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
Take a long look at the Cruze Eco and you might notice the aerodynamic modifications like the rear spoiler, front airdam and even the cool air shutters that electronically seal off part of the grill at highway speeds. Underneath the car, there's a series of belly pans to smooth airflow and an aero blade treatment under the rear end. To get the bodywork closer to the ground and make for a slipperier aero profile, the engineers lowered the car by 10mm with unique suspension components. All this results in a drag coefficient of 0.298.
To lower the rolling resistance of the tires, the Cruze Eco wears the same type of rubber as the Chevy Volt wrapped around lightweight alloy wheels that saved the Cruze Eco development team more than 20 pounds. Lightweighting is key to improved fuel economy and the 3,009-pound Cruze Eco is 125 pounds lighter than the Cruze 1LT. Part of that weight shedding came from further raiding the Volt development parts bin. The Cruze Eco uses parts of the Volt's rear axle and suspension system. And another chunk of heft removal came from simply omitting a spare tire.
We had a chance to take a Cruze Eco for a short drive in downtown Los Angeles here at the LA Auto Show. Though our drive wasn't long enough to test the fuel economy claims, we noticed the manual Cruze Eco was a little slower than the 1.4-liter Cruze automatic Chevy had on hand for comparison. Indeed Chevy says he Eco model with the 6-speed manual hits 60 mph in about 10 seconds. Speed aside; the Cruze Eco rode very smoothly and noticeably better than a Cruze with 18-inch tires. We can't wait to slide behind the wheel for a longer drive and see if we can match or perhaps exceed the Eco's 42 mpg highway number.
The 1000-Pound Car of the Future: LA Auto Show Design Challenge


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Helping United Fund
BALDWIN PLEDGERS: Employees at Baldwin Filters pledged $7,449 to United Fund's 2013 fund-raising campaign that kicks off in October. The organization helps support local and county agencies. The Baldwin drive was Aug. 9-16. Names of employees who pledged were placed in a weekly drawing and prizes were given. Pictured are employees who pledged and won prizes as well as Charity Dunphy, who represents Baldwin Filters on the United Fund board who coordinated the drive and United Fund board president Karla Blase. They are, l-r: First row—Blase and Dunphy; Second row—Quintin Jackson, Shelly Weaver, Erica Mares, Jose Matzar, Maria Sandoval, Nellie Furrow, Bonnie Houser, Joyce Karges; Third row—Sonja Kottwitz, Casey Gugelman, Liz Fischer, Mike Johnson, Ty Phillips, Nick Montoya and Jeff Larson. Not pictured: Mike Bappe, Susan Libich, Leah Peden and Stacey Stephen.


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AN ATHLETIC dad from Worcestershire has strapped on his running shoes to raise cash for the clinic which cared for both his young daughters in their first few weeks of life.
Graham Edwards ran the Worcester marathon on Sunday, May 4 in the latest in a very long line of fundraising efforts for the children's clinic at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Mr Edwards and his wife Em are frequent visitors to the clinic as both their young daughters, nine-month-old Mabel and two-year-old Amelia, suffer from Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD).
The girls are among only about 12 people in the Midlands who suffer from the blood disorder, which means they need constant monitoring and will need blood transfusions for the rest of their lives.
Last year the family from Fernhill Heath near Worcester raised £1,600 to thank the clinic for the care Amelia received when she was just five weeks old.
Mr Edwards said: "Our eldest little girl had a rough start in life, spending a stressful four days in intensive care just 12 hours after coming into this world.
"Unsure what caused her severe jaundice and low blood count she underwent a series of blood tests.
"Now our latest addition to the family, Mabel Lily, has PKD and she too is a little fighter.
"At all times the staff in the children's clinic have been so reassuring and helpful to us.
"They have really helped us through a lot of traumatic times."
As well as taking on the marathon earlier this month, Mr Edwards and some of his colleagues from Adecco Recruitment in St Nicholas Street, Worcester, are planning on cycling the five mountain stages of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees as well as an Ironman even later in the year.
Senior staff nurse at the children's clinic Charlotte Hughes said she and her colleagues were extremely grateful to the Edwards family for all their fundraising work.
"We could not believe that Graham was taking on an even bigger challenge and wanted to support us further," she said.
"It really does make a big difference to you.
"If children or young people are comfortable in the environment, then they will feel more relaxed and confident in coming to see us in children's clinic.
"We very much appreciate all that the Edwards family have done and do for us."
To sponsor Mr Edwards visit www.justgiving.com/Graham-Edwards6.


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Angry MetalScience brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.
I may not be very nice if you hold me,
But I could tell you the time.
My melting point is rather low for a metal;
Only mercury has one lower than mine.
Expose me to water and very angry I'll be,
Though some of my friends would be angrier than I.
AnswerThe metal is cesium! Cesium (Cs) is an alkali metal and is very reactive because it is only one electron away from having a full outer shell. This is also the reason halogens react so easily. Cesium's melting point is the second lowest of all metals: a measly 28.5 C! If one dared to hold cesium in his hand, it would melt and also react with the water in and on his skin to create CsOH, which is, needless to say, a deadly compound. The reaction is bad enough: a single gram reacting with water releases 1526 J of heat and explodes on contact!
Cesium, although very low in the group, is NOT the most reactive metal; surprisingly, lithium (Li) is!
A second is defined as 9,192,631,770 vibrations of a Cs 133 atom.
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
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DAVID TAFFET | Staff Writer email@example.com
Midway Hills Christian Church has kicked off a capital campaign to raise $400,000 to renovate and update the facility. Spokesman Tom Peck called it an "express campaign" to raise the money in August.
Campaign co-chair Roger Wedell said the total goal was $900,000 and the improvements would help the church better serve the community.
The church has a long history of welcoming the LGBT community. In the 1970s, Midway Hills was one of only four Dallas congregations to co-host a program on churches and homosexuality.
Midway Hills was one of the original rehearsal spaces for the Turtle Creek Chorale, and fFor more than 15 years, the church hosted P-FLAG.
Early in the AIDS crisis, Midway Hills met the challenge when other churches shunned people with AIDS or ignored the problem. It was one of the first churches to form an AIDS Interfaith Network care team.
Wedell said the renovations to the building would create more flexible spaces.
"We hope to accommodate a wider variety of groups in the community," he said. "And a wider variety of worship and contemporary expressions."
Rather than fixed pews, the main sanctuary would have modular seating and the chancel would be moveable
"We have a long tradition of incorporating music," said Wedell. The new configuration would make it easier to incorporate those elements, he said.
"The current entrance to the sanctuary will converted into a new chapel," he said.
Also in the plans is reconfiguring the entrance.
"Right now, it's difficult to know what door you should use," Wedell said.
He said the new main entrance would be handicap accessible. The current front entrance does not meet federal standards.
That entrance will open to a large gathering space for displays, small group use and fellowship.
Wedell said the building is already booked four nights a week. He said the church hosts English as a second language classes, 12-step programs and a square dance group, among others. He said he couldn't think of a group affiliated with the church that didn't include LGBT members.
The church had its start in the 1950s and has always been located at its current Midway Road location just north of Royal Lane. At the time, there was lots of open space in the area and large tracts of land were just being developed for housing.
The church is a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination. Wedell explained that congregations in the denomination have a national affiliation but strong local control. He called it the oldest indigenous U.S. Protestant denomination, formed in the 1800s from a merger of several smaller movements.
"As a small denomination, we've been involved far beyond our numbers in ecumenical work," he said.
The congregation has about 200 active members.
"It all goes back to the vision our original members had for the church," Peck said, "to make an impact far beyond the walls of the church."
When Dallas first desegregated its school, members of Midway Hills voted to bus their own children. During the Vietnam War, the church became a Shalom or "peace" Congregation, and it was involved with resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Midway helped settle Afghan refugees.
"We helped them with housing and getting stabilized in the community," Peck said.
In addition to its own congregation, a Peace Mennonite church hold services in the building early on Sunday morning and a new Latino congregation is also using the facility.
To raise the initial $400,000 and eventual $900,000 for additional renovations including resurfacing the parking lot, redesign of the peace garden, remodeling the restrooms and retrofitting the fire protection system, church leaders hope to reach out to the broader community.
"We're contacting people and organizations we consider to be friends," Wedell said. And over the years, the church has developed lots of friends.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition August 6, 2010.


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CTC – the UK's largest cycling charity has appointed Gordon Seabright as its new Chief Executive. Gordon will start work at CTC's national office in Guildford at the beginning of March.
Chair of CTC Council David Cox said:
"I am delighted that Gordon is joining us as our new CEO and look forward to working with him. Gordon is a keen leisure cyclist and very experienced in the world of membership charities, as well as in tourism and event management. Gordon joins us at a time when cycling is again taking centre stage in British national life and his commitment and expertise are exactly what CTC needs as we look to the future."
Gordon has worked for a number of high profile charities and membership organisations. Previously, he was the Acting Director General of The Royal Horticultural Society and the Commercial Director of English Heritage, where he was also in charge of Stonehenge. He lives in Wiltshire, with his wife and two teenage daughters.
Gordon Seabright said:
"I'm thrilled to be joining CTC at such an exciting time for the organisation and for cycling. As the UK's largest cycling charity, CTC has an enormously important role to play as the champion for cycling and cyclists, and I feel very honoured to be joining the team."
"Cycling is a big part of my life and something my family loves to do together. Cyclists know what a wonderful activity it is, with so many benefits for individuals, the whole community and the environment."
"Today, with cycle safety on the front page of The Times, it is more important than ever before for CTC to continue its vital work. I'm looking forward to supporting the talented CTC team in doing all we can to champion more and safer cycling."
Gordon Seabright replaces Kevin Mayne who, after 14 years as Chief Executive of CTC, will become Director of Development for the European Cyclists' Federation.
CTC President and Channel 4 Newscaster Jon Snow said:
"Kevin has rounded many hairpin bends and gone many extra miles for and with CTC. He has helped build us into what we are. We wish him well."


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Killin' It 028: Lilith Burning
During my stay in England, I had the pleasure of working with Dan Holloway on a project sponsored by OVADA , Albion Beatnik Bookstore, and The Project Room in Oxford. This was my first time in Oxford and I was happy to be working on this project. There has been a rise in interest in Lilith as of late, especially within the UK. So when Dan proposed we do a project based on the perceptions of Lilith I said yes. Daisy Anne Gree has been touching on aspects of Lilith with Leviathan. Dan has captured the dark sexuality of Lilith in his Skin Book, and my book Blood and Pudding discusses aspects of sexuality, freedom, grieving, and deception, through my own teenage words and experiences.
I brought along my clothing and plenty of makeup and the process began. Dan and I soon discovered that when you plan a project for Lilith it almost always goes, not in the direction you thought, but in the exact opposite. Our preliminary plans were long gone by the time we walked out the door. We hit the streets, me in full Lilith regalia and began documenting people's reactions to me as Lilith. The people shown in the photos were all willing participants. England has certain photography laws we had to go by, so we couldn't photograph just anyone walking by. The people who chose to participate were very open minded and genuinely interested. We found that those referring to themselves as outsiders were the most accepting of the project. Maybe drawn to it in a way.
We took the photos, printed them and started on our project, placing each one into a designated freezer bag, as if a scientific specimen and pinned them to a white cloth, writing only a few sentences on what was percieved. Later in the day we brought it to the Albion Beatnik Bookstore where our reading would take place. The reading went magically, even inspiring one of our audience members to write his own work and read it. I was lovin' it. More images can be seen on the Knickerbocker Circus Event Photos page.
Special thanks to Dan Holloway from Year Zero Writers, Dennis at Albion Beatnik Bookstore, Mick and Caty from Tigerlily, Videosyncratic, The Ballroom, The Big Issue, The Authentic Skate Shop, and to the good people at The Project Room and OVADA.