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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth of four profiles of the candidates running for the 4th state Senate District seat: Mickey Harrington, Dan Levine, Jim Nielsen and Jann Reed. Their 30-minute interviews with this newspaper's editorial board can be heard online at ChicoER.com/election.
As a candidate without a political party affiliation, Jann Reed thinks she would fit nicely in the middle of politics in Sacramento.
The Chico resident and current Chico Unified School District president, said she sees polarization at the state capitol, much of which comes from "the fact that people are trying to hang onto their seats in government rather than try to solve problems."
This makes people "beholden to their political party or corporate interests."
Yet, compromise and collaboration is needed, she said.
"I'm moderate."
Two years remain in Doug LaMalfa's current term, and Reed said that would give her time to see if her approach would be effective. She also would consider a 10-year commitment to state politics.
"I would like to see if someone like myself — pragmatic, pretty intelligent, and someone who like to look into issues" could be effective.
She said she is a good listener, likes to ask questions and gathers information from a variety of sources.
When asked her top priorities, Reed said to "stabilize funding for K-16" education.
"If 67 percent of all Californians say public education is the No. 1 issue ... we need to support them."
For state income "we need to stop using the high-income earners (as a tax base) because those incomes fluctuate widely.
"I think its going to be hard to convince anyone in California to pay more taxes when we see $54 million" in State Parks funds" tucked away (and disclosed in a recent State Parks scandal).
She's interested in issues that "directly affect California" ... "not going off and working on grandiose projects like the bullet train when we cannot pay for public safety and education."
College was once the road to success, she said. But now there is a need for fostering apprenticeships and community college certificates that can lead to small business pathways, she said.
The opportunity to run for the 4th District Senate seat came up quickly. Reed said she had been looking for an opportunity for public office, after deciding not to run again for the Chico Unified School Board of Education.
Sept. 1 she read that Doug LaMalfa had stepped down from his Senate seat, to run for Wally Herger's in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I started to think about whether I could see myself in that role," Reed said.
She said she decided "I would like to be on the decision-making end of things," in California, after being on the "receiving end," of funding for local schools.
"If I was offering myself as the person who has all the answers, that would be false," she said.
"I'm the person who is solution-oriented," and would seek out those solutions in office, she said.
Staff writer Heather Hacking can be reached at 896-7758, email@example.com, and followed on Twitter @HeatherHacking.


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Benefit Trends
14th Annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study: Opportunity is Knocking: How Benefits Lay the Groundwork for a Thriving Workplace
The Study reveals a growing opportunity for employers to help their businesses succeed by further enriching the benefits experience for employees across generations. As workers continue to navigate financial uncertainty, they are putting down roots with their employers — and in turn, are seeking more support and guidance when it comes to their benefit options. Explore the latest findings to better understand how a wide range of benefits supported by a commitment to education, communication, and strategic relationships can help cultivate a happier, healthier, and more loyal workforce.
Learn More
Getting to Loyal: Legal Services Distinguish Your Company and Help Meet the Personalized Needs of Employees
The study focuses on the growing popularity of offering legal services in the workplace including how they can help companies meet top benefits objectives, employees' needs for these services, how to successfully administer a plan, and criteria for selecting a qualified provider.
New Research Reveals Why Accident and Critical Illness Insurance are Surprisingly Good for Business
The study explores the growing need and popularity of supplemental health solutions not only to help employees address rising health care costs and gaps from existing coverage, but as an easy and valuable way for employers to address their business challenges and enhance their benefits strategy.
The Next Chapter for MNC Globalisation: Scaling Risk to Opportunity
The next chapter for MNC globalisation: Scaling risk to opportunity, an Economist Intelligence Unit report sponsored by MAXIS GBN (a joint venture between global insurers MetLife and AXA), explores what is driving globalisation today, and asks MNCs what factors might facilitate or derail their global growth plans. The findings are based on an Economist Intelligence Unit survey of more than 350 executives at MNCs worldwide, along with in-depth interviews with executives at MNCs of differing sizes and industry segments, and in different geographic locations.
Rethinking Dental Benefits to Provide More Value
Insights on how incorporating current research, trends and ideas into dental plan designs can help distribute benefit dollars more appropriately, encourage participants to maintain good oral health, and provide more value to employees.
Working Women Have an Inadequate Amount of Life Insurance Coverage
When it comes to owning adequate life insurance, MetLife's research shows women are participating in group life insurance plans at significantly lower rates than their male counterparts. In fact, only 28% of women purchased coverage that was equal to at least three times their income – leaving their families financially unprepared if faced with her premature death.
Health & Wellness
Benefit From a Well Workforce
An effective wellness program can help promote healthy lifestyles for employees – both physically and financially. See how features that are built right in to product offerings can be an integral part of employers' overall wellness programs.
Financial Education - An Essential Component of Your Wellness Strategy
The addition of a financial wellness component can offer significant advantages for a company's bottom line and increase appreciation for the benefits they already offer.
MetLife Study of Global Health & Wellness
The Study takes a look at how multinational companies are responding to the need for a healthier workforce and provides information that can help employers launch successful global health and wellness initiatives and implement them at a local level, ultimately facilitating a culture of health.

subset: commoncrawl


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Photo Gallery: Amazing Libraries
Get inspired by these reading retreats.
Photo Gallery: Amazing Libraries
A quiet, contemplative space to browse books and magazines.
"There's something about stacked books that makes me really happy," says homeowner Katherine Yaphe of her main floor reading area. The dark walls create a moody ambiance that's further enhanced by a graphic honeycomb-patterned rug.
For more design and decorating ideas, browse our Amazing Libraries photo gallery, plus watch a video tour of this home.
Two pocket doors conceal a bright and airy home office.
Along with providing access to the highest shelves, the sliding library ladder adds an old world decorative touch.
Jewel tones add a dramatic feel to this study.
Red wingback chairs that interior designer Theresa Casey picked up in New York offer a complementary contrast to the millwork.
Pretty wall panelling conceals additional storage.
In the same home, the bold blue millwork amplifies the impact of the floor tiles in the entryway.
Custom shelving accommodates a TV perfectly.
Cosiness emanates from this Theresa Casey-designed space. Wide crown moulding, worn leather sofas and a detailed floor pattern add a luxurious feel to an often-used family room.
Reupholster antiques in gutsy fabrics.
Designer and TV host Sarah Richardson installed bookshelves in an old doorframe to convert a full wall in this living room into a library. An Italian marquetry table, paired with French wing chairs — recovered in cut velvet — offers a perfect spot to plan the day.
Pair glossy black walls with brass accents.
HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe chose dramatic black walls for this luxe library in a Victorian house. The paint's glazed finish sets the walls aglow. A brass mirror, chandelier and pillow fabric infuse the dark space with warmth.
See Tommy Smythe's Victorian Makeover photo gallery for more photos of this home, plus watch Suzanne Dimma tour through the kitchen.
Colour-blocked books create visual impact.
The homeowners built the shelves themselves to carve out a library in a cramped nook at the front of the living room. Leaving the bottom recesses open gives the weighty wall a completely unique look.
See before & after photos of Sasha Seymour's Townhouse Reno in our photo gallery. Also, watch a tour of her retro-inspired home in this online TV segment.
Designer Colette van den Thillart uses this room for her home office.
A blue lacquered wall and ceiling fresco are just two of the rich details that give this room personality. The striped tablecloth and green velvet chair adds contrast. Gold shell-shaped lights shine on book spines for easy searching.
See more of Colette van den Thillart's London Home in our photo gallery. Also, find more inspirational libraries in this photo gallery.
Custom shelving brings a pulled-together look to a living room.
In the den of this Vancouver condo, designer Julie Molnar had the custom shelves built to frame the sofa so it all looks like one unified, contained unit. A large painting by Jack Shadbolt is displayed on a ledge rather than hung and can be easily swapped out to showcase other pieces.
For more design and decorating ideas, browse our Amazing Libraries photo gallery.
Forget the Dewey Decimal system — organize books by hue for a tidy, uncluttered look.
Paint a built-in bookshelf to create a focal point. Here a soft green shade suits the cottage feel in this hallway. A deep red rug picks up on the books above. Closed lower cabinetry hides away other objects.
Use shelves that suit the height of your books.
The unique scale in this room, combined with old wood beams, an antique cradle and horse saddles give this space fairytale charm. The ladder is a book lover's delight and an orange-red rug adds to the cosiness.
Coordinate custom bookshelves with a fireplace surround for a unified look.
An artful placement of unusual objects offset the otherwise formal symmetry in this living room. The wood creates warmth, and isn't overpowering as the shelves are only placed midway down the wall.
Accentuate art and accessories with lighting.
A dining room wall is cleverly turned into a mini-library. Designer Chris Lischkoff disguised vertical ductwork with a built-in bookcase. Shallow shelves in front of the awkward element act as picture rails. Really short on space? Make use of deep window ledges, too.
Watch a video tour of this loft and see more inspirational libraries in this photo gallery.
Add layers to a bookshelf by hanging artwork in front of shelves you don't need to access frequently.
A yellow velvet sofa pops against the black bookshelves behind it. Floor-to-ceiling shelving provides enough space for countless books, objects and mementos.
Create a quiet oasis for guests.
A traditional, wood-panelled library creates a dark, moody atmosphere. The oversize armchair in light brown silk offers a comfortable spot to recharge.
Decorating with fresh colours and shelves help make a fireplace shine.
An apple-green paint treatment above the living room's mantel creates an attention-grabbing niche to display photos on a framed mirror. Purple-shaded lamps pull in the palette from the room's furniture and potted orchids add a touch of whimsy.
Vintage and modern pieces work together to create a Parisian look.
A gilded settee, upholstered in a ticking stripe fabric, is the focal point of this library. Ikea bookcases are mounted on the wall and the floral skirt along the bottom hides a storage area underneath. Accessories and framed artwork add the layers that make this room look vintage and timeworn.
View more French inspired interiors in our gallery.
CEO Piero Bisazza, whose family is known worldwide for their glass mosaic tiles, makes his passion for literature evident in his Vicenza, Italy, home.
A symmetrical shelving arrangement, vibrant red rug and animal print runner give this room punch. With minimal furniture, the space exudes a posh, gallery-like vibe. Glam covers break up large expanses of book spines.
A patterned carpet, leather chairs and a grand desk combine in this cosy office space.
"This library is off the bedroom of a studio executive who works a lot," says Kelly Wearstler, celebrity designer and author of the book, Hue. "After she puts the kids to bed, she still wants to be close to her husband, so this is her home office. It's very warm and dynamic, and the red signifies power."
Learn more traditional-style tips in our Traditional & Formal Interiors photo gallery.
See more photos of Wearstler's work in her photo gallery.


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Fertility Preservation in Cases of Klinefelter Syndrome. (FERTIPRESERVE)
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) is the most common sex chromosomal abnormalities (1/600 newborn males), and is characterized by a hypergonadism hypogonadism. Until few years ago, mostly non-mosaic KS was considered as a model of a complete male infertility although few KS (4-8%) have an oligospermia. Recent studies in adult with non-mosaic KS reported the possibility of sperm retrieval by testicular biopsy (TESE) in around 50% cases and more than some pregnancies have been obtained after TESE with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Since 1997, more than one hundred births are described.
As some studies shown a decrease of successful sperm retrieval with the increasing of age, we plan to compare the potential of sperm retrieval between two groups "adult" (23-55 years) and "young" after the onset of puberty (15-22 years). The study will be performed by searching spermatozoa on two seminal analyses spaced out 3 months followed by a testicular biopsy if the azoospermia is confirmed on semen analyses.
|Klinefelter Syndrome
|Procedure: Seminal analyses and testicular biopsy
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Prevention
|Official Title:
|Fertility Preservation in Cases of Spermatogenesis Failure : Prospective Study for Klinefelter Syndrome With Non-mosaic Karyotype (47, XXY, Homogeneous)
- TEsticular Sperm Extraction (TESE) [ Time Frame: 15 months ]Improvement of sperm retrieval rate by Testicular Sperm extraction (TESE) in the "Young" group compare to "Adult" group.
- Androgenotherapy [ Time Frame: 15 months ]Influence of antecedent of androgenotherapy before Testicular Sperm extraction (TESE) : treatment or not, duration of treatment
- Prognosis factors [ Time Frame: 15 months ]Identification of prognosis factors of sperm retrieval (by TESE) in the two groups "Young" and "Adult"
- Histopathologist analyses [ Time Frame: 15 months ]Histopathologist analyses of testicular biopsy in the two groups "Young" and "Adult". In the 2 groups, comparison of cases with and without sperm.
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|September 2010
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|December 2019
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|December 2019 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: Young group
Patient aged 15-22 years for seminal analyses and testicular biopsy
Procedure: Seminal analyses and testicular biopsy
Two seminal analyses spaced out 3 months followed by a testicular biopsy if the azoospermia is confirmed on semen analyses.
Adult group
Patient aged 23-55 years for seminal analyses and testicular biopsy
Procedure: Seminal analyses and testicular biopsy
Two seminal analyses spaced out 3 months followed by a testicular biopsy if the azoospermia is confirmed on semen analyses.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|15 Years to 55 Years (Child, Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Klinefelter Syndrome with 47,XXY non-mosaic
- Androgenotherapy stopped since more than 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
- Antecedent of Radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Psychological trouble
- Treatment interfering with spermatogenesis
- Androgenotherapy non stopped
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01918280
|Contact: Ingrid PLOTTON, MD
|472 12 96 81 ext +33
|Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS - Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin
|Bordeaux, France, 33076
|Contact: Aline PAPAXANTHOS-ROCHE, MD
|Principal Investigator: Aline PAPAXANTHOS-ROCHE, MD
|Service d'Endocrinologie Moléculaire et Maladies Rares, Centre de Biologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon
|Bron, France, 69677
|Contact: Ingrid PLOTTON, MD 472 12 96 81 ext +33 email@example.com
|Principal Investigator: Ingrid PLOTTON, MD
|Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - Hôpital de la Conception
|Marseille, France, 13385
|Contact: Jacqueline SAIAS, MD
|Principal Investigator: Jacqueline SAIAS, MD
|Groupe de Médecine de la Reproduction - CECOS Midi-Pyrénées - Hôpital Paule de Viguier)
|Toulouse, France, 31059
|Contact: Myriam DAUDIN, MD
|Principal Investigator: Myriam DAUDIN, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Ingrid PLOTTON, MD
|Hospices Civils de Lyon
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Hospices Civils de Lyon
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01918280 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|August 6, 2013
|Last Updated:
|May 29, 2017
Keywords provided by Hospices Civils de Lyon:
Klinefelter Syndrome
Seminal analyses
Testicular biopsy
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Klinefelter Syndrome
Pathologic Processes
Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development
Disorders of Sex Development
Urogenital Abnormalities
Sex Chromosome Disorders
Chromosome Disorders
Congenital Abnormalities
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Gonadal Disorders
Endocrine System Diseases
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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High Quality tutors in Crofton
Our tutors in Crofton are all fully-qualified teachers; subject-specialists, professional, energetic and up-to-date with the current demands of subject curriculum and the various Examination Boards.
"Teachers To Your Home" provides high quality tuition in Crofton, at your home and convenience. We work with over 7000 qualified teachers across the UK, who also choose to offer their professional skills as high quality home tutors.
We offer high quality home tuition across: Literacy and Numeracy, Primary, 11+, 13+, Common Entrance, Scholarship Preparation, Independent School Entry, Special Needs, Gifted and Talented, Homeschooling, GCSEs, IGCSEs, A levels, University Application, Careers Guidance and Adult Education.
We can support all academic subjects including English Language and Literature, Maths and Further Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Combined Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Psychology, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Latin, and Computing, at all levels, and across all the major Examination Boards including OCR, AQA, Edexcel, CIE, WJEC.
More information on home tuition in Crofton and in the surrounding area: Our prices - Our services - Homepage - Our news - Our reviews - Tutor locations
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What families are saying about our tutors this week
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21 September 2017; review received from Mr and Mrs Joseph, Year 11 daughter, IGCSE German in Cambridge
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At its heart, we know that education is a simple thing. Whoever we are, wherever we may be, we all need to experience the joy of achievement, our own and others … and then we need great teachers.
qualified teachers providing the highest quality home tuition in Crofton
At its heart, we know that education is a simple thing.
Whoever we are, wherever we may be, we all need to experience the joy of achievement, our own and others
… and then we need great teachers.


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Immigration reform supporters turn up efforts in Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Local supporters of immigration reform will turn up the heat. They want more lawmakers to vote for the bipartisan bill now being considered in Washington. Local Congressman Kevin McCarthy is one of their targets.
"We say it's about time to fix a broken immigration reform that made these people be undocumented because of the failure of the law to catch up with reality -- which is we have an economic demand for these workers," Gonzalo Santos said. He's with the Kern Coalition for Citizenship.
That group and the United Farm Workers held a rally Wednesday morning in downtown Bakersfield. It was one of several rallies as immigration supporters say they'll mobilize during the next three weeks behind Senate reform bill.
Santos said supporters have challenges ahead, but they also have some things to cheer about already.
"The vote that happened yesterday is historic," he said. That was the vote on Tuesday by a margin of 84-15 for the Senate to begin considering the bill. Even with that start, Santos says there are still challenges in the Senate, but yet more dangers in the House.
And, Santos said they've already seen setbacks in the House. "Last week the House signaled a terrible vote," he said. "So bad that it took us completely by surprise." That was a vote to prohibit funding for President Barack Obama's program which temporarily halts the deportation of young immigrants if they're going to college or served in the military.
Santos calls those young people the "dreamers." And he says McCarthy was one of the Republicans voting to stop the funding.
"We're downright appalled," he said. "This is so callous and so politically tone-deaf that we can't understand any more what's going on in the House with these folks."
In a statement emailed from McCarthy's office on Wednesday, he responded. "as our broken immigration system only continues to get worse, Americans are forced to pay the price. Credit goes to Senator (Marco) Rubio (R-Fla) and others for creating a starting point and the House, through regular order, will also produce legislation."
Santos is convinced public opinion favors immigration reform, and that support includes voters in McCarthy's district.
What do local voters think? In a spot check, Eyewitness News got mixed reaction.
"I think it's time to pass comprehensive immigration reform," Jeremiah Howe said.
"I think everybody should have a chance of being a United States citizen," Mark Keefer said. "I love this country."
But others worry about the impacts of immigration. "I think there's already enough people here," Scott MacCulloch said. "It's already kind of hard trying to get a job."
"You're trying to just open the door to any aliens that come in? I don't agree (with) that, no." Rudy Barrera said. "We need to tighten our borders and take care of all us U.S. Citizens the way we should."
Supporters of the immigration reform plan say it will be fair and comprehensive. Supporters also say the plan will stress border security. Santos stresses the bipartisan support, starting with the so-called "Gang of Eight" in Congress.
"We think it might heal a little bit the political polarization in this country," Santos said. "But more importantly, it's just." He calls the plan a compromise, and said it will include an "arduous" process for the 11 million undocumented people who are now in the U.S. to get citizenship.
In the email to Eyewitness News on Wednesday, McCarthy continued with comments on the issue. "Securing our borders, enforcing current laws on the books, and finding a real long-term solution to our immigration processes will help ensure that America remains home to the best and brightest minds, the hardest workers, and freest people on earth," it concluded.
Local immigration reform supporters say they will put McCarthy in their sights with a day of action this weekend. A UFW spokeswoman said volunteers will go out in McCarthy's district collecting postcards to urge him to vote for the immigration reform bill. They also say a group of nuns is making a cross-country tour in support of reform, and they will make a stop here. Santos said McCarthy will be the target of that, too.
"This Saturday we're going to target him with the religious leadership of this country," Santos said. "They're coming to Bakersfield to tell him, get on with the plan, have a heart, and move on."


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According to color psychology, yellow--the most attention-getting of visible light's wavelengths--can lift your spirits, stimulate your central nervous system, and even raise your metabolism. No wonder, then, that yellow pigments have been offered as regular-production colors on the Corvette for 23 of its 27 most recent model years.
In VETTE's never-ending quest to bring you the stories of the most "colorful" Corvette owners on the planet, we travel this month to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to meet a self-proclaimed "yellow-Corvette devotee."
"Since 1991, I've owned more than 20 late-model Corvettes, and they've all had one thing in common--yellow," car dealer/collector Kyle Lemish tells us. "I'm known as 'The Yellow Corvette Guy.'
"It started when I bought an '86 silver coupe when I was in college," he explains. "It wasn't long before I painted it Competition Yellow. After graduation, I bought a new '95 six-speed coupe; that one came Competition Yellow from the factory."
Lemish's lead role in his car dealership meant more yellow Corvettes would soon cross his path. "The dawn of the C5 only intensified my passion for my favorite color," he says. "Millennium Yellow convertibles were my cars of choice. They were my daily drivers."
In 2006, he bought his first Velocity Yellow C6 Z06. "I used it as my daily driver, too," he says. "As soon as I sold it, I went out and bought another one--until I had gone through four in total."
In 2008, Lemish began frequenting the Corvette Forum, home of the Z06 Quarter-Mile Fast List. The Fast List allows owners to post their best e.t.'s in five categories: Bone Stock on Stock Tires; Bone Stock except Non-Stock Tires; Bolt-Ons without Internal Engine Modification or Boost Modification; Bolt-Ons and Boost Modification without Internal Engine Modification; and Internal Engine and/or Aftermarket Power Adders (whew).
"I was interested in testing my skills at the track and making the Fast List, but I never owned a Z06 for long enough," Lemish says.
All that changed when he bought his current Corvette, an unmodified, low-mile '09 ZR1--in Velocity Yellow, of course.
"One question kept going through my mind," he says. "What could the stock ZR1 really do with a perfect track, perfect conditions, and perfect driving?"
It was time to travel to the dragstrip to find out.
The rules for the Corvette Forum's Fast List are straightforward. A Corvette owner must post a copy of his or her full timeslip, and it must include the date/time of the pass and the name of the track issuing the slip (whenever possible). The e.t. must also be plausible, probable, and credible--i.e., the timeslip must match the capabilities of the car.
But it was the Fast List's next rule--"Track times will not be corrected for weather or track altitude"--that could bend to a Corvette owner's advantage or disadvantage and affect his or her position in the rankings. That meant finding the perfect track was not just an option; it was a key to success.
"Mason-Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown, Maryland, is the nearest quarter-mile track to me, but it posed a problem," Lemish says. "It sits 562 feet above sea level, and its density altitude could hamper my goal of achieving the lowest e.t.
"After researching most of the quarter-mile tracks on the East Coast, I discovered that Maryland International Raceway (MIR) is only 87 feet above sea level and has excellent track prep," Lemish says. So off he went to the track in Mechanicsville, Maryland, and laid down a Bone Stock on Stock Tires e.t. of 11.10 seconds at 130 mph. That put him 0.2 seconds quicker than Chevy's published quarter-mile time for the LS9-powered supercar.
"I wanted to take the records in two ZR1 categories, not just one," Lemish says. "First, Bone Stock on Stock Tires, and then Bone Stock except Non-Stock Tires." In early October 2010, he rented MIR for the day. The -1,674 density altitude couldn't have been much better, and he quickly reached his first goal with a 10.74 at 133.21.
On January 6, 2011, he returned to MIR to topple the Bone Stock except Non-Stock Tires record of 10.69 seconds. To make it, he had to roll on the quickest wheel-and-tire-combo he could conjure up. He explains: "ZR1s left the factory with 25.8-inch front and 26.6-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sports [285/30ZR19 and 335/25ZR20, respectively]. I tried 345/30ZR19 Nitto NT05s on stock 19x12 Z06 rear wheels, but their 27.15-inch height was too tall for the ZR1's 2.26 First gear. By that I mean I wasn't getting close to a perfect 60-foot, and my clutch was overheating." Nonetheless, his best pass of the day was a 10.66 at 132 mph, flying past the Fast List's previous First Place by 0.03 seconds.
He wanted better. On February 18, 2011, he rolled up to MIR's starting line again, but this time his ZR1 wore 345/30R19 Hoosier A6 racing rubber on its rear rims. "At 26.8 inches tall, they had the same effect as the Nittos," he says.
Approximately one month later, on March 25, Lemish returned to MIR with a vengeance, and with his Vette's rear riding on CCW one-piece aluminum wheels shod with 25.5x12x18 Mickey Thompson ET Street radials. Though the density altitude was only -730 feet, success was clearly in the air. "My first pass with this wheel/tire combo put me at 10.64 at 133.30, beating my previous record of 10.66," he says. At 2:56 p.m., he ran a 10.56 at 133.25, which put him in First Place on the Fast List.
So what does it take to propel a ZR1 down the 1,320 more than 0.7 seconds faster than its official time, without resorting to horsepower mods? Lemish says he's happy to share some of his low-e.t. secrets to help fellow ZR1 owners improve their track cred.
"If you run stock rear tires, set them at 22 or 23 psi. Launch at 3,500-3,600 rpm and shift at 6,500 rpm. Take the 1-2 shift a little lighter or you'll get wheel spin. If you're running drag radials, set them to 171?2-18 psi and launch at 4,600 rpm, and follow the same rules for your shifts," he says.
"After you've mastered these techniques, better stock-ZR1 times are all in the launch," he states. "Everybody tries to do a fast release of the clutch, but I slip it just a little. Also make sure to change the clutch fluid after every eight passes to help extend your clutch life."
Now that he's holding two Fast List First Places, Lemish says he's determined to get his supercar to run in the 10.40s in the Bone Stock except Non-Stock Tires category. "All I need to get there is some better air and some more seat time," he says.
But that's not all for this yellow-loving, low-e.t. Corvette junkie. "I'll probably start modding my ZR1 at that point," he confides. "A blower pulley and a dyno tune would be obvious choices."
Lemish pauses for a moment as he quickly sorts out the palette of priorities in his mind. "Then again, maybe I'll just install a set of '12 ZR1 seat covers with yellow custom leather stitch for the cabin and yellow calipers for the exterior. After all, I've heard yellow can have a positive effect on people."
Spec Sheet
|Kyle Lemish; Harrisonburg, VA
|Stock LS9 aluminum
|376 ci
|Compression Ratio
|Stock LS9 aluminum
|Stock 2.160 titanium/1.590 sodium filled
|Stock hydraulic roller
|Rocker Arms
|Stock 1.7 ratio
|Stock forged aluminum
|Stock forged steel
|Stock forged titanium
|Intake Manifold
|Throttle Body
|Fuel Injectors
|Fuel Pump
|Stock coil-on-plug
|Engine Management
|Stock GM
|Power Adder
|Stock TVS 2300 Eaton supercharger
|Maximum Boost
|10.5 psi
|Exhaust System
|TR6060 six-speed manual
|Stock twin-disc
|Front Suspension
|Rear Suspension
|Stock 3.42:1
|Front Brakes
|Stock with carbon rotors and six-piston calipers
|Rear Brakes
|Stock with carbon rotors and four-piston calipers
|Front Wheels
|HRE 546 19x10 (street), stock ZR1 19x10 (race)
|Rear Wheels
|HRE 546 20x12 (street), CCW 18x11 (race)
|Front Tires
|Michelin Pilot Sport 285/30ZR19
|Rear Tires
|Michelin Pilot Sport 335/25ZR20 (street), Mickey Thompson ET Street 25.5x12x18 (race)
|Fuel Octane
|3,324 lbs
|Best ET/MPH
|Current Mileage
|Miles Driven Weekly


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A progress report on adoption services in Wiltshire highlights improvements made and focuses on plans to keep it on track for the future.
Wiltshire Council leaders considered the report at a cabinet meeting today as part of their role to ensure adoption services are effective in achieving good outcomes for children and young people.
It details how Wiltshire has a permanency and adoption improvement plan in place to carry on the work already made and that after being part of a national pilot study measures have been put forward for completing adoptions in a timely way.
Leader of Wiltshire Council Jane Scott said: "This report shows there is a lot of good work going on and there is evidence improvements are being made.
"At the centre of everything we do is the child or young person who needs a family to provide a secure home for them. This is at the forefront of every measure we put in place."
Currently the majority of children assessed as needing adoptive families are between the ages of 12 months and 10 years.
The report states that Wiltshire reflects the national trend where it can be difficult to place sibling groups and children with complex health or challenging behaviour.
A dedicated home-finder has been in post since September 2012 acting as a key point of contact through the adoption process.
They help improve the systems around the adoption process and helps identify placements for sibling groups and children where placements may be limited due to health, disability or challenging behaviour.
In spring 2012, Wiltshire agreed to be part of a pilot for an adoption diagnostic assessment which helps councils pinpoint how to complete adoptions in a timely way.
The assessment suggested measures which along with the council's own permanency and adoption plan has moved things forward.
The adoption scorecard, a national comparative chart introduced in 2011, shows the changes are making an impact as Wiltshire has made improvements across the board.


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Brewer at the Legislature: Mob rule
North Platte Seventh-day Adventist Church to discuss liberty, life of Constantine the Great
More opinion
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
Goat Expo set first October weekend
More Ag News
Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two of the most critical cases of our time. On Tuesday, March 26, attorneys will make the pitch both for and against Californias Proposition 8 pro-marriage amendment. It maintained the timeless definition of natural marriage as between man and wife.
Although both cases certainly address a multitude of legal and political issues, they also involve a number of moral and cultural considerations that, if wrongly decided, will literally shake Western civilization to the core.
The Supreme Court could put its official stamp of approval on that cartoonish contradiction-in-terms labeled same-sex marriage. Ultimately, the nine justices will decide either to deconstruct, radically render functionally trivial the age-old institution of natural marriage or leave it alone.
Theyd better leave it alone.
Heres the bottom line: Homosexual activists dont want the white picket fence. They want to burn down the white picket fence.
In a recent column headlined, The Revolt of Intelligence Against Marriage Equality, worldview expert Rick Pearcey addressed one prominent gay activists admission -- that the destruction of natural marriage signifies the lefts ultimate cultural coup de grâce.
Masha Gessen, a lesbian and a journalist, spoke frankly about this at a conference in Sydney, Australia, he wrote. Its a no-brainer that we should have the right to marry, she said. But I also think equally that its a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist.
Marriage equality becomes marriage elasticity, with the ultimate goal of marriage extinction.
One of liberals favorite defense mechanisms is to ridicule the opposition if confronted with some irrefutable argument. Such is the tactic whenever a thinking person walks into the room and points out this big ol gay elephant: Once the government pretends that some vague combination of love and consent are all that a marriage requires, then other arbitrary and discriminatory parameters beyond a binary male-female prerequisite must also go poof.
That is to say, if the Court magically divines some constitutional right to same-sex marriage, then full marriage equality necessarily demands that polygamous, incestuous and any other equally aberrant nuptial cocktail be likewise permitted.
Its a no-brainer, right?
To that end, Im concerned with the Supreme Courts recent history of radically redefining that which cannot be redefined. Though examples abound, Im thinking specifically, as concerns the topic at hand, of the Courts 2003 holding in Lawrence v. Texas.
In Lawrence, the liberal majority, for the first time in history, radically redefined male-on-male sodomy hitherto classified a crime against nature as a constitutional right.
In his characteristically brilliant dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia voiced my concerns better than I can: State laws against bigamy, same-sex marriage, adult incest, prostitution, masturbation, adultery, fornication, bestiality and obscenity are likewise sustainable only in light of Bowers validation of laws based on moral choices, he wrote. Every single one of these laws is called into question by todays decision.
A brief filed by 18 state attorneys general voiced similar concerns: Once the natural limits that inhere in the relationship between a man and a woman can no longer sustain the definition of marriage, the conclusion that follows is that any grouping of adults would have an equal claim to marriage, they wrote.
The brief further observed the self-evident no-brainer that legitimate marriage is optimal for children and society at large.
Its all very simple. If anything is marriage, then everything is marriage. And if everything is marriage, then nothing is marriage at all.
Marriage equality becomes marriage elasticity, with the ultimate goal of marriage extinction.
I sincerely hope that the honorable and learned men and women who sit upon the highest bench in the land can recognize that all of these San Francisco-style social-engineering games are a deceptive means to a destructive end.
And its not the emotionalist end theyve dolled-up and dished out. The lefts fierce push for gay marriage has nothing to do with marriage equality and everything to do with marriage extinction.
Or, as Ms. Gessen candidly put it: Its a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist.
I pray that at least five justices still think it should.
Matt Barber is an attorney concentrating in constitutional law and he serves as vice president of Liberty Counsel Action, a nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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For chamber music enthusiasts, Saint Luke's Episcopal Church is a godsend. Since 1999, the familiar edifice, at 20 University Ave. in downtown Los Gatos, has been home to the Sunset Concerts, a showcase for world-class classical performances by small groups. With its 150-seat sanctuary and stellar acoustics, this is an ideal place to hear cozy, conversational tunes.
Sunset's 16th season kicks off 8 p.m. Jan. 31 with the piano trio Trio Cavatina, comprised of pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, violinist Harumi Rhodes and cellist Priscilla Lee. They will be joined by Rhodes' father, Samuel Rhodes, who retired last year as violist for the Juilliard String Quartet after 44 years.
The women formed Trio Cavatina in 2005 at the renowned Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont. Four years later they won the Naumburg International Chamber Music Competition, and in 2010 made their Carnegie Hall debut. That same year the trio played San Francisco for the first time, at Herbst Theater. The Jan. 31 concert will mark their bow with Sunset Concerts.
Lithunian-born Jokubaviciute, who has earned degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music and Mannes College of Music, appears regularly at international music festivals. Harumi Rhodes is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and Juilliard School, where she is assistant violin faculty. She's also professor of violin at Syracuse University. Lee, a California native, made her solo debut in 1998 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and was a member of the Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society Two for the 2006-2009 seasons.
Samuel Rhodes remains a part of Juilliard's faculty, where he has been since 1969. He was made chair of the viola department in 2002.
The program for Trio Cavatina and Samuel Rhodes will consist of Beethoven's Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.1 No. 1; Aaron Copland's Piano Quartet (1950); and the Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60, by Brahms.
Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $10 students at sunsetconcert.org or 408.354.4560.


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" Address: South Lanarkshire / Scotland ML11 9DB / Telephone: +44 1555 667200 "
New Lanark Mill Hotel
Regular readers of my reviews will know that I spend a lot of time driving up and down the length of the country between Essex and Scotland. This often necessitates an overnight stay which we try to choose with care. The need for a good night's sleep is paramount as we often have to drive for many hours the following day. We also have the added delight of the company of our dog that travels with us, so pet friendly is vital. This excludes the Premier Inn chain and many others who are not able to accept dogs at all.
For many occasions we choose the Days Inn or Holiday Inn/Express groups as they offer reasonable accommodation for good prices, and have convenient locations along the motorways and main routes into Edinburgh and Glasgow. However staying in these repeatedly can be monotonous so in recent years we have discovered some new alternatives for overnight stays - so I will introduce you to one of my favourites- The New Lanark Mill Hotel. Here are the details you need if you would like to book or to find out more:
New Lanark Mill Hotel
South Lanarkshire
Scotland ML11 9DB
tel: +44 1555 667200
email: email@example.com
Where Is It?
Driving to this hotel is a simple 25 minutes or so from the M74 junction 13 at Abington, and once there you are only an hour from Glasgow or Edinburgh, so it is an ideal spot if you want to tour this part of Scotland.
The Best Room Rates
I book with whoever can supply me with the cheapest room, and on recent occasions this has been Hotels.com. I have also clicked through from my favourite cash-back site at www.topcashback.co.uk where offers are frequent. The last room rate I enjoyed was £69 for two in a double room and this included a beautiful cooked breakfast. You can see why at this price it is certainly comparable with budget chains, and for reasons given below it is a good value option.
A Hotel With A History
The hotel itself is a restored 18th century cotton mill and is situated in New Lanark which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1785 this mill village was well known at the time for offering decent homes and fair pay for the workers. This was under the management of a man called Robert Owen who was a social pioneer. Today the hotel is owned by The New Lanark Trust who is dedicated to the restoration and upkeep of the site, and all profits from the hotel are ploughed back into the trust which enables the conservation work to continue. For me this makes the hotel just that little bit special.
A Gorgeous Setting
Set in a stunning riverside location in a dramatic gorge close to the Falls Of Clyde the hotel affords stunning views from all its rooms. For this reason it is popular with weddings and parties so weekends in particular can be booked up. This certainly gives the hotel a contrasting lively feel compared to the serenity of the weekdays. This is important as we have experienced both; and the service is certainly more personal and the guest accommodation in terms of lounge and bar areas more enjoyable, for me anyway, at less peak times. This has something to do with the position of the reception area which is in the foyer, and it is here that wedding guests congregate for pre-dinner drinks and it can be noisy. Midweek you can hear a pin drop- it is so different. The reception staff are much more attentive at quieter times as a major celebration can make conversations difficult to engage in. This I feel is due to the fact that the large imposing building actually only has 38 rooms, and if you book a busy weekend you could be filling the one or two empty rooms, so you are not going to be a high priority.
This is a traditional Scottish hotel and the ambience reflects this. It does tend to attract a more mature guest, and the communal areas are traditional rather than modern and contemporary. They almost feel like they have a ferry lounge atmosphere and the ceilings are low. I am not overly keen on them myself, as although I do like the traditional style at times, this is certainly more towards the dated look. As we are usually staying only one night it is not especially important to us, but I would say that if you are planning to visit for longer, and to be hotel bound, then the ambience is not something I would rave about in the downstairs areas. The yellow walls and rusty orange curtains surround curve backed duck egg blue, red, and green upholstered chairs and the overall feel is of a corridor. I am not waxing lyrical about this, and in my view needs an overall. The reception area has some armchairs and settees, but these are very traditional indeed, and again questionable in my mind as to their attractiveness.
The Bedrooms
The bedrooms are something quite different and I am impressed by them, except for a couple of minor points. For a hotel where rooms can be purchased at the sort of rates I mentioned these are superb. They are very large indeed and many have an additional single bed. All have lovely pure white bed linen, lots of pillows, and a bathroom which is luxurious in every aspect. They have a power shower, luxury toiletries, fluffy white towels, and are beautifully fitted with spotlessly clean tiling and are in my opinion outstanding. The views from the window are breathtaking as you see the river directly beneath you in the valley below. Some of the rooms view the conservation village, but we have always been given the stunning river views
The room has a 32" flat screen TV, trouser press, hair dryer, kettle and lots of teas, coffees and biscuits to enjoy. The bed is so comfortable and spacious- I have slept so well every time I have visited. My only criticism would be that the décor in terms of tables and bedside cabinets is a little dated for my taste. I think the designer had a love affair with teak shades, and it does need looking at because the rest of the room is simply outstanding.
A Hearty Breakfast
Breakfast as I mentioned is served in the dining room and is beautiful. A self service array of everything you could wish for all beautifully presented and cooked. The restaurant also offers evening meals and lunches, and prides itself on using seasonal and local ingredients, but I have yet to sample any of these.
Other Points
Dogs are welcome in the hotel, as long as you warn them first as they do reserve certain rooms for them. There are also a selection of waterhouses which are self-catering and these hug the river, but are only available to book for stays of 2 nights or more. Be careful if you book using an online agent, because on one occasion I secured a room for one night in these, and arrived to find that it was not available as it should not have been sold on a one night basis. I never did uncover who was responsible for the error, but they were obliging and apologetic to a degree, and gave us a room in the hotel and a free breakfast. This was on a night when the hotel was full due to a wedding, which is also why I say be a little bit careful if you enjoy peace and quiet. I feel this would have been dealt with more attentively if we had experienced this on a quieter evening.
The hotel has four rooms which are specially fitted out for disabled guests and there is designated parking very close to reception.There is also a pool and spa and a gym as you would expect for a modern hotel.
The joy for me in staying at this hotel is that the riverside walks from the hotel are just beautiful, and I feel the site has more atmosphere than almost any other hotel I have stayed in around the lowlands, with the possible exception of the De Vere's Barony Castle near Peebles, which also has an impressive location.
Final Thoughts
The hotel has a picturesque site and stunning bathrooms and the rooms are very spacious indeed. The breakfast is superb, and the price is a bargain if you can secure a good rate with an online agent. The negatives for me are a resemblance in the lounge areas to the rather ferry like passenger accommodation you see on Hebridean ferries as they ply across The Minch. The low ceilings and the classical chairs need upgrading, and the point I made about choosing your dates carefully if you want to avoid gate crashing a wedding in full swing is important. Apart from this I can't rate the hotel highly enough- on a mid week night you can be assured of a beautiful room overlooking a stunning setting, and the delicious breakfast sets you up for the day ahead however far you have to travel.
This review is also posted on Ciao under my user name Violet1278.
The New Lanark Mill Hotel is an unusual hotel, once a working mill, now restored to a fully functioning hotel and located right in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel itself is part of New Lanark an 18th Century cotton mill & village built on the banks of the River Clyde and surrounded by woodlands. The hotel has 38 en-suite bedrooms, eight river side cottages, a restaurant, a function room, a bar and a pool/spa area. The visitor centre part of the world heritage site is part of the same trust, but is not reviewed here as we did not visit that area.
So how do you find New Lanark, well from the South (I don't know of the northern way) it is best to come up the M74 and hang a right at junction 12 to Lanark on the A70/A73 and follow the brown tourist signs saying 'New Lanark' with a Scottish thistle emblem next to the words. It takes about 15 minutes from the motorway to get to Lanark 'old' town and then less than five to New Lanark. At New Lanark ignore the signs directing cars to the car park above the village. As a hotel guest you can turn right and drive down to the village. In the village you will need to drive carefully for there are speed bumps and wandering pedestrians as you turn right into the visitor centre area. Turning almost 180 degrees drive down past a man-made waterway over sharper speed bumps, the hotel is the eastern most of the large mill buildings and car parking is in front and to the right rear of the hotel.
The hotel has been modernised to meet today's comforts without losing any of its original structure or charm. It has six floors, which are long and narrow, the rooms are mostly on the top two floors facing the river with the function room in the middle and the restaurant on floor 2, the ground floor has the reception, bar and spa.
The reception is to the right of the doors with a lounge area, there are lifts and stairs to the upper floors with a set near the reception and another to the left behind the bar area. The Falls bar is open from 11am to 11pm every day it is small and a little on the dark side. The spa which can be found behind the bar area is new and quite modern. There is a gym, a steam room, sauna, a pool and a spa pool. Changing facilities are good and the whole spa is free for hotel guests. Things to note are that the spa also has non-hotel paying members and programmed things like aqua-fit in the pool. Also there is a restriction on times that children (even accompanied ones) are allowed in the pool. I cannot remember the times or the age limits, but they were not unreasonable restrictions and we were able to use the pool twice during our stay with our one year old daughter.
The Mill restaurant on the second floor is where we went for breakfast, it is open from 6.30am to 9.30am on week days and 8am to 10.30am at the weekends. The items available at breakfast included, cereals, fruits, juices, bread, and cooked items all as part of a serve yourself counter, with only coffee and teas provided by the waiting staff. Cooked foods on offer included, eggs (scrambled and fried), bacon, sausages, square sausage, tomatoes, beans, potato scones, black pudding and some sliced haggis. It was a good eat up for me in the morning and I didn't need much at lunch to keep me going in the daytime. As for the evening meals in the restaurant I cannot comment as we didn't have any meals then.
The bedroom was probably one of the most spacious rooms we've had in a while and this was thanks to the original design of the building as a long thin cotton mill. Too narrow to have rooms either side of the building the hotel builders placed the corridor on the land side and the rooms facing the River Clyde. The rooms are very large for two people, but perfect for a young family of three such as us. Our room (no.20)had a walk-in wardrobe area to the left of the door, a bathroom to the right and a good sized area with king size bed, chairs and drawers for TV, kettle and mirror overlooking the river.
The room was very well laid out and even with the inclusion of a cot for little BC2 it is massively oversized. The bathroom with toilet, sink and bath/shower all in white and clad in timber was nice and clean. Only thing that concerned us was the towel rail, which reached a low level and didn't have any user controls, hence we had to be careful when BC2 was being dried after a bath. Those hot white bars just attract those little hands in reaching over to grab it, despite all the 'No's' one can muster.
Now for the price, our room for bed and breakfast in 2008 was £59.60 per person, per night. For the cot we had to pay an additional £5 per stay so for two adults and a one year old it cost us £243.40 for the two nights we stayed. Other costs that a guest may have to pay for include a £20 single person supplement, Z-beds at £10 per stay, or well behaved pets at £5 per pet, per night. The prices for the one or two bedroom riverside cottages are variable depending on the time of year, so it is best to contact the hotel for prices if you wish to stay there.
In short the New Lanark Mill Hotel was ideal for us, it was quiet, well away from the masses and the room was spacious for our needs. Sure we probably paid a little extra for staying in a UNESCO world heritage site, but Lanark is not that well stocked with hotels and we needed to be nearby to visit family. Overall I can recommend the hotels as it clean, tidy and the staff are very helpful.
(c)2008 buzzard_cad
This review may be found on other review sites under the same username and is also written by me.
Useful stuff:
New Lanark Mill Hotel,
New Lanark,
Post Code: ML11 9DB
Experience the unique design of what was once an 18th century cotton mill.


text:
Kelly Clarkson Shares a Special Message with Seattle Children's Cancer Patients
Kelly Clarkson shares a special message with our young cancer patients, and they respond with their own messages of gratitude. See the video that started it all: youtu.be behind the scenes footage: youtu.be and learn how this project came to be: bit.ly Thanks to Kelly for taking the time to share this message, and to everyone involved in producing this video.
Video Rating: 4 / 5


text:
No worries if you forget your fishing poles and tackles boxes. You can sign them out at the front desk of Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center, within easy walking distance from Salt Fork Lake.
It was Labor Day weekend, and we had just lost our beloved 10-year-old Australian shepherd, Scooter.
My husband and I wanted to take our children's mind off their loss, and we couldn't yet face the thought of sleeping in our house without the dog that had been a constant presence in our lives.
So we packed up the car and headed to Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center in Cambridge for a two-day mental health break.
Although just a two-hour drive from Willoughby, Salt Fork feels like an entirely different universe.
Surrounded by 20,000 acres in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, Salt Fork is our largest state park. Boats with unlimited horsepower are allowed on the nearly 3,000-acre lake, and there is also a 400-foot swimming beach.
We rarely had a need or desire to leave the lodge during our long weekend.
Although the rainy weather meant only one long hike in the woods, we could also de-stress in both indoor and outdoor pools.
We also used the lodge's fitness center a couple times and played basketball outside.
But it was the lodge's indoor family activities that made me feel as if we were spending old-fashioned, quality family time together.
The game room does not have the typical violent video games that are popular today. Instead, activity center staff supervises air hockey and table tennis tournaments, or you can just play on your own.
Each day there are different special events. While we were there, the choices included family bingo, cane pole fishing, soap making, sack races, water balloon games, paintball and discounted one-hour pontoon tours.
One night, one of my sons and I got to know the lodge a lot better by taking part in a very challenging scavenger hunt.
Although we didn't win, we learned interesting trivia about the pine beam and stone hotel, which has 148 guestrooms with private balconies.
The area has quite an eclectic history.
Salt Fork was one of the first areas in the state to be settled by pioneers emigrating from the eastern seaboard.
In 1837, Benjamin Kennedy, one of the early Guernsey County residents, built a home from locally quarried stone cut into 3-foot-by-1-foot-by-1 foot blocks. The Stone House was home to several generations of Scots-Irish Kennedy descendants until 1966, when the home and surrounding area were bought by the state of Ohio. The Kennedy Stone House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Morgan's Raiders, a small group of Confederate Soldiers, went to Salt Fork -- which was named from a salt well used by American Indians -- while being pursued by Union troops.
During the 19th century, the area became known as a major producer of coal. The reservoir was originally supposed to be a water source for the city of Cambridge, but instead land was bought to create a state park.
Besides its thriving forest and appeal for avid birdwatchers, Salt Fork is also known for numerous Bigfoot sightings. The lodge has hosted all but one of 24 annual Ohio Bigfoot Conferences.
Travelers' checks
Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center
U.S. Route 22 East
Cambridge, OH 43725
saltforkstateparklodge.com; 740-435-9000
The 148-room lodge also has 53 cottages. There is also an 18-hole championship golf course, indoor/outdoor pools, tennis, volleyball, paintball, boat rentals and theme weekends.
Kennedy Stone House
14755 Cadiz Road
Lore City, OH 43755
wwwkennedystonehouse.org; 740-439-3521
In the middle of Salt Fork State Park, the Kennedy Stone House's blocks were quarried on the property and finely crafted in 1837. The house and nearby root cellar cost just $600 to build back then. The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975.


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Even though Christmas has come and gone, a reader is still bothered by the "farce" of non-Christians wishing others a Merry Christmas. How should she respond when a cab driver wearing a turban greets her this way next December?
Dear Miriam,
I know Christmas has come and gone, but this bothers me so much that I don't want to go another year without getting it off my chest. Every December, I find myself in a lot of situations where someone who is obviously not Christian — my cab driver wearing a Sikh turban, for example — wishes me a Merry Christmas. If I don't respond back with, "Merry Christmas," I feel rude, but if I do, I feel disingenuous. I'm all for wishing a Merry Christmas to people who actually celebrate, but why this farce between non-Christians? What is the appropriate response when I find myself in this situation?
Goyishe Greeting
Dear Greeting,
I firmly believe that the "holiday season" is a time for Jews in America to find ways not to take themselves or the proliferation of Christianity masquerading as American culture too seriously. I can't speak for Americans of any other religion, but for approximately one month out of every year, I think it's OK, and even appropriate, for us to accept the fact that the vast majority of our fellow Americans are celebrating a holiday that we aren't.
When someone says, "Merry Christmas," to me, I often say, "You, too," or "Happy holidays," just in case they're not celebrating Christmas — though I suspect that if someone says it to me, they're celebrating themselves. In the case of your cab driver and others who are definitely not Christian, I would view their use of the greeting as a way to integrate themselves into mainstream American society. Though I've never been in the situation myself, I can imagine why a non-Christian and/or non-American-born cab driver would want to appear as savvy about American culture as possible — comfort and camaraderie with riders, possibly leading to a better experience for everyone involved and maybe a bigger tip. I can also imagine why a non-Christian and/or non-American-born anyone living in America would seek out common ground with Christmas-celebrating Americans.
There are all kinds of books and articles about how racial identity has affected Jews in America, but the current common understanding is that most Ashkenazi Jews can "pass" as white. Your cab driver in a turban, or anyone in a variety of other religiously identified garb, probably doesn't have the luxury of passing, while you probably do. (I know a variety of assumptions are going into this response, so if I'm wrong about any of them, hopefully I'm still providing a perspective that's helpful, even if the specifics are off.) When you can easily be mistaken for a member of the mainstream majority, it's easier to be indignant when you're mistaken for a member of the mainstream majority. When you can't be mistaken as such, it makes sense to ingratiate yourself to that majority wherever you can.
All of this is a lot of pseudo-sociological circles around my simple answer: Say, "Merry Christmas," or "Happy holidays," or whatever you want that's polite and reflects the same spirit of peace on earth/goodwill towards men (and women!) as the greeter shared with you. It may feel like a farce, and sure, on one level it's a totally arbitrary adoption of the dominant culture's expectations. On another level, maybe it's a chance to share a friendly moment, maybe with a wink. If you really can't stand the whole exchange, go ahead and say, "Actually, I don't celebrate Christmas, and I don't think you do either, but have a nice night." But I don't think that will be more satisfying. You could always try to preempt the inevitable, "Merry Christmas," with your own "Happy holidays," then wait to see how the other party responds. At least for now, you have almost a year before you have to worry about this again.
Until then, be well,


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With trade derailed since August by a phytosanitary dispute, U.S. apple industry leaders in January are still working to reopen the Chinese market for U.S. exports of red and golden delicious apples.
Chinese authorities said they closed the market because of post harvest decay and disease issues, said Jim Archer, manager of Northwest Fruit Exporters, Yakima, Wash.
The market was officially closed Aug. 9, though Chinese honored some import permits after that, Archer said.
While overall Washington apple exports are up 7% this season, shipments to China are down, Archer said. Only 14,000 cartons were shipped to China through Jan. 9 during the 2012-13 season, compared to whole season totals of 408,538 cartons in 2011-12 and 784,000 cartons in 2010-11.
Archer said the Washington apple industry and government authorities visited with Chinese officials in Washington Dec. 10, but there has been no official response from China about the visit.
He said Chinese authorities have suggested in the past that growers apply pre-harvest fungicides throughout the growing season in addition to the application of post-harvest fungicides.
"That's a fairly tall order for the entire crop," he said.
Archer said there is no way to know what lots will be exported to China during the growing season, so the entire crop would have to be treated to comply with the Chinese suggestion.
The Chinese market has declined in importance over the past couple of years because of what Archer believes are harassing tactics by Chinese authorities.
"In many cases the detections are not documented and there has been a serious lag time in reporting those," he said.
Archer said incidents have gone unreported as long as eight or nine months.
"We have offered (to withhold) what they think were offending lots if we received prompt notification, but that hasn't been forthcoming," Archer said.
Archer said Jan. 9 that Washington sources were waiting for official word from China on possible next steps.
One issue that may complicate U.S. efforts is China's strong desire for progress on their long sought quest to gain access to the U.S. market for fresh apples, Archer said.


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(CBS/AP) PRETORIA, South Africa - Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius told a packed courtroom Tuesday that he shot his girlfriend to death because he thought she was a robber. But the prosecutor argued it was premeditated murder.
PICTURES: Olympic athlete charged with murder
In an affidavit read by his lawyer at Pistorius' bail hearing, the double amputee said he felt vulnerable because he did not have on his prosthetic legs when he shot bullets into the locked bathroom door. Then he realized that model Reeva Steenkamp was not in his bed, Pistorius said.
"It filled me with horror and fear," he said.
He put on his prosthetic legs, tried to kick down the door and then bashed it in with a cricket bat to find 29-year-old Steenkamp shot inside. He said he ran downstairs with her, but "she died in my arms."
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel charged 26-year-old Pistorius with premeditated murder on Tuesday, alleging he took the time to put on his legs and walk some seven yards from the bed to the bathroom door before opening fire. A conviction of premeditated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in jail.
Pistorius was born without fibula bones and had them amputated when he was 11-months-old. The man was known as Blade Runner because of his running prostheses, and gained international attention for overcoming adversity last year by becoming the first double-amputee track athlete to run at the Olympics. Steenkamp was a model and law graduate who made her debut on a South African reality TV program that was broadcast on Saturday just two days after her death.
The magistrate ruled that Pistorius faces the harshest bail requirements available in South African law.
Nel told the court that Pistorius fired into the door of a small bathroom where Steenkamp was hiding after a shouting match. He fired four times and three bullets hit Steenkamp, the prosecutor said.
"She couldn't go anywhere. You can run nowhere," Nel said. "It must have been horrific."
Pistorius' lawyer, Barry Roux, insisted that the shooting was an accident and that there was no evidence to substantiate a murder charge.
"Was it to kill her, or was it to get her out?" he asked about the broken-down door. "We submit it is not even murder. There is no concession this is a murder."
He said the state provided no evidence that the couple quarreled nor offered a motive.
Nel rebutted: "The motive is 'I want to kill.'"
Steenkamp's body was being cremated Tuesday at a memorial service in the south-coast port city of Port Elizabeth. The family said members arrived from around the world. Six pallbearers carried her coffin, draped with a white cloth and covered in white flowers, into the church for the private service.


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County scores well on access to food, dentists
Ukiah Daily Journal -
A report detailing how the state's counties are performing in nearly 30 indicators of children's health and well-being is now available online.
Called "The 2012 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being," the report is prepared by Children Now, described as a "multi-issue research and advocacy group for children in California."
The report provides measures and trend analyses for 28 key indicators such as "third-graders who read at grade level," "12th-graders who graduate on time," and "Children who are in a healthy weight zone."
The report also shows how each county's performance compares to the state's 57 other counties by placing it in the "Top," "Middle" or "Bottom" range, and gives the state average and breaks out performance by race/ethnicity.
"(The Scorecard) highlights where California's policymakers need to do a better job of crafting solutions that meet all kids' needs, whether they live in a low-income rural county or urban center, are African American or Latino," said Ted Lempert, president of Children Now. "Our public policies should work equally well for all children, but this report shows they're not."
The report indicates that the 21,061 children living in Mendocino County scored in the top third in four categories, the middle third in 14 categories and in the bottom third in eight.
The eight categories at the bottom include: third-graders who read a grade level (27 percent); seventh-graders who meet or exceed state standards in math (39 percent); children who are in a healthy weight zone (64 percent); schools that have a health center (none) and children in the child welfare system who have stability in their placement (69 percent).
The four categories the county scored in the top third are: high school science classes taught by a "highly qualified teacher" (97 percent); eligible students who eat free or reduced-price breakfasts during the school year (41 percent); asthmatic children who have been given an asthma management program (42 percent) and children in the child welfare system who have visited a dentist in the last year (88 percent).
Read the report online at www.childrennow.org


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Otley are holding fire before deciding whether to appeal to the Rugby Football Union over the deduction of five SSE National League Two North points by the National Clubs' Association (NCA).
The sanction was imposed because Otley fielded an ineligible player in Alexander Beaumont against Harrogate on December 21.
But, buoyed by their vital 20-11 victory at Sheffield Tigers last Saturday, Otley may decide not to continue their appeal and involve the governing body.
Otley's secretary Marc Lawrence explained: "If we win at home to Leicester Lions on Saturday, we may decide to take our medicine, whereas if we lose we may decide to appeal to the RFU, who we feel have some culpability in the matter.
"The appeal verdict from NCA disciplinary secretary Brian Vincent was dated February 16 and was e-mailed to us on February 17, so we have 14 days in which to appeal from that date.
"We have put pen to paper and composed a response and are just waiting to see the result of Saturday's match before deciding what to do."
The victory at Dore Moor last weekend put Otley 21 points ahead of the third and highest relegation place, which is currently occupied by Tigers.
However, the Sheffield club do have two games in hand and, apart from themselves, have the rest of the bottom five teams to play (Otley are sixth from bottom).
Lawrence called last Saturday's win "our best of the season", adding: "It was a complete team performance.
"The game-plan was to keep possession in the second half, and that denied Sheffield the chance to kick the ball with the strong wind and put us under extreme pressure."


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The goal of this project is to determine the general consensus on Pacers Digest of who the best players are at each position in the NBA: Center, Power Forward, Small Forward, Shooting Guard, and Point Guard.
However, do not worry about the positions. I have tried to put everyone at their proper position, but what I am trying to do here is vote for the best overall player, at the position I happened to put them. The objective of each poll is to determine the best player listed, not the best pure positional player.
This thread is to vote for the best remaining center in the NBA. You have 24 hours from the time this thread is posted to vote!
Once each position has 30 players ranked, the project will end, and a final tally will be posted in a new thread.
The top centers so far, as voted by Pacers Digest members, are:
#1 Shaquille O'Neal
#2 Yao Ming
#3 Dwight Howard
#4 Ben Wallace
#5 Amare Stoudemire
#6 Chris Kaman
#7 Marcus Camby
#8 Brad Miller
#9 Zydrunas Ilgauskas
#10 Nenad Krstic
#11 Alonzo Mourning
#12 Andrew Bogut
#13 Jamaal Magloire
#14 Eddy Curry
#15 Nene
Today's nominees* for best center remaining are:
Primoz Brezec
P.J. Brown
Tyson Chandler
Samuel Dalembert
David Harrison
Jeff Foster
Chris Mihm
Nazr Mohammed
Zaza Pachulia
Joel Przybilla
Kurt Thomas
* I can't please everyone with the position I put certain guys, so the way I see it is this:
If I've made such a colossal mistake, it can easily be corrected by you, the voter. How? I will always have "Other" as an option. All you have to do is vote for it, and state for the record in a reply which player you thought deserved the vote. If the majority of people do this, then that player will still win this poll. It just takes a little more effort then two clicks of the mouse. But if you're too lazy to do that, then you have no right to whine about it later.


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Leading Thought, Shaping the WorldWe excel in developing principled, innovative thought leaders in global communities. The Jones School is committed to faculty that helps us achieve our mission.ApplyingFaculty positions in the Jones School are open-rank (except where noted). We have a strong preference for experienced scholars. Senior applicants must prove both a record of publishing in top journals as well as excellent teaching abilities. Junior applicants must demonstrate quantifiable potential for excellence in scholarship and teaching.Applicants of diverse ethnicities are encouraged to apply. It is the policy of Rice University to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. Accordingly, Rice University does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status in its admissions, its educational programs, or employment of faculty or staff.Open Positions:
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For more information about Careers at the Jones Graduate School of Business, please visit the Careers at the Jones Graduate School of Business section of the website.


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Struggling Pacer Roy Hibbert expects to live up to $58M deal, surpass Dwight Howard as top center
Marc J. Spears @SpearsNBAYahooIndiana's Roy Hibbert isn't averaging double-digits in points but is being paid double digits in millions of dollars this season. Even so, the regressing former All-Star center is confident he will eventually be the NBA's best at his position.
"People said I wouldn't be in the NBA," said Hibbert, the highest-paid Pacer at $13.8 million this season. "People said I wouldn't be a starting center, this, that and the other. I just prove people wrong. I'm having a slump right now, but in the grand scheme of things I'm going to turn it around and hopefully be the best when it's all said and done."
Roy Hibbert got a big extension this past summer with the Pacers. (AP)
Hibbert aims to top Dwight Howard as the widely accepted best center in the NBA. A fake Hibbert Instagram account took a shot at Howard recently and gained some traction on the Internet before it was debunked – "I'm the best center in the league #[expletive]Dwight" it read.
"That wasn't me, but I will be the best center in the league one day," Hibbert said.
The Pacer's big man has some work to do. Through 20 games, Hibbert is averaging 9.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. He's currently at career-lows in field-goal percentage (38) and free-throw percentage (62). It's a far cry from last season's start, when he averaged 13.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in his first 33 games, numbers good enough to earn his first All-Star appearance as an Eastern Conference reserve.
After leaving All-Star weekend in Orlando, Hibbert has gone backward offensively and earning a big new contract this past summer – $58 million over four years – hasn't helped improve his game.
[Related: Is honeymoon already over for Michael Beasley and Suns?]
"The contract? I really haven't thought about it," Hibbert said. "My life really hasn't changed that much since the contract happened."
What has changed on the court for Hibbert is the way teams are guarding him. Every game, Pacers coach Frank Vogel calls an offensive play for Hibbert early in an attempt to get him going. Vogel said Hibbert is a target now because he was an All-Star last season. Also, the absence of Pacers forward Danny Granger (knee injury) allows defenses to double-team Hibbert easier in the post.
Hibbert says the inconsistent Pacers (10-10) are also "getting every team's best" after advancing to the Eastern semifinals last season for the first time since 2005.
"He's playing with physicality," Vogel said. "His shots are going in and out. We believe they are going to come."
To improve mentally, he continues to see a sports psychologist for help in his quest to being an elite NBA center. He has been seeing Indiana-based sports psychologist Chris Carr since 2008, his rookie season. Hibbert tries to see Carr weekly and sometimes after home games. He has learned meditating exercises that he uses pre-game to get ready.
[Related: David Stern wants to stamp out 'Hack-a-Shaq']
Hibbert also has been keeping a daily basketball journal since the start of the year to give him reminders of past game plans, and what has gone right and wrong. Citing Lakers forward Metta World Peace, Hibbert says using a psychologist should be embraced.
"Physically everything is there," Hibbert said. "I just got to get over some stuff. It's more mental with me than anything. I'm getting to the [floor] spots I want to get to, but the shots aren't dropping that usually drop. It's taking a little longer than I expected, but I still talk to him and it's been working."
Y! Sports story: What struggling NBA center not named Dwight Howard said he will be the league's best center one day? http://yhoo.it/SGwCuM


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New Orleans —Margaret and Scott Douglass, of Sugarland, Texas, boarded the Carnival Triumph in Galveston on Feb. 7 to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary with the first vacation they've taken alone together in as many years.
A week later, the couple was still on the Triumph, close enough to the Alabama coast to see land — "We could swim there,'' Margaret Douglass said Thursday from the vessel by cellphone — but trapped on what she described as a listing, reeking cruise ship.
The cruise to Cozumel was supposed to be a short one — four days and one port of call.
The first two days, Friday at sea and Saturday at Cozumel, were perfect, Margaret Douglass said.
But about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, she heard an announcement: "Alpha team report to Level Zero.''
She said she immediately knew that meant there was a problem.
"I got into Titanic mode,'' she said.
She got dressed and went into the corridor, where she could smell smoke and noticed that all the fire doors were closed. When she opened a door, she said, the stairwells were filled with smoke.
The ship's crew announced about 6:15 a.m. that a fire had occurred in the engine room but it was too hot for anyone to go inside to check, she said. That announcement was repeated throughout the day.
The passengers were finally told, at about 8 p.m., that there would be no more power, she said.
Initial attempts to tow the Triumph, with one tugboat from Mobile and another from Progresso, Mexico, failed, Douglass said.
The line on the Mexican boat broke four times in the attempt, she said, something she said was frightening because the Triumph shuddered with each break.
Days of misery followed, without power, without water and without hot food, she said. Passengers were instructed to urinate into the shower drains and were given red bags for solid waste, she added.
But because the boat had no power, it was listing, Douglass said, making it harder to use the shower as a urinal. Douglass said she and her husband used cups, so they could pour carefully into the drain. But when she went to another level of the ship, she said, the reek of waste was overwhelming, and the carpets were soaked.
"It was disgusting,'' she said.
Food was mostly limited to cold offerings, she said, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches for the most part, although she noted that the U.S. Coast Guard had brought in Sterno on Wednesday night, so passengers had hot eggs Thursday morning.
Douglass and her husband plan to salvage what they can of their anniversary trip by spending a few days in New Orleans, where their son, Sean, lives.
Passengers were told they would arrive in Mobile, Ala., Thursday night, she said. They were given the option of being taken directly to Galveston by motor coach, she said. Everyone else would be taken to New Orleans on Thursday night to stay at the Hilton Riverside, although Douglass said that they were told it could end up being somewhere else. Douglass said she and her husband decided to take no chances and booked their own room.
She also made sure that her family was taking care of business back home. A sign that she made and posted for her balcony was filmed by CNN. The message: "Sean, Kyle, Conner, I love you. Clean the cat box."


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Braddock District Constituent Day July 29
July 17, 2009
News Highlights
More Information
Residents in the Braddock District are invited to attend a Constituent Day with Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook on Wednesday, July 29, from 5-8 p.m., at Little Run Elementary School, 5411 Olley Lane, Fairfax. No registration or appointment is needed.
There is no set agenda, no podium for speeches and no panel forum, just an open seat to sit and discuss concerns with the Braddock District supervisor. The initiative is an effort to have county government more accessible to residents.
In May, more than two dozen residents of the Braddock District turned out for the first Constituent Day at Oak View Elementary School. In the future, additional Constituent Days will take place in other parts of Braddock District.
For more information, contact the Braddock District Office at 703-425-9300, TTY 711.
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director, Office of Public Affairs
703-324-3189, TTY 711, Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711


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