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SOQUEL -- Marilyn Cronin was too sick to live. But she wasn't ready to die.
So she curled up on the sofa of her Soquel mobile home, next to a bucket for vomit, and cried. Suffering from liver failure and lung disease -- suspended between health and death -- she braced herself for the next hospitalization, then another, and perhaps still others, until the last one, when her suffering would end.
Then, unexpectedly, relief arrived: A cheerful nurse practitioner with a starched British accent pushed open the mobile home door and pulled up a chair.
For two hours, Karen Gossage just listened. Then the two women mapped out a plan: Which medicines might help. Where to get a walker. How to manage symptoms at home to prevent a midnight rush to the emergency room. Who would help her at the end.
What was extraordinary was not just the thoughtfulness of the conversation, but its rarity -- and, if replicated, how profoundly it could alter modern medicine. Simple steps to ease suffering, and save money, are the subject of this installment in our reporting on the emotional and financial cost of dying.
This seemingly simple, yet pioneering program -- known as "outpatient palliative care" -- is part of an experiment sponsored by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, soon to expand throughout much of the Bay Area. A similar innovation will appear in San Jose in the fall with the opening of the Palliative Care Center Silicon Valley, the first independent stand-alone facility of its type in California, run by Hospice of the Valley.
Palliative care is not hospice, which also focuses on emotional support and relieving symptoms for people in the final six months of a terminal illness. Palliative patients may have several years left.
And it does not require giving up the chase for a cure, as hospice does. In fact, palliative care can ease illnesses that aggressive treatments often trigger.
But neither is it a hospital, where aggressive care at each crisis can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Naps and Wimbledon
Palliative counseling enabled 77-year-old Joseph Weigand, also of Soquel, to enjoy oceanfront drives and trips to his beloved office -- and gave him the chance to stand his ground against dialysis at the end of his life. Gossage's gentle probing revealed that the quality, not quantity, of his life matters most to this deeply spiritual man with kidney, lung and heart ailments.
"It was start-to-finish information, and so very important and helpful," he said.
Life-prolonging dialysis? Not for him.
"It was the first I'd heard him say that," said his daughter Kathy Baazard, who is caring for him. Heavy-hearted, "I had to leave the room. He opened up, and said things that hadn't been said."
In Foster City, a palliative care home visit meant that retired Air Force flight surgeon Dr. John Meyers could nap and watch Wimbledon on TV, instead of undertaking a grueling trip to a clinic.
Because Meyers is weak and cannot walk, even a medical appointment is tough on the 83-year-old and his petite wife.
"It totally wipes him out," Susan Meyers said. "So it's comforting and a relief for me now to have a 'team' to work with me."
Without such support, it is natural for caregivers to panic when new symptoms appear, or old ones worsen. The medical maelstrom of a crisis may whisk away thoughtful choices on the conveyor belt from the ER to the intensive care unit.
"If someone's only real resource for symptom control is the hospital, can you blame them for going?" said Dr. Neal Slatkin, chief medical officer of Hospice of the Valley, which will open Palliative Care Center Silicon Valley.
"But why wait until someone feels so bad that they have to go?" he asked. "It's much more cost-effective and humane to better control the symptoms."
'Gray tsunami'
Yet, the high-cost health care system rolls on largely ignoring the kind of ongoing in-home care that Cronin, Meyers and Weigand received -- even though reducing ER visits and repeated hospitalizations saves society bundles of money. One study showed a $7,000 savings per hospital admission for palliative care patients compared with those without palliative care.
And as the population ages, the costs will soar. Today, 47 million Medicare beneficiaries cost the nation a half-trillion dollars a year. In 2020, when the "gray tsunami" engulfs the nation, 89 million people will be on Medicare and the cost of care will be staggering.
One reason is that U.S. health care's "fee for service" system rewards quantity of care by paying providers for each procedure, test or clinic visit. That leads to cascading costs as ailing elders repeatedly receive expensive high-tech care.
High-tech treatments also buoy doctors' economic value. A little-known "relative value unit" measures everything a doctor does, with higher scores for sophisticated treatment and lower scores for face-to-face time. For instance, Medicare awards 2 units for a 15-minute office visit about a fever and sore throat. Forty minutes of office counseling for a patient with multiple chronic illnesses gets 4 units. A coronary bypass surgery counts for more than 60..
A better approach?
Doctors earn no units at all for conversations about end-of-life planning, family conferences or coordinating care with oncologists, radiologists, cardiologists or other doctors -- even though such efforts limit 911 calls and hospitalizations, reducing costs to society.
"There is a reason why outpatient palliative care has not exploded onto the American medical scene -- because the reimbursement is relatively so poor," Slatkin said.
So Alzheimer's patients get feeding tubes and 90-year-olds get colonoscopies, but few have discussions about the decisions that could spare them expensive and often futile treatments.
And without insurer support, home-based palliative care is a losing proposition. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation expects to lose $1 million per year, or 30 cents on every dollar it spends. Palliative Care Center Silicon Valley will take three to four years to break even and will ultimately rely, in part, on philanthropy.
A "pay for value" approach, palliative care advocates say, would make our system cheaper and better. But you won't find this approach in the new national health care reform plan.
President Barack Obama's original legislation included Medicare payments for counseling about end-of-life choices as part of the annual physical examinations. When former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called these discussions "death panels," the provision disappeared.
There are exceptions: Kaiser Permanente offers in-home palliative care to its members, recognizing that it reduces their need and use of high-tech end-of-life treatments. Some hospices offer home care to patients who need skilled care, but only for a few weeks.
And about half of the state's hospitals offer palliative care -- but only to patients in the institutions' beds. They depend on it to shorten patient stays and reduce quick readmissions, which Medicare does not cover.
Will the approach spread?
Experts expect that the relief of suffering and the cost savings seen in experiments like those in the Bay Area will encourage the public and policymakers to see palliative care as promising an option for seriously ill people as it has been for Cronin.
Asking, what if?
The cure was Cronin's secret: Between her despair and delirium, she dreamed of recovery.
She is only 58. And a monthlong hospitalization for liver failure and lung disease scared her so profoundly that she quit cold turkey a lifelong addiction to cigarettes. She also stopped her daily bourbon-and-Cokes.
Sober, she hoped to swim again in her brother's pool in Los Banos and visit relatives in Red Bluff. Maybe she would even get on a liver transplant list.
But wrenching pain, exhaustion, nausea, piercing chills and slow suffocation drained her hopes.
"I was miserable. I had diarrhea all the time. I was throwing up all the time. I was just laying here every day, pulled up with a blanket, I was so cold," said the former waitress. "What I wanted to do was just die."
With Gossage's help, suddenly she had a plan: methadone or Dilaudid for pain, nebulizers for breathlessness, and Haldol for vomiting. They ordered a walker, shower seat and portable toilet. A social worker linked her with Alcoholics Anonymous, worked out payment for Cronin's caregiving partner and helped her plan end-of-life choices. A "care manager" coordinated the entire plan, like an orchestra conductor.
The goal of palliative care is to "give people the tools to do the 'what if?' thinking," said Palo Alto Medical Foundation palliative care physician Dr. Sharon Tapper.
She conceived an 18-month trial of palliative care house calls in Santa Cruz and guides its expansion on the Peninsula and in the East Bay. "We try to anticipate: 'What if he gets short of breath? Or her chest pain comes back? Or if constipation gets worse?'
"If you have a proper system," she said, "you can troubleshoot a lot of the things that people call 911 for."
Cronin's suffering has largely abated in the four months since nurse Gossage first visited the mobile home. She made it to Los Banos and Red Bluff. The ashtrays and bottles are gone, and she's strong enough to clean the living room.
And she has a new friend.
"She's a big support," Cronin said, hugging nurse Gossage. "Without her, I'd probably be dead right now."
Contact Lisa M. Krieger at 650-492-4098.
Palliative care -- from the Latin "palliare," which means "to cloak" -- grew out of the hospice movement of the 1970s.
It is care that helps patients with life-limiting illness in their final years. Its managers guide patients through difficult choices in planning for care and treatment and managing symptoms and spiritual, social and psychological issues.
Palliative care sharply contrasts in cost and patient experience with the prevalent end-of-life care in hospitals. Many studies confirm the high costs of physically and emotionally draining treatment for failing elderly people, who often end up in the most expensive and chaotic hospital environment: the emergency room.
Upcoming events with staff writer Lisa M. Krieger:
Noon-1 p.m. July 23: Join Krieger in an online discussion of what palliative care means for patients with Dr. Sharon Tapper, medical director, Palliative Care and Support Services at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and Dr. Neil Slatkin, chief medical officer with Hospice of the Valley, at www.mercurynews.com/cost-of-dying.
12:45-1:30 p.m. July 28: "Planning a Good Death," part of a free "Successful Aging" event (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) for seniors at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Details at www.pamf.org/successfulaging.
7:30 p.m. July 30: Moderating "How Doctors Die," a panel discussion about giving patients more choices in their final days. Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. www.zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=546
ONLINE extra
Read other stories that are part of the Cost of Dying coverage, see documents meant to give you more control over your end-of-life care and check out other people's comments on their experiences at www.mercurynews.com/cost-of-dying.


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Train our veterans to lead the revitalization of manufacturingMar 2, 2012 By Keith D. Nosbusch, For MCT News Service
MILWAUKEE -- President Obama has called for revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, while also promising to create 20,000 jobs for unemployed veterans. Both are laudable goals. So why not combine them?
Right now 600,000 manufacturing jobs are going begging because the highly skilled people needed to fill them are not available.
That hardly seems rational. With unemployment unacceptably high and many skeptics writing off the future of U.S. manufacturing, we have more than a half-million such jobs right here in America with no one trained to fill them.
Obama says he wants to spend $1 billion to create police and public works jobs for veterans. But for that same amount of money, he could train those 20,000 veterans in a 26-week program to maintain the automation, machines and technology used in today's highly productive "smart factories."
That's 20,000 more people working in high-paying jobs in the private sector who would help revitalize America's manufacturing, keep employment in the United States and maintain national security by expanding our critical, high-tech production capabilities.
The shortage of skilled workers is one of the top challenges slowing industrial growth in the United States. Technical colleges won't be able to keep up with demand as an estimated 2.6 million people retire from the manufacturing sector over the next decade.
It's time for business and government to work together in a public-private partnership. Obama can boldly refurbish America's rust belt by awarding the $1 billion grant to train veterans in the manufacturing jobs of the future.
The rigorous 26-weeks of training will guarantee a job for these vets and quite possibly the kind of lifetime employment that results in a good life for them and their children.
This is not a risky proposition. My company, Rockwell Automation, and others like it around the country take pride in our ability to train workers for lifetime jobs working on today's super-sophisticated assembly lines.
The returning vets waiting to take these jobs will see shiny new factories that have made quantum leaps in terms of safety and cleanliness from the dingy and dangerous plants their grandparents may have worked in after World War II.
And bear in mind that every new job created in a smart factory also creates three, four or more non-manufacturing jobs essential to supply and support it. The 20,000 veterans that could be trained to work in these plants will create an additional 60,000 to 80,000 jobs in fields other than manufacturing because of that multiplier effect.
The non-manufacturing jobs I am talking about support smart factories and often pay as much as the manufacturing jobs themselves. For example, when that smart factory triples or quadruples production using new machines, robots and technology operated by these skilled veterans, it triples or quadruples the number of well paying logistics and transportation jobs to distribute those products.
More computers in factories create more high-paying information technology sales, support and service jobs. Entrepreneurs are also creating jobs in businesses that analyze manufacturing data to make factories run faster, cheaper, better.
Obama and Congress can start the United States down the road toward this success story with a wise decision to fund smart manufacturing skills training for 20,000 veterans. It will help our deserving veterans, and go a long way toward making American manufacturing the world's competitive leader once again.
Editor's note: Keith D. Nosbusch is chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee, Wisc.

subset: commoncrawl


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photo credit: Kaminski/Splash News
Katie Holmes wears her cute summer hat with denim shorts (Get our picks for the best jean shorts for summer!)
Anthropologie fleeting peony hat, $78
This hat makes a statement on its own! Pair it with a black bathing suit and big sunglasses for a movie star moment.
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The perfect printed hat and crushable so you can throw it in your beach bag! The design on this would pair perfectly with white linen.
– Amber Herring
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KEYWORDS: Amber Herring,denim shorts,Tame That Trend


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I'm curious how your normal meditation breaks down into the following objects of meditation.
Attention on breath
Rest of body
Vedana (feeling tone)
Mental contents
Mental condition
5 hindrances
Drifting off not being mindful
I'm also curious what technique you usually follow:
Mahasi Sayadaw rapid noting
IMs/Kornfield, etc.: slow movement between objects of meditation
Body sweeping
Undirected just sitting there
Following anapanasati steps


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Yamaha RX11 and Ekdahl Moisterizer by thingstocome
Here's some samples and photos from my latest eBay splurge. There's something special about a vintage drum machine. I can't place what it is but the sound and groove is just "it". The recorded waveforms have more valleys and peaks than ITB synthesized drums. Panning seems wider. This Yamaha RX11 from the early 80s is really large, heavy and built like a tank. Pure joy for $50.
"The RX11 was one of Yamaha's early drum machines (maybe even their first?) and as you can see from the panel cosmetics, it comes from the same era as their DX synths. At the time, it was a marvel – a (relatively) low-cost programmable drum machine with 29 'real' drum samples and no less than 12 individual audio outputs." – hollowsun.com/vintage/rx11/
For more info: harmony-central.com/reviews/RX-11/


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NEIL Taylor's Division Two table toppers Steeple Ashton continued their bid for an immediate return to Division One with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at third-placed Bratton.
Bratton led through a Chris Storey goal on 10 minutes but they were pegged back before half time when Guy Rowley scored from the penalty spot to restore parity for Ashton.
Ashton got their noses in front in the second period with Gary Collins pounced on a goal keeping error to give them a 2-1 lead but they were unable to keep their advantage as a penalty from D J Wheeler bagged Bratton their share of the points.
Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves 2 Worton & Cheverell 3
TROWBRIDGE Wanderers Reserves saw their promotion aspirations suffer a blow after they were beaten 3-2 by a Worton & Cheverell side who had suffered defeat by the same scoreline when they teams met back in September.
Wanderers went 2-0 up, Will Bayley scoring a header from a Mike Ritson corner and Dan Hall doubling the score with a crisp 10 yard finish from the outside of his boot.
Worton fought their way back into the game and it was game on when Martin Dickinson netted before half time.
Worton fashioned an equaliser in the second half with Carl Ledbury making it two apiece and although both teams searched for a winner it was Worton who came up trumps as a second of the afternoon from Dickinson saw them pick up their third excellent result on the bounce.
Westbury Town 1 Heytesbury 1
WITH their pitch in Bratton under water Westbury Town opted to make the short trip to relegation threatened Heytesbury to save a fixture and both sets of players were rewarded for their efforts as the spoils were shared following a 1-1 draw.
Westbury took a first half lead through a third goal of the season from James Reeves but with 10 minutes remaining Paul Arnold netted the goal that earned Heytesbury their point.
MATCH OFF: Broughton Gifford v Calne Eagles.
TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE ROUNDUP, STATS AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport and @WTSport


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Dov A. Waisman
Associate Professor of Law
A.B., magna cum laude, Philosophy, 1995 Harvard College; M.S., Philosophy, 1999, University of California, San Diego; J.D., 2003, University of California, Los Angeles; Member, California State Bar
Phone: (213) 738-5733
Office: BW311
With two degrees in philosophy, Dov Waisman says he was drawn to that discipline and eventually law because he "love[s] to think analytically and love[s] to write." As a litigator, he devoted much of his time to writing memoranda, drafting motions and other pleadings, and extensive research.
Professor Waisman joined Southwestern in 2007 as a member of the LAWS faculty where he taught in the Trial Practice Track and emphasized with his students the need to "state things as succinctly as possible, get to the point quickly and anticipate their opponents' objections." In 2013, he became an Associate Professor of Law teaching in the areas of Contracts and Community Property. "In Contracts and other courses, I encourage students to ask not just what the law is in a given situation, but why the law is what it is," he said. "I like to see students get in the habit of identifying the deep policies, principles and values the law is intended to serve. This is critical to both the accurate analysis of legal problems and the effective representation of clients, and I think this will ultimately make them better lawyers."
"I like to see students get in the habit of identifying the deep policies, principles and values the law is intended to serve. This is critical to both the accurate analysis of legal problems and the effective representation of clients."
Prior to law school, Professor Waisman was a housing coordinator for Project Renewal in New York managing a permanent housing program for over 80 formerly homeless individuals, and as a research assistant for the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation in Los Angeles. After completing his law degree, he served as a litigation associate representing corporate clients for the firm of Sidley Austin, where he also supervised a group of 15 contract attorneys in a large document review project and served on the Pro Bono Committee. Just prior to joining the Southwestern faculty, he practiced family law as an associate with the firm of Harris - Ginsberg.
Professor Waisman was the recipient of the Harvard College Scholarship as an undergraduate and the University of California Regents Fellowship as a Masters student. In law school, he served on both the Moot Court Honors Program and the UCLA Journal of International Law & Foreign Affairs. He also worked as a judicial extern for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
A certified mediator with the Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services, Professor Waisman also serves on the American Arbitration Association's Expedited Commercial Panel. He was a founding member of the Advisory Board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, and received the organization's Criminal Justice Award in 2005.
Preserving Substantive Unconscionability, 43 SOUTHWESTERN LAW REVIEW (Symposium Issue, forthcoming 2014)
Reasonable Precaution for the Individual, 88 ST. JOHN'S LAW REVIEW (forthcoming 2014) (selected for presentation at 2014 Harvard-Stanford-Yale Junior Faculty Forum)
Negligence, Responsibility, and the Clumsy Samaritan: Is There a Fairness Rationale for the Good Samaritan Immunity?, 29 GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW 609 (2013); reprinted in 86 DEFENSE LAW JOURNAL 141, Issue 2 (May 2014)
Selected AchievementsSelected for Presentation at 2014 Harvard-Stanford-Yale Junior Faculty Forum, Reasonable Precaution for the Individual,
88 ST. JOHN'S LAW REVIEW (forthcoming 2014)Criminal Justice Award, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, 2005


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Information for Parents
General Information
Welcome to the Millersville University Center for Counseling and Human Development's Parents' Page. The Counseling Center devotes a page to concerns of parents and other family members because college is a big step for everyone involved.
This page is dedicated to providing you with information that relates to the transitions students and families face when children leave for college.
If you think your child has an emotional or psychological concern, please encourage him or her to call the Counseling Center to set up an appointment to meet with one of our psychologists. Also, take a moment to read our Notice of Privacy Practices. Services offered at the Counseling Center are free, professional and confidential.
Easing the Transition
Resources for you and your student:
Preparing to Leave for College
Also, learn how and where to refer your child for help, if needed. Better yet, encourage him or her to seek out the help they need. It is a good idea for students to get to know their professors, their faculty advisers, and their resident advisers. There are individuals and offices on campus to handle just about any student need or problem.
If you have concerns about your son or daughter and want to talk with someone on campus, keep in mind the following resources:
- Student Affairs
- Athletics
- Financial Aid
- Health Services
- Intramurals & Recreation
- University Police


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Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton went bananas in Richmond Park yesterday afternoon, as part of an international anti-racism campaign.
The midfielder, currently at Championship outfit QPR, snapped a selfie of himself and his son eating bananas in the royal park.
It comes after Barcelona player Dani Alves hit headlines this week when he picked up and noshed on the curvaceous fruit during a match.
Mr Barton tweeted: "Me and the Boy, Richmond Park #BananaSelfie #NoToRacism".


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Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
Torg wrote:Wow, everyone I have ever partnered with has insisted on taking turns off the box and then having the person whose shot you don't use go first on the follow-up. I wish I could find a person who let me drive first every hole. Even going last on every hole would be good. Not having to think about whose turn it is would help my consistency.
isobar wrote:I've shot an -11 at Kensington and still have never birdied 18... that is an impressive feat all on it's own.
Flipflat wrote:isobar wrote:I've shot an -11 at Kensington and still have never birdied 18... that is an impressive feat all on it's own.
The fact that I've birdied 18 from pros but not gotten close to -11 at Kensington is also an impressive feat all on it's own
Monocacy wrote:One of the first times I played doubles my partner, a solid player, was relentlessly positive and encouraging. The result was that I had a great round – putted lights-out, kept most of my drives in the fairway, etc. We came in second, just losing out to a much more talented team.
A few weeks later I drew one of the top players in the area. He did not make much effort to hide his disappointment in drawing a newb. On the first hole, we both missed an uphill 30-footer for birdie, and he pretty much gave up. Needless to say, my play suffered.
If my partner is a significantly better player I usually offer to drive first. That way, I can do as Mark said – take the safe shot – freeing my partner to do great things.
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Justin Trudeau clarifies abortion stance
By Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press
OTTAWA - Justin Trudeau now says incumbent Liberal MPs opposed to abortion will be required to support a woman's right to choose in any vote on abortion.
The Liberal leader clarified Wednesday his decree that anyone who wants to run for his party in the next election must be willing to vote pro-choice should the issue come up in the House of Commons.
When he first disclosed that position last month, Trudeau said incumbent MPs would be "grandfathered" and their beliefs "respected to a certain extent."
But he hedged when pushed to say whether three pro-life incumbents — Toronto MP John McKay, Prince Edward Island MP Lawrence MacAulay and Winnipeg MP Kevin Lamoureux — would be allowed to vote freely on the issue.
"Well, it's a tough one because one of the things that's a strength of the Liberal party is that we draw in voices from right across the country and on a range of perspectives," he said at the time.
Eventually, he added: "We will see what happens ... when that issue comes up."
The ambiguity allowed NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, whose party has long been officially pro-choice, to mock Trudeau's "two-tier" approach to abortion. And it led to some evident confusion within Trudeau's own caucus.
MacAulay this week told a Charlottetown newspaper, The Guardian, that he took Trudeau's comments to mean he could continue to vote however he chooses on the matter.
Not so, Trudeau clarified Wednesday.
The "grandfathering" of incumbents applied only to the vetting process the party conducts for anyone seeking to run for a Liberal nomination, he said.
"The existing incumbent MPs were green lit (to seek nominations) originally through a different process that we respect. But the policy going forward is that every single Liberal MP will be expected to stand up for women's right to choose."
Even before Trudeau issued that public clarification, MacAulay took to social media to reverse himself and promise to toe the party line.
"I am personally pro-life and have long held these beliefs," he said in a series of tweets following a Liberal caucus meeting.
"However, I accept and understand the party position regarding a woman's right to choose. Despite my personal beliefs, I understand that I will have to vote the party position should this issue ever come up in the House of Commons."
Lamoureux said he had always understood that he'd have to vote the party line on abortion, despite his personal beliefs.
"That was my interpretation and I'm very comfortable with it," Lamoureux said in an interview.
He added that he's "passionate" about a whole range of issues and recognizes that "at the end of the day, in the parliamentary process, that you need to be able to work from within a caucus in order to get things done."
McKay declined to comment on Trudeau's clarification.
"I'm going to leave it as I've said what I've said, I'm not saying no more. I'm done," he said.
McKay apologized last month after he was secretly recorded by a Conservative sympathizer criticizing his leader's decree on abortion.
In the recording, McKay said he initially thought Trudeau's dictum was a "bozo eruption." He went on to suggest the leader's inner circle has "no political sense whatsoever" if it doesn't realize how "toxic" the abortion issue is.


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With all the attention focused on the Super Bowl and groups like Prince coming to play that weekend, you may have missed the fact that in March, you can see Queen.
Of course, that's kinda hard since lead singer Freddie Mercury died of AIDS nearly 20 years ago. But it is the next best thing, as the above photo can attest.
Gary Mullen and the Works perform the show One Night of Queen, re-creating the flamboyant musical style of one of the signature bands of the rock era. In the vein of Beatlemania, the concert is a tribute mirror of the original.
The performance takes place March 27 at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster.com.


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This page's information has been fully converted to the Wiki. Please click the WIKI Button for more information (Scanning Info, Websites, Unit IDs, Tones-Outs, Unidentified Frequencies, etc.)
*see the wiki for more information
*WQOQ512 - 453.6375 Repeater (Low Power NFM), assumed for Jail Operations
*KDF47 - also 155.9025 Base/Mobile for Road Maintenance (NFM)
Sirens in Ogle County are owned by Com Ed/Exelon as they are primarily for use due to the nuclear plant in our county, however, they give us permission to utilize them for storms.
Units 1B32, 1B33, 1B34
*WQBF725 - 462.825 Base/Pagers
*Burlington Township - KNEN648 - 10/14 add 458.4125 10-40wt mobiles (DMR) to 151.13
*Hampshire Township - KNFC511 - 10/14 add 458.825 10-40wt mobiles (DMR)
*Lynville Township - WQSM406 -154.0325 Base/Mobile (NFM at Lincolnwood)
*Oregon-Nashua Townships - WQQG832: 154.8075 Base/Mobile (NFM at Oregon)
Dixon Rural Fire
See Lee County
Forreston Fire Protection District
Monroe Township Fire Protection District
*see the wiki for school bus frequencies
Hiawatha CUSD 426 - WNUH964 - 463.55 Repeater (NFM)
Rochelle Township High School Districdt 212
*WQSF690 - 151.3775 Repeater with 154.7325 (NFM)
Rochelle Municipal Airport


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Oatmeal Banana Cookies Recipe
- 1 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in bananas, oats and chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes. Immediately remove cookies to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 4 dozen.
Reviews forOatmeal Banana Cookies
My Review
Average Rating
"easy to make...taste nice and moist..."
"I cooked at a higher temp (450) for a shorter time (9 mins) and substituted ginger(which I had) for the cloves(which I did not have). The cookies were moist and delicious :)"
"These are great flavored cookies but they were a little dry. I used a cup of butter instead of the butter-flavored shortening and I used a cup of chopped walnuts instead of the chocolate chips. I even used a quarter cup of whipping cream but they were still a little dry. I will make them again and experiment to get a more moist cookie."
"I had to make this with butter because my children are allergic to soy including shortening. These cookies were easy to make with my little ones. They were soft and rounded like pumpkin cookies and yummy. Next time I will substitute half of the butter for applesauce. Oh and I used unsalted butter because I figure butter flavored shortening is unsalted."
"I would never make this cookies as described. Shortening?? Really..NO"
"These where great I agree with others though it dose not make what it says. I even used a Mellon ball scoop to insure size was good. I have made it with raisins and pecans instead of chips and walnuts it was good too! ....I made these another time turned out great but this time seemed to have too much clove but I did what it called for. Next time I will use nutmeg and I think they would be great."


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1,200 soldiers, polices and local residents will participate in a rescue and climate change adaptation rehearsal to be held Thai Binh province on Dec. 2.
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Publication permit No. 46/GP-TTĐT, Ministry of Information and Communications.
Copyright © by EPI Join Stock Company. All rights reserved.


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This welcome sign will get the biggest smiles from the moment your guests arrive. Our swamp themed products will bring some down home swampy fun to your perfect party.
Customization: Not available.
Instant Download: Yes, upon payment
Set-Up: One circle per page, formatted to print on 8.5 x 11 sized paper
File Type: High resolution PDF. It can be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is easily downloaded for free at www.adobe.com. Please note that nothing is shipped to your home, this is a DIY printable file. Instead, you are able to quickly and easily print it using your own color printer or at your local copy shop.
Number of Pages: 1
Don't want to do the printing and cutting yourself? We are pleased to offer our customers in the USA a "Print, Cut and Ship" service for an additional fee. The charge is $2.00 per page for printing and cutting. Standard shipping rates are $6.00 per package. Please allow three weeks for delivery. Please email us at spaceshipsandlaserbeamsblog [at] gmail [dot] com if you would like a quote.
Printing: For best results, use the brand of cardstock or matte photo paper that is recommended in your printer's manual. It will make a huge difference to the quality of your print.
Test Page: We cannot recommend enough that you immediately test printing this product on the printer you will be using to print your decorations. That way if there are any issues, we can trouble shoot in plenty of time.
This is just one of many items in our Bayou Bash Brown Collection. Check out our full range of bayou-themed party decorations.
This product consists of 100% original artwork created by the talented designers who are part of our Spaceships and Laser Beams collective. By purchasing this product, you understand that you are only granted the right to print this product for your personal use. It is not to be altered or resold or used for any commercial purpose. Our love and passion goes into every detail, so your respect is appreciated on this matter.
Theme: Bayou Bash Brown, Product: Birthday Party Signs


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Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in Patients Older Than 65 Years Compared With Follow-up
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
General consensus and contemporary guidelines, recommend surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT)for all patients below the age of 50, for patients with pronounced hypercalcemia and for patients with organ complications to the disease (osteoporosis and decreased renal function).
The purpose of this study is to determine if surgery for pHPT, is appropriate for patients with mild hypercalcemia older than 65 years of age.
The hypothesis of the study is that surgery for pHPT in patients older than 65 years of age, and with mild hypercalcemia, will increase bone density and hence decrease future risk for fragility fractures compared to patients with follow-up only.
|Primary Hyperparathyroidism
|Procedure: Parathyroid surgery
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients Older Than 65 Years: A Prospective Randomized Trial of Surgical Treatment Compared With Follow-up
- Bone density [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]Bone density is assessed with DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), at the lumbar spine and hip.
- Blood lipids [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]Triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations of whole serum and of the lipoprotein classes; low-density-lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL).
- Cardiac function [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]Cardiac function assessed with echocardiography; Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD), Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), Ratio between mitral peak velocity flow of the early filling wave and the atrial filling wave (E/A ratio).
- Cognitive function [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]
Mini Mental State Examination test (MMSE), for cognitive function.
A Quich Test (AQT), for cognitive speed
- Atherosclerosis [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]Carotid ultrasound/duplex scans with evaluation of intimal-medial thickness and plaques.
- Oral glucose tolerance [ Time Frame: At one and two years ]Oral glucose tolerance test (75 Gram), with measurement of blood glucose and insulin after 60, 120 and 180 min.
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|August 2010
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|December 2018
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|December 2018 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
No Intervention: Follow-up
Patients diagnosed biochemically and clinically with primary hyperparathyroidism who are followed only
Experimental: Surgery
Patients diagnosed biochemically and clinically with primary hyperparathyroidism who are treated with parathyroid surgery
Procedure: Parathyroid surgery
Parathyroid Surgery (regardless of surgical strategy; i.e., focused operation, unilateral- or bilateral neck exploration)
Other Name: BA
Detailed Description:
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|66 Years and older (Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism
- No previous parathyroid surgery
- Sporadic disease
Exclusion Criteria:
- Z-score of Bone density < -2.5 SD (regardless of site)
- Serum level of ionized calcium > 1.50 mmol/L
- Inability to understand given information or to comply with scheduled follow-up
- Symptoms of hypercalcaemia for which specific medical treatment has been prescribed
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01087619
|Contact: Anders OJ Bergenfelz, MD, PhD
|+46 46 172086
|Contact: Erik Nordenström, MD, PhD
|+46 46 172305
|Skåne University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Lund
|Lund, Sweden, 22185
|Contact: Anders OJ Bergenfelz, MD, PhD +46 46 17 20 86 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Contact: Erik Nordenström, MD, PhD +46 46 17 23 05 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Sub-Investigator: Erik Nordenström, MD, PhD
|Sub-Investigator: Martin Almqvist, MD, PhD
|Principal Investigator:
|Anders OJ Bergenfelz, MD, PhD
|Skåne University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Lund
|Responsible Party:
|Region Skane
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01087619 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|March 15, 2010
|Last Updated:
|April 11, 2017
Keywords provided by Region Skane:
Hyperparathyroidism, primary
Aged 66 years or older
Mild hypercalcaemia
Surgical Procedures, Elective
Cognitive function
Randomized trial
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Hyperparathyroidism, Primary
Parathyroid Diseases
Endocrine System Diseases
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Was I deceived? or did a sable cloud
To which Thomas Warton added the commentary: "When all succour ſeems to be lost, Heaven unexpectedly presents the ſilver lining oſ a ſable cloud to the virtuous."
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?
I did not err, there does a sable cloud,
Turn out her silver lining on the night
And casts a gleam over this tufted grove.


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Vendor Forum 2009 on April 2
March 17, 2009
News Highlights
More Information
The Fairfax County Department of Purchasing and Supply Management and the Small Business Commission are hosting Vendor Forum 2009 "Doorway to Opportunities" on Thursday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Vendor Forum 2009 is a regional conference fostering business partnerships among local government, large corporations and small, women-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses.
Vendor Forum 2009 will include educational sessions and networking opportunities with some of Fairfax County's largest contractors. Representatives from county agencies, as well as the towns of Herndon and Vienna; the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church; Virginia Department of Transportation; Fairfax County Public Schools; Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council; and other organizations are participating.
The keynote address will be given by Samuel Hayes, director of the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise.
Educational sessions include:
Registering with Electronic Virginia (eVA).
Getting small women-owned and minority-owned businesses (SWaM)
certified in Virginia.
Selling to Fairfax County.
- Construction contracting in Fairfax County.
Register for Vendor Forum 2009 online.
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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Find Out What's New This Fall...
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, PlasmaInfusion.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.
The Mega Bloks Halo 2013 collection offers a whole new array of characters, weapons and vehicles - from Halo 4 and beyond - for collectors to build their own Halo battles. Mega Bloks is introducing some cool new innovations this year. One is a new "build & combine" assortment where collecting all three sets lets you combine them to create a bonus UNSC Booster Frame. No doubt the coolest innovation this year is the introduction of lights and in-game sound effects! Fans will start seeing these great features introduced with several new vehicles this Fall, including a UNSC Night Ops Gausshog and massive UNSC Pelican Gunship! Shown at Toy Fair, but with no photography allowed, were two new ONI vehicles that will see release later this year. These include an ONI Light Assault VTOL and a tracked UNSC Siege Bike (ONI Mark I).
What follows is the Mega Bloks Halo 2013 collection along with new press images. For TONS more photos, be sure and check out our Toy Fair photo gallery at the link above!
Micro Action Figures Series 7 (#96978)
SRP: $2.99 each USD/ 3.99$ CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
Establish your army with Micro Action Figures Series 7 from Mega Bloks. Each Hero Pack contains a fully armed micro action figure ready to jump into the fight. Includes 10 common, 5 rare & 1 ultra rare micro action figures. Collect them all and lead your forces to victory!
Halo Armory Pack IV
SRP: $5.99 each / $6.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
* UNSC Ammo Pack I (97037V) approx. 23 pcs
* Covenant Weapons Pack (97076U) approx. 26 pcs
* UNSC Weapons Pack (97165U) approx. 24 pcs
* Forerunner Weapons Pack (97166U)
Build and expand your units with an assortment of new Halo Armory Packs by Mega Bloks. Features:
• Assortment includes decorated weapons & new characters.
• First Forerunner armory pack featuring a Promethean Watcher.
• Three new armory packs rebuild into a cool weapon stand.
Build & Combine Assortment
SRP: $9.99 each / 10.99$ CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
* UNSC C&C Console (97131U): A UNSC Marine heads to the command and control console to alert troops of incoming Covenant forces. Prepare the UNSC for inbound hostile enemies with the Mega Bloks UNSC C&C Console. Combine the UNSC C&C Console with the UNSC Hangar Deck and the Forerunner Terminal to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 60 pcs) Set includes all-new Halo 4 Marine figure.
* UNSC Hangar Deck (97133U): During a Forerunner ambush on a UNSC ship, a cyan UNSC Spartan in EVA armor secures the Hangar Deck for incoming battle-damaged UNSC aircraft. Support the attack with the Mega Bloks UNSC Hangar Deck. Combine the UNSC Hangar Deck with the UNSC C&C Console and the Forerunner Terminal to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 53 pcs)
* Forerunner Terminal (97170U): A Promethean Alpha Crawler defends a Forerunner Terminal from UNSC and Covenant access. Guard the terminal with the Mega Bloks Forerunner Terminal. Combine the Forerunner Terminal with the UNSC C&C Console and the UNSC Hangar Deck to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 69 pcs) Set includes all-new Halo 4 Alpha Crawler.
Halo Combat Unit X
SRP: $11.99 USD/ $12.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
* Brute Battle Pack (97082U): The Brute Battle Unit pits a green UNSC Officer and green UNSC Spartan Security (NEW!) against a Brute Chieftain and active camo Brute Stalker (NEW!). (approx. 42 pcs)
* ODST Battle Pack (97085U): The ODST Battle Unit pits an ODST and an active camo ODST against a Covenant Grunt and gold Hunter. Let the battle begin! (approx. 37 pcs)
UNSC Cryo Bay
SRP: $11.99 USD/ $12.99 CAD ǀ Available: Now
Awakening from the Cryo Bay aboard his space vessel, the Master Chief prepares to receive mission orders from his A.I. Cortana. With ready access to an Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle and Sticky Detonator from the weapons rack, he is prepared to fight enemies of the UNSC in any combat scenario. Approximately 72 pieces.
Cyclops Assortment
SRP: $14.99 USD/ $16.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
* Cyclops Jungle Strike (97006V) approx. 47 pcs
* Cyclops Desert Strike (97007V) approx. 47 pcs
* Arctic Strike Cyclops (97107U) approx. 63 pcs
* Attack Ops Cyclops (97108U) approx. 54 pcs
Covenant Spectre Ambush
SRP: $21.99 USD/ $23.99 CAD ǀ Available: Now
Establish your army, build and expand your units with the Halo Covenant Spectre Ambush by Mega Bloks! The Spectre is a mobile light anti-infantry and troop transport vehicle with a plasma turret that fires in a full 360-degree arc. Two Covenant Elites take aim at a lone UNSC Marine, who detaches a missile pod from its turret in a last desperate attempt to survive.
UNSC Mantis
SRP: $32.99 USD/ $34.99 CAD ǀ Available: Now
The UNSC Mantis is the new multi-purpose battle mech that can turn anyone into an unstoppable one-man army. Its reinforced front facing armor helps protect the UNSC Spartan Warrior inside, while the heavy machine gun and 5-tube missile launcher makes short work of enemy units. Approximately 183 pieces.
UNSC Night Ops Gausshog
SRP: $32.99 USD/ $34.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
The UNSC Gausshog is the light anti-armor variant of the Warthog LRV. Equipped with a 360° rotating Gauss Cannon, real working suspension and specially engineered floodlights, the Spartan Pathfinder and his Spartan gunner open fire on a Knight Lancer armed with a Suppressor. Now in desert camo with light features and in-game sounds, the Mega Bloks UNSC Night Ops Gausshog lets you play more than ever before! Approximately 220 pieces.
Cauldron Clash
SRP: $44.99 USD/ $47.99 CAD ǀ Available: Now
Welcome to the Cauldron Clash by Mega Bloks – a multi-player map on Requiem where the best troops mix it up in a fight for survival inside a Forerunner structure. Two new UNSC Marines are in tough against Promethean Knight, Watcher and Crawler that are programmed to defend its Forerunner secrets at any cost. Accessories and weapons include Backpack, Railgun, Designated Marksman Rifle. Combine the Cauldron with other Battlescapes and sets to create your own epic Halo maps! Approximately 518 pieces.
UNSC Anti-Armor Cobra (97139)
SRP: $49.99 USD/ $54.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
The UNSC Cobra is a surprisingly agile and fast 6x6 dual-mode battle tank. While in mobile mode, the Cobra can quickly cover long distances and launch a powerful offensive using its twin 30mm light railguns. It can also transform into lock-down mode and deploy a huge turret mounted 105mm light railgun that can punch through most Covenant shields and vehicles with ease. Featured with dual transformation, lights and in-game sounds, the Mega Bloks UNSC Anti-Armor Cobra lets you create the battle like never before! Approximately 400 pieces.
UNSC Hornet vs. Covenant Vampire (97123)
SRP: $69.99 USD/ $74.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
Build the aerial battle between the Hornet & Vampire. Set includes 6 collectible figures including the new Spartan Recruit & Engineer! Hornet with in-game sounds & lights! Approximately 680 pieces.
UNSC Pelican Gunship (97129)
SRP: $99.99 USD/ $109.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013
New buildable Pelican with 3 Majestic Team micro action figures (Spartan Operator, Pathfinder & Scout). Also includes first ever light up Knight Battlewagon figure! In-game sounds & lights! Approximately 1,160 pieces.


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Are you bored with your hi-hats? Here's a quick tip to make them a bit more "fancy". I remember noticing this technique listening to Kraftwerk's epic song Trans-Europe Express. Simply send your hi-hats to their own Channel, add a flanger and set it's wet/dry knob to at least 70% wet. Play with your flanger's settings to control how much movement takes place.
I wouldn't use this method on every song but it adds some nice spice once and a while. Remember you don't have to have your hats flanging through out the entire song. Often I will only put my "flange hats" during a drums break or to add tension to only the last verse. Here's some examples on how it can sound:
Are there any songs you know of off hand that use this technique? Do you have a favorite flange plug-in or hardware box?


text:
From @ATLHawks OFFICIAL: Tonight's game has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date. Stay warm and safe, Atlanta.— 92.9 The Game (@929TheGame) January 29, 2014
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From @ATLHawks OFFICIAL: Tonight's game has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date. Stay warm and safe, Atlanta.— 92.9 The Game (@929TheGame) January 29, 2014
Looks like ATL has been pretty crippled by this storm.
The south is terrible at handling weather. It's embarrassing that 2 and a half inches can cripple a city like that.
Georgia is spending like $2 billion on new stadiums for the Braves and Falcons but they can't afford a bag of salt.
I was surprised the hear Atlanta doesn't have a mass transit system they have a lil train that leads people from one Concourse to another at the Jackson/Hartfield airport. Imagine if they had the SB this year...
Atlanta has one of the largest rapid transit systems in the United States: MARTA
Thanks for correcting me someone told me otherwise and I thought that didn't sound right.
However they knew about this for days and couldn't prepare for it?
Its not as if this came out of nowhere. Even with Indy running low on salt they are willing to go to places to get more of it.
Didn't Atlanta get a lot of ice though? It's hard to prepare for ice. Even prepared Indy was shut down by ice a few years back.
I don't know why, but
You think Michigan, Green Bay, Canada amongst others lol at Indy for shutting down government because of cold weather...hmmm.
It's about what isn't the norm. People just aren't prepared for such a different weather forecast.
Garbage players get 1st round picks, (WTF)! All of the NBA must hate the Pacers! LOL
Context, context, context. Indy is designed to handle snow, and a lot of AM commutes have still been totally screwed up this year. Canada laughs at Indy for shutting down for cold.
But if you live somewhere where people just wouldn't have the common awareness of things we've adapted into normalcy—driving on black ice, getting out of a skid, just basically having sufficient equipment to treat roads and sidewalks—then snow totals etc. are apples & oranges comparisons, because it's more about something people mentally and physically aren't prepared for.
People in LA panic whenever it rains lol
Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel
Added to the abnormal weather is the design of the roads and city itself. Rolling hills with sharp curves and buildings built within that adds to a recipe for disaster when the outside the norm hits.
I live in Birmingham, AL and some of the videos are crazy. The interstates are full of empty cars where people just walked home. None of the forecasts predicted more than a light dusting so people didn't get out of school/ work till noon yesterday but it was too late by then. Many of my friends are at hotels because they couldn't make it home. There is no way a game could be played today due to how gridlocked the southeast is right now.
Ice is a different beast than snow all together. Ice shutting down even the coldest places is completely understandable, let alone a place that doesn't get either.
Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right. ― Ricky Gervais.
Source: me, stuck in apartment
Exactly. I can tell you one thing. I'm 23 years old and I have only seen snow in Athens once or twice. And I'm talking about really light snow as well. Still, the schools were shut down, no cars were moving and everyone had come outside to play the snow. It's just something that we rarely see over here especially those of us that live in the Attica Basin. On the other hand, we're pretty used to temperatures over 95 Fahrenheit and we hold the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe at 118.4 °F.
We have no problem battling an intense heat wave but we struggle with heavy rainfall and consider snowfall something extremely rare and unique.
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
Don't even get me started...
Being from Indiana and having driven in Atlanta for 25 years before coming back, here are the differences:
1) The traffic sucks when the weather is perfect A drive that takes me 25 minutes during rush hour (rush minute?) in Indy would take me between 45 minutes and an hour in Atlanta. It would take more than 25 minutes at 2 am.
2) Indiana is flat Driving in Atlanta on a quarter inch of ice (or on packed-down snow that ends up like a quarter inch of ice) is not like driving on Washington street or 38th street. It would be like driving up and down the ramp of the Virginia Street Garage. Over and over again. Or, more likely, sliding backwards and slamming into someone. Remember, 4 wheel drive does not mean 4 wheel stop.
3) You want to spend HOW much for equipment that will sit idle for 6 years out of every 7, and 360 days of that year? It only does this in Atlanta every decade or so. It's cheaper just to shut down the city for a couple of days.
4) MARTA doesn't go anywhere that commuters drive from We won't go into the reasons, but the rapid transit system pretty much ends right at the edge of the major suburban areas. Kind of useless unless you are an urban homesteader.
Think of 2" of snow in Atlanta as if it were a foot of snow here. What happened here then?
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Or throw in a first-round pick and flip it for a max-level point guard...
I think the same thing when I see the amount of snow it takes to cripple Indy. I've had as much as 18 feet of snow in a year where I live. They're calling for up to 30 inches tonight. With that amount we won't call off school and I won't miss work, in fact I never have. It's all in what you're prepared for and what infrastructure is in place to handle it.
It still probably wouldn't be a bad idea for the city to invest in some steel plows and a couple of salt trucks. Those things would last twenty years.
You can't plow ice. I also couldn't imagine finding a spot to store all that salt, just in case you needed it in a decade.
Ice shut down the entire state of Indiana for, what, a whole week back in 2006?
Last edited by Since86; 01-29-2014 at 04:09 PM.
Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right. ― Ricky Gervais.
I agree with you. Indianapolis is terrible at handling snow. The whole storm earlier should have been wrapped up in a day, not a week.
But didn't the ridiculous sub-arctic temperatures get so low that they effectively rendered the salt almost useless? I seem to remember hearing something like that.


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Fresh Member
Black Ninja!
Hi again all,
I don't often write blogs or comment on many threads as I am customarily happy with reading the thoughts and views of others. However sometimes I actually get an idea/thought/argument in my head that I feel the need to narcissistically put in to words. By no means am I abdicating myself from the following critique, in all honesty I am perhaps as big a hypocrite as anyone
Hi again all,
As with URATOOL's thread, I have also been racking my brains to come up with a possible solution to the ailing TT division. The main problem is so simple – there aren't any legitimate tag teams any more. By 'legitimate' I mean an actual team, with both wrestlers actually wearing matching outfits, or at least similar. Having an actual team name, and maybe even the
Hi all,
It's been I while since I have blogged, simply as I haven't really had anything noteworthy to say! However after reading countless blogs and forums discussing Rock v Cena, I decided to out my thoughts on 'paper'.
DISCLAIMER – I have just reread the blog and I do deviate a little – so if you are the sort to get annoyed by that stop reading now, please
Hi all, quiet day at the office and have been fervently trawling all posts and blogs and a few comments regarding Taker and Wrestlemania have got me thinking. It is fair to assume that Taker will make a comeback/return to the ring in the coming months leading up to 'mania, and as usual the BIG question is 'Who will try and end the streak?'.
It is no secret Taker is in the twilight
Hi Again, I wasn't ripped to shreds for my first blog so I figured it would be safe to return with Part II "How to Fix the Problem"
I will freely admit that my thoughts on this push creative license to the limit, and in all honesty there is no real chance of this ever happening, but with some major twists and returns it could be a MASSIVE build up to Mania. Please accept my apologies


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text:
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Compete to be top of the high scores and complete exciting challenges to earn awardments for your trophy shelf. Gain experience to improve your Brain Name, move up the matheletic ladder and become Einstein! 'Easy Medium Egghead' is a new quiz style XBOX Live Indie Game for up to 4 players. Who's the best out of your friends at mental reasoning? Now there is a fun game to put it to the test.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


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What's your toddler's personality type?
Knowing this could impact your parenting style more than you realise. more
At this age, your child will be entering a phase of great emotional change. From this 'developmental hill' she can see adulthood and appreciate that this is the direction in which she is clearly headed - whether she likes it or not!
The world becomes a more complex place for the child who is beginning puberty. And while your ten and eleven year old may well be joined at the hip to her best friend, friendships at this age do have a tendency to become more complicated and fraught with difficulty and misunderstanding.
Boys are usually less vulnerable to the vagaries of friendships as they tend to have a wider group of friends and concentrate more on the shared activity than the friend they're sharing it with, which protects them from the up-and-down of the 'best friend' relationship.
At eleven years, your child will begin to stretch his wings and make baby steps towards independence - she may no longer want to join in all family activities in preference to spending time with her friends. You may be surprised to find that she has a differing opinion to you and is willing to take a stand to support it.
Although your child may walk the walk and talk the talk of an independent being, she is still a long way from being able to cope with independence, so it's important that while you support and encourage her, you also (discretely) check her decisions and make sure that she is not putting herself into any situations that may be unsafe or inappropriate.
While your child may not be the best company at this stage, she will need you just as much as she ever has!
There may be a problem if:
Talk to your doctor if you're worried about your child's development. It's always helpful to identify and address potential problems early - and chances are, there won't be a problem at all.
This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot. Sources include S.A. Govt's Parenting and Child Health
This article was created for Kidspot - Australia's parenting resource for school age.


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About this blog
FLEFF Intern Voices
The Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival from the interns' point of view
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Blog posting written by Lindsay Harrop, Cinema & Photography '13, FLEFF Intern, McMinnville, Oregon
Can you believe that FLEFF week is halfway over? But there are still a ton of screenings and events to come - especially downtown at Cinemapolis!
One of these films is Bastards of...


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Let's start these American League predictions with one that you can bank on: The Houston Astros will finish in last place in the AL West. Games begin March 31; get the full 2013 schedule here.
And now, prognostications that are anything but guaranteed:
MVP AWARD: Mike Trout, LF, Los Angeles Angels
Not even a Triple Crown season is likely to deny Trout of MVP honors in 2013.
SN'S TOP 25 PLAYERS: Trout is No. 1
The main competition: With Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera setting the table in Toronto, Jose Bautista could drive in 150 runs, which might impress even the Sabermetricians. A gawdy RBI total wouldn't be enough to win MVP honors, of course. But a ton of RBIs would look quite impressive when put beside 40 homers, which has become a standard total for Bautista. He was on pace for his third consecutive 40-homer output until a wrist injury curtailed his 2012 season after 92 games. Based on his five-homer spring, Bautista's surgically repaired wrist shouldn't be an issue.
Miguel Cabrera figures to suffer from the same sort of predicament that hurt teammate Justin Verlander last season. Call it a hangover effect. To repeat as a major award winner, you had better put up even better numbers in the ensuing season. That means anything less than another Triple Crown likely will doom Cabrera's chances.
Others: If the injury-depleted New York Yankees somehow contend, it will be because Robinson Cano has a monster season. If Albert Pujols produce like he did after last year's awful April, he will be in the running. So will Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, if he stays healthy for an entire season.
CY YOUNG AWARD: Jered Weaver, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Let''s start with a disclaimer: The day Weaver agreed to a below-market extension to stay home in Southern California, he became one of my favorites. My admiration only has increased in the year and a half since he landed that five-year, $85 million deal. As starter after starter has signed for millions and millions more, Weaver has yet to mutter a single gripe, at least publicly. So, yes, I would like to see him win a Cy Young.
But this isn't only about my wants. Check Weaver's numbers. Over the past two seasons, he is 38-13 with a 2.59 ERA and a .213 batting average allowed. Only one AL starter has been better, and predicting Verlander to win the Cy Young Award is like picking the Yankees to win the World Series in the late 1990s. A little too obvious.
Weaver will not hurt for support in Anaheim. With the addition of Josh Hamilton, the Angels' lineup is even more loaded and their outfield should cover even more ground. And that bodes well for a fly ball pitcher such as Weaver.
Also in the conversation: Felix Hernandez, as always, reigning winner David Price and Chicago White Sox lefthander Chris Sale. Sale went 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 192 innings in his first season as a starter in 2012.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Wil Myers, RF, Tampa Bay Rays
Neither Trout nor Bryce Harper started last season in the majors, but both still managed to enjoy stellar rookie seasons. Look for Myers and Texas Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar to follow similar routes. Though both have shown they are ready to hit major league pitching, both will start the season in the minors. Myers will be there mostly for financial reasons, Profar because the Rangers have no open position for him.
Myers figures to be called up by the end of April, but Profar could stay stuck in Round Rock for who knows how long. That Myers is expected to arrive first is the No. 1 reason he is my pick over Profar. Reason No. 2 is power. Myers, 22, hit 37 homers in the minors last season, the type of production the Rays could have used in a run for the postseason that came up short.
MCNEAL ON ROOKIES: Top 5 OFs | Top 6 SPs
MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians
His team hasn't played a game, but Francona already has taken a sizable lead for this award. How's that? If Francona had turned down president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti last fall, the Indians probably wouldn't have become such big players on the Hot Stove circuit. But with Francona on board, they decided to go for it now and spent big to bring in Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn. They also acquired Mark Reynolds and pitching prospect Trevor Bauer.
After such a talent boost, Francona has a prime opportunity to turn the Tribe into a winner a year after it lost 94 games. As the Oakland Athletics' Bob Melvin proved in 2012, nothing enhances your chances of winning manager of the year honors like a dramatic turnaround. Cleveland is set for one, on the field and in the dugout.
MORE PREDICTIONS: Witrado on playoff races | McNeal on division winners
* wild-card winners
AL East
2. Boston Red Sox*
AL Central
AL West


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1P IEC Supplementary Protector 16A 220VDC
DAYTON| Zoro #: G1210991| Mfr #: 5ZVH1
Zoro #: G1210991Mfr. Part #: 5ZVH1
$59.22 /ea
This item ships free. DetailsStandard ground shipping
Technical Specifications
|Zoro #: G1210991 Mfr #: 5ZVH1
|Mounting: Din Rail
|Width: 0.71"
|Trip Type: Thermal Magnetic
|Number of Poles: 1
|DC Voltage Rating: 220VDC
|Length: 3.21"
|AC Voltage Rating: Not Rated
|Item: IEC Supplementary Protector
|Max. Wire Size: 4 AWG
|Depth: 2.91"
|Min. Wire Size: 14 AWG
|Application: Supplemental Protection
|Amps: 16
|Standards: UL Listed, CSA, TUV, CE
|Curve Type: B
|Terminal Connection: Screw Clamp
|Series: NDB2Z-63 B16/1
|Country of Origin (subject to change): China
Product Description
IEC Supplementary Protector, Amps 16, Number of Poles 1, Curve Type B, AC Voltage Rating Not Rated, DC Voltage Rating 220VDC, Max. AIR Rating 10kA, Trip Type Thermal Magnetic, Terminal Connection Screw Clamp, Mounting DIN Rail, Application Supplemental Protection, Min. Wire Size 14 AWG, Max. Wire Size 4 AWG, Length 3.21 In., Width 0.71 In., Depth 2.91 In., Standards UL Listed, CSA,TUV,CE, Series NDB2Z-63 B16/1
Restrictions and Compliance
- *1 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
- *2 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.


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Many players were on Derek Cox's youth baseball team.
Only one walked to practice in construction boots.
Beginning around age 6, Chargers cornerback Derek Cox spent every summer at his father's construction company, the work a rite of passage for the youngest of three boys and five children in Greenville, N.C.
"I learned responsibility," Cox said. "I learned accountability. I learned to be tedious. I learned to be meticulous. I learned to look at all the detail. I learned to think critically, to solve problems."
The lessons can help him now.
On Friday, Cox will board the team plane for Jacksonville, a return trip to the city he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career. He came to the Chargers in March, signing a four-year, $20 million contract, and his transition could be going more smoothly.
When healthy, Cox established himself as the top playmaker of the Jaguars secondary. The start of his San Diego tenure has seen him allow some big plays.
Cox, 27, says he is committed to the process of getting better.
There is an adjustment period, coach Mike McCoy said this week, that can come with joining a new scheme. While Cox volunteered no excuses for his slow start, Jarret Johnson can attest to McCoy's point.
The outside linebacker began his career in Baltimore. After nine years, he joined the Chargers last year.
His transition to a new team was "extremely tough," Johnson said.
"I'm a much better player this year than I was last year for a lot of reasons, … but being new," he added. "I don't think people appreciate how hard it is to step into a locker room. It's hard enough to play, and then when you have all the outside things — there's moving, getting acclimated, getting your family acclimated, getting used to a new scheme. You develop a reputation, a way you handled yourself with your old team, and then all the sudden you're with a new team. They're trying to figure you out. You're trying to figure them out.
It's tough. I understand what he's going through because I went through it last year. He gets better every week, and that's what you want."
Cox has struggled to defend the deep pass.
Two weeks ago, the Raiders went after him on their first offensive snap of the game, and wide receiver Rod Streater caught a 44-yard touchdown pass.
On Monday, the Colts showed no hesitation to test him. On their first play, wide receiver Reggie Wayne made a 35-yard catch off a flea flicker. In the second quarter, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey stutter-stepped past Cox, who stumbled when allowing separation on a potentially deep completion.
The ball was slightly overthrown, bouncing off Heyward-Bey's right hand.
Safety Eric Weddle said Cox is a "true professional," someone who works hard and is eager to improve.
Cox credits his childhood.
The work ethic comes from honoring his religion, he said, raised in a Christian home. There also are those summers that, as a kid, he'd rather have spent at home, playing video games.
For their lessons, he appreciates the summers now.
Cox was rewarded for his efforts Monday. He caught an interception that bounced off Wayne, sealing the Chargers' win.
"You always have to believe in the process, the process of what you're doing," Cox said. "Believe in what you're doing and believe the results will come. It's all about believing in what you can't see and knowing that your breakthrough or whatever you're striving for is near. It's right around the corner.
"Having that mindset keeps you going forward. It gives you the energy and the want-to to keep pushing. ... If you can remain strong of the mind and continue to believe in any walk of life, then you are a step closer."


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Topic: Meet Marion!
Listen up Chicagoland CC Fighters!
This is Patty in Chicago and I am looking to set up a Chicagoland meeting when Marion will be in our toddlin' town for the ASTRO conference from Sunday, Nov. 1st to Thursday, Nov. 5th. Come meet our very own rock star, she will be signing autographs!
Marion is able to meet in the evening and is staying downtown. I am available whenever and wherever. What day is best for people? I think 7pm would be the earliest since Marion finishes at the conference at 5:50pm.
Here are a few options for the 'where' part:
1. I can host a dinner at my mom's house, located in Jefferson Park on the northwest side of the city, 1 mile from the Nagle exit on I-90 and 2 miles from the Wilson exit on I-94. If we do this, it would be nice if someone could provide Marion with transportation.
2. We can meet at a restaurant, perhaps closer to downtown, and I can give Marion a ride.
3. I can arrange to use the meeting room at the library where I work in Cicero, 1 mile from the Laramie exit on I-290 and a few miles from the Central exit on I-55. I can give Marion a ride if we do this.
4. I can try to get the meeting room at the Chicago Public Library that is closest to where Marion is staying, it is about 3/4 mile from her hotel. Forgot to ask if they allow food and this will be necessary as there will be haggis, Ron is sending it over fresh! I can also give Marion a ride if we do this.
5. Someone else's better idea?
If you are in the area and want to attend, let me know what works best.


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The question of the week: Have you ever experienced namer's remorse?
This is a term heard more and more frequently in the baby name world, describing the feeling of parents when they think they could have made a better choice for their child.
Have you ever regretted picking the name you picked?
If so, was this an immediate reaction as soon as you saw your baby, or did it happen later, when it just didn't feel like the right fit?
Or did it happen when the name became mega-popular—or when you came to realize that it already was?
A compromise choice you regret making?
A response to negative reactions you got when people heard the name? Spelling or pronunciation problems?
Was it just a twinge or was your remorse strong enough for you to consider actually making a legal change?
Anyone out there who did make a change?


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Gunn High
The sophomore won four individual events -- setting a school record in the 200 free -- and swam on four winning relays in wins over Homestead and Palo Alto to stay tied for first in the De Anza Division.
Reed Fratt
Menlo-Atherton High
The freshman helped cap an important 4-0 week in tennis by winning all his matches at No. 1 singles while helping the Bears remain in first place and clinch no worse than a co-title in the PAL Bay Division.
Honorable mention
Brooke Bullington
Menlo lacrosse
Caroline Cummings
Sacred Heart Prep lacrosse
Claire Klausner*
Gunn softball
Maddy Price
Menlo track & field
Sarah Robinson
Gunn track & field
Brigid White
Sacred Heart Prep lacrosse
George Baier
Menlo-Atherton track & field
Andrew Buchanan
Menlo golf
Alex Iyer-Danny LaPorte
Menlo-Atherton tennis doubles
Andrew Liang
Palo Alto swimming
Nico Robinson
Sacred Heart Prep track & field
Ethan Wong
Menlo golf
* previous winner


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20-1, HBK NY Screw Job, Cena Steel Chair Rage, Sheamus heel turn.
by, 04-05-2013 at 09:09 AM (12565 Views)
HI my nerdizles. Log time hope everyone is well and excited about WM29. So many people have done alot of predictions so heck heres mine.
Triple Nose v Block Lesnar
This will be shite. (British for weak as shit) Simply because all they are going to do is smash each other pause, smash each other pause blah blah blah. It will get interesting towards the last ten minutes. I believe HBK will cost Triple H the match and as a result this will push for a wrestlemania 30 match for two old ass wrestlers who will re-retire(is that a word? Quiet Nerd!) each other If HBK doesn't cost The Game Stephanie or Shane may get involved and side with Heyman.
The Avengers v Whoreton, Ginger, Flabby
See everyone thinks Orton will turn heel. I would love to see that because he is uber boring me to death. BUT all of you nerds (including myself calm down) think this will happen. WWE knows we know sooooooooo they will ruin it by making Sheamus turn on his team while we think why the hell do I not grow out of watching this shit!
The Dying Man V Sir Cm Punk
I'm a huge CM punk fan and a huge undertaker fan (in 1997!!!) CM Punk is THE only superstar you can compare to the legends of the attitude era. Undertaker should 0121F*ckingDo1 already. He is as old as Moses. This will be brutal for Punk who will some how win but we won't see him for a while after the win. This will help him heal but also set up an awesome build up with Sir Stone Cold Steve Austin. He will come back and rant about how hes beaten everyone......SHATTER GLASS , STUNNER, PUNK COVERED IN BEER ME U AND MILLIONS JIZZING OUR PANTS.
The Crock V John Cinderella
Soooo twice in a life time huh? The Crock will beat Cena while Cena has a Stone Cold moment and shows how much of a sore loser he is. The End.
So I hope all of this happens if not im out of £17.00. Also please feel free to leave irrelevant comments about my irrelevant blog .
kind regards
TheOne( no not Neo you Nerd!)


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New York -- Private equity firm Apax Partners said Friday that it will acquire Cole Haan from Nike for $570 million in cash.
Cole Haan sells through 108 domestic stores, 68 international stores, online and through department stores. It has been a part of Nike since 1988.
To effect the acquisition, Apax is partnering with Jack Boys, who led the revitalization of Converse.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2013.
"The decision to divest of Cole Haan allows us to sharpen our focus on opportunities with the highest potential for strong returns, and to make sure the brands within the Nike portfolio are the most complementary to the Nike brand," said Nike president and CEO Mark Parker.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
June 26, 2013
The Lineup Card
10 Hollywood Endings for Major-League Teams
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Breakfast Club
They grew to trust each other. They fought together and got hurt together and came to discover that even people from different walks of life could be friends and teammates. And that all of us, not just Yasiel Puig, are athletes, and all of us, not just Nick Punto, are utility infielders. But you know, at the end of the movie, they never really wrote that essay... or won that division like they were supposed to. However, I'd give my left kidney to hear Vin Scully read Anthony Michael Hall's closing monologue. —Russell A. Carleton
2. Miami Marlins: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
One by one the important role players disappear, and in the end it's just our two main heroes, a bunch of people you've never heard of, and the feds.
3. New York Yankees: Thelma and Louise
In the end, their guts, guile, and firepower are all expended, their pursuers are legion (Jays and Rays, Sox, and Birds), and they're backed up against a canyon. Steinbrenner (Girardi?) and Cashman make their pact, and then they drive the thing right over the edge. Rivera, Jeter, A-Rod, Pettitte, Cano: all contacts and careers dashed on the rocks below, as the Yanks cross the Rubicon, finally, to their post-dynasty afterlife. —Adam Sobsey
4. Detroit Tigers: Beavis and Butthead Do America
On second thought, this is actually the second-to-last scene of the movie. The final-final scene is Beavis looking for a neighbor's tool shed to go spend some alone time, if you will, so maybe this was a bad pick. Never mind. —Zachary Levine
5. Los Angeles Angels: Aguirre the Wrath of God
6. Kansas City Royals: Poltergeist
It turns out that the neighbors are too skeptical for their own good, though—the place really is cursed. It seems that instead of moving the corpse of Jeff Francoeur out of the outfield they just left him there and only moved the headstone. Dayton Moore screams about the injustice of it all, but it's too late; after a cacophonous flashing of lights and unsettling growling sounds, Kauffman Stadium simply implodes upon itself and is gone. —Colin Wyers
7. Philadelphia Phillies: Fight Club (Valuation Club)—A Re-Imagining
The first big blockbuster dump trade of the 2013 season—Jonathan Papelbon to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Avisail Garcia and Bruce Rondon—is mourned by the front office and fans alike as if a close family member has died. Twenty thousand loyal Philadelphians congregate outside of Citizens Bank Park chanting, "His name was Jonathan Papelbon. His name was Jonathan Papelbon." This chant becomes a rallying cry for Phillies fans throughout the rest of the season. At first, fans are reluctant to support a wholesale tearing down of the club, but eventually an army of fans willingly congregate at Bull's Barbeque to train in the ways of proper player valuation.
Through Ruben Amaro's example, this insurgent element of the fan base learns to stop embracing such bourgeois concepts as "wins" and "losses" and learns to embrace life itself! Each trade the team makes at the deadline is less about helping the team in the future and more about cutting through the shackles of Corporate America and to the core of who we are as a species!
While Amaro is teaching the lessons of Valuation Club in Philadelphia, Beane travels from city to city, teaching others the way of freeing yourself from modern society. Amaro travels to where Beane has been, seeing the damage Beane has done in his wake, until he asks a bartender what his name is and—SURPRISE!—the bartender reveals that Billy Beane is a manifestation of Amaro himself. Amaro discovers that Beane doesn't just want to trade a few players but wants to blow up the entire organization, down to the instructional leagues. Amaro and Beane "fight" in the Phillies executive offices—here represented by a game of paper football. Amaro realizes that the only way to destroy Beane is to turn the football on himself. He aims the paper football at himself, the tip hitting him in the forehead. Beane disappears.
Amaro realizes that he has gone too far and tries to get the last remnants of the Phillies fan base that cares about winning (personified here by the lovely Helena Bonham Carter) to salvage the last vestiges of his sanity. While Amaro manages to find love in the arms of Bonham Carter/the traditionalists within Phillies fan base, it is too late as his alter ego has successfully signed the papers to "blow up" the Phillies—trading every player from the big club down to the young ones in instructional league to another organization in exchange for true understanding of the meaning of life itself. Amaro and Bonham Carter hold hands as every player in the entire Phillies organization is released—not only literally by the organization, but also out of the bounds of our mundane existence into the astral plane. The Phillies might never be competitive again, but at long last Mr. Amaro can taste freedom. Fin. Cue the Pixies. —Mike Gianella
8. Oakland Athletics: Rounders
The A's get out to an early lead, but some overzealous moves on the basepaths combine with poor defense to stack tall odds as the game wanes into the late hours of the night. They patiently wait on reliever Al Alburquerque, who plays right into the hands of the AL's walkiest team with a pair of free passes on wayward sliders, at which point manager Jim Leyland gives his trademark tell as he points to his right arm and makes the call to the bullpen for newly-acquired closer Huston Street, who was pried from San Diego at the trade deadline.
Brandon Moss strides to the plate, knowing that Street will go to a sinker 84 percent of the time on the first pitch to left-handed batters, and that opponents have a near-.200 ISO on the pitch through Street's career. The A's flop the nuts as Moss unleashes the thunder on a first-pitch sinker over the inner half of the plate, parking a three-run homer into the right-field stands for the 5-3 lead, which holds through the bottom of the frame as the Tigers are unable to beat Grant Balfour on the river. The A's leave Detroit with three stacks of high society and a trip to the World Series, ready to try their hand against the best in the game. —Doug Thorburn
9. NL East: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The bad Phils beat the Nationals in a head-to-head match-up near the halfway point with Washington lacking their best weapon, and though Philly receives relatively little screen-time during much of the film, the team re-appears in the final month as a threat to the Nats' hopes for gold. The stage is set for an epic battle, but the hot-handed Braves dispose of the bad taste of maroon with a head-to-head sweep in the final days of the regular season. Atlanta's conquest of Philly allows the Nationals to sneak into the playoffs without a shot fired from their bullet-less offense, but the partnership is short-lived. The Braves force Washington to dig for gold in the Wild Card round, and the Nats look up from their potential winnings to see a rope tied in a noose and Atlanta ready to walk off with the loot. —Doug Thorburn
10. Houston Astros: Naked Gun
As to the topic at hand, I ascertain that the Astros' season likely isn't about to get better. The final game may very well remind us of the final scenes in The Naked Gun, where the Mariners faced off against Angels in a game that, upon re-watching, looked very much like it was played by actors. The only player who wasn't an actor, Reggie Jackson, was the one tasked with not playing baseball. His job was to shoot the Queen, a job he failed at doing when a large woman fell on him from the top stands at the last second.
The Astros' season has, so far, served to remind us that baseball can be fun to watch and follow even if we're not any good at it. This will likely not get better as the season comes to a close. Therefore, I say the Astros' season will end on any one of these events:
The Astros may not be this awful next season, so we should all enjoy it while we can. But for this season, if any team has a player even modestly likely to step into a bear trap, fall into a cake, and then somehow ends up in the harbor, this is your best bet. —Matthew Kory
8 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
John Carter
Good fun. Bravo to Sam Miller for sharing Aguirre the Wrath of God. What a movie (although, that ending was the best part) - I always wondered if it didn't have a greater influence on Apocalypse Now! than Heart of Darkness.
Jun 26, 2013 06:37 AM
Any column that includes clips from the Holy Grail and Aguirre is ok in my book. Love BP!
Jun 26, 2013 08:22 AM
I nearly died of laughter from the Monty Python - Marlins joke. Loved this
Jun 26, 2013 08:44 AM
Very strong work all around, but another vote on the Aguirre reference. Now if you'll excuse me while I clean to coffee off my monitor.
Jun 26, 2013 12:20 PM
Rubin Amaro says, "The first rule of Valuation Club is that there's no such thing as valuation."
Jun 30, 2013 10:30 AM
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Top Definition
it's sarcastic response you give to self righteous people who think they need to tell you what is illegal and what isn't.
Hey, you need to stop drinking, it's illegal to drink under 21 you know...
*smirks* Yeah, well everything's illegal in Massachusetts.
*smirks* Yeah, well everything's illegal in Massachusetts.
by websterschick February 06, 2010
The Urban Dictionary Mug
One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids.Buy the mug


text:
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fluorometholone ophthalmic (generic name)
Eflone (brand name)
It is used to treat swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions in the eye
(flure oh METH oh lone)
Table of Contents
Top Learning Centers(Recursos en Español)
What is this medicine?FLUOROMETHOLONE (flure oh METH oh lone) is a corticosteroid. It is used to treat swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions in the eye.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They should know if you have any of these conditions:
How should I use this medicine?This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Shake well before use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch. Close the eye gently to spread the drops. Your vision may blur for a few minutes. Use your medicine at regular intervals. Do not use it more often than directed. Do not stop using except on your doctor's advice.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years of age, precautions do apply.
What if I miss a dose?If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other eye products without asking your doctor or health care professional.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better after 2 days or if they get worse.
A burning or stinging reaction that does not go away may mean you are allergic to this product. Stop using and call your doctor or health care professional.
This medicine can make certain eye conditions worse. Only use it for conditions for which your doctor or health care professional has prescribed.
To prevent the spread of infection, do not share eye products, towels, and washcloths with anyone else.
If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor or health care professional when you can wear your lenses again. If you can continue wearing your lenses during treatment, wait 15 minutes after application of the product before inserting your lenses. Some eye conditions may not allow you to wear your lenses during treatment.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where should I keep my medicine?Keep out of the reach of children.
Store below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.


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Happy tears dripped down Maria Vazquez' face as she watched the children clutch their gifts.
For the seventh year Maria, a Chino resident, and her dedicated band of holiday helpers, were hosting Christmas in the Classroom at Fontana's Juniper Elementary School.
Christmas in the Classroom sprang from Maria's heart when she learned that so many local children weren't going to have a very merry Christmas.
"My daughter Melissa was a second-grade teacher here and she asked her students, `how many of you do not celebrate Christmas?' She was shocked when almost every hand went up," Maria said.
Melissa was asking out of religious respect, but soon learned that there were other reasons children do not celebrate the holidays.
"They were telling her, `we don't have any money. My mom or my dad doesn't have a job.' It just broke her heart," Maria said. "She called me right away and said, `Mom, can you help?"'
Maria called friends and family and together they bought gifts and candy canes for all 20 children. She even got Santa to go to the classroom and give the gifts to the children. However, joy turned into sadness when Maria and Santa left Melissa's classroom.
"Children were standing near the classroom behind a fence when they saw Santa," Maria said. "All of a sudden they started climbing the fence and shouting, `Santa, Santa, where are you going? You forgot me? Come back.' I started to cry. This was supposed to be such a joyous occasion and instead it was so sad and I said `never again. I won't help a school unless I can help the whole school."'
And that's what she did. From helping those first 20 students Maria, her family, friends, business contacts and those she has met randomly by chance, have given toys to more than 3,200 children in four Title 1 elementary schools: Juniper and Date in Fontana, San Antonio in Pomona and Troth in Mira Loma.
According to the California Department of Education's website, for a school to be Title I, a minimum of 40 percent of students in the school or residing in the attendance area served by the school, are from low-income families.
"For many of our students this will be the only Christmas gift they receive," said Adele Thomas, Juniper principal. "Each year we see students who won't open their gift or open it very carefully so they can wrap it back up and open it again on Christmas. It really tugs at your heart."
Thomas has been at Juniper since Christmas in the Classroom began. Its students have come to look forward to the annual event.
"Right after we get back from the Thanksgiving holiday the kids start asking, `When's Santa coming?"' she smiles.
In the past Maria's dreams were to take on more and more schools until every child got a Christmas gift, however, she will be out of work in January as All-Coast Lumber, Inc., her employer, announced it was closing its doors, another victim of a sluggish economy.
"I will keep Christmas in the Classroom going," said Maria, whose program is not affiliated with any charity, organization or group. "I just might need some help, but I can't stop, it would disappoint the children."
All-Coast management and staff have helped Maria with monetary donations as well as gift storage, wrapping and transportation to each school.
"They have been so wonderful," Maria said. "There are so many angels in the world helping me to help the children. What a blessing."
Other donors include Driftwood Dairy, HR Insurance Services, Tony's Spunky Steer, Southern California Industries, Mattel Toys and Ganahl Lumber.
Maria's brothers Eddie and Jose Herrera hosted a fundraiser at the Montebello Elks Lodge and raised $2,000. Margo Dodson, who's been helping Maria for the past six years, had a garage sale and recycle event and collected $1,000.
"What Maria and all these volunteers do here is truly amazing," said Kent Bond, CEO of All Coast. "This is a tremendous program and Maria is a remarkable person. She's always telling me how there are so many angels in the world, but really, she's the angel."
Information about Christmas in the Classroom: email@example.com
Reach Diana via email, or call her at 909-483-9381.