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Friday, September 2, 2005 - Page updated at 08:49 AM
A seattletimes.com special section
Storm's refugees adjust to life in terrible limbo
Knight Ridder Newspapers
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Earl Clark spent yesterday afternoon trying to start a new life in a strange city that was never supposed to become home.
Twenty years of waiting tables — in the French Quarter, no less — should be worth something, he guessed, and so he began applying to restaurants in Pensacola as his son, Earl Jr., approached the post office to see if it had work.
Clark had fled New Orleans grudgingly but with little regret, so confident was he of coming back. But like tens of thousands of fellow evacuees from the drowned city, Clark has been forced to face a harrowing reality: He is no longer an evacuee but a refugee, and there is no home to return to anymore.
"There's nothing to go back to, we'll go back to visit, see if there's something to salvage," said Clark, 45. "It hit me yesterday. We're going to have to relocate. Where? We'll see who gets a job first."
Coverage of Hurricane Katrina
Bush admits the relief effort has fallen short
Desperate docs to news service
Engineers tackle levee repairs
New Orleans "could be bulldozed"
Economic impact felt nationwide
Feeling the loss of a unique city
Katrina Q&A: cancellation policies, refunds and more
Katrina likely to affect travelers for months to come
Danny Westneat: U.S. no longer tending to its own
Storm's refugees adjust to life in terrible limbo
Woman flees for refuge in Kirkland
Grim days in Mississippi towns
The Superdome becomes a hellhole
"We're out here like pure animals"
Louisiana offers shelter to refugees
From the Sound, an outpouring of cash, prayer and a home
Guardsmen pour into New Orleans
Explosion, fire awakens N.Orleans
AP: Interactive satellite photo
Gallery: Hurricane Katrina | Sept. 2
Thousands of hurricane evacuees from New Orleans and coastal Alabama and Mississippi flooded Pensacola, just east of the Alabama state line, draining its gas stations and filling its hotels, savoring the air conditioning as they await news from home or calls from missing relatives.
Most arrived with overnight bags, figuring they could go back in a few days or a week or so, tops. But those who lived in now-ruined neighborhoods along Mississippi's coast and New Orleans are living in a terrible limbo. Not everyone has resigned themselves, the way Clark has, to not going back, yet hundreds don't know how to proceed.
More than 100,000 people are living in makeshift shelters along the Gulf Coast and must be moved to semipermanent housing as quickly as possible, experts said, to limit the violence, crime and psychological trauma that accompany such groups living among strangers.
More than a million more have fled their homes in the hurricane-ravaged region, according to government estimates, and are seeking refuge with relatives or in hotels. That makes it hard to assess the housing need or to locate those deserving of disaster relief.
Experts are used to tackling this kind of problem in war zones or Third World countries. That these refugees are Americans — even the poorest of whom are used to certain standards of living — complicates the matter enormously.
"We like our air conditioning; we like clean water; we like more sanitary situations," said James Schwab, senior research associate at the American Planning Association, an association for urban planners. "It's awful hard to have patience when somebody else has the bag of ice at the other side of the tent."
Though the cost would be "astronomical," the federal government is considering providing housing assistance to all displaced Gulf Coast residents, regardless of income, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson said.
An "overwhelming" response from private and government officials as far away as Philadelphia and Detroit is expected to open up new housing as early as the middle of next week. The housing would be available for up to a year, Jackson said.
Some refugees such as Yvette and Ronnie Monk, of Ocean Springs, Miss., don't have enough money to stay another night in a hotel and can't find the gas to get back to their heavily damaged — but not ruined — home. The Monks fled with their children, Destiny, 7, and Brandon, 18, but couldn't go to shelters because they brought along their two Pomeranians.
They can't afford another night in at the Howard Johnson just east of Pensacola, which averages $80 a night. Lines at gas stations last hours, and most other pumps are empty, their handles wrapped in plastic bags.
"We're maxed out, we live week to week," said Ronnie Monk, 62, as he sweated in Pensacola's 97-degree heat. "At least we've got our lives, but now we have no choice. We have to try to find gas and get home, even though people's houses are down all around us and we have no water or lights."
Clark, the New Orleans waiter, is taking shelter at the Pensacola Civic Center, which is housing about 250 hurricane victims, most from the ravaged cities Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans. The evacuees fled east ahead of Hurricane Katrina only to discover Pensacola's hotels full or shuttered from Hurricane Ivan, which struck last fall. Highway signs and hotel clerks directed them to the shelter.
The shelter's coordinator, Jo Dee Cattrell of the American Red Cross, expected the influx and said people in Pensacola felt indebted to help neighboring states, which flooded the area with supplies and manpower after Ivan struck.
But as the magnitude of New Orleans' catastrophe became known, Cattrell realized many evacuees no longer needed food or clothes, which arrived by the truckload, but instead needed work.
She put out sheets for evacuees to list their names and trades.
For those who stay, Florida's schools are opening to out-of-state children, and at least 200 will enroll in the Panhandle area.
Paul Reed, 26, is using the shelter as a staging ground to plan the next phase of his life. He worked as an assistant manager at a hotel on New Orleans' Bourbon Street and left the city with eight other family members, including his children, an infant daughter and two school-age kids. He lost his home to "roof-high" water, but he has a brother-in-law who manages a hotel in Chicago and assured Reed of a job. Everything the family has left is in a rented Grand Am, and Reed plans to move to Chicago as soon as he can.
"Of course I want to go home, but the reality is there is no home, there's nothing left," Reed said as he cradled his daughter. "So I have to find it in my heart to find a new home."
Material from Newhouse News Service is part of this report.
Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company
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Spanish Civil War in Catalonia, Spain. Aerial view of the region in Spain. Wing of aircraft seen while in flight. Troops on battlefield in battle between Republican and Nationalist forces. Troops walk in columns on road. The injured being carried into an ambulance. Injured men being carried on litters. Bombed out buildings. Ruins of the bombed out buildings. A wounded woman being treated by medics. Two guards in what appears to be a church guarding art works, paintings, sculpture and antiquities. Narrator mentions "Gaudi" (famous architect of the region). Refugees carry belongings and walk on a mountainous road. Car of Francisco Franco on road in a city being escorted by Moroccan Regulares cavalry soldiers (also called "Army of Africa") on horses. The troops wear traditional white cloaks and turbans. People cheer. Head of State of Spain Francisco Franco disembarks from a car. He waves towards people from balcony of a building.
Republican loyalist forces in Catalonia, Spain during the Spanish civil war. Military trucks driven on road. A tank tows an artillery piece. Troops advance. Troops on tanks and motorbikes. Troops treat injured on litters. Some troops stand near the injured. An ambulance in the background. Supplies being carried on mules. Trucks driven through a damaged village. Exteriors of a building. A dead mule on ground. Bombed buildings. Troops walk past the bombed buildings.
View of train wreck site where Express train derailed and plunged down steep embankment in Catalonia, Spain. The event occurred on the Barcelona-Valencia railway line between Mora La Nueva and Els Guiamets. Reportedly, 40 persons were killed and 60 injured in the tragedy. Views of the fallen train and cars. Workmen repair track high above on the railroad bed. Communist sabotage is blamed
Japanese troops parade for Emperor Hirohito, mounted upon a white horse. Italian troops goosestep and German troops goosestep on parade. View of Austrian town with snow-covered Alps mountains in background as German troops enter Austria on March 13, 1938 during the Anschluss. Local citizens welcome them, displaying swastika flags and giving Nazi straight arm salutes. Troops, military vehicles, tanks, motorcycles, and horse-drawn artillery comprise the German invading force. Shifts to Spain, where war torn buildings reflect effects of German and Italian intervention during the Spanish Civil War. A donkey standing near field artillery piece. Artillery being fired from an urban park in Spain. Artilleryman using a range finder. German gun crew with heavy artillery piece. Soldiers wearing Adrian steel helmets, firing a two-wheeled water-cooled machine gun. Spanish carrying wounded on stretcher. Spanish civilians inadvertently slain during civil war conflict. Starving dog walking in street. Huge poster of Francisco Franco and view of him on reviewing stand saluting marching Nationalist troops. Repeat of Hirohito reviewing troops and Italian and German troops goosestep. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini stand together in open car heading to Fuhrerbau in Munich, Germany, for signing of Agreement between Germany, Italy, Britain, and France in 1938.Neville Chamberlain, and Edouard Daladier riding in car to Fuhrerbau. Views of the principals signing the accords. Hermann Goering seen. In Italy, Mussolini waves to cheering crowd from balcony. German troops enter Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) greeted by joyous ethnic German inhabitants.German military brass band playing in open trucks. Signpost pointing to Prag; Eger; Joachimsta; and Komotau. German troops marching into Prague.Italian Destroyer in port, as Italy invades Albania in 1939. An Italian L3/33 tankette being unloaded from a ship.Bicycle troops riding in Albania. German gun position overlooking river. Hitler at Reichstag mocks Roosevelt plea to stop invasions.
Rail guns firing in World War 1. U.S. troops charging out of trenches. Allied gunners firing "French 75s" Allied twin-tailed biplane bombers. French Renault F17 tanks. Crowds in cities celebrate Armistice Day and end of World War I. Treaty of Versailles. Destruction of warships. Scenes of Paris. A pagoda in Japan. Temples in Siam, China, and Manchuria. Two Kayan women in Myanmar or Thailand perform a dance. Both Kayan women wear long brass coil neck rings. In the U.S., a boy hits a baseball and runs toward first base. Scenes of Japan invading Manchuria. Newspaper with headline: Henry Stimson denouncing Japan. U.S. Army troops dispel World War I veteran bonus marchers. Men lined up in bread line for unemployed during Great Depression. Brief shot of Gangsters in gun battle in an American city. Scenes of dust bowl in American with farmers and families heading West in caravans. Family standing by tent. Torchlight parade in Germany. Adolf Hitler with German President Hindenburg. Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, and Victor Lutze, at 1934 Nazi Rally in Nuremberg. Italian Caproni bombers over Ethiopia. Ethiopian tribesmen and Haile Selassie. U.S.Neutrality Act. American youths with a 1930 Ford coupe. Scenes from Civil war in Spain. Spanish Rebel forces in ground combat with Nationalist forces. German and Italian aircraft participate in bombing Spanish Nationalist targets in Spanish Civil War. Spanish civilians flee bombing, tend to wounded and dead victims following bombings. Italian Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 Sparviero bombers. Crowds running for shelter. Women and children victims of bombing, some crying and in shock. Spanish General Francisco Franco arrives by train in southern France to meet with Hitler. View of Gallup Poll forms, and findings, with Americans against entering European war and preferring neutrality. Japanese planes and warships attack China. Naval Chinese civilians run for cover; bodies of Chinese in trucks. Japanese freighters, Buenos Aires and Tatsuno Maru, in U.S. ports being loaded with scrap iron and metals. Hitler, Goering and other officers in 1938. Adolf Hitler, Neville Chamberlain, Edouard Daladier, Benito Mussolini, Count Ciano sign Munich Agreement. Hitler riding standing up in an open car during a rally in Germany. Elevated view of Los Angeles, then view of traffic on streets of Los Angeles California and newspapers being sold to pedestrians. Citizens in movie theater watching Confessions of a Nazi Spy. German-American Bund activities including outdoor rallies in the U.S., and an indoor rally in Madison Square Garden. Emperor Hirohito reviewing World War 2 troops of Japan. Japanese steel production and arms production in Japanese factories. The Hokoku Maru Japanese ship being launched with fanfare from Tama Shipyards on July 5, 1939. Meeting of United States Military Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives in late 1939 to consider national defense matters. In meeting of Naval Affairs Committee, representative asks for increase of 25 percent in authorized naval tonnage.
The Spanish civil war ends in Madrid, Spain. Aerial view of the houses in the city. A wrecked building. Damaged window panes of a building. A bombed out building. People on street. Captured ammunition being kept on ground. People carry a basket of bread. Civilian refugees of war in a chow line. A child eats. A man eats sitting on a bench. Cavalry troops march. Head of State of Spain Francisco Franco disembarks from a car. People salute to Francisco Franco. He waves to people from a balcony of a building. People gather. Cameramen click pictures. Officials drive away in car.

subset: commoncrawl


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Livestock census surprisingly encouraging for sheep sector
The 2013 Defra livestock numbers survey showed disappointing figures in some areas, but sheep numbers were "surprising and very positive".
Both the UK beef herd and the breeding pig herd are still in decline, but the total sheep breeding flock has increased by 4% in the UK and 6% in England from 2012.
The annual Defra statistics show cattle, sheep and pig numbers in England and the UK as at December each year.
Paul Heyhoe, senior analyst at AHDB intelligence said: "On the sheep side, there has been a sustainable growth in breeding sheep, which has come as quite a surprise.
"We had horrible weather conditions in 2012 and we were expecting to see a loss in the stock in 2013, so to see an improvement is very positive.
"It shows good resilience in the sheep industry and maybe shows more people are taking an interest in it due to its profitability."
Overall sheep and lamb numbers were down from 22.991 million to 22.624 million, but Heyhoe said the significance lay in the breeding flock.
He added that there was now likely to be a bigger lamb crop long-term, meaning increased production in the supply chain.
Stephen Rossides, director of the British Meat Processors Association said: "The increase in the sheep breeding flock is encouraging and we hope this can be sustained."
Appearances were deceptive in the statistics on the pig population. The total number of pigs increased from 4.216 million to 4.383 million, but the UK breeding herd dropped by 1%.
Stephen Howarth, AHDB/Bpex market specialist manager, said: "The breeding herd is down, it's only slightly down, but it's a pretty negative picture.
"Producers had a better year in 2013, with feed prices down and the financial situation improving, so it was a surprise to see the herd down. We are going to be in a tight supply situation for the rest of the year.
The cattle population also continued to suffer in 2013 with the total breeding beef herd down by 3%.
Heyhoe said: "The figures indicate fewer beef cows in the future and this will impact on business. It will add extra pressure on the supply chain."
Rossides added: "The continuing fall, if only gradual, of the UK cattle breeding herd, and especially of the specialist beef herd, is a matter of concern to processors. Global beef demand is firm and the UK should be meeting a higher proportion of domestic needs, as well as exporting to the rest of the world.
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You're Invited - FREE Family Harvest Event & Resource Fair
October 7, 2016 9:06 AM
You're Invited – FREE Family Harvest Event and Resource Fair!
What: Harvesting Opportunities
When: Saturday, October 22, 2016 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Where: School of Continuing Education (SCE) Anaheim Campus, West Parking Lot
1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim, CA 92801
Bring your family to the SCE Anaheim Campus on Saturday, October 22, 2016 for the Harvesting Opportunities event.
This event includes a resource fair with access to information on education, health/wellness (health screenings), employment, and more! There will be a student showcase, live entertainment, and food available for purchase. You can apply for a Student ID and trade a book at our book swap booth. Enter our opportunity drawing and win tickets to Medieval Times!
Check out our Kids' Zone for face painting, pumpkin decorating, and games! Children, 12 and under, are encouraged to dress up for our costume contest and trick-or-treat their way through our resource fair. Best costume will win a prize!This event is FREE and open to all members of the community. Gather with us for a day of fall festivities, access to information and resources in the community, and FUN!


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We are very pleased to invite you to the 19th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Virology, that will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 14 to 17 September 2016. This meeting will cover hot topics of clinical virology, maintaining the high scientific standards of previous meetings of this Society.
Lisbon is known as the white city, thanks to its unique light. The clear light and the kind climate allow for marvellous walks all over the city, with wonderful views over the Tagus River. It is the country's star attraction, filled with majestic monasteries, gothic cathedrals, quaint museums, traditional pastry and restaurants with "fadistas" singing their traditional songs.
Lisbon is the only European capital with sandy beaches 20 minutes away from the cobbled stone city centre and a luxuriously green holy mountain around the corner. From 2009 to 2013 Lisbon has been voted three times as the Best City Break Destination in Europe.
We hope you will take this opportunity to come to Lisbon in 2016 and combine science and leisure.
Looking forward to meeting you in Lisbon,
Paulo Paixão
Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl


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Marell Johnson 1920 ~ 2011Comment on this story
Our beloved father, Marell Johnson, age 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2011. His last moments were spent taking a short walk outdoors, hopeful for spring. He was born March 27, 1920 in Emery, Utah, the son of Stanford and Artemisia Johnson. He married Luana Black on September 5, 1952 in the Manti LDS Temple. They enjoyed 54 years of companionship and love. He had a great love for the Lord and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He especially enjoyed the many years that he served as an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple. He served his country in World War II on the front lines of the Aleutian Islands, and later received an honorable discharge. He retired after many years from Hill Air Force Base where he served as a supervising inspector in maintenance. His passions and hobbies were: his family, gardening, fishing, puzzles, airplanes and Harleys. He was a kind, loving and devoted husband and father. He patiently endured the challenges life presented him like the gentle giant that he was. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, two brothers, Deril and Bruce, his wife and sweetheart, and also his son, Alan. He is survived by his brother, Clair (Lois); sister-in-law, Betty; his daughters and their husbands, Lynne (Byron) Arnold, Debbie (Wayne) Sowers, Darlene (Richard) Duncan, and Susan (Doug) Bons; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Val Verda 8th Ward Chapel, 2651 South 500 West, Bountiful. Friends and family may call Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Friday morning 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmorutary.com.


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Sony HDCAM has become firmly established as the de-facto High Definition (HD) production format worldwide, with a unique track record for production of the highest quality programming. Much of this reputation has been built upon the HDW-F900, the world's first 24P CineAlta HD camcorder, which received a Primetime Emmy® Engineering Award in 2004.
For 2006 Sony has developed the HDW-F900R, the successor model to the HDW-F900. This new camcorder represents the flagship model within the HDCAM line-up, and has been designed for productions such as drama, commercials and feature films where a prestige 24P look is required.
The HDW-F900R combines the imaging performance of the original HDW-F900 in a smaller, lighter chassis. Power consumption has been reduced, new features have been added and the new camcorder meets the latest EU environmental legislation.
The HDW-F900R features 12-bit A/D conversion, can record four channels of digital audio and provides HD-SDI output as standard. It joins the HDW-730S, HDW-750P and HDW-750PC camcorders within the HDCAM line-up.
The HDW-F900R is supplied without a viewfinder. The picture shows the camcorder fitted with an optional HDVF-C30W HD LCD colour viewfinder.
|Approx. 5.4 kg (12 lb. 2 oz) with microphone, HDVF-20A viewfinder, BCT-40HD cassette and BP-GL95 Battery
|F 10 @ 24 fps, with a 1/48-second shutter speed
|Optical System
|F1.4 prism
|25% to 85% (relative humidity)
|Storage Temperature
|-20 to +60
|Operating Temperature
|0 to +40
|Operating time
|Approx. 110 min w/BP-GL95 battery
|Genlock / Timecode
|Power consumption
|38 W (With 12 V power supply, REC mode, with HDVF-20A)
|Power requirement
|Battery System
|BP-GL Series / BP-L Series
|HD-SDI Output
|Yes (x2)
|Signal-to-Noise Ratio
|54 dB (Y-typical)
|Pixel Resolution
|1920 (H) x 1080 (V)
|Sensor Type
|3-chip 2/3-type FIT CCD
|Industry Segment
|Camcorder Type
|Recording Format(s)
|Recording Frame Rate
|1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, 23.98P


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Originally Posted by rune_74
I find it hard to believe 120k for a game he basically reuses a ton of assets from all the other games. As for paying the artist, I surely hope he isn't paying too much for that. To be honest, its not the graphics that his games are known for.


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BALTIMORE — Hard to tell what happened to Justin Masterson on Tuesday night.
Maybe a consultation with a shaman would shed some light. Seemed almost otherworldly. Maybe an invisible alien parachuted from his UFO onto Camden Yards and put a hex on him.
Then again, it probably was just one of those baseball things that defy logic.
In the end, it cost the Indians a game, as the Baltimore Orioles rallied for a 6-3 win.
More photos below.
"I was going well through the first six innings," Masterson said. "Unfortunately I got into the seventh."
After four innings, Masterson (9-6, 3.76 ERA) was throwing a perfect game, retiring all 12 batters he faced. Adam Jones led off the fifth with a bloop single to center and eventually scored after Chris Davis singled him to third and J.J. Hardy bounced into an RBI force play.
Then came the seventh, when the sky fell on Masterson.
"He was so good through the sixth," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He had an explosive fastball and a really good breaking ball."
Masterson hit Jones with a pitch to start the seventh, then gave up a first-pitch home run to Davis, his 28th of the season, which leads the majors.
"It was a sinker in the middle of the plate, and Davis did what he's been doing," Masterson said.
Masterson followed that by walking Matt Wieters, his only walk of the game. One out later, Chris Dickerson tried to check his swing and slapped a bouncer just inside the third-base line for a single.
Both runners then rode home on Alexi Casilla's three-run homer.
It was not Casilla's 28th of the year or even his second. Until that moment, Casilla was homerless in 73 at-bats for the season.
"We talked about this to all the pitchers before the series," Francona said. "When you let them get their arms extended, they are very dangerous one through nine."
An offensive explosion by the Orioles or a monumental meltdown by Masterson? Or maybe both.
"It was just lack of execution in the seventh for me," Masterson said. "And they took advantage."
Masterson denied that one or more of the Orioles' hits or a pitch he regretted caused him to lose his concentration.
"There was no focus lost," he said. "I just didn't execute. You can be focused all you want, but you still have to execute pitches. I've had countless games like that."
Mike Aviles was watching the seventh inning from shortstop.
"They put some good swings on the ball, and he left a couple of pitches up," he said. "But any time Masterson is on the mound, we feel we have a good opportunity to win. He's got a good sinker, and no matter what ballpark you're in you think he's going to keep the ball on the ground."
Masterson retired 19 batters, seven on strikeouts and seven on ground balls.
The Indians failed to make Chris Tillman pay for his early wildness. He walked two batters in the first inning and one each in the second and third.
The Indians got one measly run out of it. Aviles delivered a one-out single in the first, which was followed by walks to Jason Kipnis and Nick Swisher to load the bases. Michael Brantley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly but the rally abruptly ended.
Despite putting the first two batters on base in the second, the Indians got nothing, and a leadoff walk to Kipnis in the third didn't go anywhere.
But Kipnis forced his attention on Tillman (9-2, 3.72 ERA) a little later by going deep for the 10th time this season.
"He's a lot stronger than people think," Francona said. "When he hits the ball the other way, he's all the more dangerous."
But give Tillman credit. His only costly pitches came in the fifth, when Michael Bourn led off with a double and Kipnis homered to left with one out to give the Indians a 3-1 lead that looked as safe as being a guest in LeBron James' cozy Bath estate.
- WHO: Cleveland vs. Baltimore
- WHERE: Orioles Park at Camden Yards
- PITCHERS: Kazmir (4-4, 5.37 ERA) vs. Hammel (7-4, 5.30)
- TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM


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As we slowly approach Turkey Day and the associated festivities of food, football and family, one must not forget the fourth tradition that has slowly grown in popularity over the last 10 to 15 years - BLACK FRIDAY!
But why is it called "Black Friday"? Certainly, there is nothing dark or foreboding about this day. The popular theory that has been bandied about recently is that the term comes from the notion that businesses finally go from being in the red (or in debt) to the black on this day because of the increased number of sales and purchases from bargain hunters! However, that theory seems silly, because if a business were to base its level of yearly success on only one day of shopping, clearly that business owner needs to consider a new line of work!
So when was the first incarnation of this term?
It appears that the first reference comes from the 1950s from factory owners who noted that their workers did not show up to work the day after Thanksgiving.
It was not until the early 1960's when we see the first instance of its use to describe the post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping rush. As a result of the traffic from the mayhem of shoppers to Philadelphia, police coined the term as a description of the harrowing scene on that day.
So, in fact, although today's shoppers see "Black Friday" as a wonderful opportunity to keep a little extra cash in the wallet while getting a nice gift or present, the term was derived from a not-so-pleasant experience that began nearly 50+ years ago! (Although some would argue that "Black Friday" still carries that negative connotation today!)
1. http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/the-origins-of-black-friday/
Trivia Nation
Giving you answers to MY random thoughts or questions!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Why is one of the most ubiquitous supplies in the office called a "Manila" folder?
Now one would not typically associate the capital of the Philippines for being an business powerhouse - that is usually reserved for cities such as New York City or London. Yet one of the most common office supplies found in law offices, financial institutions and doctors' clinics is the "Manila" folder.
So why is it called that?
Originally, these folders were constructed from Manila hemp. This is a type of fiber obtained from the abaca - a relative of the banana. Being the tropical climate that it is, the abaca is a common product of the Philippines and as such, was exported and used extensively to make the folders that bear its name to this day.
Posted by munoz0878 at 7:21 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 3, 2009
Did the most ubiquitous symbol in sports, the Nike Swoosh, cost only $35 to design?
On Sunday, Tiger Woods captured his 69th PGA tournament victory by winning the Buick Open held at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Michigan --
- a truly amazing achievement!
For all of his accomplishments, great and small,
there has been one constant companion in his strive for golf immortality. No....it's not his mother Tida. No.......it's not his wife Elin or his Sam or Charlie.
Here's a hint: it is featured in the photo above and has been intertwined with his legacy since signing a five-year, $40-million dollar contract with this company in August 1996 shortly after turning professional.
Yes......it is the Nike "Swoosh."
The design can be seen daily and nightly from the footwear of baseball and basketball players to the jerseys of college football teams.
But is it true that the "Swoosh" only cost $35 for Phil Knight, founder of Nike, to have designed?
The short answer is......YES!
In 1971, Carolyn Davidson was a student at Portland State University when she was approached by Phil Knight, then a teacher at an accounting class (as a means to supplement his income). The young graphic design student was working on a design project when she was approached in the hallway for her help. She obliged.
Trying to work on a shoe stripe, she came up with a symbol that looked like the wing of the goddess, Nike. Phil Knight did not love it, but used it because shoe boxes in Mexico were waiting to be printed and he needed to meet his deadline.
The original invoice for her work was $35, and she was paid in full by Knight.
But did this young designer lose out on millions of dollars for this symbol of sports marketing dominance? Did corporate American steal from the weak and profit from its hard work?
In September 1983, as Nike's prominence started building, she was invited to a luncheon and greeted by Phil Knight and presented with a gold Swoosh ring embedded with a diamond and an envelope containing Nike stock. (As she has mentioned, she has split the stock at least 3 times and is certainly doing well with herself.)
As you can see below:
the Nike logo has gone through changes throughout the years, but one thing remains the same. Its brand power is unmatched in today's sports world!
- http://swoosh.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/swoosh.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=497&p_created=1041353096&p_sid=BSKLxtEj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yMzAsMjMwJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9jcHgmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1
- http://web.archive.org/web/20071023034940/http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=5&item=origin
Posted by munoz0878 at 10:40 AM 0 comments
Labels: Nike, Sports, Tiger Woods
Monday, July 27, 2009
Did Eddie Van Halen contribute to one of Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits?
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is known for his sweet and smooth melodic ballads along with his pop-dance music stylings.
As he ventured on beyond the Motown pop made famous with his brother on the "Jackson 5," he collaborated with mega-music producer Quincy Jones. Wanting to add a rock and roll vibe to his Thriller album, Jackson came up with the lyrics to the song "Beat It." Wanting to add a true rock guitar vibe to the song, Jones called Eddie Van Halen to record the riff.
Van Halen had built his reputation as a innovative guitarist. Eddie Van Halen's
approach to the guitar involves several distinctive components. His innovative use of two-handed tapping, natural and artificial harmonics, vibrato, and tremolo picking, combined with his rhythmic sensibility and melodic approach, have influenced an entire generation of guitarists.
Van Halen stated that he thought that it was a prank call, but after learning about the producer's true intention, he agreed to the offer and did the guitar solo free of charge.
Posted by munoz0878 at 7:05 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Was Madonna a University of Michigan Wolverine???
We have all heard stories of high school and college dropouts making something of themselves in the future.
For instance, Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates had dropped out of Harvard University to pursue his future in computer technology, MS-DOS, then his Windows franchise.
The University of Michigan is the home of another famous dropout known for her 80's pop music beats and her 2000 Euro dance grooves - Madonna!!
Madonna (born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone) earned a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan and lived in Stockwell Hall (one of the all-women's residence halls on campus).
However, after two years on campus, she made her famous trek to New York City to pursue dreams of being famous.
Posted by munoz0878 at 2:59 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Was Jodie Foster the model for the Coppertone Girl?
Actress Jodie Foster is well known for her phenomenal work which has garnered her two Academy Awards for acting. A fun piece of trivia associated with her is that she was the model for the Coppertone Girl.
In fact, when the original Coppertone ad debuted in 1959, Jodie Foster was not even born.
The Coppertone ad was the brainchild of artist Joyce Ballantyne Brand who used her daughter Cheryl as the model for the famous ad.
It is true that Jodie Foster was in a Coppertone commercial, but it was a television ad that ran in the 1960's when she was only 2. You can see a video of her in that commercial here.
Posted by munoz0878 at 4:56 PM 2 comments
Is the MLB logo truly based on Harmon Killebrew?
As we all know, the NBA logo with its silhouetted basketball player was based upon the form of one of the NBA's greatest basketball players, Jerry West. As you can see, the 14-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion for the LA Lakers has the characteristics that has symbolized the NBA of the 1960-70's.
But how about the silhouette of the MLB logo? Popular convention and multiple internet searches suggest that the player in question on the MLB logo is Harmon Killebrew.
MLB has neither confirmed nor denied that claim.
An article on ESPN sheds some light on the subject. According to Paul Lukas, Jerry Dior helped to design the logo for the league and states that he did not choose any specific person to model his design after.
Nonetheless, hardcore Killebrew fans still feel he is the model for logo. One picture they have submitted comes from a 1963 Twins Yearbook which in reverse looks like the logo.
However, it can be said that any baseball player can have a similar stance if a picture were taken at the right angle.
So where does that leave you - the trivia obsessed fan.....well, I have no good answer. If you want to score points, answer Harmon Killebrew, but know that this is likely a baseball urban legend that has gone awry.
Posted by munoz0878 at 4:36 PM 1 comments
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Bemidji School Board discusses budget adjustments
The Bemidji School Board has some decisions to make.
The Bemidji School District faces a deficit of about $2 million from overspending last year and projected overspending this year.
The district overspent by nearly $1.56 million last year in the general fund and was on target to overspend by nearly $944,000 more this year.
At its meeting Monday night, the board discussed making $2 million in budget adjustments.
The board already made mid-year adjustments at a special meeting in January. The board implemented a "soft hiring freeze," called back half the supply and equipment budgets from all schools, eliminated some planned big-ticket purchases and did not fill some vacant positions, Superintendent Jim Hess said.
With the mid-year adjustments, Hess said he believes the district will come close to reducing spending by $400,000 to $500,000 in this year's budget.
But with nearly $1.56 million in overspending last year and about $500,000 in overspending still projected for this year, the board will consider making about $2 million in budget adjustments for next year.
Noting the out-of-balance budget, Hess said the district received a total of a 4 percent increase in general education revenue from the state for the current biennium while the district's settlements with employees were around a 7 percent increase.
The board will examine its options at a work session Monday night. At that time, the board will review recommendations from district administrators for the approximately $2 million in budget adjustments.
The board will meet for the work session from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the District Office Conference Room.


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February 10, 2012
Today's Web Shop Giveaway Item by Mark Heike
SORRY, THIS ITEM IS NOW OFF OF THE BOARD AND UNAVAILABLE. LOOK FOR ANOTHER NEW GIVEAWAY ITEM LATE ON SUNDAY THE 12Th.
Today's Giveaway of the day is the original, hand-created inked artwork for an ACTUAL PAGE used in FEMFORCE #135, the fifth page of the third chapter of that issue's FEMFORCE lead story, as penciled by Nick Northey and inked by Jeff Austin!! This slickly-rendered, sexy and sensual full-page splash of the villainous SINGAPORE SAL is the very piece of 11″ X 16.5″ single-ply Bristol board that Nick & Jeff worked on, presented here without the word balloons (which were added digitally on the printed version), which will make this a superb display piece. Nick Northey has drawn a number of memorable FF stories over the years, dating all the way back to "Monsters" in FF #11, "Gay Deceievers" in GOOD GIRL ART QUARTERLY #6, the Wild Side series in JUNGLE GIRLS 14, 15 & 16, and the TOMBOY back-up story in FF #124, to name a few. Jeff Austin has become the inker MOST identified with The FEMFORCE over the last decade, helping define the look of the team overall, having had artwork in virtually EVERY issue of FEMFORCE since #120, and all will agree that he and Nick make a GREAT FEMFORCE art team. The original art from either of these artists is hard to come by, but an original which is a collaboration of them BOTH- on such a hot-looking display piece is almost unheard of. Here's your chance to get this piece of unique artwork!! The first customer today who places an order for $100.00 worth of merchandise on the AC web store can recieve this classic piece of original "good girl" art ABSOLUTELY FREE simply by emailing me at firstname.lastname@example.com after placing your web shop order and saying "I want my free Nick and Jeff original FEMFORCE page!" We'll then ship you this great item along with the rest of your merchandise ASAP. Now, you can buy any items you'd like on the AC web store, so long as the total value of the items purchased comes to AT LEAST $100.00. If there are AC products you've been thinking about getting but hadn't ordered yet, now will be the perfect time, as your purchase can qualify you to recieve this rare, one-of-a-kind item.Just be sure to email me with your request as soon as you've made your order, and if you're the first qualified respondent, the Nick Northey/Jeff Austin drawing is yours absolutely free!! But remember this item- and this offer- is ONLY available today. When tomorrow rolls around, this freebie deal is GONE, whether any lucky collector has taken advantage of it or not. That's the deal with AC's February Freebie promotion. Once a lucky winner has responded to today's deal, I will put a notice on this posting that today's item is gone. But do check back often, because within another day or two, we'll have ANOTHER great giveaway going, all through February Freebie month here on the AC web shop!! (Please note that TODAY'S Nick Northey/Jeff Austin original page giveaway is ONLY open to residents of the US, Canada and Mexico, because of the cost and logistics of safely mailing this rare, irreplaceable item overseas.)
The digital picture does not do real art justice. I received this in the mail yesterday and I love it! Nick Northey and Jeff Austin really rocked Singapore Sal and this is a truly beautiful piece of art and I am happy to own it.
I foresee a time in the near future where everything will be done digitally and one of a kind beauties like this will be a thing of the past.


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A MAN was taken to hospital after a car hit a tree and he was thrown from the vehicle.
Emergency services were called to Hundred Acre Lane, off Blyth Road, near Worksop, just before 1am on Tuesday 4th December.
A car had left the road and hit a tree, and a male occupant was thrown from the car.
He was taken to hospital with injuries.
Fire crews, police and ambulance all attended the scene.


text: Semuliki National Park is situated in the remote corner of extreme west of Uganda, in bundibugyo District. It lies on Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. It is one of Uganda's newest national parks. It is one of the richest areas of floral and faunal diversity in Africa, with bird spec ...ies being especially diverse.Show More


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"Emotionally, you have to believe that it's going to be a lift for everybody. Regardless of what the contribution ends up being from Dany, I think it's going to be a lift just to have him back on the bench and see him on the ice. So whether he has an impact on the game or not is yet to be seen, but I think emotionally it's been a big lift for the team, the coaching staff and me personally."
Related quotes
"Regardless of the results, we played outstanding in the first. We played at both ends of the ice, shot the puck finally. We didn't get rewarded, but there's not many times you won't if you keep playing like that."
"Knowing that we'll never see each other again like this is going to be emotional. Regardless of what happens in this game, it's about us as people. Not seeing their faces every day and joking around is what I'm going to miss the most."
"All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy."
"This I do know beyond any reasonable doubt. Regardless of what you are doing, if you pump long enough, hard enough and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward."
"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnic background, is that we all believe we are above-average drivers."


text:
Issue No. 02 - March-April (1997 vol. 9)
pp: 292-301
DOI Bookmark: http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/69.591453

Abstract—A multilevel relational database represents information in a multilevel state of the world, which is the knowledge of the truth value of a statement with respect to a level in a security lattice. We develop a semantic framework of the multilevel secure relational model with tuple-level labeling, which formalizes the notion of validity in multilevel relational databases. We also identify the multilevel security properties that precisely characterize the validity of multilevel relational databases, which can be maintained efficiently. Finally, we give an update semantics of the multilevel secure relational model that preserves both integrity and secrecy.

Inference channels, integrity constraints, multilevel databases, multilevel security, relational model, update semantics.
Xiaolei Qian, Teresa F. Lunt, "A Semantic Framework of the Multilevel Secure Relational Model", IEEE Transactions on Knowledge & Data Engineering, vol. 9, no. , pp. 292-301, March-April 1997, doi:10.1109/69.591453


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|Property type
|Minimum Stay
|5 - 7 nights
The Sol suite is perfect for singles or couples wanting to stay right on the beach while vacationing at the beach. We are located on Potrero Bay which is the beach just north of Flamingo in the Guanacaste Province on the North Pacific side of Costa Rica. This suite has a gorgeous view of the ocean, beach, pool and great sunsets. Relax by the infinity lap pool or sit on the bar stools to watch the sun go down. We also have a gas grill for those impromptu BBQ's. Hammocks are available if you'd like to relax under the palm trees. The suite has a/c and a fully furnished kitchen. You can also watch cable TV or check emails with Wi-Fi. Just a 45 minute drive from the Liberia International Airport (LIR) and close to restaurants, grocery and shopping. We recommend renting a vehicle to fully enjoy the area.
Infinity lap pool with swim-up bar and large rancho. Pool chairs and beach towels provided.
On-site caretaker
A /C & Ceiling fans
Outdoor Grill
Wireless Internet
Cable TV/DVD
CD Player/Stereo
Private In-suite Bath
Full size refrigerator
Full kitchen
Hot Water
Laundry Facilities
Outdoor showers after beach access
Beach chairs & Beach towels
We offer beautiful beachfront accommodation with an infinity lap pool. We're located on Playa Potrero in Guanacaste and just 50 minutes from the Liberia International Airport (LIR). Villa Malibu is located in a residential area and offers a romantic, relaxing beach-side, exclusive vacation experience. On the beach and tucked away on a quiet side street, Villa Malibu is an upscale property with a studio suite. Guests of Villa Malibu enjoy the seclusion of a private tropical beachfront, but are only minutes away from some of the best dining and outdoor activities in the Flamingo, Brasilito, and Potrero area.
We welcome guests from all over the world to enjoy the tranquility, comfort, and beautiful surroundings. The uniquely-designed Malibu-style property is a perfect place to escape from crowds to enjoy Costa Rica and rejuvenate your mind and body. Guests will also enjoy the spectacular beachfront pool. What a wonderful place for a honeymoon or even a wedding on the beach.
Villa Malibu, Suites on the Beach, in Playa Potrero, Guanacaste was our choice for a special anniversary. Having been to Costa Rica before, we wanted to rent somewhere as close to the Pacific as we could get. This rental unit filled the bill. Walking down the stairs across a lovely lawn, past the palapa with enough stools for four, through the gate, across the sand, we were IN the ocean. The water there is the warmest I've ever been in and the gradual slope let us swim and walk as far as we wished. There is also an almost infinity pool beside the palapa that's big enough to swim in.
The Sol suite, though it's the smaller of the two, was certainly big enough for the two of us, containing the sleeping area, a table and chairs, full kitchen and bath. Janet lives in the lower level and she and her friend, Luis, were always available to help if we needed it. She lent my husband Bob a bicycle from the unit to ride around in the villages and those close to it.
The little grocery in Potrero was handy for quick pick-up items because you can walk or bike there. Our favorite full size store was SuperMassai in Playa Flamingo. The restaurants we liked were Nabinni in Tamarindo, Lola's (though only available for lunch) and if you want something more touristy, Hacienda del Sol was just a short walk north on the beach.
The owner, Laura, was always available to answer questions we had prior to our visit and if she didn't know an answer, she'd check with the Special Places of Guanacaste staff in Playa Flamingo. You'll have the cell phone number of one person from that staff; we worked with Yeudy, who was terrific.
The only negatives we had were the lack of cell service, the heat (something no one can change) and the lack of multiple airlines flying into Liberia, and the unpaved roads around Potrero. That said, rent a four wheel drive if you have that option. And enjoy.
We were so happy with our experience that we're already planning a trip back! Everything was fabulous from the caretakers to the local restaurants! A must go!
If you desire it all ...and mostly privacy, clear sunny skies, awesome temperatures, walk accessibility to most any amenities and instantly "feel" Purda Vida - you found it. We sure did ! There's something going on every day and evening in any of the surrounding establishments. Enjoy your morning and evening walk on a 2 mile beach with almost no one on it ( unreal and shhhh) , experience sunset from the poolside Cabana with a libation or 2, but only after a dip in your private infinity pool. Sleep to the soft music of the ocean waves - ahhhhh yes, we found it. We have covered a lot of territory on this wonderful planet of ours and with this type of private micro resort option and location, from start to finish and top to bottom, it was all "top drawer" as they say :) Pleasantly addicted and already booked again for next year!
It really is as good as it looks in the pictures. Right on a private beach in a protected cove with about 2 miles of walking beach in front. When the afternoon sun becomes hot, the pool area provides a nice relaxing and shaded area to enjoy the sound of the ocean with your own private pool. Easy walk to stores and restaurants. Laura was very attentive to our every need. Many other attractions nearby, but we were just interested in the beach. We had a great relaxing time in Costa Rica.
We very much enjoyed our stay at Villa Malibu. This property was perfect for the two of us. We enjoyed walking the beach, relaxing by the pool and exploring the area.
Laura is very nice and helpful in suggesting activities and restaurants to visit.
We would definitely recommend this property to any couple looking for a beautiful, quiet place to stay.
Our Host was really nice and the care giver attentive. We felt so lucky. just an amazing place.
This property was perfect for our week stay. Laura is the prefect hostess, she has a beautiful property, pool and location on the beach. The apartment is clean, modern and very comfortable. The beach is perfect for walking with yoga nearby. Several nice places to eat, but the apartment is well equipped for meals. I would recommend this property to anyone who wants a peaceful, comfortable vacation!
|Tax Rate


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May 12, 2014
Source: Zoetis news release
HOGISTICS™, a new tool enabling pork producers to more accurately predict optimal market hog weight and weight distribution, is now available from Zoetis. Hogistics uses a farm's historical production data to provide more precise information for making more accurate marketing decisions so pork producers can capture more profit.
"With this knowledge, producers can plan pig flow six to eight weeks out and more efficiently plan pig placements," explained Chad Grouwinkel, Senior Manager, Pork Productivity Solutions, Zoetis. "With HOGISTICS, you know when your market hogs will reach their optimal market weight window with a significantly higher degree of accuracy, which helps maximize profitability."
HOGISTICS is a technological advancement over current tools that predict market weight. Existing technology doesn't account for many variables that impact the growth rate of market hogs over time.
HOGISTICS is an automated, data driven, predictive analytic model that more accurately predicts market hog weight, weight distribution and mortality by weeks on feed. It acts like a producer's own production system, taking into account an operation's unique history, events and growth patterns. Beyond enabling producers to make more-informed marketing and pig flow decisions, HOGISTICS also measures the impact of important production events, such as adding dietary fat or a vaccine to prevent disease.
"HOGISTICS allows you to test scenarios and see what changes can mean to your bottom line before you actually implement them," Grouwinkel said. "HOGISTICS is a unique system that helps producers maximize revenue and net profit."
Producers using HOGISTICS are not required to input any data. It's designed for use with current organized production data systems. The weekly market weight prediction reports can be accessed online and are in an easy-to-read spreadsheet format. Zoetis also provides support to help producers fully utilize all the benefits from HOGISTICS.
For more information, visit www.hogistics.com or contact your local Zoetis representative.


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Willow Glen kicks off its holiday season on Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the Garden Theater, 1165 Lincoln Ave.
The Vivace Youth Chorus Concert and Chamber Choirs will perform and then carol up and down Lincoln Avenue.
Santa Claus will stop in at Hicklebee's, 1378 Lincoln Ave. from 11 a.m. to noon to read stories to children.
He will then stroll down to the Garden Theater to welcome Vivace. Both events are free.


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I gave it a 4.5 after the first listen too. Just incredible.
+ love
Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound OffLove!
go see him live. he tours endlessly
this is blowing up so much all of sudden, probably will even more when you review it redsky
The rating also went up to a 4.1
Should be higher!
it was a 3.7 back when I first rated it.
the debut rules too, and I still have to check out last year's album
Poetry of the Deed has so great stuff but it lags in places. It's about as good as Sleep is for the Week.
Album Rating: 3.5i'll start with a four here, I'm sure that being brilliant = being earnest
Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound OffI need MOAR of this shit
Album Rating: 3.5I'm happy to stay on the Frank Turner hype train for now...it's refreshing stuff to say the least
Album Rating: 3.5During my first listening, I would not have given more than 3.5/5.
I just listened to it all for a third time, and it promptly clicked YaY
I loved it right away, but it grew from there. Great to see you enjoying it Jethro.
I listen to Better Half at least once a day. The chorus is addictive.
Album Rating: 4.5Yeah this has grown on me a substantial amount
lyrically, this is my favorite album. and lyrics are a pretty big deal to me.
Album Rating: 4.0Poetry of the Deed is better than Sleep. Sleep is mostly shitty lovesongs which are generally his worst.
Better Half is the only song on this I really don't like.
worst things happen at sea >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>isabel
Album Rating: 4.0Both of those songs are a lackluster though.
i love worst things happen at sea : (
isabel is about the only song of his i don't like and it's because of the verses. i hate that melody
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


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We know what's been said, we know what we've seen in game.
We know it's just the start.
So, my question is this:
Does the ascended gear tier and agony content gating adhere to the principles on which Areanet marketed this game?
Those principles brought anticipation to near Old Republic levels because there was an honest market out there of people tired of gear-grinder MMOs.. and seemingly Areanet has done an about-face on those ideas, and I've seen a lot of people claiming it's so egregious that it amounts to a bait-and-switch.
So what would it take for Areanet to, as it said in it's PR, 'not intend a gear treadmill'? What would it take for that to be the literal truth?
My answer.. based on the implementation of the fractals dungeon that I observed in game is that the patch - or at the very least the mechanics surrounding the acquisition of ascended gear - for Arenanet's intentions to be honest, must have been implemented in a panic at a level of incompetence that is staggering.
Think about that - if you want to adhere to your principles you don't pull such a fast 180 that people are left with whiplash and shock. If you don't want to adhere to your principles, you don't implement a grind that is so hideous it immediately disheartens an entire segment of your casual playerbase.
WoW does gear-grind and new gear tiers in a comparatively light-hearted, simple, easy-going fashion. In fact, no game I've yet played has implemented a new gear tier with such awful mechanics for acquiring the pieces.
The dungeon's gating mechanic is designed so poorly that people who couldn't play on the Lost Shores weekend found themselves already starting to be left behind by the time they got to the game. The costs and RNG of the new items are so shocking that many people are saying they are simply going to wait until Arenanet lowers the cost, or just plain out creating thread after thread of justified criticism, or they're just completely opting out. There's only one method to attain the gear, and only a few slots - all of it points to this stuff being added in a total panic, without proper forethought, testing, or listening to tester feedback.
Why? C'mon. Surely they must have known the locusts would move on after three months. Surely they must've known the pattern for every single MMO launch since Warcraft. Why this as their response to a totally predictable event?
Edited by Lheimroo, 26 November 2012 - 02:02 PM.


text:
A comedian in L.A. named Josh Androsky is a hero to college dropouts everywhere right now, because he went on "The Price Is Right" while he was drunk and on MUSHROOMS.
Apparently it happened earlier this year, but the video is making the rounds online. It's seven minutes long, but it's pretty funny.
He bid on two different items and guessed "one dollar" both times. The second time, he was the closest bidder and got to go up on stage. And when Drew Carey asked what he did for a living, Josh said he's a, quote, "skateboard rabbi."
In the YouTube description, he says he, quote, "took mushrooms, got drunk, then went on The Price Is Right and lied to Drew Carey's melting face."


text:
No doubt this is a newbie question. I'm building a site for a video director. She has two categories of videos to display, so on the home page I have two columns, with two still images (sized 450 x 252 px) each of which links to the appropriate video page. The links work fine–the problem is the images display at approximately 446 x 358. It appears the image height has been stretched from 252 px to 358, and so less than 2/3 of the width of the image is displayed. How can I get it to display the whole image?
The page in question is at http://abbydix.com/newp/
Thanks in advance.
Please add this to the very end of your Quick CSS
#top.home .slideshow_container {
width: 454px;
#top.home div .one_half {
margin-left: 1.6%;
width: 80;
height: auto;
#top.home .one_half .slideshow {
width: 450px !important;
height: 252px !important;
#top.home .slideshow li img {
width: 450px;
height: 252px;
Excellent! That looks like it did it. Thanks very much!
Great! Enjoy the theme.
The topic 'images expanded in size and are cropped' is closed to new replies.


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What Is Minimalist Web Design?
Minimalism has been around for many years and is now back as a conceptual idea for web design. Building a simple and elegant website will help a company stand apart from the rest and allow users to get important information without extra clutter.
October 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) -
Minimalism, the idea of exposing an identity by eliminating all non-essential elements, was first conceptualized in the U.S. throughout the 60s and 70s. More recently, minimalism has made its way back to the mainstream and is now incorporated online through web design.
Minimalist web design presents the message or content of a website using only items essential to fulfilling the site's purpose. Without extra clutter, the message, in its most basic form, is allowed to shine through. This could mean that a website has only contact information, or only product information, allowing the basic purpose of the site to stand out, rather than be surrounded with clutter.
The reason minimalism has become popular again is because the attention span of the average Internet user has shortened. Most website visitors don't read an entire page. They scan for information they need and discard the rest. It's all too easy to lose the pertinent information needed. Users want specific information quickly, without extraneous elements that slow down response or load times.
This is especially true for mobile users. When scanning a website on a smartphone, users don't want to have to zoom in and search for the information they need, or they'll ultimately just leave the page. Creating a simple layout with the pertinent information will help users interact with the company.
Starting with the basic content, whether it is a brand, a call to action or a slogan, and then building in only the essential items needed to accomplish the page's goal, it is possible to create a simple, yet effective, minimalist website. However, balance and coordination are needed to ensure that usability is not hindered by the lack of elements that simplify the user experience.
Designing a minimalist website is something that will benefit a company for many years to come. It's easy to add things onto a simple web design, and it's even easier to update a simple web design.
Interested in building a minimal website? Contact Raster Media for help. They understand the internet because they work on the internet, and have helped brands like Babbleon, Vegas.com and the Western Veterinary Conference.
To learn more about Raster Media, call (702) 943-1832, or visit www.RasterMedia.com.
Categories: Web 2.0
Tags: building a simple website, minimal design elements, minimalist web design


text:
Artist description:
(Crazy Cousin)...part two of present!!
Java Draw Created Oct 26, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 cocofrog.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
very cool character!
Amazing, I love it!!!!!!! 5/5h
This is a great drawing! I love it! 5/5 & fav
Wicked cool!!! Awesome vector!!!! Cool shades!!!


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Help Save Warchild
For those of you that are Warchild fans as I am, you will be appauled by this. Warchild has spent his career making his own music for us, so that no one could tell him what to do. He chose the Warchild name because of his indian heritage, which he had trademarked years ago. Now someone is trying to take his name from him. I will let Warchild tell you about it himself, in this bulletine he sent to his fans. \"I received a letter from a lawyer in N.Y.C. a few days ago threatening legal action over the use of my name. The name comes from my native american heritage and has always been the name I\'ve used all of my music career. It is trademarked by me but this could be a long(and expensive) legal process. The company they represent is using the name War Child (2 words) and uses various artist to sell records. They are not Warchild the singer which is me. Please help me save my name that preserves my heritage.\" Now we can help him by signing this petition to save his name. So please sign this not just for Warchild, but for the freedom of the small guy trying to make it. He legaly did everything right, and they are trying take his name away from him. If they do it to him, they can do it to anyone. Thats not what America is suppose to be. Please sign this to help stop the injustice, and tell everyone you know to sign as well. Once you sign the petition & click submit, it takes you to a donation page. This is NOT for Warchild, it is for iPetitions web site. You can feel free to just close this page out. Once you clicked submit, your name was added to the petition. Thank you very much, Dottie P3
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CAIRO: An Egyptian cleric and member of the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting Egypt's new constitution has said that girls 14-years-old are permitted to have sexual relations under Islam and has proposed reducing the marriage age limit as a result.
"It is permissible for the girl at the age of 9 or 10 to marry," Yassir Barhami said in discussing a woman's sexual reproduction and his interpretation of Islam.
The Salafist – ultra-conservative – preacher claimed that under Islam when a girl begins to ovulate she is ready for marriage.
He added during a television debate on Dream TV last Tuesday that "marriage of a girl would not be a supplement for education," but added that it "was better" to marry a girl young "than falling into sin with customary marriage."
Written By: Joseph Mayton continue to source article at bikyamasr.com


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NEW YORK -- Eric Lindros and Tom Poti scored soft goals against Roberto Luongo to lead the New York Rangers to their first victory of the season, 3-1 Monday night over the Florida Panthers.
Lindros scored 1:41 in and Poti made it 2-0 with 7 seconds left in the second period as the Rangers improved to 1-0-2 on their six-game homestand -- the longest of the season. Petr Nedved added an empty-net goal with 52 seconds left.
Lindros left the game with a left shoulder injury and was sent for X-rays before the third period.
Mike Dunham made 34 saves for New York, beaten only by Niklas Hagman 51 seconds into the third period.
Florida stretched its winless streak to five games (0-3-2) after a season-opening victory. Luongo was beaten twice on 27 shots after yielding only eight goals on 182 shots in his first five games.
Islanders 5, Leafs 2
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Mariusz Czerkawski scored twice to help the Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jason Blake, Michael Peca and Oleg Kvasha also scored for New York, which has a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1-0).
Garth Snow was in net for the Islanders for the first time since allowing six goals in less than two periods on opening night, and stopped 24 shots for his first win.
Gary Roberts and Matt Stajan scored for Toronto, which lost its first road game. The Maple Leafs have scored only seven goals in their first six games.
Canadiens 2, Red Wings 1
MONTREAL -- Steve Begin and Richard Zednik each scored a goal off nifty passing plays and backup goalie Mathieu Garon made 18 saves to lead the Montreal Canadiens over the Detroit Red Wings.
Begin scored his first Montreal goal on a two-man break 1:44 into the second period, and Zednik got his second of the season moments on a two-on-one moments later.
Mathieu Dandenault scored a short-handed goal for Detroit, which has lost two in a row after winning its first three.
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text: Faculty in Environmental Studies Janet E. Buhrmann | Associate Professor of Sociology 217.245.3877 | email@example.com B.A. University of Texas, San Antonio; Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder Dr. Burhmann is dedicated to shedding light on issues of social injustice, and the 'social constructions' we maintain around race, gender, and social class. She is also passionate about educating students about environmental quality, sustainability, and issues of environmental justice. Jason Price | Associate Professor of Environmental Studies 217.245.1629 | firstname.lastname@example.com B.S. Northern Illinois University; M.S., Ph. D. Michigan State University Dr. Price is a geologist whose teaching and research interests focus on all aspects of the chemistry of the Earth's surface, with particular emphasis on the chemistry of stream water. At Illinois College he teaches courses on physical geography, geology, environmental science, and Earth surface processes. Dr. Price's interdisciplinary research is very field-based, primarily using small mountain watersheds to investigate the chemical conversion of bedrock to soil, human impacts and land-use on stream water chemistry, nutrient uptake and release by ecosystems, and the solubility of radioactively-damaged bedrock minerals. His research program has experienced extensive undergraduate student involvement, including students from outside of the sciences. T.J. Devine | Assistant Professor in Economics 217.245.3475 | email@example.com B.S., University of Central Missouri Professor Devine has completed the course requirements for the Ph.D. program in Economics at Iowa State University. His research interests include environmental economics and quantitative methods. He teaches courses in economics and statistics. He is also the advisor to the Investment Club. Kent D. Elwood | Professor of Psychology 217.245.3409 | email@example.com B.A., Ph.D. Northwestern University Dr. Elwood, is currently part of the interdisciplinary programs in Management and Organizational Leadership and in Environmental Biology at Illinois College. Over the past 35 years he has worked in the areas of Critical Thinking, Mental Retardation, and Experiential Learning. Currently he teaches courses and seminars in (among other areas) Sports Psychology, Ecological Psychology, and Recreation. He is also an avid kayaker. Organizations which he belongs to and supports include: Copper Harbor Trails Club, Keweenaw Watertrail, AEE and Go Paddle. Check them out! Kevin Klein, Coordinator | Professor of Economics 217.245.3474| firstname.lastname@example.com Professor Klein earned a Doctorate of Arts, D.A., in Economics Education from Illinois State University and has taught at Illinois College since 1986. While at Illinois College he has helped develop the economics and environmental studies programs and has twice received the college's highest teaching award, The Dunbaugh Award, in 1997 and again in 2004. In 1999, he participated as a Fulbright Scholar in the Fulbright German Studies Seminar to study alternative energies in Germany. This trip led to him sponsoring several BreakAway trips for students at Illinois College to Germany, Austria, and Ireland. His research interest are in the areas of application of economics to public policy, especially environmental policy. Dr. Klein has co-authored and published three introductory economics textbooks, seven study guides, six instructor manuals and six test banks as well as several other professional publications. In his spare time he is a married father of two daughters and is an amateur photographer specializing in prairie plant photography on his farm in rural Murrayville, Illinois. Many of his photographs can be found at https://www2.ic.edu/prairie and several have been published in books of poetry. Kevin Klein's home page Faculty Teaching Supporting Courses Bryan Arnold, Assistant Professor of Biology Jeff Chamberlain, Associate Professor of Physics Laura Corey, Associate Professor of Biology Penny Leonhard, Instructor in Biology Clayton Spencer, Associate Professor of Chemistry Lisa Udel, Associate Professor of English Winston Wells, Associate Professor of Political Science Lawrence Zettler, Professor of Biology For more information contact Dr. Kevin Klein, Program Coordinator at firstname.lastname@example.com or at 217-245-3474.


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If "Buckwheat" is Not Racist, Let's See What Happens if Glenn Beck Says It (Experimentally, of Course)
A self-described "progressive liberal" elected official (as opposed to a conservative liberal, I suppose) called a black conservative tea party activist "buckwheat" in a public Facebook discussion Saturday.
The term "buckwheat" is sufficiently known to be racially derogatory that there have been court cases involving its use, for example, here and here.
The liberal, Ohio state Rep. Robert F. Hagen, says he didn't mean the term as a racist insult -- and to emphasize his remarks, used a four-letter word and the sexual slur "teabagger."
Stay classy, sir!


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I continue to refer to Angeles Arriens' book, Living in Gratitude – A Journey That Will Change Your Life. One of the sentences from her February chapter she writes "The month of February offers daily opportunities to both say aloud what is in our hearts and communicate our love through our actions: our own unspoken verses of love." The following quotes are found in the February Chapter:
Attend to the Heart
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one today to say
"Thank you"?
A Gratitude - Building Exercise – from The Dali Lama
1. Spend five minutes at the beginning of each day
remembering that we all want the same thing;
to be happy, to be loved, and to feel connected.
2. Spend five minutes cherishing yourself and others.
Let go of judgments. Breathe in cherishing yourself,
and breathe out cherishing others.
If the faces of people you are having trouble with appear,
cherish them as well.
3. During the day, extend that attitude to everyone you meet -
we are all the same – with "I cherish myself and you too
(the store clerk, the client, a family member, a coworker,
a fellow bus-rider)."
4. Stay in the practice no matter what happens!
(Disarmingly simple, though not necessarily easy.)


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I'm confused. At the time they auditioned, I thought somebody here said Colton Swan (?) had previously auditioned for AI.
I'm confused. At the time they auditioned, I thought somebody here said Colton Swan (?) had previously auditioned for AI.
Maggie: "While she takes care of the men with the guns, why don't you sit down and I'll make you a nice, hot cup of tea?"
Pan Am stewardesses: prepared for anything!
Yeah, I happen to know these things. Colton previously auditioned and was eliminated in Hollywood, JPL finished 8th in AI3, and the Morgan Twins auditioned together in season 2 and were both eliminated in Hollywood.
When I heard the story of this guy and then heard him sing I was in shock that no one turned around for him. He was so gracious, but I am still in shock he wasn't chosen by anyone. My first thought was I hope they have a do over, but last season they used the steal so not sure what they will do this season.
On Season 3 they had 16 contestants for the first time - up from 12 from before so just maybe they will go back and do a redo for this season. I apologize if someone brought this up after the first night's show because I haven't read the comments all the way to the end.
I need to watch the 2nd night now and don't know if we were given any more news about their plans for how they are going to work this season, but if they do a redo my vote would be for Sam Alves to be brought back in. I just love this show and really love the new judges. They really make it a top notch fun show to watch IMO.
I agree - I have a couple of people I would like to see get a second chance, Sam being one of them. I couldn't believe no one turned around either.... if the gymnast got people to turn around, he should have too!
I have loved The Voice and was looking forward to it's start since I heard it was first going to be on because I love Blake Shelton and always have. It didn't hurt that Adam Levine was going to be there either. I watched with Xtina and CeeLo and still enjoyed it because of Blake and Adam. I have to say this year with Usher and Shakira I have not enjoyed a show like this for such a long time. I so hope they are here to stay!
I am glad to hear that so many have joined the ranks of people who like this show. I have watched AI since the beginning and felt kind of like a trader for not being able to watch any longer. Reading your comment of how you almost fell asleep watching AI makes me realize that I definitely made the right decision!!!
Still wondering why they only have 12 contestants each this season since they had 16 last season.
One of my favorite rejects on the Voice was that Cameron guy who sang Alanis in season 2.


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In the past week we saw an increase in insider buying coming from the health care industry. Last week GuruFocus reported 31 different insider buys coming from 19 different health care-based companies. These buys spanned across the sector from research and development labs to pharmaceutical companies. The following four companies are all a part of the medical supply sector of the health care industry. They represent significant insider buys coming from one or more directors or corporate executives.
1. Abiomed (ABMD)
The largest insider buy of the week was reported by Abiomed, a medical devices company.
One of the company's directors, Henri Termeer, bought 100,000 shares of company stock at $19.86 per share. This cost the director a total of $1,986,000. Termeer now holds on to at least 282,398 shares of Abiomed stock.
Despite Termeer's large buy, he was the only insider making buys last week. Three different insiders sold a total of 37,673 shares. As you can see in the graph below, the company's price has recently jumped from its 52-week low to near a 10-year high price of $24.62.
Since Termeer's buy, the price of the stock has increased by 12.79%.
Abiomed is a medical supply company that specializes in products dealing with heart conditions and failure. The company develops, manufactures and markets products that are designed to enable the heart to rest, heal and recover by improving the blood flow and/or performing the pumping function of the heart. Abiomed also created and owns the Impella which is the world's smallest heart pump.
The increase in insider activity is coming from the record fourth quarter fiscal 2013 that the company had. Some of the quarter's highlights include:
· The revenue was $43.7 million, compared to the same period 2012 which was $37.3 million
· GAAP net income was $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, up from $2.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the same quarter 2012.
· For the full fiscal year 2013, the total revenue was $158.1 million, up 25% from the previous year.
With these increases, the company upped its expectations for fiscal 2014. Abiomed reported that it expects 2014 revenue to be in the range of $180 to $185 million, specialized product Impella's revenue is forecasted to increase by approximately 20% and the GAAP operating margin rate for the full year is expected to be in the range of 7% to 8% of total revenue.
The financials on Abiomed show that the company currently has no debt. The company's revenue has also been on the rise since 2008. Also, Abiomed's revenue growth is ranked higher that 93% of the 165 companies in the global medical devices industry.
ABMD data by GuruFocus.com
There are currently 5 gurus that hold stake in Abiomed.
With its shares up 4.42%, Abiomed trades at $23.39.
2. Luminex Corporation (LMNX)
Luminex has reported three different insider buys coming from Director Walter Loewenbaum since the beginning of May.
Combined, Loewenbaum bought a total of 117,400 shares at an average price of $17.13 per share. This cost the director a total of $2,023,477. Loewenbaum currently holds over 2 million shares of Luminex.
Loewenbaum's buys are the first insider buys reported for the company since 2009. Since his most recent buy on May 9, the price of Luminex has increased by 6.8%.
Luminex is also a medical supplies company. Luminex develops, manufactures and markets biological testing technologies with applications throughout the clinical and life sciences industries.
The company has seen a successful first quarter. Some of the company's financial and operating highlights:
· A consolidated first quarter revenue of $53.2 million, a 9% increase from 2012
· Signed a collaboration and license agreement with Merck (MRK) to develop a companion diagnostic that will help screen patients into Merck's lead investigational candidate drug study for Alzheimer's disease.
· Non-GAAP net income of $7.9 million, or $0.19 per share.
· GAAP net loss of $2.5 million or ($0.06) per diluted share after a $7 million charge associated with finalizing the termination of their molecular distribution agreements.
The financials on Luminex show that the company's per share revenue has been on the rise since 2004.
LMNX data by GuruFocus.com
GuruFocus warns that the company's P/E is close to a two-year high of 120.13. It also notes that its assets are growing faster than its revenue which might mean that the company is getting less efficient.
PRIMECAP Management currently holds 2,543,292 shares of Luminex, and Paul Tudor Jones holds 18,000 shares.
With its shares down 0.05% today, Luminex trades at $18.37.
3. Pro-Dex (PDEX)
This past week medical supply company Pro-Dex reported two insider buys coming from two of the company's directors.
Directors Nicholas John Swenson and Raymond Cabillot each bought a total of 28,206 shares at $2.00 per share. This cost each of the men a total of $56,412.
Since their most recent buy, the price of Pro-Dex has increased by 2%.
The company recently appointed a new COO (Richard Van Kirk) as well as a new CEO (Harold Hurwitz).
The company is a rather small surgical supply company with operations in California and Oregon. The company specializes in rotary drive surgical and dental instruments used primarily in orthopedic, spine, maxocranial facial and dental markets.
The company is set to release its third fiscal quarter 2013 results this afternoon.
The analysis on Pro-Dex reports that the price of the company is nearing a 52-week high of $2.24. It also reports that the company's P/S ratio is close to a 3-year high of 0.5. The company's revenue has been in decline for the past five years.
PDEX data by GuruFocus.com
There are currently no gurus that hold a stake in Pro-Dex.
Pro-Dex currently trades at $2.04.
4. Boston Scientific (BSX)
On May 6, Boston Scientific director, Mario Ernest, bought 30,000 shares of BSX stock at an average price of $7.76 per share. This transaction cost the director a total of $232,800.
This buy marks the first insider transaction for Boston Scientific since Nov. 2012.
Boston Scientific develops, manufactures and markets medical supplies that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. The company's products are offered in seven primary businesses: Interventional Cardiology, CRM, Endoscopy, Peripheral Interventions, Urology/Women's Health, Neuromodulation and Electrophysiology.
Some highlights of the first quarter financial results for Boston Scientific:
· Sales were at $1.761 billion, down 6% from the first quarter 2012
· EPS of $0.16 per diluted share
· Grew combined revenue in the countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China 35% year-over-year on a constant currency basis
· It generated $163 million and used approximately $100 million to buy back 13 million shares under the company's existing share repurchase authorizations.
The GuruFocus analysis shows that the company's per share revenue has been in decline for the past five years and that the gross margin has been in a long-term decline. The average rate of decline per year is 1.5%.
BSX data by GuruFocus.com
The analysis also shows that the company's price and P/S ratio are currently at three-year highs.
There are currently 14 gurus that hold shares of Boston Scientific. To read an analysis on Leon Cooperman and Michael Price's holdings in Boston Scientific, click here.
With its shares up 2.37%, Boston Scientific trades at $8.65.
To view the full list of insider buys in the health care industry, click here.
- CEO Buys, CFO Buys: Stocks that are bought by their CEO/CFOs.
- Insider Cluster Buys: Stocks that multiple company officers and directors have bought.
- Double Buys:: Companies that both Gurus and Insiders are buying
- Triple Buys: Companies that both Gurus and Insiders are buying, and Company is buying back.


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You Are At:
AllSands Home
> How to compost
How To Compost
How to compost: rich organic compost is a key step in a vital garden.
Experienced gardeners refer to compost as "black gold"; most others would look at how it's made and say "trash". Call it what you want, if you want to have a wonderful garden, you have to compost. It doesn't take anything but a little time, and the dividends it pays are enormous. Compost can be used as an organic fertilizer, mulch, and to start your seedlings and it doesn't cost a thing. A compost pile is a stack of organic material that is allowed to rot. Once this material completely breaks down, it forms rich vitamin packed soil.
The first thing to do is select the area where you want to house your compost pile. Although a properly maintained compost pile will not smell or attract animals, it will be around for awhile, so you may want to keep this in mind when locating the pile. There are several ways to stack the compost. You can heap it into a stack, or you can build a three-sided bin to store it. Garden supply catalogs also sell a variety of compost bins. Use whatever you prefer. Once you have decided where you want your stack and how you are going to store it, start building. The compost stack consists of any organic matter. Use lawn clippings (pesticide/ herbicide free), leaves, twigs and other lawn waste, as well as the vegetable scraps from your kitchen. Also from your kitchen, add eggshells and coffee grounds. Once you begin your stack, you should keep adding to it and "stir" it with a shovel periodically. The more often you turn it, the quicker it composts. The optimum size for your compost pile is around four feet square.
If it is much larger, it will take a lot longer to compost, and if it is too small, it will not generate enough heat to compost. If you generate a lot of clippings and waste you may want to have two compost piles, one with your fresh compost, that you add to and stir, and the other of finished compost that you use in the garden.
So how do you know when your compost is ready to go to the garden? After it is complete, the compost will be dark brown, or black, crumbly and moist. It will not have any discernible ingredients, with the exception perhaps of a stray eggshell, which are slow to compost, but excellent for your plants. This can take anywhere from three months to one year, depending on a variety of factors. How often you stir the pile, its exact composition, and the weather all play important factors. There are products available on the market that add to the speed that your pile will compost, and many old gardeners swear by pouring a bottle of cheap beer over the stack occasionally. These methods may help, and certainly couldn't hurt, but they are also not necessary.
Once your compost is ready, what do you do with it? Use it as mulch around your vegetables and flowers, or work it into the soil around each plant. You can also use it as a potting mix, as it retains water very well. Once your compost is ready, use it! Your garden will thank you.
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Shanay back at Penn home after tornado ordeal
A 12-year-old girl is back home in the Black Country after spending two months in America undergoing gruelling treatment for a brain tumour.
During their time in Oklahoma Shanay Lewis and her family were taken to safety when a deadly tornado struck.
But the youngster took it all in her stride – and is now waiting to see what effect the course of pioneering therapy has had.
Shanay, of Penn, had undergone eight operations on the growth – but it returned.
Doctors are not willing to operate again so the NHS paid for her to receive special proton therapy in the US.
They stayed at a hotel in Quail Springs while Shanay had 33 daily sessions of up to an hour. In between they managed some days out at Oklahoma City Zoo and the Red Earth Festival featuring American Indian artists and dancers.
But the trip took a dramatic turn when the weather worsened and hailstones the size of golfballs began falling from the sky.
At least 24 people were known to have died in the disaster including nine children who were killed as they sheltered in a school.
But Shanay and her mother Samantha and grandmother Sue Bera managed to stay safe in the treatment centre, which has thick lined walls to keep out radiation.
Mrs Bera, who works in advertising, said: "We were out having lunch the first time the tornado came in, and the centre called us and told us not to travel there as it was too dangerous.
"Then a few days later we were at the centre and we were told to stay there because we were protected. There were sirens ringing all over Oklahoma and warnings for people to go to safe areas.
"It was quite scary but Shanay was really brave all the way through."
Shanay, of Pinfold Lane, Penn, collapsed with a seizure at home two years ago.
After being rushed to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, a scan showed up the tumour and she received surgery at Birmingham Children's Hospital. The youngster, a pupil at Highfields School, in Spring Hill, was returning to hospital every three months for an MRI scan – and the latest revealed the tumour was growing back.
The procedure involves a high energy beam of protons rather than high energy X-rays to deliver a dose of radiotherapy to reduce the tumour.
She had to wear a special mask so the beams could be directed to one area of her head, and was strapped to the bed to make sure she kept still.
The treatment made the tumour swell, so she has to wait for it to go down before having an MRI scan to see if it has worked.
Mrs Bera added: "She is quite sleepy now, which they say is normal, so she won't be going back to school until September.
"We were worried about how she would cope but she has been brilliant. She didn't panic and everyone made us feel really welcome there, which helped."
Proton therapy is a type of radiotherapy, where a particle accelerator is used to target a tumour with a beam of protons. The particles damage the DNA of cancerous cells, causing their death or interfering with their ability to proliferate.
The ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City has the most advanced proton therapy technology in the world.
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Apr 12
College Coed Gangbanged At Frat Party Free Clips – Smashed girlfriends topless on stage
Welcome to a new chapter here on Trashed Girlfriends. Isn't it nice to see how many naughty babes still enjoy participating in wild parties like this one and it's much more fucking fun to see all their photos while they're at the peak of their horny state. Take these steamy heavy-chested chicks for example, I was told that they're on the brink of fucking each other up while on stage and it's just unfortunate that some of the spectators wanted them for a private show. Boo. Well, at least we got the privilege of drooling over these hot pictures. This event is like an initiation of some kind, which originated from a group of horny teens who has the pleasure of worshiping all things with cunts and boobs. But of course majority of these involve the human female species and that's all we wanted to see here. That's just what we wanted to jack off to, seeing their exposed breasts and hopefully the entire glory of their shaven mounds. I've watched a whole fucking lot of events like this one but each one never fails to surprise me and my throbbing cock. Really, there are thousands upon thousands of these smashed bitches and I can go on humping a different one each day and I won't run out. All we got to do is visit TrashedGirlfriends.com to enjoy a wild range of these wild and horny girls.
The New Site: They Drunk
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text:
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Java Draw Created Jul 20, 2013 338 x 470px Unless noted Copyright 2013 narcissusmonth.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
i luv how u drew gaias profile here :) the eyes/lips n the words look excellent, tho i cant read them they look lovely :p favee
this is nice work
wow love this sooooo creative 5/5
very cool drawing! I didn't notice the other face or the words when it was tiny. great job on the shading. 5/5
very cool
beautiful! 5/5
well drawn, nice style 5/5
Amazing. 5/5h
Cool draw!!
Amazing! 5h


text:
If you thought Lamb Chop was tucked away in an attic or propped up in a museum, think again.
The puppet sheep is alive, kicking, and feistier than ever. You can see for yourself at the South Plains Fair.
Of course, Lamb Chop has a different helper. When creator Shari Lewis died of pneumonia in 1998, her daughter Mallory wondered what to do with the nation's favorite sheep.
"I was pregnant when mom died," said Mallory, who was head writer for Lamb Chop's PBS television show. "I realized if I didn't do Lamb Chop, my son would never know her."
On stage, Lamb Chop has her own interpretation of events: "She only got the job because she's in the family," the sheep quipped.
Close your eyes, though, and Mallory's Lamb Chop sounds just like Shari's.
"I think how you sing is a function of your vocal chords — it's genetic," Mallory said.
The South Plains Fair is Lamb Chop's Lubbock debut, but the duo travels to shows across the country, Mallory said.
"A sheep is always happy to be in Cotton Country," Lamb Chop said.
Shows are 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 4, 5 and 8 p.m. on Saturday at the outdoor stage. The act is a contemporary version of Shari's original show, which makes Lamb Chop seem even livelier than she did on TV.
"Lamb Chop is a bit of a drama Queen," Mallory admits.
"I am not," retorted her puppet.
But the backchat, singing and jokes soon win the hearts of kids who didn't grow up with Lamb Chop. For the first time, Mallory is also working with Hush Puppy, Lamb Chop's TV sidekick.
"Hush Puppy is like an opening Act," said Lamb Chop, in case there's any dispute. "I mean, he's good, but I'm great."
It's the generation that remembers Shari that makes Lamb Chop most excited to be performing 12 years after she died, she said.
"I like to see the old people who watched me when they were little," Lamb Chop said. "They ask me how I still look so good and I tell them I have a fantastic seamstress."
Among the audience Monday afternoon was Lubbock resident Dan Stevenson, who watched Lamb Chop in the 1960s. He's glad Mallory took the reins, he said.
"I was a fan of her mom and now I'm a fan of her," he said. "A lot of new entertainment is electronic. This is great because it's person-to-person."
To comment on this story:
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At Gemvara, we believe that the jewelry you wear should be as unique as you. Every beautiful Gemvara white gold blue sapphire family jewelry design will be made just for you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from an anniversary or holiday to your own personal milestones and celebrations. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your white gold blue sapphire family jewelry with meticulous attention to detail. Our precious metals are recycled or responsibly mined. Sapphire is the gem of truth and the soul. In addition to blue sapphire jewelry, today pink sapphire jewelry, yellow sapphire jewelry and white sapphire jewelry are also popular and more affordable than blue sapphire. Sapphire other than blue is known as fancy sapphire. Pale 14k white gold, is the most popular white gold alloy. Because gold is naturally yellow, white gold has palladium or nickel and silver to lighten its color. Gemvara also plates our white gold with rhodium, a platinum group metal, to make it a brighter white. Our wide selection of white gold blue sapphire family jewelry by Randy Dixon, Jeet Palavwala, Just Like You Designs, and other talented designers means you can find rings, earrings, and necklaces that are exactly your style. You can also shop by style, choosing our New Arrivals, Featured Engagement, or Customer Favorite Collections. Gemvara has an amazing variety of family jewelry designs so you can stylishly express what means the most. When our work is done and you open that box, you'll see your design is even more beautiful when brought to life in the finest precious materials.
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