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Researchers have found that another gene besides the more commonly discussed BRCA genes can have a significant impact on the risk of hereditary breast cancer. Specifically, inheriting a mutation in the PALB2 gene may increase the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer to 5 to 9 times that of women in the general population. However, more studies are likely needed before testing for PALB2 mutations might become routine.
Women with a family history of breast cancer may be familiar with BRCA mutations (see the BRCA1 and BRCA2 article). The PALB2 gene encodes a protein that helps to repair broken strands of DNA and prevent the buildup of genetic damage that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division. Certain mutations in PALB2 have been known to confer a predisposition to breast cancer, but the lifetime risk that those mutations confer had not been determined.
Recently, an international team of researchers performed a study to quantify this risk. The results of that study appear in the August 7, 2014 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study analyzed breast cancer risk among 362 members of 154 families in which at least one person had breast cancer and a mutation in PALB2 but no BRCA mutations. Their data show that women with this gene mutation have an age- and family history-dependent breast cancer risk anywhere from 5 to 9 times as high as women in the general population. The absolute breast cancer risk by age 70 among women with PALB2 mutations ranged from 33% (among those with no family history of breast cancer) to 58% (among those who had at least two first-degree relatives with breast cancer at age 50) in this study.
Although PALB2 mutations are much rarer than BRCA mutations (only about 1% of breast cancer patients have a PALB2 gene mutation, according to the study's authors), the researchers conclude that PALB2 mutations are an important cause of hereditary breast cancer and that the risk associated with PALB2 mutations is great enough to justify adding genetic testing for such mutations to that for BRCA mutations. According to the National Cancer Institute, however, there is insufficient evidence at this time to support routine screening for PALB2 when tests for BRCA mutations are negative. More research is likely needed before national organizations may consider including such testing as part of their guidelines.
Women with a known family history of breast cancer may wish to discuss genetic testing for PALB2 mutations with their healthcare providers and consider consulting a genetic counselor to better understand the risks conferred by genetic mutations.
Related Pages
On this site
Tests: BRCA1 and BRCA2
Conditions: Breast Cancer
Features: The Universe of Genetic Testing
Elsewhere on the web
American Cancer Society: What is breast cancer?
Genetic Health: Considering Genetic Testing
Genetics Home Reference: PALB2
National Society of Genetic Counselors
Article Sources
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used. To access online sources, copy and paste the URL into your browser.
Marchinoe, M. Study ties additional gene to increased breast cancer risk. Washington Post. August 6, 2014. Available online through http://www.washingtonpost.com. Accessed August 2014.
Herman, Amy. Time to Test for Another Breast Cancer Gene? NEJM Journal Watch. August 7, 2014. Available online at http://www.jwatch.org/fw109144/2014/08/07/time-test-another-breast-cancer-gene through http://www.jwatch.org. Accessed August 2014.
Antoniou AC et al. Breast-Cancer Risk in Families with Mutations in PALB2. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:497-506. August 7, 2014. Available online at http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1400382 through http://www.nejm.org. Accessed August 2014.
(Published August 18, 2014) Genetics Home Reference. PALB2. Available online at http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/PALB2 through http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed August 2014.
(Modified July 11, 2014) National Cancer Institute Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer PDQ®. Low- and Moderate-Penetrance Genes Associated With Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer. Available online at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/breast-and-ovarian/HealthProfessional/page3 through http://www.cancer.gov. Accessed August 2014.
Simon, Stacy. American Cancer Society: Researchers Learn More About a Rare Genetic Mutation Linked to Breast Cancer. August 8, 2014. Available online at http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/researchers-learn-more-about-a-rare-genetic-mutation-linked-to-breast-cancer through http://www.cancer.org. Accessed August 2014.


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Shelly Yacimovich's Lost Labor
The Labor Party is for the first time going to elections without any pretension of real leadership, because it is impossible to ask for the seat of power in Israel without addressing security and foreign affairs.
It is no longer clear whether Shelly Yacimovich is merely a temporary political hitch or a disaster with implications for the future. One thing, though, is...
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subset: commoncrawl


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Good Ideas Seeds from Gage Green Group
If you enjoy a little bit of risk in your life then Gage Green Group's Good Ideas weed seeds are a fabulous way to add some extra excitement to your next harvest. Whenever seeds are found in the lab that have been misplaced or have been left unlabelled, instead of throwing them away, Gage Green Group will put them into the Good Ideas pot.
One week you could be getting Mango Puff, the next it could be Inferno Haze. You won't know what you are growing until it comes through. But you can be sure it's a high quality Gage Green Group strain that is going to bring some incredible results. And just to make sure that everything is above board, Gage Green regularly germinate the seeds themselves, just to ensure the quality is spot on. This is a great way to get cheap cannabis seeds that are still full of exceptional quality. And as they all come from Gage Green Group, you know you are going to be satisfied.
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In search of another starter, the Nationals have been linked to Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer for months.
Turns out, it's another Tigers right-hander that the Nats have brought on in a trade.
The Nats have acquired 29-year-old righty Doug Fister from Detroit tonight in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-handed reliever Ian Krol and left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray.
"This is an exciting day for the Washington Nationals," general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. "We feel we've added a talented, young veteran to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle-tested through playoff experiences, and the depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard."
Fister went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA with the Tigers in 2013, with 159 strikeouts and 44 walks in 208 2/3 innings. He pitched to a 1.308 WHIP and allowed 14 home runs on the season.
Since 2011, Fister ranks ninth among qualifying starters with a 13.3 combined WAR, according to FanGraphs. The metrics really like this guy, as does a seemingly large portion of the scouting community. I've heard Fister's name mentioned as one of the more underrated starters in the majors.
Fister also has a 2.98 ERA over eight career postseason appearances and seven of which were starts, including a game in the 2012 World Series.
A seventh-round pick of the Mariners in 2006, Fister is under contract through the 2015 season. He made $4 million last season and is due another raise this year through the arbitration process under the terms of his current deal.
Per FanGraphs, Fister's four-seam fastball averaged 88.6 mph last season. A guy who relies on his heavy sinker, Fister also throws a curve and changeup.
Lombardozzi hit .264 with five home runs and 50 RBI in two-plus seasons with the Nationals. He had 13 pinch hits last season, ranking second in MLB last year.
A 19th-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of nearby Atholton High School in Columbia, Lombardozzi was well-liked within the organization and a favorite among many fans.
Krol, 22, went 2-1 with two holds and a 3.95 ERA in 32 appearances as a rookie with the Nats in 2013. He started strong after seeing his first major league action, but struggled down the stretch.
Ray, 22, was the Nationals' 12th-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He won 11 games and posted a 3.36 ERA between high Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg last season. Baseball America recently ranked Ray as the Nats' No. 5 prospect, and he's viewed as a potential middle- to back-of-the-rotation starter.
The trade was first reported by to MLB Daily Dish.
With the acquisition of Fister, the Nats have rounded out their rotation without needing to overpay for a free agent starter. That rotation now consists of Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Ross Detwiler and Fister, giving the Nats one heck of a starting five.


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As a Utah resident, I cannot get excited about the claim that U.S. home construction is making a comeback. Although it might be a true, my observation tells me that it does not benefit the American worker. This is why: I take long, daily walks in my peaceful neighborhood where I notice that the new homes going up are mostly being built by foreign workers.
Being Hispanic myself, I know for a fact that many of those workers are here illegally. Yet, the construction companies, in their greed, seem to disregard the fact that unemployment in this country is based on the status of native and legal American workers.15 comments on this story
I am sure those who benefit by having a foreign workforce will continue these practices. It should be an individual effort to make sure we hire those who are part of the 7.8 percent unemployed in our country.
Ultimately, there is a strong suspicion that many of these foreign workers, precisely because they are here undocumented, do not receive the proper pay for their labor and, in many cases, are expected to work an excessive number of hours, among other abuses. I encourage Utah residents to be vigilant and thoughtful when hiring someone to work for them. This is one area where Gov. Mitt Romney has the right idea ?— penalizing those who knowingly hire undocumented workers.
Syomara Marinaro
American Fork


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Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, died Monday in Germany after a long battle with cancer, aged 74.
His death was announced in a statement on the iconic band's Facebook page, which added that he died surrounded by his wife and brothers in a clinic in Rosenheim.
The Washington Post ran a photo gallery in his honor.
Manzarek formed The Doors with Jim Morrison in 1965 after the two met by chance in Venice Beach, California, where both were film students, according to The Times of London.
Morrison died in the bath in his Paris apartment of a suspected drug overdose in 1971, aged 27.
On July 7, 2011, two remaining members of legendary rock group — Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger — played their first ever concert in Russia to mark the 40th anniversary of Morrison's death.
The Doors was one of the most successful bands on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the late 1960s and early 1970s, racking up seven top 10 releases between 1967 and 1971, according to the Billboard website.
The Doors' self-titled debut album was released on Elektra Records in 1967 and went on to spend two weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, second only to the Beatles' No. 1 "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".
"Light My Fire" helped it stay 121 weeks on the Billboard 200, with the track itself at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks, as the first of 16 Hot 100 hits for the band.


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Two of the most dominant, divisive and successful crews in Hip-Hop are G.O.O.D. Music and YMCMB. At one time, the two factions headed by Kanye West and Lil Wayne, respectively, were quite chummy. Somewhere along the way however, as their success grew and grew, their friendship went astray.
But to understand how it went all bad, you have to remember that at one time it was all good (or G.O.O.D.). Hip-Hop Wired takes a look at the long and storied history of the YMCMB vs. G.O.O.D. Music Cold War. Whose side are you on?
• Wired 25: The 25 Best Songs Of 2012 So Far [LISTEN]
• Bangin Candy – Taylor Gang's Lola Monroe [PHOTOS]
• D'Angelo Tells GQ Mag That J Dilla Inspired Him To Clean Up His Act [PHOTOS]
• Drake Tour & Afterparty Pics With French Montana, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz & More [PHOTOS]
• 10 Rappers In The 40 & Over Club That Still Got The Glow
• Bout to Blow: 7 Hip-Hop Labels Accused Of Being Fronts For Illegal Drug Operations
• Mercy: 10 Hip-Hop Artists Who Chose To Die Another Day


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Didier Deschamps is on the verge of being appointed France coach, a source on the executive board of the French football federation said on Sunday.
"There are two or three details yet to be ironed out but there is no issue, Deschamps will be the next France coach," the source said.
France's 1998 World-Cup winning captain recently left Olympique Marseille after a poor 2011/12 season and would replace Laurent Blanc, who quit following the national side's quarter-final exit at Euro 2012.
His first aim will be to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with world champions Spain lurking in France's group.


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Welcome to WebmasterWorld Guest from 184.108.40.206
Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
I have a UK site and its been hit hard. 90 percent of my top listing pages have been thrown back by 6 or 7 pages.
FWIW I think that what we are seeing is a new update cycle. Things settled down last week, then I saw one DC change then that started to spread, eventually hitting all DCs.
Then this morning <using an online tool> there was a new set of relatively minor changes but a few much bigger changes on .co.uk. There are clearly two different sets of data being served to .co.uk or they are split testing a new geo filter.
I would sit tight for a while, it might well be that you come back as things settle. Is your traffic suffering? Maybe other folks are seeing your old positions.
[edited by: tedster at 3:54 pm (utc) on April 22, 2008]
If we check the datacenters using IPs in the URL, the browser shouldn't send the login cookies to google. So I think this should work as well.
That's what I always thought, too - but dudibob reports seeing different results. I can't easily test this because I intentionally avoid doing searches while logged in.
There is one other possible explanation - Matt Cutts explained that even the same IP does not always point to the same data center.
[edited by: tedster at 6:30 pm (utc) on April 22, 2008]
And officially, Matt Cutts did not confirm this as a new algo...
Hard to understand this, except that part of what I'm seeing appears to be be an ongoing link re-evaluation of the kind that has been going on for years, only now it's being increasingly applied to less competitive searches... perhaps factors and filters related to authority, affiliation, and trust.
The diversity thing is what appears to be new, but again, Matt has been mentioning for quite some time how Google likes to show "different kinds of sites" in the top results.
(I should add that I can't find any reference to anything Matt has said about diversity, but I know I've been referring to the idea of different kinds of sites for a while. It's most likely he said it at a conference. Maybe someone else can dig out something that's online).
I'd say that it's a red herring that the results are different when logged into google accounts and that this "warhol effect" is an overall SERPS phenomenon.
Seems price comparison sites have now taken the lead over the actual ecommerce sites :( I hope this won't be the norm!
Seems to be the norm in many areas now. It�s actually becoming difficult to purchase things off Google US. Even when you attach words like buy and purchase the comparison sites are driving the e-commerce sites way down. I've had to go to other engines to find seller sites I've forgotten the name of.
Today with Google I also noticed with four keywords exactly 9 of the top 10 sites were all Adsense but mine. Now I'm sure it�s not that way in all areas (it would be nearly impossible) but this does seem greater than random. I've been expecting Google to turn a handsome profit, as they did, because of this. They also see the comparison sites as having pretty much unlimited "deep pockets" especially in the Adwords auction arena.
Google also in the last 3-4 days seems to be tinkering with lesser keywords in my areas as more sites vanish from the top results.
So the logged in results are not so useful for understanding any changes in the ranking algo.
Hi Tedster,
It would be funny if they had an algo to sense for site owners interested in certain terms and then delivered bogus results to wind them up.
Come to think of it I think I've been got by this one ;)
It would be funny if they had an algo to sense for site owners interested in certain terms and then delivered bogus results to wind them up.
Come to think of it I think I've been got by this one ;
I seem to have read somewhere - I hope someone can find it - that an algo enhancement a few quarters back was able to determine what KW(s) every site was trying to optimize for by looking at tweaks made. If the tweaks were either numerous or constant a "hold' type penalty would be applied...
I also remember in the same article reading that it could take anywhere from 6-9 months to work itself off...
As an aside.... I always thought that to have several "Rotating Algos" would be a great way to control spam since it would like trying to hit a moving target.
I check for a particular phrase and our page shows at 37. I then go to my office in town (2 miles away) and the same page/ same phrase is 53. Same browser/ computer google version, not signed in etc. Everything the same but the results different - and stable all times of day for several days now.
We should be talking only about observations while logged out - the rest would be tailored to each person and not of general value.
I thought it is only a problem if you are signed up for "Web History". Or does Google track all our visits no matter what items we are signed up for?
Or does Google track all our visits no matter what items we are signed up for?
Google tracks everything...
One of the scary things about this monolith, IMO. I would not be surprised if being logged in or out is moot if you can be identified by IP address.
This would make sence as to why my one site dropped so bad but my other stayed constant...I have been tweaking a lot on the one and it suddenly has dropped and not much movement....
Google for months has had its own special algo for competitive single words and some of us suspect it applied that same algo to competitive phrases.
Random results at the top is somewhat reasonable in theory as a continuation of the Competitive Search Algo, but the only reasonable application of it is to scale results if Google wants to tie it into its new diversity idea.
I think there is a new Matrix of ranking. The matrix merges more data points than we're used to, so it's much more difficult to break down and figure out. You can't isolate the variables the same way.
Any PhDs here to figure it out for us?
I did. On the only site I have that I'm aware was hit.
Site Profile
Domain: example.com
Page Count: 200
Original Ranking: Top 10 for over six months for keyword "example."
Latest Ranking: None for example
Site Changes: Added "- Example.com" sitewide to all titles
e.g: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog - Example.com
The site has very good architecture, unique content, and unique titles.
It's very common to add the domain name or site name to the end of a page title. Why should Google penalize a site for doing that?
All other phrase ranking remains stable. At first I was slipping into and out of the top 10 after "Dewey" started to wreak havoc. Lately I'm not even slipping. Gone. I searched the top 1000 SERPs (pages 1 to 10 with a 100 results/page setting), and didn't see it.
It's ridiculous for Google to give no ranking to example.com for example.
Google sucks.
[edited by: potentialgeek at 9:53 am (utc) on April 23, 2008]
frustrating because a) some of therms are not even that comeptitive and I have been bumped to page 3 b) we blatently have some of the best content on this subject.
I am not being friendly to our site either, many sites now ranking do not even have the pages of tutorials, guides and explanations we have authored. It is almost like we are being penalized for trying to be helpful and informative. One page sites and directories ranking above us instead.
We're jumping around on .co.uk. We're seeing our site rank #2 for a one word search [manufacturer's name], and then it'll drop down to somewhere in the 20s or 30s. Then later in the day, back to #2, then down again.
It's been doing this for more than a week now.
Quite a few other phrases are doing the same, whereas others are staying put. 'Tis all very strange.
Looking into this phenomenon a little further, and something very strange is happening.
We seem to be 'swapping' places with another site for the #2 spot and the #20-odd spot. One of us ranks #2, the other in the 20s, and then we'll swap places.
The sites are completely different, no common inbound links, they look different, structured differently, and have different content. They are actually a dealer of the [manufacturer] - whereas our site covers all the manufacturers in the market.
Why would it just be the two of us who are jumping around? The rest of the results are staying the same (give or take a few places obviously).
Oh - and it's only on this one phrase that we've noticed this happening. I'm investigating other phrases, but so far none have shown the same behaviour.
In my market it has always been the case that if you did an allinanchor search on google.com you got the exactly same (or almost exactly the same) as on .co.uk. At this precise moment this is consistently not happening across all the DCs you can check at mcdar.
I wonder if this is what is causing your problems.
As for shuffling around - serps were changing daily up until yesterday and today - first 2 days in a row where the results haven't been different.
joined:June 3, 2007
votes: 0
It could be Google Update Dewey is winding down!
Not in my sector, it's gone absolutely phrenic today with nearly all pages bouncing about with some of the most authoratative at 950.
We're in for some more crazy days yet until they get this under control since it plainly and clearly is not doing what they intended it to, and if it is then they're going to start losing users rapidly since several times this week I have had to go to Yahoo! and Live to find information that Google could not.
Sure they may believe they're gaining market share with more pages however that's because people can't find what they're searching for!
Mess, another fine mess you've gotten into Google:-((
Added: And the sites of mine that were in Google.com and then had in Google.co.za and then got them back into Google.com have returned to Google.co.za!
[edited by: HuskyPup at 2:59 pm (utc) on April 23, 2008]
This morning we are getting several reports around the country that www.google.com has us in #5-7. Something changed last night, and for the good. There was a lot of non-relevant sites returned before the update this morning, and I mean a lot.
potentialgeek - yes, we used to rank page 1 for our keyword for weeks. Then I think we got penalized due to a partner who had very aggressively placed links to us for that keyword throughout their site. We submitted a re-inclusion request 7 weeks ago and now this is happening. Who knows :(


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Just a few days back, it was MSI launching a low-profile, AMD-based graphics card that boasted superior overclocking capabilities, as well as support for in-game video capture. Today, MSI is back with the same thing, except that this low-profile, overclocker-friendly and in-game video capture supporting graphics card is powered by NVIDIA's GeForce GT520 GPU instead of the AMD Radeon HD 6790 GPU we talked about that time.
Read on to find out more about this graphics card.
MSI has released the low-profile, GT520-based N520GT-MD1GD3/LP graphics card for entry-level gamers and overclocking enthusiasts. According to MSI, the new N520GT-MD1GD3/LP is capable of devivering "double the fun" to users due to its combination of both gamer and overclocker-friendly features.
According to the official press release issued by MSI, the N520GT-MD1GD3/LP graphics card will be bundled with the latest copy of the MSI Afterburner (version 2.1.0) overclocking software; this will reportedly allow users to tweak the performance of their graphics card to get the most out of their purchase. Also included in the software bundle is a copy of MSI's Predator, an application which allows users to easily record in-game videos.
In addition, the N520GT-MD1GD3/LP's low-profile designsupposedly allows users to easily install the card into more compact chassis designs favoured by not-so-tech-savvy home users. MSI claims that such a form factor, along with the card's single-slot design will make the N520GT-MD1GD3/LP ideal for a variety of smaller PC casings where chassis and motherboard real estate is scarce.
Last but definitely not least, MSI claims that the N520GT-MD1GD3/LP is capable of supporting NVIDIA's 3DVision technology; this will allow users to enjoy 3D movie playback on their PCs fitted with the N520GT-MD1GD3/LP graphics card. Of course, you will still need a 3D-capable monitor and a compatible set of 3D glasses to fully enjoy 3D movie playback on such a PC.
Full specifications of MSI's N520GT-MD1GD3/LP graphics card are as follow:
|Graphics Engine
|GeForce GT 520
|Bus interface
|PCI Express x16 2.0
|Memory Type
|Memory capacity (MB)
|Memory Interface
|Core Clock (MHz)
|Memory Clock (MHz)
|DVI output
|D-SUB output
|HDCP Support
|HDMI Support
|Dual-link DVI output
|Display output (maximum resolution)
|DirectX Version Support
|OpenGL support
|Display card size (mm)
|144 x 69 x 20 mm
|GPU Features
Microsoft DirectX 11 Support
NVIDIA CUDA Technology
NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Ready
NVIDIA 3D Vision Ready
32x Anti-aliasing Technology
Dual-link DVI Support
HDMI 1.4a Support
NVIDIA PureVideo HD Technology
PCI Express 2.0 Support
OpenGL 4.1 Optimization and Support
OpenCL Support
DirectCompute Support
Dual-stream Hardware Acceleration
Dynamic Contrast Enhancement & Color Stretch
Dual-link HDCP Capable
High-Quality Scaling
Hardware Decode Acceleration
NVIDIA GeForce Unified Driver Architecture (UDA)
Microsoft Windows 7 Support
Source: MSI


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One secret wouldn't change their past - but it could shatter their future.
Detective Cruz Montoya never knew why his wife, Meg, suddenly ended their happy marriage. But now he's not leaving her side until he catches the person ruthlessly stalking her. That means turning Meg's new life inside out and challenging her attempts to keep his investigation - and his body - at arm's length. Cruz never dreamed Meg's anguished bravery would bring their unresolved past back with a vengeance. And make the desire between them burn even hotter. Then Meg raises the stakes when she reveals the real reason she walked away. Cruz wants answers and to sort out their future. But first he has to outsmart an obsessed killer who can't wait to ensure they don't have one….
©2013 Cheryl Smith (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
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Fort Worth woman was closing in on finish line as bombs went off at Boston Marathon: 'Even after you see it, it's still not registered'
On Sunday, Jennifer McAlister posted a picture on Facebook of her and her friends sitting on the Boston Marathon finish line.
"On Monday the finish line is going to be our happy place," she wrote.
She never made it there. The 41-year-old from Fort Worth was about a tenth of a mile away, where she had a friend and her husband waiting, when the first of two bombs went off.
Had she been sprinting to the finish, she said, she would have been right in front of it.
"At first you hear the noise and so I thought is that like a celebration?" McAlister said. "Then I saw the smoke come out. Even after you see it, it's still not registered. … Nobody said anything. Nobody said, 'Oh my gosh, a bomb.' Then we heard the second one and then everybody stopped and we just stood there."
She saw the man in front of her lying on the pavement. Unsure of what happened to him and unsure of what to do, she ran the other way as police officers yelled to stay away from trash cans.
"I kept thinking of the images you see from New York, of people running the other way after the bombs go off," McAlister said. "It was kind of like that."
Speaking on the phone from a hotel room hours after the blast, McAlister had been able to locate her husband and friends. All were safe.
She believes the man in front of her may have been hit by debris from the blast.
"I felt so bad because I don't know if I handled the whole thing correctly," McAlister said. "I didn't know what to do, to run towards it or run away from it. … It's horrible place to be in. And then we were scared because we thought another bomb was going to go off at any moment. It was horrible. Horrible, horrible."
McAlister's friend Toni Biggerstaff, 43, from Keller, was a little further behind, on mile 26, when an official stopped the runners. She had heard the blasts but had no other information. The group was held for two hours before being let go.
"We really had no idea what to do," Biggerstaff said. "We weren't really told anything. We kind of walked around aimlessly for a while."
She eventually went to a friend's hotel room, where she met up with McAlister and the rest of her friends. Neither can get to their own hotel room, where all their belongings are. Those are on the other side of the river, and the bridges are closed.
"We're not going anywhere for a while," Biggerstaff said.


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Oconee Primary's annual fund-raiser
The Oconee County Primary School has begun selling Fantastic Savings coupon books to raise money for technology and instructional support at the school.
Last year, the Parent Teacher Organization purchased new playground equipment, ground cover and new swings with the money raised from selling the books. Each book features more than 100 discounts from local merchants with a value of more than $1,000.
The book has two-for-one discounts along with 50 percent savings on many items like dining, sporting events, shopping, beauty services, automobile services and others.
''Using just one or two coupons can recoup the cost of the $10 book,'' said Linda Schroeder, PTO fund-raiser chairperson.
To order a book contact the primary school at (706) 769-7941.
Davis orders local water restrictions
Melvin Davis, chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, issued a water restrictions order on Aug. 20.
The order directs that non-essential water be restricted:
An odd-even water system is in effect allowing even-numbered addresses to water on even-numbered days and odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days.
No outdoor watering is allowed during the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Violators will given a warning for the first offense; water cutoff and reinstatement charge of $250 for second offense; and termination of water supply and reconnection charge of $250 for a third and subsequent offenses.
Deadline approaches for Youth Symphony
The Athens Youth Symphony and Philharmonia under the direction of Karl Schab are currently accepting applications to audition for the upcoming 2002-03 season.
Applications are available from their web site at: www.AthensYouthSymphony.org or by calling (706) 543-1907.
Application deadline has been extended to Sept. 1.
The Athens Youth Symphony and Philharmonia are comprised of elementary, middle and high school musicians from Oconee, Athens and the surrounding counties.
''Philharmonia,'' in it's first season, will be a full orchestra complete with strings, winds, brass and percussion, geared to students with less experience than that required for the Athens Youth Symphony. Auditions will be held for both groups during the last week of August and the first week of September.
Both groups will perform at the University of Georgia's Hugh Hodgson Hall on Nov. 17 and May 4.
Motown music comes to Ashford Manor
The Common People Band will perform a concert Monday at Ashford Manor as part of the summer concert series.
The group plays Motown music. The gates open at 6 p.m. with the concerts from 7-9 p.m. People are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic suppers.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12 and free for children younger than 6. All dates are weather permitting.
Upcoming concerts include:
Sept. 9 -- A country music show honoring local firefighters, police, rescue personnel and their families.
Sept. 23 -- Steve Dancz and Friends with jazz and swing music.
Oct. 7 -- The Wildcats, a blues, rock and country band.
Little League board schedules meeting
The Oconee County Little League Board of Directors Elections will be Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Oconee County Middle School.
If you or someone you know would like to run for a position to serve on the 2003 Board beginning in September, contact a member of the nominating committee before Sept. 5: Gary Hale, (706) 254-6052; Sylvia Crowe, (706) 769-7040; or Tina Paul, (770) 725-5387.
Tolkien series held at library
Dr. Jonathan Evans, a professor of English at the University of Georgia, will speak on J.R.R. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings series, at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Oconee County Library.
The appearance was arranged by the Oconee County Library Friends.
The program is free.
Evans is an accomplished scholar in early English literature and languages, according to a news release. The imaginary world of the Middle Earth is a favorite topic of Evans, who will share his insights on the author and the world he created.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, August 28, 2002.
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us


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ROCHESTER — Losing a match is much better than losing a season.
The Spaulding High School boys tennis team was in danger of the latter when Jo Riker agreed to coach the team a week before the first match.
Although the results from a win-loss standpoint thus far have been disappointing, the Red Raiders are just happy to be on the court.
They dropped an 8-1 decision to unbeaten Timberlane on Thursday to fall to 0-5 in Division I.
It's been a season of adjustments for the Red Raiders, who were using trash cans and a jump rope for makeshift nets when snow kept them confined to the gym inside the Rochester Community Center.
"That made it difficult," Riker said. "It's tough not to be able to practice ahead of time before matches. We have quite a few first-year players, but they adapted pretty well."
They practiced just once outdoors before making the cross-state trip to Keene for their season opener. And tennis is not the primary sport for many of the team's athletes.
Spaulding has just three returning players who were on varsity last year, and only one who saw significant action.
"A lot of them play team sports so they're very competitive," Riker said, "but they stay positive. We keep it fun. We've had some really tough matches to start the season with, but we have a few coming up that we're hoping we'll be in and get a couple wins."
Riker spent the last two springs as an assistant coach for the Spaulding softball team before moving over to tennis after talking it over with athletic director Kevin Hebert.
Although the final team score against the Owls (4-0) might look like a blowout, it's not indicative of how competitive some of the individual matches were.
Tanner Hebert was involved in two tie-breakers, losing at No. 5 singles (9-8, 7-5) to Timberlane's Shane Branca and pairing with Brandon White to win at third doubles (9-8, 7-4) over Branca and Nick Hennessey.
"They're definitely playing a lot stronger," Riker said. "We had quite a few close matches today. They're definitely improving as we go along."
In other relatively tight singles matches Charlie Nevejans lost to Alec Withee at No. 1 singles, Ethan Savluk fell to Brett Paley at No. 3 and Seth Fogg lost to Hennessey at No. 6.
The score in all three matches was 8-5.
Savluk led 5-4 in his match before surrendering the final four points. Nevejans was up in his match 4-3 when Withee rallied.
"The only shot you can hit in tennis that's completely up to you is your serve," Nevejans said. "So in practice we've spent a ton of time on our serve. If you have a good serve that's a huge part of the game right there. You can dictate what happens with your serve."
In other singles matches, Timberlane's Alex Lewis defeated Joey Visconte at No. 2 singles, 8-1, and Spaulding's Nick MacGregor lost to the Owls' Mitch Mcdonald, 8-2, at No. 4 singles.
According to Nevejans, the Red Raiders have cut down on their unforced errors.
"We didn't make many mistakes," he said. "It's a lot better to lose with their team hitting winners than us hitting it out."
Nevejans and Savluk dropped an 8-1 decision to Withee and Paley at No. 1 doubles, and MacGregor and Fogg lost to Lewis and Mcdonald at No. 2 doubles.
All told, the Red Raiders have won six games this season, four coming in a recent 5-4 loss at Alvirne.
"They played well (and) they played hard," Timberlane coach Brian Deveney said of Spaulding. "I knew what type of team they were. We played them last year and it was kind of the same type of thing. They have a coach that they obviously like and they play well for her."
Spaulding's five losses have come against teams with a combined record of 15-6. Keene and Timberlane are undefeated and Londonderry has just one loss.
The Red Raiders are scheduled to host winless Dover today at 4 p.m., weather permitting, which would be their third match in three days.
"It's going well," Riker said. "They're a great group of kids and they work hard."


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- Duration
3 hours
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Minimum 8 - maximum 20
- Availability
All year round
Please note...
Please Note: This page provides a general guide to our chocolate making in Budapest. We work with multiple suppliers, so please be aware that specifics may vary. Feel free to ask your Destination Specialist at the time of booking if you have any questions about this.
Photos should be referred as a guide, and can vary on your particular programme.


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RepairPal is your advocate for car care advice and guidance
Q: What service is necessary for 100,000 mile check? on 2002 Toyota Prius
My 2002 Prius is coming up on 100,000 miles. I'm wondering what service is necessary/important at this point? Is there anything I should do before rolling over the 100,000 mile mark?
100k might not be a milestone for your Prius, as far as the maintenance goes. Some cars have a big service fall on that interval, but not all. Check your owner's manual for your maintenance schedule, and see what is recommended there. It also depends on what you had done the last time it was in for regular maintenance. If you've been maintaining the car well all along, 100,000 miles is just another regular service check-up--according to what your owner's manual says.
It's my understanding that the battery is under warranty only up to 100,000 miles, so you might want to think about looking for a new Prius. However, I haven't yet heard of anyone needing a new battery. Has anyone else?
I don't think the answer to needing a new battery/having the old battery's warranty running out is getting an entirely new car. Not for someone who is frugal anyways, but that's just my opinion.
I'm frugal and can't see paying $6 or 7000 for a new battery for an old car. That's the big deal to me.
Didn't find what you were looking for?


text:
Study: SC voters may have trouble getting IDs
Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:51:39 GMT —
A new study says thousands of eligible South Carolina voters may not have the right identification they would need to vote if the state's voter ID law goes into effect.
The study also says many people also don't have a reliable way to get to an office that issues the cards.
That information is in a study released Wednesday by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.
The Brennan Center has opposed South Carolina's photo ID requirement, which was blocked by the federal government in December because it could keep tens of thousands of the state's minorities from casting ballots.
South Carolina is suing to implement the law. A three-judge panel in Washington is to hear arguments later this year.


text:
PilotWings Resort
Comments (45)
|caffeinade (on 17 February 2017)
Have hope.
|fedfed (on 27 January 2017)
1 year on and still not a mil seller!
|fedfed (on 25 January 2016)
stable at 30k a year - this needs a cheap reprint - no where to be found and it will hit the mil mark!
|atma998 (on 12 December 2015)
Now at 0.94M...
|PAOerfulone (on 29 September 2015)
A "Nintendo Selects" reprint may be just what the doctor ordered for this game to reach 1 million.
|atma998 (on 09 July 2015)
|DarkRPGamer007 (on 18 August 2014)
This might reach 1m lifetime depends on if it's in a future bundle or something maybe or like buy a 3DS get 5 games free in 2019 something like that
|atma998 (on 08 January 2014)
Now 0.87M, the game is not selling as much as I expected, wonder if it could reach 1 million at some point.
|Ganoncrotch (on 28 May 2013)
I finally picked up a copy of this for 20euros since that is what everyone was saying it was worth for the past year and I have to say, what an amazing pilotwings game this is, if you like the one on the N64 you will absolutely find hours and hours of enjoyment here, I would consider myself a Vet of the N64 game and got about 12 hours worth to 3 star every mission in this, it is a shame that it is just all around the one Island and even that is small compared to the "little states" in the N64 version but saying that there is still an awful lot to do around the Island.... now I need to get back to finding the 60th Mii trophy my jet pack!!
|atma998 (on 14 December 2012)
0.83M... moving slowly to the million...
|leedlelee (on 26 November 2012)
If I'm not mistaken...
This is on the eShop in Japan...
Selling for (slightly) less than the other originally retail titles (Star Fox, OoT, SM3DL, etc.)...
This and Steel Diver would have made fantastic eShop launch titles...
|Salnax (on 22 November 2012)
In all honesty, I wish the 3DS had been released three months later. Why? So this could have been released as an eShop title for $10 to $20, and have gotten what it deserves. This is not a bad game; it's just so SMALL.
|Salnax (on 24 September 2012)
This ought to sell a million by late 2013, especially with the American price drop.
|DieAppleDie (on 20 August 2012)
here is still full price
ill buy it when it goes down
it wont reach a million. but 900-950k is plausible
|leedlelee (on 08 June 2012)
GameStop finally dropped the price in the US...
It's twenty dollars new...
I think that's a fair price for those who still haven't pick this game up yet...
They also dropped Steel Diver down to twenty...
Perhaps sales will pick up???
|acdcste (on 08 May 2012)
Will probably be overtaken by kid icarus by the end of may considering its almost non existent sales.
|Salnax (on 17 March 2012)
Legs have been pretty poor. Only 37,000 so far this year. It looks like it will struggle to reach a million.
|atma998 (on 29 January 2012)
0.74M, definitely a future million seller!
|MontanaHatchet (on 15 January 2012)
This should easily reach a million along with Pokemon Rumble Blast and Super Street Fighter.
|dark_gh0st_b0y (on 15 January 2012)
looks like it can very well reach the million it deserves!
|acdcste (on 03 January 2012)
I agree. Its night a AAA title although Nintendo probably thought it would have fared slightly better than it has.
|Salnax (on 30 December 2011)
@goldeneye0065r You act as if this series was ever a big deal. The N64 game only sold a bit over a million, and over the 3DS's life, this can do the same.
|goldeneye0065r (on 30 December 2011)
oh come on people only .69 m where are people who played the n64 version shit
|acdcste (on 28 November 2011)
Good game, some of the missions are tough to master for sure. I would be very surprised to see it hit a million though. Maybe 800k tops.
|atma998 (on 04 November 2011)
Will reach 1 million for sure somewhere in 2012.
|Salnax (on 02 November 2011)
This, like Steel Diver, would have been a great $30 game as an alternative to the bigger $40 titles. It's a shame pricing is so rigid nowadays...
|BurningWave (on 25 September 2011)
I think not. In my view, it will hit 0,75m this year.
|ghik16 (on 04 September 2011)
Question is, Will this be a million seller in 2011?
|ghik16 (on 04 September 2011)
EMEAA betters America in legs for the 3DS, though Americas present stronger first 10 weeks.
|oniyide (on 26 August 2011)
i liked this game more than i thought i would, its still overpriced for me, but its not bad
|Roar_Of_War (on 24 August 2011)
Definitely did not "tank" with critics. This is a legitimately good game and was one of the more popular choices for the 3DS. It isn't this games fault that the 3DS can't sell software very well. I do admit, this game needed more content, but everything that's there is quite enjoyable.
|spurgeonryan (on 24 August 2011)
I think this will be my next game while I wait for something other than that Atlus game.
|Salnax (on 13 June 2011)
@Hephaestos The third best selling game for the 3DS worldwide is far from terrible. This game was meant to show early adopters what the 3DS could do, and I think it did a reasonable job at that.
|Hephaestos (on 05 June 2011)
wow this relly tanked with critics... and a low sales ratio for a flagship title too :x
|Salnax (on 20 May 2011)
Good to see this game selling as well as it is. Though a bit overpriced, it is a great launch game.
|bazmeistergen (on 11 May 2011)
People remember the originals too fondly because they were original. They were also much shorter.
|mpereira (on 24 April 2011)
I only bought street fighter : )
|ZuZayLi (on 22 April 2011)
hey, this game is really cool and relaxing. I like it a lot!
|gunslinger (on 13 April 2011)
I think this is the firsat time I haven'y bought a Nintendo published launch game. Way to drop the ball Nintendo!! At least Zelda is coming.
|Roar_Of_War (on 13 April 2011)
@non-gravity & whatz3rname: I don't know what you're talking about. This game is a lot of fun =)
|BurningWave (on 10 April 2011)
Very nice but rather short game - it is perfect if you like to relax some time...
|whatz3rname (on 07 April 2011)
@non-gravity: Monster Games developed this, not Nintendo. That's probably why it's not so good.
|non-gravity (on 07 April 2011)
This is the game I see advertised on Dutch tv. From what I heard it's really boring though, so I wonder how NInty came up with this.
|noname2200 (on 01 April 2011)
Compare your high scores with other VGC members here: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=126643&page=1&str=539242403#.
|Nintendogamer (on 31 March 2011)
My first 3DS game.


text:
Nature's Footprints
by Murchie's Photography
About the Book
Nature's Footprints is a collection of my favorite images that I've taken over the years. They come from Canada, the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina. Photographing nature is one of my favorite pastimes - there is endless beauty everywhere you look. A portion of the proceeds from this book go towards a yearly donation to the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) to help protect our breathtaking landscapes and magnificent creatures.
Features & Details
- Category Arts & Photography
Standard Landscape, 10×8 in, 25×20 cm
40 Pages
- Publish Date Sep 21, 2010
- Tags sunsets, sunrises, forests, trees, beaches, seascapes, oceans, animals, landscapes, photography, nature
See More
About the Creator
Murchie's Photography
Sooke, BC
I passionately enjoy photographing both people and nature. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always loved the creativity and freedom of taking photos. Now, I do what I love to share it with others.
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But fear not - there is plenty to explore...Shop all Hyperlite Shop sale Hyperlite
Hyperlite Murray Nova Core Wakeboard – Blem 2010: With last season's success already under their belts, Shaun and Greg headed back to the shaping room to create the next generation of Murray boards. The goal was to design a series that utilized the pro model features that Shaun has become accustomed to while finding the balance of that user-friendly ride anyone could enjoy. The Hyperlite Murray Nova Core Wakeboard begins with the first ever Subtle 3-stage rocker line. This new rocker gives the Hyperlite Murray Nova Core Wakeboard more pop than ever before but it's subtle enough to maintain great speed into the wake and makes carving as natural as the previous shapes. The new dual tunnel base contours allow for maximum water flow past the removable .8 inch P-Wing fins which creates a responsive edge but still allows for a quick release off the wake. The Hyperlite Murray Nova Core Wakeboard is finished off with a variable edge design and exaggerated landing zone for smooth edge transitions and soft landings.
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Subtle 3-Stage rocker line
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Speak Easy Salon: The Water Crisis
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, 6:47 p.m.Palisades Library
Speak Easy Salon: The Water Crisis
Please join the conversation on Wednesday, November 17 about climate change and the water crisis. The readings consist of "High Marks for Clean Water", "Get the Salt Out", "The Big Melt" and the "Burden of Thirst" in National Geographic, April 2010. Copies of the articles are at the circulation desk. Refreshments will be served.


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In this earlier case, a senior executive of a real estate company explained to me that he was responsible for properties that generated $500 million in revenue and that because of reorganizations in the company he was going to now be responsible for $1 billion worth of properties. He told me that in the previous year he had travelled 225 days to appear at one property after another and he didn't know how he was going to pull off overseeing twice as many properties. My response was that one thing we knew for sure was that he wasn't going to travel 450 days in the upcoming year.
That was the ah-ha moment for him. He recognized that the natural limits of time were going to force him to change his approach. Oftentimes leaders get so caught up in the doing that they don't stop to assess whether or not what they're trying to do is actually physically possible. In his case, being personally present at every property in his business unit over the course of a year just wasn't possible. My observation that you can't travel 450 days in one year was the trigger for him to step back and reassess.
Maybe you're in a similar situation. Here are five questions you can ask yourself to assess your leadership situation and determine what your options are around the highest and best use of your time as a leader.
Question 1:
What am I trying to do that extends beyond the actual time available to me to personally do it?
Question 2:
What am I trying to accomplish by doing that?
Question 3:
Given the role that I'm in, what should I be trying to accomplish instead?
Question 4:
What resources (people, systems, processes) do I need to acquire or develop to cover whatever still seems worthwhile in my answer to Question 2?
Question 5:
What opportunities do I have to shift from retail leadership (being personally present or involved in everything) to wholesale leadership (leveraging and involving others to act on the overall plan)?
What are you noticing about limits lately? What are you doing to adjust? I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories about changes you're making in deal with the limits leaders face.


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Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Aurora Fire Starter {Review}
When my older children were all young we did the camping, fishing spending time in the woods as a family. Well, since there were 11 years between the youngest of the older crew and the oldest of the younger crew that isn't happening anymore!
However, my younger girls are in American Heritage Girls and they do learn about camping, hiking, fire safety and other outdoor skills while earning their badges to wear on their uniforms.
One of the program requirements included emergency preparation. They learned about what is recommended by the Red Cross for emergencies. On this list was a fire starter kit.
So when I was asked to review one of these, we were all over it. We found the fire starter easy to use, small enough to slip in a pocket or pouch without being jabbed by sharp edges (as with other like products), and water proof.
Product Information:
The Aurora Fire Starter is a ferrocerium rod that is encased in an aircraft aluminum shell. There is a blade for striking the ferro rod to create a spark. The blade has four edges that are reversible and the blades can also be sharpened for a near lifetime of use.
Company: Solo Scientific
Product: Aurora Fire Starter
Model: 440C
Website: www.SoloScientific.com
Made in the U.S.A.
We have had fun starting fires under less than optimal conditions and find this product the perfect little tool for these conditions.
Pretty basic and really easy to use.
Starting a fire was a breeze. The kit includes treated cotton material to use as kindling. This mom likes that the kit also came with instructions on not only how to use the product but also how to replace the cotton material for future use.
Here is a quick video on how it works:
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ISTAT Europe achieves record-breaking attendance
- Published by Ozgur Tore
The International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) kicks off its 21st European conference today at the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus.
With record-breaking attendance, more than 1,000 delegates are on hand to hear leading industry executives debate current issues and trends.
"This event brings together executives in airlines, manufacturing, maintenance, sales, financing, trading, appraising and related services," says Dick Forsberg, ISTAT Europe Chairman and Head of Strategy at Avolon. "It provides the setting for aviation professionals to connect within the European marketplace. Again this year, we are pleased to feature one of the world's leading global airlines' executives, Dr. Temel Kotil, Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Airlines, as our keynote speaker."
This is the third of ISTAT's three major events in 2014, following ISTAT Americas and ISTAT Asia, earlier this year. ISTAT Americas also saw record-breaking attendance.
"The growth in ISTAT events, as well as the society in general, is representative of what's happening within the marketplace," says ISTAT Treasurer and Europe Co-chairman, Douglas W. Runte of Deutsche Bank. "For the past several years, ISTAT has seen steady growth in event attendance and the trend is accelerating."
Attendees routinely return to ISTAT events for the original content that is sourced and planned by the society's members. The most current trends and market activities are discussed.
ISTAT Europe runs through 23 September.


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Retro game seller Good Old Games has added another Forgotten Realms RPG to its library. Icewind Dale Complete is now available for $9.99.
Icewind Dale is similar to Baldur's Gate (and uses the same engine) but places more of an emphasis on dungeon crawls and strategy. You create your entire party from scratch at the outset instead of recruiting NPC's. IWD Complete comes with Icewind Dale, the expansion pack Heart of Winter, and the Trials of the Luremaster adventure.
In recent weeks GOG has released remakes of Baldur's Gate and Planescape Torment as well. Icewind Dale II and Baldur's Gate II hopefully aren't far behind.
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By Althia Raj
Canada needs more immigrants to sustain its economic growth but the Conservative government won't significantly increase immigration levels because Canadians don't want too many newcomers and the federal government can't afford to integrate them either, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says.
Canada faces a labour shortage and needs immigrants to offset the balance of an aging population, Kenney is expected to tell the Vancouver Board of Trade Tuesday.
"Several studies have concluded that we would have to quadruple immigration levels from 250,000 to more than one million annually in order to maintain the (working) age ratio in the Canadian population. But that's not going to happen," he is to say, according to his speaking notes.
"We do not have the resources or ability to integrate a million new immigrants every year. We can't teach them English or French. We can't flood our taxpayer-funded services like health care and public education. We don't put such high pressure on housing and real estate markets," Kenney explains.
"We must also be very careful not to jeopardize the generally very positive and welcoming attitude toward immigration and immigrants that Canada enjoys," he later adds.
Only 30 per cent of Canadian immigrants are economic migrants, people selected on the basis of their necessary skills or arranged employment offer, Kenney notes. Another 30 per cent are the spouses or dependents of these individuals and 26 per cent are immigrants from family class while 14 per cent are refugees.
"People want to come to Canada because we are a model for the world. We can't, however, take all who want to come. There is a limit," Kenney says.
The Citizenship and Immigration Department is currently consulting with Canadians about amount and the types of people it should accept into the country.
Faced with a backlog of more than a million people in the immigration queue, Kenney says he has issued ministerial instructions to put applicants with experience in key occupations and those with job offers from Canadian employers in front of the line.
"We have enough parents and grandparent applicants for seven years, and this problem is getting worse," the minister says.
Kenney is also expected to announce that the federal government will increase the number of provincial nominees — immigrants that provinces themselves select based on their own economic needs — from approximately 36,000 to 40,000.
Postmedia News


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Israel Has Been Given a Chance to Improve Its Image
The tragic Carmel fire has given Israel a window of opportunity to exercise diplomatic wisdom, rehabilitate its image and address its mistakes.
Natural disasters that inflict many casualties and cause tremendous damage typically draw international assistance and sympathy. This was the case not only in Haiti, New Orleans and Chile, but even in Iran, after the country was struck by a powerful earthquake. Such disasters have succeeded in bridging generations of enmity, as did, for example, the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, which brought about a dramatic change in that country's relations with Greece.
With the fire in the Carmel region, Israel, too, has joined the list of countries hit by disaster. Although its international image is at a low ebb, Israel has discovered in recent days that even its adversaries and harshest critics are ready to lend assistance at times like these, mindful of the help that Israel extended other nations hit by disasters. The assistance that came from Jordan, the willingness of the Palestinian Authority to offer support, the Egyptian president's words of encouragement and sympathy, and especially the firefighting aircraft sent by Turkey and the condolences conveyed by the country's prime minister, bring back long-forgotten memories of times when Israel was sympathized around the world and have create a feeling of once again of belonging to an international community - a community from which it has found itself increasingly excluded.
In addition to confronting a major disaster and mourning the victims, Israel now has a window of opportunity to exercise diplomatic wisdom and make the most of this tragic event to rehabilitate its image and address its mistakes.
The gratitude that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed to his Turkish counterpart and his comment that the Turkish aid provides an opening to improve relations between the two countries are encouraging and a step in the right direction. But these statements need to be accompanied by concrete measures: an expression of regret over the killing of Turkish civilians in the Gaza-bound flotilla incident and compensation for their families. The issue of responsibility in the incident is being investigated in any event, and the handling of the case prompted criticism within Israel as well.
An Israeli expression of regret will not absolve the Turkish flotilla activists of responsibility, and the payment of compensation will not require Israel to take on greater responsibility than it already has. The price of Israel's prestige does not equal the diplomatic damage caused by the breach between the two countries.
This is also an opportunity to ask the Turks to renew their mediation efforts between Israel and Syria. In that way, Israel would show that a nation that requests aid from the international community understands that it must also be attentive to international diplomatic expectations.
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NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Representatives of the NHL and the players' union met with a federal mediator into the late hours Friday and more meetings were expected Saturday.
The two sides in pro hockey's labor dispute did not meet face-to-face, but federal mediator Scot Beckenbaugh went back and forth between league headquarters and the hotel in which union officials were staying.
There was no indication as to when a joint meeting would take place.
A lockout by owners threatens to create a lost NHL season for the second time in eight years.
All games through Jan. 14 have been wiped out and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said a regular-season of at least 48 games would have to begin by Jan. 19.
The lockout began when the previous collective bargaining agreement expired Sept. 15.


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In this, the 21st century, women are not docile, programmed to serve and procreate and nothing else. It seems Emmitt Taylor III was unaware of this. In August of 2007 he killed Stephanie Mumford by bludgeoning her to death with a frying pan because she "disrespected him by not making him dinner". Before I discuss his sentencing, which occurred yesterday, I want to discuss his crimes.
In 2007, Emmitt Taylor III was on probation in Mississippi for aggravated assault. Despite this fact he was in Long Neck, Delaware, engaged to Stephanie Mumford. Stephanie had three children and three grandchildren. By all accounts she was a loving mother and a kind and spirited woman. The wedding was scheduled for August 18th, 2007. On August 14th, when the pair didn't show up to their scheduled rehearsal her family went to her house to make sure she was alright. Unfortunately, she wasn't.
Four times before her death Stephanie had called a family friend in despair. Throughout these calls Taylor could be heard yelling at her in the background. Taylor had seemingly bragged to co-workers about beating her, discussing in detail knocking out her teeth and chocking her until she lost consciousness. Two weeks prior to her death neighbors saw Taylor punching Stephanie in the parking lot of their home. Domestic violence was obviously an issue here, along with Taylor (whom police describe as being 6ft 4in tall and around 200 pounds) having anger management and control issues.
So, it's time for the reason I'm delving into this gruesome tale. Emmitt Taylor III was sentenced to the death penalty yesterday. I have been reading many comments about how people think the death penalty is barbaric. It is "making society as bad as its criminals" as I have read. Unfortunately, lethal injection (which Taylor was sentenced to) does not include repeated bludgeoning with a frying pan.
Despite its controversy, the death penalty is still legal in Delaware. 36 States currently have legal executions using lethal injection and the U.S military and government still authorizes it as well. Since 1991 there have been 14 legal executions in Delaware including the last hanging in the state (1996). The youngest of these was 27 at the time of death and each committed at least one murder. One particularly gruesome case was Brian Steckel. Steckel was executed in 2005 (the most recent legal execution in Delaware) on three counts of first degree murder. He raped and killed Sandra Lee Long and then set her on fire. After this he wrote letters to her mother gloating about his deeds. It cost approximately $66 a day to incarcerate this creature (I will not call him a man). That's $24,090 a year. Despite the "immorality" people claim are associated with legal executions, I consider it to be more immoral to the mother of Sandra Lee Long to force her to pay to keep Steckel alive. Before Taylor's sentencing yesterday there were 17 adults (juveniles do not receive the death penalty in Delaware) listed on the Department of Corrections website as being on "Death Row". Each of these men has been found guilty of at least one count of murder.
According to the DOC "Death Row" inmates stay in a 13 foot cell which has a bed, a sink and toilet, a desk, a locker, and a television. They receive three meals a day (and probably get fresher vegetables then I do). Each may have visitors and are allowed to interview with the media. They are allowed letters, newspapers, magazines, books, and television and radio privileges. Each inmate is allowed medical and mental care as needed. Housing these murderers costs Delaware state taxpayers a total of $1,122 a day. Now, once we include Taylor, this will be $1,188 a day. We are paying $433,620 a year for these murderers to await their deaths. I consider this to be more barbaric then the act of execution itself.
I wish every …creature… on "Death Row" a shorter wait for their sentences to be carried out. In my opinion Emmitt Taylor deserves his death, and he deserves it as fast as possible so tax payer dollars are not wasted on keeping him alive any longer than necessary. I urge anyone who thinks the death penalty is barbaric to imagine their own children being submitted to the horrific acts those murdered had to go through. I imagine my family being tortured then killed and think lethal injection is too humane. Society is not as bad as its criminals, and these murderers are not victims of society. The families of those murdered and the murdered themselves are the victims and I urge people to remember that.
You can read more about the case and Attorney General Beau Biden's statements regarding it here.


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Beer Profile
Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown Ale
Written by Michael
Before this beer tasting adventure began, I downed ice cold brewskis with the best of 'em. Cold beer, cold mug, I was set. As my palate, knowledge and sense of adventure have increased, I have begun to notice things I didn't before. Like beer smelling like beer. Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown Ale does just that. It smells a bit stale, like smelling your jacket after a baseball game and realizing the drunken fan behind you dropped more than his peanut shells. The look, the best part about this nut brown, is one of my favorites, a dark orange-brown and has a quickly dissipating head. Again, the nose is alcoholic, even cheap, and I searched for variety and complexity and find none. A bit of hazelnut in the introduction, the taste is thin and carbonated, but disappears quickly into a faint nuttiness, dissolving into a medicinal coating of my mouth. Now believe me, I love Leinie's, mostly for their refreshing summer choices, but if you're going to pull up a seat on the coach, turn down the lights and listen to the crackle of your fire, stick this one in the freezer for a few…or grab a bottle of whatever was next to it in your fridge.
Grade: CLeinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown Ale,
Let me recommend Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark. So good!brett — December 16th, 2009, 3:53 PM
I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree on this one. I am a fan of this beer, I'd prolly give it a B+ or thereabouts.Taylor — December 16th, 2009, 7:06 PM
Don't be sorry, to each his own. Maybe it was on off night, I'm sure I'll be trying it again in the near future. Just didn't strike me as great. And trust me, Leinie's still holds a special place in my heart.Michael — December 16th, 2009, 8:08 PM


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10-30-11 Update:
Please note that a number of detours and mass transit cancellations are in effect throughout the tri-state area. We suggest you check with your service before heading to the area and allow yourself extra time to get to Red Bull Arena for the 3pm kick off.
As of three hours before game time, PATH trains are running without delays. LIRR cancellations are in place and a number of NJ Transit lines are experiencing delays and alerts.
Hot links: NJ Transit | LIRR | PATH | MTA Home
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Snow in October? Yeah, we couldn't believe it either. But never mind that. The latest weather reports suggest the rare snow seen throughout parts of New York and New Jersey Saturday should be well out of the area by the time the Red Bulls and Galaxy kick off at 3pm ET Sunday afternoon. According to weather.com, we can expect to see 46 degrees and cloudy with a slight wind coming out of the northwest. In other words, consider bringing a jacket, hat and gloves, but you likely won't need an umbrella or poncho by game time.
Red Bull Arena is the place to be for tomorrow's match. The Interactive Zone will open on Riverbend three hours before the match at 12 ET, complete with a beer garden, music and special events. We suggest fans show up early to the match to avoid traffic and to take in the sights and sounds of the last home match of the 2011 season. Gates open at 1:30 pm.
If you are not sure what your best transportation option is, please refer to the Transportation HUB for suggestions. Remember, we are only 25 minutes away from Manhattan!
If you are driving, please make sure to park in stadium event parking lots or permitted parking spots in and around the arena. Here are some suggested parking options. Remember, if it has a sign that says "you will get towed," don't try your luck – odds are you'll get towed.
New Concessions
Over the past month we've opened some additional concession stands. Fans will be able to purchase hot dogs, pretzels, Red Bull, beer and soda at two additional concession stands located inside Gates B and D on the first floor of the main plaza level. These two concessions stands will be serving from the time gates open up until the 55th minute of the match.
As always - be safe, have fun and go Red Bulls!


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I'm constantly going on about keeping a database of all clients, as well as prospects, emphasizing that it's one of the most important things you can do for your business.
I always recommend keeping more data than what most would suggest. There's the obvious stuff that everyone talks about… name, contact number, address, email, type of photography…
But then there's the more detailed data like, allergies, hobbies, children's names, occupation, pets. You shouldn't ask for this in a questionnaire, but acquire it over time when you get to know the client. It creates a more 'friend-like' relationship, and allows you to give a much higher quality experience than other photographers.
So… Photography Client Management Systems?
Everyone is different, so I'm not going to say that my system is the best, or any other system is wrong, but here's what I recommend.
Depending on the type of photography you specialize in will determine your needs, but most photographers don't have many client each day. Wedding photographers usually have just one each weekend, or sometimes 2. Real estate photographers might do 3-4 jobs per day. And portrait photographers might do 6-8… but it really all depends.
So I like to keep things simple and secure.
You've probably had a system in the past where your computer crashes and you lost a few appointments, or you simply didn't save what you were working on…
That's why I recommend having a system that is constantly backed up to 'the cloud'. Which means that it's stored online and can be accessed from any computer, smartphone or tablet around the world… with the right login details of course!
Which Should You Choose?
In the spirit of 'keeping it simple', I recommend using Google Docs at docs.google.com
You can easily create a spreadsheet that has
- a column for all your clients
- followed by columns for…
- Name
- Postal Address
- Phone Number
- Type of photography
- Date of event
- Date of first contact
Plus more columns that would be relevant only for specific types of photography, like…
- Partners name
- Children's names
- Clothing Size (if clothing props needed)
- Pet's name
- Shooting address
Then I recommend having a few columns that are simply for extra notes that you can call "notes 1", "notes 2" etc.
- Allergies
- Hobbies
- Honeymoon destination
- Occupation
Anything that the client mentions that would be useful for you to remember.
The great thing about Google Docs is that you can access it from anywhere there's internet. So, any computer, your smartphone, or tablet, even some TV's!
Now for Your Photography Calendar
I recommend Google Calendar at google.com/calendar/
It can be accessed from anywhere, and is backed up instantly to 'the cloud' just like Google Docs. It allows you to keep track of your schedule very easily, as well as have multiple calendars, such as one for your personal life, and one for your photography business, which are displayed in different colors.
It has fields for all the important stuff… time, place, description, guests, and reminder time.
It's compatible with Android phones, and iPhone's, so will alert you on your phone when an appointment is coming up…
Heck, if you've got a late model Android phone it'll even tell you what time you should leave to arrive on time!
PLUS, it's all free!
You really shouldn't need to worry about any of those paid software's that often have a monthly fee to access. Unless something actually adds profits to your business, then it's a wasteful expense!
These software's usually do have some pretty nice features, but they're certainly not necessary and will often cause you more grief because of the number of useless options.
All you really need is to be able to store the information securely and be able to access it with ease. Google's services give you this capability, plus more!
Action Steps
So, if you're not already keeping all these details of your clients and prospects, then start doing it immediately! Being able to keep in touch with them over time is one of the best things you can do for the growth of your business, plus it is extremely cheap!
Sign up for these Google services and make your photography business management, more organised and easy today!


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New Coffee Shop Coming to Georgia Ave. in Pleasant Plains?
Thanks to a reader for sending this potentially sweet news that word on the street is that a new coffee shop could be on the way to the old building at 2904 Georgia Ave, NW (at the corner of Harvard.) It'll be great to see this old building get fixed up. Though keep in mind that Sankofa Cafe is located nearby at 2714 Georgia Ave, NW.
More info when it becomes available.


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Various sounds made by lifting and dropping a big metal chain onto a concrete floor, and a wooden board. Also dragging the chain across the floor.
Nice sound :)
Used this for the harnesses in an animated ox mill. Thanks!
Using it for a sound design demo reel. thanks a lot!
Thank you for your contribution to ScreenplayTheater.com episode one for 2013 "A Light Before The Darkness" your audio sample has been utilized in brining this artist-empowered production to vivid reality. Your attribution has been listed at http://screenplayTheater.com/episode_1_freesound.html
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text: Dwayne Johnson's son gets a prison sentence for a one time drug deal. To save him, Dwayne goes undercover for the DEA into the drug dealing business. Unfortunately he gets stuck into a mess with one of the most dangerous cartels in the business. Watch the second trailer of the movie right here!


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I'm new at this and I would like to make Satin Icing can anyone tell me what icing sugar is and where it can be bought?
I believe it it just another term for powdered sugar/confectionary sugar.
Heehee, yeppers, we Canucks use that term more often than not.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
Yes it is confectioners sugar, the "language" differs from country to country, i have to decipher alot of American terms. We Aussies talk funny i'm told.HEHe.
in the states is called 10x, or superfine (which is such a superfine word). you can go even finer with donut sugar (but it's not commercially available). icing sugar contains a small amount of cornstarch to prevent clumping. icing sugar can be found in any grocey or bulk food store next to the regular granulated sugar.


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GOG - Anvil of Dawn Released
View Single Post
May 15th, 2013, 10:54
This game has some of the most original enemies I have seen in any RPG. There are many types of them and are well designed. Unfortunately the combat is repetitive and not as challenging as in Eye of the Beholder series or Dungeon Master for example.
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This product is no longer available.
You can try these similar gifts instead.
Denver Broncos Metal Parking Sign
Hang this metal sign in your carport or garage to show your support for the Denver Broncos and mark the spot for only those who share your love for the team. It measures 8.5" x 11" and has a drilled hole for easy hanging.


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Decent sandbar peaks up and down the beach. Best with medium-high tides and small, clean, wedgy swells. Lots of room for everyone. There is an extremely rocky point at the southern end, which is occasionally rideable and gets crowded. Rocky point a half mile south serves up the best waves amid ample portions of local attitude. Offshore with E wind.
Accessed at the end of Ocean Avenue through Carmel; park on the road by the picturesque beach. Famous for sunsets, the Pebble Beach golf course, Clint Eastwood, and exorbitant prices.


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Dan Straily walked off the field and down the dugout steps Friday, eight innings and 105 pitches into his night, and saw manager Don Mattingly had "the handshake look" on his face, the look Straily and every other starting pitcher knows so well, the look that says your outing is over, like it or not.
Straily did not, and so the persuasion began, the conversation lasting a whole half-minute — "a long time on a baseball field," Straily said.
He wanted a shot to finish what he started. The Miami Marlins were up comfortably on the San Francisco Giants in an eventual 6-1 win, and at that point it was still a shutout.
"I was fighting for it," Straily said. "I was trying to...


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For one, trigger-happy federal agent in Orange County, Dec. 1, 2011, was a day he should've stayed in bed. I'd tell you his name, but his employer, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, doesn't want the public to know because of embarrassment. Officials inside the Anaheim Police Department know the agent's name and what he did that unnecessarily put dozens of kids in life-threatening danger, but they are also protecting his identity.
Law-enforcement officials have been content to let the bizarre incident remain a public mystery. But there is a problem. There were eyewitnesses, and at least one of them is demanding answers. It's an understandable position. The federal agent's bullet—the one that struck a crowded Anaheim elementary school and caused an emergency lockdown—was intended to kill or seriously maim him.
It has been four months since a shocked Danny Noriega, a 28-year-old union carpenter, faced the barrel of a gun and a lethal bullet speeding his way. I recently stood with Noriega on the exact spot where he says his life almost ended and asked him what prompted the shooting.
"That's what I'd like to know," said Noriega, who was born at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange. "I've done nothing wrong. I'm not wanted [by police or immigration authorities] for anything."
The incident—just minutes away from Disneyland—began unremarkably: He'd dropped off his girlfriend's son in a parking lot across the street from Westmont Elementary School in Anaheim. He was waiting at a stop sign behind another vehicle to exit when the unimaginable happened.
"I hear the screech of breaks, and this guy jumps out of his car, points a gun at me and shoots," Noriega recalled about the casually dressed, sunglasses-sporting, tall, Caucasian driving an unmarked sedan. "He didn't say nothing. He just jumps out and shoots."
Fearing for his life, the unarmed Noriega frantically drove around the vehicle ahead of him at the stop sign, sped down several streets by the Anaheim Plaza Shopping Center and onto the 5 freeway.
"All I could think of was 'I got to find help, get protection from the police,'" said Noriega. "I didn't know if he was going to try to shoot me again."
That day, he'd forgotten to bring his cell phone, so he drove north on the 5 to find a payphone from which he could call for help. At a Chevron gas station at Beach Boulevard and Auto Center Drive, he borrowed the business' cordless phone to dial 911.
"Can I get the [police] over here," an obviously unnerved Noriega told the 911 operator at the Buena Park Police Department, according to an audio recording reviewed by the Weekly. "I dropped off my girlfriend's kid at school, and some detective shot at me. He put his front [police] lights on [his dashboard] and took a gunshot at me, and I don't know why."
Noriega assumed the arrival 70 seconds later of a swarm of nearly a dozen patrol units and Anaheim's police helicopter would guarantee his safety. After all, he'd been shot at without warning, called 911, been honest about events and stayed put until cops arrived. But he assumed wrong.
"A cop told me to get on the ground, and he put handcuffs on me," he said. "They were acting like I was the bad guy. They asked me why I left the [shooting] scene. I said, 'What? You think I should stay so he can take another shot at me? I don't think so.'"
After about 15 minutes, the ICE agent who shot at him arrived at the Chevron, where Noriega had been placed in the back of a Buena Park police vehicle. He recalled that the same agent had walked by him at his apartment complex days earlier without saying a word to him.
"[At the gas station,] I thought he was going to say, 'Sorry, this is a case of mistaken identity,' but he doesn't say anything to me," he said. "The other ICE agents are looking at a picture, looking at me and looking back at the picture. I could see them shaking their heads 'no' because I wasn't the guy they were looking for. But they wouldn't let me go. They called me a suspect."
For the next 10 hours, authorities knew they had captured the wrong man but nevertheless kept an innocent Noriega in custody, fingerprinted him, rummaged through his vehicle and, without bothering to get a court order, searched his home.
Rather than admit they'd erred, officials apparently tried to cover up their incompetence by threatening to charge Noriega with—drum roll, please—attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer.
"[The ICE shooter] said I tried to run him over," Noriega said. "That's not true. That's nuts. All I did was try to get away from a man shooting at me for no reason."
The assertion against Noriega was dishonest, a fact underscored by two glaring points. If authorities really thought he'd tried to kill one of their own, he'd still be in jail facing as many criminal charges as they could file. They also wouldn't have given him a courtesy ride home, picked up all the costs of his impounded SUV and made apologetic statements.
In the aftermath, Anaheim PD and ICE have refused to tell Nick O'Malley, Noriega's attorney, what happened or identity the shooter. Over government objections, O'Malley is seeking to enforce a subpoena to get answers. Officials say they are entitled to keep the information a secret because, they claim, there's an ongoing investigation into filing charges against Noriega.
Both assertions are malarkey. Government officials know exactly what happened. This unidentified ICE agent, who hadn't done adequate preparation work, prematurely locked himself into the erroneous belief that he'd found a fugitive, failed to identify himself in an incident he provoked near an elementary school, fired his weapon at an unarmed person, lost the suspect, and then looked for an excuse to mask his own incompetence.
How can I make such a statement? Even before Noriega made his 911 call, Anaheim PD officials knew ICE had botched the operation. One police official with insider knowledge described the shooting as "FUBAR"—fucked up beyond all recognition.
ICE and Anaheim PD won't admit it publicly, but the man they'd been looking for wasn't Noriega, the father of a 4-year-old girl. They'd been looking for Juan Carlos Alcala, a 38-year-old, Costa Mesa-based, major international cocaine dealer and fugitive with a federal warrant for his arrest. At the time the ICE agent took his shot at Noriega, Alcala was more than 120 miles south in Mexico.
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Nine days after the Noriega fiasco, immigrant officials finally got the right man when Alcala crossed into the U.S. Earlier this month in a federal court in Texas, he pleaded guilty to cocaine-distribution and money-laundering counts. Whenever he's sentenced, he'll face a maximum punishment of life in prison, plus $8.5 million in fines.
Still, despite the dramatic developments, Noriega and O'Malley remain in the dark. Officials won't tell them what happened, except that the mystery agent remains on the job. On April 17, Orange County Superior Court Judge William Monroe will decide whether to force the government to come clean.
This column appeared in print as "Ice ICE, Baby: Why are government officials protecting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who almost killed an innocent Anaheim man?"


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I love doing my part and giving back to causes and charities I think are important. And I love spreading the word about important causes, too.
The Women's College Hospital Foundation has teamed up with Canada's sweetheart, Avril Lavigne, to create a cover song of "Keep Holding On" which includes the voices of Canadians across the country. The remixed (and very awesome) song is available on iTunes and the proceeds from every single download go towards supporting the Women's College Hospital and women's healthcare. I could not think of a better way to support Canadian talent, while helping Canadian women at the same time.
You can find the song here, on iTunes. Have a listen, and then download it—you'll love it, because it's a beautiful song that you won't be able to stop singing. Trust me, I speak from experience. Ahem.
A little bit about the Women's College Hospital:
The Women's College Hospital is the only independent, academic, ambulatory care hospital in Ontario with a primary focus on the health of women, which began in 1883. The Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. The hospital supports research in women's health and leads the way in training health-care providers within an ambulatory setting.
Disclosure: I received compensation for this post, but am happy to support such a great cause. All views and opinions are my own.