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The Clan Craig
Information provided by:
Michael A. Craig, President,
Clan Craig of America
11514 - 15th Ave. NE Suite 531
Seattle, WA 98125
Mottos: "Vive Deo et Vives" (Latin - Live in God and You Shall Live); "J'ai Bonne Esperance" (French - I have Good Hope)
The surname Craig is one of great antiquity. It originated in the area of the Picts, the eastern portion of Scotland, where they (Picts) were allowed to settle on condition that all their Kings agree to marry an Irish Princess. The Picts are considered to be among the most ancient of the founding races of Scotland. Bede, a respected historian (born 673), estimated that they came to Scotland some fifteen centuries BC, from France. From some early documents researched such as the Inquisito, 1120 AD., the Black Book of the Exchequer, and others, records of the name Craig were produced in Aberdeenshire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066.
The surname Craig was found in many different forms and spellings, From time to time it was spelt Craig, Craigh, Creag, Creagh, some of these are still used today. The name Craig emerged as a Clan and developed in their original territories of Aberdeen where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity, seated at Craigfintray Castle in Kildrumie in that Shire. This Northern Clan is frequently associated with the Gordons, but their first records appear in Ayershire and Lanarkshire to the south about 1180. There were two other branches, one of which is listed separately, the other was closely associated with the Huntly clan. Several of the Clan rendered homage to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. By 1300 they had moved to Aberdeen and Forfar, John Craig brought out his whole Clan (est. 1,000 warriors) at the battle of Culblean in 1335. They were granted Estircrag in 1440, where this important branch developed in Berwick. Several of the Clan were elected to Scottish Parliament. The Clan seat is at Riccarton, the last known Craig Chief was Thomas Craig of Riccarton who died March 13, 1823. He left no known male heirs.
Among the oldest Chiefs of Clan Craig researched is William Craig of Craigfintray, Co. Aberdeen who would have been born sometime in the latter half of the fifteenth century. Next in succession came Alexander Craig of Craigfintray; next came William Craig of Craigfintray, afterwards Craigston, Co. Aberdeen; next was Sir Thomas Craig, b. 1538, d. 1608; married Helen Heriot. Sir Thomas was a great institutional writer on Scottish feudal law, his work Jus Feudale is still referred to by lawyers today.
Thomas' son, Sir James Craig of Craig Castle and Craigston of Co. Aberdeen, became one of the Scottish undertakers of the Ulster Plantation (N. Ireland) in 1610. It has been determined that if a person's Craig forefathers came to America from N. Ireland, there is a good chance that he was a descendant of this James. This would be especially true if he or she emigrated before the Revolutionary War and a few years thereafter. His descendant, James Craig, became the first Prime Minister of Ireland in 1921, having been an organizer of the Ulster Volunteer Force in the struggle against Home Rule. He was then elevated to the Peerage, taking the title 'Viscount Craigavon'. The new town of Craigavon in County Armagh was named after him.
The Craig Coat of Arms needs three ingredients to constitute it; metal, colors and fur: silver (or the color white) signifies serenity and nobility; the fur, ermine, depicts dignity and nobility; and the dark band across the middle represents repentance or vengeance. The most ancient version has been found in the Armorer's Book.
The Craig crest, which includes a chevalier on horseback grasping a broken lance in bend Proper, is representative of a group of 'broken men' from other clans who had sought, and were granted, the protection of the clan. There are two Clan mottoes, the most common being in French - "J'ai Bonne Esperance" - 'I have Good Hope', the other in Latin "Vive Deo et Vives" - 'Live in God and You Shall Live'.
The Craig tartan, of which there are also two, developed from two different sources. One as the result of the Earl of Mar allowing the Craigs to add the color red to his own black and white tartan. The other traditional one, reported to have been designed circa 1957 by Dgn. MacGregor- Hastie, was formulated from the colors of rocks, (Crag) from which the name Craig originated, hence the colors gray, green, black, yellow, and orange on the tartan.
Return to: Descendants of William Craig


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James set to home in on victory
James looks the banker at Down Royal's big St Patrick's Day fixture today.
The youngster is already the winner of a Downpatrick hunter chase and finished fourth in the big hunter chase on Irish Hennessy Gold Cup day when Tammys Hill claimed the prize prior to landing the Cheltenham Festival Foxhunters on Friday.
James is trained by Ian Ferguson in Ballymena and should prevail if accounting for Davy From Milan, a narrow runner-up in a Gowran Park hunter chase last time.
Toner D'Oudairies and Bog Warrior both bypassed last week's Cheltenham Festival.
The duo are owned by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary as is Make A Track – so the leading owner under his Gigginstown Stud banner has half the runners in the feature chase.
Toner d'Oudairies, trained by Gordon Elliott who was in the Cheltenham winners enclosure on Friday with Tiger Roll, is top rated 152 and has solid recent form.
Bog Warrior, rated 150, had been absent for a year on returning but unseated his rider when favourite at Gowran although is held in the highest regard by trainer Tony Martin who recorded a Festival success on Friday with Savello.
Seabass, trained by Ted Walsh, is interesting – third in the Aintree Grand National in 2012 and again entered in next month's spectacular, the horse made his seasonal debut when runner-up in a Fairyhouse hunter chase to Warne.
Bog Warrior gets the vote to return to winning ways in a race with four Aintree Grand National entrants, the big race on April 5.
Racing gets under way with an open looking maiden hurdle. Balmont Flyer makes his debut over flights while Merrion Row has placed efforts to his credit. However Black Spot On, trained by John Woods in Armagh, with three solid placed efforts could supply a local success.
The handicap hurdle for claiming riders is a very tricky affair. Jim Bowie, running in the Beef Or Salmon colours of owner Joe Craig and trained in Armagh by James Lambe, could prove good enough if repeating his fourth place a couple of starts ago.
Maple Valley Gold from Liam Lennon's Cheltenham Foxhunters winning stable – James Smyth rode Tammys Hill to victory at the Festival on Friday – also warrants consideration.
TODAY'S DOWN ROYAL TIPS: 1.45 Black Spot On 2.15 Jim Bowie (e/w) 2.45 Annie Oakley 3.15 Bog Warrior 3.45 Vasco Du Mee 4.15 James (nap) 4.45 Riviera Sun
Belfast Telegraph

subset: commoncrawl


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In the absence of having any next-generation combat aircraft currently under development, Europe faces the risk of strategic downgrading, according to the France-based air and space academy. Over the past few weeks, a task force comprising former high-level military officials and retired industry executives has submitted recommendations to politicians and military policy makers of the European Union's 28 member-states in an attempt to sustain key operational capabilities needed to ...
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The truth is that the alleged dogfighters from a Bronx ring broken up in June 2008 have had their day in court. In fact, they have had a number of days in court, but it is only now that they will face a jury.
After a year and a half of courtroom delays and postponed trial dates, four of the six men arrested in the bust will finally be tried before a jury of their peers.
Suspected ringleader Alexander Estephane (pictured below), who lives in the building where the bust took place, will stand trial along with Lauritz Acoy, Juan Toledo, and Alterik Mason. Suspect Israel Cuevas' case has been delayed due to illness while Rashaan Johnson is believed to be AWOL and has never showed up to court for any of the hearings.
Estephane, Toldeo and Acoy have received felony charges for dogfighting while Cuevas and Mason have misdemeanor charges as spectators. All five defendants have no chance at a plea deal. If proven guilty in a court of law, they will subsequently be charged with the maximum crimes.
However, when it comes to dogfighting penalties, New York State ranks 48 out of 50, and is therefore considered one of the most lax on its dogfighting laws.
- Dogfighting: Felony, maximum of 4 years and a $25,000 fine
- Possession of dogs for fighting: Maximum of 1 year and a $15,000 fine
- Spectator at a dogfight: Misdemeanor with a maximum of 1 year and a $1,000 fine
United Action for Animals has scheduled a peaceful protest outside the Bronx Courthouse where the men will stand trial on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Our group will then segue to the courtroom after the protest at 10:00.
UAA is calling on its volunteers and concerned citizens to support the voiceless victims once again. "During this frustrating, arduous process to secure a trial date, I have always been humbled by how many people have come out to all the hearings to show their support," said UAA President, Jennifer Panton. "But now more than ever, we are going to need all those people and more to show the judge and the jury that dogfighting will not be tolerated in our city."
For directions to the courthouse click here.
Contact email@example.com for details or press related to the Bronx dogfight trial.


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Eamon Baker is one of Derry's best known community workers. Today in a frank and open piece Eamon shares the diary and pictures he kept after he was diagnosed with a tumour in his right kidney earlier this year.
Thursday March 13th
He's in his green scrubs. He speaks directly. There is no escaping his words: "You have a tumour Mister Baker in your right kidney. We will need to remove that kidney. Many people survive on one kidney. Do you want to see your scan? You see it there. The tumour is 6 cms …..Hopefully in removing your kidney we will be removing all the tumour"
All told in a few minutes. Then he is gone. Back to surgery.
The uro-oncology nurse specialist who has led me into that wee room at Outpatients 4 Altnagelvin stays on. She speaks softly. She asks me: "Am I here alone? Do I want to ring someone?" I ring and there is no answer. I ring again . No answer. I don't want to leave a message. I ring my colleague Maureen at Towards Understanding and Healing and blurt out this news. She is stunned. I am stunned.
The uro-oncology nurse is calm. Reassuring. "Mister Mulholland is the best of surgeons. You are in very safe hands." She talks of the operation being done on Monday March 31st. I will need to see the anaesthetist before then, she tells me. I tell her I know her dad. I'd rather talk about her dad than talk about cancer. She is kindly.
I hear what she is saying and I am in a daze.
I ring again and leave a brief message: " Bad news, please ring back." I have come over to Altnagelvin on my own. I was not expecting this. When I get the call back, I share this news. We are both shakey, emotional. We agree to meet in the Guildhall Café.
My journey back across the bridge is a blur. Walking down to the Guildhall Café, I ring and tell my brother Brian.
Monday March 31st
My sister Claire and good friends James and Jill join with me on the morning of the operation. I am the last on the list. I had not fancied being sat all alone throughout the morning, waiting. We chat and collogue and read Angel cards. My random picks are the Angels of Adventure and the Angel of Trust. I welcome the Angel of Adventure, suitcase packed setting off bravely down the road towards the unknown. The Angel of Trust invites me to put my trust in Mister Mulholland to do his work..
The minutes and hours pass slowly enough. Its nearly 2pm when a chirpy nurse- maybe she's a doctor- arrives at the door of my single room. "Right Mister Baker, we are ready for you now" As my bed is being pushed among the corridor and "the nerves" have taken hold, another oncology nurse specialist cheerfully breaks the silence: " Has that man got all his false teeth out?" I burst into loud laughter.
This is my hero's journey. No-one else can do this for me.
Once in the ante-room to the operating theatre, the anaesthetist invites me to think of my best ever holiday as he brings his anaesthetic up to my face…. It is seven o'clock (I learn later) when I come to in the "recovery room" asking…………… : "Is it over?"
It's over. My right kidney is gone. I have three wounds. I can hardly feel them. The combination of morphine and the tremendous relief to have got through the operation have me smiling and upbeat as family members and friends gather around me for a short time after I am wheeled back to my room.
Tuesday April 1st
Early the next morning the surgeon is on his rounds with an attendant circle of doctors and nurses. He tells me the operation has gone fine. He tells the doctors to keep me fasting, keep me on intra-venous pain relief and to "mobilise" me today. He must be joking. It's an April Fool- That afternoon the physio has me out of bed and with sensitive support has me gingerly walking the corridor, catheter and all. Up and down once. Then : "Could you manage that again?" -I remember those days running with Foyle Valley.the determination required in training, running up that Buncrana Road from Bridgend after doing Big Inch on a Saturday morning ahead of the London Marathon.- "I could try."
That Tuesday my eighty-eight year old mother comes to visit-she could teach me a thing or two about surviving- my sisters Bernadette, Anne and Maire, my brothers Brian and Ciaran, my son James and daughter Grainne come too and friends and colleagues. There is a welcome stream of visitors. Sometimes the craic is so funny and yet it is painful to laugh. That almost makes the craic even funnier. Everybody is kind and generous. The nurses and doctors too are supportive. I am grateful for it all.
April 2nd
The uro- oncology nurse specialist from March 13th tells me that people talk of the "post-operation blues" the second day after the operation. Both morphine and the relief adrenalin are fading. The surgeon on his morning round cannot tell me yet whether the operation has been "successful". Success= cancer removed. I have wet myself. I stink and feel as weak as water. I cannot articulate this equation. I know what I am desperate to know. Two nursing assistants prop me up while I wash myself down. This is the lowest I have felt. I am moving with great difficulty. Struggling mentally. The nurse specialist's words have given me some kind of explanation for my "blues". That explanation gives me some comfort.
That Wednesday evening some Foyle Valley runners come to visit, Liam, Pat, Louis and Brian all in great shape, training well for the Walled City Marathon. They walk with me up and down the corridor. Slowly. Slowly. Brian steadies me. After running all those marathon miles, the length of this corridor is the most I can do, at this moment.
April 3rd
On Thursday afternoon Mister Mulholland comes with three bits of good news: He has the provisional results from the operation and the biopsy of the tumour. He tells me that in removing my kidney, he has successfully removed the cancer. That the cancer was Grade 2. That I won't need chemotherapy. While I perk up at this news, I notice I am not ecstatic. I may need to develop more positivity, more gratitude. He tells me also that he thinks I could be released the following day. I am not sure whether to be glad or annoyed about that. Am I fit enough to get out? And who will look after me then?
April 4th
That Friday afternoon my brothers Brian and Desmond come to fetch me. The nurse gives me a letter for the treatment room in Great James St and a letter for my GP. She also gives me a box of Paracetamol for pain relief. There are no instructions, no manual of "do's" and "don't's". There is mention of counselling and of a support group. I declare my interest. Whatever helps my full recovery, I am interested.
Since Thursday morning I had been in a shared room. I leave strawberries for my fellow-patients. Brian takes a traffic bump too quick and I growl. But I am glad to be home and, soon after my arrival, people start to visit including again my daughter Grainne and my son James and my colleagues Maureen and Richie. My other son Ciaran is living in England and is not able to get home though much in touch by phone and text and email. Desmond stays overnight as my carer. In the days to come, we will laugh about his taking on this unlikely role. But I am glad of him.
April 5th til May 31st
My good friend Andy arrives from Cambridgeshire on the Saturday morning for a few days, fetched to Creggan by James and Jill. He tells my mother that he thought I always wanted an "English butler"
There are so many kindnesses shown to me. Cards, texts, calls, visits, gifts, dinners. From partner, family, friends, colleagues, neighbours. Which I so appreciate. One text meant to encourage my never-say-die spirit read " Remember the two most beautiful words in the English language : 'No surrender!' I love the wild silence of the Celtic Prayer Garden. My mother gifts me an enormous packet of Flavahan's porridge oats and a portion of her home baked scone. And so now its all about recovery . Again the mantra remains "Stay positive, think positive. Eat healthy. Juice . Wheatgrass . Exercise. Walk .. a little at first, then gradually build it up. Only go back to work when you are ready. Don't go back too early. Take up the offer of Cancer Focus counselling sessions…."
And there are unexpected times when I burst into tears. Like on a visit to reiki healer, Rose Gallacher just a week after my operation, or when I meet Elizabeth and Dickie at St Augustine's Church up on the Walls. "Tears are Nature's Valium" Roy Arbuckle reminds me.


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Title: Bionic Heart 2
Price: $19.99 ($24.99 for bonus content)
Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
Release Date: April 14, 2013
Publisher (Developer): Winter Wolves (Winter Wolves)
ESRB Rating: N/A
It can be difficult to make a visual novel work. It's mostly because it's a pretty niche genre. Part of the reason is the fact that it is kind of a game, but more of a choose-your-own-adventure novel. It allows the player some control over what to do or say in certain circumstances while ultimately guiding the player through a situation that could make for an interesting story. And, well, that could either work really well or absolutely horribly.
With Bionic Heart 2, the genre works very well. And it's partially because of the fact that the universe and story is very well realized and reminiscent of a lot of different science fiction stories that defined quite a bit of science fiction. Then again, that could just be the fact that it is a sequel.
Conspiracies ahead
Bionic Heart 2 picks up about where Bionic Heart left off. Tanya, an android, is on the run from a corporation that pretty much owns Earth-side government. She's also working to fight the corporation at the same time. Luke, his girlfriend Helen, and their friend Tom run to Mars because they know too much – simply by knowing Tanya – and the corporation's reach doesn't quite make it to Mars. Tina, a cop, and her partner Rob are working to investigate both Nanotech and why Tanya is considered a threat. It's a great set up that, in some ways, is reminiscent of neo-noir sci-fi stories like Total Recall and Blade Runner.
Each playable perspective (Tanya, Luke, Tom, and Tina) are used to illustrate different parts of the conflicts that become integral to the plot. Each choice brings you closer to uncovering the conspiracy headed up by Nanotech or brings you closer to death. It's a wild ride like any noir crime story that leaves brings interesting twists and revelations to light and raises the question of what it is to be human.
The only complaint I have about Bionic Heart 2 is how much the player feels written out of the story. Player influence only comes up on the occasions where you're given an option on how to reply, and there are occasionally rather expansive portions of the game where player choices, even within conversations, don't pop up. It's a bit of a personal gripe, but still, I think Winter Wolves should've tried to put in more opportunities for player input. While it can be irritating, at least for players like me who aren't as accustomed to visual novel games, it doesn't really take away any real enjoyment from the story, its art or the music.
Speaking of Bionic Heart 2's story, it is incredible. There is a great deal of depth. But it is also put into a context that you can actually easily understand even if you haven't played the previous game. While it isn't an incredibly original story, opting for the Phillip K. Dick style mind-bending and conspiratorial sci-fi, it's utilized really well.
The animations are simple and well done in Bionic Heart 2, when they do appear. I was surprised to see them, as visual novels typical employ static images. You get a sense of where you are quickly and the descriptions given in conversations add a lot more context to where you are. Character animations are well utilized, though the shifting emotions don't always match with the emotion being conveyed – that isn't a complaint though. It's more of an observation.
Bionic Heart 2's music works just as well, and helps make the game even more special. It conveys the mood of scenes and settings well. It can be used as a stand-alone soundtrack. Hell, if someone were to make a Bionic Heart-style pen-and-paper game, it could be used as atmospheric mood music for play sessions. It just generally works. The music, coupled with the story, would actually be more than enough to justify the expense. And the game has a ridiculous amount of possible endings depending on your choices. If the Gallery menu is any illustrator, there's somewhere around 26 possible endings depending on how you chose the playable character interactions. So there is a lot of replayability depending on your choices.
This Bionic Heart beats strong.
Bionic Heart 2 is a game wort experiencing. If you're a sci-fi, noir, neo-noir, crime, or visual novel fan, chances are you'll find something to latch onto and get a lot of enjoyment out of the game. It's full of replayability as well, thanks to multiple endings and a well thought-out story. I would have liked more influence over the story, but that's just my own preference and I'm sure others will have differing opinions. Regardless, Bionic Heart 2 is an interesting adventure and visual novel worth playing.


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Unfinished Business episode 1: Monkey Business
In Monkey Business, the first episode of our new show Unfinished Business, Anna Debenham and I talk about why a show about business is important and why one needn't be boring. We chat about last week's CES and if and when designers and developers might need to buy new devices. And of course, I talk about Planet Of The Apes while Anna nods politely.
My thanks go to Perch for sponsoring Monkey Business. Perch is the really little content management system for projects where you don't want the hassle or expense of setting up a big, complex CMS. It can help you turn around small projects quicker, and make them more profitable. Perch has been designed by front-end developers for designers and front-end developers. There's no built-in markup to battle with as you use your own HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Perch gets out of the way and let's you build great websites. Perch is a one-off license cost of £35 per website, and all first-party add-ons are free, so you don't need to worry about ongoing costs. Give Perch a try.


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In a press release, Apple while disclosing the statistics also revealed that more than 100 million iOS devices were updated to iOS 6. "..it [Apple] has sold over five million of its new iPhone 5, just three days after its launch on September 21, and more than 100 million iOS devices have been updated with iOS 6" read the press release. Apple has also revealed that nearly all the iPhone 5 pre-orders have been shipped to customers; still there were many that have been pushed over to October delivery dates.
Despite strong sales, analysts are of the opinion that Cupertino hasn't been able to produce the iPhone 5 fast enough to meet with demands. The highly anticipated launch hasn't quite met with expectations of the Wall Street which saw investors sending Apple's stock down by 1.4 per cent at $690.14 during mid-morning trade.
Walter Piecyk, analyst at BTIG, said, "It appears investors were disappointed with the slowdown in growth in the first weekend", notes Reuters. Another analyst from Baird Equity Research, William Power, wrote, "We believe that sales could have potentially been much higher if not for supply constraints."
The question of Apple not able to cope up with demands arises out of the fact that one of its key suppliers, Sharp, is struggling with delayed shipments and high costs. Further, Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group, the key iPhone assembler for Apple, today saw a brawl in one of its factory in China which eventually led to the shutdown of the plant. More than 2000 workers were involved in the riots notes PC World.
These and other factors such as strong Galaxy S III sales, investors are keeping a close watch on the future sales figures of the iPhone 5.


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The players: Who was who on that day in Dealey Plaza
From Lyndon Johnson to Lee Harvey Oswald, Giles Whittell looks at the key characters and controversies
Lee Harvey Oswald
By the time Lee Harvey Oswald trained his rifle sights on President Kennedy, he had tried being a clerk, a messenger, a Marine, a Marxist, a defector and a welder and had given up on all of them. He was 24.
In ten seconds, with three bullets, Oswald brought down Camelot and triggered the most feverish conspiracy theories in American history. He has been called a fall guy for Castro, Khrushchev, the CIA and the Mob, but in the end he was nothing more or less than the lone gunman described in the Warren Commission report – a study in rootlessness and pent-up frustration who happened to be a decent shot.
His father died two months before he was born, in 1939.…


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It wasn't surprising that Derek Jeter's defense was a topic of conversation during the 2009 season.
What was surprising is that the conversation was uniformly positive after years of worrying that the Yankees would have to do the unthinkable and move their aging legend to another spot on the diamond because he was so bad defensively.
There have been some signs of slippage in the field for Jeter so far this season, something that dovetails nicely with the local media's neverending desire to find some way to make people think that Jeter re-signing with the Yankees after this season is anything but certain. It was only a matter of time before the position switch conversation bubbled up again and Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York has taken the lead. He argues his point well but, like many on this topic, ignores the most significant issue.
It's Jeter's bat that is the biggest cause for concern when forecasting the future.
There isn't one defensive statistic that satisfies our desire for a snapshot that tells us everything we need to know about a player's work in the field. Two of the best, UZR and plus/minus, both peg Jeter as slightly worse than last season but well short of the depths he reached earlier in his career. Because of the difficulty in accurately pegging his defense, it is more useful to look at the way his defense and offense balance out as a way of judging Jeter's overall value to the Yankees.
According to FanGraphs, Jeter posted his two lowest scores in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the 2007 and 2008 seasons with figures of 3.5 and 3.7, respectively. In 2007, his defense eliminated almost all of his offensive contributions. That was unusual, since Jerer's poor defensive numbers usually weren't able to dent his value because he was such a good hitter. In 2008, however, Jeter's defense, per UZR, was about average while he turned in the worse offensive season of his career.
It shouldn't come as a shock, then, that the concerns about Jeter's glove started gaining some traction this year while he was mired in a batting slump. When the bat isn't obscuring whatever real or imagined shortcomings exist with the glove, it makes defense seem like a bigger deal. It's interesting to note that Jeter actually posted a better UZR in May than he did in April, when no one was really questioning his defense. When one projects the future, it isn't just about how much range Jeter may lose or how much trouble he has going to his left. It is about how much his bat is able to carry his glove.
That's what makes discussion of a position shift problematic. Left field and designated hitter are mentioned often as possible spots for Jeter to spend his golden years, but those are prime offensive positions in most lineups. The Yankees have gotten away with lesser contributors in those spots over time largely because they get so much more than expected from their shortstop. Jeter's bat won't be there and, without an adequate replacement for that production, a declining Jeter's bat probably won't be able to carry what you need to get from those positions.
As long as Jeter isn't killing the Yankees with his defense at shortstop, it seems to make more sense to leave him there than contemplate a new place for him on the diamond. He may not have the best range in baseball and may make fewer plays out of his zone than his peers, but Jeter is far from a drag on the Yankees and probably won't be unless or until his offensive production declines so dramatically that it is going to be hard for them to find a place for him anywhere in the lineup.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.


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This stunning skirt is sure to impress at so many events this season! We adore the gorgeous chocolate, camel, and taupe stripes - and each stripe has a slightly different feel and texture, making it a beautifully boho way to welcome fall! It also has a silver zipper in the front with a circle accent, a soft lining inside, and a daring look that will make you the center of attention! Pair it with our Time To Begin Tee in Chocolate Brown, our Birds of a Feather Necklace, and our Allison Booties in Camel for a sophisticated look at your next girls night!
- Model is wearing a small
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SOLON — A tractor-trailer truck carrying construction lumber flipped over on U.S. Route 201 Monday after its wheels hit soft mud along the side of the road, police said.
The truck, owned by Transport Raymond Tardif, a Canadian company, was heading south about 5 a.m. Monday when the back wheels of the trailer became stuck in mud on the shoulder of the road, according to Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster of the Somerset County Sheriff's Department.
The accident took place on Robbins Hill, near the start of the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway, which stretches 78 miles from Solon to the Canadian border. The accident site is one of the few places along the road where there are three lanes of traffic.
"The driver had moved over to the far right lane, the slower lane, but he was too far to the right," Lancaster said. "The wheels of the trailer became caught in the soft dirt and he was unable to correct it."
The trailer tipped over first, spilling lumber planks, followed by the cab of the truck, he said. The driver, Martial Lachance, 38,of St. Aurele, Quebec, was not injured.
The truck, a 2012 blue Kenworth with a flatbed trailer, was destroyed in the accident, Lancaster said.
The Solon Fire Department helped at the the scene.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368[email protected]


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Nikon AF Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED 35mm Zoom
Product Description
Versatile, high-performance wide angle zoom with Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother, faster AF. Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element reduces chromatic aberrations providing superior optical performance, even at maximum aperture. Focus distance of 1 foot to infinity is ideal for landscape, snapshot, candid, environmental, close-up and full length portrait photography. Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes.
User Reviews
Submitted by Peter Harrap a Expert
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2008
Strengths: Goodish build quality and good ergomics.
Weaknesses: Lots of distortion Lots of fringing.
It cannot cope at all with strong highlights. Reflections off chreome car parts in sunlight give rise to extraordinary images!!! Like a solar flare the light appears to rise from the cars surfaces as a solid shape of light- takes some beating! Both copies did this at the central portion of the image. The curvature of field makes it unsuitable for landscapes as in AF mode objects etc that SHOULD be in focus at a distance and infinity are not so. They are blurred. There's also Ankh-shaped flare marks and really horrid green ghosting circles if the sky is brightly lit in the image area. You do NOT have to have the sun there at all.
I gave up aghast
Bottom Line:
I have had 2 copies purchased from the same online dealer. I would not advise anyone to buy this bit of glass.
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 21+ years
Price Paid: $200.00
Purchased At: online
Similar Products Used: 18-55DX f3.5-5.6 Nikkor. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 zoom, 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 AFS Nikkor
Type of photography: Other
Submitted by Andyb a Professional
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2005
Strengths: SHARP!
Great contrast and colour rendition.
Light weight.
Weaknesses: Some distortion at 18mm.
Bottom Line:
I have used this lens now for over a year and I absolutely love it. For a lens to continue to surprise me the way this does after continued use is quite something. I have never really needed to question whether I should have spent the extra on the AFS f2.8 lens of roughly similar focal length that Nikon offer - because this little lens is such a star.
There have been maybe one or two times when it would have been nice to have f2.8, but not enough for it to make that much of a difference (hey, at 18mm the difference between f3.5 and f2.8 is minimal!). This lens is sharp, sharp, sharp, the contrast is fantastic and the auto focus very quick too, due to it's short throw.
There is some barrel distortion at 18mm, so this is not the right lens for architecture, so that's worth considering.
Some people complain about the build quality and that it is plasticky. So what? I use it professionaly and throw it around quite a lot and it seems to shrug it all off with style. Weight in a lens does not equal performance. I have no hesitation in recommending this lens. Buy it, it will serve you well and produce outstanding results for you. It has a permanent place in my camera bag.
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 21+ years
Purchased At: Park Cameras
Similar Products Used: Many Nikon lenses
Tokina 28-80 f2.8 ATX Pro (this is stunning)
Type of photography: Other
Submitted by arronyoung a Intermediate
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2004
Strengths: 1:light
2:sharp and contrast
3:color is saturation
Weaknesses: 1:the filter is a little big
2:MF is not good.
3:the edge is a little soft.
Bottom Line:
An excellent lens, and can not find the opponent in this type, only prime lens and constant aperture zoom lens can beat it a little.
With open aperture, it's sharp and good contrast,when slow down to F8, excellent!!
the color is saturation,and the photo have abundant layer.
Whem with F8,it can compete with prime lens such as 24/2.8,and 35/2.
For test the lens ,I use a rule as the model ,and used 24/2.8,35/2 and this lens,with 100VS.and can see ,when open aperture,the center is as good as prime, but the edge is softer.(motion, the prime lens use the F2 or F2.8,and this lens is 4.5 and 4 ). when all slow to F8, it's very hard to distinguish which is prime and which is this len.
the flare controlled very good ,and can say the best controll.
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 2-5 years
Price Paid: $403.00
Purchased At: China
Similar Products Used: nikkor 24/2.8,35/2,and 28~100G
Type of photography: Outdoor
Submitted by angeljusto a Expert
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2004
Strengths: Light but well built.
Included lens hood.
Quite fast AF.
Weaknesses: Distorsion, curved horizons everywhere.
A bit of color fringing.
Bottom Line:
Great as a cheaper alternative to the 17-35mm, at least on a DSLR.
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 11-20 years
Price Paid: $300.00
Purchased At: ebay
Type of photography: Outdoor
Submitted by Paulus Tirta a Beginner from Jakarta , Indonesia
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004
Strengths: Proven built Quality
Excellent sharpness and colour except on the far corners
Weaknesses: For it's price ... none!
Bottom Line:
This maybe the best market offered wide zoom lens for non pro budget.. talk about plasticky feel ,couple days ago i incidently drop my beloved lens from 2 1\2 feet away , straight down to the hard surface when i foolly forget to zip my lowepro lens case.And this little lens just survive that accident..The moment i checked the whole function it just worked well, nothing was damage . However ,there is a little scratch i found just below the filter ring..
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 0-1 years
Price Paid: $380.00
Similar Products Used: Nikon AF 28-85
Nikon 80-200
Type of photography: Outdoor
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PhotographyReview Videos


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Gain some global perspective for your transition into spring, style bloggers Jennifer Grace, Shay Mirza and Ashley Treece will help shake up your go to print next time you're deciding what to wear.
Image via Native Fox
Jennifer of Native Fox shows a softer more subtle approach with global prints, her dress has a very Arabian nights vibe, paired with some sexy black leather knee high boots and she looks like she can conquer anything.
Images via The Londonite
For those who want to stand out more choose a busier and bolder global print like these colbalt blue harem pants that are accented with gold and yellow patterns that Shay of The Londonite is staying comfortably chic in. Some platform heels dresses up Shay's look, but for a more laid back boho look pair the pants with some open toed booties.
Images via Ashley Treece Blog
Global prints paired with accessories can help you achieve the look your going for, this global tribal print dress with platform booties, fringe handbag and circular over-sized sunnies will put you right on trend with the global print trend. Going for global prints that are a bit more neutral and subtle in color will allow you to pair the dress with anything from a jean jacket to a leather vest.
Want more global prints? Click here.
I really like this look. I saw something similar at a NYFW show i went to some months back. I really like how the
Maggie A


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Paul Auster is one of the most interesting writers in America, but there is something frustratingly uneven about his output. He can write beautiful, limpid prose, then go off at a silly tangent. I remember reading a novel of his about a dog called Mr Bones that still makes me wince more than three years later.
Oracle Night combines the best and worst of Auster in a story that is, by turns, irritating, poignant, gripping and fatuous. Sidney Orr, the main character, is a novelist living in Brooklyn. Not a good start. One would have preferred a priest or a cab-driver or some other less introverted profession. He has a publisher wife called Grace who calls his penis Mr Johnson. Yuk! Their idea of a wild night out is having dinner with John, a fellow novelist, and talking about books.
The characters are so insipid, so self-obsessed, so hyper-sensitive, that you want to pick them up and shake them. A simple nose-bleed is "an attack". How will they cope when real tragedy strikes and one of them gets their finger stuck in the keyboard of the computer?
The plot, to begin with, is as irksome as the characters. When Sidney takes a fancy to a blue notebook in a stationery store run by a Chinaman, then fills it up with a story inspired by Dashiell Hammett, writing with unaccustomed fluency, the urge to abandon the book in favour of the real world is overpowering. The more convoluted the novel becomes, the more Auster introduces sub-plots and sub-sub-plots and pernickety footnotes, the more exasperated the reader gets.
It is to Auster's credit that he manages, by the end of the book, to climb out of the hole he has dug for himself. The bookishness of the first half is superseded by an altogether more urgent, more visceral form of narrative. Grace falls pregnant. Sidney has a close encounter with a Haitian woman in a brothel in Chinatown, then pays a visit to a rehab clinic. There is a burglary, fisticuffs and a couple of deaths. More to the point, there is real human feeling. The relationship between Grace and Sidney, so tender but so fragile, is beautifully modulated. These are - in the end - real people. It is just a shame they have been cocooned in so much preciousness.


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Full-time: West Brom 2 Sunderland 2
FOR the second season in a row, Sunderland's visit to the Hawthorns ended with one of the club's employees standing on the pitch in front of the massed ranks of away supporters.
This time, however, it was Seb Larsson milking the applause for his dramatic late equaliser rather than Paolo Di Canio playing out the series of bizarre remonstrations that would ultimately hasten his departure from the club.
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For all that Sunderland remain a work in progress, at least a degree of progress is discernible. Under Di Canio, chaos theory ruled and games such as the one at West Brom merely served to illustrate both the extent of the problems affecting the Black Cats and their then manager's complete inability to solve them.
That should be remembered in the next fortnight as Guy Poyet and his sporting director, Lee Congerton, desperately attempt to address the gaping holes in the current Sunderland squad before the transfer window closes.
Saturday's frenetic 2-2 draw might have exposed a number of failings, but it also highlighted how far the Wearsiders have come since the dark days under Di Canio, with team spirit restored and the degree of organisation and quality on display at a completely different level to the early days of last season.
As both Poyet and Larsson observed after the game, had Sunderland thrown away a one-goal lead to slip 2-1 behind 12 months ago, they would almost certainly have gone on to suffer a three or four-goal defeat.
As it was, the resolve and commitment that resulted in Larsson grabbing a deserved 85th-minute equaliser augurs well for the rest of the campaign, and inevitably brings to mind the never-say-die attitude that characterised the remarkable run in April and May that safeguarded Sunderland's Premier League status. Crucially, the momentum that was generated in the spring has not been lost.
There was also plenty of quality on display at the Hawthorns, with new arrival Patrick van Aanholt providing a potent attacking threat with his overlapping runs on the left, even if his defending will have to improve as he matures, Larsson and Lee Cattermole maintaining the fine form they displayed in the final months of last season and Connor Wickham proving he is capable of attacking effectively from the flanks as well as in a central role. As far as first games go, the positives were certainly there.
"It definitely felt a bit different to the game here last season," said Larsson. "That wasn't a good day for us, but we can look back at the turnaround that eventually followed it and I don't think any of us are going to forget that.
"We're trying to use all of those memories to help us to push on. We don't want to put ourselves in the situation of having to do that again – and I'm fairly confident we won't.
"I've been really looking forward to this season – more than for any other season in a long time. I just feel that we're going places, and I think we're going to have a decent season.
"There are some encouraging signs, and that's why it was so important that we didn't lose the opening game. That would have been devastating, and now at least we have something to build on."
That said, Poyet cannot afford to ignore the warning signs that were apparent at the weekend, and for all that six new players have arrived this summer, plus the returning Larsson and Santiago Vergini, it is hard not to conclude that what happens off the pitch in the next fortnight will go a long way towards determining whether the next nine months will evolve into another battle against the drop.
Defensively, Sunderland were prised apart too easily, and the absence of a single defensive player on the bench underlined the lack of back-four options currently available.
While it was unfortunate to lose two right-backs to injury in the build-up to the game – Vergini and Billy Jones – the fact that Valentin Roberge had to come in from the cold to play at centre-half, with Wes Brown making the somewhat awkward move to full-back, confirms the dire need for another experienced defender this month.
The sight of Jozy Altidore and Danny Graham offering the only attacking alternatives among the substitutes would be an alarming one if it was repeated come the start of September, while Wickham's appearance on the flank did much to explain why Poyet is so reluctant to give up on his pursuit of Fabio Borini, even if the striker's efforts in an unfamiliar role could not be faulted.
"There are areas in the team where we are still missing players for sure," admitted Poyet. "I can assure you that they will come, although how many is impossible to say."
Sunderland's main summer signing so far is Jack Rodwell, with Poyet having shelled out £10m to enhance his side's attacking threat from midfield. How ironic then that having scored a grand total of two Premier League goals between them in the whole of last season, Cattermole and Larsson matched that figure in the space of 90 minutes.
Cattermole's fifth-minute strike was a remarkable way to the start the new campaign, with the midfielder, who is hardly renowned for his attacking prowess, drilling a 25-yard rocket into the top right-hand corner.
Roberge wasted a golden opportunity to double Sunderland's lead, heading wide at the back post, but the visitors were outplayed for the majority of the first half, and while referee Neil Swarbrick's decision to award a penalty for the slightest of tugs at Victor Anichebe was a soft one, Saido Berahino's successful conversion meant the half-time scoreline was probably fair.
Berahino scored his second with 16 minutes left, ghosting past a flat-footed van Aanholt to convert Craig Gardner's chipped cross, but Larsson rounded off a slick passing move to ensure Sunderland would claim an opening-day draw for the fourth time in the last five seasons.


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Groups link for millimeter wave comms development
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LONDON Photonic communications specialist Lumera Corporation is teaming with wireless transceiver group Asyrmatos to develop millimeter wave communication systems.
As part of the deal, Lumera (Bothell, Wash) will acquire a 25 percent stake in privately held Asyrmatos (Boston, Mass.) in exchange for the intellectual property associated with the technology. It also gains an option to acquire the outstanding stock of Asyrmatos in 2012.
The groups will develop communication products incorporating Lumera's millimeter wave technology and components based on proprietary polymer compounds.
The platform can switch between frequencies adaptively in a frequency-hopping environment, or when needed simply by changing the frequency band and the channel context. The company says this offers security against interception, interference, and some forms of denial-of-service. This capability also serves to improve reliability, robustness, and can massively increase throughput when the multiple frequencies are used simultaneously.
Lumera claims none of the current commercially available millimeter wave communication systems can claim such advantages.
The company said it has been looking to outsource the product development for some time. "This arrangement removes the capital risk of development while providing Lumera with an exclusive opportunity for full ownership in the future," commented Joseph Vallner, interim CEO at Lumera.
The companies have already been collaborating on the communications prototype. "This is a highly specialized area and there are few individuals who are qualified to bring this product to commercialization. Panos Lekkas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asyrmatos, Dr. Raj Reddy, Chairman of the Board, and Dr. David McClain, Senior Vice President - Embedded Systems, are very well known for their expertise in this area and we're delighted that they will be leading this effort," said Dr. Raluca Dinu, Vice President of Lumera's Electro-optic Business Unit.
Lumera said the prototype was successfully tested in October, 2006. The device transmits data at frequencies of 35, 94, and 140 GHz. Data rates from 2.5 to 10.3 Gbits/second can be transmitted up to three miles per data link.
The Asyrmatos team led by Lekkas has extensive experience in very-high speed communications. Lekkas began his career as a VLSI engineer, before joining IBM Corporation where he rose to several positions in advanced technology development and technical marketing management both in the US and in Europe.


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O'Flynn hails rising tide at All-Ireland launch
Chief executive Joan O'Flynn insists the game "has never been stronger" as the association officially launched their championship in Croke Park yesterday.
The last decade has seen an incredible surge in interest in the game, with more then 600 clubs now in operation and a 25pc growth in club memberships nationwide.
And, in their 110th year, they are determined to build on that popularity and showcase the game to a wider audience through their 'Our Game, Your Game' campaign.
"It's 110 years, so it's time for taking stock and seeing where we are at in the game," O'Flynn said. "Really, the game has never been as strong as it is now. That challenges us to get out there and promote it to a wider audience and bring people in.
"Our Game, Your Game is very much us reaching out to the wider sporting public after 110 years and saying, 'Guys we are on the move here, you are missing out, there is massive skill, athleticism and drama available at these games and we want you to be part of that, we want to share that with you.'
"No more than camogie, women's sport has never been as strong either and we want to be part of that change and leading that change."
Camogie chiefs also announced the introduction of their 'Cairde Camogie' pass which grants access to all rounds of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland championship up to the All-Ireland final for €40. The championship kicks-off on Saturday with All-Ireland champions Galway among those in action.
Irish Independent


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WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched Records and Information from DMVs for E-Verify (RIDE), a new feature which allows USCIS' E-Verify program to validate the authenticity of Mississippi driver's licenses used by employees as Form I-9 identity documents.
Mississippi is the first state to partner with USCIS to implement RIDE.
USCIS director Alejandro Mayorkas said, "This important enhancement strengthens E-Verify's anti-fraud capabilities and will play a key role in helping employers in the U.S. maintain a legal workforce."
More than 80 percent of employees present driver's licenses to establish their identities when completing the Form I-9. By enabling E-Verify to compare driver's license data against state records, RIDE is designed to improve E-Verify's accuracy and help combat document fraud when determining employees' eligibility to work in the United States while observing safeguards to protect employee's personal data. RIDE helps combat document fraud by enabling E-Verify to confirm the authenticity of an additional identity document. For example, previously, if an employee presented a driver's license to establish his or her identity and a social security card to establish his or her employment authorization, E-Verify would only have been able to confirm the validity of the social security card. RIDE enables E-Verify employers in Mississippi to confirm the validity of both documents.
The new E-Verify RIDE feature builds on existing technology and infrastructure that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS) and other state public safety departments use in conjunction with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Currently, 4,336 employers representing more than 9,000 worksites in Mississippi use E-Verify. Nationwide, more than 269,000 employers at over 900,000 worksites are enrolled in the E-Verify program.
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services


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SYLVIA RAMSEY BOOK SIGNING: Author of Merchild Land, an illustrated children's book in verse form; 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Inner Bean Cafe, 139 Davis Road; all proceeds go to American Bladder Cancer Association; Sylvia L. Ramsey (706) 951-7893
2011 MARINE MUD CHALLENGE: Five-mile off-road course with 19 obstacles; 9 a.m. Saturday, Fort Gordon; $30; Rich Groves (706) 399-1888, www.facebook.com/marinemudchallenge
MUTT STRUTT AND CANINE CARNIVAL: Benefit for a new mobile spay/neuter surgical unit Diamonds in the Ruff; registration 7 a.m., run 9 a.m., walk 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Augusta Common; 5K run and pet fun walk, games, vendors, prizes, food, low-cost microchipping clinic, celebrity-pet look alike contest, pet competitions; $25, includes T-shirt; register online at www.diamondsintheruffcsra.org
NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATION COUNT: Held by Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society; meet 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Kathwood Ponds, Silver Bluff Audubon Center, Jackson; all-day count; bring lunch; count covers all of Aiken County; Paul Koehler and Anne Waters lead; Anne Waters (706) 793-2788, firstname.lastname@example.com
DONATIONS FOR FUNDRAISING RUMMAGE SALE: CSRA Humane Society accepting donations of items 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 425 Wood St.; other times by appointment; sale 8 a.m. Saturday, June 4, and Saturday, June 11; (706) 261-7387
TIME TO CARE FAMILY FAIR: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Augusta Common; more than 40 displays, kids' crafts and activities; free; some participants selling activity tickets to benefit Camp Rainbow of Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center; entertainment, demonstrations, pie-eating contest and more; Shannon Powell (803) 278-1212 ext. 3313
RUMMAGE SALE: Fundraiser for CSRA Humane Society; 8 a.m. Saturday, June 4, and Saturday, June 11, 425 Wood St.; (706) 261-7387
NATIONAL LEARN TO ROW DAY: Club/center open house with hands-on lessons and on-the-water instruction; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, Augusta Rowing Club Boathouse, 101 Riverfront Drive; free lunch provided; cost is a donation of a nonperishable food item for Golden Harvest Food Bank; Michael Cobb, (706) 432-0022, firstname.lastname@example.com or www.augustarowingclub. org
HOLIDAY MARKET: Nov. 18-20, Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 10th St.; fundraiser presented by Junior League of Augusta; shopping, special events, pictures with Santa and Ladies Night Out; vendor applications www.jlaugusta.org


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Join Our Recipe Box Challenge! WIN a $25 gift card and lots of other PRIZES!
Share your favorite recipes! Join our 10 Day Recipe Box Challenge and you could win!
Sign up now, and each week day for the next two weeks, you'll receive a recipe theme for our group recipe box. For each day, your job is to share recipes, photos, or food reviews about that day's theme.
One member who participates in all 10 days will receive a $25 gift card! Plus, we'll have other fun prizes so be sure to check in every day!
Sign up by replying to this post. The challenge starts Monday, April 22nd!
We'll add links to each day's challenge here!
Day 1: Chicken
Day 2: Pork
Day 3: Italian and/or pasta
Day 4: Beef
Day 5: Vegetarian
Day 6: Appetizers
Day 7: Salad and side dishes
Day 8: Breakfast
Day 9: Seafood Win a bonus prize
Day 10: Crockpot Win a bonus prize
We love that recipe
Beer-Battered Seafood
Fishing fans in the family? This is a scrumptious (and easy) way to fix their catch!
- Prep Time 10 min
- Total Time 14 min
- Servings 4
- Vegetable oil
- 1
- pound fish fillet or 1 pound uncooked peeled deveined large shrimp, thawed if frozen
- 3
- to 4 tablespoons Original Bisquick® mix
- 1
- cup Original Bisquick® mix
- 1/2
- cup beer
- 1
- egg
- 1/2
- teaspoon salt
- Albertson's (2 on sale)
- 1 Heat oil (1 1/2 inches) in heavy saucepan or deep fryer to 350ºF. Lightly coat fish with 3 to 4 tablespoons Bisquick mix.
- 2 Mix remaining ingredients with hand beater until smooth. (If batter is too thick, stir in additional beer, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.) Dip fish into batter, letting excess drip into bowl.
- 3 Fry fish about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown; drain. Serve hot and, if desired, with tartar sauce.
Expert Tips
Serve these crispy fish fillets in a plastic basket lined with cooking parchment paper. Add coleslaw, potato chips, tartar sauce and a stack of napkins for a true fish-fry experience!
These fillets go especially well sandwiched in burger buns. Adding tartar sauce, crisp lettuce leaves and a sliced tomato gives you the Ultimate Fish Sandwich.
Did we ever find out who won the gift card? I'm assuming it wasn't me, since I haven't heard anything............................... but who did?!?! Inquiring minds want to know!
....and the WINNER is....
You have won a $25 gift card!
Quoting Cafe Robin:
....and the WINNER is....
You have won a $25 gift card!
Quoting Cafe Robin:
....and the WINNER is....
You have won a $25 gift card!
Congrats!!! Will have to pay attention for the next recipe box challenge!! This sounds like a fun idea!


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Organization Description
The Fund for American Studies is a nonprofit organization that sponsors educational programs in Washington, D.C. and abroad for undergraduate students with outstanding leadership potential.
Job Description
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is searching for a self-starting creative thinker to join its communications team in Washington, D.C. The communications associate will serve as the team's key writer and collaborate on print, web, email, social media and mobile marketing efforts. This is an entry-level position.
Job Responsibilities
- Write original content for print and online newsletters, highlighting the stories of TFAS programs, students, alumni and supporters
- Attend and cover TFAS events, including: Capitol Hill briefings, lectures, conferences and other events.
- Conduct video interviews and put together short videos to complement TFAS stories.
- Manage and create two e-newsletters
- Conduct day-to-day website maintenance of www.TFAS.org
- Work with supervisor on social media initiatives and new media projects
- Maintain audio, video, press and photography archives
- Maintain an organized and easy-to-read list of professional opportunities to promote to alumni and update the online TFAS job board on a weekly basis
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years professional or internship experience
- Strong background in writing and journalism
- Ability to meet strict deadlines without sacrificing content quality
- Excellent communication and interview skills
- Ability to research story topics and track down sources
- Strong grasp of branding and following style guides
- Experience with photography and film is a plus
- Experience in Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign – is a plus
- Familiarity with web content management systems; knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript is a plus
- Willingness to work with a team as well as independently
- Willingness to learn new technologies
- Sense of resourcefulness and strong desire to learn from others
- Openness to explore other areas within the communications department to grow in the field and as a TFAS employee
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Kerri DiNarda at firstname.lastname@example.com with "Communications Associate" in the subject line.


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Lena Dunham and the Re-Objectification of Women
Are women more than the sum of their sexual parts? Watching Lena Dunham's "First Time" ad, you wouldn't think so. The message of the ad was especially disappointing for me because, not too long ago, I praised Dunham's critically acclaimed HBO show "Girls" in the Washington Times for its candid depiction of the hook-up culture. With its … Continued


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Jon Garland vs Dillon Gee Tilt Ends in New York 4-2 Win
Los Angeles dropped a 4-2 decision at Citi Field on Saturday as New York legged out a win behind winning pitcher Tim Byrdak.
New York was favored by -132 and came through for bettors backing them. The game went UNDER the consensus closing total of 7.5.
Tim Byrdak earned the victory for the Mets, throwing 1 inning of work, striking out 1, walking 0, and allowing 1 hit and 0 earned runs. That effort was supported by 2 RBIs from Justin Turner in the win.
Los Angeles' starting pitcher Jon Garland worked 6 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 0 in the loss. They got 3 hits from Jamey Carroll in a losing cause.
New York enjoyed an edge at the plate with a 9-8 advantage in hits.
Francisco Rodriguez pitched the final 1 inning for the save. He struck out 2 and allowed 0 hits in his outing.


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With his head hanging down, suspected kidnapper Ariel Castro went before a judge on Wednesday morning.
Castro refused to make eye contact with anyone, but did answer the judge when questioned. He provided a simple answer of 'yes' when asked normal questions about the proceedings. Castro also said he has no questions for the court.
Defense attorneys entered a plea of not guilty for Castro earlier this month on nearly 330 charges, including murder. They said in court on Wednesday that they hope to visit Castro's Seymour Avenue home in the near future.
Castro is accused of holding Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus captive in his Cleveland house for more than a decade before they were rescued on May 6.
Berry gave birth to his daughter while in captivity.
Castro's defense attorneys said they are willing to plead guilty to all the charges, but murder. They are hoping the prosecutors will drop the murder charges so they can avoid a lengthy trial and spare the women from testifying.
The judge made sure to tell the prosecutors and Castro's defense team that any potential plea deals must be written out in full first.
Castro remains jailed on $8M.
His next court date is slated for June 26 at 8:45 a.m.
Right now, his trial date is set for August 4, but that should change after Castro waives his right to a speedy trial.
Copyright 2013 WOIO. All rights reserved.


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I have a problem dialing out when I am using or even just have open LogmeIn rescue console. What happens is I dial a number and it will take a long time to actually dial up to 45 seconds and then dials ok. The other problem is that I can be using the logmein console and the phone at the same time when I hang up from that customer and call another client not only do I have the delay but the line often is very poor. If I get the client to call back the line is usually ok even with the LogMein console open. Any thoughts on this as my understanding is that using a VOIp modem should give dedicated preference to the phone line. I also have an issue on some calls where the full duplex dosnt seem to work properly eg If I talk at the same time as the client is talking the system cuts the client of a bit like a microphone in a radio station when music is playing and the dj talks it then supressors the music or cuts the music out. This only seems to be one way as the client dose not have the same isuue.
Any thoughts ?


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The Bottom Line / Half-truths and Hypocrisy
Hearing the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs interviewed on the radio, one can get dizzy listening to the evasions, half-truths, self-righteousness and hypocrisy.
Hearing the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs interviewed on the radio, one can get dizzy listening to the evasions, half-truths, self-righteousness and hypocrisy. After Shlomo Benizri finishes his show, the listener might imagine him flopping into his armchair with a satisfied smirk, as if to say, I fooled the media once again.
Yesterday, Benizri was interviewed on the the question of unemployment, which in the fourth quarter 2001 hit a record 258,600, with the number of job seekers also soaring to a record of 209,300. Benizri spoke as if he were from the United Nations, as if he had no connection to the matter, as if he wasn't a member of the government, as if he didn't preach in favor of every extreme action that fans the flames of the Middle East cauldron and is if there was no connection between those flames, the economic situation and unemployment, and most importantly, as if he didn't happen to be the Labor Minister responsible for the matter.
As a preventive step, Benizri suggested that all temporary workers facing redundancy be given tenure in government offices. An excellent solution. One could even take it a step further and give all 209,300 job seekers tenure in the public sector. In that way we could get rid of unemployment in one fell swoop. Of course, if Benizri wants to take a look at an economy that actually implements things like that, then he can take a look at the former Soviet Union.
Benizri has decided to compete with A.D. Gordon's religion of work, and therefore, he said that the government had decided this week to limit the increase in the number of foreign workers for the agriculture sector to 6,000 because "the farmers should employ Israeli workers." Spirited talk indeed. But, who are these Israelis that the farmers should employ?
Let's take a look at one well-known sector - the Ultra-Orthodox. In Israel, there are 115,000 Haredim over the age of 18. In the large yeshivas, there are 31,000 bachelors and there are 44,000 married men registered in kollels (yeshivas for married men). Altogether, that makes 75,000 people who aren't even dreaming about work. In other words, as a matter of ideology, two out of every three Ultra-orthodox men don't work; rather, they live on the bent over backs of the taxpayer. So perhaps what Benizri is suggesting is that 6,000 Haredim go and work in agriculture?
And when I say don't work, I'm refering only to official figures, because what happens unofficially can be illustrated by the following little story: Yesterday, a student of the "Or Haim" Kolel, Shaul Koka, was released on bail. While Koka declared an income of NIS 3,000 a month (and as a result was exempt from paying tax), tax officials found NIS 2.5 million in his bank accounts. Koka had forgotten to report to the tax authorities that for some years he had worked as a presenter at rabbinical conventions. And how old is this young student? 60. May he live till 120.
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Bigg Boss 6: Niketan and I have moved on, says Karishma Kotak
Our affair lasted only for a couple of months. We were very young and kiddish then. We have no feelings for each other now Karishma Kotak, reports Debasmita Ghosh.tv Updated: Dec 28, 2012 14:38 IST
Model-turned-actor Karishma Kotak is still in a daze after her sudden mid-week eviction from the Bigg Boss house. "This is so sudden. We had so much fun on Christmas and I was really bonding well with everyone, and now it's over!" said Kotak, soon after she came out of the house.
This was Kotak's second stint in the house, this season, after her exit from the show in the third week, when her father passed away.
Interestingly, this stint was more eventful with her past affair with co-contestant and model Niketan Madhok coming out in the open during a task, last week.
Though the 30-year-old maintains that it's a "very old closed chapter that lasted for a couple of months only", the memories seem fresh.
"It was about seven years ago, Nik and I were very young then. In fact, this January, we would have turned eight," recalls Kotak, confessing that Madhok's comment about her not deserving to stay in the house till the 12th week, was slightly disappointing.
"Not that I expect anything from him. We have moved on," said Kotak.
Talking about in-house politics, she, unlike others, doesn't feel that everybody in the house is fake.
"How much can you act for 24 hours? Sometimes you don't even realise that there are so many cameras," she says, adding, "Urvashi should win the show. She is blunt but honest and straight forward too."
Bigg Boss 6: Karishma Kotak leaves after mid-week eviction
Karishma Kotak is evicted from Bigg Boss. She left the house under mid week eviction. In the evening, Bigg Boss organises a magical show for the housemates. The magician entertains the housemates with all his tricks and soon one of his tricks involving the evicted contestants of the house turned into Karishma's eviction from the house. Post the trick the housemates try to look for Karishma frantically when Bigg Boss makes an announcement about her eviction. FULL STORY
Bigg Boss 6: episodic Synopsis – Day 81
The day begins with Rajeev writing a poem for Aashka and Rohit, listening to which Aashka breaks down. Soon Rajev and Niketan are seen chatting up in the kitchen talking about how Karishma vanished into thin air yesterday. The two were anticipating what will happen today and then they start bickering about Imam and his behavior in the house.
After some time, when Sana wants to go and have a bath, Niketan tells her that he has kept some hot water for her and Rajev taunts Niketan that he has suddenly become too sweet towards Sana. He also makes fun of how Niketan would shoot with the gun on Rajev's shoulder.
As the day passes, Bigg Boss makes an announcement that the captain this week will be chosen basis a task and not just by votes. Bigg Boss also announces that Imam's captaincy has come to an end and that he should shift his luggage out. Rajev tells everyone that he cannot share his bed with Imam. Post the captain task announcement, every contestant in the house is seen discussing captain nominations when Niketan gets a call from Bigg Boss which brings a twist. FULL COVERAGE
Everyone's a fake in Bigg Boss: Vishal KarwalAccording to Vishal Karwal, everyone in the Bigg Boss house is pretending to be someone else. "Urvashi is faking the most on the show and Rajeev is just like a woman talking here and there, and I'm not at all impressed by what he is doing on the show."
Vishal Karwal says he does not regret being voted out, and the first thing he will do after leaving the show will be to party with his friends. He says he felt weird talking on the phone after a gap of 40 days and the feeling of eviction is still sinking in. On being asked about his relationship with Sana, Karwal says, "We know each other from before and I like her. We haven't dated and I am not ready for a relationship. I am going through a rough patch and have to first sort that out." READ ON


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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Updated: July 26, 2011
Based on the unanimous recommendation of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council at its June 15, 2011 meeting, the NHLBI is no longer making new awards using the Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37) funding mechanism.
NHLBI has announced the suspension of its MERIT Award program in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts (NOT-HL-11-153).
The Institute will maintain its commitment to existing R37 awardees. All active awards and requests for extensions will be processed in the usual manner.
Last Updated July 2011


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LONDON, England -- Andy Murray rolled to a straight-set win over Andy Roddick in a battle of former champions in the semifinals of the Wimbledon tuneup at the Queen's Club.
Murray, the 2009 Queen's champ, had an extra day of rest thanks to a quarterfinal walkover against Marin Cilic, who withdrew Friday because of an ankle injury. The second-seeded Scot took full advantage on Saturday and needed just 59 minutes to post a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over the American.
Roddick won this title three straight years from 2003-05 and again in 2007. He beat Murray in the quarterfinals of this event three years ago, but Saturday's forgettable result left Roddick just 3-7 all-time against the three-time Grand Slam runner-up.
It was really no contest from the start. Murray was dominant on serve, as he blistered 13 aces and did not face a break point in his eight service games. Roddick won a mere nine points in those eight games.
Next up for Murray will be the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and British wild card James Ward. Tsonga pulled off a quarterfinal stunner on Friday by knocking out world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Queen's champ who was coming off his sixth French Open title this past Sunday.
Murray will try for his 17th career title and first of 2011. He was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January and has also had a trio of semifinal losses this year. Nadal beat him in the semis at Monte Carlo and the French Open, while Djokovic eliminated him in the Italian Masters.
This week's champion will take home $113,000.


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Who's Hot
Brendan Ryan: His second-inning grand slam proves to be the only hit the Cardinals would need, plus the shortstop makes a couple of stellar defensive plays from well behind second base.
Who's Not
Tim Stauffer: Although again the victim of little run support, Stauffer brings on his sixth loss in seven decisions, hitting two batters and walking one to load the bases for a grand slam.
9 — Losses to the Cardinals by the Padres
7 — Grand slams by St. Louis this season.
3 — Home runs by Kyle Blanks in the past four games.
1 — Run scored by the Padres against starting pitchers the past two games.


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Sharon R. Spaker Kurth
Sharon R. Spraker Kurth, 64, Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, April 19, 2014 in Mesa.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. The Rev. David Mixon will officiate with the family receiving friends immediately following the service at Elliott Chapel, New London. A memorial has been established for Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, Ariz.
She was born Nov. 29, 1949, to Emmet and Elizabeth Spraker.
She grew up in New London and Danville and graduated from Danville High School in 1968. She then attended AIB in Des Moines and received a Junior Accounting degree. She later moved to Arizona. She married Dave Kurth on July 2, 1977.
She worked at Sankovich & Associates Insurance in Phoenix for over 20 years. The couple later moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1997. While in Mt. Pleasant, she worked at Wal-Mart and volunteered at her church's tent at Old Threshers. The couple moved back to Arizona in 2005. She began working in the City of Scottsdale Police Records Department in 2006. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, playing Pinochle and spending time with family.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Kurth and Darla Jean Kurth, both of Arizona; two sisters, Sandra Chrapla and Susan Spraker, both of Arizona.


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The price of Sex on Britain's streets has now fallen for the third month in a row, giving rise to fears of a global meltdown in the industry, it has been reported.
Prostitutes in London are now charging their lowest prices for more than 30 years, and the effects of the ailing global economy and the Credit Crunch have been devastating.
The price of a kiss, for instance, is now just £1.50 in some areas, whilst a 'snog' is only marginally more expensive, at £2.50.
Touching a prostitute's bottom will cost you £3, whilst having a feel of a breast is now just £3.50, although vigorously rubbing both breasts at once, remains pegged at £5.
The shock figures are from a detailed report by the London Tourist Board into which of the top attractions in the capital are still popular with tourists despite rising costs. The sex market is probably one of the most robust, and has shown little sign of a downturn, although prostitutes do report having to work harder to maintain satisfaction levels.
One, Molly Slagg, who operates in Soho, and offers Full Sex with a Smile for just £16.99, said:
"It's harder now. The punters want it all on the cheap, but, at the end of the day, it's better than stacking shelves, innit?"


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Bright Young Things: A Modern Guide to the Roaring Twenties (Hardcover)
Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
For lovers of the glamour and scandal of the roaring twenties and the millions of fans eagerly anticipating the return of Downton Abbey (the third season opens in the twenties), an illustrated lifestyle guide to the fashion, the parties, the notrious personalities, and all the glittering trappings from the unforgettable era of the flapper. Bright Young Things is a perfect guide to the roaring twenties--hot jazz and hotter all-night dance halls, high society's scandalous exploits, fresh new fashions, Prohibition cocktails, costume parties, and of course, the notorious flapper. Decorated throughout with art deco illustrations and packaged in a beautiful foil-stamped case, this book looks stunning resting on a coffee table and makes a fabulous gift.
About the Author
A multi-faceted and versatile writer, Alison Maloney is a film and TV correspondent for the Sun online, and is also the author of several books, including the previous bestselling Strictly Come Dancing Annual 2008, a number of children's titles and The Mums' Book: For the Mum who's Best at Everything, which reached No 1 on The Sunday Times bestseller list in March 07. She currently resides in London.


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House of Cards Season 2 trailer2:21
Frank Underwood and his devious scheming are back in season 2 of Netflix's 'House of Cards'.
KEVIN Spacey looks more ruthless than ever in the trailer for the second season of House of Cards.
Spacey plays Frank Underwood in the political TV thriller, who is shown in the series teaser being sworn in as Vice President of the United States.
He got there by shrewd manipulation, cunning decisions, backstabbing and murder … all factors which will undoubtedly come back to haunt him as he continues his insatiable appetite for power.
The show was nominated for nine Emmy's last year, winning three, but unfortunately for House of Cards fans, the second series may be the curtain call for the show.
"House of Cards is only going to go a second season and I think that's it," said producer Rick Cleveland in October last year according to GoldDerby.
"Kevin Spacey likes to do movies and Robin Wright (who plays Underwood's wife in the show) likes to do movies."
House of Cards season two will air in the US on February 14 and will be shown on Foxtel in Australia not long after.


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First paragraph: He started off with a reference to something I joke about in my profile, by making cute & funny comments about it. He then tells me he is in an "ethical polyamorous relationship" and would be happy to introduce me to one of his partners, who is also on OKC. This is a second reference to my profile, where I say that I am not interested in married men who are not in ethical poly relationships (I was getting propositioned by lots of cheaters for a while). He's unmarried but it's obvious that his statement was a response to what I'd put out there, and so I know he read my profile, or at least the section down at the bottom.
Next paragraph: He tells me I am "clearly a beautiful woman" and that he loves my hair. Then he says he just reminded himself of an old song by saying that -- and he added a line of lyrics. That was sweet! He then tells me that my shape "works for him" and remarks how he doesn't understand the notion that for a woman to be beautiful, she must "resemble a stick figure." This whole paragraph also references items I talk about in my profile - my hair and my curves. And it was all expressed directly but very respectfully.
Last paragraph: He says that the "real reason" he wrote me is because he likes my "turn of mind." He states that the quotes I have in my profile "resonate" with him, "especially the poem." He then tells me that I am "obviously very bright" and sees me as "capable of engaging the world" on my terms. Because of this, he says, he thinks we can be good friends.
His closing talks about us being "geographically challenged," but that he hopes I would like to be a penpal.


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I just heard tonight from a friend of mine that the Chinese Language Program at National Chung Hsing University is closing down.
The same friend then called 'Biz House' -the downtown extension of Providence University- and apparently they are also closing down soon.
I'm not sure if this represents a drastic reduction in the number of foreigners living in Taichung who want to learn Chinese or perhaps a change in Gov't policy whereby University affiliated language centers are now subject to new rules and new pressures.
TLI in Taichung is still around as is National Taichung University.
Times they are a' chang'in.


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I'm making a metal mulisha cake for my brother in law. It sort of will fall in the "rocker/motorcycle tough guy" category. The thought of a cute shell border is not sounding like a very good compliment to the cake. Here is a link to a picture of the metal mulisha guy. He's mean. I need a mean border. I wanted to attempt fondant barbed wire, but just don't have the time this week to experiment with it. Any tips or images on border techniques?? Thanks!
What if you used a large round tip (maybe 12 or something slightly smaller) and used yellow/orange/red bc to pull out flames as a border?
Ok I just looked at the pic of your other post and I'm thinking if your going with the silver color then just do some silver buttercream and do any sort of swirlly design or you can color some fondant in silver or dust and twist it into a rope or even twist a black one with a silver one into a rope for around the bottom of the cake. I think I like the idea of the black and silver it sounds very masculine and you cant go wrong with a rope nothing frilly about that lol and it would be faster than barbed wire.
or something that looks like chains
Could you use a smaller round tip like a 5 or 7, make a rope border and then use a small leaf tip to make narrow long "leaves" off of it to look like barbed wire? Make it in grey icing? Just a though. It is hard to explain, but I managed to make long narrow leaves that would look good for the barbs of the wire. Ok I tried.
Thanks to everyone for the help with this cake. It was near a disaster about 11:45 pm. I pulled through and was pleased (considering what had happened). My brother in law was so happy. He's not a mushy guy, but gushed about his cake. He told me "it was the best cake he's ever had in his whole life". He just recently married my sister, so it was quite a bonding moment for us. Thanks!! Here is my picture


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Heavy rain and wind caused at least three of four power outages reported around San Diego County Wednesday morning that left more than 5,500 customers without electricity.
The largest outage hit the Normal Heights area shortly before 8 a.m. and affected about 3,800 customers. Power was restored in less than an hour, said SDG&E spokeswoman Allison Zaragoza.
Other outages were reported near Brown Field, Linda Vista and the Rincon area.
"Three of the four we suspect were weather-related because we had equipment damage," Zaragoza said.
It was not clear what caused the outage in the Rincon area, she said.


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Kona's homeless grateful for free holiday meal, fellowship
John Rathbun sat on Kailua Pier late Sunday afternoon, eating a free turkey dinner with all the fixings while surrounded by friends and old acquaintances. Between mouthfuls, he shared his gratitude for the numerous acts of kindness that often go unnoticed daily in this small town and spoke proudly about how people here still look out for one another.
Glancing around, Rathbun smiled when upon noticing the tremendous turnout. While waiting in line for food, more than 100 people who are needy or homeless or just had nowhere to go talked story and shared laughs among each other, as well as with the volunteers filling their plates. This elaborate Easter meal, organized by the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, provided a brief, but meaningful and welcome respite from the hardships many of them are enduring.
"It's a beautiful thing when the community comes together like this," said Rathbun, 49, who has been homeless for a year. "The church has helped us a lot, and to them, I say, 'Bless your heart. I'll see you in heaven someday.' Besides providing these meals, which we are grateful for, they have given us Band-Aids and first aid kits, which we share with others, to take care of cuts and bruises. They also listen to us and treat us like human beings. Events like this are an reminder that human humanity exists and to never give up or lose hope."
The meal was part of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity's Help Everyone Regardless of Outcome, or HERO, and Making Change for Change Ministries, which strive to address some of the basic needs of the homeless population found along Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona. For more than a year, the church has been providing "blessings," such as meals, gift cards, clothing, linens, and hygiene and first aid kits, on an informal basis.
Sunday's meal was about renewal and reaching out to folks who need it most, Rev. Lawrence Hand said.
"We offer help. Our goal is only to try to make their life a little better," Hand said. "The best part has been seeing our church members and our brothers and sisters in need connect with one another. They are forming relationships, learning who they are and discovering they have so many things in common. These are real people. They can be just as funny, sweet and difficult as us. They just need some help, and we're willing to give what we can."
Cindy Hill, HERO and Making Change for Change Ministries leader, explained how the effort began with a couple of gift cards and four coins placed in her palm by a young church member. From this humble beginning, the congregation began using whatever contributions the church received to help this population when possible. Sometimes, this meant buying a few pizzas and distributing the slices one-by-one to those in need while walking down Alii Drive one afternoon. Other times, it was organizing a big feast, with the help of various donors, businesses and community organizations.
At the beginning of this year, the church received a $5,000 Economic Outreach Bridge Grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. It will use the funds to continue its meals and outreach work, but hopefully on a more regular schedule, Hill said.
Hand expressed gratitude to Costco for donating 20 turkeys, which church members cooked and served Sunday. There were also numerous homemade desserts and dishes. First aid kits and plastic eggs filled with candy were later handed out.
A regular contributor to the church's cause has been Body Glove Cruises, which provided the tents and beverages for the Easter feast. Body Glove Cruises President Maggie Brown said her company routinely donates leftover food from its cruises to local homeless shelters and those who might want or need it. To her, donating the still-edible food to organizations that feed the hungry just makes sense.
To get involved or for more information, call the church at 329-5733 or visit konalutheranchurch.com.


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The University of Utah gymnastics team is coming off a season-opening victory at UCLA, but the Utes dropped from a second-place ranking in the preseason poll to fourth.
The first coaches' association national rankings of the regular season are done by high score only. So there's no need for Ute fans to squirm.
Ratings will be done by high scores for the first two weeks, until teams have enough meets to have averages. As of now, many teams, like BYU and Southern Utah, haven't even competed yet, while some have had two meets.
From Jan. 23-Feb. 16, the poll will be done by total season-average scores. After that, rankings will be determined by Regional Qualifying Score, an average of six meets, some of which must be on the road. The RQS eventually decides which teams advance to the postseason.Comment on this story
Utah's score of 194.875 at UCLA on Saturday placed it behind Florida, defending NCAA champion Georgia and Stanford.
In event scores, Utah's 48.90 on balance beam was second in the country only to UCLA's 49.00. The Utes' 48.825 on floor was fifth-best nationally. In other events, Utah is tied with UCLA for seventh on vault (48.875) and 13th on bars (48.275) despite two falls at UCLA.
Utah State, which finished fourth in a four-team meet at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, is not in team rankings, but its 48.30 on vault ranks it 17th. It's tied for 24th on floor (46.60) and beam (46.45).In individual rankings, Ute junior Nicolle Ford is sixth in the all-around (39.20) and freshman Nina Kim 23rd (38.625). The pair is tied for third (9.85) on beam, while Ford and freshman Kristina Baskett are tied for second (9.875) on bars. Senior Gritt Hofmann and Baskett are tied for 15th (9.825) on floor with Ford (9.775) tied for 25th. Hofmann (9.775) is tied for 15th and sophomore Ashley Postell (.75), recovering from a torn elbow medial collateral ligament, is tied for 22nd on beam.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Playback Devices' started by iseethink720, Apr 29, 2013.
What is the best Blu-ray player available in the market today?
Really depends on what you are looking for. PQ all players are the same, upscaling and Audio, i would go with the OPPO's.
does pq mean picture quality ?
PQ=picture quality. Upscaling=how well the player upconverts DVD.
OPPO=video/audiophile grade product with excellent mfg. support at commensurately high pricing compared to more mainstream mfgs. like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, LG.
my current dvd player has upscaling. it was supposedly one of the better ones to do that.
i bought it, not really knowing whether it really makes much difference.
does upscaling really make any noticeable difference in pq ?
Only if you have a large DVD collection and good TV/Projector.
To the original question, Oppo is the best. But it is expensive.
And welcome, Ellen, to HTF!
I'm still a big fan of using a PS/3 as a Blu-Ray player because you just know that every title will work on this player given how large an install base the player possesses. The Oppos are great models, no question and are worth considering.
It really depends upon what your criteria are for the player, how large your display happens to be, how many DVD titles do you plan to watch (where up-scaling becomes more of a factor), how much money are you comfortable spending upon the player, and so on.
Welcome to the HTF.
- Walter.
I decided to test my budget Panasonic blu ray player for upscaling, i use this with a Samsung E6500 60 inch plasma tv, i also have a PS3 and an Oppo BD-83 player, both are excellent at upscaling, i put on a few films and i gotta say, the budget Panasonic does a helluva good job, it also does a very good job with reproducing movie soundtracks, it's the Panasonic DMP-BDT120, cheap but with plenty of features and very good upscaling for DVD's, naturally it is excellent for BD playback too, i'd recommend it if on a budget, if not on a budget then go for an Oppo.
P.S, I forgot to add this, you can have the best blu ray player and the best display in the world but unless its calibrated then you might not be achieving it's full potential, even a wrong setting within a blu ray player can diminish the image, some people view their TV/Projector using the dynamic setting ( torch mode ) and some have the sharpness control set way too high, all will have an impact on overall image quality.
two posters mentioned something about the size of one's dvd collection.
i can't figure out how that can possibly make a difference, regarding upscaling and pq ?
but i do plan to have my collection grow to a considerable number by the time i hit the bucket !!
there is something called 4k upscaling, now. the blu-ray players are not that much more expensive. but 4k monitors are prohibitively expensive.
thanks Steve!
+1 on the Oppo player. and welcome to HTF.
Thanks Jacob!
Have to agree with Oppo, I have an older model, but the PQ and upscaling are phenomenal.
I bought the Oppo 103 a couple of months ago. Great player. I would recommend it.
It has MHL and network share support if you care about those things.
But, my cheap Panasonic 210 is also a good player.
How much would a Panasonic 210 cost? Can it be ordered through Amazon? is it durable?
Heres the newer one.
or old one.
Have had no problems with the 210. had it for a couple of years.
It has been replaced by newer models. Just checked Amazon and the newest model is not getting the best reviews.
It's only $130. I am always skeptical of Amazon reviews. And, there are only 8 reviews so far. But, I would wait on this one to see if the review trend to lower marks continues.
They actually changed the main chip in this years models, last years which i linked to and i own one of them are much better quality.


text: No. I don't smoke. I wear a shirt. I have a new trailer. And people couldn't possibly care less that my trailer is new. They'd care if I was shirtless, obviously. That's just gross. Trailer? Not at all. 9 out of 10 customers aren't even there when you mow their lawn anyways. I could mow their lawn naked and they wouldn't be the wiser.


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This week I needed to install OpenSSL 0.9.8g on one of my servers. When I went to configure and build the libraries with the Sun C compiler, I noticed that 64-bit libraries were produced by default. It turns out that this is the default behavior if you try to build OpenSSL on a 64-bit platform. To build 32-bit shared libraries, I ran Configure with the "shared" and "solaris-x86-cc" options:
$ cd openssl-0.9.8g
$ ./Configure shared –prefix=/usr/local solaris-x86-cc
$ make
$ make install
There may be other ways to do this, but this method appears to work ok.


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The Son That Former NFL Player Rae Carruth Tried To Kill Turns 18, Still Suffering From Permanent Brain Damage
The former wide receiver, who plotted the murder of his ex, Cherica Adams, is scheduled to be released from prison soon.
Russell Simmons is getting back into the record label business, but with a new spin. Simmons, along with music executive Steve Rifkind and veteran film and TV producer Brian Robbins, is launching All Def Music, aimed at finding YouTube talent, the Los Angeles Times reports.
All Def Music will fall under the Universal Music Group umbrella, the same which holds legendary hip hop label Def Jam, founded by Simmons and Rick Rubin in the early '80s.
UMG acquired Def Jam in 1999.
Simmons' new label is the first of its kind "created specifically to sign, develop and promote artists on YouTube."
Rifkind, founder of Loud Records, pointed to both labels' marketing tactics as an outline for the new venture. "How [Simmons] built Def Jam and how I built Loud was through the streets and through grass-roots marketing," he said. "Cut to 20 years later, we're applying this same formula using YouTube as our street team."
UMG CEO Lucian Grainge noted the "exponential growth of Internet-based video" in creating a "powerful new outlet for music and music-based content." As such, the label is a component of a "broader strategy" involving partnerships with media and tech entrepreneurs.
The first artist signed to All Def Music is Asher Roth.
BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
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(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images)
The former wide receiver, who plotted the murder of his ex, Cherica Adams, is scheduled to be released from prison soon.
Each of the men could be served a life sentence in prison.
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