text:
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
All in Good Time
It's an odd tradition ... but a necessary one.
Every four years (more or less; more on that later), we tack on an extra day to the month of February. It's a variation on a tradition that's been around since the days of Julius Caesar (whose Julian calendar was introduced in 46 B.C.E.). The difficulties of accurate timekeeping were a problem even in Caesar's day, when it turned out that an actual, seasonal year (or "tropical year") is about a quarter of a day longer than the calendar year. A leap day was added every four years to correct this imbalance -- but inadvertently created another imbalance in its place, averaging out to a calendar year that was longer than the tropical one by approximately 0.0078 days. Not a problem in the short term, but by the sixteenth century A.D., the effects were adding up. Every century, the calendar year and the tropical year became off-kilter from each other by another 3/4ths of a day; by the sixteenth century, the beginning of spring had shifted from March 23 to March 11.
It was Pope Gregory XIII who instituted a new calendar in 1582 (the Gregorian calendar, if you notice a pattern). This new calendar was also intended to match the cycle of the seasons -- but with tropical years not consisting of whole days, the need for a "leap" system was still a necessity. But how to fix the Julian imbalance? The new Gregorian calendar instituted a new rule: years divisible by four would be leap years, except for centurial years that are not also divisible by 400. (That means that 1700, 1800, 1900, and 2100 aren't leap years; but 1600, 2000, and 2400 are.) Keeping the "leap days" in check allow for a more accurate correction to the calendar year; it's going to take 3,300 years before the Gregorian calendar falls even one day out of sync with the seasons.
But leap years aren't the only method in which we make adjustments in our timekeeping in order to keep our calendars and clocks in sync with nature. There's also leap seconds -- occasions when civilian time is adjusted in order to keep our atomic clocks more or less in sync with the actual rotational time of the Earth. (The USNO works to keep it within a 0.9 second difference.) With the "second" technically defined as the length of time it takes the Earth to make 1/86,400th of a rotation on the average solar day, it had been noted by the 1950s that the Earth's rotation was not at a consistent enough speed to hold against our standard of time. The "second" was redefined in 1956 by the International Committee for Weights and Measures, basing the unit instead on a fraction of the Earth's revolution around the Sun in a particular period. But to keep things even further in check, leap seconds allow for, well, the most minute of adjustments when necessary. (Our next "leap second" will be added on June 30 this year, the first in nearly four years.)
Coming as I do from a punctuality-challenged family, the history of timekeeping is something I find interesting. It is, in some respects, a somewhat recent invention ("recent," at least, by the standards of history!) -- and keeping time with manmade mechanics (instead of by the position of the sun and stars, or by other such natural means as water clocks) is an even newer phenomenon.
Timekeeping allows us not only to track our day-to-day tasks and activities -- but it also, in its small way, gives us a method of imposing a little order to an otherwise disorderly universe. (Even if keeping that order requires the occasional adjustment!) So celebrate this most unusual of dates by checking out a few sites (and even a movie!) about the ins and outs of keeping time:
From the U.S. Naval Observatory:
- An Introduction to Calendars
- Leap Years
- Leap Seconds
- In a Leap Year, What a Difference a Day Can Make: from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- A Walk Through Time: The Evolution of Time Management Through the Ages: from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
- The Leap Year: TimeAndDate.Com
- Leap Year: 10 Things About 29 February: BBC News Magazine
- Leap Year [DVD]: stars Amy Adams in this new romantic comedy about February 29th.
-- Post by Ms. B
Posted by Ms. B at 7:45 PM No comments:
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Miracle on Ice
I love hockey. I love everything about it. It's not like any other sport. There is constant action and excitement. And there is nothing like being at a hockey game -- the sound of the stick hitting the puck, a player being hit into the boards, the roar of the crowd.
Although I went to my first hockey game when I was nine (way back in the 70s), my real love affair didn't really start until a certain group of young men from the United States won a Gold Medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. Of course, the moment most people remember is the USA defeating the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, in what has become known as The Miracle On Ice. They weren't supposed to win. The Soviets were the best hockey players in the world. Arguably, they were better than any National Hockey League team at the time. In an exhibition session leading up to the Olympics, the Soviets had a 5-3-1 record against NHL teams. The Soviets also beat the USA 10-3, just days before the start of the Winter Olympics. No one believed the US had any chance of any medal, let alone gold -- and no one would have thought they would beat the Soviets, including the Soviets themselves.
But Coach Herb Brooks believed. He had been studying the Soviet style of hockey for years and he was confident that the group of young men he had chosen for the team were capable of doing that. He wasn't always popular with his players, but in the end they followed his plan and they succeeded. In a very famous scene from the film Miracle, Kurt Russell gives the big speech that Herb Brooks delivered to his team during that game.
By the time the US and the Soviet Union played on February 22nd, this team of college hockey players had already started to capture the imagination of a country. Most Americans didn't know much about the game of hockey, but with all of the troubles the country was experiencing at the time (American hostages being held in Iran and a crumbling economy), the team gave the country something to rally around and something to believe in.
The success of the US team in 1980 led to a huge interest in hockey in this country, especially by young boys and girls, who wanted to play the game. Back then, a very small minority of Americans played in the NHL, and today about 25% of the league are Americans. And even though the US hasn't won a Gold medal since 1980, they are now considered one of the elite teams in international hockey, alongside Canada and Russia.
There has been one major motion picture, one made-for-tv film, and one documentary about this event:
Miracle (2004) - Stars Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks in a very moving performance.
Miracle On Ice (1981) - This made-for-television film starred Karl Malden and Steve Guttenberg. Unfortunately, there are no copies of this in the Allegheny County Library system and it doesn't seem to be available on YouTube or Hulu.
Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team (2001) - This is an HBO documentary narrated by Liev Schrieber.
And if you are looking for something to read, in addition to the DVDs:
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team by Wayne Coffey
Going For the Gold: How the U.S Olympic Hockey Team Won at Lake Placid by Tim Wendel
Miracle on Ice by Alan Pierce
-- Post by Tracy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Birthday Biography: Forever Aunt Erma
When I was a junior in high school, our English class was given an assignment to read and report on a biography or memoir. The catch: when we presented our report to the class, we had to do it in character as the subject of our assignment.
For me, the assignment was a no-brainer. I went with author Erma Bombeck -- choosing a book I'd read a few years ago, in which she'd written about the ups and downs and true quirks of married life. It was the first Erma Bombeck book I'd ever read -- although, by eleventh grade, I'd already read quite a few of them.
Erma Bombeck was an American humorist who specialized in poking fun at the everyday life of the suburban homemaker. Her syndicated newspaper column first appeared in 1965 and ran for over thirty years (eventually appearing in over 4,000 papers). Over the course of her career, she published 15 books, most of which would go on to be best-sellers.
And here I was, a kid who had still been in elementary school when she'd first picked up an Erma Bombeck book and had promptly fallen in love. Some people seemed baffled that the misadventures of a mid-Western housewife would appeal to me, but to me they all missed the point: Erma Bombeck was funny. How could I not love her?
- "A friend never defends a husband who gets his wife an electric skillet for her birthday. A friend will tell you she saw your old boyfriend -- and he's a priest."
- "The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one."
- "When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and he says he's doing nothing but the dog is barking, call 911."
- "Sometimes I can't figure designers out. It's as if they flunked human anatomy."
Bombeck was born Erma Louise Fiste on February 21, 1927. She lived with her older sister Thelma and parents in Dayton, Ohio. Growing up, she loved taking tap-dance lessons and playing with Thelma -- but there was one thing she liked more than just about anything else: books.
Her interest in writing started early -- a natural extension, to Bombeck, of her love of reading. Her first assignment came at Emerson Junior High, writing a humor column for the student paper The Owl. She'd go on to write other columns for Patterson Vocational High School -- and got her first professional gig at age 16, interviewing Shirley Temple for the Dayton Herald. (Bombeck would go on to attend the University of Dayton.)
Her first full-time professional news assignments consisted of obituaries and, later, the women's section of the Dayton Journal-Herald. She'd start to hit her stride with her column "Operation Dustrag," which originally detailed housekeeping hints and tips but quickly became a humor column about the quirky life of the housewife.
Bombeck took some time off from the newspaper business with the adoption of her daughter, which was soon after followed by the birth of her two biological sons. Raising three children kept her more than busy, though she still found time to edit and write for the Dayton Shopping News.
And then, in 1964, Bombeck walked into the office of the editor of the local paper Kettering-Oakwood Times and told him she wanted to write a humor column for him. What began as a $3/column writing gig for the local paper would go on to become a multi-million-dollar career encompassing a syndicated column, books, television appearances, scriptwriting, and national tours on the speakers' circuit. And through it all, Bombeck kept her down-to-earth personality, wit, and sense of humor intact.
She didn't just write humor. Within the funny stories and the witty observations, there was a woman who fiercely loved her husband and children, and who understood that your family can both try your patience and support you through the ups and downs of life. Motherhood and writing were both callings of Bombeck's, and she used each one to guide her path through the other. You can read her love of family -- and of writing -- in every word she wrote.
I love Erma Bombeck because of her insight and wit, her love for her family, and her high good humor. Most of all, I love her because she's made me laugh, so many many times. And you don't even need to be a Midwestern housewife to relate to her.
At least, I don't think you do. My classmates did really enjoy listening to "Erma Bombeck" tell them all about her book. I made them laugh as soon as I announced the title: A Marriage Made in Heaven -- Or, Too Tired For an Affair.
I had a lot of fun with that assignment. How could I not? Erma Bombeck was already a hero of mine. Getting to "be" her for a few minutes -- well, that was pretty cool.
- "My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."
- "In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."
- "Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which one I'm taking with me when I go."
- "Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth."
For more on Erma Bombeck:
- The Life of Erma Bombeck
- The Erma Museum: Online Exhibits: includes photos and PDFs of Bombeck's letters and speeches
- When God Created Mothers: a short story by Erma Bombeck
- Erma Bombeck books @ the Library
- Erma Bombeck audiobooks @ the Library
-- Post by Ms. B
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Happy 500th, Homer
I'll admit it -- I'm more of a South Park fan.
But when it comes to cultural milestones, there's no denying that The Simpsons are in a class by themselves.
Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons originally ran as a series of animated shorts as part of Fox Network's The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. Two years later, The Simpsons was adapted into a half-hour animated series, which first aired as a Christmas special on December 17 (entitled "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"). It's been airing on Fox ever since -- going on to become America's longest-running sitcom, animated or otherwise.
The show remains enormously popular (despite some fans debating whether or not the show "jumped the shark" ten seasons ago), and still performs consistently well in the ratings. A movie was released in 2007 -- and this Sunday at 8:00 PM, the show airs its 500th episode.
It's an impressive milestone, to say the least. But its cultural impact might be even more noteworthy. Upon first airing, the show was the first successful primetime, not-just-for-kids animated series to air in over a decade -- making it possible for other animated primetime shows, like my beloved South Park, to follow. (South Park appears to be aware of this, paying wry but affectionate homage to the show in their fifth season episode "Simpsons Already Did It.") Merchandising for the show is a billion-dollar enterprise. And Homer Simpson's famous catchphrase "D'oh!" even appears in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Detractors of the last few seasons will say that the show has gone so far into satire it's become a parody of itself. But fans will tell you the show has only changed its direction -- not lost its heart.
So, to celebrate America's animated family, take a gander at some interviews, trivia, and one very impressive video -- all while you're waiting to catch the 500th episode this Sunday night!
A few Simpsons articles:
- "The Simpsons Turn 500" (the Sydney Morning Herald): Discusses the 500th episode (with guest star Julian Assange), the 2007 movie, and how long the staff really expected to be on the air. Features a video interview with creator Matt Groening.
- Most Episodes Ever? "'Simpsons' to Air No. 500" (the Chicago Sun-Times): Heralds the show as one of only three prime-time series to ever hit the "500" mark, with production staff discussing their theories on the reason for the show's longevity and sharing their favorite episodes.
- At 500 Episodes, How Does "The Simpsons" Say Something New? (The Atlantic): For an academic perspective, take a look at this reflection on the history, politics, and the effects of the show on our own pop culture.
- As "The Simpsons" Approaches 500 Episodes, We Pick a Baker's Dozen Favorite Moments (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette): Lots of articles are being written about the top episodes and moments from The Simpsons' 23-season history. Here's the article closest to home!
- Minor Characters Still Have Stories to Tell on 'Simpsons' (South Bend Tribute): What may be in store in future episodes for the animated family. Features a great interview with Groening.
Has The Simpsons jumped the shark? The experts weigh in:
- The Simpsons Jumped the Shark a Decade Ago (The Guardian): Written in 2007 shortly after The Simpson's 400th episode, the writer accuses the show of having hit its high note over a decade ago.
- 'The Simpsons' 500th Episode: Celebrate an Old Friend (Huffington Post): Loyalty to the Simpsons can be like visiting at a family reunion, in one writer's opinion.
- 'THE SIMPSONS': D'oh! 7 Good Reasons Why You Should Be (Still) Watching (The Washington Post): Using one of my all-time favorite episodes as an example, this writer makes the case that The Simpsons is as sharp as ever this season.
Some of my favorite Simpsons sites:
- Bart Simpson's Chalkboard Quotes: Every episode opens with, of course, The Simpsons' famous theme song, which features a shot of Bart writing lines on the classroom blackboard. A running joke is that what Bart's writing changes every time. See this list for some of the most classic quotes.
- The Simpsons on Hulu: Watch the latest episodes -- or nearly three hundred classic scene clips -- for free on Hulu's website.
- "The Simpsons Are Going to ..." Every Destination, Over 500 Episodes: Take a peek at Slate's phenomenal map showcasing everywhere the Simpsons family has traveled over 23 seasons!
And watch a brilliant interpretation of the Simpsons' theme song -- done with real-life actors:
Come Home To The Simpsons from devilfish on Vimeo.
-- Post by Ms. B
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
First Magazine Published in America: 1741
The first magazine published in America appeared in 1741. Unfortunately, it only lasted three months. And now, in the 21st century (according to the American Society of Magazine Editors), there were over 24,000 magazines published in the US in 2010. Of course, a large portion of that number probably are very specialized, and therefore have low circulation. But, that shows that there is still an interest in magazines in this country.
Personally, I love magazines. I love the pictures, the articles, the information -- and, yes, even the gossip -- that can be found in magazines. To me, it's a great way to get news and other information that might not be covered in a newspaper or on television.
In my house we subscribe to four magazines, two of which are weeklies. If I had more time (and money), I would probably subscribe to a lot more! But there are plenty of magazines that I can look at, and even check out, here at Monroeville Public Library. And if we don't have it, another library in the county might and I could request it.
Also, our online databases provide full text of many magazines -- some that are available in our library, but many that aren't. All you need is a current Allegheny County Library card. One of the most popular magazines to look at through the database is Consumer Reports. You can search full-text articles back to 1991. The database to use for most magazines is MasterFILE Premier. Once you are in the database, you can search the database just like you would our catalog. But here, you can limit your search to specific magazines, i.e. Consumer Reports. Personally, I've used this quite a lot to find out information about new appliances and new cars.
Click here for a step-by-step instruction on how to access an article in Consumer Reports.
-- Post by Tracy
Thursday, February 9, 2012
"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." -- Mark Twain
As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the weather. What I like about it, is that it's always changing. And for a person who doesn't like a whole lot of change in her life, that's a big thing. I could spend hours just watching the clouds move across the sky. I love watching the rain pounding against the window and I love watching the trees swaying in the wind. I have spent countless hours watching the Weather Channel! I even have a small weather station at home that shows the current temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed that my wonderful husband bought for me for Christmas one year.
Despite this love, I don't really know much about the history of weather forecasting at all. So imagine my surprise (and delight) to learn that there is a National Weatherperson's Day commemorating the birth of John Jeffries (February 7, 1745), who was one of America's first weathermen! Mr. Jeffries, who was also a medical doctor, is famous for his hot air balloon flights which were used to collect data about free air. The first flight took place November 30, 1784 above London. In the balloon he carried a thermometer, barometer, electrometer, hyrgrometer, and several other scientific devices. He made twelve observations of temperature, pressure, and humidity. His second (and last) flight took place on January 7, 1785. It started in Dover, England and ended near the forests of Guines, France. Unfortunately, he was unable to take any measurements, since he lost almost all of his scientific equipment due to difficulties with the balloon. Luckily, Jeffries and his partner, Pierre Blanchard, made it safely across the English Channel to France where they were met with a hero's welcome.
John Jeffries never flew in a hot air balloon again and he went back to America and led a quiet life as a physician. Though he is more well known for his flight across the English Channel, his meteorological experiments should also be remembered.
To learn more about meteorology and weather in general, check out these web sites and books:
The Weather Channel - A great site for current weather conditions in your area or around the world.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - This is the official government site for weather and oceanic activity. The National Weather Service is a part of this organization.
Accuweather - Located in State College, PA, they provide weather conditions for your local area and all around the world. According to their website, they have the greatest number of forecast meteorologists anywhere in the world.
Weather by Dr. Stephen Dorling
Weather Whys: Facts, Myths, and Oddities by Paul Yeager
The AMS Weather Book: The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather by Jack Williams
Extreme Weather: Understanding the Science of Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Heat Waves, Snow Storms, Global Warming, and Other Atmospheric Disturbances by H. Michael Mogil.
Restless Skies: The Ultimate Weather Book by Paul Douglas
Meteorology Demystified by Stan Gibilisco
Weather: A Visual Guide by Bruce Buckley, Edward J. Hopkins and Richard Whitaker
Weather: How It Works and Why It Matters by Arthur Upgren and Jurgen Stock
Backpacker: Predicting Weather: Forecasting, Planning, and Preparing by Lisa Densmore
Weather: Air Masses, Clouds, Rainfall, Storms, Weather Maps, Climate by Paul E. Lehr
DVD Documentaries:
Tornado Interceptors
Tornado Glory: Experience the Real Chase
Wonders of Weather
Inside Hurricane Katrina
Nature's Fury
Storm Chasers
Storm That Drowned A City
Feature Films where weather plays an important role:
Twister (1996)
Key Largo (1948)
Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Perfect Storm (2000)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
-- Post by Tracy
Posted by Tracy at 11:36 AM No comments:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Birthday Biography: Charles Dickens
Confession time: this English major has never read any Charles Dickens.
I know -- shameful, right? We covered Trollope and Hardy in my 19th-century British Literature class, but somehow we never got around to Dickens.
But of course, the thing about Dickens is that his influence on literature was so great that you don't have to have read his stories to know something about them.
Charles Dickens was born two hundred years ago today, to parents Elizabeth and John Dickens. John was a clerk in the Naval Pay Office and, unfortunately, was somewhat terrible with matters of money. He eventually wound up imprisoned for debt. Incredibly, Elizabeth and the rest of their eight children would soon join John in Marshalsea Prison -- with the exception of Charles himself, who was put to work instead in Warren's Blacking Factory. His father was eventually released and was able to rescue 12-year-old Charles from the factory life, but the experience had already left its mark. Charles spent the next three years as a day pupil at a London school before getting another job at age 15 -- this time as an office boy at an attorney's. By age 17 he was a freelance reporter at Doctor's Commons Courts. He'd studied shorthand during his nights at the attorney's, and by 1832 he was a highly successful shorthand reporter for debates of Parliament in the House of Commons. Dickens's first published stories would begin to appear in 1833, although he'd continue on in his career as a reporter until the runaway success of the serialized novel The Pickwick Papers allowed him to become a full-time novelist. (He'd also publish short pieces under the unusual pen name of "Boz.")
Dickens would marry Catherine Hogarth in 1836 (they'd eventually have ten children), and followed up The Pickwick Papers with Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. The following two decdes would see the serialized publication of such other novels as David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. He'd also tour through Canada and America in 1852 (and create a bit of buzz upon publishing his American Notes, commenting a bit unfavorably on certain American habits such as tobacco chewing).
The work that is perhaps his most famous was first published in December 1844. The short novel A Christmas Carol was the first of several Christmas-themed books that Dickens would produce, but Christmas Carol would, by far, remain his most popular. The story stars Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man visited by three Christmas ghosts (of Past, Present, and Future) intent on convincing Scrooge to change his ways. The simple but memorable tale was an instant hit that's been credited with bringing a sense of "Christmas cheer" back to England and America during the era. The novella has never been out of print since its original publication and remains a perennial Christmas classic. It's been brought to life in countless adaptations and variations on the stage and the screen, with the role of Scrooge being played by everyone from Reginald Owen and Basil Rathbone, to Albert Finney and Bill Murray, to Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine -- and, most recently, Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer, and even Batman himself.
Of course, Dickens is an author so classic that you don't have to have read any of his works to have felt his influence on literature. From such famous lines as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and "Please sir, I want some more" to such characters as Scrooge, Marley, Pip, Miss Havisham, and Oliver Twist, Dickens's work has become an indelible part of popular culture. (The character of Pip has even made an appearance on the animated show South Park.)
So if, like me, you'd like to know more about Dickens -- but aren't quite ready to dive into Bleak House just yet (I've been trying to read that one for awhile) -- check out the links below for more about this literary giant.
(And, while we're making confessions: I've never read any Jane Austen either. Then again, she was born in December, so I've got some time yet!)
- Charles Dickens - the LA Times
- Dickens: A Brief Biography - VictorianWeb.org
- Five Myths About Charles Dickens - the Washington Post
- Charles Dickens Still Resonates - Christian Science Monitor
- World Celebrates 200th Anniversary of Dickens's Birth - BBC News
-- Post by Ms. B
Friday, February 3, 2012
So Our Children Can Soar
Rosa Parks's courageous action that December evening wasn't the first of its kind.
The story is a famous one. On December 1, 1955, Parks was riding a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on her way home from her job as a seamstress. As the bus began to fill, Parks and three other African American passengers were ordered by bus driver James F. Blake to surrender their seats to white passengers. The other three African American passengers eventually got up. Making an instantaneous decision that she will no longer tolerate the discrimination, Rosa Parks remained seated. (Later, Parks would explain that this was not her first encounter with Blake -- he once made her get off the bus and re-enter through the rear door instead.)
Parks was arrested that day for her refusal to vacate her seat for a white man (a crime at the time under the "Jim Crow" segregation laws). But as the story of her courage spread, others were inspired to follow her example. A group of civil rights activities called the Montgomery Improvement Association organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott. (The leader of the boycott? A young Baptist minister, new to the area, by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr.) Passengers stayed off the buses in droves, choosing to walk, carpool, or bike-ride instead -- and with African Americans comprising nearly 75 percent of the riders in the Montgomery area, the bus company feels the effects. The number of buses in the city was cut, while fare prices were raised. And after 381 days, the boycott was ended -- when the Supreme Court ruled Montgomery's segregation laws to be unconstitutional.
Although best remembered for this act of courage, this was by no means Parks's only contribution to the civil rights movement -- or even her first. Rosa and her husband, Raymond Parks, were active members of their local NAACP chapter for many years before the incident in Montgomery. Later in life, Parks would go on to co-found the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development (an organization which aims to target the youth who might be overlooked by other program opportunities, motivating and directing them to reach their full potential). She'd receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 from President Bill Clinton for her lifetime of work, and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 1999.
Parks's 99th birthday would have been this February 4th (she passed away in 2005). But her myriad accomplishments -- best remembered in that iconic act of courage in 1955 -- ensures that her legacy lives on. She was and always will be rightly recognized as the "mother of the modern day civil rights movement."
For more on Rosa Parks:
- Rosa Parks Biography - Academy of Achievement
- Biography of Rosa Louise Parks - from the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development
- Rosa Parks Bus - The Story Behind the Bus
- Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Her Seat - How Rosa Parks Fought for Civil Rights (from Scholastic for younger readers)
From our Library's Collection:
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story - by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Rosa Parks: a Life - by Douglas Brinkley.
- Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change - by Michelle Cook.
-- Post by Ms. B
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Learn about this topic in these articles:
Chinese culture
...to renew China's remarkable cultural traditions. Loosening many of the earlier restrictions has also rejuvenated many art forms previously devoted almost exclusively to propaganda. China's " Fifth Generation Cinema," for example, is known for such outstanding film directors as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who have highlighted themes of social and political oppression.
role of Zhang
Chinese director who, as a prominent member of China's "Fifth Generation," is known for his films that explore sexual repression and political oppression.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Policy Work
Quick Primer on Body Cam Legislation at the Capitol
Community activists and advocates have been asking a lot about the TWO bills related to police body-mounted cameras, both being considered by the legislature during this 2016 session: Rep. Dan McCay's HB300 and Sen. Dan Thatcher's SB94.
Demand Immigration Reform at Town Hall Meetings in Utah
Are you in the 2nd Congressional District of Utah? Is Chris Stewart your Representative? Rep. Chris Stewart, is holding town hall meetings in Utah during the next week....a prime opportunity to tell him face-to-face that you want fair and just immigration reform.
Contraception is Basic Health Care
Now is the time to speak out to ensure contraception coverage for millions of American women. Urge the Obama administration to stand firm and not yield to those seeking to undo a major victory for women's health. In a breakthrough for women's health, the Obama administration has ensured that millions of women have access to affordable, effective contraception. But anti-family planning forces are waging an all-out campaign to prevent women from getting affordable access to this basic health care. They are claiming that your boss should be able to control your health care decisions. We can't let them succeed. That's why we're hoping you will immediately write to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and urge it to stand by its decision – contraception is basic health care and must be available in health insurance plans. The deadline for public comment on the current plan is right around the corner. HHS needs to hear from you and all Americans who support women's fundamental right to contraception. We must fight back and ensure our voices are heard. We know that contraception is a game changer for women. Contraception helps women protect their health and plan their families. It allows women…
ACLU of Utah Thanks Sen. Hatch For Support of Employment Non-Discrimination Act
The ACLU of Utah wrote to thank Sen. Hatch for his vote in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on July 10 in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
TAKE ACTION: Tell Senator Hatch to vote YES to pass ENDA out of committee.
Imagine being fired for no other reason than simply being who you are. Right now in a majority of states, including Utah, you can be fired solely for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Tell your senator to end workplace discrimination. Next Wednesday, July 10, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA would level the playing field for LGBT workers and ensure that all Americans have the ability to work free from discrimination. Your senator, Senator Orrin Hatch, is a key vote on the HELP Committee and needs to hear from you to move this important legislation to the full floor of the Senate. Contact Senator Hatch today and urge him to vote YES to pass ENDA out of committee. No one should have to fear being fired simply because of who they are. Thank you for taking action to ensure a free and fair workplace for all Americans. ACLU of Utah
ACLU of Utah Thanks Sen. Hatch For Immigration Reform Leaderhip
The ACLU of Utah wrote to thank Sen. Hatch for his leadership on Immigration Reform and helping pass S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. We applaud his willingness to reach across the aisle to find a legislative solution that reflects Utah's values.
Accuracy in E-Verify will be a major issue
Wouldn't you be furious if the government's plan to screen certain immigrants out of the workforce ended up costing you your job instead? That's exactly what could happen if a massive error-prone bureaucracy called E-Verify is included in the federal immigration reform package your senator is considering right now.
Ask the Hard Questions About the Targeted Killing Program
On Tuesday morning, the Senate will hold its first-ever hearing on drones and the killing program in which an estimated 4,700 people across two continents have been killed, including four American citizens. This vast killing program is unlawful, dangerous, and unwise. Amazingly, the Obama administration continues to hide its legal memos on when it believes any president can order the Pentagon and the CIA to kill people far from any battlefield.
Revised Proposed Salt Lake City Anti-Panhandling Ordinance Still Threatens First Amendment Rights
The ACLU of Utah again submitted comments to Salt Lake City regarding the city's revised proposed anti-panhandling ordinance. The ACLU of Utah is concerned that this measure will compromise rights and prove ineffective.
Attorney General Shurtleff Urged to Reject Using Information from "the list" in Criminal Prosecutions
The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah (ACLU of Utah) yesterday joined with ten other Utah civil rights organizations and individuals in urging Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to reject using in any criminal investigation information contained in the now-infamous "list" of 1,300 Utah residents who are allegedly in the country unlawfully. The letter responds to recent statements from Shurtleff indicating that his office may be reviewing "the list"—which law enforcement acknowledges was created and distributed by state employees in violation of state and federal law—for invalid social security numbers with the intention of prosecuting individuals on "the list" for state crime violations.
Proposed Salt Lake Panhandling Ordinance Could Limit Free Speech
The ACLU of Utah submitted comments to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council in response to the proposed "Commercial Solicitation Ordinance." The ACLU of Utah outlines how the proposed ordinance could infringe upon the free speech rights of Utahns and criminalize speech that is protected by the First Amendment and Utah's own free speech clause.
ACLU of Utah Applauds Proposed Salt Lake City Non-Discrimination Ordinance
In a letter to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council, the ACLU of Utah, expressed support for the proposed ordinance to prevent employment and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
ACLU of Utah asks Salt Lake City Mayor Anderson and Police Chief Burbank to change SLCPD Taser Policy
ACLU of Utah asks Salt Lake City Mayor Anderson and Police Chief Burbank to change SLCPD Taser Policy.
ACLU Utah submits Letter commenting on the recommendations of the Committee on Privacy and Public Court Records
ACLU Utah submits letter commenting on the recommendations of the Committee on Privacy and Public Court Records.
ACLU submits letter to MATRIX oversight committee
ACLU Utah submits letter to the MATRIX oversight committee appointed by Governor Walker requesting that it recommend Utah's withdrawal from the MATRIX program.
ACLU of Utah sends legislative iterim committee a review of the proposed amendments to the law regarding sentencing in capital cases
The ACLU of Utah comments on proposed legislation "Sentencing in Capital Cases Amendments" to protect the civil rights of the mentally retarded.
ACLU of Utah Urges South Salt Lake City to Reconsider Unconstitutional Ordinance
The ACLU of Utah sends a letter to City of South Salt Lake commenting on constitutional defects with the City's plans to limit free speech under proposed "Mass Gathering" ordinance.
ACLU of Utah Writes Salt Lake City Council Members About Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Masks
The ACLU of Utah submits the following comments on the anti mask ordinance introduced by Salt Lake City's Chief of Police Rick Dinse.
ACLU of Utah Writes Farmington City About Its Proposed Ordinance for Free Expression Activities
The ACLU of Utah hopes that unnecessary litigation can be avoided and offer these suggestions in an attempt to address what we believe to be the most serious constitutional defects with the Farmington City's plan to limit free speech during the Olympic Games.


text:
General Motors Co. on Tuesday announced that it is boosting production by 60,000 vehicles in the third and fourth quarters as sales rise due to the Cash for Clunkers incentives and a recovery in the U.S. market. About 1,350 laid-off workers will be recalled, while 10,000 more will get a shot at overtime pay. The major U.S. and Canadian factories affected by the increases:
– Ingersoll, Ontario: Add third shift at assembly plant that makes Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossover vehicles.
– Lordstown, Ohio: Add second shift at assembly and stamping plants that make Chevrolet Cobalt small car. Add two production days this month to schedule.
– Orion Township, Mich.: Extend production until Thanksgiving week. Plant was to close in mid-September and be retooled for minicar production.
– Delta Township, Mich.: Add overtime in fourth quarter at plant making Buick Enclave and other large crossover vehicles.
– Detroit/Hamtramck, Mich.: Reverse plan to close plant for two weeks later this year. Makes Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS.
– Spring Hill, Tenn.: Add third quarter overtime. Makes Chevrolet Traverse large crossover vehicle.
– Fort Wayne, Ind.: Add production hours, including overtime, in fourth quarter. Makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
– Shreveport, La.: Reverse plan to temporarily close for two weeks this year. Makes Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon midsize pickups, Hummer H3, Hummer H3T. Plant is to close for good by June of 2012.
Oshawa, Ontario: Add overtime at Chevrolet Camaro factory, which already is near full output.
Source: General Motors Co.


text:
Re: william luther thames
In reply to:
Re: william luther thames
Robert dozier 1/03/06
209 w church st/#13, Hebron,Md 218330 is my mailing address. I never got the information, if you sent it.I would like to get in touch with the family of Katie Thames who lived in Texas. I have a letter and picture that she sent my mother that i would like to get to them. thanks


text: I had a hot cup of this last night before bed, and then finally left a substantial amount to chill. This is good hot and even better cold. It has a lot of kick either way but when drinking it cold that's accentuated even more. Despite being an herbal which I typically leave till evening, this always seems like a really great morning tea. The sweet-tart combo helps me wake up.


text: Hi guys! I'm looking for some aftermarket wheels to replace the standard ones in my (to come) S3. I was checking Antera, OZ, BBS but everything is nice in the websites. Does anyone has any suggestions on brand and photos of them fitted on an A3. I'm looking for 18 inch wheels. Please post your photos of your wheels, I would be grateful! Thanks Pedro


text:
Artist description:
*sigh* I don't particulary like doing this. Cel-shading+clean lineart. But I decide to do it anyway since this is for Ms.Diary. She's amazing and she does a lot of manga pages -_- Anyway, happy early birthday. Humm.. the thumbail is so... empty.
Java Draw Created Mar 15, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 Stephes.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
Great work !! 5h
*u* wow u did a great job on this that im so jelly *n* & the thumbnail is not empty ouo 5 hearts~ oh wait + fav=u=
;A; omgomgomgomgomgomogmomgomgomgomgomgomg you draw so beautifully~! I'm just all like.. ALSKFJALSKDJFA you drew it beautifully and I like how you did the words and laskdjflaksjdf it's just so beautiful ;u; Thank you so much. 5/5+favs
this looks really cool :D
omg aosdfja;sl this is awesome \(*0*)/


text:
What Is The Best Way To Make A Small Beach Chair Out Of Fondant/gumpaste?
Decorating By Cakekrums Updated 27 Dec 2012 , 9:16pm by savannahquinn
I have a beach theme cake I am working on and I can't figure out how to make the beach chair. The model I am looking at has wooden arms and legs, but I can't get the fondant/gumpaste to attach to the dowel rods I am using. Is there a better way?? Thanks for any help!!
Merri Woodward
Hi Merri. Global Sugar Art has a 3D deck chair cutter set that is really cute, but it may be too late to order since it sounds like you are working on your cake now. Have you tried using gum glue to attach the fondant?
Use melted white or colored melts to attach quickly


text:
Stamps - Jane's Bakery by Jane's Doodles, Harolds ABCs by Lawn Fawn
Paper - Kraft, White, Pure Poppy and Aqua Mist Bitty Dots by Papertrey
Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, Real Red by Stampin' Up!
Other - Star Dust Stickles by Ranger, May Arts Natural String, Aqua Mist button by Papertrey, SU Dimensionals
Happy Thursday!! :)
Today I am showing my last made card (so far) using Jane's sweet stamp set! :) I am sure I will be inking it up a lot more in the future!
Hope you guys have a great day! Thanks for visiting!
Peace and Love!


text:
Results 1 to 5 of 14
June 13th, 2013 10:46 PM #1Member
- Join Date
- May 2013
- Posts
- 75
Does Mila sound funny on a Caucasian child?
I love Mila, but worry it's more appropriate for a hispanic/italian/etc. girl. What do you think?
June 13th, 2013 10:48 PM #3Junior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Posts
- 2
I don't think so. I had a white friend in grade school with that name.
June 13th, 2013 10:51 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2011
- Location
- Posts
- 1,249
No, I think most names work on any child. Mila is lovely.Mom to Alexander Patrick (11), Madelyn Esther (8), Genevieve Susan (3), and Theodore James (stillborn at 37 weeks on February 3, 2014). Expecting #5 (a girl) in May 2015 -- Penelope Bridget.
Boys: Everett, Sebastian, Augustus, Samuel, Julian, Nicholas, Desmond, Jasper, Ezekiel, Malcolm
Girls: Bridget, Felicity, Elizabeth, Penelope, Leona, Ophelia, Elodie, Callista, Miriam, Delilah
June 13th, 2013 11:06 PM #7
IMO, Western hemisphere names that are classics or popular in their countries of origin usually work well on people that aren't from the same ethnic group. This probably has to do with the fact that most languages of Europe and the Americas use the Roman alphabet (or some variation of) and can be traced back to Latin and/or Greek. While some names 'feel' Irish or Latino (Roisin or Marisol, for example), many of the more mainstream choices (such as Aiden and Isabella) are common on children of all ethnic backgrounds.
I will also point out that Mila is neither Spanish nor Italian. It's a very common Eastern European (Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, etc.) diminutive of many names containing 'mil', which means gracious or dear. Mila Kunis has attached a slightly exotic image to the name, however, with the name's popularity I doubt anyone will really carry that idea in the next few years.~lucy reine~~ celestine eira ~ mary simona ~ elizabeth echo "ellie" ~ eleanor maeve "lena" ~ vivienne isla ~ celia matilda "cici" ~ catherine aiko "rin" ~ elsa verity ~~ jasper red ~ evander lachlan 'evan'~ kai nicholas ~ ezra link ~ avery thomas ~ michael satoshi "mischa" ~ finn jeremias ~ ezekiel hayden ~ alexander rowan "sacha" ~
guilty pleasures
~ tisiphone aria ~ alecto elpis ~ miya lucida ~ addison matteo ~ corinthian tidus ~
June 13th, 2013 11:15 PM #9
Its really popular in Australia and not all of those would be Serbian, Croatian and Macedonian immigrants (spain isn't even one of our top 40 countries for migrants). Its not Italian or Hispanic so it works for anyone. If it was something like Jelena I would say no though but like Ana it seems universal
Last edited by emiliana; August 23rd, 2016 at 01:58 AM.Isobel | Eloise | Matilda | Lucia | Alice | Eleanor | Amelia | Felicity | Phoebe | Eilidh | Rosalia | Zoe | Azalea | Genevieve | Tallulah | Everleigh | Rebecca | Leila | Harper | Grace | Zara |
Eamon | Hayes | Tiago | Cooper | Lawson | Archer | Lincoln | Asher | Alfie | Baxter | Taylor | Flynn | Lewis | Fletcher | Jack | Harley | Brooklyn | Regan | Oscar | Spencer |


text:
« Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines as a Transitionary Technology | Main | Toyota and GM Reported to End Joint Fuel-Cell Vehicle Research »
NextEnergy Launches Hydraulic Hybrid Working Group
22 February 2006
NextEnergy, Michigan's non-profit alternative energy technology incubator, has formally launched a Hydraulic Hybrid Working Group.
A hydraulic hybrid system uses an accumulator (which stores energy as highly compressed gas) and one or more hydraulic pump/motors rather than the battery pack, electric generator/motor and power electronics used in electric hybrids.
A number of commercial hydraulic applications are under development.
The EPA and its partner, Eaton Corporation–Fluid Power, will build the world's first full diesel-hydraulic series hybrid delivery truck for UPS. The hybrid system is based on numerous EPA pioneering hybrid patents. (Earlier post.)
Peterbilt and Eaton Corporation are jointly developing refuse trucks using Eaton's parallel hydraulic hybrid system for Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA). (Earlier post.)
Beijing will soon begin a large scale of test of hydraulic hybrid technology deployed on 50 buses, using technology developed by Chargeboard Electric Vehicle Co. (Earlier post.)
The mission of the Working Group is to create greater awareness of hydraulic hybrid technology, to advance its commercialization for use in automotive and commercial vehicle applications, and to develop technology-neutral standards and policies for hydraulic hybrid vehicles.
EPA testing has shown hydraulic hybrid drivetrains can produce over 80 miles per gallon for a midsize family sedan that also incorporates improved tires and aerodynamics.
NextEnergy's partners in founding the Working Group include Dana Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Hybra-Drive Systems, Hydraulic Innovations LLC in a partnership with Altair Engineering, Southwest Research Institute, and the University of Michigan. The Working Group is also collaborating with the US EPA in its efforts.
February 22, 2006 in Hybrids | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
TrackBack URL for this entry:
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference NextEnergy Launches Hydraulic Hybrid Working Group:
Hi just dropped in to answer a few questions. 1st ths std disclaimers. This is personal opinion offered by a company rep to the HHWG and do not necessarily represent the opinions of my employer or the HHWG.
Yes it can be put on small cars. I know of several implimentaions; however I will not directly speak on those because they are not projects that I'm personally involved in.
Higher maintainance. Not true for the equipment that has been designed for this purpose. The industry knows that if the reliabilty is less than that of current car technology that it will see limited acceptance (read sales). Limited acceptance causes cost issues that will cause further loss in sales, etc .....
Finally price. It will be higher than a convential car. But when developed as well as
a Prisus (as an example)I'm GUESSING (however a pretty safe bet)that the cost could be less than half of an electric hybrid.
Hydraulic system reliability has come a long way in the past 20 years. When is the last time you had a leak in your power steering system? Constuction and agricultural equipment have taken the lead in high pressure hydraulics, and for them, down time is money. Power density is another plus when comparing hydraulic with electric machinery. Cost is yet to be proven for high volume, high pressure machinery, but the outlook is favorable.
This seems like promising technology. It seems like some weight reduction might be possible by converting some structural components into hydraulic energy storage containers, e.g. frame. I thought of this for a potential user group that I've not seen much efficiency enhancement information on. Railroad engines and cars would seem to be well suited to take advantage of hydraulically stored energy. I see them start and stop all over my town, not to mention the commuter transit trains.
How do the hydrostatic transmissions (direct and with accumulator) compare in efficiency to normal mechanical gearboxes.
Generally. I believe a normal transmission loses 10% to 15% between crankshaft and wheels. Is the hydraulic system better or worse.
Also have you considered 2 stroke diesel technology. These engines are clean and have have minimal pumping losses as they don't pull air or fuel through the crankcase.
I believe a design like this German aero engine www.zoche.de could be incredibly powerful and fuel efficient.
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.


text:
I am looking to create a skill program which could generate a schematic file from a given netlist file(present in text format).
netlist will be more of digital gate instances connected together.
Does anyone have idea or process how it can be done? A sample code would be great help.
Why would you want to write a SKILL program to do this? Both File->Import->Verilog and File->Import->SPICE (IC61) or File->Import->CDL (IC5141) will do this for you from different netlist formats.
It seems a bit unnecessary reinventing a standard capability...
Hello Andrew, hello Srinivasa,
I had asked myselft one day if I should develop a netlist parser, without knowing it allready exist un Cadence. However, I dit not succeed in importing a simple spectre netlist with the spice In Import (IC6).
I tried to import : /soft/cadence/IC610/tools/dfII/samples/artist/OCEAN/opamp741Char/design/netlist
But it fails, spiceIn.log issuing :
Master Cell: 'capacitor'. Master cell CDF data not found for 'sample.capacitor' Did not find 'basic.capacitor:symbol'. Did not find 'analogLib.capacitor:symbol'. Did not find ANALOG_TUT.capacitor:schematic.ERROR (SPICEIN-24): Spice In did not find the symbol view of the master cell 'capacitor' of the instance'c5' in the subcircuit 'opamp_g1'. Specify the reference library that has the symbolview of the master cell, or use device-mapping to map 'capacitor' to a differentcell.
Is there a tutorial that explainshow to use it? It seem simple, but for me it simply failled...
Did you try reading the documentation? You'll almost certainly need a device map and a reference library. I don't think there's a tutorial, but the documentation exists... the Help button on the File->Import-SPICE form takes you to the right manual.
I think there are a number of solutions on this on Cadence Online Support. Here's a simple one - there are others.
Thanks, It shows me that I indeed have to map:
devselect := resistor resdevselect := capacitor cap
I allready added analogLib to the 'Reference Library List', but I added 'basic' too, which seams to be not a good references library for capacitor.
Thanks it worked.
I haveaccidently deleted my schematic File (sch.cdb) but i have the netlist file
I tried to use File->Import->CDL In
I dont know exactly how to do it ........But i tried and i didnt specify any thing in Parameter File and Device map File
I got ni.log files Which was as below
############################################Reference Libraries...AKASH_JOSHIUMC_18_CMOSbasicanalogLibavTechAKASH_JOSHI###################################0 subckt(s) found in the netlist file. TOTAL CELLS #: 0 ************************* ****** SUMMARY ****** ************************* CELL TERMINAL # NET # INSTANCE # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- home/anita/simulation/GRO_TDC/spectre/schematic/netlist INPUT CIRCUIT FILE INPUT AND PROCESSED *WARNING* LIB mtech11 from File /home/anita/umc_work/cds.lib Line 5 redefinesLIB mtech11 from the same file (defined earlier.)*WARNING* The directory: '/home/anita/umc_work/mtech11' does not exist but was defined in libFile '/home/anita/umc_work/cds.lib' for Lib 'mtech11'.*WARNING* The directory: '/home/anita/cad_work/umc_work/my_lib' does not exist but was defined in libFile '/home/anita/umc_work/cds.lib' for Lib 'my_lib'.What do i do...........or any you suggest any better way
pl help


text:
City Controller Alan Butkovitz Questions Spending Under Mayor NutterCity Controller Alan Butkovitz fires back at former Mayor Michael Nutter in battle over spending of Philadelphia Marathon funds.
Phila. Archdiocese Putting Together A Pilgrimage To Rome To Mark The Year Of MercyFather Dennis Gill says the archdiocese is organizing the trip for early September.
Top 10 Reasons To Vacation In Rome, ItalyThe Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are just a few reasons why you should visit Rome this year.
NJ Girl Granted Wish To Meet Pope FrancisThe Pope is inspiring a New Jersey girl in her brave fight against cancer.
Overseas Flight To Philadelphia Makes Emergency Landing In RomeU.S. Airways flight 797 from Tel Aviv, Israel to Philadelphia made an unscheduled landing in Rome Saturday after a odor was detected and 13 passengers and crew members became ill.
Best International Destinations For The HolidaysHere's a look at five of the best international destinations for the holidays.
Travel To The Wonders Of The WorldHere's a quick guide for families to the New Seven Wonders of the World and the only surviving original Seven Wonders of the World.
How To Save Money On A Trip To EuropeWith a little bit of planning, a trip to Europe can be surprisingly affordable.
Pope Confirms Hopes For 3-City US Trip In 2015 Pope Francis has confirmed he wants to go to the United States next year and is considering a three-city trip in September 2015.
The 5 Best Adventures For Your Rome VacationExplore five of the greatest adventures to be had in one of the most famous cities in the world, Rome.
5 Tips For Budget Travel To ItalyTraveling to Italy is a wonderful but expensive adventure. Make the most of your money with these five budget tips.
Woman From Sudan Who Faced Death Over Faith Scheduled To Arrive In PhiladelphiaA Sudanese woman who refused to recant her Christian faith in the face of a death sentence is heading to the United States.


text:
Vulcan Motor Club
By Guest Writer Mark Arevalo
My obsession with cars started about 20 years ago. I remember lying on the floor of my parent's home making ramps for my favorite Matchbox car, a red Ferrari Testarossa. Fast forward to 2008… now my typical experience with exotic cars involves an occasional turn behind a PS3 controller and my HDTV. I have had time behind the wheel of an Audi R8 at the Manhattan showroom, but that was a short lived experience. Regardless, I imagine my only real chance of driving an exotic still remains
several many paychecks off. Thanks to Vulcan Motor Club I'm wrong.
The Vulcan Motor Club is a member's only club that lets you drive some of the most sought after cars in the world. Read on to find out how you too can partake. Oh, and more pictures.
- First, schedule a private consultation and figure out the right membership plan for your driving needs.
- Reserve a car by calling the club.
- Pick up your dream vehicle at the club, where you leave your regular car for a complimentary detailing. Or, you can have it delivered straight to your home or office.
- Miles are debited from your membership plan.
Plans start at $9,500 per year and top off at $25,000 per year. It may sound pricey at first glance, but when you consider that their fleet includes the Ferrari F430, Aston Martin DB9, Lamborghini Gallardo, and the Audi R8. Even at $25,000, you're only paying a fraction of what it would cost to own these cars. But if membership is still too much for you, you can always do the Wind and Fire tour for $1,200.
The Wind and Fire tour lets you experience all of the cars above plus a Bentley Flying Spur in one unforgettable day of driving. You spent 30 minutes at the helm of some of the most exotic cars in the world around some of "most scenic and demanding roads in the region." What region is that? For now, Vulcan has clubs in Chester, NJ and the Hamptons. But fear not, they plan to open clubs in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Connecticut.
What this means to you: Your dream car… now accepting reservations.
Cost: Varies @ Vulcan Motor Club
Silver Plan – $9,500 annually | Gold Plan – $14,500 annually | Platinum Plan – $25,000 annually | Wind and Fire Tour – $1,195 @ Vulcan Motor Club


text:
CALUMET CITY — The head cashier for Calumet City was arrested Tuesday for allegedly embezzling an undisclosed amount of money from the city treasury, according to a statement released by the Calumet City police.
Suzanne Tsouchlos, 41, of 1075 Harding Ave., Calumet City, told to police she took the money and tried to cover up the theft, according to the statement. Police would not say how much money was missing.


text:
Your 2009 Sprint Cup Champion Will Be...January 26, 2009
Now, just wait a minute. We're going to go in reverse from fourth to first. Hold your boos, cheers, or complaints until the end!
Age: 29
Hometown: Columbia, MO
No. 99 Aflac Ford
Crew Chief: Bob Osborne
Owner: Jack Roush/John Henry
Cousin Carl, Bob Osborne, and the entire No. 99 team should once again be a serious title threat in the new season, and I would not be surprised, in the least, if they brought home Jack Roush's third championship in seven years.
Age: 37
Hometown: Vallejo, CA
No. 24 DuPont/National Guard Chevy
Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
Owner: Rick Hendrick
The fact that the famed DuPont No. 24 did not reach victory lane—for the first time since 1993—and did not seriously contend for a championship, pretty much sent fans, the media, and the garage into crisis lockdown mode. Was it the end of the dynasty that had ruled the sport for nearly 15 years?
I don't think the situation is that dire? Gordon, at age 37 (not very old, although it seems like he is old when it appears that he has been around forever), is still one of the top NASCAR drivers.
Age: 33
Hometown: El Cajon, CA
No. 48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevy
Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
Owner: Rick Hendrick
Obviously, Johnson should once again be in the thick of the championship battle when the Chase rolls around. This team is awfully quiet for the first 26 races compared to some others, but when the time comes to race for a title, they are more prepared than anyone else.
Age: 23
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
No. 18 M&M's/Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota
Crew Chief: Steve Addington
Owner: Joe Gibbs
While the Chase was a nightmare for the No. 18 team, I think it may have been the best thing that could have ever happened to the talented, but nevertheless raw and immature, Kyle Busch, entering 2009.


text:
" Brand: Kre-o "
* Prices may differ from that shown
For Christmas last year one of the things that my son had nagged for was some of the kreo transformers toys as they seemed to be plastered over all of the adverts in between his favourite shows. I bought him two of the sets one of which was Optimus Prime and the other which was Bumblebee which I shall review today.
Up until last Christmas I wasn't really aware of kreo to be honest and I haven't seen much of the brand since then either. The kreo toys are a construction type toy similar to Lego in that a child is given pieces and instructions to make a model. The product is made by Hasbro and I have to say seeing this information did influence my purchase as I know Hasbro to be an established manufacturer of toys and I have a high opinion of them.
The kreo toy I bought my son was the Bumblebee basic toy and so it was one of the smallest sets in the range. There were much larger, more expensive sets available but as I wasn't sure how much my son would like or play with them it seems sensible to choose one of the smaller sets initially. From memory I think the two sets I bought cost around £7-£8 each and having checked amazon I can advise that the Bumblebee one is selling for £6.85 currently so is slightly discounted.
The toy comes packed in a small rectangular cardboard box which features the brand name as well as the manufacturers name. There is a picture of the set made as Bumblebee the robot and Bumblebee the car and we are told that this two in one set contains 75 pieces. It is perhaps slightly misleading that we are shown the picture of the robot and the car together as the kit will allow you to make both but only one at once and so whilst it is a two in one set you would be forgiven for thinking you can make both the car and the robot. The set is aimed at children aged six years and above and to be honest I think this is an accurate guideline if you want your child to use this toy independently. As with Lego younger children could play with this with some adult assistance I think.
Inside the set you get a bag which has all of the pieces you will need to make either the car or the robot as well as a coloured instruction manual. Some of the pieces are quite small and so I would say keep them away from really young children who are likely to put things in their mouths. The pieces appear to be of a good quality and made from a tough plastic which is the perfect yellow colour to represent Bumblebee.
Whenever I get my son a set such as this I always like to sit and note how he manages with the building independently because with Lego I find he is able to build even quite complex sets on his own as the instructions are clear and easy for him to follow. Sadly with many construction toys the instructions aren't good quality or simple but with this kreo set I was pleased to note that the steps weren't too rushed and that there were nice diagrams on each page to work you through how the model should look at each stage. As such my son is able to make this set completely independently and as such is always proud of his achievement.
I recently reviewed the kreo Optimus Prime set and commented on how parts of the model would fall off whilst he was in robot form and I have to say that sadly this was the case for Bumblebee too and randomly his arms would just fall off or something. Even when my son asked me to reattach them when he thought perhaps he had done something wrong they still fell off. As a car though Bumblebee really is a solid little thing and my son is able to play with both him and Optimus Prime relatively roughly without them falling apart. Once made the vehicle is only quite small and so it fits nicely in to my son's hand when playing and I think for the price it is probably a perfect size.
It is a shame I suppose that the transformer cannot be transformed from robot into car as you have to completely rebuild it but given that the robot is quite flimsy anyway my son is happy to just play with Bumblebee in his vehicle form. I would say that there are some spare parts which are only required for making the car model and so if you make the robot it is advisable to pop the spare parts in to a sandwich bag or something with the instruction manual for when you want to build it in to a vehicle.
There are quite a lot of other Transformers in the kreo range and if my son asked for them again I would probably buy him one or two more small ones but I wouldn't opt for one of the much more expensive sets as I feel the fact that in robot form the model is quite flimsy lets the product down a bit.
Thank you for reading my review!
Product sold with the guarantee of the manufacturer., Manufacturer: Hasbro


text:
Nelson McCausland has questions to answer
The long-running Red Sky housing maintenance saga continues to bring no delight to Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland. The more that is revealed about the issue the more alarmed the public becomes. The minister now stands accused of ordering a civil servant to change a letter sent to a Northern Ireland committee about a meeting held in April last year, effectively misleading members about who attended the meeting.
A firm called Turkington Holdings was represented at the meeting, but the civil servant said he was instructed by the minister's private office to delete reference to the company and insert instead that his meeting was with, among others, the Glass and Glazing Federation and a social enterprise company called Fusion 21. There is no suggestion of any wrong-doing by either Turkington Holdings or Fusion 21.
Both Turkington Holdings and a Housing Executive official back up the civil servant's claim. The onus is now squarely on Mr McCausland to either provide evidence refuting this claim or to explain the motivation for changing the information supplied to the DSD committee.
Given the background to this latest revelation – the minister was also accused in the past of political interference in the running of the Housing Executive – it is clear that an independent inquiry, above the status of the committee's own investigations, is now needed to explore the whole saga.
That should also include whether, if this latest allegation is proven, the minister or civil servant or both broke any codes of conduct.
It is not fanciful to think that if these allegations were being made in other parliamentary jurisdictions in the UK, the consequences would be much greater than is normally the case here.
At stake is the transparency of governance by the power-sharing administration at Stormont and public faith in the process. It also reinforces the need for the publication of donors to political parties here.
It is known that Turkington Holdings' owner has publicly backed the DUP.
Belfast Telegraph


text:
Can garbage power your plane ride from New York to London? That's the idea behind a new production plant that will transform waste from London's homes and businesses into a jet fuel that costs about the same price as conventional petroleum-based fuel but burns cleaner and produces fewer carbon emissions.
Solena Fuels, a company that produces aviation and marine fuels made from solid waste, expects to break ground on its new GreenSky jet fuel facility next year on the site of a former oil refinery outside of London. British Airways has made a $550 million commitment to purchase all the fuel produced by the plant in the 11-year period after it opens in 2017–equating to about 50 tons of fuel per year.
The city of London generates approximately 18 million tons of trash per year, according to Fast Company, and once the jet fuel facility is open for business, will send about a half a million tons of garbage originally destined for the landfill to GreenSky. Solena will turn this trash into 120,000 tons of jet fuel, first using its patented high-temperature plasma gasification technology to convert the waste into a synthetic gas; then the company will utilize various third-party technologies to transform the gas into a liquid fuel. The resulting synthetic fuel works like those produced from coal and natural gas that airlines already use and, unlike biofuels such as ethanol, can be used thousands of feet up in the air, Fast Company reported. Solena's product is considered a "drop-in" fuel, meaning airlines can use it without modifying their plane engines or fueling infrastructure.
Solena says its fuel produced from garbage burns cleaner than crude-based jet fuels, with virtually no sulfur emissions, a minimal amount of particulate matter and lower nitrogen oxide emissions during plane take-off. While British Airways is starting off small with this project (it will source only about 2 percent of its total fuel from GreenSky), the airline hopes to increase the amount of trash-based jet fuel it uses over time, Fast Company reported.
Too good to be true?
Clean-burning jet fuel from trash–it almost sounds too good to be true. And it might just be, according to anti-incineration activists who say that the kind of gasification technology Solena uses is just incineration in disguise. Wherever you sit on the debate about waste-to-energy or waste-to-product facilities, we can all agree that the GreenSky facility and Solena's jet fuel will have environmental impacts, and it's unclear, without further study, if this project is the most sustainable solution.
The jury is still out on which waste management method emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions: a landfill releasing the potent greenhouse gas methane as garbage decomposes or a gasification facility that produces carbon emissions as it converts waste to a product. Different studies come to various conclusions–usually in favor of the opinion of the report's funders. Either way, we can't be sure if GreenSky's carbon footprint would be smaller than the amount of methane produced if the garbage was sent to the local landfill.
Like other incineration-like facilities, GreenSky will most likely produce a waste byproduct called fly ash that typically contains high concentrations of toxic metals from products like batteries and paints that end up in the waste stream. Solena Fuels' CEO Robert Do told Fast Company that recyclables like bottles, glass and cans will be sorted out of the waste stream coming to GreenSky, but even with the best efforts of residents or waste management workers, it's nearly impossible to extract every possible contaminant in the garbage that could result in toxic residue.
Anti-incineration advocates also point out that incinerators and gasification facilities undermine local recycling programs, essentially competing for the same feedstock.
"London has a very strong recycling program, so the waste all goes into a recycling center first," Do said. "Everything that can be recycled–bottles, glass, cans–will be recycled. The material that's left over, that would normally go to a landfill, that's the stuff they take to our plant."
Do and Solena seem supportive of London's recycling efforts now, but what would happen if the city ramps up its waste reduction efforts or adopts a zero waste goal?
While it's encouraging that British Airways is thinking outside the box to reach its sustainability goals, the airline might have missed the mark on the best ways to reduce waste and cut carbon emissions.
Image credit: British Airways
Passionate about both writing and sustainability, Alexis Petru is freelance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area whose work has appeared on Earth911, Huffington Post and Patch.com. Prior to working as a writer, she coordinated environmental programs for Bay Area cities and counties. Connect with Alexis on Twitter at @alexispetru


text:
Skin Color
The increased melanin pigment in darker skin reduces the skin's ability to make vitamin D from sunlight. Studies show that older adults with darker skin are at particularly high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Those who are clinically obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, frequently have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D in the blood is extracted by the fat cells, which alters its availability for release in the body.
The only way to know if you are receiving sufficient vitamin D on a daily basis from your diet and sunshine is by an expensive 25-hydroxy blood test which is not routinely performed. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to know if you are vitamin D deficient until it is too late and you have brittle bones, frequent fractures or osteoporosis. To be on the safe side, take a supplement of vitamin D daily. Current recommended requirements of vitamin D are 800-1000 IU, but most informed sources feel this is woefully inadequate and recommend double that amount.


text:
Man connected with Minnesota teen's disappearance arrested in New Mexico
COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. - The wanted sex offender who police think accompanied a Cottage Grove runaway teen was arrested in Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, said U.S. Marshal Deputy Thomas Volk.
Alexius J. McMullin, 36, is wanted in Washington and Hennepin counties and could face federal charges related to his alleged role in the teenager's disappearance, Volk said. He was arrested at an apartment building without incident, Volk said.
Police believe McMullin was with a 14-year-old girl who was missing for three weeks in July until she turned herself in at a Las Vegas Greyhound bus station. McMullin had dated the girl's mother.
McMullin was arrested on an extraditable Hennepin County charge of failure to register as a sex offender, Volk said.
An extradition hearing in New Mexico will determine whether and when McMullin will be brought back to Minnesota, he said.
McMullin was convicted in Washington County of sexually assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend at his mother's Cottage Grove home in May of 2008.
A warrant for his arrest related to that case was issued in January, as he faced revocation of his probation.
Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension records show that McMullin was convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon in Panama City, Fla., in June of 1993, according to a Washington County District Court complaint.
The South Washington County Bulletin in Cottage Grove and the Echo Press are owned by Forum Communications Company.


text:
To try to extend it I have installed Lux to manage the screen brightness, I have turned off backup and Google Location Service.
I got Nova Launcher yesterday to see if that helps, I'm using Greenify to close apps and CleanMaster to get rid of junk. I dont use Google Now or have any apps sync/receive notifications besides Messages and Phone. I can't get through the day and I don't use my phone from 7am to 12 in the afternoon.
I have 25 apps installed from Google Play and all the bloatware and useless apps disabled. I use Next Browser instead of Stock/Chrome
Any solutions or suggestions


text:
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Thursday it had transferred two Guantanamo detainees from China's Uighur minority to El Salvador after they were held without charge since 2002.
The men are among 22 Uighurs arrested at a camp in the mountains of Afghanistan after the US-led coalition bombing campaign began there in 2001, a month after the September 11 attacks on the United States. Three more now remain at the US naval base in southern Cuba.
The Uighurs — members of a largely Muslim people who have long accused China of discrimination — were cleared years ago of wrongdoing and had been staying in a special part of the prison with a library and recreational space.
"These detainees were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on October 7, 2008 by the US District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in El Salvador," the US Defence Department said in a statement.
"The United States coordinated with the government of El Salvador to ensure the transfer took place in accordance with appropriate security and humane treatment measures."
In principle, Washington would send cleared inmates to their home country. But it has refused Beijing's demands to repatriate the Uighurs, saying they would face almost certain persecution.
Uighurs hail from China's western Xinjiang region, which in 2009, witnessed some of the country's deadliest ethnic violence in years.
Many Uighurs bristle at what they see as cultural and religious persecution at the hands of China, which has sent in settlers from the country's Han majority. Beijing argues that it has spurred development in the arid region.
After this latest transfer, 169 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.


text:
Top 10 Chilean football players
Posted on May 10 2012 at 01:03:53 PM in Soccer
Chilean footballers have never had such a strong presence in European football. From the Italian Serie A, to La Liga in Spain, from the Primeira Liga in Portugal to our own English Premier League, Chilean 'Patiperros' can be found in clubs up and down the countries of Europe. To be fair there have been some great Chilean players who have for many years played and toured around the world, including visiting Europe. Jorge Aravena for example, who was one of the first to play for a Spanish club, signed for Real Valladolid in the mid-1980s. Iván Zamarano played for Real Madrid in the early 1990s picking up several trophies and accolades, noteably scoring a hat-trick against rivals Barcelona in the 1995 season. Similarly there was Marcelo Salas who moved to Italy for a 5-year stint in 1998 playing for both Lazio and Juventus. But way, way, way before that David Arellano, who is often credited with the promotion of la Chilena (the bicycle kick), was touring around Europe in the 1920s. Nevertheless, there has been something of a renaissance period for Chile of late so we thought it was time to have a gander at some of the Chleans currently playing abroad and we compiled a list of the best. So, here, in reverse order, is the chileno top 10 list of Chilean footballers currently playing in Europe.
11 Humberto Suazo, Monterrey, Mexico
OK, so the first is cheating because this entry doesn't actually play in Europe, but he's one of our favourite players so Humberto Suazo (Chupete) goes in at number 11. Currently playing for Monterrey in Mexico, Suazo was player of the year in 2006, awarded by the fun-sounding International Federation for Football and Statistics IFFHS, when he was the world's no 1 goal scorer. Well he did play for Zaragoza at one point and he has been a force to be reckoned with for the national team.
10 Jaime Valdés, Sporting, Portugal
Jaime Valdés, or "El Pajarito" is an attacking midfielder/left-winger, who played for the national team under Bielsa a few years ago. He plays for Sporting normally but is currently on loan to Italian side Parma. Although he has not found a happy home in the Sporting line up, he knows Italian football well, having spent several years there already previously playing for Bari, Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta. Valdés is fast, aggressive, passes well and on his day and can finish like the best.
9 Matías Fernández, Sporting, Portugal
Also a Sporting player who is in the current Chilean national squad, Fernández was South American Footballer of the Year in 2006 and at 25 still has much to offer the game. He has an attacking style that is exciting to watch, bringing hm 4 goals at club level this season.
8 David Pizarro, Roma, Italy
Another Serie A player, David Pizarro is currently on loan to Manchester City where he recently scored against Porto in the Europa League. He is a solid midfielder who has good ability to hold the ball well and has played for his country too.
7 Mauricio Isla, Udinese, Italy
Isla is a very versatile player, who is currently with top Serie A team Udinese (playing with Alexis Sanchez when he was there last season) and has had the national team call up before. His ability to occupy various positions on the field, moving forward and covering back, make him an asset to any team. Isla is a playmaker, distributing the ball well to team mates. Some rumours have it that he may move to Liverpool in the future.
6 Marco Estrada, Montpellier, France
Estrada moved to top French team Montpellier in 2010 after a good run with Universidad de Chile. He plays midfield and is an excellent striker of the ball.
For the full list plus pictures and video clips jump over here and debate the top 10 Chilean soccer players!


text:
Check out a new pic (above) from Len Wiseman's sci-fi reboot of "Total Recall". Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel co-stars in the actioner, and the two are featured in the new pic dodging bullets. Lots and lots of bullets. Farrell, of course, is playing the Arnold Schwarzenegger role, while Biel is playing Melina, originally played by Rachel Ticotin in the original. She's got a lot to live up to, that's for sure. Ticotin really brought a lot of spunk to the role.
Based on the Philip K. Dick story, the remake finds Farrell playing Douglas Quaid, a bored Everyman whose trip to a little place called Rekall (run by John Cho, natch) brings him all kinds of trouble. See, kids, this is what happens when you get bored while being married to Kate Beckinsale. I mean, how is that even possible?
Also starring Bryan Cranston, Bill Nighy, Ethan Hawke, Bokeem Woodbine, Will Yun Lee, and recalling it all for you wholesale August 3, 2012.
Get more images and videos in our "Total Recall" preview page.
Via : STYD


text:
Subscribe to the Boomer & Carton Podcast »
The Dynamic Radio Duo known as Boomer & Carton were licking their collective chops this morning based on all of the topics at their disposal to discuss — well that and their undying love for one another.
The guys got the ball rolling by reflecting on the Nets' underwhelming performance down in Miami, where they dropped Game 1 to the Heat in blowout fashion. When the final horn sounded it was a 107-86 win for LeBron & Co., but Craigie says not to worry.
Boomer didn't seem all that worried at all. Not that the Blonde Bomber has anything against the Nets; it's just that the majority of his focus was on his beloved Rangers, as they look to even things up tonight with the Penguins at the Garden. The Blueshirts trail the series 2-1.
In addition to all of that, the guys had some baseball to get to. The Yanks won on a late long ball while the Mets were shut out…


text:
Participation of Austria possible on the basis of the current constitutional framework
Brussels, 17 May 2004 - "Today's Intergovernmental Conference negotiations also touched upon the chapter of European Security and Defence Policy. The proposal submitted by the Irish Presidency corresponds to what we had negotiated by the end of 2003 and thus accommodates our interests. It is acceptable to all 25 EU Member States", Austrian Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner said after today's consultations in Brussels.
As a result of the negotiation initiative launched by Ferrero-Waldner together with Ireland, Finland and Sweden at the end of last year, it has been made clear, above all, that the so-called "enhanced cooperation on mutual defence" does not infringe upon the special character of the security and defence policy of our countries. "We can join in on this cooperation, which I welcome, on the basis of our existing constitutional framework. With regard to the "Solidarity Clause" it should also be noted that the individual EU Member States always have the choice as to the concrete means by which they demonstrate their solidarity in individual cases," the Foreign Minister said.
Neither, as Ferrero-Waldner pointed out, does the constitutional law problem arise in the field of "structured cooperation", since the latter focuses on targeted cooperation in demanding areas of EU crisis management. "After all, the currently valid constitutional framework, notably the constitutional amendments made within the context of the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty, already creates the basis for our full participation in all forms of EU crisis management. Of course, the states wishing to participate in structural cooperation from the outset need to fulfil demanding military criteria, for example with regard to creating an EU rapid response force. But these are issues of a practical nature, which incidentally are being addressed by the Austrian Army Reform Commission headed by Dr. Helmut Zilk. However, as I have already said, there are no constitutional problems arising for us in this context," Ferrero-Waldner emphasised.
"We are in a position to show our solidarity in Europe on the basis of our current constitutional framework. As we know, Ireland, Sweden and Finland are likewise of the opinion that they can participate in this cooperation without this involving any changes to the specific character of the security and defence policy of neutral and non-allied EU Member States. From my point of view, the criteria for participation in structured cooperation are formulated objectively and the accession procedures are mapped out in a way that is transparent and comprehensible for all Member States. I am also confident that the Army Reform Commission chaired by Dr. Zilk will take the steps required to ensure that Austria - along with Finland and Sweden, as far as I know - will be able to participate in structured cooperation from the outset," Ferrero-Waldner concluded.


text: I've been working on fixing my bricked Wii for the past few days and I've been doing tons of research. And I believe that in my situation the only way for me to unbrick my Wii is to either buy a SaveMii or get this GC controller to start the boot. I need to be able to boot a Wii game with FW 4.1 (or a boot disc but I don't have a mod chip) so I can upgrade my FW 4.0 and thus unbrick my Wii. Right now my Wii will turn on via the Wii controller or the power button, all the lights come on, the disc drive spins, but all I get is a black screen that will occasionally flicker or just flicker when it turns on. By the way, my Wii became bricked from bad .wad and at first I got the, system files are corrupted message, and I tried to use the homebrew channel through my preloader to delete the bad .wad and I thought I did, but now i get a black screen and can't get into the preloader or anything. I've taken the GC controller and made it so that I can push all for directions on the D pad at the same time and I've tried to get the Wii to straight boot a game probably 100 times. I really need some advice, if anyone can help please do! I'd love to save my Wii. And if anyone feels like a SaveMii would help me and they have one they are willing to part with, let me know. Thanks!


text:
Grounding a vintage amplifier
2 Attachment(s)
Hi folks,
Maybe this was already discussed, but I couldn't find the proper place.
I'd like to ask if can change safely my Sansui AU-317's power cord to a more robust grounded one.
The "original" (2nd picture) is not that robust anymore and I'm afraid it will break in the case sometime.
I want to put a 250V 10A with the yellow wire (1st picture) and ground it at the amp's chassis.
Is there anything I have to avoid with the AU-317??
Make sure the signal ground is not connected to the chassis, otherwise you will probably get hum. Simply measure for conductivity between the case and the outer edge of one of the signal input sockets.
If there is a connection, you are best leaving the safety ground disconnected, but you can still fit an IEC socket which would allow you to use an IEC cable.
And remember the Rotel? I followed your instructions and put another transformer, did the Bias adjust (totally out of specs!) and now it's sounds really nice!:) The other transformer didn't have any thermal fuse inside, so I had to change the transformer!
You can test it while it's not switched on. Just use an ohm meter or so. A lot of Japanese amps did not have grounded cases.
Good news about the Rotel. They do have thermal fuses in the transformers but they are buried right inside the windings, so there's no chance of replacing them. Glad to hear the substitute works well. I have an RA-930 AX myself, a bit battered (the plastic base cracked and someone took out the rubber end cheeks) but it has a nice sound.
(totally out of specs!)
expected ...wonder why ? i think there is a bias stabilizer cap that goes bad ....if you also talk about the stupid yellow capacitor in the feedback of 100ufd/6.3 Volt is also joke quality and specs
it will be much better to replace those ...
2 Attachment(s)
Yes! the bias was out a lot! Has to be 4mV and the right chnl. was 5.8mV, while the left chnl. was 38mV!
You might be right. Do you mean those tiny yellow/orange caps near the input source?? They are the only ones in that color, the others are Black Gate (the amp is from 1994 though!)
If those yellow are behind the bias stabilizer, I can put some Panasonics FC I still have... :)
from 4 to 5.8 is no problem but 38 might be it seems that your amplifier doesnt use this typos of caps so you might as well be ok
the cap can be seen as the last cap to see in your phono stage right middle top side of your picture ...usually these are the caps that go bad ...
your version seems upgraded so nothing to be bothered
|All times are GMT. The time now is 08:11 PM.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Resources saved on this page: MySQL 18.75%
vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright ©1999-2017 diyAudio


text:
When desire vies with common sense: Sig 232
View Single Post
February 24, 2013, 10:47 AM
Pond, James Pond
Senior Member
Join Date: July 12, 2011
Location: Top of the Baltic stack
Posts: 5,699
All very nice pistols, but herein lies a real risk of mission creep!!
Initially, I was interested in what looked like nice 9mm Para guns to compliment my Glock. When they came to nothing, I find myself with some cash and a semi buying permit all burning a hole in my pocket: that is the main reason I am keeping my eyes open for a great deal.
I was not looking for a .380 initially, but that used 232 caught my eye as it really is a great deal (in relative terms) compared to a new price and looking at it through the glass it looked like a nice example.
Now, my gun buying fever, as Chettt put it, had me considering the Astra instead as its price tag is not so toe-curling to me.
From there I could easily start considering the likes of the Mak PM, CZ83, and Beretta Cheetah purely because of the shared calibre with the Sig, when the PM is the only gun I have any previous feelings about and yet none of those would come close to either the Astra or the 232 in terms of looks which is where this little adventure started!!
I'd justifiably kick myself if I started lusting after a 232 but ended up buying a Sphinx AT380 at more than the Sig just because it had the same calibre.... How messed up is that?! Just the sort of daftness I am capable of!
I tell, this is like going to the gym: exhausting!!
PS, is this a bad time to point out that I could buy a brand new Ruger LCP or CZ83 for the same as that Sig?
When the right to
self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic.
Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.
Karma. Another word for revolver: because what goes around, comes around!
Last edited by Pond, James Pond; February 24, 2013 at
Pond, James Pond
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by Pond, James Pond
Page generated in
seconds with


text:
Snake pit a rattling experienceNov. 17, 2005
by SCARLETT STEAKLEY, columnist
To this day, there have only been 46 Miss Snake Charmers.
I'm the 42nd.
Your next question might be, "What exactly is a Miss Snake Charmer?" Well, Miss Snake Charmer can't be summed up by its misleading title.
My West Texas hometown of Sweetwater hosts the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup every second weekend in March. In case you're wondering, a Rattlesnake Roundup is mostly just hunting, capturing, skinning and killing western diamondback rattlesnakes. The three-day event begins Thursday with the Miss Snake Charmer pageant. After my mother's incessant pleas, I agreed to enter the pageant. I thought it was a waste of time. But it was no snake's underbelly.
Contrary to popular belief, I did not charm snakes for the title. I participated in a legitimate interview, evening gown, casual wear and talent competition. To my surprise, and the surprise of those who witnessed my less-than-symphonic singing, I won the talent competition as well. I am from a small town with only 10,000 people, so my exposure to "cool music" and other things was a little limited. So I chose country singer Lila McCann's "With You." I can't say it's a song I would choose today, but hey, it got the job done.
After I won the pageant, the weekend festivities began. The weekend was full of daily appearances at the main arena, where I helped the professional snake handler with safety demonstrations.
We stood in the middle of a huge snake pit covered with hundreds of rattlesnakes. The stench snakes leave behind is less than pleasant.
Somehow, I wore my snake-proof chaps and carried a rattlesnake by its head and tail. All I had to do was hold the snake up high with its mouth open so the crowd could see its fangs while I wore my sash and crown.
After that, I stopped by the pit where dead rattlesnakes were stripped of their meat and skins.
You can buy almost anything snakeskin at the roundup -- snakeskin key chains, snakeskin earrings, acrylic-snakeskin toilet seats, snakeskin belt buckles, snakeskin boots, snakeskin purses and so on.
I participated in the snake-skinning tradition, visited the flea markets, awarded the snake-eating contest winners and enjoyed the evening dances. It was one glamorously redneck weekend.
Scarlett Steakley is a senior communication specialist from Sweetwater.
More News ...


text:
Week 14 Feature Game
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-2, 5-1) vs. Louisville Cardinals (9-2, 4-2)
Thursday, November 29 • 7:30 PM • ESPN
High Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, New Jersey
The Big East football soap opera continued this week with the addition of Tulane University and East Carolina to the conference. Stand by for the entrance of Kevin's pick to win the 2016 Big East Conference championship: Appalachian State.
In the meantime, a team that is leaving the league after 21 years – Rutgers – has finally earned a share of the Big East Championship. The Scarlet Knights can claim it exclusively with a win at home Thursday night against the preseason favorite, Louisville.
Many circled this date as the key matchup when the schedule was released. The prophecy was accurate….
Dating back to 1976, Rutgers leads the all-time series 7-4. The Scarlet Knights are 4-1 against the Cardinals in Piscataway, but Louisville is 4-3 in Big East Conference play Louisville ended a three-game losing streak last October with a 16-14 victory over Rutgers at Papa John's Cardinals Stadium.
After a triple-overtime loss to UConn at home last Saturday, the Cardinals need a win at Rutgers to secure a BCS bowl berth. It could get interesting though….
Since Syracuse has already finished conference play with a 5-2 record, with a Louisville victory at Rutgers and a win by Cincinnati at UConn, there will be a four-way tie (Rutgers, Syracuse, Louisville and Cincinnati) for the Big East title.
Louisville and Rutgers would be 2-1 against the three other 5-2 teams. If that's the case, the Cardinals would likely go to a BCS game because they would be the highest ranked team.
If Cincinnati loses and there is a three-way tie, the Cardinals would receive the berth in that scenario based on being the highest ranked team. Louisville would have beaten Rutgers and lost to Syracuse, while the Scarlet Knights would have lost to Louisville and defeated Syracuse.
Injuries and mental fatigue will play a factor in this game, along with the pressure of the BCS bowl game opportunity. Look for a turnover to decide the outcome.
Line: Rutgers (-3)
Pick: Louisville 27-23
Big East Power Rankings:
1. Rutgers (9-2, 5-1)
2. Syracuse (7-5, 5-2)
3. Louisville (9-2, 4-2)
4. Cincinnati (8-3, 4-2)
5. UConn (5-6, 2-4)
6. Pitt (5-6, 2-4)
7. Temple (4-7, 2-5)
Other Big East Week 14 games:
Cincinnati (-5) at Connecticut
Pitt (-6) at USF
Big East Week 13 Recap
Syracuse 38 at Temple 20
USF 10 at Cincinnati 27
UConn 23 at Louisville 20
Rutgers 6 at Pitt 27
Conference Players of Week 13:
Offense: Tino Sunseri, QB, Pittsburgh
Defense: Trevardo Williams, DE, Connecticut
Special Teams: Chad Christen, K, Connecticut
Pete Sonski is a contributor to College Football Zealots. Follow him on Twitter @29sonski and check out his work at Big East Coast Bias. and his Three Point Stance show every Tuesday at 9 PM on Blog Talk Radio.