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I just learned about an interesting social media-driven grant opportunity for small businesses being sponsored by Chase [2] and Living Social [3]. Metro Lighting [4], a retailer in Berkeley, CA, reached out and asked me (and all of its Facebook faithful) to vote for the store in the Mission: Small Business [5] initiative as a first step toward earning a $250,000 grant. Metro was a winner in our Showroom of the Year Awards [6] last year, taking home the honor for Exceptional Community Involvement [7]. The store's unwavering commitment to sustainability includes rooftop solar panels that generate all of its electricity, an emphasis on local artisans, recycled designs and LED technology. In Metro's plea for support, the store explained how the grant could enhance its website and promote its products and message to a wider audience.
Metro went on to say that all of the Showroom of the Year finalists should consider applying for the grant, too. I checked it out, and I have to agree (and not just for award finalists, but all independent lighting retailers). The aim of the program is to increase awareness of the role small businesses play in local communities — so far, so good. Applicants submit a 500-word essay online about their business and they become listed (by city and state) for others to select and vote for them to get the grant. Any business that receives at least 250 valid votes by midnight on June 30 will be eligible for judging.
Finalists will be judged on these criteria: a solid business and management team/ownership; a well thought-out and feasible growth plan; likelihood to succeed within a two-year timeframe; positive impact on the local community; and energy, enthusiasm, creativity and passion for your business. Consumer participation in the voting will determine how many grants will be given in total, but it will be at least four and up to 12.
I would love to see some of that $3 million end up in the lighting industry. So go for it! Or, if you're so inclined, vote for Metro … or at least thank them for the great tip.
[1] https://www.residentiallighting.com/laura-van-zeyl
[2] http://www.chase.com
[3] http://www.livingsocial.com
[4] http://www.metrolighting.com
[5] http://www.missionsmallbusiness.com
[6] http://www.residentiallighting.com/showroom
[7] http://www.residentiallighting.com/showroom/Showroom%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20Exceptional%20Community%20Involvement/2011


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Photo: John Gevers/CC-BY-SA 3.0
Dr. Tom Hayhurst, Democratic challenger for the third district seat in Congress, won the Democratic caucus nomination yesterday at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne. Hayhurst was widely anticipated to become the candidate for the special election to fill the remainder of resigned Rep. Mark Souder's term. Hayhurst won the Democratic primary in May for the general election.
Souder admitted to an extramarital affair with a part-time female staffer and resigned two weeks after the May 4 primary.
Hayhurst may have been all but a certainty, but he did face a challenge from Bob Kern, who lost the primary bid in district seven to incumbent Rep. Andre Carson as well as the Democratic Senate bid to Brad Ellsworth. Kern is from Indianapolis.
Kern, formerly "Hidalgo," ran against Rep. Dan Burton in 1998, changing his surname before the primary. Kern served a year in prison for forgery and theft as Mr. Hidalgo and occasionally cross-dressed as a female judge.
Hayhurst prevailed over Kern with a 97 to 0 vote.
The party also selected three state representatives. Wray McCalester, a pastor and retired union rep, was nominated for district 83, currently held by Republican Matt Bell who will not be seeking re-election, and Evan Smith, a laid off Fort Wayne City Schools teacher, accepted the nomination for district 84, currently held by Republican Randy Borror. Steve Smart of district 52 has been an operation manager for the past 30 years and will seek the seat currently held by Republican David Yarde.
Hayhurst will face Republican state Senator Marlin Stutzman in the special election and the general election, both set for Nov. 2.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jason Aldean called in this morning and proved that he is officially just like the rest of us. He's addicted to Candy Crush and he's on Level 160 something. He also revealed which 80s themed movie character he's going as for Halloween, and discussed his recently released DVD.
His "Night Train to Georgia" DVD features footage from the first ever concert at Sanford Stadium, home of the Georgia Bulldogs football team.
With Halloween coming up in a week, it's on most people's minds. Jason shared which costumes his kids has decided on. "My oldest one has decided to go as the Mad Hatter, and my little one is going as one of the good witches from the movie Oz." And what is Jason dressing us as? He shared, "I already got mine (costume). I have a friend who has a birthday around Halloween, and he's having a party and everyone is going as a character from the 80s, so I decided to go as Maverick from Top Gun. I got the aviators and everything."
–Danielle Clasing, US99.5 Editor


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The Daily Word in donuts, rabies and the Italian mob
A Texas resident was the first person to have a partial skull and scalp transplant.
This man sang and played guitar during his brain surgery.
Happy Donut Day! Here are a few creative ways to show your love for donuts.
Smoking reefer could actually improve your mental health.
In local news, a Walmart shopper on Coors unknowingly gave a rabid bat-hitchhiker a lift on her motorized wheelchair.
A man broke into a home in Hobbs, baked himself a potato, and did some yard work.
A 91-year-old man backed into a garage door for kicks.
Technology is shortening your life.
Several dozen politicians and mobsters were arrested in Rome yesterday as the Mayor cracks down on organized crime.
Two years after he blew the whistle on the NSA, Edward Snowden is seeing the fruits of his efforts.
The Daily Word: Tuition hikes, Beverly Cleary, burka ban, Demi Lovato
County official's son killed by APD.
Tuition climbs at UNM and CNM.
An Arizona bill that would legalize guns in all public and government buildings is almost through the legislature. People in Tucson don't like it.
How is Fukushima NOT like Chernobyl?
Mom drives her minivan and three kids into the Hudson River but lets one boy go.
The first loose-lipped mob boss takes the stand.
President Obama is going to weigh in on the deficit.
Burka ban takes effect in France, and two women have been arrested.
Death toll hits 116 in the mass grave in Mexico.
Demi Lovato candid about eating disorder.
The Facebook guy is maybe a jerk.
Dogs left in the nuclear zone.
Sugar Ray Leonard eliminated from "Dancing With the Stars."
An interview with author Beverly Cleary (she wrote the Ramona Quimby books), who turned 95 yesterday.
Jenny from the block is People Magazine's most beautiful person.
Hugh Grant spies on a wiretapping tabloid reporter. Revenge!
The Daily Word: Japan, Politics, Politics, Politics, Hitler, Politics, Boob Jobs, Politics
Bill O'Reilly says the media is hyping the the nuclear situation in Japan, meanwhile Japanese workers evacuate the troubled nuclear plant. In an unrelated matter, it's being reported that radioactive snow is falling in Japan.
Not a single Republican on the House Energy committee will admit that climate change is real.
N.M. House rejects the Senate's immigrant license bill.
New census data shows Rio Rancho and Los Lunas are New Mexico's fastest growing cities.
Democrats are trying to force Republicans who oppose Obama's health care overhual to publicly declare whether they accept taxpayer-subsidized health care from the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program.
Missouri lawmakers are repealing voter-approved anti-puppy-mill lows.
House committee has nothing better to do than vote to defund NPR and PBS.
Is this what conservatives really want? Georgia governor raises taxes on Girl Scout Cookies, and cuts taxes on multinational corporations. While Michigan's governor cuts corporate tax rate by 86% and raises taxes for the working poor.
A terrible mother filed a lawsuit against her daughter's preschool for inadequately preparing the 4-year-old to pursue an Ivy League education.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is urging his citizens to say no to boob jobs.
Chicago bookstore forced to cancel mafia book signing after threats.
Some of the best walk off moments from 60 Minutes.
Life publishes some never-before seen photos of Hitler.
A tour of the worlds greatest holes.
The Wire's Snoop arrested, charged with conspiracy to sell heroin.
TV's Buffy The Vampire Slayer premiered 14 years ago this week.
Lean Cuisine meals are being recalled.
Were you a Hee Haw fan or did your parents prefer Soul Train? You can only choose one!
Hey nerds! Read Stan Lee's deposition on the creation of the Marvel universe. Seriously, it's good.
The Gap want's you to haggle for your next pair of pants.
Nickelodeon is bringing back some it's big hits from the 90s. Come on Pete & Pete!
Charlie Sheen's porn star
loser girlfriend tweets her suicide attempt.
Stephen King is writing another Dark Tower book.
The Daily Word 01.20.10: Garbage hotel, mafia, Gov. Martinez
Remember that TSA trial in Albuquerque I was talking about? After much delay, it's happening today.
130 arrested from seven mob families in a mafia crackdown.
This guy's trying to learn how to speak prairie dog.
How about an extra year to decide about college without losing your lotto scholarship?
Only 70 percent of the population can see 3D movies.
What was served at the "quintessentially American" dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao?
National Republicans may be considering Gov. Martinez for bigger things.
UNM Regent Jack Fortner is sure the governor will reappoint him. Did the $40,000 he donated to her campaign help?
Michelle Obama teams up with Wal-Mart on her healthy food campaign.
A hotel made of garbage! What will the Spanish think of next?
The ladies of death row. (Not the record label.) Wait, why is this a story?
The Daily Word 08.25.10: Prank In Roswell, Pee-Wee Blogs, Bra Unhooking Champion
Three arrested in Roswell for a violent hoax.
Arizona prison escapee John McCluskey attempted suicide.
Red hot election results here, here and here.
Three teens in Columbia who appeared on a 69-name hit list posted on Facebook have been killed.
Someone tried to sell 4 pounds of yellowcake uranium.
Don't tell my boss listening to music at work is bad for productivity.
Mafia families are texting TV shows to send secret messages to imprisoned members.
Something hit Jupiter this weekend.
A blog completely filled with hungover
Alibi staffers owls?
I guess my aunt really isn't lazy.
Don't buy those cheap headphones.
Pee-wee! Herman's! First! Ever! Blog! Post!
Here's the trailer for my next favorite TV show.
Why isn't quicksand scary (at least in the movies) anymore?
Blah-blah, blah, Lindsay Lohan, blah-blah-blah, blah.
Handy guide about who and how much to tip.
My new hero can unhook 56 bras in one minute.
17 things you didn't know about bacon.
10 roadside attractions someone thinks are worth stopping for (I've been to #4–it wasn't all that).
One day soon I'll regret eating a pizza cone.
Have Fork, Will Travel
The Borscht Ultimatum
How I almost paid dearly for a bowl of borscht, and how to make it right
Late at night on a train in Siberia, I had a run-in with the Russian mob over a bowl of borscht.


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DObjects+: Enabling Privacy-Preserving Data Federation Services
The emergence of cloud computing implies and facilitates managing large collections of highly distributed, autonomous, and possibly private databases. While there is an increasing need for services that allow integration and sharing of various data repositories, it remains a challenge to ensure the privacy, interoperability, and scalability for such services. In this paper, the authors demonstrate a scalable and extensible framework that is aimed to enable privacy preserving data federations. The framework is built on top of a distributed mediator wrapper architecture where nodes can form collaborative groups for secure anonymization and secure query processing when private data need to be accessed.


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RINGWOOD, England, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Some parents have found the "Winter Wonderland" at an expensive English theme park so disappointing they have physically assaulted Santa and his elves.
While a spokesman for the Lapland New Forest Park said 95 percent of the visitors had a good time, Dorset officials said they had received 1,300 complaints, the Daily Mail reported. One security guard, Adrian Wood, said he quit and agreed with the disgruntled visitors.
"Santa was punched by a furious father who had been waiting in line for 4 hours," Wood said. "He had got to the front only to be told he couldn't take a picture of his children and that they weren't allowed to sit on Santa's lap."
The park, opened for Christmas on the border between Dorset and Hampshire in southern England, charged 25 pounds ($37) for adult admission. The irate dad reportedly was told pictures with Santa would be another 10 pounds ($15).
Henry Mears, the spokesman, said six staffers or security guards had been physically attacked and everyone verbally abused. At least three Facebook groups have been created to allow them to vent their anger.


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About This Activity
This activity is closed to further registration.
Personal Training Individual 60 minute session 3-pack
You will receive personalized interaction with direct instruction that focuses on achieving realistic goals. A YMCA Personal Trainer will design individualized workout sessions that cater to your current fitness level and experience.
A staff member will contact you within 48 business hours to set up your appointment.
Adult and Child
Dale Turner Family YMCA
Organizer Info
YMCA of Greater Seattle


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About This Activity
Pre-registration is now closed, but you can still register on-site on Saturday.
Just show up at King's Domain and bring your credit card (and guts) and you will be ready to experience the ultimate extreme mud obstacle challenge.
Mud, Guts and Glory is the next generation fitness challenge combining over 5 miles of the most demanding terrain offered by Mother Nature and Father Time combined with more than 30 of the most intimidating (and fun) man-made obstacles you've ever seen. This treacherous course takes you on a journey over steep hills, deep ravines, and tree-tangled creek beds. Mud, Guts and Glory is the most beautiful agony you'll ever experience.
Uniquely presented in 5 distinct and challenging stages, Mud, Guts and Glory is suited for expert and novice alike, pushing you to your personal limits and challenging you to complete the stage(s) to match your fitness level and tolerance for painful fun.
Make no mistake - Mud, Guts and Glory is no picnic in the woods, it's a challenging combination of natural and man-made obstacles set on 120 acres that even the toughest mudder will find intimidating.
At the same time, with the ability to finish the course in as little as 3 miles, Mud, Guts and Glory is perfect for the entire family. In addition to the main event, we're offering a Day Camp for ages 5-9 and the MG&G Junior Course for ages 10-13.
All proceeds from every Mud, Guts and Glory event support charitable programs run at King's Domain during the year - each focused on equipping and empowering kids, college students, and adults throughout the tri-state area.
Be one of the first ever to conquer Mud, Guts and Glory! Register today.
Organizer Info


text: City of Light's Dark Side By DONALD MORRISON Sunday, July 09, 2006 Subscriber content preview. Log-In Share Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn StumbleUpon Reddit Digg Mixx Del.i.cious Google+ FRED DUFOUR / AFP-GETTY IMAGESTOUGH TOWN: Street violence in a Paris suburb earlier this year cesspool of crime, prostitution, wanton slaughter and appalling sanitation. Paris may be the world's favorite city, but few of the 25 million annual visitors realize that its handsome streets are paved with blood and merde. Hussey, a British lecturer in French literature, spares none of those humors. For most of its 20 centuries, he writes in Paris: The Secret History, the city was little... To continue reading: Log-In Want the full story? Subscribe Now Get TIME the way you want it One Week Digital Pass — $4.99 Monthly Pay-As-You-Go DIGITAL ACCESS — $2.99 One Year ALL ACCESS — Just $30! Best Deal!Print Magazine + Digital Edition + Subscriber-only Content on TIME.com Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriberIf you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!


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Java Draw Created Jul 02, 2012 460 x 640px Unless noted Copyright 2012 soft wind.
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.
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Realism? This is more like a cartoon, given its proportions and jagged lineart. Also, the eye is situated quite high in the face, making it look like she had a kinda flat head. Well, practice is practice. Good work anyways. Keep it up.
Ooop's typo,,, you "HAVE" the basics now... sorry about that
you the basic Structure on the face and head,,, nice start to your realism collection.. Keep work on it,,, great color choice,,, look forward to watching you grow in this area.. nice job...
This is nice keep on practicing and you'll have it down, I can see you're developing your own way of doing it
honestly, this looks a wee bit more like a cartoon. i think the porportions are kind of off and the lines are a wee bit jaggy. also maybe more shading overall i like it. 4h


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An open letter to FBI director James Comey
Written by Tucker Higgins|
February 7, 2014
Dear Director Comey:
I heard that you will be joining us on campus for Charter Day, and I would like to welcome you back to your alma mater.
The last time you spoke here, five years ago, your most senior government role had been Deputy Attorney General for the Bush administration. There, you became known for your strong defense of the Constitution.
In one instance, while Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft was hospitalized, you refused to sign an NSA surveillance order granting the collection of email metadata. When you learned that officials had been sent to the hospital to obtain authorization, you remained by Ashcroft's bedside to prevent that from happening.
That experience likely informed the speech you gave at the College of William and Mary in 2009 about what was happening in the real world. In spite of the danger and stubbornness of the real world beyond campus, you said we must hold true to the ideals of this country's founders.
Five years later, you've switched your position. Speaking to reporters recently, you lauded the NSA surveillance you once put yourself at political risk to prevent, even as leaked documents reveal that NSA surveillance has expanded far beyond the collection of data you opposed in 2004.
Moreover, while most people associate the Edward Snowden leaks with the NSA, it is the FBI that has been serving gag and surveillance orders to American corporations, and which seeks to apprehend Snowden for prosecution under the Espionage Act.
Privacy activists are confused. One such group, the Restore the Fourth Foundation, said that your new position is "baffling" and "behaviorally disparate."
So why the sudden change of heart?
You have defended your position by saying that mass surveillance is both useful and legal, arguing that all three branches of government have taken a role in oversight. Your claims, however, contradict those made by two independent White House investigations and an increasing amount of evidence made available by Snowden.
For one, the evidence suggests that mass surveillance is not, in fact, useful. Both White House investigations have found that surveillance is "not essential in preventing terrorist attacks" and that there has been "no instance in which the [collection of telephone metadata] directly contributed to the discovery of a previously unknown terrorist plot or the disruption of a terrorist attack."
Writing for the district court in Klayman v. Obama, Judge Richard Leon said, more generally, that the government has not presented a single instance of mass surveillance completing any of its goals of protecting Americans.
The recurrent claim of "oversight" lacks solid foundation as well.
In the judicial branch, the only court with jurisdiction over the NSA programs has been the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court — a panel that, we now know, the government has consistently lied to. The chief of that court said in one secret opinion that his regulations were "frequently and systemically violated," and lamented the court's inability to investigate the government's claims.
This secret court has granted government requests at a rate well above 99 percent — yet the FBI retains other methods to spy on Americans that require no court oversight at all. Using National Security Letters, the FBI compelled service providers to give up information more than 20,000 times in 2012. A White House panel said, "We are unable to identify a principled reason why NSLs should be issued by FBI officials."
Even if these programs followed the law exactly, inaccurate representations by members of the intelligence community have made thorough Congressional oversight impossible.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has lied about the government's metadata program, and later retracted his statements. At the NSA, Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander admitted to ballooning the number of terrorist plots supposedly prevented.
Although both intelligence officials have admitted to presenting false information to Congress, no official public investigation has been launched — by the FBI or otherwise.
So why do you, the same person who once rushed to a hospital room to prevent just one piece of the current surveillance apparatus from going into effect, remain solidly behind these illegal and ineffective programs?
Is the real world you told us about five years ago that much scarier than you thought it was? If it is, what, exactly, should we be so afraid of? What must we give up to feel secure? Who gets to make that decision?
Five years ago, you told us that what made this campus different from the world outside was that here you can "step back, and figure out if you are still on the right side." It's time to take your own advice.
Yours Faithfully,
Tucker Higgins
PS: I encourage you to make any response public. However, if you plan to respond personally, I support encrypted communication and my PGP short ID is B1C7866C.
Email Tucker Higgins at [email protected]
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(1) Reader Comment
JCDavisFebruary 7, 2014 at 6:11 AM
"So why the sudden change of heart?" It's striking, isn't it? And even more striking with Obama, who became a "born-again neocon," in the words of Bill Kristol, and more conservative than Nixon, in his own words. He gave people a variety of explanations of why he failed to advance his liberal agenda, but nowadays they sound like Bush's changing rationales for attacking Iraq. The best explanation is that Obama is being blackmailed with dirt collected by the NSA. And not just Obama, but many in Congress, the courts, and the heads of agencies like the FBI. It appears that the republic is now in the hands of usurpers.


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Start Slideshow
- MIT Minithruster SatelliteAn associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT has designed a penny-sized rocket thruster that could be used to power the smallest satellites in space. Paulo Lozano's device aims to replace current bulky satellite engines, which are heavy and require more fuel to power. Lozano's system is a flat, compact alternative that is covered with 500 microscopic tips that, when stimulated with voltage, emit tiny beams of ions propelling the satellite forward....

READ ARTICLE1
- Minithruster testPaulo Lozano holds a small thruster made of silicon, gold, and porous metals that will be used in orbit on small satellites.2
- Vacuum test of thrustersA small satellite levitates in a vacuum chamber used to test thruster design in the Space Propulsion Lab at MIT.3


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Belgium's Flemish right wing Vlaams Belang party member Tanguy Veys poses with a part of the manifesto written by Anders Behring Breivik, at the Belgian Parliament in Brussels July 27, 2011. Veys received an email containing the manifesto of Breivik, the Norwegian mass killer who gunned down 68 people on the Norwegian island of Utoeya and killed another 8 in a bomb attack in Oslo on Friday, hours before the attacks in Norway took place. The Vlaams Belang party has distanced itself from the manifesto. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM – Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
When the news of a bombing in downtown Oslo, Norway, was closely followed by the shocking mass shooting at a teen youth camp on the island of Utøya, major news outlets were quick to pin the blame for the attacks on Muslim extremists. The New York Times briefly reported that a terrorist organization called "Helpers of Global Jihad" had claimed responsibility, while the British newspaper The Sun declared that the events were "Norway's 9/11." Hours later, it was clear that these early reports that the violence was related to religious extremism were correct, but the religion with which they associated the violence was wrong. The perpetrator turned out to be a blond-haired, blue-eyed Norwegian, Anders Behring Breivik, who publicly identified himself as Christian on his Facebook page and also posted online a 1500-page ideological manifesto in which he declared himself to be a "cultural Christian" crusader standing up for Europe's "Christian culture" against the forces of "Islamization."
This revelation re-opened a fundamental question: are those who carry out acts of violence in the name of a religion true followers of that religion, or not? A new survey from Public Religion Research Institute, and a new joint report by PRRI and the Brookings Institution, reveals that Americans literally apply a double standard when answering this question, depending on whether the perpetrator is Christian or Muslim. More than 8-in-10 (83 percent) Americans say that those who commit violence in the name of Christianity are not truly Christian. On the other hand, less than half (48 percent) of Americans extend this same principle to Muslims and say that those who commit violence in the name of Islam are not truly Muslim.
The Double Standard Evaluating Religiosity of Self-Identified Christians and Muslims Who Commit Violence in the Name of Religion
One way of quantifying the double standard is to evaluate the percentage point difference between a group's willingness to affirm the religious identity of self-proclaimed Christian perpetrators vs. self-proclaimed Muslim perpetrators. This double standard gap is, not surprisingly, most pronounced among those who self-identify as Christian, but different Christian groups employ stronger double standards than others. For example, among white evangelical Protestants, the gap is a staggering 47 percentage points: only 10 percent of evangelicals believe that a self-identified Christian perpetrators are really Christian, compared to 57 percent who believe that self-identified Muslim perpetrators are truly Muslim.
The double standard gap for other Christian groups is also large but significantly lower than the gap among white evangelical Protestants: 27 points each for Catholics and white mainline Protestants, and 23 points for black Protestants. Non-Christian religiously affiliated Americans-a composite group that includes Muslims along with Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and other minority religions-has the most consistent approach to these questions, with a double standard gap of only 14 points.
The double standard gap also differs by political party affiliation. The double standard gap is 45 points for both Republicans and Americans who identify with the Tea Party movement, nearly double the size of the gap among Independents (25 points) and Democrats (23 points).
This double standard in evaluating religious violence is related to continuing ambivalence among Americans overall about the place of American Muslims and Islam in the country ten years after the September 11th terrorist attacks. However, one of the most important patterns that emerged in the survey-and one that foreshadows how Americans may resolve these issues in the future-is the unique profile of the Millennial generation (Americans ages 18-29).
Outside of the group that includes American Muslims themselves, Millennials are the least likely group to employ a double standard when evaluating violence by self-proclaimed Christians and Muslims. The double standard gap among Millennials is only 17 points, less than half the gap among seniors (36 points). Consistent with this profile, Millennials are also significantly more likely than the public to express comfort with various kinds of public expressions of Muslim practice, and are more likely to say American Muslims are an important part of the religious community.
What does this mean for the future for Muslims in the U.S.? The Millennial generation is the most religiously and ethnicially diverse generation in American history, and as they come of age it seems likely that they will facilitate a resolution of the public's current ambivalence about the place of American Muslims in society in the manner Americans have solved questions about previous groups such as Catholics and Jews: in favor of acceptance.
The Pluralism, Immigration, & Civic Integration survey was designed and conducted by Public Religion Research Institute. Results of the survey were based on 2,450 bilingual (Spanish and English) telephone interviews, including 804 cell phone interviews, conducted between August 1, 2011 and August 14, 2011. The margin of error is +/-2.0 percentage points for the general sample at the 95 percent confidence interval. The full report, jointly released by PRRI and the Brookings Institution, along with the topline questionnaire and methodology, can be found here.


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ConFoo is one of the world's leading conferences for web developers. It has been so successful, that for the past two years it was sold out (600 attendees). This year, ConFoo received 930 talk proposals.
Here's why you should attend:
- great diversity of speakers and presentations, picked by the community
- talks for all developer levels, from basic concepts to innovative techniques
- language-specific topics: php, javascript, java, ruby, python, .net, etc.
- language-independent topics: cloud, mobile, performance, security, databases, etc.
- speakers from around the world with extensive knowledge
- an amazing friendly atmosphere with plenty of social activities
- it's non-profit, so all the money goes towards making an even better conference
There's a big discount until Wednesday 16th, so if you're convinced, let your boss know right away! The talks are still being reviewed, but you can get a glimpse on our voting page or check the archive to see what we had last year.
February 26 – February 28 in Montreal, Canada


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Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life Ebook
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In 1977, the New York Times Trade Paperback Bestseller list-back then the exclusive province of self-help guides, cartoon collections, and any number of cat books-played host to its very first work of fiction: The Sword of Shannara , an epic quest through a mythical land, by first-time author Terry Brooks. Nineteen New York Times bestselling novels later, it would be easy enough to just say: ". . . and the rest is history." But when it comes to quests, everyone knows that getting there is half the fun. Now, Terry Brooks tells the story of how he got there-from beginner to bestselling author-and shares his secrets for creating unusual, memorable fiction.
Writing is writing, whether one's setting is a magical universe or a suburban backyard. Spanning topics from the importance of daydreaming to the necessity of writing an outline, from the fine art of showing instead of merely _ telling_ to creating believable characters who make readers care what happens to them, Brooks draws upon his own experiences, hard lessons learned, and delightful discoveries made in creating the beloved Shannara and Magic Kingdom of Landover series, The Word and The Void trilogy, and the bestselling Star Wars novel The Phantom Menace .
In addition to being a writing guide, Sometimes the Magic Works is Terry Brooks's self-portrait of the artist. Here are sketches of his midwestern boyhood, when comic books, radio serials, and a vivid imagination launched a life long passion for weaving tales of wonder; recollections of the fateful collaboration with legendary editor Lester del Rey that changed not only the author's life but the course of publishing history; and an eye-opening look at the ups and downs of dealing with Hollywood, as a writer of official novels based on major movies by both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
"If you don't think there is magic in writing, you probably won't write anything magical," says Terry Brooks. This book offers a rare and wonderful opportunity to peer into the mind of (and learn a trick or two from) one of fantasy fiction's preeminent magicians.
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Everybody Needs A Little Time Away
But not only does today start my summer vacation, it also begins my actual vacation. As of tonight, I will be on a plane, headed to Florida.
I will be there for one week, relaxing in the sun, or what there is of it (forecast is not good).
Of course, what truly addicted blogging girl can leave for a week without her laptop? So the plan is I will bring her (and all of you) along for the ride. I can't make any promises I'll be reading all of your blogs a lot, or even getting the time to faithfully update this one, but for some strange reason, I am definitely going to try. I may even post a repeat or two. That's what summers are all about anyway, right?
Oh, and here is tomorrow's Tell It To Me Tuesday to keep you guys busy for awhile...what is your favorite summertime memory?
So in the off chance you don't hear from me in the next week, hold off on sending out the search parties just yet, k?
Blog to you soon!


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HERE'S some handy advice for holidaymakers heading interstate: Don't get ripped off paying more than you need to for car hire.
Hundreds of thousands of Aussies hit the road during the holidays and many blindly accept the car hire companies' offer to reduce their insurance excess from several thousand to a few hundred dollars.
Perhaps these travellers are afraid that if they don't pay up, Murphy's Law will take to them with a financial sledgehammer.
But there is another, cheaper way.
On a recent trip interstate we refused the car hire excess reduction fee of about $350, and instead walked out of their office, checked the internet and bought full domestic travel insurance for about $150 in just 10 minutes.
This strategy can be a double bonus for holidaymakers.
The policy covers the high excess, so they pay less in the event of an accident, plus they get the other benefits of travel insurance such as protection from cancellation, theft and even personal liability.
Travel insurance is not very popular for domestic trips by Australians because we're covered by our national health system.
However, plenty of other things can go wrong on a domestic holiday, from lost luggage to flight cancellations to the children injuring themselves while trying to ride rogue camels in Central Australia.
And, of course, a car accident that's somebody else's fault. Without insurance, you may have to pay a very nasty insurance excess fee.
Anything that both saves you money and gives you peace of mind is worth thinking about.
Originally published as Editor: Stop hire car cost blowout


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Seattle: As they began a second week searching for victims of a deadly mudslide, officials on Saturday night dramatically lowered their count of the missing from 90 to 30.
Eighteen people have been confirmed dead by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner, up from 17, a county emergency program manager, Jason Biermann, said. Additional remains were found in the debris field on Saturday, but had not been recovered or identified, he said.
The drop in the number of missing brought some clarity to a question that has confounded the small cities of Oso, Darrington and Arlington this week. At one point, officials had collected more than 200 reports of people missing. They had emphasised that the number would likely diminish as duplicates were sorted out.
Officials were still holding out hope of finding victims alive on Saturday, calling their efforts a rescue and recovery mission.
Concerned that wet weather and unstable ground could unleash another landslide, geologists and engineers are keeping a close watch on the slope that collapsed on March 22.
Monitoring so far shows no indication of imminent danger, said Washington State geologist Dave Norman of the Department of Natural Resources. But the entire area was vulnerable to landslides, he said. ''With the heavy rains and the amount going on, it's going to take a lot of vigilance and continuous monitoring'' to ensure the safety of crews combing through the debris.
The top priority is the area where the search is under way, but scientists are also planning to expand their surveillance to other landslide-prone areas along the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River.
''We're exercising absolute caution,'' said John Clemens of the US Geological Survey, which dispatched several geologists to assist with the monitoring. ''We don't know what Mother Nature is going to throw at us.''
Teams installed instruments late this week to detect any signs of shifting or other movement in the landslide area, Mr Norman said.
Ground-based laser systems, on the lookout for deformation, are being used to scan the landscape several times a day. Surveyors are also taking readings from reflecting targets installed along a line of sight from the top of the slide to the valley floor.
And experts on the ground and in the air are scanning the hillside for cracks, slumps or other warning signs. ''You've got lots of pairs of eyes on this thing,'' Mr Clemens said.
The USGS is preparing to deploy at least two sets of instruments called ''spiders'', developed to monitor erupting volcanoes. Supported on metal legs, the spiders contain seismometers, motion detectors and GPS sensors – and can be lowered by helicopter onto treacherous terrain.


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Lindt Unveils Limited-edition Mocha Coconut Dark Chocolate Bar in Partnership with The Culinary Institute of America
Celebrity Chef/Restaurateur Michael Symon, Lindt and The Culinary Institute of America Select Winning Student's Recipe in Lindt EXCELLENCE Recipe Challenge
Nov 19, 2012, 09:17 ET from Lindt USA
STRATHAM, N.H., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium chocolatier Lindt USA announces the introduction of Lindt Mocha Coconut, a new limited-edition dark chocolate bar inspired by the acclaimed Lindt EXCELLENCE collection. The Lindt Mocha Coconut bar was selected as the winner of The Lindt EXCELLENCE Recipe Challenge, a student scholarship contest in conjunction with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), challenging CIA students to develop a dark chocolate bar recipe. Celebrity chef, restaurateur and CIA alumnus Michael Symon participated as one of the contest judges. The new dark chocolate bar, which features a unique coffee flavor with toasted coconut pieces, debuts today and is available for a limited time only.
Inspired by the Lindt EXCELLENCE collection, the new Lindt Mocha Coconut dark chocolate bar features rich coffee, delicate coconut flakes and premium Lindt EXCELLENCE bittersweet chocolate in a simply satisfying combination of intense and familiar flavors. Meredith Walter, a CIA Baking and Pastry Arts student from East Northport, N.Y., developed the concept for the dark chocolate bar recipe after pairing mocha and coconut to create a special birthday cake for her mother and her uncle.
"As a chef, I love cooking with robust flavors, and the new Lindt Mocha Coconut dark chocolate bar exemplifies a great flavor combination and delicious sensory experience," said Michael Symon, celebrity chef and restaurateur. "I'm proud to be a judge in the contest with Lindt and my alma mater, The Culinary Institute of America, and to taste each of the students' hand-crafted dark chocolate bars."
Earlier this year, Lindt launched The Lindt EXCELLENCE Recipe Challenge: Raising the Bar in Chocolate Creation, in partnership with the CIA. Students developed an original dark chocolate bar recipe inspired by the Lindt EXCELLENCE collection. Ten student finalists were selected to create their recipes, which were judged by Symon, Lindt Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja, and CIA Professor of Baking and Pastry Arts, Peter Greweling. As the grand prize winner, Walter had her winning dark chocolate bar recipe adapted and produced by Lindt and is receiving a $5,000 scholarship. The new bar has a suggested retail price of $3.85 and is now available exclusively at Lindt.com and select Lindt Chocolate Shops, while supplies last. In addition, Lindt is furthering its commitment to culinary education by donating $1 to The Culinary Institute of America for every Lindt Mocha Coconut bar purchased.
"At Lindt, we have an unmatched passion for creating premium chocolate, and it's wonderful to see students from The Culinary Institute of America inspired by chocolate in the same way that we are," says Ann Czaja, Lindt Master Chocolatier. "The winning Lindt Mocha Coconut bar creation truly embodies the delicious flavors and unique sensory experience that Lindt delivers in each of its Lindt EXCELLENCE bars."
The Lindt EXCELLENCE collection is the world's most exceptionally crafted premium chocolate, boasting a wide range of cocoa percentage bars and innovative flavor combinations. Among others, the collection includes 70% and 90% Cocoa bars, as well as EXCELLENCE A Touch of Sea Salt, EXCELLENCE Intense Orange, and EXCELLENCE Chili bars. Made with the finest cocoa beans and highest-quality ingredients, Lindt EXCELLENCE has a thin, refined profile to offer chocolate lovers an unmatched, sophisticated sensory experience.
To purchase the new Lindt Mocha Coconut dark chocolate bar and to learn more about Lindt and the EXCELLENCE collection, visit www.Lindt.com or LindtEXCELLENCE.com. For other news from Lindt, "like" the company's Facebook page, follow Lindt on Twitter, or visit the Lindt Chocolate Unwrapped blog.
About Lindt & Sprungli
Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 125 countries. Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,700 worldwide. Lindt USA operates more than 60 retail stores in the U.S., Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P., the company's premium direct selling program, and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels. For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.
About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts as well as certificate programs in culinary arts, Latin cuisines, and wine and beverage studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 44,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Johnny Iuzzini, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting services in support of innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry. The college has campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore. For more information, visit the CIA online at www.ciachef.edu.
SOURCE Lindt USA


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WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- In the last decade, the number of people who are hospitalized or killed as a result of stroke or heart disease has declined significantly among all races and age groups, says the American Heart Association.
"Interestingly, these improvements happened in a period when there were no real 'miracle' clinical advancements," Dr. Harlan Krumholz -- lead author of what the AMA calls the "most comprehensive report card to-date" on America's fight for improved heart health -- said in a press release.
"Rather, we saw consistent improvements in the use of evidence-based treatments and medications and an increase in quality improvement initiatives using registries and other data to track performance and support improvement efforts -- as well as a strong emphasis on heart-healthy lifestyles and behaviors," Krumholz added.
The report was compiled using health data collected from some 34 million Medicare Fee-For-Service recipients between 1999 and 2011; researchers also analyzed hospital reports and accounted for factors like age, sex, race, location and complicating health factors.
The data suggests hospitals are getting better at screening for, identifying and treating heart disease, and that patients are doing more to prevent heart problems.
"Huge strides in lifestyle, quality of care and prevention strategies for cardiovascular health have seemed to have a ripple effect on saving lives," said Krumholz.
Researchers suggest the rise in proper and effective use of statins (to treat high blood pressure), as well as declining smoking rates, can also be credited for the improvements.
"There is still more work to do as heart disease and stroke combined remain the leading cause of death and disability, but this study documents astonishing progress and national achievement," Krumholz said.


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Use the tools below to refine your search by only displaying reviews with a certain number of star ratings or to only show reviews from a certain time period. Eg click on '1 star' to just display the reviews we have which received a 1 star rating click or 'Within the last month' to display just reviews posted over the last month.
Written on: 23/03/2010 by bariz (1 review written)
It is a great hotel. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I loved sitting at the pool and drinking my ouzo with the nice music Maya had chosen. Keep it up guys, and please keep the price as good as now :)… Read Full ReviewClick here to view holiday offers on Expedia
" Room 13! " Read More
Dear All,
first of all I would like to say thank you to George a... " Read More
Written by nicole27771
" I have stayed in Astra suites in Santorini, for 5 days in May of 20... " Read More
Written by Marycandy
" Andreas Studios are very basic but clean there is maid service ever... " Read More
" It is a great hotel. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I love... " Read More
Written by bariz


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The Music Awards showcase is right around the corner July 29, in fact. Every year, we ask dozens of the city's top bands to tell us what they love, hate and are astounded by about being musicians, and every year they don't disappoint. Especially when we ask them about their worst and weirdest gigs.
Here's a sampling of some of the most out-there freak-outs and calamitous train wrecks H-Town bands have experienced the last few years.
Some stories were brief and deliberately vague, as if to avoid reliving the experience. "Man, I don't know where to start," says Tony Vega. "There was this one icehouse..." Peekaboo Theory's sounds like a bad acid flashback. "We vaguely recall a show somewhere, there were horses, lights and lots of pedestrians...and fountains." LL Cooper says he has had several shows that were "on par with Puppet Show and Spinal Tap." Bring Back the Guns were privy to some bizarre condiment-related fun in Austin one time. The band played a conference room at South By Southwest which featured "a mustard slip and slide amongst other things," while Ragged Hearts painfully recall a show at a since-failed cupcake shop in Marble Falls. And Adam Burchfield is still wondering how he managed to get drunk playing at a Unitarian church on New Year's Eve.
performers' worst gigs
Sean Reefer, chief toker in the Resin Valley Boys, calls playing Henry's Hideout in Magnolia "a mistake we will never make again." For Sharks and Sailors, Des Moines on the Monday of a long weekend was the vortex of despair. "A local resident told us that there is not much to do there if you are not into meth or sheep." The Midwest was also unkind to Indian Jewelry, which has a vivid code for their weirdest show ever: "Race riot frat party destructibus in Kent, Ohio, Halloween Weekend 2005." And blues harmonica ace Steve Krase spoke for many when he said, "That's a long story. Let's just say it involved two professional wrestlers, a crackhead, a lot of screaming, an alleged gun-toting psycho and, as all 'worst gig ever' stories end...the police."
Others with longer stories were willing to tell them in more detail...
Karina Nistal: Nistal's worst gig ever was her first. "I was opening for a local Tejano band at an icehouse, and I was so nervous. I could sense something was going to happen. I got on stage and tried to loosen up, so I thought if I could start dancing, I would get the crowd into it. I ended up stepping on one of the band's pedals and it started playing a Tejano loop. The combination of my R&B song and the Tejano was awful, but I just tried to play it off until one of the band's members finally came to turn it off."
Wayside Drive's worst-ever gig was at the Last Concert Café. "We arrived and they made us pay them to rent their P.A. The door guy didn't bother showing up until halfway through our set, and began taking the cover charge while we were playing. Apparently the venue had just become 21-and-up the week before, but nothing was posted on their Web site, and we were certainly not notified. So the door guy took the belated cover and also kicked out everyone who was underage. We had three people watch the remainder of the show from outside the gate!"
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The Handsomes' disaster came at the hands of a slave-driving, accusatory club owner. At an unnamed venue, the band "blew out their miniature and dilapidated P.A. on the first song, and Jordon had to sing through a miniature keyboard amp for the rest of a two-hour set. We are a small band that doesn't play too loud, but the owner somehow tried to blame us for what was obviously already broken and inadequate. As remittance, he wanted us to play even longer through the rest of the night. As if somehow that would replace his P.A."
Jim Henkel of The El Orbits recalls the first time the band played the Art Car Parade as a strange experience. "The band and others were towed on a flatbed trailer, and it was surreal in that there was a constant panorama of stuff in front of my eyes while I was trying to perform in a scenario where just standing up was a challenge."
Surreality visited Tony Vega in Germany. "We played a cavernous church in Stralsund. It was hundreds of years old. There were about 50 people there, most of which were senior citizens! Nothing wrong with the elderly, it was just surreal."
Nick Gaitan of The Umbrella Man remembers the last Los Skarnales gig ever (at the Continental Club) as both the best and worst of his life. "What a fucking crazy bunch of people. They were all dressed up because it was Halloween weekend. Kids, young kids jumping the back gate because the place was sold out. Felt like I was at a funeral, but a really drunk, dressed-up funeral. My zipper fucking broke right before we went on and I could not get through this place. After it was all done, there was some drunk chick standing on a bar bench by the cooler saying, 'Let me sing one to y'all!' with a little white ring around her right nostril, her slut-red lipstick smeared on like the Goddamn Joker. A guy was crying out front 'cause he got his ass beat and bloodied. This wasn't cool, but I heard he was bawling out front. I think I saw him when they had him by his hair, but we couldn't stop playing, this was our last show. I suppose what made it the best was that there was more going on in that room that night than so many other places at the time. Like an old carnival, just with drugs and booze and fighting fuckers. What made it the worst was the fuckers jumping on stage and disconnecting shit, the four big fights, and you couldn't get this one goddamn drunk to stop asking, 'But why????'"


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Two drivers injured in crash in Chautauqua County
MAYVILLE – A 24-year-old Ripley woman and a 43-year-old Mayville man were hospitalized after a two-car crash on Rt. 394 in the Town of North Harmony about 2:50 p.m. today, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported.
Jaelyn R. Kuczynski was southbound on Rt. 394 when she reportedly tried to make a left turn into a driveway on the east side of the road, allegedly failing to yield to a northbound car driven by Todd C. Martin.
The two vehicles collided with the Martin car striking Kuczynski's vehicle on the passenger side and sending it spinning against a telephone pole. Martin was taken by ambulance to WCA Hospital for treatment of what were described as apparently minor injuries. Kuczynski was taken by Starflight to Hamlot Medical Center in Erie, Pa, with reportedly non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation with charges pending against at least one of the drivers, officials said.


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I don't think Rob will win it either. The mistake he made was voting out Christie, but I do think he will make it to the bottom 3.
IMO, it's going to come down to Heidi and Jenna. If they can get Rob to go along w/ them and vote out Matt & Butch.. then Heidi and Jenna can boot off Rob.


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Details emerging about Dorrell's fast-tracked interview process
One of the candidates passed over by Bobby Petrino for the position that eventually went to Jessica Dorrell was an All-American lineman who had nearly a third of the current SEC head coaches as references.
Documents obtained by Fayetteville television station 40/29 show that of the 158 applicants turned down by Arkansas for the student-athlete development coordinator position that ultimately went to Jessica Dorrell, at least one came highly recommended.
That candidate was Benjamin Wilkerson, one of three finalists for the job within the football program, along with Dorrell and Arkansas recruiting assistant Tiffany Fields. A former NFL offensive lineman, All-American, Rimington Trophy winner, and a member of Nick Saban's 2003 national championship team at LSU, Wilkerson's resume included the following list of references, per 40/29:
LSU head coach Les Miles, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, Florida head coach Will Muschamp and Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley.
While we're not human resources types who can tell you exactly how much value those names ought to have when evaluating a candidate like Wilkerson; what we are certain of is this: when you are applying for a position within the staff of an SEC football program, those are some big, big names. (What's interesting is that Petrino himself was not among them, despite Wilkerson having played for Petrino as a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.)
Following his football career, Wilkerson spent 2010 as a graduate assistant and 2011 as an "offensive administrative intern" at LSU. He was hired as the offensive line coach at Grambling on April 2, one day after Petrino's fateful motorcycle crash with Dorrell aboard.
Petrino said in his review of the three finalists that Wilkerson and Fields were each "great candidates," but lacked "as much experience as other candidates for this particular position." Dorrell, meanwhile, was praised for having "the best experience" and "would be the best fit for the position."
Petrino has since admitted that by the point of her hiring, he and Dorrell were already pursuing a romantic relationship during which Petrino had given her $20,000 cash -- a gift whose purpose was revealed Friday by the Associated Press, which fielded 500 pages of documents from the university on Friday after filing a FOIA request.
The documents show Long, at the request of Petrino, fast-tracked the interview process for Dorrell, who had submitted a one-page resume expressing her interest in the position. She was hired in late March at a salary of nearly $56,000.
The other two finalists listed specific football credentials, while Dorrell did not.
Per 40/29, Fields' recommendations weren't anything to sneeze at either, it seems:
Among Fields' recommendations were two Arkansas assistant football coaches, two members of the athletic department staff, UAB head coach and former Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee, University of Pittsburgh player personnel director Dann Kabala -- the man who previously held the student-athlete development coordinator position -- and Petrino himself.
Again, we're not experts who could say whether or not the hiring of Dorrell -- who herself had references from two high-ranking members within the Arkansas athletic department -- constitutes a legal liability or not. But given the facts of her relationship with Petrino, it sure deesn't look good from here, either.
Keep up with the latest college football news from around the country. From the opening kick of the year all the way through the offseason, CBSSports.com has you covered with this daily newsletter. View a preview.
USF at UCF prediction, pick, odds
The biggest game in the AAC this season takes place Friday between USF and UCF
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Fitzgerald was injured while running during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl
WATCH: Ole Miss WR marks his territory
D.K. Metcalf certainly had an interesting spin on his touchdown celebration


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Part 2: Rare birds & state lands
By Tim Keyes and Nathan Klaus
The Georgia Ornithological Society initiated the Bill Terrell Avian Conservation Grant program last year. This grant is a tribute to GOS' commitment to bird conservation in Georgia. The Georgia Wild Resources Division's Nongame Conservation section received significant funding from this grant for habitat restoration work in upland grassland habitats and bottomland canebrakes.
Over the last century, grassland birds have shown the strongest declines of any guild of North American birds due to land-use changes. Grassland nesting species in Georgia like grasshopper sparrow and eastern meadowlark as well as pine savanna species such as Bachman's sparrow and loggerhead shrike have all suffered significant declines. These grassland habitats also provide habitat for migratory sandhill cranes and wintering sparrows and raptors.
Canebrakes are another threatened habitat in Georgia. Historically, extensive canebrakes covered miles of bottomland habitat, housing an array of species from Swainson's warbler to several butterfly species that depend on cane (Arundinaria sp.) as a host plant. Cane now exists only in small isolated patches, with large canebrakes being virtually non-existent.
The Nongame Conservation Section has been working to restore both upland grassland habitats and canebrakes, and the GOS grant program has been helping the section achieve those goals. Upland habitat work focused on Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area in Meriwether County and Panola Mountain State Park in Rockdale County. Both sites have extensive areas of bermudagrass pasture. Bermudagrass is an exotic grass planted for cattle forage that competes with native grasses and forbs and is poor habitat for native wildlife. Birds like bobwhite quail and sparrows prefer native bunch grasses, which grow in clumps leaving bare ground between for young birds to move while being protected by tall grasses overhead.
With the GOS grant, biologists are in the process of converting 100 acres of pasture to native warm-season grasses at Joe Kurz WMA. At Panola Mountain, researchers are working to establish 20 acres of native grasses from hand-collected seed. This technique ensures that local genotypes of grasses are restored, rather than buying seed from distant sources that may not be best adapted to the Georgia Piedmont. In order to let the native grass grow, the bermudagrass must be killed with an herbicide before planting.
Charlie Muise, Georgia Important Bird Areas coordinator, is using a network of volunteers to mist-net birds at both sites and monitor the avian response to habitat management. So far, the results have been excellent.
During the breeding season, grasshopper sparrows and eastern meadowlarks have been located. Wintering sedge wren, vesper sparrow and many swamp and song sparrows have been banded, and northern harriers have been seen hunting over the restoration area.
While they weren't caught in mist-nets, migratory sandhill cranes have used both sites over the last year.
The canebrake restoration work included mulching and applying herbicide to 10 acres of privet at Panola Mountain and transplanting native cane into these sites. Volunteers helped dig, plant and water the clumps of cane. Despite the dry weather last spring, the area has shown more than 50 percent survival of cane stems transplanted and a significant pulse of new growth is showing where the privet canopy overhead was removed.
Biologists also are working on a site at Riverbend WMA in Laurens County. Fortunately, there is not much privet there, but a rapidly growing 15- to 20-year-old hardwood thicket is shading out patches of cane in the understory. A skidder-mounted mulcher was used to clear about 7 acres in several patches. Dense stands of cane should rapidly grow into these newly created light gaps, creating dense canebrakes.
Riverbend WMA has a large population of Swainson's warbler that should make good use of this habitat as it develops. Biologists surveyed Swainson's warblers before management began and will tracking the birds response to the restoration work over the next few years.
An application for a GOS grant for 2009 has been submitted and the hope is to continue these types of projects at a number of other sites.
Tim Keyes is a wildlife biologist and Nathan Klaus is a senior wildlife biologist with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division's Nongame Conservation Section.
The Georgia Ornithological Society initiated the Bill Terrell Avian Conservation Grant program last year. This grant is a tribute to GOS' commitment to bird conservation in Georgia. The Georgia Wild Resources Division's Nongame Conservation section received significant funding from this grant for habitat restoration work in upland grassland habitats and bottomland canebrakes.


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Take Five 5 Layer Candy Bar - 18 / Box
Take Five 5 Layer Candy Bar - 18 / Box
We often contemplate the reasons behind candy names. Wouldn't it be fun to be the one to name a soon-to-be popular treat? We think so! Just knowing that you had the power to either make or break a candy! What a thrill that would be. And while we love to speculate, we love to eat a little more. And if you love candy with weird names, then you'll be all over these Take Five 5 Layer Candy Bars.
A crazy combination of pretzels, caramel, peanuts, peanut butter, and milk chocolate, Take Five 5 Layer Candy Bars have a net weight of 1.5 oz. and are out of this world! It may have a strange name, but it certainly doesn't have a strange taste! This combination of flavors is sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. Basically, it checks all of our sweet tooth's boxes. Does it check all of yours? Not sure? Order a few, take five, and find out for yourself!
Kosher Certified


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Written on: 11/06/2010
Put down the Prozac step awayfromthe Gin stop eating that family size bar of milk chocolate..instead read John Donghues' Shakespeare My Butt and cheer yourself up. There are multiple laugh out loud moments when reading this book, which got really embarrassing especially when I was reading on a packed train and whilst waiting in receptiopn at the dentist surgery. Reminiscences of his childhood that I could completely identify with. Dreams of owning a Chopper bike, sweets, ice creams and palstic craft'Are we nearly there?' camping holidays with his whole family. Stories whilst serving in the military, photo opportunites and the authors attempt to establish himself as the alpha male in the pack. I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel and look forward to reading his next one
" Easy language, easy reading " Read More
Written by RaymondQEW433
" A big eye-opener, and really funny " Read More
Written by plappen
" Funny and a Great Read " Read More
Written by mrswilson12
" Inca Treasure! " Read More
Written by frdes
Badass: The Birth of a Legend
Ben Thompson
Harper, Mar 15 2011, $16... " Read More
Written by Harriet Klausner


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Thomas Rhett married his wife Lauren earlier this month. Despite being told he was crazy for marrying so young – he's 22 – and especially when his career is just about to take off, he knew Lauren was 'The One.'
"I've known my beautiful wife, Lauren, since I was in first grade," he said. "I've always loved her, we've always been great friends, always been able to talk about anything and they always say to marry your best friend and that was her. The whole saying, 'when you know you know,' I didn't really believe for a long time but when I found Lauren that saying made a lot of sense."
Thomas sought out family pal Luke Bryan for advice before popping the question, since Luke is married with children and balances his family and time on the road. Thomas asked for his opinion and Luke encouraged him to go for it.
"He said 'You know, buddy, if you want to get married then just do it,'" Thomas said. 'There ain't nobody telling you to stop and if they do then just forget about 'em.' That comment really set my goal forward in asking Lauren to marry me, so thank you, Luke."
Now back from his honeymoon, Thomas will hit the road with Chris Young's Liquid Neon Tour to close out 2012. His current single, "Beer With Jesus," is at radio now.


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Originally Posted by Florimel;3184056;
Yes, he can be funny, but when I've heard him use a sentence like, "It's me verse them"....and it has been more than once this season, I just cringed and wanted to slap him. Mr. Schoolteacher doesn't know the difference between "verse" and "versus"??? That is right up there with people using the word "conversate"; it is like fingernails on a chalkboard! As ridiculous as it may be, at least we have found "conversate" in dictionaries.....but you'll never find "verse" in the dictionary in the context in which Mr. Schoolteacher uses it. IDIOT.
Open a book other than a playbook, Dan.


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You youngsters don't know how good you've got it! Back in my day, if we wanted a fantastic Cave bullet-hell shmup game, we had to spend exorbitant amounts of money on import games and sometimes even on an imported system to play them! (We also had to walk 12 miles to school in the snow, uphill both ways.) You get it so easy. All you have to do is connect your iOS device to your computer, stop by iTunes and are rewarded with instant gratification. Next week, you get even more goodness as Cave's releasing Mushihime-sama Futari on iTunes, in English, as Bug Princess 2.
It gets even better for all of you. Bug Princess 2 should cost you $6.99. Cave's decided to be nice though and hold a launch sale. From April 5-8, 2012, Bug Princess 2 will only cost $4.99.
Did I mention this is the first time ever Bug Princess 2 has been released in English? Because it is.
Bug Princess 2 is a direct sequel to Bug Princess. Queen Larsa went insane with grief after her son Aki died in the original game. She wants to get revenge on Reco, who she feels killed Aki. Palm, Aki's younger brother, doesn't think that things happened the way Queen Larsa believes, so he goes to find Reco and learn the truth. There, he discovers Reco is innocent and Aki's death wasn't her fault. Larsa's too far gone to realize that though and has become a danger to not only Reco, but Palm and her subjects. Players must step into Palm or Reco's Hirow or Kiniro bugs and shoot up enemies to save the day.
I know that all seemed very fast paced and scary, but don't worry. Cave does have multiple difficulty levels for the story mode and a practice mode so you won't be expected to immediately know how to dodge all those bullets and survive.
If you're remotely interested in shooters, I'd consider getting Bug Princess 2. Cave is known for its fantastic shmups and both Mushihime-sama games are supposed to be incredible.
Read [Cave World]


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Denying Access to Plan B: An Act of Political Cowardice
Written by Lorraine Berry forRH Reality Check. This diary is cross-posted; commenters wishing to engage directly with the author should do so at the original post. Fool me twice. I'm an idiot. I keep thinking someone in this administration is going to take a stand that will mean something. It's a small thing, really, but a huge thing when you're a teenager. You need access to emergency contraception and you can't get it because your government is controlled by fundamentalist body haters who think that sex is for procreation only. ***** I'm still hunting for the right words to say. Nearly 40 years after abortion was made legal in this country, 50 years since we've had the Pill, and women are still told, day-after-day, that the only thing that matters about them is their ability to bear children. And if bearing a child costs you your life, well, what greater sacrifice can you make? (And besides, there are plenty of women to replace you.) ***** To visit the local cemeteries is to see this philosophy carved in stone--acres of stones that tell the same story. One man will be buried with two, often three, wives. He died in his 80s. The first two wives died in their 20s or early 30s, but the third wife grew old with him. Frequently, there are newborns whose death dates approximate the death dates of their mothers. We tell ourselves that this was before modern medicine. That puerperal fever, or ruptured uteri, or hearts weakened by childhood diseases and then too weak to bear the strains of pregnancy, that these things are all things of the past. But, we maintain maternal mortality statistics because pregnancy is still potentially deadly. And lest any American think that we have the best health care system in the world, ask yourself why our rates of maternal death are among the highest in the industrialized world? Continue reading....
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"WEEM, village and parish in north-west of Perthshire. The village stands on the Tay, about a mile north-west of Aberfeldy, and has a hotel, a parochial church of 1835, an ancient church with curious monument, and a public school with about 61 scholars. - The parish contains also six other small villages, comprehends eleven sections, all detached from one another, lies dispersed over nearly one-fourth of the county, and comprises 41,887 acres. Real property in 1880-81, £6201. Pop. Quoad civilia, 474. Weem proper is much the more populous section, extends about 1½ mile along north bank of the Tay, and forms a richly embellished section of the Tay's strath. The other ten sections share almost every feature of the county, but have aggregately a predominance of mountain and waste; and only three of them are included in the parish quoad sacra. Chief seats are Castle Menzies and Auchmore."
Wilson, Rev. John, The Gazetteer of Scotland, 1882.
Weem Churchyard
The interment register is available at the local council offices in Pitlochry. Please consult the cemeteries page.
There are pre-1855 inscriptions available for all in Monumental inscriptions (pre-1855) in North Perthshire.
The GRO(S) Ref. No. is 398. Please consult the county page for general information.
An index for 1851 is available from Tay Valley FHS.
You can also perform a more selective search for churches in the Weem area that are recorded in the GENUKI church database. This will also help identify other churches in nearby townships and/or parishes. You also have the option to see the location of the churches marked on a map.
Church Records
Please consult the county page for general information.
Church of Scotland (OPR)
GRO(S) Ref. No. 398/1 B 1693-1819 M 1692-1819 D 1800-1813 398/2 B 1820-54 M 1820-54 D-
- The transcription of the section for Weem from the National Gazetteer (1868) provided by Colin Hinson.
Historical Geography
Ask for a calculation of the distance from Weem to another place.
- This place shown on a Google map.
- Google Streetview
- StreetMap (Current Ordnance Survey maps.)
- Open StreetMap
- Bing (was Multimap)
- OldMaps (Old Ordnance Survey maps.)
- Old Maps Online (Other old maps.)
- National Library of Scotland (Best site for old maps)
- Vision of Britain (Click "Historical units & statistics" for administrative areas.)
- Magic (Geographic information) (Click + on map if it doesn't show)
- GeoHack (Links to on-line maps and location specific services.)
- All places within the same township/parish shown on a Google map.
- Nearby townships/parishes shown on a Google map.
- Nearby places shown on a Google map.


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AISB opportunities Bulletin Item
Lectureship in Robotics, University of Birmingham
Contact: Dr Jeremy Wyatt, firstname.lastname@example.com
The University of Birmingham is making a multi-million pound investment to create a multi-disciplinary centre covering the fields of robotics, cognition and neuroscience. The Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics (CN-CR) will encompass work from the development of advanced robotic systems to understanding of brain function. We are therefore seeking a Lecturer. Applications are encouraged in a broad range of areas aligned with intelligent robotics and computational vision. These include: cognitive or software architectures for autonomous, intelligent robots, planning for robotics, SLAM, navigation and spatial cognition, technologies for human robot interaction, robot vision, computational or machine vision, evolutionary robotics, bio-inspired and bio-plausible robotics, humanoid robotics, robot learning, robotic manipulation, and automated diagnosis for robot systems. Lectureship/Senior Lecturer in Robotics (ref: 43661) ______________________________________________________________ Salary for Lectureship: �36,715 to �49,342 a year; For Senior Lecturer: �45,155 to �68,302 a year We are searching for an outstanding individual in any area of intelligent robotics, computational vision, or autonomous systems. For appointment as Lecturer, candidates should have completed, or be near completion of, a PhD in Computer Science, Psychology or a closely related field, along with having an international track record of high impact research, and being able to demonstrate the ability to attract significant levels of external research funding. For appointment as Senior Lecturer, extensive high level research and an international research reputation is also required. To learn more contact: Dr Jeremy Wyatt, School of Computer Science, firstname.lastname@example.com; Professor Glyn Humphreys, email@example.com; Professor Chris Miall, Head of Psychology, email@example.com; or Professor Achim Jung Head of Computer Science email@example.com Information on the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory is here: http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/go/irlab, and on CN-CR here: http://www.cncr.bham.ac.uk To download the details and submit an electronic application online visit: www.hr.bham.ac.uk/jobs . Click on the current vacancies link and enter the reference number.


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Listen to Wise Advice
- 2012 16 Nov
Shaun was beginning to think about his future. He knew he wanted to start a family in the not too distant future. He was just about to graduate from college and was deeply in love with Adele.
Shaun perceived his father as a man of faith and wisdom. He remembered the times his father had shared with him about the qualities to consider in anyone he chose to date. His father had stressed the importance of a shared value system. Shaun had heeded his father's words, and believed Adele was the girl to share his life with and pass on their shared values to their future children.
(2 Corinthians 6:14) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Dr. David Hawkins is the director of the Marriage Recover Center where he counsels couples in distress. He is the author of over 30 books, including Dealing With the CrazyMakers in Your Life, 90 Days to a Fantastic Marriage, and When Pleasing Others is Hurting You. Dr. Hawkins grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and lives with his wife on the South Puget Sound where he enjoys sailing, biking, and skiing. He has active practices in two Washington cities. You can also find Dr. Hawkins on Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Hawkins offers a free, 20 minute consultation, with requests sent to his email address at [email protected]. Also, remember his guarantee at The Marriage Recovery Center: 3 Days To A New Marriage, Guaranteed!


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In The Netherlands, the average earner receives 105.5 percent of his average net income (after taxes) back, which is possible because many people receive more back from their pension funds than they paid in each year. People become eligible for their pensions at 65. That comes out to EUR 39,700 a year (about $49,800 a year), or about 30 percent of average earnings. Pension spending is 5.4 percent of annual GDP.
The new government has pledged to raise the retirement age to 66.


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- Style: Allison
- Product Type: Cabinet Pull
- Assembled Length: 5-1/16 in.
- Projection: 3/4 in.
- Finish: Colonial Black
- Number in Package: 1 pk
- Assembled Width: 1 in.
- Material: Zinc
- Center-to-Center: 3-1/4"
*Items shipped from our warehouse to stores in Alaska and Hawaii will receive a 70% shipping discount.
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We want you to be fully satisfied with every item that you purchase from www.acehardware.com. If you are not satisfied with an item that you have purchased (excluding Gift Cards and gas-powered outdoor equipment*), you may return the item up to thirty days after the original purchase date to receive a store credit (less shipping, handling and other charges). We recommend that you make returns of online purchases to an Ace retail store near you which will issue your store credit. If you do not have an Ace retail store near you, please contact a Customer Service Specialist by calling 1-866-290-5334 for complete return instructions. Please refer to our Return Instructions for more information about returning a purchase.
The item must be returned in good condition, in original boxes (whenever possible), and with all paperwork, parts and accessories to insure full credit. After 30 days, please contact the manufacturer directly.
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- Attractive Design
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Comments about Amerock® Cabinet Pull in Various Finishes:
Kitchen came with cabinets with this hardware when we bought our house in 1975.
Not a single hinge or pull has come loose since that time.
Liked the kitchen design so much we have kept it until it is back in style again.
A few doors have become challenging to open so it is time to sand for easier access. (Orginal house built with "green" timbers.)
The mill house was built in either 1925 or 1952 depending on sources, but with the update on information about the hardware, I guess the kitchen remodel was after 1950.
Glad to see I can do remodel updates true to current setup.
Looking to add more cabinets.


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Prevention of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections: A Journey Toward Eliminating Preventable Harm
- 905 Downloads
- Citations
Central line–associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) are among the most common, lethal, and costly health care–associated infections. Recent large collaborative quality improvement efforts have achieved unprecedented and sustained reductions in CLABSI rates and demonstrate that these infections are largely preventable, even for exceedingly ill patients. The broad acceptance that zero CLABSI rates are an achievable goal has motivated and stimulated diverse groups of stakeholders, including public and private groups to develop policy tools and to mobilize their local constituents toward achieving this goal. Nevertheless, attributing reductions in CLABSI rates achieved by multifaceted quality improvement efforts solely to the use of checklists to ensure adherence with appropriate infection control practices is an easily made but crucial mistake. National CLABSI prevention is a shared responsibility and creating novel partnerships between government agencies, health care industry, and consumers is critical to making and sustaining progress in achieving the goals toward eliminating CLABSI.
KeywordsCentral line infections Health care–acquired infections Health care–associated infections Health policy CLABSI
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as:• Of importance •• Of major importance
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- 10.Pronovost P, Needham D, Berenholtz S, et al. An intervention to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(26):2725–32.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
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- 15.Bosma JW, Siegert CE, Peerbooms PG, Weijmer MC. Reduction of biofilm formation with trisodium citrate in haemodialysis catheters: a randomized controlled trial. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2010;25(4):1213–7.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
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- 19.Chow KM, Poon YL, Lam MP, et al. Antibiotic lock solutions for the prevention of catheter-related bacteraemia in haemodialysis patients. Hong Kong Med J. 2010;16(4):269–74.PubMedGoogle Scholar
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- 22.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Secretary Sebelius Releases Inaugural Health Care "Success Story" Report 2011Google Scholar
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- 36.2009 National Healthcare Disparities and Quality Reports. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nhqr09/nhqr09.pdf. Accessed January 2011.
- 37.Eliminating CLABSI. A National Patient Safety Imperative: A Progress Report on the National On the CUSP: Stop BSI Project. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2010. AHRQ Publication No: 11-0037-EF Release date April 2011. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/onthecusprpt/onthecusp.pdf. Accessed April 04 2011.
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I told you good things would come!! LOL
Do my eyes deceive me? Or have I actually surpassed tugman on a tugman?!A red letter day for me:-)))
Did you say "normal", Aishah?!! You can't be "normal" if you keep doing these difficult jigs!! LOL
Well the snow part sounds wonderful. I can even live with the winds. They can keep the flooding. I'm working on getting better. So I hope in the next few months, I can be back to something close to normal. Hope you are also well, John.
There is deep snow, flooding and storm force winds all over the UK, but we only have the high winds here!! Hope you are well, Aishah! :-))
And the monsters keep coming! LOL! We are calling for snow Sun., Mon,, and Tues. I hope so. It looks like I'm going to need those snow days.