text:
We have updated our Privacy Policy and encourage you to read it by clicking
Log In
Create an Account
Business Intelligence
C Languages
Cloud Computing
Communications Technology
Data Center
Data Warehouse
Emerging Technology and Trends
Enterprise Architecture and EAI
IT Management and Strategy
Knowledge Management
Project and Portfolio Management
Visual Basic
Web Design and Development
< Back
Web Design
Michael Meyers-Jouan
Craig Borysowich
Dennis Stevenson
Glenn Johnson
Pivotal CRM
CA, Inc.
View All Topics
View All Members
View All Companies
Toolbox for IT
More on Compression - CPU utilization
Chris Eaton
Apr 26, 2006
| Comments
Sign In
to like this blog.
In my last posting on DB2 Viper compression, I compared the
compression in DB2 vs. Oracle
. This sparked some good discussion with some comments assuming that performance on Oracle would be better because of the guess that their poor compression would lead to less CPU overhead. I explained that the compression technique was very similar from a CPU perspective in that it's a simple dictionary key lookup to expand the row. However, I too assume there will be more CPU overhead because of the fact that DB2 has such vastly higher compression ratios, there will be more calls to the dictionary lookup. However, in tests I have just completed, comparing compressed and non compressed tables in DB2, the results were very intriguing. In fact because of such high compression ratios, I found that even when I thought the performance would be slower, it was not. I had to run the test many times and do further investigations to find out why I was getting unexpected results and the information below may surprise you.
First some information about the tests. In the comments on the previous posting, there was reference to some performance tests posted on askTom about Oracle compression. I was going to just run these tests but quickly realized that they are not realistic. First off, Tom appears to have used the ALL_OBJECTS table (that's my guess based on the queries shown) with 1 million rows in it. The problem with this is that I'm assuming he populated a dummy table with all_objects data over and over to get to 1 million rows. The all_objects table in Oracle is just what it sounds like; it's a catalog of all the objects in the database. The problem is that the vast majority of objects will likely all have the same creation date (when the database was first created) and the cardinality of most of the other columns is very small (owner, object_type, etc). So even though there are a million rows, the data is somewhat suspect. It would be like a company that only sells green beer in 3 different packaging formats (6 bottle, 12 bottles, and a case of 24). Ninety percent of purchases will be on one date (St. Patrick's Day).
So I went for something a bit more realistic. I used a real world SAP BW fact table with 19 million rows in it. Here is the compression I got using DB2 Viper
without compression - 12.7GB
with compression - 3.2GB
percent compressed - 74%
Then I simulated some test cases as in the posting on askTom.
The first is the best case scenario. Do a full table scan where we don't need to uncompress any of the rows.
Without compression the average CPU utilization was 5%. With compression the average CPU utilization was 5% (since we are i/o bound in this case and there is no need to uncompress the data). The query on the compressed table completed 3 times faster because of the 74% less I/Os to perform.
Now for the worst case. That is, a query that needs to uncompress every single value in every single row.
In this case we would expect some more CPU utilization and that's what we found. The difference between the two queries in this worst case scenario was 9% more CPU. However, since I wasn't CPU bound (I had more than 9% CPU to spare) the query on the compressed table still finished faster. In this case the query against the compressed table finished 34% faster than the query against the uncompressed table.
Now for the test that surprised me. I created an index on a column called BILL_NUM which is not unique in the table but has a high cardinality (9 million values in a table of 19 million rows). I then ran a query that would need to uncompress a column in the row while it did an index key lookup on the bill_num columns
SELECT FISCYEAR FROM FACT_TABLE WHERE BILL_NUM = :val
SELECT FISCYEAR FROM FACT_TABLE_COMPRESSED WHERE BILL_NUM = :val
This query was run half a million times repeatedly with half a million different bill numbers. The indexes were exactly the same size and so I would have expected the query going against the fact_table that was not compressed to finish slightly quicker. After all, I'm not doing a table scan and I verified that the two queries above produced the same access plans. The CPU utilization was virtually identical in both cases. However, the 500,000 queries running against the compressed table completed
25% faster
After looking into it further I found that the index on the compressed table, although it was the same size as the index on the non compressed table (which makes sense since there are the exact same index keys in both), had a higher cluster ratio. It had a 44% cluster ratio vs. the 33% cluster ratio of the index on the non compressed table. So because of the huge difference in storage, DB2 was able to pack significantly more rows per page (avg 25 rows per page on the non compressed table vs. 99 rows per page on the compressed table). The result is more rows in the buffer pool resulting in fewer physical I/Os even in a case of random access and therefore better performance.
Of course your mileage will vary so the true test is the one you run on your own application with your own data.
I'll run some tests on a server that is pegged at 100% CPU utilization and post the results. For my own curiosity, post a comment with the average CPU utilization of your production servers.
Read 14 comments
Popular White Paper On This Topic
Windows 10 to Windows 10 Migrations Solutions Brief
Related White Papers
Simplify and Accelerate Service Delivery with SmartCloud ...
Software Defined Storage - The Missing Link for Cloud and ...
Buy/Market/Sell/Service Smarter eBook
More White Papers
14 Comments
Unknown User
Apr 26, 2006
Seems super cool, I'm gonna have to get viper --doc0tis
Unknown User
Apr 27, 2006
But, I think... This query don´t is very reallistic, why someone try to get million of rows with this kind of query... A more "normal" query in an ERP should try to get only a few rows... no ? And in this case, with apropiate indexes, the performance are much different ? Obviouslly, the batch processes can gain with this feature... Maybe DB2 DBAs are most interesting in the performance comparissons with DB2 V8... ¿there are any? Cheers, Alfonso Vicente
Unknown User
Apr 27, 2006
What kind of hardware was used for those experiments (# and speed of CPUs, RAM size, # of hard drives etc)? Maybe you can you run few TPCH (10 GB or larger scale) queries (those that are CPU bound in uncompressed case?) Then both schema and data is not subject to any arguments about validity etc. Viper's compression looks really good so far.
Chris Eaton
Apr 27, 2006
Hi Alfanso, the first 2 queries were to demonstrate large scans=2E= The 3rd however is just as you suggest=2E SELECT FISCYEAR FROM FACT_TABLE_COMPRESSED WHERE BILL_NUM =3D :val This results in between 1 and 3 rows being selected for update=2E= There is an index on bill_num that does not include fiscyear so= it results in an index key lookup on bill_num and then a data= page access to pull in the row and uncompress it in order to= pull out the fiscyear value=2E This query was then run 1/2= million times with 1/2 million different bill_num values=2E This= is more like a transactional select query and not a large scan=2E= Right now I'm run the tests with updates instead of just selects= and will post on that shortly=2E
Unknown User
Apr 27, 2006
The comparison shows DB2 way ahead of Oracle, good news for us,DB2 lovers. I am testing VIper everyday, and looks it is going to be very useful the way we process XML...
Unknown User
Apr 30, 2006
Cosmic !!!
Unknown User
May 7, 2006
So,compression looks very,very interesting for me.Please,comment this :Compression looks so good,so if you don't have extreme situation,use table compression! I found,in Your previus blogs,statement that "every table has its own dictionary".Where this dictionary is stored?Is it stored in SYSCATSPACE1 or in tablespace containing table? One more question.How table compression is related to compression during backup command? And,if i am using TSM client for storing database backups (using syntax backup ... use tsm ,what about COMPRESSION ON stored in dsm.opt file? I think this-what of compression during backup can "help" me: 1) syntax backup ... compress 2) TSM compression 3) Both Thanx,Zvonimir
Unknown User
May 8, 2006
DB2 on mainframe has had compression for quite some time=2E= Mainframe has hardware assisted compression, which DB2/zOS= exploits, so one doesn't have to worry about CPU overhead to a= large extent=2E Is there any hardware, on which DB2/LUW runs,= support hardware assisted compression and if so, does Viper take= advantage of it? For example, will Viper running on Mainframe= linux take advantage of hardware compression? Also, it appears that load doesn't have the ability to generate= dictionary -- unlike mainframe db2, is that feature= work-in-progress or planned? BTW, I just discovered your blog and I am already a big fan=2E
Chris Eaton
May 10, 2006
Zvonimir, the dictionary is stored in data pages within the table= object=2E That is, typcially the first few pages of the table will= contain the dictionary=2E Although it could appear elsewhere in= the table, after a reorg, when the table is initially compressed= the dictionary will be on the first few pages=2E On backup, here is some info=2E With table compression, you are not compressing everything, just= usually your largest tables=2E So you may get 75% compression on= large tables which would translate into perhaps 45% compression= overall on the database size=2E If I just take a normal database= (with no compressed tables) and use backup compression, let's= assume I get 55% compression=2E If I take a database that does= have some tables compressed I'm probably going to still get 55%= overall compression with backup compression=2E The reason is= similar to zip=2E=2E=2E=2Eif you zip a zip file it doesn't get any= smaller=2E So first I would suggest using table compression=2E If this= results in fast enough backups for you then this is great (that= is, backup now finishes faster because there is less to backup)=2E= But if you still want backup to finish even faster (and your= bottleneck is your target device you are backing up to) then use= backup compression on top of table compression=2E Unfortunately I= don't have much experience with TSM compression but I would= expect that the compression inside DB2 would do a better job= because it is data aware=2E
Chris Eaton
May 10, 2006
P Adhia, There are no open platforms that I am aware of that= support the same type of hardware compression that exists on= System z=2E There is file system compression but these are= software based and could be used underneath DB2 but I don't know= of many people using it (it would be transparent to DB2 in any= case)=2E As for DB2 on zLinux, I'm not aware if zLinux has the= instruction set available to even use the hardware assist (these= instructions are in zOS that are then used by DB2 for z/OS)=2E So= the short answer is no=2E I won't comment at this point on future plans in this public= forum=2E Sufice it to say that the ability to generate the= dictionary in other ways is a known requirement=2E Glad you enjoy this blog=2E
Unknown User
Jul 5, 2006
P Adhia, I hope you don't mind a non-LUW guy jumping in with a comment. Although DB2 for z/OS does allow you to create a dictionary using the LOAD utility with the REPLACDE option, it is not the preferred method. In fact I discourage using it. All of the rows loaded while building the dictionary do not get compressed when using LOAD. In fact, REORG not only compresses all rows, it should give you a better dictionary simply because it looks at more stuff. Willie http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/database/db2zos
Unknown User
Jul 10, 2006
Hi Chris, Thanks for DB2 Blogs that you host. It's informative and useful. Recently there was a webcast Chat with Labs on DB2 9: Using Data Compression to Cut Costs (June 15). I was away on leave and was unable to attend this webcast. I am looking for the audio and slides components of this webcast but there is none being released to-date by IBM on its usual webcast website. Is it possible to make them available to DB2 community or send me a copy of the audio and slides for the above Chat with Labs presentation on Compression in DB2 9? Boris and Angela have been doing the rounds on DB2 9 Bootcamp is Australia during months of May and June 2006. Thanks, MChoo
Chris Eaton
Jul 11, 2006
Hi MChoo, You can hear the chat with the lab and get the slides from this site http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/db2/v9/learn_chats.html?S_TACT=105AGX11&S_CMP=VIPER#3 If you go here and click on "Click here to signup for this webcast." When you sign up for the webcast it will take you to the replay.
Sep 4, 2007
Hi Chris,
Do you have any test results on compression table using Insert and Updates?
Leave a Comment
Connect to this blog to be notified of new entries.
You are not logged in.
Sign In
to post unmoderated comments.
Join the community
to create your free profile today.
Want to read more from Chris Eaton? Check out the
blog archive
Archive Category:
New Feature
Keyword Tags:
DB2 Oracle compression cpu utilization Viper
Disclaimer: Blog contents express the viewpoints of their independent authors and are not reviewed for correctness or accuracy by Toolbox for IT. Any opinions, comments, solutions or other commentary expressed by blog authors are not endorsed or recommended by Toolbox for IT or any vendor. If you feel a blog entry is inappropriate,
click here
to notify Toolbox for IT.
Browse all IT Blogs
An Expert's Guide to DB2 Technology
Chris Eaton
Chris is a DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows lifer having worked at IBM on DB2 since its inception. Follow along as Chris shares ...
Chris is a DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows lifer having worked at IBM on DB2 since its inception. Follow along as Chris shares his experiences and provides tips and techniques for getting the most out of DB2 including how to exploit new features and releases as they come on-line.
Receive the latest blog posts:
Share Your Perspective
Share your professional knowledge and experience with peers. Start a blog on Toolbox for IT today!
Begin Now
DB2 Downloads
Competitive Update
Debugging Tips
New Feature
Performance Tips
Product Reviews
Solve Problems
Stay Current
Toolbox for IT
My Home
White Paper Library
Collaboration Tools
Discussion Groups
Follow Toolbox.com
Toolbox for IT on Twitter
Toolbox.com on Twitter
Toolbox.com on Facebook
Topics on Toolbox for IT
Data Center
Data Center
C Languages
Visual Basic
Web Design & Development
Enterprise Applications
Enterprise Architecture & EAI
Enterprise Architecture & EAI
Information Management
Business Intelligence
Data Warehouse
Knowledge Management
IT Management & Strategy
Emerging Technology & Trends
IT Management & Strategy
Project & Portfolio Management
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing
Networking & Infrastructure
Communications Technology
Operating Systems
Terms of Use
Work at Toolbox.com
Contact us
Provide Feedback
Help Topics
Technical Support
PCMag Digital Group
Other Communities
Toolbox for HR
Toolbox for Finance


text:
Media Contacts
Carol Hively, Director - Public Relations and Team Communications
[email protected]
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.(Mar. 19, 2002) -- From the days of Mercury 7, through present time, many of the nation's pilots, commanders, and mission specialists have been drawn from the ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces. In recognition of their distinguished service, NASA, Space Command, and the Space Foundation will honor all current and former military astronauts at `A Salute to America's Military Astronauts` Luncheon, scheduled April 10 during the 18th National Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel. Gen. Ed Eberhart, USAF, Commander in Chief NORAD/U.S. Space Command, and Commander, Air Force Space Command will deliver a special tribute at the ceremonial luncheon, sponsored by Northrop Grumman. The Discovery Science Channel will premier a new video featuring archival footage of many of the honorees, and the United States Air Force Band of the Rockies, Blue Steel, will salute the astronauts with a special patriotic musical performance. Notable astronauts attending are Dr. Buzz Aldrin (Col., USAF, Ret.), Gemini 12, Apollo 11; Dr. Guion Bluford (Col., USAF, Ret.), STS-8, STS-61A, STS-39, STS-53; Eugene Cernan (Capt., USN, Ret.), Gemini 9, Apollo 10, Apollo 17; and Richard Truly (Vice Adm., USN, Ret.), Enterprise Test Pilot, STS-2, STS-8, and former NASA Administrator. Other astronauts who have already confirmed their attendance include:
Known as the only conference in the space industry which fully integrates the civil, national security and commercial space sectors, the National Space Symposium takes place April 8-11 in Colorado Springs. The astronaut luncheon is open to symposium registrants, media and the general public. Visit www.spacesymposium.org or call 1-800-691-4000 to RSVP for the luncheon or get more information. The Space Foundation is a national non-profit organization advancing space awareness and education. In addition to the National Space Symposium, the Foundation conducts the International Space Symposium, which is scheduled to take place in Toulouse, France, September 10-13, 2002.
Carol Hively, Director - Public Relations and Team Communications
[email protected]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ASHWAUBENON – Ahman Green played eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, setting franchise records along the way. He still holds the record as the club's all-time leading rusher.
But now, Green is publicly rushing to help a different cause.
"I'm doing it because, I'm kind of in that group of people who are fighting against it," Green said Thursday in the gym of his sports training facility, D1 Green Bay, in Ashwaubenon.
Green is looking to help score a fatal blow to Alzheimer's disease. His mother was diagnosed about three years ago.
"It was something that we had caught at the beginning, so with me and my wife being proactive about it, we caught it before it was even further along," said Green.
He's hoping to raise awareness about the function-robbing disease by teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Wisconsin chapter.
"That lends the opportunity for other people to say, 'Hey, Ahman's talking about it and you know what, maybe I'm going to reach out to somebody to get help,'" said Kim Kinner, the chapter's executive director.
However, Kinner says, when families do finally reach out for help, often times it's too late.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with disease.
Some – like Green's mother – didn't know it.
"She'll tell us something, that she went to do this, and then again, like it was brand new," said Green.
Green says much of the money he raises through his foundation and sports camps will now go towards Alzheimer's research.
"When you're talking to your mom or your dad, and they don't remember who you are, they don't know that you are their son and daughter and we all know that day is coming, but we want to prolong the normal existence of their well-being as we know them."
Green is also one of thousands of former NFL players suing the league, seeking damages for head-related injuries. Now with Alzheimer's present in his family, he says he's even more concerned about his risk for being diagnosed with the disease.


text:
University of Arkansas to Launch MBA Program in Panama
by Mark Carter
Posted 11/19/2012 09:24 am
Updated 5 years ago
The Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will launch a new MBA program in Panama beginning in March and will continue its entrepreneurship certificate program there.
Want the Full Article?
Get Unlimited Archive Access for $19.95 per Year
Readers must pay to access stories older than 15 days.Purchase Now
Already have archive access? Login to view this article.


text:
Have any other Chowhounders had the experience of dining at this members-only club inside New Orleans Square at the Magic Kingdom? After visiting the club last week, I do recommend it -- if not solely for the food, then for the absolutely unique dining experience. It's not that the food is bad -- and the service is certainly attentive and on par with finer restaurants elsewhere. It's just fairly typical California-inspired fare -- salads, steaks, fish, and chocolate mousse shaped like Mickey Mouse for dessert (of course).
I'm curious what others on this board who have had the Club 33 experience thought of it.


text:
Search for a name or phrase
Search for a name or phrase
using quick search
Find the right name for your baby using our advanced search tool
's Stuff
My Name Ratings
Review and change the name ratings you've made throughout the site
My Lists
Create a private list of your favorite names or share it with the Nameberry community to flex your naming muscles
Names I Follow
Manage all the name subscription emails you've set up
Account Settings
Change your email address and your password
Or Register
- this week
Gender: F Pronunciation: zee-ah-MAH-ra Meaning of Xiamara: "joyful deer" Origin of Xiamara: Aramaic
Share Xiamara on Facebook Share on Facebook
Share Xiamara on Twitter Share on Twitter
Share Xiamara on Google Plus Share on Google+
Love the name Xiamara
Dislike the name Xiamara
Follow Xiamara
Please Register or Login
We're excited that you have an opinion about the name Xiamara. To rate names on Nameberry, please register for an account or log in to an existing account.
Would you like to follow Xiamara?
You will receive an email (no more than once per day) summarizing any new mentions of Xiamara on Nameberry. Would you like to follow Xiamara?
People who liked Xiamara also liked:
Aimee Ambrosia Amina Amira Aviva Aziza Caoimhe Caterina Cedric Eulalie Farrah Gia Giada Giovanna Gloria Gwyneth Hezekiah Irie Jaeda Kamilah Karis Kira Laszlo Lela Leonidas Mariel Maris Megan Michal Naima Nyla Odessa Osiris Ozias Selena Siobhan Sky Sky Tallula Valerie Valo Vanessa Vianne Viveca Vivia Vivica Xaviera Xia Zea Zenobia


text:
Those who didn't see yesterday's 6-3 blowout at The Joe shouldn't embarrass themselves by suggesting the Flames fell victim to the NHL's intense crackdown on obstruction.
Truth is, none of the seven penalties called on the Flames in the first period had anything to do with 'the new NHL.'
They were senseless, age-old infractions that had more to do with carelessness than anything else.
Two of the three goals scored by Detroit in the opening frame stemmed from needless high-sticking double-minors to Tony Amonte and Dion Phaneuf. Tough to argue calls when the opposition has blood pouring from their face courtesy of an irresponsible stick.
There's never any excuse for a too-many-men penalty at the NHL level, nor is it smart for a veteran such as Roman Hamrlik to hoist a puck out of play in his own zone for an obvious delay-of-game call.
Don't blame Miikka Kiprusoff (who was outstanding for the Flames with 34 saves), don't blame the new rules and don't blame a poor work ethic for the shellacking.
The Flames blew this game by the time it was eight minutes old with a lack of discipline that has been the last of the team's worries until yesterday. Giving up seven powerplays in one period against any team in the west will end your night early every time.
The sky is not falling for Flames fans -- it's Game 3 and the Wings are, quite simply, a superior team. Handing a host like that so many minutes with the man advantage simply negates any chance of success.
What happened after the Flames fell behind 3-0 is irrelevant. Penalties cost them the game, not the officiating or new rules.
- - -
AROUND THE HORN: After the heart of the Leafs was ripped out by the departures of Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk, there were only two reasons to believe Toronto could make the playoffs this year: Mats Sundin and Ed Belfour. Now Sundin is gone for four to six weeks, hurting the chances hockey will be played in Hogtown much past April ... Tell me again how a one-piece stick can A) cost as much as $300 and B) be made in Mexico? ... Say what you want about America's national pastime but no sport comes across better on HDTV than baseball ... Proving just how thin the Leafs lineup is this year, Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe both spent 29 minutes on the ice Saturday against Montreal ... Thanks to the new delay-of-game penalty that comes with shooting the puck out of play inside your own blueline, the directive nowadays is to hurl the puck towards the players' bench or penalty box area to avoid being penalized.
- - -
PARTING GIFTS: I won't spoil it here but the Flames alumni have special plans in place for the 3-on-3 pond hockey tourney coinciding with the team's 25th anniversary ... Don't kid yourself -- the press release celebrating the NHL's single-night attendance record set on opening night was written two months ago when league officials scheduled its very first 15-game sked. Of course, the record was set -- there have never been that many games played on one night before. Still, with rinks filled to 98% capacity, maybe there is hope the game can rebound in the U.S. ... Tom Cheek, the man who broadcast an astonishing 4,306 consecutive Blue Jays games from 1977 to 2004, lost his battle with brain cancer yesterday at age 66. There isn't a Canadian sports fan alive who hasn't enjoyed his soothing voice in the background of a beautiful summer afternoon.


text:
Are "Kits" a good way to get starting into quilting for a beginner. I want to start, but, I don't really know enough to start on my own. Thanks in advance. ANY HELP WILL BE OF HELP. Diane
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Are "Kits" a good way to get starting into quilting for a beginner. I want to start, but, I don't really know enough to start on my own. Thanks in advance. ANY HELP WILL BE OF HELP. Diane
Which type of kit are you talking about? a Quilt kit with fabric and pattern or a quilters kit with mat, rotary cutter, ruler ect?
Hi and welcome from Iowa. Kits, IMHO, can be tricky at times altho I have a friend who buys them. Since I am also a beginner I like more control over the amount of fabric I buy (in case of mistakes you see - smile).
I would pick a simple pattern such as the rail fence to make a first quilt. You pick your own fabric and I think you will like the outcome.
Keep asking questions and post your pics (smile).
Some kits have precut pieces some don't. All precut is easier, you can just focus on your piecing skills.
Kits that don't have precut pieces may be more difficult than following a pattern and cutting your own.
You have to make sure and cut them precisely, as some don't give you hardly any extra fabric. If you cut against the width instead of length, you may run out of fabric. :wink:
It is a personal preference, I enjoy kits if the price is right :D:D:D
i have never used a kit i cant give any advise sorry
My first "real" quilt was made with a kit from Heidi Pridemore's Whimsical Workshop. The kit was generous with the fabric and Heidi responded very promptly to the couple of emails I sent her.
The "kits" I am referring to are with Material & Instructions. I have been gathering most of the quilting tool necessary. I just need to get up enough courage, nerve, gumption and etc. to get started. Thanks again. Diane
Do you have any Quilt shops that give beginner classes...If you ck at Joann's they sell beginner kits with precut pieces and really easy instructions...Cottage Rose comes to mine...
Ok, Just checking :) precut kits are good, or you could do a simple quilt and just cut out blocks as wide as your ruler is. it will give you a square to work with and some practice cutting.
I like kits, haven't been left short on fabric amounts, but have gotten a kit where the instructions weren't the best. I would get a kit and go for it. Choose a fairly simple pattern though for the first. When I started I got a book, picked a pattern, got some fat quarters and had a blast - nearly 16 years ago!
Kits can be a great way to start out as it removes a lot of the stress of picking out fabric - something that can be very overwhelming in a well stocked LQS. If the kit is precut, even better! Classes are a must! Have taken several classes at my LQS (Sunshine Stitches) and must say I learn something every time I am in the shop or in class.


text: You would tell me all your troubles with your friends, and I would help you find solutions. When your best friend acted crazy and threatened suicide, I put you in touch with a therapist to talk over your feelings of guilt and manipulation. When you lost your housing, I helped you to get into an apartment and furnished it for you and encouraged you to get through college. When you wanted to start a design business, I bought you the machines you needed for a graduation present. When you were hitting your boyfriend over his online porn addiction, I recommended you get counseling and figure out if you could work this out or if you should let go. So when I was told that you might harm yourself if I talked to you, I was completely baffled and confused. At first I felt angry and betrayed. But I backed off and have not made any attempt to contact you or to know what is going on in your life for almost three years. Now you are making false accusations against me that are costing me thousands of dollars in attorney fees. And I found out only a few weeks ago the horrendous lies you told the courts about me years ago, just like all the lies you told over the years whenever you wanted sympathy to cover your bad behaviors. I may be a slow learner, but I have learned what to expect from you now. I have all the evidence: photos of you and your boyfriend smiling at my birthday party, the letters and postcards you sent me saying "Love always," etc. Your miserable life is your own doing, not mine. Love, Mom


text:
It is related in Chinese folklore that a young peasant girl was asked to carry some wind wrapped in paper and some fire, also wrapped in paper. Her answer was to carry a fan and a lantern.
With the same earthy wisdom the tenth plenary session of the Kuomintang's Central Executive Committee last week attacked China's seemingly impossible problem of inflation and price control. After dozens of schemes were suggested the delegates settled on one: henceforth the general price of all commodities will be in a fixed ratio to the price of salt and rice.
This was a homespun device. It...
To continue reading: or Log-In


text:
Reception & Gallery Talk: Alisa and Isaac M. Sutton Collection
The Horticultural Society of New York
Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
Isaac Sutton has been collecting botanical art since 1998, with many of his acquisitions coming from The Hort's annual exhibition with the American Society of Botanical Artists. Since 2009, Sutton's collection has been touring as Botanicals: Environmental Expressions in Art, a show that began at the Hunt Institute in Pittsburgh and has traveled to the New York Botanical Gardens, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, United Kingdom. This exhibition presents an intimate selection from that collection-spanning show, while updating it with several new acquisitions, including three recently commissioned paintings of the Sutton dogwood by Jean Emmons, Karen Kluglein, and Carol Woodin.
The catalog for Botanicals is available at The Hort for the exclusive discounted price of $25.
Image: Celia Rosser, Banksia rosserae (detail), 2004, pencil and watercolor on paper, 25 x 20 1/2 inches
When & Where
The Horticultural Society of New York
148 West 37th Street
Floor 13
New York,
Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)
Add to my calendar
The Horticultural Society of New York
The mission of the Horticultural Society of New York (The Hort) is to sustain the vital connection between people and plants. Our social service and public programs educate and inspire, growing a broad community that values horticulture for the many benefits it brings to our environment, our neighborhoods, and our lives.


text:
No progress on YMCA; Ironman explores options for $1M pledge
The Island of Hawaii YMCA is now targeting a site at the Old Kona Airport Park for its long-planned West Hawaii YMCA, but Ironman officials are keeping their options open when it comes to fulfilling their million-dollar pledge for the project.
Executive Director Fred Yamashiro said he met with Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald, as well as an Ironman representative, earlier this year to discuss the YMCA leasing land at the North Kona park from Hawaii County.
"It's kind of in limbo right now," Yamashiro said. "The election is next month. It's in the air which administration is going to be in office."
Fitzgerald last month told West Hawaii Today the state has yet to complete the transfer of the park land to the county. Yamashiro said he wasn't aware of that.
Fitzgerald said the county and the YMCA have signed no agreements regarding any land use at the Old Kona Airport Park.
"We've had discussions on that," Fitzgerald said. "There's nothing concrete that's been approved by anybody."
Ironman Race Director Diana Bertsch said the foundation is trying to confirm with the YMCA officials that no construction is planned for the immediate future, as well as looking for other opportunities for work Ironman can do in the community.
The $1 million commitment the foundation made in 2003 for a Kona YMCA remains in place, Executive Director David Deschenes said.
"From the local community side, of course we've been disappointed to not see the YMCA moving forward on this project," Bertsch said.
Former World Triathlon Corp. owner James Gills donated several million dollars to build YMCAs in Florida, his home state, in the 1990s. Gills sold the corporation in 2008 to Providence Equity Security, a private equity firm.
"That would be such an amazing thing for any foundation to do," Bertsch said, adding that to do so would far exceed the foundation's financial commitment to the project.
For more than a decade, Kona residents have been promised their own full-fledged YMCA. In 2001, YMCA officials leased land in Keauhou to build the facility, which was projected to cost $12 to $20 million and would include areas for sports, senior citizens, a community park and a teen center.
YMCA officials raised about half a million in donations, and the Ironman Foundation pledged another $1 million in construction funds.
But in 2009, then YMCA Vice President Greg Ogin said economic impacts slowed down fundraising. YMCA officials were working on a land swap to get a relatively level parcel, instead of the land they had at the time.
Yamashiro, asked Monday about the Keauhou site, said that site still had the same issues as before, namely that it was steep and would be difficult to work with. The site is not centrally located either, he said.
Ogin in 2009 predicted a two- to 10-year delay in building the YMCA. In 2005, Ogin said staff changes at the Kona YMCA delayed the project. Yamashiro said this week he'd like to see the YMCA execute an agreement with Hawaii County within about six months of the November mayoral election.
Ogin resigned from the board last year, he said last week.
Yamashiro said the organization still hasn't raised the full amount needed to build the YMCA.
"I made this clear to Bob Fitzgerald that we have limited resources," Yamashiro said.
The Ironman Foundation has been busy providing funding to other Hawaii Island nonprofit organizations, Deschenes said. Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $800,000 to nonprofit groups here, he said.
This week, the foundation is wrapping up a $56,000 project refurbishing the Makaeo events pavilion at the Old Kona Airport Park, he said.
Fitzgerald said the work there includes landscaping, painting and replacing fixtures inside the building.


text:
Who's packing? 10 cues for identifying armed suspects
Armed suspects often exhibit behavioral indicators that they're carrying a concealed weapon
Without realizing it, armed suspects often exhibit behavioral indicators that they're carrying a concealed weapon. Ten tattletale "tells" were itemized at the latest ILEETA conference by Ofcr. Greg Lee — a firearms and use-of-force instructor with the Metropolitan Nashville (Tenn.) Police Department — then elaborated on in a recent PoliceOne interview. If you're familiar with these tics, you'll be better able to detect a potentially dangerous adversary before making an approach.
Many of these characteristics apply to suspects carrying drugs or other contraband, as well as guns, Lee says. "This list, based on training tips from ATF, makes an excellent roll call reminder — and on the street could make a life-or-death difference. Heightened awareness is an important component of survival."


text:
Fantastic to partner in research w/depth & breadth of research on #regenerative precincts being conducted w/support of @LandCorp at #WGV— Low Carbon Living (@CRC_LCL) May 23, 2017
You are here
Thank you to @JoshsHouse10 for v. informative tour of @LandCorp 's #WGV, showing example of #lowcarbon medium-density dwelling, done well. pic.twitter.com/9s8DfWjPvv— Low Carbon Living (@CRC_LCL) May 22, 2017
@LandCorp Gen Y Demonstration House: featuring PV, low embodied energy in construction, rainwater storage, dual plumbing & shade tree. pic.twitter.com/y7pTx4oc3e— Low Carbon Living (@CRC_LCL) May 22, 2017
Josh Byrne & Associates is a project partner.
AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM) is a partner
Ash Development Association of Australia (ADAA).
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd (Aurecon).
Australasian Slag Association (ASA).
Australian Institute of Architects (AIA).
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).
Australian Window Association Inc. (AWA).
BCI Media Group Pty Ltd (BCI Media Group).
BlueScope Steel Limited (BlueScope)
BuildingSMART Australasia Incorporated (BuildingSMART).
Consult Australia.
CSR Limited.
Degrémont Pty Ltd
Housing Industry Association Limited (HIA).
Master Builders Australia Limited (MBA).
Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA).
Prospect Water Partnership
Solar Analytics is a project partner.
Standards Australia Limited.
Suez Environment
TAFE NSW Sydney Institute (TAFE Sydney).
The Centre for Liveability Real Estate


text:
COLUMBIA --- Democratic Senate nominee Alvin Greene was just trying to flirt with a teenage South Carolina college student when he allegedly showed her pornography in a campus computer lab, his attorney said Thursday in the first indication of his planned defense.
"He was attempting to flirt with a young lady who had no interest in him," Eleazer Carter said. "While the charges are very serious, I think it boils down to, when a lady turns you down, has it reached a criminal offense?"
Carter elaborated on his client's situation shortly after a judge allowed Greene to remain free on a misdemeanor charge of communicating obscene materials to a person without consent. Circuit Court Judge James Barber also ordered the 33-year-old unemployed military veteran not to have any contact with the University of South Carolina student.
In August, a Richland County grand jury also indicted Greene on a felony charge of disseminating, procuring or promoting obscenity. Both charges stem from Greene's arrest last November, months before his surprise Democratic primary win.
"I think this additional charge was just a waste of court time," Carter said, adding that Greene had already appeared in court on the more serious felony charge and been allowed to remain free on a $5,000 bond.
Barber decided Thursday that the same bond would be applied to Greene's misdemeanor charge. If convicted, Greene could face up to three years in prison for the misdemeanor or up to five years for the felony.
Greene, who has not entered a plea to either charge, has declined to comment on his court case.
Greene is running against Republican Sen. Jim DeMint in the Nov. 2 election. A day after Greene's primary win, The Associated Press was first to report that Greene was arrested for allegedly approaching a student in a campus computer lab and showing her obscene photos online. Authorities say he also talked about going to her dorm room.
Campus police allege that Greene, a 2000 political science graduate of the university, used an old student ID card to get past dorm security.
Carter said that while Greene perhaps didn't pick the best method for approaching the female student, he did not intend to threaten her in any way.
Greene's next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 16, two weeks after the general election.


text:
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Verdicts & Settlements | Romanucci & Blandin
Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, is more than just a law firm – it is a litigation firm. We litigate all cases in a court of law to ensure maximum compensation for clients and their families. Our extensive experience, knowledge and dedication to helping the catastrophically injured have helped us recover more than $450 million for our clients, with dozens of cases exceeding $1 million.
Listed below is a representation of the verdicts and settlements we have obtained on our clients' behalf:
$30,000,000 Settlement-medical malpractice.
A family was awarded $30 million dollars in a settlement reached with Mark J. Holterman, MD. and a Major Chicago Area Teaching Hospital after their son was left permanently disabled and brain injured as a result of 25 experimental surgeries. This is the fourth largest medical malpractice suit for a minor in the state of Illinois, and is the largest settlement for a child born with esophageal atresia in Illinois.
$22,300,000 verdict- medical malpractice
A Cook County jury awarded the parents of a ten-year-old boy with a tens of millions of dollars verdict in a medical negligence case arising out of the care and treatment on May 29, 1999 at Advocate Christ Medical Center/Hope Children's Hospital, in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn. The negligence resulted in the loss of the boy's left leg and other disabilities.
$17,600,000 verdict- police car chase
A police car chase on the expressway leaves a bystander with quadriplegia.
$7,500,000 settlement- construction accident
As a result of an industrial accident, a 45–year–old boiler maker suffered crush injuries when an object fell on Plaintiff. His injuries included: A right orbital blow–out, multiple facial bone fractures, a thoracic burst fracture and multiple rib fractures.
$5,550,000 settlement- construction accident
A female construction worker suffered incomplete paraplegia when a more than five foot trench collapsed on to her body.
$5,348,750 verdict- bus accident
A self-employed roofing contractor, who was heading home on the Dan Ryan expressway, suffered multiple injuries, including leg, pelvis and rib fractures, lung contusions, ruptured spleen and a mild brain injury, when his vehicle was cut off by a CTA bus, and he struck another bus which was stalled in the middle lane.
$4,850,000 settlement-brain injury – construction accident
A male carpenter sustained a traumatic brain injury, facial trauma and a torn rotator cuff among other injuries while working at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium when an improperly secured fish tank, weighing thousands of pounds, fell on him, pinning his head between the tank and a concrete wall. He needed two repair surgeries and subsequent rehabilitation and was unable to return to work. A construction company was found guilty of failing to provide proper protections to ensure the safety of the worker.
$4,500,000 settlement- police shooting
In this wrongful death case filed against the city of Chicago, involved a shooting death of an unarmed man and the subsequent cover-up by the police department.
$4,000,000 settlement- premises liability
Wrongful death occurred while man was on premises of area retailer.
$4,000,000 settlement- medical malpractice
In a wrongful death case, the family of a 38-year-old man received restitution upon his untimely death following a post-surgical complication related to a routine gastric bypass surgery. A CT scan revealed a partially obstructed bowel but the hospital physicians failed to follow up. The man became septic and died.
$3,850,000 settlement- construction accident – premises liability
An 85-year-old woman who survived the collapse of a supermarket roof received a record settlement for her injuries that included a traumatic brain injury, crushed right eye and fractures. This was the highest award on record for an accident involving a survivor over age 80.
$3,689,733 verdict- medical malpractice
In a record chiropractic malpractice verdict, a man suffered a sudden onset of paralysis from the chest down due to a growth in his thoracic spine which completely compromised his spinal cord. The chiropractor ignored x-rays of his lumbar spine which revealed this progressive, degenerative disease and performed chiropractic manipulations on that area of his back.
3,350,000 settlement-construction accident
A 50-year old male died as a result of an alleged failure to provide the worker with fall protection in an industrial accident. His family received a settlement for $3,350,000 plus a workers' compensation lien waiver.
$3,500,000 verdict- bus accident
A male, who was intoxicated at the time, suffered severe injuries to his left leg when he was knocked down and his leg run over by a bus. The bus driver violated standard CTA operating procedures by failing to maintain a three-foot clearance between the bus and the pedestrian.
$3,500,000 verdict- trucking accident
A truck driver fell and sustained brain injuries while exiting his semi-tractor cab. The trucking company owner had failed to replace a missing driver's side safety grab bar, which the plaintiff contended would have prevented or lessened the severity of the fall.
$3,375,000 settlement- trucking accident
The plaintiff, a 36-year-old truck driver, was helping to unload steel off his truck, when his right hand and wrist were crushed by a load of steel after the straps from the crane broke. The defendant in the case was a steel company.
Appellate Court Ruling.
Appellate reverses trial court and reinstates wrongful death case against City of Peru, Illinois. A 14-year-old boy was killed while riding a dirt bike when his neck struck a cable. City workers had strung the cable neck high along a path owned by a railroad. The trial court ruled that the City was immune from prosecution and dismissed the case. The Appellate court reversed the ruling because the cable was not on the City's property and they were not authorized to string the cable. The boy is survived by his parents and siblings.
$3,000,000 settlement-medical negligence
Negligence Lawsuit Settled with Major Area Hospital: Lawsuit alleged negligence in Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.
The complaint alleged physicians, nurses, and staff at the facility had failed to provide efforts and standard care reasonably expected for the treatment of the infant son of the plaintiff during and after he was admitted in June 2000, less than 24 hours after his birth.
$2,750,000 settlement-car accident
A 35-year-old male worker suffered aggravation of his prior spinal injury after being rear-ended by a semi-truck. Prior to the collision, plaintiff had undergone two spinal fusions. At the time of the subject collision, he was asymptomatic. As a result of the collision, plaintiff aggravated his prior back conditions and developed chronic pain syndrome. As a result of the chronic back pain, he has undergone three surgical procedures for a spinal cord stimulator, one temporary, one permanent, and one repair.
$2,500,000 settlement- motorcycle accident / brain injury
A motorcyclist lost control of his bike at an intersection, resulting in orthopedic injuries and a traumatic brain injury. Our investigation uncovered improper warning signals and raised manhole covers at the intersection.
$2,500,000 verdict- construction accident
The plaintiff, a 50-year-old Bosnian immigrant working as an iron worker, fell while on the job at a construction site. He suffered bi-lateral pelvic fractures and underwent surgery for the insertion of plates and screws to stabilize the pelvic rim.
$2,250,000 verdict- automobile accident
A 42-year-old man, who was stopped in his car, was rear-ended by a commercial truck, aggravating a pre-existing back condition.
$2,500,000 settlement – construction accident
A certified elevator mechanic was working to install two elevators at a commercial construction project in downtown Lake Bluff, Illinois when the project manager ordered a change in the direction of the work. Subsequently he twisted his leg and tore the meniscus in his left knee while carrying a 20-foot long, 100-pound hydraulic pipe on his shoulder. The plaintiff underwent surgery to repair the meniscus and afterwards, developed complex regional pain syndrome in the leg – which he continues to receive treatment for to this day.
$2,500,000 settlement- construction accident (fall protection) – premises liability
A 20-year old window washer who suffered extensive injuries, including a below the knee amputation of his left leg, after falling 30 feet from a hospital roof where he was working in 2002, received a settlement. As part of the settlement, the window washer's employer waived $500,000 of its workers' compensation lien and agreed to fund the plaintiff's future medical expenses, which will exceed $1 million, increasing the settlement value to more than $4 million.
$2,281,000 verdict- police brutality
An unarmed man was unlawfully shot by two police deputies and then tasered. We prosecuted the two deputies as well as the Sheriff for ratifying the shooting.
$2,000,000 settlement- motor vehicle accident
In a wrongful death suit, a deliveryman's decedents received compensation for his death, resulting when he was hit by a street sweeper's vehicle as it improperly merged from a highway median.
$2,000,000 settlement – medical negligence
A 41-year-old female complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains that radiated from her chest wall, down the left arm and abdomen lost her life following a delayed diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. She died while waiting to undergo surgery to repair the aortic dissection at University of Chicago Medical Center, after spending over eight hours in the hospital.
$1,900,000 settlement- pharmaceutical error
Prior to litigation commencing, the wife of a 50-year-old man received restitution upon her husband's untimely death after he was a prescribed a lethal dosage of morphine. Her husband, who was recently given a good prognosis after finishing rounds of chemotherapy for treatment of his tongue cancer, died after being given six times the normal dosage of morphine by the pharmacy.
$1,750,000 settlement- brain injury / bus accident
A pedestrian suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was hit by a side-view mirror of a left-turning bus.
$1,516,000 settlement- bicycle accident
The plaintiff, a 10-year-old bicyclist, was struck by a school bus as she rode to school, causing her to fall and sustain fatal brain injuries.
$1,500,000 settlement- construction accident
While working at a construction site on Chicago's North Michigan Avenue, our client – a 50-year-old male laborer – sustained a crushed leg when a stacker was improperly loaded onto a delivery truck. His leg became entangled in a loose cable, and the stacker rolled back, pulling the cable taut and causing numerous leg fractures.
$1,500,000 settlement- construction accident
While working on the Elevated Train Tracks downtown, our client, a laborer, fell 22-feet from the elevated train tracks to the ground causing serious injuries including multiple lacerations, a depressed right frontal skull fracture with underlying hematoma causing mass effect/pressure on adjacent brain tissue causing permanent encephalomalacic change in his right frontal lobe and permanent dead brain tissue, multiple lower and upper body fractures and a rotator cuff injury. As a result of his injuries, our client was hospitalized for approximately two weeks. Following his release, our client required 24 hour home nursing care for over a month, and required periodic home nursing care. Since the accident, he has undergone seven surgeries to treat his injuries, and will likely have to undergo future surgeries as a result of his injuries.
$1,477,000 verdict- construction accident
A union carpenter was on a job site and carrying a doorway header beam when the ladder he was on gave way. The beam caused a severe gash on his neck which required surgery. He tried to return to work but was bothered by persistent migraines, headaches, neck pain, ringing in ears and other injuries that left him permanently disabled. We successfully argued that the general contractor failed to remove inadequate, medium-duty ladders for the required work and that other safety requirements were not followed.
$1,450,000 settlement- automobile accident
Our client sustained career-ending shoulder injuries when the car he was driving was side-swiped by a light truck in a motor vehicle collision. The defendant's insurance policy covered $1 million of the settlement, and the remainder was paid out of pocket by the defendant himself.
$1,385,000 settlement- auto accident / premises liability
A restaurant patron was struck and killed when a car driven by an 85-year-old man crashed through the window of a sandwich shop. We argued in court that the restaurant, part of a national chain, should have installed protective barriers in front of its parking lot spaces which directly faced the windows. The deceased man was survived by his parents and three sisters.
$1,300,000 settlement- trucking accident
A 24-year-old man's vehicle was stalled on the expressway when he was rear-ended by a Coca Cola truck traveling at high speed. The family was compensated for the loss of the male head of household and breadwinner.
$1,250,000 settlement- medical malpractice
Our client died from inoperable prostate cancer as the result of a doctor's failure to take a sufficient tissue sample during a biopsy. The doctor continued to rely on a negative test, despite the plaintiff's persistence of high PSA levels.
$1,125,000 settlement- motor vehicle accident
In a wrongful death case, the family of a pregnant teenager received death benefits after she was struck and killed in the middle of the street by a speeding car. The 26-week-old fetus also did not survive. All insurance limits were exhausted in the case.
$1,000,000 settlement-medical malpractice.
Our client suffered a stroke as a result of the doctors' failure to follow up with his transitory ischemic attacks. He is now permanently impaired.
$1,100,000 settlement- car accident (head-on car collision).
We represented the unrestrained passenger in the not-at-fault van in this car collision case.
$1,000,000 settlement-medical malpractice.
The family of a deceased man received a settlement of $1 million, arising out of the failure by his physician to perform a cystoscopy that would have diagnosed late-stage muscle invasive bladder cancer.
$925,000 settlement- construction accident
A male HVAC worker sustained extensive injuries to his wrist, shoulder and ankle, which required a total of 13 surgeries, after falling from a hospital roof where he was working. As part of the settlement, the HVAC worker's employer waived $787,452 of its workers' compensation lien, increasing the settlement value to about $1.69 million.
$925,000 settlement – medical negligence
A dedicated 51-year-old electric worker and family man lost his life after his aortic dissection was allegedly not timely diagnosed by Ira Asher, MD and La Grange Memorial Hospital in La Grange, Illinois. According to the American Heart Association, aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood leaks from the aorta. The leak is often caused by a tear in the inside wall of the aorta. The most common symptom of aortic dissection is sudden and severe chest pain or upper back pain. The mortality rate is as high as 80% if untreated, and increases 1-5% per hour over the first several hours, making early diagnosis and treatment critical for survival. His family received a settlement of $925,000.
$900,000 settlement- premises liability
As our client and his wife were crossing the street under the "el" tracks in Chicago's Loop, a 16-foot-long piece of fiberglass angle guard, weighing approximately 25 pounds, fell from the track, striking the man in the occipital region of the head and the left shoulder, causing a traumatic brain injury and partial rotator cuff tear.
$900,000 settlement- medical malpractice
A 59-year-old woman died when her physician misdiagnosed the patient's paralysis as Bell's palsy when, in fact, she was suffering from a stroke.
$800,000 settlement- trucking accident
Our client, a truck driver, was driving eastbound on Interstate 70 near Greenfield, Indiana, when the left outside tire on his fifth axel blew out, causing him to pull off the road and exit the cab to address the emergency. Another truck driver – the defendant in the case – was also traveling eastbound on Interstate 70. As the defendant approached the disabled semi-tractor trailer, his vehicle drifted to the right, across the white fog line, striking our client and killing him instantly.
$800,000 settlement- construction accident
A worker for Nicor Gas Company suffered injuries and traumatic arthritis due to an injury caused by an explosion resulting from an improperly marked gas line.
$775,000 settlement- automobile accident
The plaintiff was injured in a motor vehicle accident and suffered foot and ankle injuries resulting in multiple surgeries.
$750,000 settlement- nursing home negligence
While recovering from a stoke, a 73-year-old female developed decubitus ulcers to her spine, necessitating debridement and skin grafts.
$700,000 settlement – wrongful death
A new mother lost her life following childbirth after experiencing postpartum hemorrhaging and suffering from an amniotic fluid embolism. In rendering their care and treatment of the patient, the physicians and a Chicago-area hospital failed properly and timely to recognize, diagnose, and treat the symptoms of amniotic fluid embolism; to properly monitor the patient's post-partum condition; to properly communicate the patient's medical care needs; to properly hand-off the medical care of the patient, and more which denied the patient from receiving the appropriate medical care.
$650,000 settlement- auto accident
Wrongful death occurred when plaintiff's car was struck by an arrow board which was left too close to roadway.
$645,000 settlement- auto accident
Our client, a 22-year-old female pedestrian, was struck by a taxi while standing in front of a restaurant. She suffered a skull fracture, facial fractures, and other injuries resulting in vertigo, dizziness, post-concussion syndrome, hearing loss in both ears, insomnia and a left knee fracture which resulted in a bone graft and insertion of two screws.
$610,000 settlement- premises liability
In a wrongful death case, the family of a 14-year-old boy whose neck was broken in 2001 after running into a neck-high wire while riding his dirt bike, received a settlement.
$500,000 verdict- nursing home liability
An elderly nursing home resident, undergoing rehabilitation following a stroke, fell and fractured his hip. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of the fracture where he began early stages of skin breakdown. He was transferred to a nursing home, where, over six weeks, he became malnourished and dehydrated. Ultimately, he died. The nursing home and physician were found guilty of neglect.
$495,000 settlement- motorcycle accident
A 37-year-old motorcyclist was struck and killed instantly on a northern California freeway during morning rush hour when a taxi-van came to an abrupt stop, pushing him into another vehicle which caused him to be thrown from the bike. He was survived by a mother and brother.
$425,000 verdict- auto accident
While driving his car, a 27-year-old graphic artist was hit and pinned in his car by a trailer which became detached from its truck. Our client sustained an inoperable lumbar disc herniation and suffered numerous other injuries including facial lacerations, numerous cracked teeth requiring repair and root canal work, post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.
$325,000 settlement- nursing home negligence
The family of a 47-year old man received restitution upon his untimely death following a fall off the stairs of a nursing home. The man suffered multiple fractured ribs, left shoulder fracture, facial and skull fractures, wrist fractures, vertebrae fractures, multiple contusions, and closed head injuries, which caused his death.
Many other settlements are "confidential" and therefore not listed on this page.
$325,000 settlement- premises liability (injury in a restaurant).
A 9 year old was injured when a waiter dropped a glass, and a piece of glass struck our plaintiff's eye.
$125,000 settlement- car collision.
A family of four in the back of a limousine were involved in a car collision on 1-88.
Free Consultation with a Chicago, Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have questions regarding your personal injury case, contact us today for a free consultation at (312) 458-1000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


text:
Greece Agrees to New Cuts
Greece might get some more economic aid -- along with more riots. The country's coalition government agreed Thursday to extremely unpopular new austerity measures including $15 billion in budget cuts and $2.6 billion in taxes, comprising 6 percent of Greece's GDP. The government hopes this will be enough to wrangle $40 million in economic aid from the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Farther west, France is also looking at a smaller budget, which aims to save $39 billion and looks to be France's toughest budget in 30 years.


text:
Tillman's day ends early with right elbow stiffness
Tillman's day ends early with right elbow stiffness
"I wouldn't say it's a pain [in the area]," said Tillman, who will travel back to Baltimore to undergo an MRI. "It just feels achy and dead. I've dealt with it before in [bullpen sessions], and you kind of manage it and kind of get your work in. But during a start, you've got to go out there and give it your best. It's one of those things where you don't want to make it worse. I'll go get it checked out, just in case."
Featuring a fastball in the upper 80s, a dip in his typical velocity, Tillman looked out of sorts from the onset and issued a walk in each of the first two innings, with Chris Dickerson belting a two-run homer two outs into the second.
"He has been so consistent with his velocity early in the game, and you could tell early on that he was really laboring," manager Buck Showalter said of Tillman. "I talked to him after the third inning and didn't like what I was seeing. ... Hopefully it was just a one-time thing."
Tillman said his elbow stiffness started from the beginning of the game and the area gradually got tighter. He entered Sunday's game with 150 2/3 innings pitched, well under a career-high 175 innings thrown in 2010, and afterward he said he didn't think the issue would keep him out of the team's rotation.
"We did a couple tests with the trainers, and they said it looked really good," Tillman said. "But I'll head to Baltimore tonight and get an MRI, hopefully tomorrow. It's just kind of a 'just in case' thing."
Tillman entered Sunday's start 6-1 with a 3.67 ERA in his last eight starts, posting five quality outings over that stretch, including Tuesday's seven-inning start in which he held the White Sox to just one hit. He exited after throwing 44 pitches, 21 strikes, with the Orioles in a 2-0 hole. Baltimore rallied back for an 8-3 win, with reliever Randy Wolf replacing Tillman and going 3 1/3 innings in his Baltimore debut.
"I was kind of down on myself coming out of that game, but Randy picked me up huge," Tillman said. "And what a series Mark [Reynolds] had. That was fun to watch. I'm just glad we got the win today."
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
TEXAS CITY, Texas -- These days, it's all smiles for ESPN 150 receiver Armanti Foreman.
Life is good for the Texas City (Texas) High School star. Offers are coming left and right. He's preparing for a banner senior season with his twin brother, 2014 running back D'Onta Foreman. He's enjoying the final weeks of his junior year of high school. On Tuesday, Armanti was sprinting past defensive backs and juking defenders out of their shorts, showing the playmaking ability that has so many colleges at his doorstep.


text:
recommendations from counselors, parents and educators!
DOZENS more testimonials!
Our counselor has indicated that she has already been able to use the message you presented to the students about bullying. She feels it is one of the few times the connection was made in their minds as to how their behavior affects others.
Judy M. Gorton, Principal
Greene Central Middle School
Greene, New York
I could see in the faces of our students they truly loved your show. The ultimate compliment was from my colleagues after the show. Many said it was the best program we've had in some time. Others thanked me for such a powerful performance.
Ruth A. Wolf, Teacher
Conrad Weiser Area School District
Robesonia, PA
Thank you for two terrific performances! The students were amazed with the magic, and your anti-bullying message was on point for both age groups. Wonderful job using the magic to capture their attention, and getting your message across. Very impressive, and much needed at our school.
Edward Molloy, Principal
Liberty Academy Charter School
Jersey City, NJ
I have heard wonderful things about your performance here last week. Thanks for sharing your wonders with the McCombs students and staff.
Gregory Grylls, Teacher
McCombs Middle School
Des Moines, Iowa
That was awesome! You had those kids riveted. We're definitely having you back.
Pam Allen, Phys. Ed. Teacher
Huntington Middle School
Chillicothe, Ohio
James, your anti-smoking presentation for our high school students was superb. Your held their attention, delivered the message, and entertained them at the same time. Well done!
Eddie Ward, Principal
Dexter High School
Dexter, New Mexico
School assembly programs GUARANTEED to captivate student attention, or your school doesn't pay!
Listen to students and educators give their feedback about James Warren's Magic With A Message school assembly programs!
Until your presentation, I had never seen my classmates as engaged in an assembly program. You obviously have that special factor that helped get the message of the harm of tobacco across to the close to 3,000 students you performed for at our two schools. Ever since Friday I have not been able to walk through the halls without being stopped by a teacher or fellow student telling me how great the assembly was!
Cory Bolotsky, R.E.B.E.L. President
Manalapan High School
Manalapan, NJ
One of the best assemblies we've ever had at Hillview, and a great beginning for our Red Ribbon Week.
Tony Eannareno, Ass't. Principal
Hillview Middle School
Whittier, CA
I cannot thank you enough for the steller performance you did for our after-prom party. The messages you intertwined about good decisions, actions, and consequences were awesome. I had a phone call from a parent at home last night, and her son was STILL talking about it!
Jeannie Langdon
Student Council Advisor
Downsville High School, NY
This was one of the few assemblies faculty did not mind giving up their class time for. I have recommended your assembly to the California League of Middle Schools.
Gil Hyder, Vice Principal
Sylvandale Middle School
San Jose, CA
Thanks for making the rounds to all our County schools, James, and helping to educate our students about the dangers of smoking.
Kristi Martin
Christus St. Joseph's Medical Ctr.
Paris, Texas
James is a dream to work with, and puts on an excellent assembly with powerful messages that really land with the kids. The kids were totally engaged and very responsive.
Michael Maxwell, Ass't. Principal
Northside Blodgett Middle School
Corning, NY
On behalf of the students of La Jolla High, we want to thank you for your marvelous performance. The senior class, as well as the administration, appreciated your presentation. Thanks for coming!
Janee Weaver, Social Committee
La Jolla High School
La Jolla, CA
The Programs
Anti-Bullying Assembly
In this anti-bullying school assembly program, James addresses the various types of bullying, why kids bully, and ways for students to deal with bullies. He stresses that "telling is not tattling." Students need to recognize that informing the teacher or other adult about bullying behavior is not "tattling," but a crucial intervention to help someone.
This school assembly also addresses the role of peer-pressure in bullying behaviors, since so often it is a group of kids abusing a single individual. James encourages students to be willing to stand up to the group, or at least walk away, and not be led into bullying behaviors by their friends.
In middle and high school life, peer groups rule. The most important decision a young person makes is the choice of role models. "Who will you allow to influence you, and what will you allow them to influence you to do?" This is the question James asks throughout this challenging and powerful peer-pressure school assembly program. James uses his magic to demonstrate the power of influence, and challenge students to hang with people who really care, and who are positive role models.
Peer-Pressure Assembly
and Making Wise Choices
Anti-Smoking Assembly
Will cigarettes make you cool, attractive, macho, healthy, or mature? In his anti-smoking school assembly program, James' magic demonstrates for students that such promises are nothing but smoke and mirrors. James exposes how tobacco advertisements are similar to magicians' tricks, but with a different purpose: to hook you on a drug called nicotine.
Rewards Assembly . . .
just for fun!
Want to reward your students for good attendance? Good grades? Fundraising efforts? Outstanding leadership? What better reward than a magic show school assembly! No message, just loads of fun! James Warren performed every year for over 13 years at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. His magic has astonished stars like Michelle Pfeiffer, Goldie Hawn, Sinbad, and Warren Beatty.
Most of James' routines use lots of audience participation to involve the students on stage in situations guaranteed
to create loads of fun and excitment!
I've been told numerous times that this was the best anti-bullying assembly we've had, so that says a lot about your message and performance. I will gladly recommend you and look forward to working with you in the future.
Mike Walker, Ass't. Principal
Northern Middle School
Dillsburg, PA
I want to thank you for the wonderful show you put on. Everyone was very happy. When I was leaving the gym after the assembly, I was walking downstairs, and there were several students talking. I heard a lot of positive comments, but even better, I heard them talking about good choices. Can't ask for more than that!
Jennifer Mavrorasakis, PTA
Haverstraw Middle School
Haverstraw, NY
I wasn't sure how magic and the serious message of anti-bullying becomes a successful assembly. I was blown away! If you decide upon a different profession, I suggest you become a teacher. You obviously know how to communicate to any age.
Helen Findlay, Teacher
Tamarac Secondary School
Troy, NY
I wanted to write to thank you for the wonderful assembly that you did for us! The staff and students were very impressed with the way you taught invaluable lessons about bullying. You were very entertaining and at the same time made a big impact on how our students think about bullying.
Marisa Maney, Counselor
Maine-Endwell Middle School
Endwell, NY
James, you totally exceeded all our expectations with your keynote presentation for our youth anti-smoking summit. Thanks for coming all the way to the state of Washington!
Melanie Norris
Tobacco-Free Benton-Franklin Counties
Kennewick, WA
Your talents with students are very special and should be experienced by all young adults. Your assemblies for ten of our middle schools throughout the District were outstanding. Not only was it well received by the students, but was hailed by faculty and staff.
Dave Miller, ASB Advisor
Castle Park Middle School
Chula Vista, CA
I would like to personally thank you for the wonderful program you gave us today. It fit perfectly with the message we have been trying to send with our no name calling day. I can�t tell you how happy I was, not only with the success of our day, but the fact that our students were absolutely mesmerized by your magic. Thank you so much for helping me to make our day a good one!
Steve Oakley, 8th Grade Advisor
Afton Middle School
Afton, NY
I've been booking assemblies for our schools for 13 years, and your show was great. I invited some parents to the assembly since the PTO paid for this, and they loved the show. Teachers and students were coming up to me after you left telling me how fabulous the assembly was. Thanks!
Marc Galloway, Social Worker
Locust Valley Central School Dist.
Locust Valley, NY
Students and staff are still talking about the show and using your message to spark discussions about anti-bullying, and how we can become a society of up-standers. It really engaged the students, and we would love to have you back.
Arturo Noriega, Student Advisor
Crittendon Middle School
Mountain View, CA
Thanks again for a great show! Your assembly definitely made the impact we hoped it would.,
Mike Elia, Assistant Principal
Abington Heights Middle School
Clarks Summit, PA
You really held their attention and the high school kids were right with you. Fantastic assembly!
Sara Kushner, Counselor
Tully High School
Tully, NY
Thank you so much for the presentation you gave to our students at Willow Grove Middle School yesterday for Red Ribbon Week. It was truly magical. The students thoroughly enjoyed it. They took the message you gave and it gave them a new energy and enthusiasm as we celebrate being drug free.
Madelyn Nealon
Student Assistance Counselor
Willow Grove Middle School
Thiells, NY
Thank you so much for bringing such an insightful and entertaining show to our middle school students. Feedback from our students has been nothing but positive about you and your presentation/magic. I think that all of us, students and adults, learned some very important facts and ideas about substance abuse and influence.
Lynn Fisher
Teacher & Wellness Day Coordinator
Chatham Middle School
Chatham, New York
Your message confirmed what we are trying to teach our students about bullying, and your combining it with magic really got their attention. Everyone loved the assembly.
Riccardo Ripa, Principal
Strough Middle School
Rome, New York
Just wanted to drop a note saying the students loved your show. I heard nothing but great reviews!
Karla Dendor
Cobleskill-Richmondville High School
Richmondville, New York
That was a wonderful assembly.
Dr. Michael Riley, SADD Club Advisor
West Perry High School
Elliottsburg, PA
Thank you so much for the amazing and entertaining performances you put on in Addison, New York! Everyone really enjoyed themselves and your message was a huge help to the work Reality Check is trying to do in Steuben County. It was an assembly I am sure the youth will not soon forget.
Kathleen Crowley, Coordinator
Steuben County Reality Check
Bath, New York
The Capital Region B.O.C.E.S. would like to send 1,000 thank you's. We loved your presentation. It was amazing. Come back soon!
Shelley Viola
Capital Region B.O.C.E.S.
Albany, NY
Thank you for everything. The youth had very positive feedback about your presentation.
Angel Ortiz, Jr.
Reality Check Coordinator
Suffolk County, New York
James, your work was wonderful and well received in Addison. I have received positive feedback from administrators who were present. Please feel free to use me or "us" as a reference for any future programming in this area that might come your way. Best wishes and thanks again.
Amy Robinson, Counselor
Addison High School
Addison, New York
The kids loved you and said you were "cool." You were a big hit! Thank you so much for coming, and I hope you enjoyed New Mexico.
Amy McNally
Dexter Middle School
Dexter, New Mexico
Excellent program, James. Everyone was spellbound, and the message came across loud and strong. Thanks much!
Joe Andreis, Principal
Gutierrez Middle School
Dexter, New Mexico
You had the riveted attention of each student, and they displayed great enthusiasm through-
out the program. Based upon the performance I saw, I would be happy to recommend you to any of the schools in our area.
Robert W. Holmes, Acting Superintendent
Southern Huntingdon County S.D.
Three Springs, Pennsylvania
It was a pleasure to have you perform at the middle school. The students' reactions were nothing but positive. Best of luck in the future.
Ernie Thompson, Advisor
York Suburban Middle School
York, Pennsylvania
Just wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed your show. The students as well as the faculty were very impressed.
Jennifer Korach, Advisor
Leighton High School
Leighton, Pennsylvania
I really enjoyed your technique of captivating middle school students with magic and then delivering the no-smoking message through advertisements. Thank you.
Debra T. Gilbert, School Nurse
Bloomsburg Area School District
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Not only did Mr. Warren capture the attention of the students, but also our faculty and parents in the audience. His magic had us mesmerized, and the messages and personal stories that went along with them were authentic and meaningful to our students. I would highly recommend hiring James Warren to perform for your students!
Tera Erlendson, Activities Director
Newark Jr. High School
Newark, CA
Hello! Thanks so much for two terrific assemblies! I would have expected/hoped for after researching you that you would give an "A" performance, yet you gave us an "A+"!!! The feedback from the kids was great. They especially loved the expanding and shrinking head. The subject was presented in such a way that will stay with the kids.
Cynthia Gould
Sequoia Middle School
Newbury Park, CA
Fantastic job, James. Four programs in a row on the same day and yet you held the attention of the students in every assembly.
Richard Ramirez, ASB Advisor
Coachella Valley High School
Thermal, CA
James Warren was the ideal school activity after a week of STAR testing! Kids and teachers alike were riveted by his magic: he had 350 students laughing hard. Additionally, Jim was able to weave in messages about the benefits of teamwork and not giving in to peer pressure as part of his magic act. I would definitely recommend him to other principals and schools.
Dan Picardi, Principal
Fairview Middle School
Gonzales, CA
Everyone is talking about how great your presentation was!
Linda Cooper, Co-Coordinator
CADA Leadership Conference
On behalf of Pacifica High School, I would like to thank you for your wonderful presentation on peer pressure. It is a challenge to explain the ramifications of peer pressure and you did just that in a way that captivated the students and brought forth their full attention. Your performance was the talk of the campus.
Jodi Leader, Counselor
Pacifica High School
Oxnard, CA
The best closing presenter we've had at the Texas Teen Tobacco Summit in six years! What you did was just perfect for illustrating the illusions of tobacco advertising.
Sherri Scott, Tobacco Control Coordinator
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
It is my pleasure to recommend to you, Mr. James Warren. His message was integrated into a very entertaining magic show to which students responded enthusiastically. I would heartily recommend Mr. Warren for a motivational assembly speaker.
Donna Carson, Principal
Lone Pine High School
Lone Pine, CA
Our students talked about your assembly for days after your visit to our school. The general consensus was that they loved the magic and the humor and even remembered the messages. Our faculty, staff, and parents highly recommend your performance to other schools.
Wendy K. McKenna
V.P. Health & Welfare
Atascadero Jr. High School
Atascadero, CA
It was an excellent assembly. Not only was it very professional, it was also very informative. It covered many important topics, giving us a great opportunity to discuss these issues with our students. I received many notes from teachers saying how much the students enjoyed your performance.
Kay Bush, ASB Advisor
North Hillsborough School
Hillsborough, C
It is difficult finding good motivational speakers for middle school students; but your performance was one of the best we have had in the past five years.
Ralph Tilton, Principal
Orcutt Jr. High School
Orcutt, CA
Not only did our students thoroughly enjoy him, but our teachers gave James rave reviews. Our students were captivated and enlightened by James' message, and it is definitely one which they should hear.
Sandra Lang, Activities Director
Las Palmas Middle School
Covina, CA
I just wanted to thank you again for coming to our school on Thursday. Our students had so much fun and they are still talking about it. Your message was great and I was especially impressed that you talked about gangs since it is such a pertinent issue, even with our middle school students. You really did an amazing job and we will likely be contacting next school year for another assembly. Thank you again for captivating our students (and staff) and giving them a great time!
Lauren Robbins, LMSW-Social Worker
Rochester Academy Charter School
Rochester, NY
Thanks, James, for a fantastic peformance! The students and staff were absolutely blown away! You gave us the perfect ending for our Wellness Day, with some entertainment and laughter.
Kim Holman
Family Support Case Manager
Highland Park High School
Highland Park, NJ
The kids loved the assemblies! They said you were one of the highlights of the day. Thanks for coming to our school.
Paula Fitzpatrick, Activities Director
Vanguard Preparatory School
Apple Valley, CA
Thank you for coming out to our after-prom party. You left everyone mind-blown!
Eryn Griep, Student Counsel
Marathon High School
Marathon, NY
The students liked how you integrated the tricks with lessons about bullying. They were also touched by your college story. I will indeed have you come to our school again.
Jamie Van Hill, Teacher, ASB Advisor
Cedar Middle School
Hesperia, CA
We had wonderful feedback from our students! The kids loved that it was fun and taught them something too. I have even had students refer to the assembly when working out an issue in my office. We will definitely be in touch to do this again!
Meredith Naskiewicz
Counselor, Pennwood Middle
Yardley, PA
Thank you so very much for the great presentation this morning. It was a perfect way to start the school year, and I know the students were really listening. Having the whole middle school attend helped us all get on the same page, and be able to help our students in new ways.
Joan Phelps, Counselor
North Warren Middle School
Chestertown, NY
From the opening moment, James Warren had our students hooked and thus proceeded to hold them spellbound for 45 minutes. What an entertainer!
Steve Jacobs, M.Ed., Teacher
Victoria Groves School
Alta Loma, CA
Thank you for performing for us; the kids wrote rave reviews about you on their evaluation forms. I got to see your act and it was a perfect combination of art, education, and fun!
Nancy Chapellier
ADA-PEP Counselor
Pine Grove Middle, Syracuse NY
What an act it was! Students and staff alike were absolutely enthralled from start to finish. Several parents I saw over the weekend said their kids could not stop talking about "the magic guy" they had seen at school. EVERYONE left the assembly with positive energy!
Julia Berens, D-Day Advisor
Lansing High School
Lansing, NY
Our staff and students loved you! Great message! Maybe we can have you again next year for a different topic.
Meggan Smith, Counselor
Swatara Middle School
Oberlin-Steelton, PA
I really want to extend my many thanks to you for your work today. I have heard nothing but positive reviews from the kids and staff who were able to partake in the assembly. I wish you the best in your future work and look forward to someday being to bring you back to share your message.
Earl Farber, Principal
Andrews-Trahey Campus
Rochester, NY
Excellent program on bullying! I'd like to have you back next year and make this a yearly tradition for our school.
Bobby Galella, Principal
Dunmore Middle School
Dunmore, PA
The bar has been set very high by engaging presenters like you, James. We certainly hope to have you back again for this event!
Molly O'Connell, Projects Coordinator
Maine Youth Action Network
Portland, ME
I've been getting great feedback already! Everybody loved the assembly -- we'll have to get you back again next year.
Meghan Franclemont, Counselor
Canisteo-Greenwood Middle
Canisteo, NY
Thanks again for doing a great job. The feed-
back from the students has been very positive and they really enjoyed your show. You held their interest!
Lorri Hunter
Student Council Advisor
Groton High, Groton, NY
The feedback that we got was fantastic, and hopefully we'll be able to invite you back again next year!
Jean Lippy, School Counselor
Southern Middle School
Glen Rock, PA
Your energy was great, your message was great, and it was just what we wanted to tell the kids about peer-pressure. Everyone loved the assembly!
Susan LaFex,
Guidance Counselor
Onondaga Hill Middle School
Syracuse, NY
I just got your evaluations. You got mostly 5's which is the highest rating you can get. The teachers really seemed to enjoy your performance and thought it was very age appropriate and innovative for bullying and character education.
Andrea Brown
Arts in Education Coordinator
Sullivan County BOCES
Liberty, NY
We have had several bullying assemblies over the years, but yours was the BEST anti-
bullying assembly we've ever had. And your programs were perfectly tailored to the different age groups. We'll spread the news to the other schools in our parish.
Joseph W. Norris, Principal
St. Ambrose School
Old Bridge, New Jersey
We would like to express our extreme gratitude for your willingness to attend our PEACE day. Your program was a huge success and our whole school was impressed beyond words! We appreciate all that you did and look forward to working with you in the future. Thanks again!
Joe Pelliccia, Activities Dir.
Dake Jr. High School
Rochester, New York
Exactly what we needed for our "BUSTED" youth conference: both entertaining, and yet the anti-smoking message came across very clearly and strongly. Great job.
Ron Radaker
Assoc. Director of Programming
Clarion Univ. Health Science Ctr.
Clarion, PA
Thanks for a great assembly. I spoke with several people, and all four assemblies were well received.
Heather Motter, teacher
Cranberry Jr./Sr. High School
Seneca, PA
Great show. The students loved it!
Joe Greenberg, teacher
Lehman Alternative High School
Ithaca, New York
Thank you again for your informing and entertaining presentation on Saturday. We all loved it.
Rose McAdoo, President,
Horseheads Youth Council
Horseheads, New York
The performances by James Warren were wonderful. His performances captured the audiences' attention and the anti-tobacco messages he incorporates into his shows really helps support the mission of "Reality Check" in New York State."
Earl Kenyon
Reality Check Coordinator
Washington County, New York
The assembly was so effective, and your message of "don't be deceived by alcohol and tobacco ads" was carried out throughout Red Ribbon Week. The presentation was a perfect balance of entertainment and serious thought provoking material. James, you were a pleasure to work with and your assembly is definitely one which we look forward to rescheduling in the near future.
Lisa Larson
Safe School Coordinator
Miraleste Intermediate School
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Our students were in awe throughout the assembly. Mr. Warren captivated the audience with his magic and used student participation. Students left the assembly with a lasting impression of how the media has been used to encourage smoking. It was exciting to hear students share their feelings of why they had considered smoking, but now have had a change of mind.
Irene Griffis, ASB Co-Advisor
James Workman Middle School
Cathedral City, CA
You not only held their attention, but delivered an important anti-drug/tobacco message. After the assemblies, students were able to tell me what you said about smoking and drugs as well as what magic tricks you performed.
Sandra Huie, Activities Director
Fremont Middle School
Stockton, CA
You gave a really excellent program for our high school students, James: please feel free to use my name as a reference.
Don Wilson, ASB Advisor
Cuyama Valley High School
New Cuyama, CA
Great job! The students loved it.
Brian Gault, Ass't. Principal
Gray Avenue Middle School
Yuba City, CA
James, what a wonderful assembly for students to experience while learning about one of life's true killers. It's great when we can learn valuable content while being entertained.
L.B. Havird, Coordinator for
"GADS" (Get Air Don't Smoke)
Palm Middle School
Lemon Grove, CA
Our school applauds this show! James is a terrific performer, who not only captivates his audience, but motivates and teaches them as well.
Peggy Freshour, ASB Advisor
Twentynine Palms Jr. High
Twentynine Palms, CA
Congratulations! You successfully entertained 800 middle school students and simultaneously delivered a powerful message--a daunting task for anyone. You are "one in a million."
Maureen Blakely, Activities Director
California Middle School
Sacramento, CA
As a high school pyschology instructor and therapist for the past 25 years, I want you to know how impressed I was with your performance. You communicate positive messages about identity, self-esteem and self-image. I'm sure they will not soon forget your assembly or the messges you communicated.
Gil Speer, Psychology Instructor
Millikan High School
Long Beach, CA
What you do is truly of benefit to our youth and I hope that at sometime in the future you will come back again.
Florence Lemieux and
The Caring About Teens Staff
Valley High School
Sacramento, CA
Your magic was terrific and mind stumping! All 900 students were interested and amazed. The combination of the magic and the message was wonderful!
Hannah Peckham, ASB Student
Vernon E. Greer Middle School
Galt, CA
Your tobacco prevention magic show is a great way to send a message to students. The feedback from the students and school staff at all four junior high schools has been positive. Thank you for sharing the message with Santa Clarita youth and being a part of the Santa Clarita Smokeout.
Pam Matsuoka
Community Services Analyst
City of Santa Clarita, CA
I am a tutor at Southwest Jr. High and was lucky enough to be on the campus the day you were there. Everyone just loved your tricks, and I couldn't stop laughing during the toilet paper routine. I really think your message got out to students. Thank you for this wonderful deed you are providing to America's youth.
Angelica Rodriguez, tutor
Southwest Jr. High School
Chula Vista, CA
He is charismatic and readily captures the hearts of kids. His message regarding smoking had the student body absolutely spellbound. He is definitely an "Earl Reum" 10.
Hal Rosewall, Director of Activities
Laguna Middle School
San Luis Obispo, CA
I have had the pleasure of seeing you put on assemblies for Middle School Students on two occasions. Both times the programs were top notch and informative. I would love to book you for our elementary school.
Cesar Torrico
Principal, Franklin Elementary
San Jose, CA
Thank you so much for a great keynote presentation. The students and other conference attendees thought it was phenomenal!
June Sutherland, Health Educator
Dept. of Mental Health & Hygiene
Baltimore, MD
I heard great feedback from the kids. They enjoyed the show and felt the message was valuable.
Lisa Draper, M.Ed., Counselor
Timber Creek High School
Erial, NJ