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Judging by the participation level alone, the University's annual Faculty and Staff Campaign to raise funds for UNF is an unmitigated success. Thirty-six percent of faculty and staff participated in the campaign, up 12 percent over last year. While the numbers are great, it's what they say about the University community that's most significant. "First, it demonstrates to others that the UNF family believes and supports its mission of education," said Dr. Pierre Allaire, vice president of Institutional Advancement. "Second, we are often asked by others from whom we seek funding about how the employees view UNF. It is powerful for us to show that we have such a high participation rate." Brandon McCray, assistant vice president for development, concurred with Allaire about private donors being interested in how employees support UNF. He also added: "Faculty and staff at UNF have a strong sense of loyalty. They stick around a long time and feel invested in the institution." The feelings of loyalty and investiture have proven a powerful stimulus for employees to participate in the campaign. At 36 percent, UNF is ahead of the national average of 27 percent participation for giving among colleges and universities. Brieanna Quinn, director of Annual Giving, attributes a good deal of the success of this year's campaign, which began in October and will end in June, to getting the word out to the campus community about the Faculty Staff Campaign. She said deans, department chairs, administrators and the USPS, Faculty and A&P Association presidents collaborated to communicate that participation is important. Lance Taylor realized long ago that participation is critical. Taylor, assistant vice president and chief information officer at the University, has worked at UNF for 32 years. For the last 26 of those years, he has contributed to the Faculty Staff Campaign. "I continue to do so even in these tight economic times," Taylor said. "I do so for two primary reasons. First of all, it is an opportunity to help fund activities that cannot be funded with state dollars. Secondly, as an alum with two degrees from UNF, it allows me to give something back to my alma mater." Taylor also added another reason why it's important for faculty and staff to contribute to the campaign. "When our Advancement staff members speak with potential donors, it's beneficial to be able to tell them that the faculty and staff are partners in contributing to the continued success of UNF." Making people aware of the campaign has produced results even in these scary economic times when money is scarce. "I have been genuinely impressed with the generosity of my colleagues at UNF," Quinn said. "I think we all want what is best for the students, and all of us support UNF with our time, talent and treasure so that students can continue to receive a world-class education regardless of the economic conditions." Quinn also credited the easy accessibility of an online form for campaign giving available on myWings with helping to boost participation. "They can log onto myWings from their network computer and give through the online form for an easy payroll deduction gift. Or they can give online via credit card or write a check," Quinn said, referring to faculty and staff. "We make it easy." Another inducement to participating in the Faculty Staff Campaign is weekly prize drawings and appreciation events. More than 20 local businesses contributed prizes for the drawings. The prizes included VIP golf passes for four to an area course, a weekend hotel stay, several restaurant gift certificates and tickets to shows at the Fine Art Center. "In addition to our annual donors, each year there are new businesses wanting to get involved with the campaign because of the positive energy and motivation it pulls from our employees," said Lyndse Costabile, assistant director of Annual Giving. One of the appreciation events was a December breakfast and program. Near the end of February, the Heritage Institute for Massage Therapy sponsored the second annual Faculty Staff Massage Therapy Event. Campaign donors can indicate where they want their contribution used. Academic programs, student activities, scholarships and athletics are just some of the areas donors have earmarked for their donations. For Quinn, it's all about participation. "Participation is more important than the amount [of funds raised]," she said adamantly. "Think about it. One dollar per paycheck equals $26 per year. Eighty-three percent of the gifts to UNF in calendar year 2008 were under $100, so every dollar does make a difference, and that is the important message. Those dollars collectively can really make a difference for future and current Ospreys." Plans are already under way for next year's campaign. The first-ever Faculty Staff Committee will help with next year's campaign. "We look forward to working with our colleagues who will bring fresh ideas, energy and insight to make our campaign even better," Costabile said.
Responding to a need expressed for years, Student Health Services now offers faculty and staff quality health care and testing at affordable prices for those nagging aches, pains and illnesses. Student Health Services in February started seeing employees for acute health care needs, lab services, x-rays, immunizations and travel health information. Acute health-care needs are medical issues that are not ongoing or chronic. Employees pay $35 a visit to see a health-care provider. For lab work, health-screening tests and X-rays, they pay the same amount as students do, $5 to $150, depending on the procedure, plus a $20 facility fee. Employees can also bring medical orders from their primary doctors for lab work and screening. "Each year we would give employees flu shots, and at that time many said they wish they could come here [Student Health Services] for health care," said Doreen Perez, director of Student Health Services, referring to the clinic's former location in Building 14. "On several occasions, employees with a cold, sinus infection or urinary-tract infection would come to the center and request care and we would have to send them off campus." That's no longer the case, thanks in large part to Student Health Services' move last August into its new 9,000-square-foot health center in the Brooks College of Health Addition. The new place is three times as large as Student Health Services' former space and has 10 exam rooms compared to five at the old place. It also has digital x-ray equipment and a room dedicated to health procedures. Convenient, high-quality health care less expensive than a visit to a hospital emergency room or a walk-in clinic are a couple of reasons Perez gave for employees to consider using Student Health Services. The feedback from five employees who've used Student Health Services has been positive, Perez said. "You do not have to leave campus to access health care," she said. "The only drawback is we do not do third-party billing." Employees have to pay the initial charges up-front and be reimbursed by their health insurance companies. "An employee would want to consider this service as it can allow them to get back to work promptly and receive conscientious, confidential medical care that is highly cost-effective," said Dr. Fred Beck, chief medical officer for Student Health Services. "In this era of high deductibles and under insurance, there is no one in the community who can compete with our prices. This service benefits the University by minimizing the time employees spend away from campus." Student Health Services does not treat broken bones but does treat sprains. A complete blood count, a lipid profile, which consists of a group of tests used to determine coronary heart disease risks, and strep testing are some of the lab-work procedures available. Perez said employees need to know that Student Health Services will not serve as a primary-care provider; will treat acute illness only; will not see employees for a multitude of issues; will not fill requests for chronic medications or narcotics; and will not conduct or approve Workers' Compensation claims nor family or medical leaves of absence. Perez said the project for employees to receive health care through Student Health Services is actually a pilot study at this time. While the timeframe hasn't been set for the pilot study, it will be assessed according to how many employees take advantage of the service and whether their participation saves time and money. To make an appointment, employees should call ext. 2175. Schedule permitting, same-day appointments will be offered.
The new Olympic-quality track at Hodges Stadium will not only enable UNF to bid on hosting NCAA and other championship meets, it will help put UNF and Jacksonville on the map as a destination for athletes and fans. Hodges Stadium gives the city a fourth major sports venue, along with Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, capable of hosting national and even international events. "Jacksonville is becoming known as a sports destination because of the Jaguars, the Super Bowl and a number of other things that we've held," said John Reyes, president of Visit Jacksonville, formerly the Jacksonville and the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. "With a quality facility like this, it opens up Jacksonville to start hosting events we haven't been able to in the past." Reyes said he envisions UNF hosting the U.S. Olympic trials, NCAA championships and other major track and field meets as well as lacrosse and soccer tournaments. Hodges Stadium has already hosted international rugby matches and served as the training facility for Super Bowl team. "That means bringing a lot of exposure and revenue to the University and to the Jacksonville community," Reyes said. Last month, more than 1,700 high school and college athletes competed during the three-day UNF Spring Break Open Track and Field Meet. This month, UNF will host the UNF Osprey Challenge, a one-day invitational with six teams. And in May the Atlantic Sun Conference will hold its 2009 Men's and Women's Track and Field Championship on UNF's $2.6 million Mondo rubberized track. It's the same surface that athletes competed on in the Beijing Olympics and one of a handful of similar tracks in the United States. In addition to meets, Mark VanAlstyne, UNF's cross country and track coach, said Hodges Stadium would host northern teams seeking a respite from the snow and a warm place to work out during spring break. Three teams that competed in the UNF Spring Break Open spent the week in Jacksonville, working out on the UNF track. "It will bring revenue to the area," said Athletics Director Lee Moon. "I think we'll have people, if we have track and field events, who will want to come to Jacksonville to participate in the events. It will enhance the visitor base to the Northeast Florida area and Jacksonville in particular. I know I'm excited about it." The University charges as much as $10,000 a day for use of the facility, with the prices based on what parts of the stadium are being used. There's even a $75 hourly rate for teams wanting to work out. VanAlstyne said there's no doubt the facility can bring in money, but it will have to be marketed and staffed properly to do so. "Five or six years down the road, if it's really utilized and marketed properly, I'd be disappointed if it wasn't bringing in well into the six figures," he said. Reyes said what impresses him is that the UNF Athletics Department "gets it." He said UNF understands that the track gives Jacksonville another "product to sell" that will draw visitors Ð and bring in tax revenue Ð to the city. With that in mind, the Tourist Development Council agreed to fund up to $50,000 to help offset costs for this spring's track meets, with the final figure based on a formula tied to the number of hotel room stays the meets generate. Hodges Stadium, which seats about 9,500 spectators, also gives coaches something more to sell when recruiting student athletes. More than 600 high school athletes participated in the Spring Break Open. For many of them, the meet served as an introduction to UNF. VanAlstyne has scheduled four other high school meets in the stadium this spring and is in discussions about a fifth. VanAlstyne said he expects the track to "totally transform" UNF's recruiting." The competition for Division I athletes is stiff, but UNF now finds itself in a better position for that competition. Scheduling the high school meets in Hodges Stadium introduces athletes to the UNF campus and the new track. "No one will have a better facility on their campus than we do," he said. Moon said he sees the new facility achieving the goal that VanAlstyne set out to achieve years ago when he first proposed building a new track. "It literally puts us on the map as having a world-class track facility that will attract, hopefully, NCAA competitions, national and international events," he said. "That means bringing a lot of exposure and revenue to the University and to the Jacksonville community."
The countdown is on. Elementary, middle and high school students are two months away from their long-anticipated summer break. Once they recover from science fair projects, late-night homework sessions, FCAT testing and essay papers, your kids will be looking for new and exciting adventures to fill their summer days. Regardless of what school-aged kids are interested in doing this summer - canoeing, hiking, fine-tuning their musical talents, reading, focusing on academics, swimming, surfing, becoming a junior lifeguard or playing baseball, soccer, tennis or volleyball - UNF offers a variety of summer camps to keep them busy. The following list shows some of the many camps offered at UNF, including dates, age categories and costs. For specific information or to register for any camp, refer to the phone number or Web site listed. Happy camping! Academic Camps:ACT Summer Test Preparation June 8-11 Grades 9-12 $449 620-4200 http://www.ce.unf.edu SAT Summer Preparation Course June 22-25 Grades 9-12 $449 620-4200 http://www.ce.unf.edu Summer Reading Programs June to August Grades Pre-K to 12 $299 or less (800) 964-8888 http://www.ce.unf.edu Environmental/Outdoor Camps:Osprey Eco Day Camp June 8 to July 3 (weekly sessions) Ages 7-12 $210 to $225 per week 620-1810 http://www.unf.edu/recsports/nature Osprey Eco Camp Expedition July 21 to July 25; July 28 to August 1 Ages 12-16 $625 per week 620-1810 http://www.unf.edu/recsports/nature Music Camps:
North Florida Piano Camp June 15-25 Grades 7-12 $475 620-3854 http://www.unf.edu/coas/music/2009PianoCamp.pdf Jazz, Concert Band and String Camps June 28 to July 2 Grades 8-12 $385 to $485 620-3841 http://www.northflmusiccamps.com Sax and Brass Prelude Camps June 26 to 27 Grades 8-12 $175 to $225 620-3841 http://www.northflmusiccamps.com Sports Camps: Aquatic Center Porpoise Club Dates to be determined Ages 8-12 $80 per week (two hours per day) 620-2854 Aquatic Center Junior Lifeguard Program Dates to be determined Ages 11-14 $80 per week (three hours per day) 620-2854 Aquatic Center Surf Camp Dates to be determined Ages 9-14 $85 per week (three hours per day) 620-2854 Coach Shroeder's Summer Golf Camp June 5-8; July 24-27 Ages 6-17 $175 to $275 per session 620-2050 http://www.unf.edu/recsports/golfplex/golf.htm Dusty Rhodes North Florida Baseball Camp June 8 to July 17 (weekly sessions) Ages 8-18 $225 per week 620-2556 http://www.dustyrhodesbaseball.com/Osprey Tennis Camp June 8-12; June 15-19; June 22-26 Ages 6-18 $325 per session 620-1810 http://www.ospreytenniscamp.com UNF Soccer Camp: Day Academy June 15-19 Ages 6-12 Cost: $175 to $225 620-1072 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc& (click on "Camps" to download brochure) UNF Soccer Camp: National Academy June 7-11 Ages 13-18 (girls only) Cost: $475 to $525 620-1072 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc&
(click on "Camps" to download brochure) UNF Soccer Camp: Goalkeeper & Attacker Training Academy July 13-17 Ages 10-17 Cost: $170 620-1072 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc& (click on "Camps" to download brochure) UNF Team Retreat Volleyball Camp July 23-25 Grades 9-12 $299 for overnight; $219 for day only 620-1810 http://www.vbcamps.com/unfcamps.htm UNF Volleyball Player Development Camp July 13-15; July 20-22 Ages 8-15 Cost: $150 per session 620-2897 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wvball& (Click on "Camp Information" to download brochure) UNF Volleyball High Potential Camp July 20-22 Ages 14-18 Cost: $225 620-2897 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wvball& (Click on "Camp Information" to download brochure) UNF Volleyball Team Competition Camp July 27-29 Grades 9-12 $850 per team 620-2897 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wvball& (Click on "Camp Information" to download brochure) UNF Sand Volleyball Camp August 1-2 Ages 12-18 Location: South Beach Park (2508 South Beach Parkway) 620-2897 http://www.unfospreys.com/index.aspx?path=wvball& (Click on "Camp Information" to download brochure) Youth Sports & Fitness Camp June 8 to August 7 (weekly sessions) Ages 5-14 $100 to $165 per week 620-1810 http://www.unf.edu/recsports (Click on "Youth Brochure" to download brochure)
The UNF Women's Center honored five members of the campus community at the Center's 21st annual Women's History Month Luncheon in March. Dr. Christine Rasche, Dr. Kristine Webb, Dr. Anita Vorreyer, Taisir El-Souessi and Jocilyn Goodwin-Thompson were presented with awards for their service to the women of UNF. Rasche received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career of tireless and selfless advocacy on behalf of the women of UNF. She is one of the University's founding faculty and also founded the University's gender studies minor and Criminal Justice Program. In addition, she was a member of the founding boards of the UNF Women's Center and Hubbard House. She retired as associate professor of criminal justice in December 2008. Webb received the prestigious Susan B. Anthony Award from prior award winner Dr. Annabel Brooks of Student Affairs. The award is given annually to an individual who actively promotes women's growth at UNF, works to improve the position of women on campus through advocacy and education and exhibits qualities of leadership on campus. Webb is director of the Disability Resource Center and associate professor of education. She is a past nominee for the EVE Award in Education, the 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Service Award at UNF and the 2003 UNF nominee for the national Council for Advancement and Support of Education Professor of the Year Award. Finalists for the Susan B. Anthony Award were Dr. Catherine Christie, assistant professor of nutrition; LouAnne B. Hawkins, coordinator, Undergraduate Research; Society of Women Engineers, UNF Section; and Dr. Jennifer K. Wesely, assistant professor of criminal justice. The Women's Center also recognized Vorreyer with an Appreciation of Service Award. She served as director of the UNF Women's Center from 1995 to 2008 and has also served as interim assistant vice president for Student Life, adjunct faculty in the College of Education and Human Services, and co-director of the Bette Soldwedel Gender Research Center. Most recently, she worked on special assignment to assist with UNF's Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS) accreditation process. This month Vorreyer joins the administration of Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. Taisir El-Souessi and Jocilyn Goodwin-Thompson received Student Leadership and Service Awards for their work with Peer Theater, a student organization that raises awareness of violence against women through performances and presentations. El-Souessi is a graduate student in mental health counseling and was the director of the V-Day UNF 2009 benefit performance of "The Vagina Monologues." Goodwin-Thompson is an undergraduate studying graphic design. She presents risk-reduction information to incoming first-year students through orientation sessions. Recipients of the spring 2009 Bette Soldwedel Research Grants were also announced. Dr. Elizabeth Furdell, professor of history, and Eleni Akapnitis, a UNF student studying sociology, were each awarded stipends to fund research efforts. For more than 20 years, the UNF Women's Center has been a vital hub of learning and advocacy for the University community. The Women's Center provides emergency loans, victim advocacy services, rape awareness education as well as information and referrals on a variety of women's issues, in addition to hosting performances, lectures and events each year. For more information about the Women's Center at UNF, call ext. 2528.
Talk about bridging the gap between classroom learning and real world experience, a group of students from Jenny Hager-Vickery's Enlivened Spaces class created a large-scale art project titled "Contrasting Nature," which they temporarily installed on the Nature Trails bridge over Lake Oneida March 23. The structure is comprised of galvanized pipe, custom steel brackets and various fabrics, including a fabric normally used for privacy fences and tennis courts. According to Hager-Vickery, an art and design instructor, the primary objective of the class is to inspire artwork that transforms and enhances an existing space. Other objectives include generating ideas, drawing up proposals, creating models, obtaining appropriate permission for installing and displaying the piece, scaling up the work for the specific space for which it is designed, designing and agreeing upon a budget for the project (more than $500 for this particular project that the students contributed themselves), getting quotes, purchasing materials, building the project and installing and removing it. "I try to encourage big ideas and then help guide the students in producing them," Hager-Vickery said. "The students do all of the work necessary to create a project of this scale. My role is to create a schedule/mini-deadlines, to make sure the class is moving forward as planned, to generate discussions on budget, aesthetic, safety and structural decisions, and to make sure the group dynamic stays positive, productive and enthusiastic." The upper-level art and design course is designed to empower the students to work independently. Student Scott Mihalik came up with the idea for the project and served as the project leader. But because of the scale of the project, collaboration is a large part of the process and curriculum. "The seven students involved pooled skills, resources, design ideas, money and time to create this work," Hager-Vickery said. "They literally shared their specific skills with each other. Some showed others how to weld or sew, while others contributed ideas about engineering and construction." Because the students weren't allowed to screw anything into the bridge structure, a custom-designed bracket was fashioned and used so that nothing penetrated the wood of the bridge. "All of the elements of the structure were built in the Sculpture Studio behind the Fine Arts Center," Hager-Vickery said. "When all of the components were completed, the students brought them out to the bridge and assembled them. Because of all of the planning and testing, the installation itself took less than an hour." The structure was scheduled to be removed March 27, but the students requested permission to leave it up for a while longer to allow more trail users to enjoy it. "A project of this scale is a challenge and they pulled it off beautifully," Hager-Vickery said. "I hope the bridge project inspires people to see and visit our class's work."
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has announced the following grants and contracts:
Larry Daniel (College of Education and Human Services' Dean's Office) and Lunetta Williams (Childhood Education), "CIS Reflective Practice Study," Communities in Schools of Jacksonville Inc., $17,500 Janice Donaldson (Small Business Development Center), "Florida Small Business Development Center Network, 2009," University of West Florida/U.S. Small Business Administration, $659,593 Paul Easton (Engineering), "Materials Testing Support for the James Webb Space Telescope," Genesis Engineering Solutions Inc., $1,161 Cheryl Fountain (Florida Institute of Education), "Jacksonville Journey Evaluation Program," Early Learning Coalition of Duval, $100,000; and "Sunshine State Scholars 2008-2009," Florida Education Foundation, $65,000 Michael Hallett (Center for Criminal Justice Policy Research), "Operation New Hope Implementation Evaluation," Operation New Hope Inc., $5,000 Paul Harwood (Public Opinion Research Laboratory), "Motorcycle Safety Surveys Spring 2009," Institute of Police Technology and Management/U.S. Department of Transportation, $136,364 Jeffrey Harrison (Public Health), "2008 Brooks Professorship: The Effect of the Prospective Payment System on Quality and Efficiency in Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals," UNF Foundation/Brooks Health Foundation, $20,000 Dean Krusienski (Engineering), "General Purpose Brain-Computer Interface System, Amendment 1," Health Research Inc./National Institutes of Health, $80,753 Rebecca Marcon (Psychology), "Partners in Education and Research for Kindergarten Success (PERKS)," The Children's Forum Inc./U.S. Department of Education, $35,112 Ouida McNeil (Enrollment Services), "The Jacksonville Commitment," City of Jacksonville, $75,000 Radha Pyati and Stuart Chalk (Chemistry and Physics) and Patrick Welsh (Engineering), "The River Accord: A Partnership for the Lower St. Johns River Ð Continuation," City of Jacksonville, $184,754 Rose Marie Rine (Athletic Training and Physical Therapy), "Advanced Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) Screening and Testing System," Intelligent Hearing Systems Inc./National Institutes of Health, $179,972; "Vestibular Deficits and Related Impairments in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion," Nemours Children's Clinic Jacksonville, $43,659 (two awards); and "Vestibular Function and Gait Analysis Research, Year Three," Nemours Children's Clinic Jacksonville, $39,231 Cliff Ross (Biology), "Salinity-induced Enzymatic Stress Response in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, Phase II," St. Johns River Water Management District, $12,000 Adam Shapiro (Sociology and Anthropology) and Chung-Ping Loh (Economics and Geography), "Advanced Performance Outcomes Measurement Project (POMP)," Florida Department of Elder Affairs/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $26,600 Carolyn Stone and Christopher Janson (Leadership, Counseling and Instructional Technology), "GEAR UP 4 (Northwestern Middle, Paxon Middle, Ribault Middle, Matthew Gilbert Middle, and Jackson and Ribault high schools), 2008-2014," Duval County Public Schools/U.S. Department of Education, $505,465 Henry Thomas (Political Science and Public Administration), "FAMU-TNE HBCU (Teachers for a New Era, Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Partnership Project," Florida A&M University/Carnegie Corporation of New York, $30,000 Sharon Wilburn (Public Health), "Empowering Jacksonville Older Adults and Their Families to Achieve Mental Wellness," Urban Jacksonville Inc., $13,507 Jeffry Will (Sociology and Anthropology), "Cultural Council Economic Impact of the Arts and Audience Surveys," Cultural Council of Jacksonville, $7,487 Larry Daniel (College of Education and Human Services' Dean's Office) and Lunetta Williams (Childhood Education), "CIS Reflective Practice Study," Communities in Schools of Jacksonville Inc., $17,500 Janice Donaldson (Small Business Development Center), "Florida Small Business Development Center Network, 2009," University of West Florida/U.S. Small Business Administration, $659,593 Paul Easton (Engineering), "Materials Testing Support for the James Webb Space Telescope," Genesis Engineering Solutions Inc., $1,161 Cheryl Fountain (Florida Institute of Education), "Jacksonville Journey Evaluation Program," Early Learning Coalition of Duval, $100,000; and "Sunshine State Scholars 2008-2009," Florida Education Foundation, $65,000 Michael Hallett (Center for Criminal Justice Policy Research), "Operation New Hope Implementation Evaluation," Operation New Hope Inc., $5,000 Paul Harwood (Public Opinion Research Laboratory), "Motorcycle Safety Surveys Spring 2009," Institute of Police Technology and Management/U.S. Department of Transportation, $136,364 Jeffrey Harrison (Public Health), "2008 Brooks Professorship: The Effect of the Prospective Payment System on Quality and Efficiency in Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals," UNF Foundation/Brooks Health Foundation, $20,000 Dean Krusienski (Engineering), "General Purpose Brain-Computer Interface System, Amendment 1," Health Research Inc./National Institutes of Health, $80,753 Rebecca Marcon (Psychology), "Partners in Education and Research for Kindergarten Success (PERKS)," The Children's Forum Inc./U.S. Department of Education, $35,112 Ouida McNeil (Enrollment Services), "The Jacksonville Commitment," City of Jacksonville, $75,000 Radha Pyati and Stuart Chalk (Chemistry and Physics) and Patrick Welsh (Engineering), "The River Accord: A Partnership for the Lower St. Johns River Ð Continuation," City of Jacksonville, $184,754 Rose Marie Rine (Athletic Training and Physical Therapy), "Advanced Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) Screening and Testing System," Intelligent Hearing Systems Inc./National Institutes of Health, $179,972; "Vestibular Deficits and Related Impairments in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion," Nemours Children's Clinic Jacksonville, $43,659 (two awards); and "Vestibular Function and Gait Analysis Research, Year Three," Nemours Children's Clinic Jacksonville, $39,231 Cliff Ross (Biology), "Salinity-induced Enzymatic Stress Response in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, Phase II," St. Johns River Water Management District, $12,000 Adam Shapiro (Sociology and Anthropology) and Chung-Ping Loh (Economics and Geography), "Advanced Performance Outcomes Measurement Project (POMP)," Florida Department of Elder Affairs/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $26,600 Carolyn Stone and Christopher Janson (Leadership, Counseling and Instructional Technology), "GEAR UP 4 (Northwestern Middle, Paxon Middle, Ribault Middle, Matthew Gilbert Middle, and Jackson and Ribault high schools), 2008-2014," Duval County Public Schools/U.S. Department of Education, $505,465 Henry Thomas (Political Science and Public Administration), "FAMU-TNE HBCU (Teachers for a New Era, Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Partnership Project," Florida A&M University/Carnegie Corporation of New York, $30,000 Sharon Wilburn (Public Health), "Empowering Jacksonville Older Adults and Their Families to Achieve Mental Wellness," Urban Jacksonville Inc., $13,507 Jeffry Will (Sociology and Anthropology), "Cultural Council Economic Impact of the Arts and Audience Surveys," Cultural Council of Jacksonville, $7,487
The thought of standardized tests sends shivers down the spines of high school students everywhere. Pressure to get a good score can stress even the most laid-back student. There's no way to get around the test, but knowing you can take the test multiple times can help release some of the pressure. Probyn Inniss, minority recruitment coordinator at UNF, talks about when students should take the test and how often, as well as questions to consider when applying to colleges. When should high school students take the SAT and ACT?I encourage students to take the SAT and ACT in the spring of their junior year and again as a senior, although they can start earlier if they are motivated. By taking the test as a junior, it guarantees that scores will be received before the application priority deadline, which is usually mid-fall. Also, it gives students several opportunities to re-test if they aren't satisfied with their score on the first try. Does it help to take both the SAT and the ACT? Yes, some test takers do perform better on one test than the other. That being said, the best way to do well on either exam is to prepare (study) early and take advantage of the resources available at schools and libraries. How many times can or should a student take the ACT or SAT?A student can take the ACT or SAT as many times as he or she likes, but I suggest taking it no more than two or three times. Since almost all schools now take a student's highest combined score when evaluating them for admission, students and parents don't need to worry that multiple scores will reflect poorly on their application. As long as a student does his or her best to prepare, the student should achieve his or her full potential by trying two or three times. When should parents begin the college conversation with their kids? Start talking to your student about college when he or she is in middle school. A student who decides to go to college before high school is able to use all four years to help reach his or her goals. If you know the courses you need to take in high school, you can start satisfying college admission requirements as early as the eighth grade. The decisions you make about your high school studies can influence whether the college you choose will also choose you. What are several questions a student should consider when applying to college? One thing to consider is the importance of fit. This means that students must think beyond where many of their friends are going the following year (don't follow the crowd, chart your own destiny) or where their family members have gone (holding on to tradition). As you begin to peruse the masses of college brochures and magazines, you must ask yourself "Can I call this place home for the next four years?" If the answer is yes, the next question should be "Does this institution provide a good balance of academic enrichment (intellectual growth) with social and professional opportunities?" If the answer is yes, the third question a student should ask is "What is required in order for me to be admitted?" Once you have answered these basic questions, you should begin the application process as early as possible. Every month, the column "Ask UNF" runs in Inside and The Florida Times-Union, promoting the expertise of UNF faculty and staff
Nutrition and Dietetics:
Dr. Judith C. Rodriguez was elected president of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With 70,000 members, the ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. She takes office in June 2009 and will serve as president-elect, president and past president for a three-year term. Rodriguez also gave a presentation titled "Have a Healthy Heart" for the Heart of a Woman Luncheon in February for the Women of Color Cultural Foundation Inc. Dr. Susan McMarlin was one of the panelists. Dr. Catherine Christie was recently elected at-large delegate of the ADA. Drs. Shahla Khan, Catherine Christie, Judith Rodriguez and Julia Watkins published "Health Implications of Food Patterns in Belize" in the January/March 2009 issue of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 24, No. 1). This project was funded by a 2006 TLO grant. Public Health:
Dr. Kerry L. Clark gave a presentation after the showing of "Under Our Skin" by the Northeast Florida Lyme Association at the Atlantic Beach Theatre in March. He discussed his human Lyme disease research findings and answered questions.
Accounting and Finance: An article written by Dr. Tom Barton and his co-authors from the University of Virginia, Bill Shenkir and Paul Walker will inaugurate a series of articles in the journal Financial Executive. The series will update research studies published by the Financial Executive Institute's research arm, FERF, and is in commemoration of FERF's 65th anniversary. Barton's article titled "ERM: The Changing Landscape" analyzes how the practice of enterprise risk management has evolved over the last decade. It will appear in the June 2009 issue of Financial Executive.
Art and Design:
Louise Freshman Brown's paintings were exhibited at the Mennello Museum of Art in Orlando and the Terrace Gallery in Orlando's City Hall. The exhibitions were titled "Picturing Florida, from the First Coast to the Space Coast." In February, Brown lectured and presented her collage works at the Third International Conference on Design Principles and Practices at Technical University in Berlin, Germany. Vanessa Cruz exhibited "Fragile Bodies" (drawing and video) at a National Juried Exhibition at Northern Kentucky University in February. Jenny Hager's work was included in the Imagillaboration Traveling Exhibition at Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta in February and March. Dr. Debra Murphy organized and chaired the session titled "Southern Influences/Southern Themes" for the Southeastern College Art Conference at the annual meeting of the College Art Association in Los Angeles in February. Biology:
Dr. Joe Butler presented "Survey of the Distribution of Ornate Diamondback Terrapins in the Big Bend Region of Florida" to the Florida Regional Meeting of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group in February. Dr. Judy Ochrietor presented a poster at the 48th annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Francisco. Dr. Cliff Ross presented a research seminar at The University of Florida's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences titled "Under Water Adhesives: Wound Healing Strategies in Marine Algae" in February. Chemistry and Physics:
Dr. Phil Davis presented "Entropy and Structure of Methylisocyanate" at the Chemistry and Physics Colloquium in February. Drs. Lev Gasparov, Nirmal Patel and Tom Pekarek, along with undergraduate students from the Department of Chemistry and Physics, published a paper titled "Raman Studies of Doped Magnetite Above and Below the Verwey Transition" in the Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 105, No. 1, 2009. Patel and Dr. Jay Huebner, along with undergraduate students from the Department of Chemistry and Physics, received news that their article titled "Odor Sensing with Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films on Quartz Crystal Microbalance," which was published in Sensors and Transducers Journal, Vol. 91, Issue 4, April 2008, has been selected among the 10 best articles published in Sensors and Transducers in 2008. English:
Dr. Mark Ari published a short story titled "No One Can Talk to the Birds" in Jewish Magazine, Issue 231, March 2009 (http://www.jewishmag.com/index.htm). Dr. Clark Lunberry published an essay titled "Soliloquies of Silence: James Turrell's Theatre of Installation," in Mosaic, Vol. 42, No. 1, March 2009. History:
Dr. David Courtwright gave an address titled "Brain Freeze: Resistance to the New Addiction Science" at a conference on Addiction, the Brain and Society at Emory University in February. Mathematics and Statistics:
Dr. Denis Bell presented an invited colloquium talk titled "Poisson's Remarkable Calculation Ð A Method or a Trick?" at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Daniel Dreibelbis gave a talk titled "What is Elliptic Curve Cryptography?" at the Joint Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America and the Florida Two-Year College Mathematics Association at Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers. Dr. Scott Hochwald gave a talk titled "Mathematical Amusements" and a second talk as the Mathematical Association of America Governor at the 2009 Joint Meetings of the MMA and the Florida Two-Year College Mathematics Association at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers. Debora Simonson presented a talk titled "Collinearity in Multile Linear Regression Analysis" at the 32nd annual conference of the Southwest Educational Research Association in San Antonio. Music:
Dr. Gordon R. Brock served in February as a guest conductor at the 35th Annual Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University in Troy, Ala., where he conducted the Troy University Symphony Band plus a high school honor band. Dr. Marc Dickman was a featured artist and clinician at Western Michigan University in February. The same month he also was a featured jazz artist at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. J.B Scott was a featured performer with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in Mississippi. His group, J.B. Scott's Swingin' All-stars, performed a Mardi Gras Concert for the Hilton Head Symphony Society in February. Dr. Randy Tinnin performed Contrasts, a lecture/recital featuring his paper "Premire Solo de Cornet Pistons, by Georges He: Music of the Concours for Cornet of the Paris Conservatory after Arban," at the College Music Society Conference at the University of Central Florida in February. Psychology:
Dr. Rebecca Marcon presented the paper "Do Preschoolers' Own Names Influence Their Knowledge about Letter Names?" with four student authors at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association in New Orleans in February. Sociology and Anthropology:
Dr. Gordon F.M. Rakita published a chapter titled "Mortuary and Non-Mortuary Ritual Practices at the Pre-Hispanic site of Paquim (Casas Grandes), Chihuahua, Mexico" in "Reanalysis and Reinterpretation in Southwestern Bioarchaeology," part of the Arizona State Museum's Anthropological Monograph Series. World Languages:
Dr. Jorge Febles published "ÔAm I Your Worst Nightmare?': Reading Roberto G. Fernndez's Major Fictions" in Cuban-American Literature and Art: Negotiating Identities (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2009; pp. 77-92), edited by Isabel çlvarez Borland and Lynnette M. F. Bosch. Dr. Patricia Geesey presented a paper titled "Madness and Hybridity in Lela Marouane's La Vie Sexuelle d'un Islamiste Paris" at the "Littrature-Monde: New Wave or New Hype?" International Conference at the Winthrop-King Institute for Contemporary French and Francophone Studies at Florida State University in February. Dr. Nuria Ibez-Quintana presented "Electtra-Babel, Rememoracin Escnica de un Viaje de Reencuentro" at the annual meeting of the Northeast Modern Language Association in Boston in February.
Dean's Office:
Dr. Neal Coulter served as a judge for the First Coast Manufacturers Association's 2008 Excellence in Manufacturing Awards. School of Computing: Dr. Charles Winton conducted a Botball Robotics Educator's Workshop for Florida and Georgia educators Jan. 23-24 at UNF. School of Engineering:
Dr. Daniel Cox presented a poster titled "Computational Intelligence for Intelligent Control of Machinery and Manufacturing Processes" at the 2009 NSF Engineering Education Awardees Conference in February. Jean Fryman presented "What is an Engineer Anyway?" to gifted students during National Engineers Week at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School in February. She also hosted UNF's annual "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" event in February. Approximately 100 girls ages 8 to 18 attended the event. Drs. Alexandra Schonning and Steve Nix received high honors at the Feb. 21 Northeast Florida Engineers Week Banquet. Schonning was named Professor of the Year and Nix was named Engineer of the Year.
Childhood Education:
Dr. Gigi M. David will be one of the guest authors at the annual Young Writer's Workshop at Jacksonville Country Day School April 18. This is an outreach event for inner-city fourth- and fifth-grade students who are interested in writing and have been recommended by their classroom teachers. Children come from different areas around Jacksonville to participate in a couple of workshops led by local authors. This is David's fourth year participating. Dr. Katie Monnin accepted a book contract with Maupin House Publishers for her book titled "Teaching Graphic Novels." Dr. Nile Stanley published a new book with audio CD, "Performance Literacy through Storytelling," published by Maupin House Publishing in Gainesville. Stanley is also part of a performance literacy duo that combines music, story and poetry, ER Ð Entertain Reading, along with undergraduate psychology major Ben Brenner. They will be featured storytellers for the Jacksonville Public Library's summer story time series. Drs. Christine Weber and Terence Cavanaugh presented a full paper on "Optimizing Secondary Gifted Students' Literary Experiences with Ebooks" which was co-authored by Dr. Nile Stanley at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education conference in Charleston, S.C., in March. Weber and Dr. Laurel Stanley presented a paper on "Increasing Parents' Perceptions about Raising Gifted Children" at the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA) in Sarasota in February. Exceptional Student and Deaf Education:
Dr. Donald Moores has been selected to give a keynote address to the International Congress on Education of the Deaf, to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, in July. The Congress convenes every five years. Moores' keynote will be on the topic "Education of Learners with Diverse Needs." Foundations and Secondary Education:
Drs. Richard Chant and Jeffrey Cornett presented a paper titled "Social Studies Professors' Theorizing: Insights from Two Decades of Deliberation and Collaboration" at the 2009 International Society for the Social Studies Conference in Orlando in February. Leadership, Counseling and Instructional Technology:
Dr. Terence Cavanaugh had an article appear in The Florida Times-Union titled "Where in the World is Bella Swan?" which describes the book-mapping project he has been doing with the Florida Reading Association. Cavanaugh presented at the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA) conference in Sarasota on "Using Web 2.0 Mapping Tools to Build Community Among Educational Leadership Distance Learning Students." Cavanaugh also presented three papers at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education conference in Charleston, SC., including "Textbook Costs, Legislation and Options: Choosing your Textbook in the 21st Century"; a paper with Dr. Chris Weber (mentioned above); and "Class Map for Community in Online Education Courses," which he co-authored with two colleagues from other universities.
International Center:
The International Center hosted the annual state conference for the Florida Association of International Educators (FAIE) in February. FAIE is comprised of international educators from across the state and provides its members professional education and training. During the conference, Meghan Hotchkiss presented a session titled "The 411 on the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship" and Ruth Lopez and Erika Rigby received the FAIE "You Made a World of Difference" award for their dedication and service to international students. Dr. Timothy Robinson was appointed for a second term as coordinator of the FAIE Jacksonville-East District. Susannah Jischke completed the NAFSA training course F-1 for Beginners, which introduces new international student advisers to federal regulations, the SEVIS database and resources for advising international students. Jischke has since been added as a UNF Designated School Official (DSO), authorized to work with the University's federal compliance requirements on monitoring international students.
Department: Political Science and Public Administration Job: Director of Pre-Law Program and Senior Instructor Years at UNF: 18 If you could choose any other career, what would it be and why?I've had a career in the practice of law, in the public sector and private practice, and a career in teaching at UNF. I believe a third career might be in writing. I think it would give me an opportunity to create stories based upon some of the real cases I either prosecuted or defended. I've done some of that in the scenarios I've written for the mock trial class. We have a civil lawsuit brought by the Lone Ranger, and the arrest of Batman for drunk driving, for example. I was an assistant state attorney for four years and defended criminally accused clients for another 15 years. I also taught criminal law both at UNF and the Florida Coastal School of Law for a number of years. So I can draw on a wealth of experience in my writing. Tell us about your family. My wife, Betty, is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and has a master's in counseling from UNF. She is semi-retired and caring for her mother. Our daughter, Angela, graduated with a degree in art history from Wake Forest University and received a second degree in computer graphics from UNF. She designs Web sites and is a power seller on eBay. Our son, Joshua, graduated with a degree in vocal performance from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. He owns a condo in Jacksonville and has a Realtor's license, but lives in New York City, where he is auditioning for a part in a Broadway show. Tell us something that would surprise people to know about you. I sold snow cones at the Woodstock Rock Festival in August of 1969. What was the first concert you ever attended, and what was the most recent concert you attended? When I was a small boy, I attended a Duke Ellington concert. Talk about something different; my most recent concert attended was the Elton John-Billy Joel concert. What is your favorite thing about working at UNF? I like the flexibility of my job and the opportunities to be creative. I've designed a number of new courses, which are regularly taught. I also enjoy introducing students to the law and watching many of them eventually become lawyers. What would you like to do when you retire? Write about the law and continue traveling. Every summer we try to visit a different country. This summer it's China. We did Russia several years ago. What is the best thing you ever won?The heart of my wife. We have been married 36 years. What is the proudest/happiest moment of your life?This is easy, the birth of our two children. What are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about family. Not just my wife and children. When each of my sister's three children graduated high school, my wife and I took each of them on a trip outside of the country. I'm also a passionate Florida Gator football and basketball fan. I worked in the Sports Publicity Department while a student at UF and later graduated from law school there. I am a past president of the Jacksonville Gator Club. If you won the lottery, what would do with the money? Donate some of it to charities and causes I currently support. What is your favorite way to blow an hour? I enjoy reading. I read a lot of non-fiction during the academic year and fiction during the summer. What person had the greatest impact on your life? My father. He taught me many things about human nature and how to deal fairly with people. Tell us something about you that even your friends don't know. I enjoy opera. What's the last book you read? "The Associate" by John Grisham.
Q -- From Mary Baron (Department of English): Is there a study/list of the many birds on campus Ð residents and turistas? A -- From AyoLane Halusky (Eco-Adventure coordinator and chief ranger of the Wildlife Sanctuary): The rangers for UNF's Wildlife Sanctuary currently do not have a program to monitor migrations. The local chapter of the Audubon Society walks the trails twice a year and conducts a count. Ann Turner conducted the walk this winter. We are working to create an Eco-Tourism Certification through Continuing Ed here at UNF. A portion of the certificate will be about monitoring flora and fauna. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact me at email@example.com. Q -- From Nancy Purvis (Student Affairs): Is there anyway that benches might be provided around the fountain in front of the Arena? A -- From Matthew Taylor (Director of Physical Facilities): This is not an easy question to address. The area has been kept open because of numerous outside functions and activities that take place in the area surrounding the fountain. We will look at the possibility of placing some benches in areas that do not impact the plaza. Thanks for the suggestion.
The following employees will celebrate a milestone anniversary at UNF in April: 20 years: Pamela Bush, coordinator of events and planning in the University Center 10 years: Bonnie LaGasse, senior accounts payable receiving representative in University Housing Matt Kilcullen, administrator, Athletics Five years: Tully Burnett, associate director of Auxiliary Services Edward Doyle, program manager for the Training and Services Institute Walter Fisher, coordinator of parking transportation services for University Parking Tracy Geake, coordinator of budgets for Information Technology Services Floyd Hurst, University controller for the Controller's Office Welcome The following employees were either hired or promoted at UNF from mid-February to mid-March: Reginald Adams, custodial worker for Physical Facilities Jeremy Duckworth, coordinator of computer applications for Student Government Justin Loury, recycle refuse worker for Physical Facilities Mark Richardson, associate director of safety security for Campus Police Melvin Walker, maintenance mechanic for Physical Facilities


text:
Some guy in Houston is selling a Neo Geo cabinet with a 100 game board installed on Craigslist for $400 and any time I see a real arcade cab going for less than $500 somewhere I always have to think it over. Haven't ever pulled the trigger yet, but always think it over.
But as is often the case, the starting point of my stroll through the gaming forest is not the real subject of my post. I was googling this 100-game multiboard that I'd never heard of and stumbled across this video tribute to the Neo Geo from ScrewAttack's Keith Apicary. I don't know anything about ScrewAttack, but I dig the video - check it out.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Four Bright Buttons and Two Joysticks!
Some guy in Houston is selling a Neo Geo cabinet with a 100 game board installed on Craigslist for $400 and any time I see a real arcade cab going for less than $500 somewhere I always have to think it over. Haven't ever pulled the trigger yet, but always think it over.
Posted by MadPlanet at 5:26 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Labels: Neo Geo, ScrewAttack, Video
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Red Dead's QC Department is Beyond Redemption
I'm still drudging along through Red Dead Redemption, but I think I am nearing the point where I will have to place it in the never-finished pile. I like it much better than its cousin GTA IV, but for me it's still just a mediocre game. As I've been playing I have noticed several glitches - a pile of crates suspended in mid-air, guys running at full speed in the road but not moving an inch, etc. So I jumped online for a quick browse of RDR bugs and what do you know there have been all kinds of crazy things that slipped by Rockstar's game testers. Or maybe they put this stuff in intentionally - I don't know, but it just looks like sloppy/glitchy programming to me. Anyway, I found videos of several of them that I found amusing so...
Posted by MadPlanet at 2:49 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Labels: Red Dead Redemption
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Retro Gamer Magazine
Not too long ago I discovered a magazine online called Retro Gamer - it is a magazine published in the UK that is, as the name would suggest, dedicated to retro gaming. I wandered around their website (http://www.retrogamer.net/) for a while and they have some interesting stuff on there if you like old-school games like I do. I even found a few of the older issues online in PDF format so I downloaded them and checked them out to see what the magazine proper looked like and I liked it, but I'm the kind of guy that really needs the real magazine or book in my hand to enjoy it.
Well, last weekend I was in Fry's Electronics and as I was approaching the checkout line something caught my eye - a real copy of Retro Gamer Magazine! I was rather excited to see it in the real world so I bought a copy and checked it out. The main feature of this issue was a retrospective of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games (and I thought she was hot back in the day on the PS1 - just look at her now!)
It also had tons of retro game reviews, an interesting article on the Atari 7800, a feature on the making of the classic Dreamcast game Shenmue, an interview with Atari legend game developer Ed Logg who created Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet, Millipede, etc on the making of the arcade game Xybots (which I hadn't ever even played before but now I see is listed as one of the games at the upcoming Houston Area Arcade Expo). Anyway - I could go on but the bottom line is I think it is a cool magazine that offers unique content you won't see in other gaming magazines. And it is very well made and professionally done. It looks as good or better than any other gaming magazine like Game Informer or Playstation: the Official Magazine.
Being a British publication the magazine is a bit more focused on UK-centric things like the ZX Spectrum and the Amstrad CPC computers - neither of which I know much at all about, but they do plenty of material on the games more familiar to the US too. Plus, I found the new perspective (new to me) interesting. This issue introduced me to a British adventure game company called Magnetic Scrolls - I'd never heard of them but apparently they were quite popular in England and competed with Infocom over there. The universe keeps pulling me into adventure games lately for some reason.
The only drawback to buying it is the reason I probably won't be buying it regularly - the high price. It cost $10. $10! I really enjoyed the magazine but $10 just seems like way too much. Looks like you can buy them from their website for closer to $7.50 but I don't know what they charge for shipping it across the pond.
So check out the website and if you are in a Fry's - or possibly a Barnes and Noble - pick up a copy and give it a once over. You might just like it. I did.
Posted by MadPlanet at 6:51 PM 7 comments Links to this post
Labels: Lara Croft, Magnetic Scrolls, Retro Gamer Magazine, Tomb Raider
Friday, September 10, 2010
More Kevin Butler and the Move
Well the Playstation Move is set to release on September 19 and I stumbled across a couple of Kevin Butler spots for it that I hadn't seen before so I thought I'd toss 'em up here. From what I read about the Move it is more accurate and more responsive than the Wii motion controls even with the MotionPlus addition, but with my existing backlog of games and the steep price tag I'm not planning to get it. At least not right away - maybe a little further down the road. What about you?
Posted by MadPlanet at 12:22 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: Kevin Butler, Move, PS3
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Infocom and The Gallery of Zork
As I've mentioned on several occasions, I was a huge fan of Infocom's text adventure games back in the day. Actually, I should say that I AM a huge Infocom fan because even though it has been quite a while since I've played through an entire game of theirs, they still hold quite a fascination for me.
I won't torture you fine folks by prattling on for 10 pages in this post about how cool I think Infocom is (although I could!). No, I reserve the right to that hero-worship post later, but for now I just wanted to let you know about a cool website I stumbed onto this evening - The Gallery of Zork.
You might see scans of the fronts of game boxes at some Infocom tribute sites, but the guys at The Gallery of Zork really kick it up a notch. Yes, they offer high-resolution scans of the boxes (front, back, sides, and inside), but they also offer scans of pretty much every other Infocom item ever produced - the manuals, flyers, advertisements, Invisiclues books, newsletters, and all the the miscellaneous pack-in "feelies" that Infocom was famous for like the scratch n' sniffs from Leather Goddesses of Phobos, the pocket fluff and microscopic space fleet from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the swizzle stick from Hollywood Hijinx. Where my own copies of those items made off to I have no idea.
But perhaps best of all you can play ALL of the Infocom games online right on their website - and it won't cost you a single zorkmid! I've seen some websites where some of the games are offered for online play, but it really looks like these guys have all of them! The Java box you play them in is somewhat small which is a little distracting, but that aside it seems to work great. I suppose you could even make the box bigger by reducing your monitor resolution while you were playing - I might try that.
If you want to skip directly to their online playable games page go to http://www.accardi-by-the-sea.org/Infocom/Online/. They have them all set up quite nicely.
If you would like to take a look at all the goodies for a particular game before you launch into playing it, or if you just want to check out all their other cool stuff, then go to their homepage at www.accardi-by-the-sea.org/ and just start wandering around. Lots of great stuff to see there if you are an old school adventurer like me. So don't Z around for more time to pass, head over there and take a L!
Posted by MadPlanet at 2:20 AM 17 comments Links to this post
Labels: Gallery of Zork, Infocom, Links
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Play Games. Heal Kids.
If you're a hardcore gamer, you've probably logged a few all-night gaming sessions in your day. This October 16, you can use your gaming for the greater good by taking part in Extra Life.
Founded in 2008 by Jeromy "Doc" Adams of Sarcastic Gamer, Extra Life is a 24-hour gaming marathon that raises money for sick kids. In its first two years, Extra Life raised over $302,000 for Texas Children's Hospital. This year Sarcastic Gamer has partnered with Children's Miracle Network so that participants can keep the money raised in their local children's hospital.
The event works much like walk-a-thons and such where you get people to pledge money per every hour that you play. The goal is for each participant to find at least 4 people who will pledge a minimum of $1 per hour to the cause.
Teams are encouraged (MadPlanet's Gameroom Team anybody?), but you can also sign up or donate individually at http://extralife.sarcasticgamer.com/.
Posted by Fallguy40 at 7:23 PM 6 comments Links to this post

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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755 North Brown Rd. Lawrenceville, GA. 30043 (404) 246-0104
Fee assessed for detailed inspection report


text:
Article by Gene Hamilton
I have written plenty of times about the many benefits of my on-again, off-again yoga practice but failed to mention the dark side (and why my practice has been sporadic over the last 14 years). I have stressed going to a yoga studio with dedicated yoga teachers, not doing what I call "gym yoga" with 30 students and one teacher with limited experience, but even well meaning, dedicated teachers are human and make mistakes.
My first yoga experience was in 1998 in Boulder, Colorado. My friend Rusty was getting into yoga and he convinced me to go to a class at the YMCA. He used the, "not only is great for you, there are a lot of pretty girls there" approach that tends to work on single men. Well, there were a lot of pretty girls there and an instructor who sat way at the end of the room and basically did his own yoga practice while explaining to us what to do (not what I would call a good instructor). He never walked around the room watching and correcting our form, which is fundamental to yoga. Men, especially when there are four or five of them in a room with 25 women, are rather competitive so I wanted to do everything the teacher and my friend Rusty were doing. Unfortunately, I was cheating, rounding my lower back when I should of been hinging at the hips and various other ways to allow my unflexable body to bend like the instructor's (in my eyes). Since the instructor did not walk around the room and observe us I never knew I was doing poses incorrectly. One day I found out just how incorrectly I was doing things when I heard an audible pop in my lower back and felt a sudden pain there. Long story short, I stopped doing yoga that day and spent two weeks getting massage therapy and visiting the chiropractor to fix my back.
Two years later when I lived in Fruita, Colorado I discovered a wonderful yoga studio ran by a woman in her late sixties. She had studied under B. K. S. Iyengar, founder of Iyenger Yoga and was, as described by a friend of mine "old school" in how strict she was (my nickname for her was the Yoga Nazi, after the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld). After three weeks of doing four to five yoga classes a week I was really feeling good and was starting to really enjoy yoga. Then one day in class we were focusing on twists to open up our hips and backs and she came up behind me and in her Austrian accent said, "Why are you so stiff Gene, you are too young to be so stiff!" and then she powerfully twisted me further and again, snap, a muscle let go in my back. Another round of chiropractor and massage therapist visits. This time I tentatively returned to yoga just didn't take classes that she taught, but often still felt more back pain after yoga than before, I honestly thought this was part of the process, no pain, no gain.
I repeated this on-again, off-again practice for the next 11 years or so until last winter when I started doing yoga regularly. This time, with a little investigation I found more enlightened yoga instructors. They would say things like, "find the softness in the pose", "relax and breathe, don't strain" and perhaps the best thing to tell students, "it is your practice, go only to the edge of discomfort where you can still breathe". This was amazing, as I found that if I stayed at the edge of discomfort and used my breathe I could slowly open up my body much deeper than when I tried to force it! I was also fortunate enough to get a few private lessons with BetterRides' Communications Director who had just gotten back from yoga teacher training in Thailand. She explained some really basic concepts of how to stand correctly and hold poses correctly as well as the goal of many common poses (why we are doing this pose, and how it will look and feel when I am able to do it really well). Then one day I showed up to yoga class and I was the only student! Rather than cancel the class the instructor gave me a private lesson and really focused on how I could and could not move. She was the first instructor to tell me to only go so far in certain forward folds and to bend my knees in forward folds (that are designed to be done with straight legs) where I was curving my lower back instead of hinging. She also told me to sit on a folded blanket to tilt my hips forward when doing seated forward folds (just like tilting my saddle forward so I can hinge at the hips better on my bike!). When I went to Bali this summer many of the instructors reinforced these same techniques. Being able to bend my knees a little and focusing on bringing my chest to my thighs made yoga completely pain free for me! This allowed me to really open up my body!
Unfortunately, my favorite yoga instructor, here in Tempe moved away so I have been searching for some new instructors. My search brought me to a Yin Yoga class after a short, but great ride on South Mountain. As a matter of fact it was last Wednesday, the day after I published my "Mountain Biking and Back Pain: How to Prevent it and Cure it" article. Also, a few days after I aware of my breath throughout an entire yoga class (a huge breakthrough for me). Halfway through a great class while blissfully meditating in a seated forward fold the instructor starts pushing on my lower back to deepen my stretch. My first thought was to yell "STOP!", but I didn't want to interrupt the others in the class and thought that maybe with all the classes I had taken recently my back was actually hinged (instead of bent) and he was helping me hinge further. Nope, after the class my lower back was starting to hurt and by the time I rode my bike home it was really hurting!
Well, I knew this was a muscle pull, not tight myofasica, but I figured some light foam rolling would help so I spent 20-30 minutes working on getting my lower back to relax. Then I had to continue boxing up my bike for my flight to Austin the next day. As you can imagine sitting on a plane for two hours and hauling my bike box around airports, into rental cars and into my hotel wasn't the best therapy for a pulled muscle, but there were eight eager students excited to be coached the next day. After Friday's coaching my back didn't feel any worse, still hurt a little from the pulled muscle but not too bad. I rolled on my tennis balls for a half hour and it felt a little better. Repeated the same routine on Saturday and felt great on Sunday morning. The Students were stoked, it looked like the rain was going to hold off and I was looking forward to coaching. Then I bent down to tie my shoe and wham! That pulled muscle lit up and still hurts like heck today, two days, one massage and one chiropractor visit later.
How can you benefit from this cautionary tale? Take your time to find good, supportive yoga instructors and if you don't want harsh physical adjustments tell the instructor before the class (the best ones will usually ask first but many, like mine the other day don't ask). I still love yoga and will continue to do it but I won't think twice about telling an instructor to get his hands off me, even it disrupts the whole class. I know he meant well but he should of asked and regardless I should of told him to stop. My failure to yell stop is going to cost me a week or two of lost work and a week or two of not enjoying my life and losing what little fitness I regained this fall. Oh, and hundreds of dollars in chiropractor and massage therapy bills. Please learn from my mistake!


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You know what time it is? Valentine's Time. And whether you're a devotee of Cupid or a this-holiday-was-invented-by-Hallmark humbug, our museum store has a range of gifts you'll love giving – or receiving.
Check out these these heart-warming selections – each was chosen based on an ancient cultural belief or historic tradition associated with the material from which it's made – meaning your gift will be much more than just jewelry. It will be a story that you'll both remember forever.*
Check out our full list of Valentine's Selections – and Get 10% Off!
Amethysts are a guy's best friend! Greek and English legends attribute many virtues to this stone, thought to aid the warrior in victory and make a man shrewd in business.
The Greek word amethystos translates to "not drunken." Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness or lovesickness; wine goblets were often carved of this stone.
Amethysts are also a perfect way to make your woman feel like a queen on Valentine's! February's birthstone was associated with royalty by the Europeans – this stone is featured in the British Crown Jewels.
|Shop local! These gorgeous amethyst earrings are set with
24kt gold vermeil by local designer Via Vandi. Earrings: $280. Members: $252.
See more amethyst selections.
Give the stars: in Roman mythology, diamonds are splinters of stars that the god Eros used as arrow tips. You can put them to a much more romantic use.
|Handmade by Houston designer Rebecca Lankford, this 14kt gold necklace features
two sweet details: a lovely heart, and 3 multi-color raw Indian diamonds.
Necklace: $430. Members: $387.
See more diamond selections.
Venus is the Roman goddess of love – and also the brightest natural object in the night sky. Show your significant other how much they brighten your life.
|Washington glassblowers Glass Eye Studio create this stunning recreation of the galaxy's
most romantic planet from Handblown and dichroic glass. Paperweight: $135. Members: $121.50
See our other Valentine's gift ideas.
Butterflies flirt. In their courting dance, each partner moves away in various directions yet always comes back to the other. This behavior has made these insects symbols of love, especially in Japan.
Late Roman artifacts often portrayed Prometheus making humankind while Minerva stood nearby holding aloft a butterfly, which represented the soul.
Show your soul mate how much they mean to you with these naturally collected butterflies – which come from butterfly ranches that support rain forest conservation.
"Purple haze" butterfly specimen box by Houston artist Todd McKamy. $145.00. Members: $130.50.
Pearls are associated with Greek Aphrodite, goddess of love – you can't get much more romantic than that.
Or maybe you can: according to Arabic mythology, the pearl was created when a moonlight-filled dew drop fell into the sea.
Pearls were also associated with the Moon in Hindu culture, where they were symbols of love and purity. Hindu texts say that Krishna discovered the first pearl, which he presented to his daughter on her wedding day.
|Handmade in Thailand, this stunning bracelet features freshwater pearl and leather.
From Nakamol Design. Bracelet: $46. Members: $41.40.
See more pearl selections.
Imagine that you've been parted from your true love, stuck on a long sea voyage, thinking of nothing but her – and fish – for months. You're heading home, and you want to bring her something that will express the depth of your long-held affection. it might look something like this:
|Evoke old-style romance with a mirror inspired by traditional Sailor's Valentines!
"Sailor's valentine" style mirror: $24. Members: $21.60.
See our other gift selections for Valentine's Day!
She's the center of your universe – why not give her something associated with the Sun? Rubies belong to the Sun according to the Jyotish, an ancient Asian Indian classification of gems and astrology. They are also said to grant the bearer great success in love.
Rubies, oxidized sterling silver chain, 14kt gold. Handmade by Houston designer Rebecca Lankford.
Much more is available in store!
Check out our full list of Valentine's Selections – and Get 10% Off!


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Graduate students from Florida State University's music department will present "An Afternoon of Opera" this Sunday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. at Apalachicola's Trinity Episcopal Church as part of the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts concert series.
Soprano Abigail Rethwisch, mezzo-soprano Jessica Wax, baritone Andrew Paulson and pianist Justin Landers, all pursuing master's degrees, and tenor Jamison Walker, a doctoral candidate, will perform selections from both French and Italian operas, as well as Broadway.
The vocalists will present opera selections from Charles Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet," Léo Delibes' "Lakmé," Georges Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers," Gioachino Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia," Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro," Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," and Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca."
The musicians' Broadway selections will include work from Otto Nicolai's "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," and Claude-Michel Schönberg's "Les Misérables," leading to the finale from Johann Strauss' "Die Fledermaus."
The Ilse Newell concert series is administered by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society, with funding support from the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. Admission to the concert is by $5 donation for adults.


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I received the following announcement from my friend and senior, Stanley Henning, an expert on Chinese martial arts. I have been to his home, and he has as much or more material on Chinese martial arts as the Hawaii Karate Museum does on Karate... really.
I have spoken to Stan many times about the connection between Chinese martial arts and Karate. To learn about early Karate, we need to examine Chinese martial arts. Stan practices the art of Hsing-i.
I plan to attend Stan's talk and am looking forward to it. Here is the announcement:
HSPLS - OAHU TEEN PROGRAMSPlease let your friends and fellow martial artists know. I hope to see you there!
Stanley Henning, an independent scholar, has studied the history of martial arts for many years, both in the United States and in China. Henning will discuss Chinese martial arts, a major element of Chinese traditional physical culture over the centuries, to present day. Chinese martial arts have served as a source for the modern martial sports of Japanese Judo and Karate, and Korean Taekwondo. This one-hour program is suitable for ages 16 to adults.
99-143 Moanalua Road
Aiea, HI 96701-4009
Thursday, February 28, 7:00 p.m.
Ph. 808-483-7333
Charles C. Goodin


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TUESDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have as few as three alcoholic drinks a week may have a moderately increased risk of developing breast cancer, a new study finds.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 106,000 women taking part in the U.S. Nurses' Health Study to examine any links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. The women were followed from 1980 through 2008 and asked about their alcohol consumption about every four years.
"We did see a modest risk [of breast cancer] associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption," said lead study author Dr. Wendy Chen, an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
But Chen stressed that women who occasionally over-imbibe on vacation or at a holiday party shouldn't be alarmed; the research measured cumulative alcohol consumption over many years.
During the study period, about 7,700 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Women who reported drinking 5 to 9.9 grams of alcohol daily (less than half an ounce a day or the equivalent of three to six glasses of wine weekly) were 15 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who never or rarely drank alcohol.
Women who drank more -- about two glasses of wine, or 30 grams of alcohol, daily -- had a 51 percent increased risk of breast cancer. (Although the researchers converted grams of alcohol into glasses of wine, the risk was similar whether women drank wine, liquor or beer.)
The study is in the Nov. 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prior research has also found an association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. One reason for the connection may be that alcohol raises levels of circulating estrogen, and high levels of estrogen are linked to breast cancer, Chen said.
What made this study unusual is that information was provided about women's alcohol consumption over several decades. Many other studies have asked about alcohol consumption at a single point in time, but drinking patterns may change over a lifetime, Chen said.
Researchers also looked at whether breast cancer risk varied depending on when a woman drank -- either earlier in life (ages 18 to 40) or later in life -- but found it was the cumulative exposure that made the most difference.
Binge drinking per se -- consuming at least six drinks in a single day -- didn't seem to significantly add to breast cancer risk. However, binge drinkers did tend to consume more alcohol overall than other women, which upped the odds of breast cancer.
"It really is a cumulative average over a long period of time that gave the most consistent association with breast cancer risk," Chen said.
Researchers also analyzed average daily alcohol consumption alongside other factors that could impact breast cancer risk, such as family history and age, to make sure they were really getting at the effect of alcohol. They found that women who drank a lot were also more likely to smoke, although most studies have not found a strong link between tobacco and breast cancer, Chen said.
Dr. Steven Narod, research chair in breast cancer at Women's College Research Institute in Toronto, said the study was "well conducted."
"For breast cancer, it does seem the risks [of alcohol] start up at a lower level than we previously thought," Narod said.
But he urged women who drink regularly not to worry too much. "I don't think I would worry about drinking one or two drinks a week. If your average is five or six a week, I'm not sure that I would be particularly worried about that, either. But 10 or more a week, maybe," Narod said.
Previous studies have suggested a glass of red wine daily has cardiovascular benefits, and those findings should not be discounted, said Narod, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the same journal issue.
who abstain from all alcohol may find that a potential benefit
of lower breast cancer risk is more than offset by the
relinquished benefit of reduced cardiovascular mortality associated
with an occasional glass of red wine," he wrote.
Moreover, the study authors said no evidence exists to show that giving up drinking will lower a woman's risk of breast cancer.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has more on women and alcohol.


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A Walk to Remember (2002)
Landon: I'm sorry she never got her miracle.
Reverend Sullivan: She did. It was you.
Landon: Hey. How are you feeling?
Jamie: I'm ok, how are you?
Landon: Pretty good.
Jamie: I have something for you.
Landon: You do?
Jamie: Uh hmm... Don't worry it's not a bible. It was my mother's. It's got quotes from all her favorite books, and quotes by famous people. Her thoughts. Come on.
Landon: Okay, let's check it out. Okay..."What is a friend? It's a single soul dwelling in two bodies." -Aristotle.
Jamie: Uh uh, right here.
Landon: Okay. "Find out who you are, and do it on purpose." That's Dolly Parton.
Jamie: I always thought she was smart.
Landon: "Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful."
Landon: Are you scared?
Jamie: To death...
[Landon looks upset]
Jamie: Lighten up.
Landon: It's not funny.
Jamie: I'm scared of not being with you.
Landon: Oh baby, that will never happen... I'll be here.
[last lines]
Landon: [voiceover] Jamie saved my life. She taught me everything. About life, hope and the long journey ahead. I'll always miss her. But our love is like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it.
Landon: Jamie... I love you.
[long pause]
Landon: Now would be the time to say something.
Jamie: I told you not to fall in love with me.
Landon: Do you love me?
[she nods]
Landon: Will you do something for me, then?
Jamie: [smiles] Anything.
Landon: Will you marry me?
[Jamie smiles and kisses him]
Jamie: You know what I figured out today?
Landon: What?
Jamie: Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like this journey never ends. Like you were sent to me because I'm sick. To help me through all this. You're my angel.
Dean: If there is a higher power, why is it He can't get you a new sweater?
Jamie: He's too busy looking for your brain.
Jamie: I'm sick.
Landon: I'll take you home. You'll be be...
Jamie: No. Landon! I'm sick. I have Leukemia.
Landon: No. You're 18. You - you're perfect.
Jamie: No. I found out two years ago and I've stopped responding to treatments.
Landon: So why didn't you tell me?
Jamie: The doctor said I should go on and live life normally as best I could. I - I didn't want anybody to be weird around me.
Landon: Including me?
Jamie: Especially you!
[Jamie looks down]
Jamie: [Landon gets upset]
Jamie: Ya know, I was getting along with everything fine. I accepted it, and then you happened! I do not need a reason to be angry with God.
[Jamie runs away]
Jamie: You don't know the first thing about being someone's friend.
Landon: I don't want to just be your friend.
Jamie: You don't know what you want.
Landon: Neither do you. Maybe you're just too scared that someone might actually want to be with you.
Jamie: And why would that scare me?
Landon: Because then you wouldn't be able to hide behind your books, or your frickin' telescope, or your faith. No, no, you know the real reason why you're scared? It's cause you wanna be with me too.
Landon: Our love is like the wind... I can't see it, but I sure can feel it.
Jamie: You're acting like a crazy person, what's going on?
Landon: Right now, you're straddling the state line.
Jamie: OK...
Landon: You're in two places at once.
Landon: Jamie has faith in me. She makes me want to be different, better.
Landon: All I know is... you're beautiful.
Landon: Can you find this star, right here?
Jamie: Sure. So why am I looking for this star?
Landon: Because I had it named for you. See? It's official. It's from the International Star Registry.
Jamie: This is wonderful... I love you.
Jamie: How can you see places like this... and have moments like this and not believe?
Landon: You're lucky to be so sure.
Jamie: It's like the wind. I can't... see it, but I feel it.
Jamie: [crying, runs into Landon]
Landon: [holds her] This is about me, okay? This is not you. Wait here.
Jamie: [nods]
Reverend Sullivan: "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked." Hmmm.
[Landon walks into the Church as Reverend Sullivan is practicing his sermon]
Reverend Sullivan: "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap..." Can I help you?
Landon: Uh, yes, sir. I'd like to ask your daughter to dinner on Saturday night.
Reverend Sullivan: That's not possible.
Landon: Well... with all due respect, sir, I ask you to reconsider.
Reverend Sullivan: With all due respect, Mr. Carter, I made my decision. You can, uh, exit the way you entered.
Landon: Listen, I'm sorry I haven't treated Jamie the way I should've. She deserves more than that. I'm just asking you for the same thing that you teach us every day in Church. And that's faith.
Reverend Sullivan: [Exhales deeply]
Jamie: [to Landon] You're my angel.
Landon: Jamie, I'm trying here, OK? Maybe... maybe I miss spending time with you. Maybe you inspire me.
Jamie: Sounds like bull.
Landon: Which part?
Jamie: All of it.
Landon: Well it's not!
Jamie: Prove it.
Jamie: Please don't pretend like you know me, ok?
Landon: But I do, I do. We've had all the same classes in the same school since kindergarten. Why you're Jamie Sullivan. You sit at lunch table 7. Which isn't exactly the reject table, but is definitely in self exile territory. You have exactly one sweater. You like to look at your feet when you walk. Oh, oh, and yeah, for fun, you like to tutor on weekends and hang out with the cool kids from "Stars and Planets." Now how does that sound?
Jamie: Thoroughly predictable, nothing I haven't heard before.
Landon: You don't care what people think about you?
Jamie: No.
Jamie: [after she and Landon keep switching the radio station] Forty-two.
Landon: "Forty-two", what do you-what do you mean "forty-two"?
Jamie: Forty-two is "Befriend somebody I don't like". It's a to-do list I have.
Landon: What, like getting a new personality?
Jamie: Spend a year in the Peace Corps, make a medical discovery...
Landon: That's ambitious.
Jamie: ...Be in two places at once, get a tattoo.
Landon: What's number one?
Jamie: I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
Landon: Listen, Jamie, I was hoping we could run lines together?
Jamie: Okay, but just not so anybody knows, right?
Landon: Well I just figured we could surprise everyone with how good I get.
Jamie: Like we could be secret friends.
Landon: Exactly, exactly it's like you're reading my mind.
Jamie: Great umm... maybe you could read mine.
[she gives him a cold glare and turns away]
Landon: Jamie, Jamie I can't just be your friend.
Jamie: Landon, look, I thought I saw something in you, something good, but I was very wrong.
Landon: That is one scary
[turns around and sees Jamie's father]
Landon: Jesus!
Reverend Sullivan: No, Jamie's father.
Landon: So, what's your number one?
Jamie: To marry in the church my mother grew up. It's where my parents were married.
Jamie: Without suffering there would be no compassion.
Landon: Yeah, well tell that to those who suffer.
[at the hospital]
Reverend Sullivan: Do you remember when you were about five or six and you said you hated gravity? And you wanted to jump off the roof and fly?
Jamie: I was so angry at you for making me come down.
Reverend Sullivan: Honey, if I kept you too close it's because I wanted to keep you longer. You know, when I lost your mother, I was afraid that my heart would never open again. Jamie, I couldn't look at you for days.
Landon: What are you doing here?
Jamie: I could ask you the same question.
Landon: Do you normally walk alone in cemeteries at night?
Jamie: Maybe.
Eric: Talk to me man.
Landon: About what?
Eric: About you, about Jamie.
Landon: What's there to talk about? She's the best person I've ever known.
Eric: It's all good cause were gonna get club Landon and Club Eric jumping up in here. Oh, what do we got here ?
[Landon turns the CD player on]
Eric: Whoa, okay, okay, so your not really feeling my hip-hop, but what the hell is this?
Landon: Jamie lent it to me.
Eric: Now she's got you listening to her people music?
Landon: Okay... her people?
Eric: Yeah. Her... uh, bible-hugging, crucifix-wearing, honk-if-you-love-Jesus-people.
Landon: She's not like that.
Mr. Carter: Landon, don't walk away.
Landon: You taught me how.
Jamie: What do you want Carter? I've known you for years and you've never been the first one to come up and say "hello."
Clay Gephardt: You know what? I actually thought I wanted to be your friend. And now I have no idea why. No idea.
Landon: I made that jump once. Thought I was a bad ass. I remember actually saying that I meant to belly-flop.
Clay Gephardt: Did it hurt?
Landon: Like hell.
Clay Gephardt: Good.
Ms. Garber: Mr. Carter, are you trying to be bad at this?
Landon: Nah, it just comes naturally.
Jamie: [Speaking to someone else] This is a star frame and it will help you locate stars and planets with your naked eye. Mercury and Jupiter can be seen just over the west south west of the horizon after sunset.
Dean: Bet you can see angels up there flying around.
Jamie: In fact, there are some things that they call miraculous. Einstein said the more he studied the universe, the more he believed in a higher power.
Dean: Well, if there is a higher power, then why is it he can't get you a new sweater?
[His friends laugh]
Jamie: He's too busy looking for your brain.
Eric: Ohhhhh, dayaaaaam!
Jamie: OK, so you don't care about classes or graduating, but you like school because you're popular and you'll never be on top again.
Landon: That's thoroughly predictable.
Jamie: Your act only works on an audience.
Eric: Well, you know you got Belinda thinking that little lip action between you and Jamie was real.
[landon looks nervous while he still works]
Eric: Whats with you, man? It's like you don't even have time for your real friends anymore.
Landon: I dont know man, I'm just tired of doing the same old shit everyday.
Eric: This girl is changing you and you don't even know it.
Landon: Hah. Did Belinda say that too?
Eric: No, I did.
Eric: [reading lines passionately for Landon] Nothing's coincidence, baby. You know you're the only one who can make me sing.
[jokingly pretending to hump Mrs. Garber]
Eric: Oh yeah Miss Garber, oh, you gonna put Eric in all your plays!
[as Miss Garber]
Eric: Oh Eric, I'm gonna put you in all my plays!
Eric: Hey man, tell them maybe do, like, West Side Story, you know, get that nice big booty lookin' girl from Selena, ya know, "Maria, Maria!"
Landon: Saturday. No school.
Ms. Garber: Oh Landon! You were marvelous!
Landon: Thank you.
[walks away]
Landon: [to Jamie] You, uh, feelin' Christian?
Eric: It is true; I've seen the man bust a move and it just ain't pretty.
[first lines]
Dean: Is he here yet?
Reverend Sullivan: Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's shortcomings but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
[Apostle Paul; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7]


text:
Pomegranate Dessert Recipes
Blueberry Mousse: Easy Dessert Recipe
Blueberries are finally in season, so I went to the farmers' market and grabbed a few containers of the sweet, flavorful fruit. It was difficult, but I managed to save enough of these tiny treats to make a dessert. With fruit this fresh and flavorful, the dessert should be a showcase rather than cover up the ingredients. I think I accomplished that goal with this blueberry pomegranate mousse, and on top of that, it's so easy a little kid could do it.
To start, I blended blueberries with cream cheese. I cut the sweetness with a little pomegranate juice and pomegranate molasses and incorporated whipped cream for a light, fluffy mousse. Once the dessert cups rested long enough in the refrigerator, I garnished them with Italian pastry puffs and a few fresh blueberries. Voilà!
Full Recipe...