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Texas rice producers are getting help with some of their most damaging insect and disease pests from Texas AgriLife Research efforts.
Researchers M.O. Way, X.G. Zhou, and Jo Young-Ki reported on efforts to improve pest control at the recent Texas Plant Protection Association annual conference in College Station.
Zhou said bacterial panicle blight (BPB) poses a serious threat to rice production across the Southern U.S. rice region.
"In 2010, the disease was widespread across the Texas Rice Belt and in Arkansas," Zhou said. 'Unfortunately, no effective chemical options are currently available."
He said the disease caused yield reductions as high as 40 percent to 50 percent across much of the rice production area, including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida. Milling quality was also reduced.
"This disease may be difficult to differentiate from other diseases," he said, making it tricky to identify in the field. BPB appears to be exacerbated by high nighttime temperatures. Flowering time may be the most susceptible growth stage, and the pathogen may be either soil borne or seed borne.
No resistance
Growers also have no varietal resistance to help combat BPB, and that's what Zhou and others hope to find with large-scale screening for variety resistance. They also are looking for biocontrol agents to help suppress BPB.
Zhou screened more than 60 varieties and elite lines from southern states in field trials at the Beaumont Research Center and at Eagle Lake.
"We found no varieties or lines completely immune to the disease," Zhou reported. "Most of the varieties and lines, including CL111, CL 142-AR, CL 181-AR, CL 261, Cocodrie, Jazzman and Templeton were susceptible or highly susceptible. Jupiter, Neptune, Presidio, Rondo and the hybrids (XL 723, CLX 729, and CLX 745) were among the varieties showing partial resistance."
He said the two bacterial biocontrol strains (Bacillus subtillis) most effective in suppressing BPB among more than 70 bacterial strains tested in the greenhouse were evaluated in artificially-inoculated field trials.
"Spraying rice panicles at flowering with either biocontrol strain reduced BPB severity by 41 percent to 50 percent and increased yield by 11 percent to 17 percent," Zhou said. "Treatment with the antibiotic oxalinic acid was the most effective, reducing BPB by 86 percent and increasing yield by 21 percent. Integrated use of the bacterial biocontrol agents with partially resistant varieties may provide practical solutions to minimize the damage caused by BPB."
- Zhou recommended rice farmers follow some basic cultural practices to manage the disease.
- Use partially resistant varieties.
- Do not plant infected seeds.
- Plant early to avoid late season high temperatures.
- And avoid excess nitrogen rates.
New technology
M. O. Way said new technology is available to help manage some of rice producers' most damaging insect pests.
"CruiserMaxx and Dermacor X-100 have Section 3 labels for rice," Way said. "Nipsit INSIDE likely will have a Section 3 label on rice within two years. An EUP for Nipsit INSIDE was approved in Texas for 2011. All three new technologies are being evaluated in Texas for control of an array of pests including the rice water weevil, a key pest of rice in Texas."
Way said a 2010 seeding rate study with Dermacor X-100 applied to Cocodrie seed at 1.75 fluid ounces per hundredweight with seeding rates of 60, 90 and 120 pounds per acre resulted in excellent rice water weevil control. "Yield increases were 888, 993, and 1,100 pounds per acre, respectively," Way said.
He said Cruiser 5FS, "the insecticidal component of CruiserMaxx," applied to Cocodrie seed at 3.3 fluid ounces per hundredweight, also provided excellent control of rice water weevil when seed was planted at 90 pounds per acre in the same study.
He said increased yield from the Cruiser 5FS treatment was 1,183 pounds per acre. A separate Nipsit INSIDE study, applied as a seed treatment to Cocodrie at 3.3 fluid ounces per hundredweight, "provided excellent control of rice water weevil with 1,048 pounds per acre yield advantage compared to untreated seed."
Way said a long-horned grasshopper control study with Tenchu at 8 ounces per acre resulted in 95 percent mortality. "We're working on a Section 18 for Tenchu," he said.
Sheath blight
Young-Ki said proper cultural practices may not always provide acceptable control of sheath blight, the most common and most economically important disease in Texas rice production.
"Disease pressure can be alleviated to a certain level by integrating management practices including crop rotation and use of resistant varieties." But that may not be enough to "guarantee yield protection from disease outbreaks under hot and humid conditions," he said.
Fungicide application may be necessary to manage sheath blight in both the main and the ratoon crop, Young-Ki said.
He said a fungicide program study evaluated 12 treatments on Cocodrie rice. "Sheath blight was promoted with additional inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani."
Results showed a tank mixture of strobilurin and trizole fungicide as the best control option in the main crop and with significantly less disease severity in the ratoon crop. Yield also increased.
"Disease severity in the main crop directly affected rice stand densities and yields in the ratoon crop," Young-Ki said. "Keeping sheath blight at a low level on the main crop by appropriate use of fungicides is critical to successful ratoon crop production."


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The Daylight Inn
Station Square, Petts Wood, Orpington, Greater London, BR5 1LZ 01689 877402
Station Square, Petts Wood, Orpington, Greater London, BR5 1LZ 01689 877402
We know good pub food brings people together. At The Daylight Inn we're all about serving the people of Petts Wood tasty dishes, freshly grilled at prices you'll love. From our prime steaks topped with one of our incredible steak toppers to our deliciously crispy taco salads or build your own kids meals - there's something for all the family.
What's more, with great value pub offers throughout the week, you'll have the perfect excuse to come back again and again.
With food served until 10pm, you'll find great value and quality food at The Daylight Inn, every day.
Breakfast is served every day until 12 noon. Choose from classic favourites, continental, breakfast butties or Stateside style. Pick your favourite & order at the bar. Just tell us your table number or if you're taking away, grab your cutlery and condiments and leave the rest to us.
Tasty meals for cheeky monkeys and all contributing towards their five a day - more reason to spend quality time with the family!
Our party menus are perfect for any occasion and include a buffet option from just £6 per person, as well as a range of drinks packages.
Click the link below to view our Allergen information, this will open in a new tab. Some dishes may not be available in all sites.
Please ensure that you refer to the onsite allergen guide on each visit to confirm that nothing has changed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mariano Vargas
DAMA PORTRAIT WITH DOG IIAbout this photograph
This photograph comes from the ?Everlasting Madonnas? series that Mariano Vargas began in 2003. With highly sophisticated theatricality, the nude young women whose portraits are taken by the photographer represent modern Madonnas. Also known as ?Virgin with child? portraits, they are a recurrent theme in the history of Christian religious painting and particularly that of the great masters of the Italian Renaissance (Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci, and Christus) from whom he deliberately seeks inspiration. Both provocative and intriguing, they seduce through the softness of their forms but also through their staging, worthy of a theatre set. It is difficult for the spectator to differentiate between painting and photography in this savvy combination of purity and insolence. The photographer nonetheless distinguishes his style through an extremely contemporary approach, by integrating elements into his images derived from daily life, which conspicuously disturb our interpretation. Dama Portrait with Dog II is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci?s Lady with an Ermine (1488).Read more Read less
|Standard Delivery
|Icon, Classic, Colorful
|Giant, Collector, Exception
From the Cadix region in Andalusia, Mariano Vargas is a Spanish photographer born in 1964 in Algeria. He has devoted his time to photographing female nudes since 1991, and very soon acquired international fame. Considered to be one of the foremost contemporary erotic photographers, he owes this distinction to the Taschen publishing house, which referred to him as such in its two volumes on erotic photography in 2007 and 2011. This title was also give to him in 2003 in the United Kingdom. Inspired by the paintings by great masters of the Italian Renaissance, the artist stages modern young women in Madonna poses. His tableaux vivants have appeared in the specialised press (The Good Life, Art & Collector, Cámara oscura, Playboy, GQ). They have been exhibited in Florida, Colombia and in various Spanish cities and continue to tour the world thanks to the prestigious international fairs to which the artist is regularly invited (Art Basel, Photo Miami).


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Gaston area churches are offering up a host of family-friendly alternatives to Halloween starting this weekend. In addition to getting a sugar buzz from the free candy, the goblin-free events will feature games and fellowship. Here�s a list of events taking place in our area.
Adventure in Faith , 415 Charlotte Ave., holds a Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 27 featuring games, hot dogs, hamburgers, candy for children. Call 704-263-1249.
Stowe Memorial Baptist , Wilkinson Boulevard (across from AutoZone), hosts a Fall Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 27 Call 980-329-5204.
Bessemer City Community Church , Edgewood Road, holds a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
St. John�s Lutheran , NC 150, holds trunk or treating starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Oct. 31 Features games, treats, hot dogs, and fellowship. The event will be held inside in case of rain.
Mount Harmony United Methodist , 6268 Ridge Road, holds its annual Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday. Oct. 27 Chitterling plates, fish plates, fried chicken plates will be sold. To place an order for pick up, call 803-831-7364 the day of the festival.
Middle Cross Baptist , 3474 Crouse School Road, holds its free fall festival from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 featuring g ames, food, hayrides, cake walk, and door prizes. Call 704-530-4681.
Assembly Faith , 1030 Lower Dallas Road, hosts Halleuah Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday Oct 27 featuring food and games for children of all ages . Costumes must be hero or Bible characters or child freindly .
Christ United Methodist , 3415 Union Road, holds a fall festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31, featuring food, music, games, cake walk, bingo, and trunk or treating. There will raffles and drawings at 7:30 p.m.
Firestone Wesleyan , 1700 Union Road, holds trunk or treating starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 27
First Baptist , 2605 Union Road, holds a Fall Festival and t runk or treating from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 27 Features c arnival games , food, and inflatabiles. Free admission. Call 704-865-8576.
Maranatha Church of God , 2435 Redbud Drive, holds a free Fall Festival for children from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct 31 featuring trunk or treating, prizes, games and food.
Pisgah A.R.P. , 3600 Linwood Road, holds a Fall Festival from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 featuring a hot-dog supper, games, hayride and trick-or-treat street.
Unity Baptist, 482 N. Myrtle School Road, holds trunk or treating from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 31 in the church parking lot.
East Gold Street Wesleyan , 701 E. Gold St., holds its fall festival will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday Oct. 27 featuring food, games, cake walk, prizes, candy and hayride.
Daniels Lutheran , 3290 Reepsville Road, hosts trunk or treating starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Oct. 31 Volunteers will decorate their car trunks and give out candy to trick or treater's in a safe, no-traffic environment. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to decorate and setup. Trunk or treating will occur in the east parking lot between the two churches. Guests are asked to enter and park in the lower, west parking lot.
Ranlo Baptist , 1517 Spencer Mountain Road, holds its Fall Festival from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday Oct. 27 featuring food, games and prizes.
To have your event listed, e-mail the information to firstname.lastname@example.com or FAX it to 704-867-5651,


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Obama nominations: Will they silence diversity critics?
After criticism that early second-term picks for Cabinet and top positions made the White House look like a boys' club, Obama will have at least as many women in key posts as in his first term: six.
WASHINGTON — After facing criticism that his early picks for Cabinet and top agency positions for his second term made the White House look like a boys' club, Team Obama 2.0 is shaping up to have at least the same gender diversity as his first-term team.
With the president's announcement on Monday that he's nominating Sylvia Matthews Burwell to lead the Office of Management and Budget and Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Obama has lined up six women to serve in top positions in his second term.
If Burwell and McCarthy are confirmed, they would join three other powerful women in the administration: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; and Susan Rice, who continues as ambassador to the United Nations. Obama also has nominated Sally Jewell, president and CEO of outdoor and recreational retailer REI, to be his next Interior secretary.
A seventh woman, Rebecca Blank, is serving as acting Commerce secretary. Obama's first-term team included six women as Cabinet secretaries or heads of agencies.
The president needs to find permanent replacements for Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who left her position; U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk; and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who announced last month that he was stepping down.
"Making sure their Cabinets reflect the country is a challenge presidents face," said Debbie Walsh, director of Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics. "I think his picks show he is committed to that. But I also think it's true that people appoint people they know and are comfortable with, and I think that is also reflected in his appointments."
The first four nominees he announced after re-election were all men, triggering a wave of criticism from some Democrats and women's groups. He nominated John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Republican senator Chuck Hagel to replace Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to head the CIA, and White House chief of staff Jack Lew to replace Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. He also elevated Denis McDonough, who served as deputy national security adviser in Obama's first term, to serve as White House chief of staff.
In January, the National Organization for Women (NOW) called on members to write the president and let them know about their concerns "that the current trend in your Cabinet appointments has excluded women and people of color."
Terry O'Neill, president of NOW, said in an interview on Monday that Obama deserves credit for appointing more women and minorities to top posts than his predecessors. But O'Neill said at the same time she remains concerned that Obama's inner circle remains overwhelmingly male.
"The advisers who have access to his office — that walk into his office and talk policy on daily basis — half of those have to be women," O'Neill said. "That is an ongoing concern that I have."
Obama, who has boasted of diversity in his White House and noted that he has picked two women for the Supreme Court, bristled at the suggestion that he was excluding any group. Burwell's and McCarthy's nominations come on the 70th anniversary of Franklin Roosevelt nominating Frances Perkins to be his Labor secretary, the first time a woman was nominated for a Cabinet position.
Obama also was considering Rice to replace Clinton at State, but Rice withdrew herself from consideration after facing withering criticism from Republican lawmakers over inaccurate comments she made about the terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that left Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans dead.
"I would just suggest that everybody kind of wait until they've seen all my appointments, who is in the White House staff and who is in my Cabinet, before they rush to judgment," Obama said in a White House news conference on Jan. 14. "Until you've seen what my overall team looks like, it's premature to assume that somehow we're going backwards. We're not going backwards, we're going forward."
At the staff level, the White House has maintained close to a 50-50 split along gender lines since the president came to office. There were 223 women among the 442 White House staff members as of last July 1, according to the White House.
Obama has accelerated the pace of federal judicial nominations in recent weeks. He has 35 pending nominations, including 17 women and several ethnic and racial minorities. Among the nominees is Miami-Dade County Judge William Thomas, who if confirmed would be the first openly gay black judge on the federal bench.
"I think we are seeing a better set of diversity than we had in the past," said Victoria Budson, executive director of the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. "The reason that is important is not the scorecard. The reason that is important is we're going to get better policy outcomes."
Obama also announced on Monday that he's nominating Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Ernest Moniz as his new Energy secretary, Obama said.
Moniz was undersecretary for Energy from 1997 to 2001 during the Clinton administration; he also served on Obama's Science and Technology Advisory Council. Moniz would replace outgoing Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
Contributing: David Jackson


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How to Apply
Credit Programs & Courses
Students applying to credit programs and courses are required to apply using the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS).
- How to apply for credit programs & courses - see step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process.
- Apply now
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Although I have visited hundreds of cemeteries, family plots and single graves, by far my favorite is the grave of Spring Frog in the very old (for Oklahoma) cemetery near the little town of Briartown in southern Muskogee County. The stone is unusual, so unusual in fact that Briartown resident Lucy West (1904-2005), a local historian and genealogist, once commented that at one time the gravestone was recognized and shown in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."
The photo above I took in 2003. When you compare it to the one on the right that Lucy West took in about 1967 you can see a big difference. All of the first of the three layers is now underground.
In a 1955 "Notes & Documents" article in the Chronicles of Oklahoma, Muriel H. Wright described the stone: "This grave is marked by a large coffin-shaped marker of sandstone, about 5 1/2 feet long and 8 inches thick lying on a base of two similar stones of the same shape, each a little larger than the stone above. The marker is beautifully cut and bears an inscription in Cherokee (Sequoyah alphabet), which has been translated by someone: 'Spring Frog Born 1803, Drowned in Canadian River, 1859.' This is said to be the oldest grave in Briartown Cemetery."
Lucy West noted in a 1970 interview that Spring Frog died 31 August 1859 at the age of 100 years. Lucy was Cherokee herself so she may have related her own transcription of the Cherokee writing on the stone.
I. B. Hitchcock "rambles over the Cherokee Nation"
and described the stone in an article "Noted Spots in the Cherokee Nation" for the Twin Territories: "Another is a most singular monument, such as I never saw before. A pile of rough-dressed native sandstone is built upon the grave, and on that lies a perfect, solid coffin cut from the nearby sandstone, with an inscription in Cherokee characters--the name, age, and date of death of [bottom of page missing] place of 'Spring Frog,' 'Doostoo'--100 years old."
Karen West Sanchez and her brother and sister sitting on Spring Frog's stone. 1967.
Photo from the West family collection.


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Four months ago, the curtain appeared to be closing on an eatery that had taken center stage in downtown Gastonia�s former Webb Theater.
Four months ago, the curtain appeared to be closing on an eatery that had taken center stage in downtown Gastonia�s former Webb Theater.
Desperate to see the abandoned building given new life in 2010, the city had lent restaurateur Nick LaVecchia $700,000 in federal funds to revamp its historic movie hall into Nick�s Steak and Taphouse. The lease-to-own agreement called for him to pay the money back over 10 years. But less than two years in, he was already more than $20,000 behind in scheduled payments.
The revelation came at a time when negative headlines for a variety of reasons had hurt the LaVecchia family�s reputation. Several of Nick LaVecchia�s restaurants in the area were failing, and onlookers expected a similar outcome here on South Street.
Some groups that had already scheduled holiday parties at Nick�s decided to cancel, out of fear that the business would close by December.
On Monday, however, seated in a booth in his restaurant, LaVecchia unveiled a check for nearly $26,000. Upon handing it over to the city Tuesday, the payment brought him up to speed on what he owes Gastonia to date.
�I decided to knock it all out,� he said.
LaVecchia attributes the struggles at Nick�s in part to bad publicity. Insufficient management was also to blame because LaVecchia says he was stretched too thin with several different restaurant ventures between Charlotte and Kings Mountain.
Though the loss of his other restaurants has been regrettable, it is allowing him to focus on making his sole remaining business a success, he said. He foresees no other hurdles in making timely payments to the city, and believes even those who have doubted the controversial lease-to-own deal will come to see it as a benefit for Gastonia.
�We had a rocky start,� he said. �But the restaurant has never operated better than it�s operating right now.�
Rent to own
LaVecchia and his family were behind successful restaurant and retail ventures in Charlotte and downtown Belmont. His reputation for kick-starting trendy new places to eat prompted the city to place its faith in him and strike the deal on the Webb Theater.
Though it once teemed with life, the space had been empty and neglected for years, and city leaders were eager to see it overhauled. To make it happen, they gave LaVecchia a $700,000 start-up-allowance, which he bolstered by investing much of his own money into the redevelopment.
The city�s offering came from three federal sources: a $492,800 U.S. Housing and Urban Development loan, $108,000 in stimulus money and a $99,200 grant. LaVecchia�s monthly lease payments amount to $6,875 per month, or $82,500 per year, and will total $825,000 by 2021.
The city will hold the title on the building until LaVecchia pays in full, but he is also paying $3,600 a year in lieu of property taxes.
LaVecchia began making the lease payments when the restaurant opened in May 2011. And the dynamic renovation was celebrated. LaVecchia�s team renovated 5,000 square feet of space, incorporating modern amenities while retaining many of the theater�s most historic features.
The dining area looks onto an open kitchen. Classic movies are shown every day on a giant projector screen, while high-definition televisions surround the bar.
But in October, the city acknowledged that LaVecchia was $20,000 behind in his lease payments, and more than $7,000 in arrears on utility bills.
Public relations plummet
The trouble emerged after LaVecchia�s father and two sisters became immersed in complex legal scrapes beginning in June 2011. The three were embroiled in disputes with two former business associates that led to ill will in Belmont. The discontent resulted in assault charges being filed against LaVecchia family members over the course of many months.
JAX Backstreet Tavern, a Belmont bar and restaurant LaVecchia had opened, also became associated with unrest. Noise complaints and fights involving patrons became a regular occurrence. Shortly after one such fight Sept. 16, a man who had been drinking at the bar was hit and killed by a train a few hundred yards away. Police blamed it in part on him being intoxicated.
A bartender who had served the man was later charged with serving alcohol to an intoxicated person. LaVecchia�s wife, who managed JAX, was also initially charged because she was the supervisor on duty that night.
LaVecchia said publicity surrounding all those incidents hurt his reputation. He has since closed JAX and sold it to a new owner, who is expected to reopen it under a new name in March.
At the same time, LaVecchia�s other restaurants were going under. Last year, he closed both LaVecchia Seafood Grille and NIX Burgers and Brew in Charlotte, as well as Battleground Steakhouse in Kings Mountain.
Last summer, LaVecchia sold his 49 percent interest in Old Stone Steakhouse, the first restaurant he had opened in downtown Belmont.
Restaurant doors shuttered
LaVecchia scribbled notes on a pad of paper Monday while outlining the reasons each of his other restaurants failed.
LaVecchia�s Seafood Grille blazed a trail of success when it opened in uptown Charlotte in 1997, at one point earning LaVecchia an award for Restaurateur of the Year. That prompted him to open NIX Burgers and Brew nearby in 2008.
�I was somewhat of a pioneer there,� he said.
But by then, LaVecchia had turned his attention to also opening other restaurants. A combination of bad management and competition from the exploding restaurant scene in Charlotte prompted him to close both eateries, he said.
Battleground Steakhouse in Kings Mountain, which opened in 2011, was also crippled by bad management, as well as negative publicity about his family, LaVecchia said.
�The articles start coming out, and it�s like �crickets,�� he said of the sudden silence in business. �Rather than weathering another storm, I just licked my wounds and sold it.�
His decision to recently sell JAX in Belmont was also hard, but his time in the town had run its course, LaVecchia said.
�It was kind of bittersweet because it was a good business,� he said. �If I could do it all again, I would have just opened LaVecchia�s (Seafood Grille) and stuck with that.�
LaVecchia said Nick�s Steak and Taphouse now has his undivided attention.
�I�m just relieved overall, because I can now focus on one restaurant and put all my energy into it,� he said. �I�ve got a lot of pressure off of me, there�s no doubt.�
Focus on Gastonia
Gastonia City Manager Ed Munn updated City Council members this month regarding the outlook of Nick�s Steak and Taphouse. Munn said he has spoken with LaVecchia at length since October, and believes the potential for long-term success is still real.
�We�re pleased,� he said of receiving the check for $25,904 on Tuesday. �It shows Nick is committed to his business here in Gastonia and we�re excited about it.�
LaVecchia recently hired a new chef at the downtown restaurant. While he�s had the same general manager there for a year now, LaVecchia said he now oversees the business more directly.
�Since November, when I took over here, we�re doing very well,� he said. �Under my leadership, our sales have increased 30 percent, and it�s only just begun.�
Several new promotions have been introduced to coax that growth. The lunch and dinner menus at Nick�s have been revamped to add new seafood dishes, burgers and sandwiches. The private dining room upstairs was renovated and has seen more bookings.
Patrons are now entitled to unlimited, half-price entrees during their entire birthday month. Every Monday, one table of two to four people is chosen at random to receive their entire meal free. Visitors can get a three-course dinner for $13.99 every night this month.
Carriage rides through downtown will be offered as part of a Valentine�s Day package next month. LaVecchia is planning on implementing a valet parking service, and accepting dinner reservations to cater to people who hate first-come, first serve uncertainty.
�It�s easier not to take reservations, but I�ve got to set myself apart from everything near Cox Road,� he said.
LaVecchia knows the criticism about the city�s deal with him only increased after his debts became known last fall. But he is paying thousands of dollars for utilities and payments in lieu of property taxes � revenue the city wasn�t getting when the Webb Theater was empty.
Now that he is settled up and current on his lease payments to the city, he foresees a smoother road ahead.
�It�s not easy to revitalize a downtown area like this. It takes people willing to make some gambles,� said LaVecchia, defending Gastonia�s deal. �It was certainly a gamble for me to do this in the first place. But I think the city has been really smart.�
You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or twitter.com/GazetteMike.


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Dan Walters
Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger's claim of legislative moderation still unproven
Bodybuilder-turned-actor Arnold Schwarzenegger became California's governor in 2003 under, to put it mildly, unusual circumstances.
Voters recalled Democratic Gov. Gray Davis for obvious failings and opted for Republican Schwarzenegger.
He arrived with unique advantages – celebrity, moderation, independence and a tough-guy image – and promised to improve the Capitol's dysfunction.
However, he quickly squandered his momentum, tried to recoup with ballot measures that failed abjectly, and more or less acceded to the Democratic Legislature thereafter.
Schwarzenegger's governorship ended with the state budget hemorrhaging red ink and voters in a sour mood, capped by an outrageous commutation of a prison term for a political pal's son and a post-gubernatorial revelation that he had fathered a son with his family's maid.
Like all politicians – or actors – Schwarzenegger yearns for a better public image and toward that end, founded the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy at the University of Southern California.
Last week, his think tank issued a study claiming that two political changes he had espoused – legislative redistricting by independent commission and a "top-two" primary election – have had a moderating effect on the Capitol.
USC researcher Christian Grose compared floor votes from 2013, after the two changes had taken effect, with those of 2011 on a relative handful of bills affecting business, singled out by the California Chamber of Commerce, and concluded, after complex mathematical equations, that both legislative houses were marginally more moderate, i.e. more pro-business.
Schwarzenegger, in a newspaper article, declared that "because of these reforms, we are already seeing significant changes to the state's political landscape – and the changes are positive ones."
It may be true – or not – but comparing a few votes after only one year's experience doesn't prove anything, despite some cheerleading from non-Capitol media types.
Grose ignores the simple fact that half of the 2013 state Senate was elected under old rules and in the old districts – one reason why it would require several election cycles just to begin a valid evaluation, even if one were possible.
Moreover, one year's set of bills is different from another year's, and using only business-related measures ignores much of the legislative agenda. Furthermore, floor votes are incomplete indices because they exclude those bills that died before reaching the floor.
The electoral changes that Schwarzenegger espoused – plus a change in term limits – affect the political game like all rule changes.
It is, however, simply ludicrous to reach sweeping conclusions based on such scanty and narrow data, especially since history is replete with "reforms" that eventually backfired.


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Mega Stomp Battle - Audio Reality Effects
Fierce personal sound effects
- Personal sound effects with an edge
- 10 sound banks in all (see below)
- A ThinkGeek creation!
Mega Stomp Panic is a lot of fun, but when you're playing a giant robot or knight in your spare time it's missing one thing to accentuate your awesomeness: offensive sounds. No we don't mean noises like farting and burping (ed note: that's an entirely different product forthcoming from GeekLabs). Offensive sounds like the clangor of battle! The chaos of combat!
With the Mega Stomp Panic, your friends (or enemies) can hear you approach and get understandably nervous, but when you arrive, they're like, "Neat. It's you with a box." It's a great audio costume, but it's not likely to intimidate anyone. For that you need the Mega Stomp Battle. Your friends hear you arrive in your audio disguise and then you top it off by thrusting the wand at them. Out comes a resounding blast of sound, themed to whichever sound bank you've chosen. It's rather epic.
How do I use it?
Using the Mega Stomp Battle is simple.
- Clip the main box to your waistband and ensure it is securely attached.
- Grip the wand in whichever hand feels comfortable.
- Turn on the main box. Allow it to calibrate for 2 seconds.
- Turn on the wand.
- Select one of the ten sound banks.
- Start walking to trigger walking sound effects.
- Press the trigger or thrust the wand to trigger fighting sound effects.
- Wait for applause. If applause is not forthcoming, repeat previous three steps until applause occurs.
Each sound bank has at least 6 sounds: an intro noise for when you switch to it, ambient noise, 2 walking sounds, and 2 wand-activated sounds. See below for specifics.
Note: To preserve battery life, the Mega Stomp Battle will automatically power down after approximately 2 minutes without motion. The unit can be turned on again by turning the selector knob.
Product Specifications
- Walking-activated sound effects with an added punch activated by wand
- Invented, designed, and manufactured by ThinkGeek
- Step to trigger basic walking sound effects
- Thrust the wand (or press the trigger button) to activate fighting sound effects
- Turn the knob to select your audio effect
- Sound banks included:
- Metal Man (8 sounds, inc. ka-chunk, high-powered blaster)
- Video Game Hero (6 sounds, inc. video game walk, coin collecting)
- Kung Fu (14 sounds, inc. socked-feet on wood, classic hand-to-hand combat)
- Modern Battlefield (13 sounds, inc. boots on gravel, gunfire)
- Giant Robot Smash (6 sounds, inc. robot walking, crushing things)
- Giant Monster (8 sounds, inc. city-squishing monster walk, roaring)
- Space Battle (12 sounds, inc. hydraulic walk, pew pew!)
- Mage (12 sounds, inc. footsteps echoing, magic missile)
- Zombie Attack (7 sounds, inc. squishy walk, munch)
- Sword Fight (12 sounds, inc. walking in plate armor, swords clanging)
- Batteries: 6 AAA (not included)
- Ages 14+


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- / World & News
- / Countries of the World
- / Uganda
Facts & Figures
President: Yoweri Museveni (1986)
Prime Minister: Ruhakana Rugunda (2014)
Land area: 77,108 sq mi (199,710 sq km); total area: 91,135 sq mi (236,040 sq km)
Population (2014 est.): 35,918,915 (growth rate: 3.24%); birth rate: 44.17/1000; infant mortality rate: 60.82/1000; life expectancy: 54.46
Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Kampala, 1.659 million
Monetary unit: Ugandan new shilling
- Uganda Main Page
- A Dictator's Reign of Terror
- New President Brings New Hope
- The Threat of the Lord's Resistance Army
- Museveni Elected to a Fourth Term
- Getting Closer to Capturing Kony
Uganda, twice the size of Pennsylvania, is in East Africa. It is bordered on the west by Congo, on the north by the Sudan, on the east by Kenya, and on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda. The country, which lies across the equator, is divided into three main areas—swampy lowlands, a fertile plateau with wooded hills, and a desert region. Lake Victoria forms part of the southern border.
Multiparty democractic republic.
About 500 B.C. Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to the area now called Uganda. By the 14th century, three kingdoms dominated, Buganda (meaning "state of the Gandas"), Bunyoro, and Ankole. Uganda was first explored by Europeans as well as Arab traders in 1844. An Anglo-German agreement of 1890 declared it to be in the British sphere of influence in Africa, and the Imperial British East Africa Company was chartered to develop the area. The company did not prosper financially, and in 1894 a British protectorate was proclaimed. Few Europeans permanently settled in Uganda, but it attracted many Indians, who became important players in Ugandan commerce.
Uganda became independent on Oct. 9, 1962. Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda (Mutesa II), was elected the first president, and Milton Obote the first prime minister, of the newly independent country. With the help of a young army officer, Col. Idi Amin, Prime Minister Obote seized control of the government from President Mutesa four years later.
A Dictator's Reign of Terror
On Jan. 25, 1971, Colonel Amin deposed President Obote. Obote went into exile in Tanzania. Amin expelled Asian residents and launched a reign of terror against Ugandan opponents, torturing and killing tens of thousands. In 1976, he had himself proclaimed "President for Life." In 1977, Amnesty International estimated that 300,000 may have died under his rule, including church leaders and recalcitrant cabinet ministers.
After Amin held military exercises on the Tanzanian border in 1978, angering Tanzania's president, Julius Nyerere, a combined force of Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles loyal to former president Obote invaded Uganda and chased Amin into exile in Saudi Arabia in 1979. After a series of interim administrations, President Obote led his People's Congress Party to victory in 1980 elections that opponents charged were rigged. On July 27, 1985, army troops staged a coup and took over the government. Obote fled into exile. The military regime installed Gen. Tito Okello as chief of state.
New President Brings New Hope
The National Resistance Army (NRA), an anti-Obote group led by Yoweri Museveni, kept fighting after it had been excluded from the new regime. It seized Kampala on Jan. 29, 1986, and Museveni was declared president. Museveni has transformed the ruins of Idi Amin and Milton Obote's Uganda into an economic miracle, preaching a philosophy of self-sufficiency and anti-corruption. Western countries have flocked to assist him in the country's transformation. Nevertheless, it remains one of Africa's poorest countries. A ban on political parties was lifted in 1996, and the incumbent Museveni won 72% of the vote, reflecting his popularity due to the country's economic recovery.
Uganda has waged an enormously successful campaign against AIDS, dramatically reducing the rate of new infections through an intensive public health and education campaign. Museveni won reelection in March 2001 with 70% of the vote, following a nasty and spirited campaign.
Close ties with Rwanda (many Rwandan Tutsi exiles helped Museveni come to power) led to the cooperation of Uganda and Rwanda in the ousting of Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997, and a year later, in efforts to unseat his successor, Laurent Kabila, whom both countries originally supported but from whom they grew estranged. But in 1999, Uganda and Rwanda quarreled over strategy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and began fighting each other. The two countries mended their differences in 2002. Uganda also signed a peace accord with the Congo in Sept. 2002 and finally withdrew its remaining troops from the country in May 2003.
In July 2005, parliament amended the constitution to eliminate term limits, thus allowing President Museveni another term in office. In August, a multi-party political system was reinstituted after a 19-year absence. In Feb. 2006, Museveni was reelected with 59% of the vote.
The Threat of the Lord's Resistance Army
Uganda's 18-year-long battle against the brutal Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), an extremist rebel group based in Sudan, showed signs of abating in Aug. 2006, when the rebels agreed to declare a truce. Between 8,000 and 10,000 children have been abducted by the LRA to form the army of "prophet" Joseph Kony, whose aim was to take over Uganda and run it according to his vision of Christianity. The boys are turned into soldiers and the girls into sex slaves. Up to 1.5 million people in northern Uganda have been displaced because of the fighting and the fear that their children will be abducted. Kony and three other LRA leaders have been indicted on charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. The LRA and the government signed a permanent cease-fire in February 2008. Kony failed to show up to sign the landmark agreement several times in 2008, dashing hopes for formalized peace. The rebels, however, sought a cease-fire in January 2009, after the armies of Uganda, Southern Sudan, and Congo attacked their bases.
Parliament introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in November 2009. The legislation would implement the death penalty on gay individuals. The proposed bill met fierce condemnation from the European Union and the United States. Parliament did not act on the bill, and it became increasingly unpopular following the January 2011 murder of Ugandan gay-rights activist David Kato. In May, the government shelved the bill.
In July 2010, about 75 people watching the final game of the World Cup in a Kampala restaurant were killed in an explosion. The Somali militant Islamist group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying the attack was aimed at discouraging countries from supporting the transitional government in Somalia. Al-Shabab has been battling Somalia's weak, Western-backed government for power for several years. Uganda contributes troops to an African Union force that has been propping up the government in Somalia.
Museveni Elected to a Fourth Term
Musveni was elected to a fourth term in Feb. 2011 elections, taking 68.4% of the vote. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye garnered 26% and alleged fraud in the election. In late April, protests over rising food and fuel prices and corruption broke out in Kampala. The government responded with disproportionate force, killing five people and wounding dozens. Besigye, who was a leading figure in organizing the protests, was arrested and shot. He fled to Kenya upon release from jail for medical treatment. His return to Kenya coincided with Musveni's inauguration, and Besigye's supporters far outnumbered those for the president. In fact, the opposition launched the largest anti-government protest to date.
In Oct. 2011, Uganda's foreign minister and two other members of the ruling party resigned to face corruption charges. The recent discovery of large oil reserves has put further strain on a government famous for fraud. Following allegations that oil companies paid bribes to ministers, President Yoweri Museveni denied that his government engaged in fraud when handing out oil contracts. Meanwhile, parliament has voted to suspend all pending oil deals until a national oil policy could be put in place.
Getting Closer to Capturing Kony
In May 2012, one of the Lord's Resistance Army's top military strategists and commander, Caesar Acellam, was captured by Ugandan soldiers near the Central African Republic's border with Congo. Although Acellam is not one of those indicted along with Joseph Kony for crimes against humanity, his capture will provide valuable intelligence, which will, in turn, bring Kony one step closer to judgment before the International Criminal Court.
Lawyer Amama Mbabazi served as prime minster from May 2011 until Sept. 2014, when he was dropped from the Cabinet. On Sept. 18, 2014, Ruhakana Rugunda succeeded Mbabazi as prime minister. A physician, Rugunda has served in a variety of Cabinet posts since 1986.
See also Encyclopedia: Uganda .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Uganda
Bureau of Statistics http://www.ubos.org/


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Benjamin Bird of Middle Smithfield, a soft-spoken U.S. Army veteran who served a tour in Iraq as an artilleryman, has learned that civilian life can be as difficult in some ways as serving in the military.
Benjamin Bird of Middle Smithfield, a soft-spoken U.S. Army veteran who served a tour in Iraq as an artilleryman, has learned that civilian life can be as difficult in some ways as serving in the military.
"Boy, did I learn that," said Bird, who now is in a race against time to determine where he and his family will live in the weeks ahead.
Bird, 34, works for the U.S. Department of Defense since he completed military service. He now is a disabled veteran. He was moved by the department to this area at a $20,000 federal expense from Huntsville, Ala., with his wife, Deidre, and three children who are students in East Stroudsburg Area School District schools — sons Andrew, 16, and Alex, 6, and daughter Aiden, 14.
The Birds moved to the area on Aug. 12, 2011. He requested this area because he wanted to be able to stay close to his extended family in Weatherly, near Hazleton, and yet commute to his job.
He rented the chalet in Bartonsville for a month and found the ideal location, he thought. Bird told a local real estate office he wanted a long-term lease of three to five years. He was told that he could only rent on a yearly lease, but that it should roll over easily.
He found a residence not only a good fit for his family but for himself as a disabled veteran with a brace on his right leg. It's difficult for him to climb stairs and to walk too much. Sometimes it is so painful that he needs crutches.
Bird was injured during his service with the 101st Airborne from Sept. 16, 2001, to May 17, 2005, and rose to the rank of E4 specialist — just below sergeant.
He injured his leg "kicking down doors, things like that" in the line of duty.
"I had to perform at the level of a professional athlete during the entire deployment, physically strenuous but routine for the military," he said.
It led to compression fractures, stress fractures that caused the tibia (between the knee and ankle) to shorten up and rotate outward, he said. When he returned stateside, he could not run during physical training and had worsening back pain. The tibia needed to be reconstructed with several surgeries, which he said couldn't be done while he served.
He was deemed unemployable by the VA and lived on VA and Social Security disability from 2007-10, but chose to return to work for the DOD in Yuma, Ariz., where he had to stay during work schedules.
"I relinquished my disability in lieu of becoming a productive citizen and taxpayer — supporting the system that assisted me in my convalescence," he said.
Bird asked to be reassigned back to his roots.
But on Jan. 29, an officer from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department served him an eviction notice. He later learned while checking county court records that it was listed for foreclosure in early 2010 — long before he moved in.
It was put on sheriff's sale in late August and purchased by Fannie Mae.
"The real estate office never told me that," he said. "They (Fannie Mae) didn't say when we had to leave. They just said it has to be soon."
For Bird, that doesn't come easy. He needs a house that he says is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant where most of the living space is on the main floor.
"Right now, it's three steps from the (front) door to the car," Bird said. "The master bedroom can be on the second floor because I'd use that only for sleeping, but it has to be a substantial 4-by-4 railing to get me upstairs (by allowing him to put his weight on it while taking the steps). The pain and lack of mobility is intermittent. It's kind of frustrating."
Bird went to the Monroe County Courthouse in late January and filed on his own for an intent to defend and a stay on the ruling until he could hire an attorney. He awaits a response from Fannie Mae.
He said he recently re-sent his letter to another Fannie Mae representative who telephoned Bird to say she would attempt to get it to the right person to contact him.
Bird explained in a letter that he can't buy a house, because his credit is "severely damaged" by costly surgeries and the loss of a house to foreclosure he owned in Huntsville after attempts to modify and/or process a deed.
"The VA covered the cost of all my surgeries, eventually," Bird said. "It happened after the hospital — I was sent to the University of Alabama Hospital due to the complexity of the surgeries — billed me and I had to act as my own billing administrator to try and have the VA pay for the covered procedures. In the meantime, I was sent to creditors constantly throughout the four years and multiple surgeries while attempting to forge through the bureaucratic nightmare of VA/UAB paperwork and procedure."
As for his rental experience, it was an awakening.
"I learned a hard lesson," Bird said, noting that he should've checked on the house beforehand to make sure it had no foreclosure issues, something he never would've thought of doing because he thought the real estate office did its fact-finding.
Bird agreed it's a lesson to be learned, not just for veterans returning from military service, but for civilians looking for a place to live, especially with the high rate of foreclosures in the Monroe County area.
In a twist to "Buyer beware," this one warns, "Let the renter beware."
Want to help Bird? Send an email to wwitkowski@


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Childhood bullying is a problem most children will face at some point in their life. It is normal child behavior to occasionally tease, play fight and have disagreements with their peers. However, bullying is a far more serious behavior that can be a very frightening experience and damage your childs self esteem. Our job is to prepare our kids for life in the real world, and that means helping them learn how to cope with bullies.
Bullying may be defined as the activity of repeated, aggressive behavior intended to hurt another person physically or mentally. Bullying consists of three basic types of abuse emotional/social, verbal, and physical. I would also like to add cyber-bullying, as it seems to be the new form of bullying. As much as we would like to shield them from bullies, as parents, we have to be realistic. Here are some ways we can help our children cope with bullies and build their self confidence.
Talk to your child: Ask about their day and who they played with and sat next to at lunch. Try to get your child to openly talk to you. If your child tells you that someone is being mean to them, focus on offering comfort and support, no matter how upset you are. Kids are often reluctant to tell adults about bullying because they feel embarrassed and ashamed that its happening, or worry that their parents will be disappointed. Dont tell your child to ignore the mean kid or to handle it themselves. If they knew how to handle themselves, they wouldnt have come to you for advice. Telling them to ignore a bully isnt helpful. Give them real help so that they learn you really are someone worth confiding in.
Acknowledge your childs feelings: Make it clear it is not their fault. Sometimes it helps if children understand why kids bully. Some bullies are looking for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves feel more important and sometimes bullies are struggling with issues at home themselves. When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel powerful. Listen to any concerns and reassure your child you love and care about him or her.
Make a plan: Brainstorm with your child ways to stop or avoid bullying. If you deal with their problems for them, they will never learn how to stand up for themselves and how to deal with their own problems. Kids should be allowed to try to solve this with the support of their parents, teachers, principals and counselors. Communicate with the school and let them know what is going on. School staff is your extra set of eyes.
Encourage: Have your child walk away and do not fight back. Avoid the bully and use the buddy system. Make sure they are always with a group of friends or near a teacher. Play outside near a teacher; use a different bathroom if the bully is near. Walk home with an older sibling or group of friends; sit behind the bus driver on the bus. Notify the school of the situation before it gets physical.
Role-play bullystoppers: Role-play with your child situations they might encounter with the bully and role-play bullystoppers. Bullystoppers are comeback lines, not insults. Look the bully in the eye and say strongly but calmly, Leave me alone or You dont scare me whatever you say, Why do you say things like that? and I heard you and I dont care. The key to comeback lines is to remain cool and avoid trading insults with the bully. A great comeback line is brief and to the point and leaves the bully feeling that they did not get to you. Check out Bullystoppers.com for 101 great comeback lines.
No matter what method you choose to help your child cope with a bully, always support your child and their feelings and make sure the bullying doesnt continue. Bullying is a very serious matter and can lead to severe emotional scarring and even suicide.
Sahara Thurston is a School Readiness Coach for the Montelores Early Childhood Council and the mother of two young children.


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Belli Osteria makes dream come true
Belli Osteria is quite literally Paul Oprescu's dream restaurant.
He awoke two years ago with a vision of owning a fine and affordable pasta place - a concept he could run with - then traveled throughout Northern Italy testing and tasting pasta. He wound up leaving his job as a Montessori teacher to work full time on manifesting his dream.
With his restaurant experience limited to a stint at Berkeley's now-closed Eccolo, the title of chef may fit Oprescu loosely. The menu is compelling, but the kitchen needs to work on consistency.
Ravioli, however, don't disappoint. Rectangular pillows of pickled cabbage and pork are napped with a nutty emulsified broth of sweet onions and butter ($14). Vibrant cappellacci ("ugly hats"), stuffed with sweet potato and roasted garlic, are smartly paired with a vibrant beet sauce ($14). Oprescu was taken by the delicate pasta found in Emilia Romagna, but he switched to a heartier and more practical dough when his Genovese sous chef came on the scene.
At lunch, the tagliatelle with St. Augur cheese ($14) and spicy arugula has a gorgeous bite and aroma, the sauce binding pasta to baby shiitakes in luxurious fashion. The tagliatelle with homemade sausage ($15) and the braised lamb pappardelle ($12) make for satisfying cold-weather fare.
Hunting, farming, offal and sausage making are all part of Oprescu's Romanian childhood, and these lend a refined gutsiness to Belli Osteria's cuisine. At lunch, his slow-poached and grilled tongue sandwich ($9) is spiked with capers, herbs and smoky aioli, but the hanger steak sandwich ($9) with the same garnishes was good but undistinguished.
My introduction to Belli Osteria's food was through the captivating aroma of a sweet, pungent dressing wafting from the Brussels sprout salad ($10) on a nearby table. When I ordered it, I was just as captivated with the warm cider and shallot vinaigrette enlivening seared and shaved sprouts, walnuts and slippery oyster mushrooms.
On our lunch visit, the salad was tossed in a cold dressing ($8) and tasted comparatively flat. But our goat cheese and pickled beet salad ($8) was excellent.
While Oprescu's dream foretold a small, offbeat and all-pasta restaurant, adjustments were made when the opportunity arose for a larger downtown space near Berkeley's theater district.
The menu includes secondi, or larger plates, such as a rich duck confit ($15/$20) offset by crisp, lightly pickled persimmon. At dinner, the duck is great- its salty, rich flesh balancing the plate - but at lunch the dish was fattier.
Two other main courses - the menu changes often - are excellent: a charred lamb loin ($19) still rare in the middle, and grilled branzino ($19), presented whole at the table before its tender flesh was filleted.
The food matches the affordable all-Italian wine list; most selections are less than $30, allowing us to splurge on cardamom ice cream ($5) and coffee-laced semifreddo ($7) for dessert.
With bright red walls, Belli Osteria's long dining room has a lively atmosphere celebrating both new and old. Salvaged wood tables, chairs, wainscoting and kitchen paneling (all sourced and constructed by Oprescu and friends) contrasts with a modern triptych blasting with color and energy. Yet the noise level is mild, thanks to the baffling effect of soft redwood and stuffed burlap coffee bags.
Service can be impressive, especially so on a lunch visit, when one waiter covered the entire dining room yet never seemed hurried, placing plates on the table with gentle precision and replacing silverware without being asked. When we told him our rustic oxtail soup ($8) had become tepid, he replaced it quickly.
It's this attention to detail that could lift Belli Osteria's kitchen to a level on par with Comal next door. With more consistency, Oprescu will be well on his way to achieving his dream.
Belli Osteria
2016 Shattuck Ave. (near University Avenue), Berkeley; (510) 704-1902. belliosteria.com
Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; dinner 5:30-10 p.m. nightly. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted. Street parking; paid lots nearby.
|Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS
|Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS
|Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS
|Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS
|Noise Rating
|Noise Rating: THREE BELLS
Nicholas Boer is a Bay Area freelance writer. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Find comprehensive Bay Area restaurant reviews and listings at www.sfgate.com/food.


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Three Alumni Named Partners at Barnes & Thornburgby Karen Handley • February 2, 2004 Share:
Barnes & Thornburg, Indiana's largest law firm, recently elected Brian Burdick '91, Mark Dinsmore '82, and William Padgett '92 partners.
Burdick practices in the areas of government services and public finances. He serves as special counsel to commercial and investment banks, advising them on Indiana public-fund banking and investment pieces. A registered lobbyist, he also represents public and private clients before the Indiana General Assembly.
Mark Dinsmore practices in general litigation in state and federal district courts. Dinsmore has also practiced before an international arbitration tribunal to resolve a matter arising from the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
William Padgett is a member of the Litigation Department. His practice includes the defense of complex toxic tort, commercial dispute and products liability lawsuits brought against product manufacturers. He also represents corporations and individuals pursuing property and casualty insurance coverage claims, particularly in the environmental and toxic tort areas.
In addition, fellow Wabash alumnus, Damon Leichty '94 returned to Barnes & Thornburg's South Bend Office. During his two-year absence, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Robert L. Miller Jr., Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Leichty focuses on mediation, trial work and appeals.


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After a long wait, Paramount has released the official plot synopsis for J.J. Abrams' upcoming sequel to 2009's "Star Trek."
The three sentences don't reveal much; however, it's a little more to go off of than the vague " Iron Man 3" plot synopsis unveiled last month.
"When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew."
Benedict Cumberbatch is rumored to play villain Khan on IMDB's paid pro site, which seems in line with the above synopsis.
He's to star in the film alongside the original cast of Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, and Zachary Quinto.
If you're still not satisfied, here's a still of Spock from Abrams' latest appearance on "Conan" when he shared a three-frame (yes, you read that right) clip from the film:
"Star Trek Into Darkness" comes out May 17, next year.


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Sir Gus O'Donnell announced the appointment of Richard Heaton as the new First Parliamentary Counsel and Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and Offices of the Parliamentary Business Managers.
Tue, 29/11/2011
As part of its commitment to drive out unnecessary costs and make the UK a world leader in transparency, Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has announced the Government has reduced its spend on Government Procurement cards and bonuses by £60 million and published a wealth of new information.
Thu, 27/10/2011
National Citizen Service (NCS) graduates from across England will be celebrating their significant personal and community achievements tonight at a graduation party produced by Orange RockCorps.
Tue, 25/10/2011
The ultimate user's guide to government, setting out how central Government works, has been published by the Prime Minister. Its publication was formally announced in a written ministerial statement.
Mon, 24/10/2011
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has won this year's "Better Information from Government" award from top UK companies for the progress he has made in making government data, such as that on crime, schools and public spending, more transparent.
Wed, 12/10/2011
news release on central government websites
Thu, 06/10/2011
Pledge to make more data available on UK aid budget and ring-fence funding to support transparency in developing countries.
Tue, 20/09/2011
Using behavioural insights could save hundreds of millions of pounds over the course of the Parliament and thousands of lives a year, according to an annual report published today.
Thu, 15/09/2011
Prime Ministers will no longer have the right to call a General Election at a time of their own choosing after Parliament passed the historic Fixed-term Parliaments Bill.
Thu, 15/09/2011
Statement by Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office on the TUC's proposed day of action on Wednesday 30 November.
Wed, 14/09/2011
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Lingerie should make you say, "Oh la la." Oh La La Cheri does just that with their flirty, sensual styles of lingerie. The Parisian-inspired, sexy lingerie uses the finest satins, laces and embellishments to create their sizzling sensations. Baby dolls and chemises accompanied with g-strings and boned herringbone corsets are just a sample of what Oh La La Cheri has to offer a woman wanting to reel her in her lover. The darkest of blacks, ivories and red-hot reds draw the lover in even more. Oh La La Cheri also brings sexy style to bras, panties, garter belts and bustiers.
Parisian owner and designer, Nicolas Attard brought this French flair to life in Miami in 2006. Attard designs each piece with goal to enhance a woman's femininity and evoke sexuality. Oh La La Cheri pieces do quite that and more. The bras are designing to enhance cleavage with padding and push-up styling. Oh La La Cheri actually started with a main background in bra design, but moved to focus more on lingerie and lingerie sets. Attard says the glamorous laces and satin lingerie's best qualities to boost a woman are all in the details. Since Oh La La Cheri came on the scene, they have enjoyed a two-digit increase each year. They recently expanded to include more collections and a new bridal collection. The brand is also available all over the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.
As the company grows they plan to roll out new collections each year. One of the best selling Oh La La Cheri collections is the Nora collection. This collection features voluptuous pieces with sheer lace and sheer sides. Another favorite is the Stephanie collection. One of its best selling pieces is the Stephanie Padded Bra with exotic colors and an ultimate lift. Oh La La Cheri offers garters that are not only beautiful, but comfortable as well. They can go under party dresses or even a wedding gown for that extra dose of French flair. Sizes in the collections go up to 2XL making it easier for more women to find the perfect size that fits their needs.
Women say they love the Stephanie Padded Bra because it is comfortable while being wild and free. One woman said she loved to even fall asleep in the bra because she forgot she had it on. Other customers say the Nora Lace Back Tang Panty is their favorite. One customer said the panty was so hot that she got the entire set and fell in love with it. She said her boyfriend fell in love with it, too.
Oh La La Cheri dresses women in stirring designs of comfort and French glam, but they also do their part for the community. They recently gave a large proceeds of sales to the White Hope Charities of Operation Smile and Dress for Success.
The best thing about Oh La La Cheri lingerie is that it boosts the confidence of women wearing it while keeping them surrounded in comfort. Being playful and flirty is a nice distraction from the busy life of women today. Put on a piece and just say, "Oh la la."


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Titanium has superior structural integrity and is three times stronger than steel. Titanium is very light weight (1/3 as much as gold). Titanium also plays a role in gems. Traces of titanium dioxide impurities cause the asterism phenomenon in star sapphires and rubies. Blue sapphires can get their blue color from traces of titanium as well.
Although a very hard and durable metal, titanium can still be scratched by abrasive materials like rocks or hardened steel tools. The best way to ensure that your titanium jewelry maintains its shine is to bring it into your local Helzberg Diamonds store for a complimentary cleaning and inspection, or by caring for it at home with a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap with a toothbrush.


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Bob Diamond, the recently-departed chief executive of Barclays, told U.K. politicians that there would be criminal investigations into the manipulation of the London interbank offered rate (Libor) scandal which led to his resignation.
His testimony to the Treasury Select Committee brought some relief for Paul Tucker, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, when he confirmed that the official expressed concerns about the bank's high lending rates during the 2008 financial crisis but didn't encourage Barclays to report artificially low rates in an attempt to manipulate Libor.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne accused politicians from the previous Labour administration of being involved in the scandal. He said those around former Prime Minister Gordon Brown were "clearly involved" in discussions about how to keep the Libor rate down at the height of the financial crisis in an interview with U.K. magazine The Spectator.
On Tuesday, Barclays released a memo from Diamond suggesting that Paul Tucker, currently Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, had implied that Barclays could lower its rates in 2008, when Libor was being anxiously watched as a measure of the health of the banking system.
Diamond said that he understood the crucial conversation with Tucker to mean that "ministers" had expressed concern about how high Barclays' Libor rate was.
"It's not the first conversation I had with Paul about relative levels of Libor. Barclays had consistently been at the high end," Diamond said.
"I was worried that other banks were posting levels significantly below ours which didn't seem to be right. If this is going to impact our ability to raise money, that's a huge issue."
Barclays was trying to raise money from Middle Eastern investors at the time.
"The single best decision Barclays got right was when in October 2008 the FSA asked banks to hold more equity, we raised capital privately," Diamond said.
He added that his main concern after the conversation with Tucker was whether that fundraising could be jeopardized by Barclays' relatively high Libor rates.
Diamond said that Jerry del Missier had admitted "there was a misunderstanding" and that "he was the person that instructed" Barclays to lower their Libor submissions.
Diamond seemed confident under questioning by MPs, rarely allowing himself to seem ruffled. He maintained that he only found out about the lowballing of Libor "this month" – presumably meaning June, when Barclays announced the fine.
Tucker has requested to appear in front of the same committee of MPs later this month. No date has been set yet, but it is likely to be before Parliament stops for the summer on July 17.
Diamond said that the industry was aware of the issue with the lending rate and could not deny this.
Asked about whether he should receive a payout, Diamond, who is believed to be entitled to close to 20 million pounds in long-term incentive plans and salary over the next two years, said that that was "a matter for the board."
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that it would be "completely wrong" and "inexplicable" for him to receive a large payoff from the company after the announcement on Libor.
Andrew Tyrie, chair of the committee, said that the Financial Services Authority had raised questions and worries about Diamond's leadership. Diamond said he had not heard anything about regulators questioning his stewardship of the company.
Diamond said that the notorious emails between Barclays traders and other banks over Libor manipulation made him "physically ill."
"These traders were acting on behalf of themselves. They had no idea of what was best for Barclays," he told the Treasury Select Committee of MPs.
He added that there is a "no jerk" rule at Barclays, to avoid employing "jerks."
The emails released as a result of Barclays paying a $453 million fine to regulators over the Libor scandal show traders calling each other "Big Boy" and promising bottles of Bollinger in return for artificially lower rates.
Libor) has already claimed two high profile scalps at Barclays, Diamond and Jerry del Missier, its chief operating officer.
The fallout from the scandal may include tougher regulation, after the government announced an inquiry into the matter.
Written by Catherine Boyle, CNBC.com. Twitter: @catboyle01


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Mix cookie crumbs with the melted butter. Mix until all cookie crumbs are damp, and press them together on the inside of a pie plate, creating a crust. Let it sit in the fridge while you continue.
Mix 5 scoops of Chapman's Vanilla ice cream, fruit and milk in your blender, and blend until smooth, stopping occasionally to stir. Pull out pie plate 10 minutes before you are ready to serve it, and spread the smoothie out over the cookie crumbs. Sprinkle the shaved chocolate over the top and enjoy.


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Now, this is one of those lines making us dream of sunny summer days! A little bit sporty yet chic and refreshing, the new Paul & Joe spring 2013 collection features some super cool and surprisingly wearable goodies. "She's a cool, active, working woman, and she mixes her city looks with Hawaiian looks," designer Sophie Albou said before the show. "It's a sexy, interesting mix." Absolutely fabulous and outstanding! Well, seeing pieces you love? Okay, so we must admit we are head over heels with all these versatile and lust-worthy... Read More
Consider upgrading your look to the latest beauty trends that include the use of pastel shades. The Paul&Joe Blue Horizon Summer 2011 Makeup collection shows you how to mix/match the various muted colors and fuse the various visual effects into a show-stopping design. Makeup artists swear by the efficiency of expanding the color palette we're working with during the various seasons. The latest Paul&Joe beauty collection offers you a wide selection of color palettes. Create a dreamy and sylph-like look by embracing these eye shadows a... Read More
The beauty of New York City has always been inspirational and it seems that fashion and beauty designers Paul & Joe have found NYC to be the muse for their Fall 2011 makeup line.Paul & Joe's Manhattan makeup collection is all about mixing neutrals with darks, in an attempt to create the perfect makeup look for Fall 2011. Check out the new collection and select your favorites for your new season beauty kit! Paul & Joe Eye Shadow Singles CS These eye shadow pots feature a unique chequered design which combine two contrasting shad... Read More
After seeing all the shows for spring summer 2012, we can say that the next warm season definitely has something for every fashion addict. From clean, minimalist silhouettes, romantic shapes and pretty pastels to eye-popping colors, daring prints and edgy tailoring, designers managed to come up with impressive collections in order to meet all our expectations. Now it was Sophie Albou's turn to impress the audience at Paris Fashion Week with the latest Paul & Joe spring 2012 collection. "She likes gold; she likes luxury," the Fre... Read More
Paul & Joe are celebrating the spring 2012 season and the cosmetic line's 10th anniversary with a 'purrrfect' makeup collection that is all about playful kitties. This fun and flirty makeup collection instantly triggers smiles while delivering flawless results to your complexion. The Paul & Joe spring 2012 makeup collection brings flirty elements that express joy and combines them with innovative formulas that suit the modern woman of today. Packed with style as well as high quality formulas, the new makeup line will surely enchant w... Read More
These goods are too cool to be true! Well, just take a sneak peek at the latest Paul & Joe Sister fall/winter 2012-2013 lookbook and see it for yourself! Okay, so in these conditions we definitely love chilly days and hardly wait to flaunt our fashion credentials. Packed full with uber-adorable and chic pieces, the brand's second line addresses especially to women in their 20's and 30's. So, with rather unfriendly temperatures already here, we are all eager to rock some of the pieces we've added into our wardrobes. Oh, but we ca... Read More
After the cuteness infused spring makeup collection, Paul & Joe trades kitties inspiration in favor of more subtle yet equal notes such as butterflies and gorgeous tones ready to make you feel spectacular even in steaming hot temperatures. Delicate and sophisticated, the Beaute collection is the ultimate makeup kit when subtly highlighting your features is the ultimate goal. Lightweight and seductive, the alternatives offered are perfect for emphasizing your natural beauty.Self Select Eye Colors ($18) The Self Select Eye Colors is a pale... Read More
Sophie Albou's take on style for the upcoming Paul & Joe fall 2013 collection at Paris Fashion Week is kept well under wraps and this mystery surrounding the brand's new path to style makes us quiver with excitement. The designer's courage when it comes to playing with various styles is well known and a glimpse at past collection signed by the brand reveal this boldness when it comes to juggling with contrasting patterns, reason for which it would be impossible to anticipate what the new Paul & Joe fashion collection will bring. The... Read More
The new Paul & Joe Sister spring/summer 2013 lookbook got us wishing even more for the hot season to make its debut as after the first glimpse at the lineup we were hooked! Fashion designers chose to keep things neat-chic for the new season, however that doesn't mean that things took a boring turn towards style. On the contrary, the new cuts paired with the the summery color palette and various flirty motifs got us wishing for this take on fashion to maintain firm on its position for at least a couple more seasons. Now, we've already see... Read More
The Paul & Joe fall 2013 collection confirmed a trend that has been slowly contouring at this Paris Fashion Week. If this edition has taught us anything is that the boy meets girl aesthetic will be a real thing in the upcoming season. The new options channeled the fab French chic allure with plenty of spectacular options which felt cozy yet interesting. Creative director Sophie Albou-Mechaly went for light, youthful vibes, shunning dark and overly dramatic tones in favor of autumnal tones with plenty of versatile pieces. The new options ... Read More
Some of the ace makeup producers will be thrilled to furnish their costumers with a brand new and enchanting collection that includes some of the must have textures and shades that would keep us versed with the upcoming beauty trends. Paul & Joe makes no exception therefore it is highly recommended to take a quick glimpse at the Paul and Joe Fall 2010 Makeup Collection in the atmosphere of the vintage-inspired and girly motifs. Indeed the hues as well as color combination all adapt to the versatile preferences of the public whi... Read More


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We often see newscasts or documentaries showing tales of human courage.
The other day I saw a television show about dogfights. One story was about two U.S. fighter pilots who attacked a formation of 50 German planes. They flew among the German planes causing confusion and making it difficult for the enemy to shoot at them. How brave they must have been to attack against such overwhelming odds.
I have also seen other acts of courage, such as a child taking an extended leave from work to care for an elderly parent, or a parent working hard while caring for a child with a severe illness.
Those who risk their lives for our country are heroes. Those who arrange their lives to care for loved ones in need are also heroes.
Charles C. Goodin
Real Courage
We often see newscasts or documentaries showing tales of human courage.
Posted by Charles C. Goodin on Sunday, January 07, 2007


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Welcome to the Fighter Factory website
Fighter Factory has recently relocated to it's newly built hangar at the Virginia Beach Airport to efficiently serve the maintenance demands of the upwardly growing fleet of World War 1 & World War 2 warbirds at the Military Aviation Museum.
Fighter Factory employs a team of highly skilled aircraft technicians to ensure that the museum aircraft remain in flight worthy condition.
The Fighter Factory is the restoration & maintenance facility of the Military Aviation Museum, a recently built hangar located on the grounds of the Virginia Beach Airport located in Pungo, VA. We maintain and restore WW2 & WW1 military aircraft. With a large inventory of flying vintage aircraft from both the First World War and the Second World War and also other vintage aircraft from from the Korean war . Military warbirds, fighters, bombers, training aircraft and liaison planes. Come see all these warbirds restored to their former glory on show at the Military Aviation Museum.
Fighter Factory operates and mainatins many WWII & WWI flying military aircraft including:
Fighters | Bombers | Trainers |Liaison & Other historical Military antiques
Spitfire | P-51 Mustang | Hawker Hurricane | TMB Avenger | P-40 Curtiss | PBY Catalina | FG-1D | SNJ-2 | T28-D | Corsair | Polikarpov PO-2 | Polikarpov I-15bis | Polikarpov I-16 Rata | Polikarpov I-163 | YAK | A-26 Invader | Junkers JU-52 | Sopwith Strutter | Tiger Moth DH-82A | SPAD SXIII | FM-2 Wildcat | Stearman N2S-3 | AD-4 Skyraider | Alabtros D.Va | Beechcraft T-34B | Bell P-63 | Bleriot X1 | Peashooter P26-D | Jungmeister 133C | Chipmunk DGC-1 | WACO YMF-5 | V1 Flying Bomb | Focke Wolfe FW-44J | Fokker Tri-Planes | Fokker Bi-Planes | Halberstadt | TG-4A | Russian LA-9 | Nieuport model 11 |
The above list is incomplete and we have more aircraft available at the museum
Fighter Factory – 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23457


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We are pleased to announce the Summer RMCT Pit Frenzy Throwdown, a 16-team tournament on SethBling's Pit Frenzy. This event is being organized by RMCT, hosted by the RMCT Events Server, generously provided by Freckleears , and will take place on June 2nd, at 2:00 pm EDT. SethBling and HonneyPlay will be livestreaming the entire event from their channels.
The tournament will be single-elimination. All are welcome to register, and sixteen (16) two-man teams will be selected via random lottery. Players will be expected to be present and available for the entirety of the four-hour block of time starting at 2:00pm and ending after the last match. All players participating in this tournament will be expected to abide by a few tournament rules.
To register, fill out our registration form. Registration will close Friday, May 25. A list of chosen participants, as well as a schedule and bracket, will be released Saturday, May 26 so that all participants know when to be present; expect to be there for the majority of this time, however, as the schedule will be flexible and subject to change.
Final Results
|Supreme Champion:
|Worthy Adversary:
|Bicep Bros.


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Talk:Grand Theft Auto Advance
| This talk page is for discussing the Grand Theft Auto Advance article.
This includes commenting on the article, questioning whether it is correct, or adding suggestions for improvements
Questions about GTA games, not about the wiki page itself, should be asked at Community:Questions.Remember to always add your signature to the end of your comments/replies using four tildes:
For discussion on whether GTA Advance belongs in the GTA III Era, see Talk:GTA III Era
| This article is difficult to read.
Please help improve it by rewriting or arranging the content.
This page needs to be re-written, as it resembles the Wikipedia page too much. The history log on Wikia and GTW shows that when GTW moved to wikia, it was merged with Wikia's version of the article which was copied from Wikipedia. I think we can do articles better than Wikipedia can, so let's rewrite this. gboyers talk 18:39, 5 August 2011 (BST)


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By Kara Gilley, Manchester University Sports Information Student Assistant
DEFIANCE, OHIO- With several players registering multiple-hit outings, and freshman starting pitcher Mason Neuman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) weaving a solid six innings on the mound, Manchester University exploded to a 23-9 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory Wednesday April 22, over Defiance College of Ohio.
Neuman, who now stands at 3-3 on the season, relied on the abundant run support provided by the Spartans to hold the Yellow Jackets to only three earned runs off eight hits. He spun two strikeouts to conclude his night.
Utilizing a big two out attack, the MU offense exploded early by putting eight runs up on the board in the first inning, aided by a three run home run by junior shortstop Trevor Kimm (Anderson, Ind.). Kimm ended his day two-for-four with five RBIs. Identical to Kimm, junior center fielder Kyle Norris (Indianapolis, Ind.) matched Kimm's three-run shot with one of his own in the sixth to push Manchester University (21-11, 15-4 HCAC) to a sizeable lead over Defiance (8-24, 2-17 HCAC). Norris finished the night two-for-four with three RBIs.
MU continues HCAC play with a weekend series at Earlham College Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Game times are 12 p.m. each day at EC's Randal R. Sadler Stadium.
NOTES: With their offensive effort, the Spartans scored the program's most runs in a game since April 2011, when they beat Defiance College 23-4…This is the third time this season a Spartan has had five RBIs in one game. It's the second time Kimm has achieved this, both times facing Defiance…With Anderson's extra inning win against Rose Hulman figured in, Manchester now stands three games ahead of the Ravens and four games ahead of the Engineers atop the HCAC.


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Press Operator
Grand Island, NE 688022105
Great opportunity in Grand Island! Primary responsibilities will be operating machines to fabricate metal parts. Additional responsibilities will be to assist in other areas as needed and have the opportunity for cross training on other machines. Preferred candidates will have some experience operating a punch press and/or CNC machine operating experience. This candidate must be able to read blueprints, be mechanically inclined and have a great attendance record. Interested candidates, call immediately at (308) 381-4400, submit your resume by clicking on the following link:http://www.essentialpersonnel.com/submit-resume , email your resume to email@example.com , or click the apply button to complete our application.
- Machine operating experience
- Must be mechanically inclined
- Read blueprints
Essential Personnel employment consultants are experts at providing staffing solutions to meet each company and job seeker s unique needs. We specialize in the fields of industrial, technical, professional, executive and clerical, mortgage, human resources, information technology and accounting. We staff for temporary, temp-to-hire, permanent placement and executive search.
We focus on matching people with positions that are rewarding, well paying, and a great fit for your personality, skills and goals. We are always seeking hard-working candidates who are looking to advance their career.
Pay: $14.00 / hour


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Story highlights
- Graca Machel was reluctant to marry Nelson Mandela
- Her nickname was Jackie Kennedy
- Mandela has said she made him bloom "like a flower"
Nelson Mandela once said his wife, Graca Machel, makes him "bloom like a flower." Despite her reluctance to marry him at first, they've been inseparable since they tied the knot on his 80th birthday.
Here are 10 things to know about the woman who was at the international icon's side to the very end.
She's been first lady of two nations: Before she got married to the South African anti-apartheid icon, Machel was the first lady of Mozambique. Her husband, President Samora Machel, died in a mysterious plane crash in 1986.
She was much younger: When they got married in 1998, she was 52. But she says their advanced age made their relationship better. "We were grown up; we were settled; we knew the value of a companion, of a partner," she says.
She separated the man from the icon: At the beginning of their relationship, Machel says, there was a conflict between the man she married and the world's perception of him. "The aura around him was a bit confusing. But then I learned to live with it, in terms of separating the two," she told CNN's Robyn Curnow in a rare interview in 2008.
South Africa wasn't always in love with her: Protective of their beloved Madiba, the nation did not warm up to a foreign first lady at first. She remained in the background at the beginning, and then slowly won them over with her loyalty and laid-back demeanor.
She has something in common with the Kennedys: In Mozambique, she was nicknamed Jackie Kennedy. Not just for her class and grace, but because of the tragedy that befell her husband while in office.
It wasn't love at first sight: After they met, she was reluctant to marry him or discuss their relationship in public. But Mandela wooed her the old-fashioned way, occasionally giving his bodyguards headaches as president when he'd make unannounced stops to buy her chocolates.
She's kindred spirits with Mandela: Machel has something in common with her freedom fighter husband. While living in Mozambique, she was outspoken against the Portuguese colonial government.
She's qualified in her own right: She served as minister of education and culture in Mozambique for more than 10 years. She is especially passionate about youth education, and has served as an expert on children's issues for the United Nations.
She's Mandela's third wife: Mandela was first married to Evelyn Mase, but their marriage ended in divorce. In his biography "Long Walk to Freedom," Mandela has said Mase made him choose between family and politics. He later married Winnie Mandela, a firebrand who became his voice when he was in prison. After their contentious divorce in 1996, Mandela married Machel two years later.
Their wedding was private: Despite Mandela's larger-than-life status, they got married on his birthday 15 years ago. Their wedding was a low-key event attended by close family and friends.


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Twitter Inc. is down 7% Friday, but that only helps to frame how much the social media company's stock has surged this month. And that climb has left analysts with some thinking to do.
Despite the drop, the stock is still higher above its average analyst price target than any stock in the S&P 500 index or Nasdaq 100 , according to Bespoke Investment Group.
Twitter has been on quite a momentum ride this month. Shares are still up over 13% on the week and over 63% on the month. But the underlying fundamentals haven't changed, widening the disparity between analyst price targets and the share price.
Macquarie Analyst Ben Schachter highlighted that fact in his report Friday downgrading Twitter to underperform from neutral, one reason blamed for the Friday selloff. Schachter kept his price target intact at $46 per share, but wrote:
"We believe nothing has changed in the fundamentals to justify the sharp rise in shares over the past few weeks. We expect this to be among the shortest downgrade notes you've ever read, as nothing fundamentally has changed since our neutral initiation."
The average price target stands at $44.27, according to Bespoke. That puts Twitter's current trading level roughly 35% above analyst targets. Twitter is not yet in the S&P 500, but here's where that differential would rank if it were, per Bespoke:
Bespoke concludes that analysts now have to decide whether or not to raise their targets:
"TWTR obviously ran away from analysts with its huge gains over the last couple of weeks. Now analysts have to decide whether they want to hold tight and keep their targets the same, or up their price targets to get them more in-line with where the stock is currently trading. If they choose the latter, it could boost Twitter's price even more."
More from The Tell:
Analyst says rally is based on little new information.
Optimism for stocks is at a three-year high.
Mohamed El-Erian has four reasons to be skeptical of the Fed's exit plan.
– Ben Eisen
– Follow Ben on Twitter @beneisen
– Follow The Tell @thetellblog


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LETTER: 'What are the New Taxes and Fees and Rates' for Annexation?
To the Editor:
What new taxes, franchise fees and user fees will Area Y/ White Center residents, residential property owners and business owners have to pay to be part of Burien?
What are the new taxes and fees and their rates?
When Mike Martin/Burien city Manager was asked this question at this at the October 18, 2012 annexation informational meeting-see the White Center Now Blog video-he was unable to answer the question. He had his management assistant bring him the booklet and he read it to the audience. While Mr. Martin claimed that he was sure it was only $140 per year, he had no idea of how this number was arrived at. In another brochure that Burien put out on annexation, it claimed the fee would be $155 per year for a residential property valued at $200,000. The North Highline Unincorporated Council has stated that the tax increase will be about $10 per month or $120 per year. All of these figures are wrong because the amount depends on so many variables.
Here are some important things to consider in trying to figure out how much your taxes will go up in Area Y, if you end up annexed to Burien;
- The figures presented on the cost break out shown on the city sheet titled "Impact to Average Household" doesn't mention that these new taxes will apply to all residents and not just property owners.
- Apartment renters as well as property owners will see new taxes and fees attached to their utility bills that have never been there before. If you don't own a home you will still see a significant tax increase or increase in your rent.
- Burien claims that the City levies a 3% utility tax on electric and a 6% utility tax on cable, gas, garbage and telephone utilities. Seattle City Light customers in Burien also pay a special fee for undergrounding of utilities along 1st Ave. S. based upon usage.
However, when you go over the actual bills, the fees for some utilities appear to be different than what Burien has shown on its Impact sheet.
Cable appears to be taxed 7.7% rather than 6% because of the additional franchise fees. People who bundle will pay more taxes on their phone services than people who do not bundle services with their cable. A cable bill of $125.32 per month paid $9.90 in taxes, surcharges and fees to Burien.
Electricity will be higher than shown by the city because the underground wiring fee is based on units of usage. People use more electricity during the winter. Those people using electricity for heating in the winter will experience a significant increase in their electric bill. The fees shown by the City in its example sheet may not be in line with real electrical costs depending on how many people reside at the location, their ages and the age of the structure they live in. Underground wiring fees for a home not on electric heat ranges from approximately $5 to $8 per month.The electricity fees are so well hidden, it is hard to tease out all of the real fees in a bill that go to Burien.
Telephone fees shown are not realistic for today's cost. The phone services are charged at a rate of 6.382% for both hardline service and cell phones. Depending on what is your phone plan, the telephones-hardline and celluar –will probably cost you more than $70 per month for phone service. A cell phone bill of $100 dollars per month will cost a citizen $63.82 per year in new taxes.
The cost of garbage per month shown does not match the amount that is currently charged to Burien residents. It will cost an additional $3.00 per month over what is being shown by the city for the min. amount of service that the average home can buy.. Business pays at a different rate than residential for pick up. Expect an increase in your garbage costs or rent to cover this.
The Fire rate will increase to cover the new emergency program that must be developed for the North Highline Fire Dept. and to cover the North Highline Fire Dept. retirement program.
The storm water rate will increase by approx. $14 per year in 2013 and will continue to need to increase annually for at least four to five years beyond that because the area needs to raise $23 million dollars in five years to cover its deficit storm water facilities-Berk Report.
Natural Gas fees-Burien tax fees shown on the bill are at 6.67% . The cost of cooking, the hot water tank, dryer, heating and a furnace exceeds $40 per month . This estimate is simply not realistic for 2 people in a residence much less a family.
Additionally the City's estimate does not take in to account that the property tax rate will have to increase because Burien is currently using money from its reserves to balance the budget.
Based on these above factors and analysis of actual citizen bills, the tax increase for two people living in a single family residence far exceeds the projected tax increase of $140 that Mr. Martin and the City of Burien have predicted. And taxes and fees far exceed the estimate of $10 per month by the NHUAC. These hidden taxes and fees nickel and dime citizens to death and are difficult to get a handle on.
Businesses will be even hit harder by these new fees. They pay at a different rate and use the utilities at a higher unit rate than the average home or apartment. Some businesses will be paying thousands of dollars more per year to do business in Burien.
Burien must continue to increase these rates because it can't bring in enough revenue through property taxes. Currently Burien takes in less money than it needs to spend to run the city. Area Y residents, joining Burien will really increase your taxes annually-much more that $10 per month or $140 dollars pre year- and you will get less in services.
The problem with these new taxes is that they impact Area Y families, citizens on fixed incomes & limited incomes much harder than wealthier citizens. At this time and in this economy, any increase is too much to bear, especially when it doesn't include improvement.
– Debi Wagner
Independent White Center
[Have an opinion or concern you'd like to share with our Readers? Please send us your Letter to the Editor via email. Include your full name, and, pending our review, we'll most likely publish it.]