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HOUSTON - Federal safety inspectors have initiated an investigation into the 2010 Jeep Wrangler because of fires reported to originate in the engine compartment.
Chrysler Group stresses the action is not a recall and should not be linked to a recent engine compartment fire in Houston involving a 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
"Six o'clock in the evening, I go out and I see smoke coming from the parking garage. I'm like, 'Oh, I feel bad for that guy.' I turn the corner -- there is my Jeep, just a blaze of glory," Jeep owner Mike Embry said.
Embry had purchased the Jeep from River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge just hours earlier.
"If it is a defect, then it is a Chrysler (corporate) issue. They build the cars and we sell them. If it's not a Jeep issue, then it's got to be insurance-related. That's why you buy insurance," said Alan Helfman, owner of River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge.
Helfman has offered to provide Embry with a loaner vehicle as the matter is hashed out.
A Houston Fire Department report cited "failure of equipment" with "electrical arcing" of components not identified as the cause of Embry's Jeep fire.
Local 2 investigates was there as a third-party investigator, hired by the Chrysler Group, and another third-party investigator, hired by Geico, inspected the vehicle. Neither company has disclosed the results of their separate investigations.
Embry's insurance company has offered him a settlement. Embry said he does not plan to buy another Jeep.
Local 2 Investigates discovered a series of similar fire reports in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database. The reports are not limited to 2010 model year vehicles.
There were 15 similar reports of Jeep Wrangler fires in model years 2007 to 2012, excluding model year 2011. The 2010 model year vehicles yielded the highest number of similar reports with nine.
Chrysler Group sent Local 2 Investigates the following response when it inquired about the federal investigation and Embry's vehicle.
"Chrysler Group is cooperating fully with NHTSA regarding an investigation into 2010 model year Jeep Wrangler vehicles. It is important to note that this is a preliminary investigation, not a recall, and has nothing to do with the 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
"Vehicle fires are very complex and can occur for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with the vehicle itself. Poor maintenance, improper vehicle use or installation of aftermarket equipment often are causes of vehicle fires.
"Chrysler Group is aware of a small number of incidents involving engine compartment fires in 2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to these incidents. Indeed, the 2010 Jeep Wrangler meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards and has an excellent safety record."
If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2012 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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How Old Am I?Logic puzzles require you to think. You will have to be logical in your reasoning.
I was born on August 1, 25 B.C. I died on August 1, 25 A.D. How old was I when I died?
HintThe answer definitely isn't 50.
Answer49. There was no year zero.
What Next?
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subset: commoncrawl


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GOP candidate Romney works to carry over momentum
Mitt Romney's road to the White House plows right through conventional wisdom.
Seasoned political junkies and casual observers alike know to watch battleground states during Tuesday's vote count to see whether the Republican nominee pulls an upset over President Obama. Romney has two likely paths to victory.
Conventional wisdom suggests Ohio is the do-or-die state for Romney. He will make a campaign stop in Moon Township on Tuesday afternoon on his way to a rally in Cleveland.
Barring a win in Ohio, he could amass the 270 electoral votes he needs by winning Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and either New Hampshire or Iowa.
Start by keeping an eye on a few states in which polls close early, said Bruce Haynes, a Washington-based Republican strategist.
Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and New Hampshire
"All these states will be close, but networks will release some aspects of their exit polling shortly after polls close," Haynes said.
Exit polls contain clues: turnout among Democrats and Republicans, and how Obama does with independent voters, Haynes said.
"If Republican turnout is even with or within a couple of percentage points of Democratic turnout, and Romney is winning independent voters by double digits as some current polls suggest, Romney is likely headed toward victory," Haynes said.
If Romney wins those five states, Haynes said, "his momentum was real, and he's riding that wave into the White House."
Factoring in other states that lean toward Romney in other time zones, those five states should put him at or over 270 electoral votes. Anything less and roadblocks appear on his path.
"If North Carolina goes to Obama, or takes as long for networks to call as Virginia and Ohio, then it's a bad signal for Romney overall," said Jeff Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College in Lackawanna County.
"If Romney loses Ohio or Virginia but wins the other four, he probably needs one win from a pool of larger states — Wisconsin, Michigan or Minnesota — and a win from a pool of smaller states — Iowa, Colorado or Nevada — to make up for those electoral votes," Haynes said.
Lara Brown, an Electoral College expert and author of "Jockeying for the American Presidency," thinks New Hampshire's four electoral votes matter.
"New Hampshire is small, but important," Brown said.
Haynes agrees: "There is a scenario where Romney can win Ohio, Virginia and Florida but lose New Hampshire and lose the race — if all the battleground states in the West and Midwest fall to Obama."
Pennsylvania and other Rust Belt states
In the final weeks of the campaign, Pennsylvania gained unique status with polling that indicates Romney could close the gap here. The Keystone State favors Democrats by a 1 million voter registration advantage, so if Romney wins Pennsylvania it becomes the game changer.
"It's probably a leading indicator of a Romney win," Haynes said. "Its 20 electoral votes are votes Team Romney was not counting on."
More significantly, he said, a win in Pennsylvania indicates that Romney's momentum since the October debates was real and could mean he'll win "the rest of the swing-state map."
Patrick Murphy, a Democrat and former congressman from Bucks County, is convinced people need to watch only Pennsylvania to see how the election will go.
"If it is staying close here all night, then that means Romney is probably going to have a good night in other Rust Belt states," he said.
In addition to Pennsylvania, states typically associated with the Rust Belt — the area that once was the country's industrial heartland — are Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, as well as parts of Wisconsin, New York, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Murphy, a conservative who lost his congressional seat in 2010, expects Obama to win Pennsylvania but said Romney impressed him by drawing an estimated 30,000 people to his Bucks County rally on Sunday night.
"Win or lose, tonight Democrats have to get back to earning the support of the middle class in places like Pennsylvania and Ohio," Murphy said. "We need to do a better job. That is where Romney has made inroads and who can turn tonight's election."


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A SCHOOLGIRL was assaulted in a Colchester underpass.
The 17-year-old girl was walking through the underpass which links both parts of Crouch Street shortly before 3.30pm on Friday, May 16.
She walked past a group of men, one of whom slapped her bottom.
The girl was uninjured, but was left distressed and shocked by the assault.
Details of the incident and a CCTV image were released yetserday and within hours a 16-year-old was identified as a suspect..
He will be interviewed by officers.


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1) Oh, Captain. Ryan Callahan set a tone early, as usual, found a way to score an uglier-than-hell goal — and he's made that an art form — and helped will his team to victory. I know, that's a bit dramatic, because he sure wasn't alone. You'd have a tough time finding anybody in a blue uniform who didn't play pretty darn well in this one. I think that black hat is silly sometimes, but Callahan's had it as much as anybody (other than the goalie, maybe more than him, I don't know). Fitting that he got it for Game 1 after missing last year's playoffs.
2) Brian Boyle had some freight-train hits early on, scored an enormous goal, won faceoffs, took Erik Karlsson off a power play with some sneaky little punches, and sent a whole bunch of messages to the Senators that they'd better be ready to face four, five, six or seven games of this style. Not sure they all will be willing to do that. Boyle=Beast.
3) Once again, the Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, Carl Hagelin line was solid, and everything a No. 1 line needs to be. Gaborik used his speed and his hands. Hagelin's speed created two goals. Richards was good all night. Against Ottawa's top guys a lot, against Ottawa's top checkers a lot. And Richards took plenty of crap, and gave some back, with that Zach Smith guy, who's going to be a pain in the aasen this series.
4) Um, what was that about this being a bad matchup for the Rangers?
5) Though I wouldn't start celebrating just yet. I still think there's a very good chance this is 1-1 going back to Kanata.
6) The Rangers, as promised, didn't change a thing with the way they play. Just played it at a higher level. And were sure not perfect. But good enough. Plenty good enough.
7) And if you break it down to simplest terms: Henrik Lundqvist — a.k.a. the Rangers' biggest advantage in this series — was better than Craig Anderson, who wasn't awful, but is going to need to give up fewer than four, fewer than three actually, for Ottawa to have a chance in any game. Lundqvist was really good when he needed to be, and he even admitted he had to calm himself down because he was complaining to the officials early on.
9) How good is Karlsson? But will he want to play four or five or six games like this? Boyle took him off, and he seemed to handle being banged around. But he was banged around. The kid is magical with the puck, and he can skate, too.
10) Even though one of you in particular, maybe more, disagree, there is no momentum between playoff games. In other, simpler (slower) words, nothing that happened last night is going to matter tomorrow, or carry into tomorrow. Nothing. The Rangers aren't going to win Game 2 because of the way they played last night, and Ottawa's not going to lose Game 2 because of tonight, and vice versa. Is that simple enough?
11) Chris Neil tried to start trouble when it was 4-0 (shocker) and again in the final minutes when he was kicking out skates and slashing legs. I imagine somebody's going to have to take care of him at some point. Brandon Prust, Mike Rupp or Stu Bickel.
12) Speaking of Bickel, he didn't sparkle like Hagelin, but I thought he handled himself quite well in his first playoff game. And Anisimov, not a rookie, was as good as he's been in a while, as John Tortorella said.
13) Don't underestimate those three PKs against that Ottawa PP.
14) Today's Friday the 13th. But it's also April 13, or the anniversary of the Rangers' 1940 Stanley Cup clincher. Which means today it's officially one Cup in 72 years.
15) My friend Mike Vaccaro from the Post, best sports columnist in NYC, came up with this. The last time the Rangers hosted a Game 1 of a playoff series, Derek Jeter got his 22nd and 23rd career hits that night.
My Three Rangers Stars:
1) Ryan Callahan.
2) Henrik Lundqvist.
3) Carl Hagelin.
ilb2001's Three Rangers Stars:
1) Brian Boyle.
2) Ryan Callahan.
3) Brad Richards — could be surprising to some, but I think he was a calming force for this young team all night long.
AP photos, above.


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Opinions of the Colorado Supreme Court for the past twelve months are available to the public and can be accessed through the Court's homepage at http://www.courts.state.co.us/supct/supctcaseannctsindex.htmand are posted on the Colorado Bar Association homepage at http://www.cobar.org/ors.cfm. Opinions available through January 1996. (Excluding April 1996 - Coming soon!)
Find older opinions in the Colorado Supreme Court Archives (Members Only).
Full-text opinions available from October 1996 to the present.


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Paid Leave And Parity For Part-Time Workers
May 08, 2009 | Forbes | Link to article
This year, I say we give moms, and all caregivers, something more lasting than flowers: the economic security they need to care for themselves and their loved ones all year.
With more women in the paid workforce and hours on the rise for men and women, families are feeling the strain of balancing work and family responsibilities. Today, over 70% of children live in households with a working single parent or two parents who work. This means most families do not have a stay-at-home parent or anyone available to provide care if someone gets sick.
Low-income workers, especially single mothers, are particularly hard hit by the conflicting pressures of work and family, as their jobs are most likely to lack paid leave, benefits and any flexibility. As a result, sometimes workers simply can't be there when their families need them the most.
The swine flu crisis is a glaring example of this and why workers need a minimum number of paid sick days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advise staying home from work and keeping children home from school with any flu-like symptoms. However, missing work is not an option for millions of workers--about half of our workforce--who lack even a single day of paid sick time.
According to the Kaiser Family Fund, half of all working mothers must stay home at some point in a year when their child is sick, but half of all those mothers--and two-thirds of low-income mothers--receive no pay when they do so. For families at the lower end of the economic spectrum, even one day's loss of pay can be devastating. As a result, workers and children show up for work and school sick, spreading disease among coworkers and school children because they have no choice.
The lack of paid sick days is also bad for business. The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) estimates the cost to our economy of workers lacking paid sick days at $180 billion a year due largely to increased turnover, low productivity and contagion.
Moms and other workers with care-giving responsibilities also need paid family leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees workers 12 weeks unpaid leave to care for a newborn or adopted child, a seriously ill family member or to recover from illness or injury themselves. However, almost half of eligible workers don't use the benefit, and nearly 80% say it's because they can't afford to take unpaid leave. Also, the FMLA applies only when an employee has worked for a company for at least 12 months and for more than 1,250 hours in the preceding 12 months. As a result of these restrictions, many low-income and part-time workers fail to qualify.
Now more than ever, employees also need protection from family responsibilities discrimination. Every day, workers are fired, demoted, not promoted or denied other employment benefits due to their family responsibilities. Workers simply cannot afford economic harm, especially in these days, because of their obligations to provide care for family members, whether children or aging parents.
Finally, as the number of part-time workers continues to rise as a result of the recession, it's more critical than ever that they have parity in pay and benefits, especially health insurance.
Many workers, particularly women, turn to part-time work as a strategy for coping with their significant care-giving responsibilities. Unfortunately, they pay dearly for this flexibility. According to the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), part-time workers earn 20% less per hour than full-time workers with the same level of education and experience, and they have fewer benefits (such as health insurance or pensions) and limited advancement opportunities.
While balancing work and family has become an urgent challenge for working families, our laws have simply not kept up. We cannot continue to rely on private solutions to our work/life problems. We need to expand and support paid leave for working families, protect workers from discrimination based on family responsibilities and promote parity for part-time workers. That's a Mother's Day present mom could really use.
Dina Bakst is co-founder and co-president of A Better Balance: The Work & Family Legal Center


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Happy Tax Day! The crooks.
Some good stuff last night. I like it when guys fight during the playoffs (not the staged fights, or the message-sending in lopsided games). Somebody, years ago, decided "oooh, you can't fight during the playoffs … you have to be disciplined." It's ridiculous, isn't it?
I mean, you have to be careful not to get an instigator penalty or to be suckered in by a guy who's going to turtle. But if things get hot, what the heck, drop 'em like a man and get it done. We spend six months accepting fighting as "part of the game." Then when games mean the most, and when they are their most competitive, and when anger builds up in a playoff series, they're not supposed to fight anymore? Idiotic.
I also think the kid Stoll (he's not related to Staal, Stall or Stahl, is he?) has to be suspended for that cheap head-shot from behind on White in the Kings-Sharks game. I doubt the NHL will have the onions to do anything about it.
I've got an important meeting this morning. Have to introduce Mr. T to Mr. Sasquatch. Be back this afternoon, and then all night and all tomorrow and, of course, all of Sunday at MSG, etc.
Quick question for you guys: I normally write my game reviews after midnight or so, then schedule them to go up around 6-7 a.m. Would you prefer if I posted them right away (it is the internet, after all)? Does it matter? Do you like to go to bed and wake up with a new post?
Here are the pre-game notes, courtesy of the Rangers:
NEW YORK RANGERS at WASHINGTON CAPITALS
2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, Game Two
Friday, Apr. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Verizon Center• Washington, DC
Rangers (Regular Season): 44-33-5 (93 pts)
Capitals (Regular Season): 48-23-11 (107 pts)
The Rangers will face-off against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center (7:30 p.m.), in Game Two of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal match-up. The Blueshirts opened their Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 overtime loss vs. the Capitals in Game One Wednesday at Verizon Center, marking the first time in five years the Rangers dropped their first game of the opening round (2006 Playoffs). The Rangers enter the contest with a 197-213-8 record all-time in 418 playoff contests, including an 88-131-6 mark on the road. New York has posted a 45-45-2 record all-time in Game Twos of playoff series.
New York entered the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs having posted a record of 44-33-5 (93 pts) overall with a 24-16-1 mark on the road in the regular season. The Blueshirts are one of seven Eastern Conference teams to have registered at least five seasons of 40+ wins since 2005-06, and one of five Eastern Conference teams to advance to the playoffs in five of the six seasons (no team has advanced to the playoffs in all six seasons). Compared to last season, the Rangers registered six more wins and six more points (38-33-11, 87 points in 2009-10), having tallied 11 more goals (233 this season, 222 last season) while allowing 20 fewer goals against (198 this season, 218 last season). New York also posted a six-goal improvement while shorthanded compared to 2009-10 (11 this season, five last season). The Rangers' 44 wins tied for sixth most in team history, and their 24 road wins tied the franchise record (1993-94).
TV: MSG Network
7:00 p.m. – Rangers Pre-Game Show with Al Trautwig, Mike Keenan and Ron Duguay
7:30 p.m. – Rangers at Capitals
Broadcasters: Sam Rosen (Play-By-Play), Joe Micheletti (Analyst), John Giannone (In-Game Reporter)
Radio: 1050 ESPN Radio and newyorkrangers.com
7:00 p.m. – Rangers Pre-Game Show
7:30 p.m. – Rangers at Capitals
Broadcasters: Kenny Albert (Play-By-Play), Dave Maloney (Analyst)
Overall: 197-213-8
- Home: 109-82-2
- Away: 88-131-6
- Goals for: 1,168
- Goals against: 1,202
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORDS – RANGERS vs. CAPITALS
The Rangers and Capitals are meeting in the playoffs for the sixth time overall and the second time in three years. Their last postseason encounter was an Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in 2009, won by Washington 4-3. Overall, the Blueshirts have a 2-3 playoff series record vs. the Capitals, posting a 14-16 mark in 30 postseason contests.
RANGERS vs. CAPITALS:
- All-Time (Regular Season): 83-84-18-5 overall (46-37-9-2 at home; 37-47-9-3 on the road)
- 2010-11: The Rangers posted a 3-1-0 record vs. the Capitals in their regular season series, including a 2-0-0 mark at Verizon Center. New York out-scored Washington, 18-6, led by Brian Boyle's seven points (three goals, four assists). The Rangers held the Capitals to one goal or less three times, including two shutouts by Henrik Lundqvist.
- Over the last two seasons, the Blueshirts have tallied 10 power play goals in 30 opportunities (33.3%) in their last eight regular season games vs. Washington, including six goals in 17 power play attempts (35.3%) in four games in 2009-10.
- Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 3-5 record with a 2.75 goals against average and one shutout in eight career playoff contests vs. Washington
- Vinny Prospal leads the Rangers with six goals, eight assists and 14 points in 15 career playoff contests vs. Washington
- New York lists one former Capital on their roster: Steve Eminger (2002-03 – 2007-08)
- Washington lists two former Rangers on their roster: Mike Knuble (1998-99 – 1999-00); Tom Poti (2001-02 – 2005-06)
The Blueshirts posted a plus-13 rating on special teams (PPG+SHG minus PPGA+SHGA) this season, which tied for second in the league.
- Power Play: New York did not tally a goal in two power play opportunities (4:00) in Game One on Wednesday at Washington. The Rangers ranked 18th overall (49-290, 16.9%) and 21st on the road (21-139, 15.1%) in the regular season, and registered a 19.4% (14-72) success rate in their final 21 games. The Blueshirts were 5-15 (12:41) in five-on-three situations (last – 4/3 at PHI), and 0-7 (8:42) when four-on-three (last – 4/3 at PHI). Shorthanded goals allowed (5): 11/20 at MIN (Cullen); 12/5 vs. OTT (Kelly); 1/2 at FLA (Weiss); 1/16 vs. PHI (Richards); 3/20 at PIT (Kunitz).
- Penalty Killing: The Blueshirts held the Capitals scoreless in two shorthanded situations (4:00) in Game One on Wednesday at Washington. New York tied for ninth overall (215-257, 83.7%) and ranked sixth on the road (117-139, 84.2%) in the regular season, and surrendered just two goals in 20 attempts (90.0%) on the penalty kill in their final 11 games. The Rangers were 7-10 (7:21) in three-on-five situations (last – 2/27 vs. TBL), and 4-6 (2:41) when three-on-four (last – 11/15 at PIT). Shorthanded goals for (11): 10/9 at BUF (Dubinsky); 11/5 at NJD (Dubinsky); 11/15 at PIT (Staal); 11/24 at TBL (Boyle); 11/26 at FLA (Prust); 12/5 vs. OTT (Prust); 12/12 vs. WSH (Staal); 12/16 vs. PHX (Prust); 1/7 at DAL (Fedotenko); 2/27 vs. TBL (Prust); 3/15 vs. NYI (Prust).
- Four-on-Four: The Rangers and Capitals did not skate in a four-on-four situation in Game One on Wednesday at Washington. During the regular season, New York was plus-three in 67, four-on-four situations (134:41), and even in one, three-on-three situation (2:00) this season (2/17 vs. LAK). Four-on-four goals for (7): 10/18 vs. COL (Frolov); 11/11 vs. BUF (Anisimov); 11/15 at PIT (Callahan); 12/12 vs. WSH (Callahan); 1/5 vs. CAR (Zuccarello); 3/4 at OTT (Stepan); 3/6 vs. PHI (Zuccarello). Four-on-four goals allowed (4): 10/15 vs. TOR (Kessel); 1/1 at TBL (Thompson); 3/15 vs. NYI (Moulson); 4/3 at PHI (Zherdev).
Seven Rangers made their playoff debut in Game One at Washington on Wednesday – Brian Boyle, Matt Gilroy, Brandon Prust, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Derek Stepan, and Mats Zuccarello. Gilroy (goal) and Prust (assist) also registered their first career postseason point in the contest.
The Blueshirts were the only team in the NHL who were undefeated when leading after two periods this season, posting a record of 29-0-0 in those contests. The Rangers tied for third in the league with a plus-22 goal differential in the third period (85 goals for, 63 goals against). New York also tied for second in the NHL with eight wins and 20 points in games in which it trailed entering the final frame.
The Rangers were undefeated in their last six games of the regular season vs. the top four teams in the Eastern Conference standings, including a 6-0 win at Washington on Feb. 25. New York out-scored their opponents, 27-7, in those contests, having tallied five or more goals in four of the six games while posting three shutouts.
Rangers Captain Chris Drury is tied for fourth in the NHL all-time with four playoff overtime goals, and ranks fourth among active NHL players and leads the team with 47 goals in 131 career postseason contests. Drury has participated in the playoffs eight times, having advanced to at least the Conference Finals in five of those eight seasons.
Henrik Lundqvist was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week for the period ending Mar. 27 after posting a 2-0-1 record, 0.32 GAA, .987 Sv% and two shutouts in three games. On Mar. 26, Lundqvist stopped 26 shots in a 1-0 victory at Boston to establish a new career-high with his league leading, 11th shutout of the season, while appearing in his 400th career game. His 11 shutouts are tied for second in team history for most shutouts in a season, and are the most by a Ranger since John Ross Roach posted 13 shutouts in 1928-29. He is now one of two active goaltenders with at least two seasons of 10+ shutouts (M. Brodeur – 4). Lundqvist also posted his 30th win of the season on Mar. 18 vs. Montreal to extend his NHL record by recording 30 or more wins in six consecutive seasons to begin his career, and extend his franchise record by posting his sixth straight 30-win season. Lundqvist established a new career-high by appearing in his 22nd consecutive contest (dating back to Feb. 11) on Mar. 31 at Long Island. Lundqvist has appeared in 27 straight games entering tonight's contest, and has started each of the Rangers last 30 playoff games.
The Rangers tied for fourth in the league with 11 shorthanded goals this season, the most for New York since they notched 11 in 2006-07 and tied for 12th most in franchise history. Brandon Prust led the team and tied for second and third in the league, respectively, with a career-high, seven shorthanded points and five shorthanded goals. His five shorthanded goals are the most by a Ranger since Theo Fleury tallied seven shorthanded goals in 2000-01. Brian Boyle led the Rangers and tied for second in the NHL with a career-best, three shorthanded assists.
The Rangers completed the regular season leading the league in hits (2,333), ranked fourth in blocked shots (1,301), tied for first in shutouts (11), second in number of players with at least one GWG (19), third in shootout wins (nine), fourth in road wins (24), fifth in goals against (198), and fifth with a plus-35 goal differential.
- Derek Boogaard (shoulder, 12/9) – 53
- Alex Frolov (knee, 1/8) – 40
- Martin Biron (collarbone, 2/28) – 19
- Ryan Callahan (ankle, 4/4) – 3
Total Man-Games Lost (Regular Season, Playoffs): 327
Total Man-Games Lost (Playoffs): 4


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A month after the attacks in Benghazi, a key suspect was smirking at the United States and sipping a strawberry frappe on a hotel patio with a New York Times reporter. This week, he's b-a-a-a-ck.
Abu Khattala — who told NYT in October that he was not a member of al-Qaida but admired the terrorists' "puritanical zeal for Islamic law" — is talking to CNN. "He's really not that difficult to find," says Arwa Damon, the CNN reporter. "This is not a man who is in hiding." Continue reading


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MTV VMAs Best + Worst Dressed: Is That You, Gabby?, Pink Goes Glam+ More!
We rounded up the best and the worst of the red carpet looks at the MTV VMAs. Wow! Gabby Douglas looks all grown up and fellow Olympian Missy Franklin rocks the red carpet too!
-PJ Gach
We love MTV's Video Music Awards – we really do. It's one crazy funhouse of bad fashion dotted with a few chic looks. Zoe Saldana, Emma Watson and Taylor Swift, of course, looked fab; Olympians Missy Franklin and Gabby Douglas looked totes cute; Katy Perry took it up a notch; and Nicki Minaj, Rita Ora and Mayra Veronica made us cringe (seriously — those images are burned in our retinas).
Read Lauren Conrad Hearts Emily Elizabeth Jewelry — We Know Why!
Also, can someone please explain what Jessica Szohr is wearing?
Check out our best and worst dressed of the night!
Worst Dressed
Maybe you ought to wear a pair of sunnies to view these photos, just to shield your eyes.
Chanel West Coast
One deep breath and it's all over.
Read Musewear's Michael Franco Dishes About Flip Flops That Tell a Story + More!
Jessica Szohr
Don't you get the feeling that she ought to be singing backup for a hair metal band?
Rita Ora
Is it just me, or do you think that Rita Ora's getup lights up?
Read California Dreams Meet European Glamor in Ashley Ashoff's Gorgeous Silk Scarves
Nicki Minaj
Who knew they were going to remake Tron again!
Mayra Veronica
Ah, yes: The perfect outfit to show off your boob job.
Read Win It! Canon PowerShot Digital Camera + 'Speechless' by Hannah Harrington!
Layla Kayleigh
Oh, Layla Kayleigh! The top is kind of prommy with a dash of glue gun madness, while the bottom looks like it was stolen from someone else's outfit. Ack.


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Posted by Jerom Monday, July 07, 2003 – 09:19 PM CEST
Linux is capable of high-end security; however, the out-of-the-box configurations must be altered to meet the security needs of most businesses with an Internet presence.This article shows you the steps for securing a Linux system called hardening the server using both manual methods and open source security solutions. The hardening process focuses on the operating system, and is important regardless of the services offered by the server.The steps will vary slightly between services, such as e-mail and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), but are essential for protecting any server that is connected to a network, especially the Internet. Hardening the operating system allows the server to operate effi- ciently and securely.
This article includes the essential steps an administrator must follow to harden a Unix system; specifically, a Red Hat Linux system.These steps include updating the system, disabling unnecessary services, locking down ports, logging, and maintenance. Open source programs allow administrators to automate these processes using Bastille, sudo, logging enhancers such as SWATCH, and antivirus software. Before you implement these programs, you should first understand how to harden a system manually.
Updating the Linux System
An linux system may contain many security vulnerabilities and software bugs when it is first released.Vendors, such as Red Hat, provide updates to the operating system to fix these vulnerabilities and bugs. In fact, many consulting firms recommend that companies do not purchase and implement new operating systems until the first update is available. In most cases, the first update will fix many of the problems encountered with the first release of the Linux system(distrobution).
Maintenance Issues
You should apply the latest updates before the server goes live, and constantly maintain the server after it is deployed to make sure the most current required patches are installed.The more time an operating system is available to the public, the more time malicious hackers have to exploit discovered vulnerabilities. Vendors offer patches to fix these vulnerabilities as quickly as possible; in some cases, the fixes are available at the vendor's site the same day. Administrators must also regularly test their systems using security analyzer software. Security analyzer software scans systems to uncover security vulnerabilities, and recommends fixes to close the security hole.
Manually Disabling Unnecessary Services and Ports
To harden a server, you must first disable any unnecessary services and ports.This process involves removing any unnecessary services, such as the Linux rlogin service, and locking down unnecessary Transmission Control Protocol/User Datagram Protocol (TCP/UDP) ports. Once these services and ports are secure, you must then regularly maintain the system.
Services to Disable
Linux, by nature, is more secure than most operating systems. Regardless, there are still uncertainties to every new Linux kernel that is released, and many security vulnerabilities that have not been discovered. Most Linux services are not vulnerable to these exploits. However, an administrator can reduce the amount of risk by removing unnecessary services. Red Hat Linux includes many services, so it makes sense that an administrator customize the system to suit the company needs. Remember, you are removing risk when you remove unnecessary services.
The xinetd.conf File
The /etc/xinetd.conf file (previously the inetd.conf file) controls many Unix services, including File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Telnet. It determines what services are available to the system.The xinetd (like inetd) service is a super server listening for incoming network activity for a range of services. It determines the actual nature of the service being requested and launches the appropriate server. The primary reason for the design is to avoid having to start and run a large number of low-volume servers. Additionally, xinetd's ability to launch services on demand means that only the needed number of servers is run. The etc/xinted.conf file directs requests for xinetd services to the /etc/xinetd.d directory. Each xinetd service has a configuration file in the xinetd.d directory. If a service is commented out in its specified configuration file, the service is unavailable. Because xinetd is so powerful, only the root should be able to configure its services. The /etc/xinetd.d directory makes it simple to disable services that your system is not using. For example, you can disable the FTP and Telnet services by commenting out the FTP and Telnet entries in the respective file and restarting the service. If the service is commented out.
Telnet and FTP
Most administrators find it convenient to log in to their Unix machines over a network for administration purposes.This allows the administrator to work remotely while maintaining network services. However, in a high-security environment, only physical access may be permitted for administering a server. In this case, you should disable the Telnet interactive login utility. Once disabled, no one can access the machine via Telnet.
1. To disable Telnet, you must edit the /etc/xinetd.d/telnet file. Open the Telnet file, using vi or an editor of your choice.
2. Comment out the service telnet line by adding a number sign (#) before service telnet: #service telnet
3. Write and quit the file.
4. Next, you must restart xinetd by entering: /etc/rc.d/init.d/xinetd restart
5. Attempt to log on to the system using Telnet.You should fail.
6. Note that commenting out the service line in the respective xinetd.d directory can disable many services.
7. Disable the FTP service using the same method (e.g., edit the /xinetd.d/wu-ftpd file by commenting out the service ftp line and restarting xinetd).
8. Attempt to access the system via FTP.You should be unable to log in to the server.
The Rlogin Service
The remote login (rlogin) service is enabled by default in the /etc/xinetd.d/ rlogin file. Rlogin has security vulnerabilities because it can bypass the password prompt to access a system remotely.There are two services associated with rlogin: login and RSH (remote shell).To disable these services, open the /xinetd.d/ rlogin file and comment out the service login line.Then, open the /etc/ xinetd.d/rsh file and comment out the service shell line. Restart xinetd to ensure that your system is no longer offering these services.
Locking Down Ports
TCP/IP networks assign a port to each service, such as HTTP, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), and Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3).This port is given a number, called a port number, used to link incoming data to the correct service. For example, if a client browser is requesting to view a server's Web page, the request will be directed to port 80 on the server.The Web service receives the request and sends the Web page to the client. Each service is assigned a port number, and each port number has a TCP and UDP port. For example, port 53 is used for the Domain Name System (DNS) and has a TCP port and a UDP port. TCP port 53 is used for zone transfers between DNS servers; UDP port 53 is used for common DNS queries resolving domain names to IP addresses.
Well-Known and Registered Ports
There are two ranges of ports used for TCP/IP networks: well-known ports and registered ports.The well-known ports are the network services that have been assigned a specific port number (as defined by /etc/services). For example, SMTP is assigned port 25, and HTTP is assigned port 80. Servers listen on the network for requests at the well-known ports. Registered ports are temporary ports, usually used by clients, and will vary each time a service is used. Registered ports are also called ephemeral ports, because they last for only a brief time.The port is then abandoned and can be used by other services. The port number ranges are classified, as shown below, according to Request for Comments (RFC) 1700.To access RFC 1700, go to ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1700.txt.
Well-known 1 to 1023
Registered 1024 to 65535
To explain how well-known ports work with registered ports, let's look at a typical Web site connection from a Web browser to a Web server.The client sends the HTTP request from a registered TCP port, such as port 1025.The request is routed across the network to the well-known TCP port 80 of a Web server. Once a session is established, the server continues to use port 80, and the client uses various registered ports, such as TCP port 1025 and 1026, to transfer the HTTP data. Figure 2.5 is a packet capture that displays the establishment of a TCP session between a client and server, and the transmission of HTTP data between them. In frame 2 of the packet capture, the source address (10.0.0.100) is the client computer requesting the Web page.The destination address (126.96.36.199) is the Web server, which hosts the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Web site. In the Info field, the 1025 > 80 indicates that the source TCP port is 1025.The 80 indicates that the destination TCP port is 80. The first three frames display the TCP handshake, which establishes a TCP connection between the client and server. In the frames that follow, the client requests HTTP data from the server.The request determines the HTTP version.
Determining Ports to Block
When determining which ports to block on your server, you must first determine which services you require. In most cases, block all ports that are not exclusively required by these services.This is tricky, because you can easily block yourself from services you need, especially services that use ephemeral ports, as explained earlier. If your server is an exclusive e-mail server running SMTP and IMAP, you can block all TCP ports except ports 25 and 143, respectively. If your server is an exclusive HTTP server, you can block all ports except TCP port 80. In both cases, you can block all UDP ports since SMTP and IMAP all use TCP services exclusively. However, if you want to use your server as an HTTP client (i.e., for accessing operating system updates) or as an e-mail client to a remote mail server, you will restrict the system. Clients require registered UDP ports for DNS, as well as registered TCP ports for establishing connections with Web servers. If you open only the corresponding UDP ports 25, 80, and 143, DNS requests are blocked because DNS queries use UDP port 53, and DNS answers use a UDP registered port. Even if you open port 53, a different registered port may be assigned each time for the answer. Attempting to allow access to a randomly assigned registered port is almost impossible and a waste of time.The same problem applies with TCP connections that require ephemeral ports. Therefore, you should either open all TCP/UDP registered ports (so you can use your server as a client), or block them (except for the services you require) and access resources, such as operating system updates.
Blocking Ports
To block TCP/UDP services in Linux, you must disable the service that uses the specific port.The following section discusses disabling ports using xinetd, and disabling ports assigned to stand-alone services.
Xinetd Services
Many services are disabled by their respective files in the /etc/xinetd.d directory by commenting out the service that uses the port.You learned how to comment out xinetd services earlier in this article. For example, to disable port 79 (used for finger services, which gives out user data that can be used by malicious hackers), you would comment out the service finger entry in /etc/xinetd.d/ finger file. Refer to Table 2.2 to view other ports you may wish to block. It lists common ports blocked by firewalls. However, these ports can also be blocked at the server itself. Follow these steps to disable port 79:
1. To disable port 79, you must edit the /etc/xinetd.d/finger file. Open the finger file and locate the service finger line.
2. Comment out the finger service line, and then write and quit the file.
3. Next, you must restart xinetd by entering: /etc/rc.d/init.d/xinetd restart
4. If you have a finger program installed on your system, or access to a finger gateway, attempt a finger request to your system.You should fail. Note that you can use xinetd to disable many other ports.
Stand-Alone Services
To disable ports whose corresponding services are not included in the /etc/xinetd.d directory, you must kill the service's process and make sure that service does not automatically restart upon reboot.These services are called standalone services. For example, port 111 is assigned a stand-alone portmapper service not required for most e-mail servers.The portmapper service, which is technically part of the Sun Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service, runs on server machines and assigns port numbers to RPC packets, such as NIS and NFS packets. Because these RPC services are not used by most e-mail services, port 111 is not necessary. To disable port 111, you must disable the portmapper service as follows:
1. To disable the portmapper service, identify the process identifier (PID) for portmap by entering: ps aux | grep portmap
2. The second column lists the PID number.The last column lists the process using that PID.T
3. To stop the portmapper service, identify the PID number and enter: kill 9 [PID NUMBER]
Some ports, such as port 80, are not activated unless the service is installed. For example, if you have not installed Apache server, then port 80 is not used. There is no need to block the port because it is already disabled.
Hardening using Bastille
Bastille is an open source program that facilitates the hardening of a Linux system. It performs many of the tasks discussed in this article, including downloading operating system updates and disabling services and ports that are not required for the system's job functions.The program also offers a wider range of additional services, from installing a firewall (ipchains) to implementing secure shell (SSH). Bastille is powerful and can save administrators time from configuring each individual file and program throughout the operating system. Instead, the administrator answers a series of Yes and No questions through an interactive textbased interface.The program automatically implements the administrator's preferences based on the answers to the questions. Bastille is written specifically to Red Hat Linux and Mandrake Linux, but can be easily modified to run on most Unix flavors.The specific Red Hat/Mandrake content has been generalized, and now the hard-code filenames are represented as variables.These variables are set automatically at runtime.You can download bastille at http://www.bastille-linux.org/
Logging Your Configurations in Bastille
As with many security programs, Bastille is relatively simple to implement, but it's easy to lose track of the changes you implemented. This can be a problem if you are unable to perform a typical operation on the system, or are denied access to a command or service. Many times, it is because you locked down part of the system by mistake, or misjudged the impact of a particular Bastille choice.
It is always a good idea to create a hard-copy log of the options you select in Bastille, or any security configurations you implement on your system. When you configure Bastille on your systems, use the Bastille log included in Appendix A of this book. It includes each configuration question and an area for your manual input. Make copies of the Appendix A, fill out the table during configuration, and keep the hard copies in a safe place.
If your system goes down, you can access the hard copies and recreate your Bastille configurations. Of course, if your system became unusable due to Bastille, it will help you determine what went wrong. This is especially helpful if you are unable to access the /root/Bastille/ config file, which saves the administrator's preferences based on the answers to the Bastille questions.
Controlling and Auditing Root Access with Sudo
Superuser Do (sudo) is an open source security tool that allows an administrator to give specific users or groups the ability to run certain commands as root or as another user.The program can also log commands and arguments entered by specified system users.The developers of sudo state that the basic philosophy (www.courtesan.com/sudo/readme.html) of the program is to give as few privileges as possible but still allow people to get their work done. Sudo was first released to the public in the summer of 1986, and Todd Miller of Courtesan Consulting currently maintains the program and distributes it freely under a BSD-style license.The Sudo Main Page is located at http://www.courtesan.com/sudo .
Because sudo logs all commands run as root (or specified otherwise), many administrators use it instead of using the root shell.This allows them to log their own commands for troubleshooting and additional security. The ticketing system is ideal because if the root user walks away from the system while still logged in (a very bad idea), another user cannot access the system simply because he or she has physical access to the keyboard. After the ticket expires, users must log on to the system again. A shorter time is recommended, such as the default five minutes.The ticketing system also allows users to remove their ticket file.
The Sudo Command
The sudo command allows a user to execute a command as a superuser or another user. All configurations for sudo are written to the /etc/sudoers file.The sudoers file specifies whether that command is allowed by that particular user. In order to use sudo, the user must have already supplied a username and password. If a user attempts to run the command via sudo and that user is not in the sudoers file, an e-mail is automatically sent to the administrator, indicating that an unauthorized user is accessing the system.
Once a user logs in to sudo, a ticket is issued that is valid by default for five minutes. A user can update the ticket by issuing the -v flag, which will validate the ticket for another five minutes.The command is entered as follows: sudo -v
If an unauthorized user runs the -v flag, an e-mail will not be sent to the administrator.The -v flag informs the unauthorized user that he or she is not a valid user. If the user enters command via sudo anyway, an e-mail will then be sent to the administrator. Sudo logs login attempts, successful and unsuccessful, to the syslog(3) file by default. However, this can be changed during sudo configuration.
Often used flags on Sudo are:
-V Version Prints version number and exits.
-l List Lists the commands that are allowed and denied by current user.
-h Help Prints usage message and exits.
-v Validate Updates the user's ticket for a configured amount of time (default is five minutes).
-k Kill Expires the user's ticket. Completing this option requires the user to re-enter the user password to update the ticket.
-K Sure kill Removes the user's ticket entirely. User must log in with username and password after running this option.
-u User Runs the specific command as the username specified. The user specified can be any user except root.
Managing Your Log Files
Another aspect of system security is managing your log files. By default, Linux offer modest logging so that administrators can see who and what has accessed their system. More logging is available (both more detail and logging on more services), but Linux keeps it brief so that you don't fill your hard disk with log information.This section briefly discusses helpful commands and programs that provide access to system logs. Linux offers commands that allow administrators to access useful log files. Two commands of interest are last and lastlog.The message file also offers useful data for determining possible security breaches on your system. The last command displays data such as who is logged on to the system, who recently logged on, and when the system has rebooted.
The lastlog command displays the users and services that have accounts on your machine. It lists the last time each account logged in to the system, or if the account has ever logged in. Each service in Linux is given an account.This is very helpful because if a service logged in without your knowledge, a hacker may be responsible.This would indicate that the hacker controls your system and is currently exploiting it. It could also mean that another administrator started the service without telling you.
The messages file is a log file that displays a list of recent activity on the system. For example, it lists if a password was changed and who changed it. It identifies when a user session opens and closes. It also lists the time and data each event took place. It can be viewed by entering the following command: tail /var/log/messages
If you prefer a GUI to view your log files, a program called SWATCH allows an instant and real-time display for various log files. It can view any log files you specify and is discussed in the next section. The Linux logs should be checked frequently to determine if any security violations have occurred on your system. Logs do not offer solutions, so you must analyze the data and decide how to counteract the attack.
Using Logging Enhancers
Logging enhancers are tools that simplify logging by allowing logging information to be filtered and often displaying logs in simplified formats. Many open source logging programs exist to make system administration much easier. Viewing text-based files with hundreds or thousands of entries can be burdensome, especially if you are only looking for one specific error entry. Logging enhancers can make logging a much more user-friendly experience, and greatly expand and customize the information you need to log. The next sections explain a little bit of the three popular logging services used by administrators: SWATCH, scanlogd, and the next generation of syslogd (syslogd-ng).
Simple WATCHer or Simple WATCHdog (SWATCH) is an open source package that allows administrators to efficiently monitor system activity. It can monitor events on a system, or a large number of systems, by monitoring system logs for specified events. SWATCH'S main function is to monitor messages actively as they are written to a log files through the Unix syslog utility. SWATCH requires Perl 5 to function. SWATCH is efficient because it allows administrators to modify the SWATCH configuration file (/etc/swatchrc) to filter logging entries and respond to certain events. For example, SWATCH can monitor the system for bad login attempts, and e-mail the administrator whenever this failed authentication event occurs. It can monitor and alter when system halts and reboots occur, when a user upgrades to root using the su command, when the file system is full, and when someone is sniffing the system. It can monitor anything desired from the
log files.
Scanlogd is an open source program that detects and logs TCP-port scanning on a system. For example, it can detect nmap scans. Nmap is a program used by hackers to create a map of your network. It is often the first step a hacker takes once he or she has access to your network to determine which system to hack. Nmap lists the systems and the services on the network. Scanlogd can alert an administrator when the network is being mapped, but it cannot stop the intrusion.
Scanlogd was originally designed to illustrate attacks, not to fix them. Therefore, even though it is safe to run on your system, it does not prevent hacking attacks. You must read the system log to discover what happened to your system, and then determine the appropriate solution.
Scanlogd writes one line per scan using the syslog(3) mechanism. It also logs when a source address sends many packets to several different ports in a short amount of time.You can learn about scanlogd and download the program at www.openwall.com/scanlogd. Because scanlogd is only meant to detect scans, it is totally safe to run on your system. It must have access to raw IP packets to function, and can capture packets coming in and out of the system interface, or across the network to which the system is attached. In addition, scanlogd v2 supports the raw socket interface on libnids, libpcap, and Linux.
Syslogd-ng is a logging daemon that is the replacement for the traditional syslogd. The ng is an acronym for next generation.The original syslogd was the general Unix logging daemon that handled requests for syslog services, but was diffi- cult to configure. Syslogd-ng is easier to configure and offers additional logging features, such as more configurations. For example, syslogd-ng allows administrators to filter messages based on priority, as well as the content of the messages. You can also forward logs on TCP, sort logs to different destinations, and create a direct log stream to various hosts. It will eventually support log files that are protected with hash encryption.
Syslogd made it difficult to choose only the important messages. The reason this occurs is that messages are sent to different destinations depending on the assigned facility/priority pair.These destinations are very broad, and include general facilities such as mail, news, auth, and so forth, and priorities ranging from alert to debug. Many programs use the facilities, so many unneeded messages are written to their logs. In many cases, the message and the facility are not even related. Syslogd-ng filters messages based on message content in addition to the facility/priority pair. Using this method, only the messages that are needed are logged. Syslogd-ng has been tested on Linux, BSDi, and Solaris. At the time of this writing, the latest stable version was 1.4.17.You can learn more about syslog-ng and download it from the Balabit site at http://www.balabit.com/downloads/syslog-ng/downloads The site also contains information on installing and configuring the service.
Last Words
This article covered the very basics of hardening a server to avoid security vulnerabilities using Linux.The main sections covered disabling unnecessary services, locking down ports, Bastille, sudo, and logging enhancers. It is extremely important to install the latest updates to the operating system, which fix many security vulnerabilities and bugs before you install any programs. Many services provided with operating systems are not required and can be removed.The key to remember is that the fewer services running, the less potential vulnerability.TCP/UDP ports were covered in this article, and how each port is used by specific services. If you block ports on your server, you block the services that use those ports. Locking down ports is an excellent way to reduce exploitations of your system.
Maintaining your server involves downloading service packs and updates, and requires regularly installing bug fixes, security patches, and software updates.These items are available through the operating system vendors, as well as the specific vendors that created the software that you implement.
Bastille is an open source program that facilitates the hardening of a Linux system. It performs many of the tasks listed previously, including downloading operating system updates and disabling services and ports that are not required for the system's job functions. Bastille is powerful and can save administrators time from configuring each individual file and program throughout the operating system. Instead, administrators answer a series of Yes and No questions through an interactive text-based interface.The program automatically implements the administrators' preferences based on the answers to the questions.
Superuser Do (sudo) is an open source security tool that allows an administrator to give specific users or groups the ability to run certain commands as root or as another user.The program can also log commands and arguments entered by specified system users.The developers of sudo state that the basic philosophy (www.courtesan.com/sudo/readme.html) of the program is to give as few privileges as possible, but still allow people to get their work done.
Logging enhancers are tools that simplify logging by allowing logging information to be filtered and often displaying logs in simplified formats. Many open source logging programs exist to make system administration easier.You were introduced in this article to SWATCH, scanlogd, and syslog-ng.
SWATCH is an open source package that allows administrators to efficiently monitor system activity. It can monitor events on a system, or a large number of systems, by monitoring system logs for specified events. SWATCH's main function is to monitor messages actively as they are written to log files through the Unix syslog utility.
Scanlogd is an open source program that detects and logs TCP-port scanning on a system. Scanlogd can alert an administrator when the network is being mapped, but it cannot stop the intrusion.
Syslogd-ng is a logging daemon that is the replacement for the traditional syslogd.The ng is an acronym for next generation.The original syslogd was the general Unix logging daemon that handled request for syslog services, but was difficult to configure. Syslogd-ng is easier to configure and offers additional logging features, such as more configurations. For example, syslogd-ng allows administrators to filter messages based on priority, as well as the content of the messages.
– Jerom


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22 Day Tour from London to London
On this in-depth European tour, you'll travel to some of Europe's most famous cities—London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Lucerne, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris—and see some of its most famous landmarks. You'll also stay in some of the smaller—but equally ...Read More.
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32 Day Tour from London to London
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I would like to start this column out by simply stating ... I really dislike the rural roads throughout Bureau County.
Not only are they difficult to navigate, I've also never been able to understand how they are defined by a number, followed by either East Street or North Avenue. Often times, the mapping system on my cell phone is confused by a road name that includes a number. A lot of times, the device tells me there is no such place.
When this happens, I end up typing in the road I need to get to, such as 2800 North Avenue, and once I get to the road, I can then locate the address I'm searching for on that particular road.
My luck with this secret, however, caught up with me the other day.
I was headed to an assignment for the Bureau County Republican's up and coming section, "Hometown Heroes." Watch for it soon!
I had scheduled an interview with two special people from rural LaMoille, who had been selected by their fellow community members to be highlighted in this noteworthy section.
I'll be honest when I say I don't get to LaMoille as often as I should, therefore, the area always feels new to me when I'm there covering assignments.
This time, I had my destination address, and as I typed it into my system, it of course came up as nonexistent. So I did what I always do, and typed in 2800 North Avenue, which quickly gave me directions to the road.
I was on my way, making good time. My directions told me to make a right on Route 92 in LaMoille and continue on the way for about 10 minutes. In my head, I thought, "Wow this address is actually pretty far out of LaMoille."
I should have listened to my instincts right then, and especially when the outskirts of Mendota started to come into view.
To make a long story — full of much panic — short, my mapping system directed me to the wrong section of 2800 North Avenue. The section I wanted to be on was actually on the opposite side of LaMoille.
Before I realized that, however, I spent a good 50 minutes, driving around very rural land, looking for the missing section of 2800 North Avenue.
I'm embarrassed to say, I went as far out as the LaSalle County border line; I drove past Clarion; discovered a golf course I didn't know existed; and came upon some of the largest snowdrifts I've ever seen. Let me tell you, it's a different world out there in very rural LaMoille.
Looking for a destination is one thing, but searching for an unknown address in a place where you've never been before, in the middle of winter with large piles of snow — it can bring you to a point of extreme anxiety. At one point, I figured this might be the first time in my journalism career where I wasn't able to find my destination.
I was lost in the middle of nowhere, at the end of my road; my cell phone signal was dying; the mounds of snow seemed to get larger; time was quickly ticking away; and I was wondering what I would even say to my interviewees if I ever made it to the actual destination. I thought, "Man, this is Hometown Heroes gone bad."
Luckily, I was able to get in touch with fellow reporter, Donna Barker, who was able to give me the telephone number to my interviewees. The lesson I learned there: Always take the phone number with you, just in case.
As I called the people one hour past the time I was supposed to be at their house; they were able to direct me on the right path to the correct portion of 2800 North Avenue.
As I pulled into the driveway with my adrenaline still running rapid, and a feeling of embarrassment beginning to set in, I was unsure what to expect coming to an hour late interview.
However, my interviewees laughed with me at the situation and were completely understanding and still more than willing to continue with the story.
We may not have the most organized road system in this county, but thank goodness for our true hometown heroes.
BCR Staff Writer Goldie Curried can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Looking for more information about Spencer, Alfred Amanuel?
Search through millions of records to find out more.
Search through millions of records to find out more.
1831 to 1834 — Spartanburg, , South Carolina, USA
At some point the family moved to Benton County Alabama, where Alfred is found living at a neighbor's house. It's possible that it was a mistake made by the census taker, or he possibly was laboring for the neighbor at the time. In either regards, he is noted as Farming, as was his Brother Absalom B. Spencer, weather it was at home or a neighbors.
Alfred's father is also said to be Abraham or Elias Spencer, thought to be a stowaway on a ship from Ireland. I have no other information on Elias. (He may have been born in South Carolina.)
Alfred, also known as, Alford!
My connection is through his son Andrew James Spencer, born 10 May 1867. (Marriage of Elizabeth Kell)
Sept. 16, 1863 — Arkansas
For Arkansas soldiers during the Civil War, you could either be fighting for the Confederate or the Union Armies. In response to, when Alfred was discharged from the Confederate Army he explains thus:
"I never enlisted in the Confederate Army so I never was discharged from the rebel service. The recruiting officers come in our country for recruits and I and others did not enlist. So they caught me and my brother, A. B. Spencer and others of our neighbors as conscripts. They guarded us and said they would make us fight. So they held us near 2 months, as near as I remember. As to the commander I dont know who he was. I never had my arms. They guarded us so my brother and myself ran away from there dark as night, as I ever say we lay out until the U.S. Troops came to Fort Smith. I went to the U.S. Army there in the year 1863. I enlisted in the U.S. Army the 16 of September 1863."
Sept. 16, 1863 Alfred enlisted in the Union Army at Ft. Smith Arkansas, and was mustered in at Springfield, Missouri and assigned to Company I, 2nd Regiment. Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers.
From the many records found in Alfred's Civil War Pension files, we learn that he was :
An event during the train escort to Yellville would affect Alfred the rest of his life, and give us a vast amount of records to use for research. There are many accounts on what occurred during this event, some are second hand and some are Alfred's during different times in his life.
"I was a Private in company I, 2nd Arkansas Regiment Calvary Vols. State that near Yellville in the State of Arkansas did on or about the 31st day of January 1864 I was in the line of duty when I was hurt. We was in a charge on the enemy when my horse fritehed? me up, I fell back on the pommy of my Saddle and Ruptured me on the right side. The horse also fell down and fell partly on me. I could not wear my belt and equipments around me on account of my injury. The two men that helped me on the horse after he fell with me, namely was Robert Harris and Samuel Earl. They are both dead..."
An account of the event given by a witness named Henry Morgan reads as follows:
"We were in a charge and when we got to the foot of the hill, the horse of Spencer fell almost turning a summersal? and fell on him, I was present and saw the horse fall, saw Spencer partly under him – his head? was out. Saw the horse get up…"
The main body of Company was back at Burryville at headquarters. This escort encountered an enemy force. When Alfred reached the top of the hill, probably during a charge, his horse stumbled, throwing him onto the horn of his saddle on his right side which caused an abdominal rupture. Alfred did not seek treatment but treated himself at the time. The examination notes explain: He was not treated in any hospital,
"but gave himself all the treatment received at that time."
What a good solider! Unfortunately, as all too often happens in the Army, they needed proof that this occurred for Alfred to receive his pension for his disability caused in the line of duty!
Alfred would have many witnesses that noticed his injuries afterward:
Private Jasper Baxter explained;
"I remember said soldier was not able for duty on or about January or February in 1864, do not know what caused his disability but it was understood that he got hurt by his horse falling with him at or near Yellville Arkansas in a charge on the enemy…I was not with the Soldier when he got hurt I was at Burryville, Arkansas, at head quarters."
A grandaughter of Alfred remembers the story this way, probably passed down from stories straight from Grandpa Alfred!
"...grandpa's regiment was on a charge against the Rebel forces. As they were going up the hill, grandpa's overcoat was flapping in the breeze and bullet's were flying everywhere and a bullet went through grandpa's overcoat, right under his arm. His horse stumbled throwing him across the saddle horn, causing an abdominal rupture. Since they had no medical assistance in the battlefield, grandpa had to tend to his own wound until they could get to where there would be medical help. Some of grandpa's old neighbors were captured and they were scared to death because the Rebel's told them that if they were captured by the Yankee's, that they would kill them. The Regiment assured them that they would not be harmed."
Alfred is buried Cincinnati Cemetery, Washington, Arkansas.
The Civil War Pension in these images were filled out by his third wife (the 1923 date), Elizabeth Jane Lane, who past away a few years after the date on the pension.
Anyone can contribute to this page. Please sign in or sign up—it's free.


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On the 29th of November the time had finally come for our third (and last) wedding celebration, this time in Nitoli's home state of Nagaland. For the past 5 or 6 decades Nagaland has become increasingly Christianized by American Baptist missionairies to the point where today well over 90% of the population profess to Christianity. As such most Naga weddings are white church weddings emulating primarily American wedding traditions.
Since we already had our white church wedding according to Danish traditions we decided to it differently by honouring the old wedding traditions of the Nagas' pre-Christian days. We couldn't do everything the same, since in those days the groom would be running around in loin cloth and it would be way too scandalous for a foreigner like me to do the same. However, we did get a cultural troupe of Semas (Nitoli's paternal tribe) dressed in proper traditional dress, inclyuding loin cloth. They danced their traditional wedding dances and took other traditional steps such as aggressive posturing and threatening the groom to make sure he is aware of the consequences if he should misbehave later in the marriage. After the speeches and other performances were done, we invited our guests to a buffet next door.
Naga weddings don't last for many hours like European ones do. So after the lunch buffet people tend to leave. So instead we arranged a night party for our many younger guests, who had come from near and far to celebrate this even with us. Take a look at the picture below.
Several hundred guests means several hundred hands to shake
Posing with spear and dao (traditional Naga knife) and a bear fur head dress outside the hall. All my attempts at looking fierce - Naga style - failed miserably.
One of the youngest dancers getting a good look ar our friend Ulla. Blonde girls are not a very common sight in Nagaland it should be said.
Some of our guests enjoying the buffet, mostly with Naga food, but also some Indian
Group picture of all of our friends who came for the wedding. Most of them came from Delhi, but we also had visitors who came all the way from Europe
The scene of the night's after party for our friends. One of our good friends from Delhi arranged for us to have the party on the lawn at her family's estate.
Quite cozy with several nice bonfires - Nagaland nights get a bit chilly in winter
Later there was dancing in the pavillion. That is me to the right, showing off some bizarre move.
The pavillion seen without flash
We even had fun with some experimental photo techniques. Here is a "ghost picture" of our friend Chubala.
The day after: Nitoli's sister and her two adorable daughters helping with the opening of gifts. We mostly got shawls as is tradition in Nagaland


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Performance Network Theatre Forms 'Artnership' with Creative Rights and Pop Up A2 for BRILL
Performance Network Theatre forms a special "artnership" with Creative Rights and Pop Up A2 to install visual art that follows the theme of the current and upcoming shows in the theatre's lobby. Brill by David Wells with music by Frank Allison (now - February 10, 2013) features works by Adam Bota, Lea Bult, and Katie Halton in the theatre's lobby for the duration of the performance. For tickets or information regarding the pieces call 734-663-0681.
Brill is a world premiere by emerging playwright, David Wells with music by local celebrity, Frank Allison of Frank Allison and the Odd Socks. The story follows a washed up big band musician in the world famous Brill Building in Manhattan when a young woman arrives at his office with a guitar, her ambitions, and a few secrets. Performance Network Theatre is Ann Arbor's award-winning professional theatre and is dedicated to engaging, challenging, and inspiring audiences and artists. The works in the lobby by Bota, Bult, and Halton reflect the themes of music, the city, and inspiration of Brill.
"I performed in Creative Rights' In Progress in the fall and found the collaboration with visual art and performance art fascinating," said Performance Network Theatre's Marketing Director, Marissa Kurtzhals. "I mentioned the idea of the partnership to Creative Rights' Executive Director, Brandon Weiner and he was extremely enthusiastic and ready to join forces! It has been a pleasure working with Creative Rights and Pop Up A2. We could not be happier about this exciting new project and look forward to brining artwork to our patrons throughout the season."
Creative Rights is the result of several years of careful and thorough planning by its cofounders, Brandon Weiner and Travis Rimando, two recent graduates of The University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Weiner and Mr. Rimando have founded nonprofits in the past and have extensive experience in the operations of both art and legal nonprofit organizations. As professional artists prior to law school, the cofounders are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of their clients. For more information on Creative Rights visit creative-rights.org.
Pop Up A2 is a client of Creative Rights and was commissioned to head the collaboration with Performance Network Theatre. Pop Up A2 curates "pop up galleries" much like the project at Performance Network Theatre. Pop Up A2 is dedicated to nurturing contemporary art and promoting community engagement with artists. For more information visit popupa2.com.
Ann Arbor Artists, Bota, Bult, and Halton submitted their pieces to Performance Network Theatre for the chance to have their works displayed throughout the performance. Bota received his BFA in Art from Eastern Michigan University and is heavily influenced by the 19th-century impressionist movement and cites Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Franz Hals and Marcel Duchampe. He also found inspiration in the transition of movements from Realism to Impressionism, then on to Cubism and finally to Ultra Realism. Bota describes himself as "a colorist that tries to provoke emotion from the viewer through color and design." For more information visit adambotaart.com.
Bult received her MFA from University of Michigan and recently traveled to South Africa for an Artist Residency in Cape Town to explore the intersection of race, gender and class and how social hierarchies shift in relation to context. "I am drawn to the arts because the creative process can act as a means to discuss social problems and other important issues. I invite the viewer to step in for a closer look because I feel that it is vital to look again, more closely, at the problems that confront us. In this way, growth and intervention can be achieved," said Bult. She also teaches art classes at the Ann Arbor Art Center in partnership with UMMA and Washtenaw Community College. For more information visit leabult.com.
Halton is an award-winning mixed media artist working primarily in acrylic and marker on canvas and wood. Prevalent themes are animals, cityscapes, still lifes, and dream imagery. "I use a certain level of playfulness to balance notions of darkness and irreverence," said Halton. She received her BFA from University of Michigan School of Art and Design, is a board member of Ann Arbor Women Artists, and a member of Women's Caucus for Art. Halton's work has been featured at ArtPrize, Ann Arbor Art Center, and the Ann Arbor District Library. For more information visit katiehalton.com.
All pieces at Performance Network Theatre are available for viewing during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm, Saturdays 11am-6pm) and one hour before performances of Brill now through February 10.
Tickets can be ordered by calling Performance Network's Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at performancenetwork.org or at Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are $24-$41), with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups.
Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.
Pictured: Sarah Leahy and Phil Powers


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Science on the Half Shell
You've seen their shells on the beach. You've eaten them "on the half-shell." But what do you really know about bivalve mollusks? Discover clams, scallops, oysters, mussels, and more, and learn how this interesting group of organisms can do just about everything but fly. Join an international group of scientists, led by Field Museum's Curator of Zoology Rüdiger Bieler, as they travel the world in search of more than 300 select living species, and discover how their anatomical and DNA features help us understand the evolution of these amazing animals. Through video travelogues, cutting edge technology, hands-on interactives, and a large array of specimens, explore the amazing diversity of bivalves and follow the ongoing research that investigates this major branch of the animal Tree of Life.
Organized and managed by the Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institution.


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Okolo Mollino
A paper-engineering tribute to Italian designer Carlo Mollino
Okolo has long been a favorite destination for great finds in Eastern Europe. One of their latest projects caught our attention when we ran into them in Milan during Design Week—a simply bound, spine-less book on the life and work of Carlo Mollino. "Okolo Mollino" represents the publisher's tribute to the 20th-century Italian renaissance man, whose interests and talent took him from notability in architecture and interior design to prominence as an acrobatic pilot and alpine skier. The book is divided into six chapters that explore his multidimensional character, and includes various paper cutouts that can be engineered to resemble Mollino's own works, and it's limited to a scarce 80 copies.
The text primarily covers anecdotes from Mollino's life, like the time he drove his Porsche all the way to Switzerland to obtain the first iteration of the Polaroid camera, which was unavailable in Italy at the time. He then furnished three luxurious residences to serve as spaces in which to photograph his women—mainly local Turin prostitutes—whose portraits gave him his name.
Mollino's career as designer spanned from theater houses to race cars. In his foreword, Casa Mollino curator Fulvio Ferrari lends insight into the creation of the Bisiluro Damolnar race car. "One day, while flipping through a newspaper, Mollino found a photo of the Osca car owned by his friend Mario Damonte," he says. "He immediately thought about how to improve its design and drew his visions straight on to the newspaper page. This is how Osca was transformed into Bisiluro: a revolutionary rocket-shaped car Mollino designed for the 24-hour Le Mans race a year later."
One of the paper models contained in the pages is of the Zlin 226 acrobatic airplane. The Czechoslovakian plane was one of Mollino's prized possessions, decorated by the designer with distinctive yellow and black markings. The text itself is trilingual, each chapter printed in Italian, English and Czech. The 80-book run is equal parts history, paper engineering and tribute—a testament to the potential of print.
See more images of the book in our slideshow.


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Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer
The cause of a Jan. 7 battery fire on a Boeing 787 remains unknown Friday as officials bring in more battery experts and continue their investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a seventh update on its investigation into the fire last month aboard a Japan Airlines 787 parked at Logan International Airport in Boston. Boeing's 787 has been grounded since Jan. 16.
Here's a list of new information from the NTSB:
- The auxiliary power unit battery was the original battery delivered with the airplane on Dec. 20, 2012. All eight battery cells came from the same manufacturing lot; the battery was installed on the aircraft Oct. 15, 2012.
- Testing this week, which includes electrical and mass measurements and infrared thermal imaging, shows no anomalies in the individual battery cells.
- The cells are undergoing CT scanning to examine their internal condition.
- A battery expert from the Department of Energy joined the investigative team on Thursday to lend his expertise to the ongoing testing and validation work.
- Next week, the NTSB battery testing team will initiate a non-invasive "soft short" test of all battery cells to find high resistance or "soft" shorts within a cell.
- An NTSB investigator will travel to France with the battery contactor from the JAL event battery, for examination at the manufacturer. The battery contactor connects a wiring bundle from the airplane to the battery.
ANA, the Dreamliner's launch customer, said yesterday that the jet's grounding has cost it about $15.4 million in lost revenue.


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I have been updating the second main page's "featured" templates for a while now, while they are a good idea, I believe there isn't enough decent articles to support these templates. I feel that we should remove them from the page and delete FGL, FLE, FR and FRoute. They seem to be just a waste of space and are no longer needed. Crimsnnavy C S 20:53, September 2, 2011 (UTC)
- Support: As suggester. Crimsnnavy C S 20:53, September 2, 2011 (UTC)
- Support: I don't see a point for them. I mean I have never used them or seen them, so they must not be important. Technology Wizard · talk
- Support: Since the articles aren't that great to keep them up, they should be nixed. – Jäzzi 12:44, September 4, 2011 (UTC)
- Comment: If I don't get anymore supports or opposes, I will assume this matter is passed. Crimsnnavy C S 17:35, September 7, 2011 (UTC)
- Comment: This kind of brings me to a further discussion, but that's another discussion for another forum. I'd consider it as passed as well. – Jäzzi 20:56, September 8, 2011 (UTC)


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Welcome to the Virginia Tech Airsoft Club forums. We're Virginia Tech students participating in the sport of airsoft, a military simulation game akin to paintball with more emphasis on realism.
virginia, tech, airsoft, club, welcome, forums, we're, students, participating, sport, military, simulation, game, akin
Free forum : Field information for Combat City USA
orlando, airsoft, combat, city, field, florid, florida, guns, #paintball, laser, hard, knocks
Paintball. Team Dragonlance Forum. Team Dragonlance
Skilled and Organized group of Paintball Players, who Play for the Highest Bidder...
texas, mercenaries, #paintball, team, skilled, organized, group, players, play, highest, bidder
A HNS, Public and Paintball clan
A public forum for the discussion of airsoft, planning of games, and the general growing of the community within the Lower Mainland.
omegaops, airsoft, lower, mainland, forum, games, milsim, operations, iceback, panther, bigfoot, maple, ridge, #paintball
Info coming soon
treasure valley airsoft is a airsoft team in Boise Idaho. players can get together to have a good time, play milsim games get help with there gear and most of all have fun. FREE TOO!
weekend, warriors, boise, milsim, airsoft, treasure, valley, idaho, games, joint, task, force, #paintball, turned


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Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over a medium -high to medium heat. Add the onions and sea salt. Sauté, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes until the onions are translucent. Reduce the flame to medium-low and cook, stirring the onions frequently with a wooden spoon. If it looks like the onions are beginning to burn, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of cold water, stir and lower the heat slightly. Continue to cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the skillet another 35 to 45 minutes, or until the onions are completely brown and very sweet. (Add water as needed during cooking to prevent burning.) Serve as a side dish, condiment or toss into pasta and vegetable salad. Will keep refrigerated for at least one week in a well sealed container.
Per serving - 92 calories, 5 gram fat (45% calories from fat), 2 gram protein, 12 gram carbohydrate, 2 gram fiber, 0 milligram cholesterol, 160 milligram sodium


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May is over, therefore the official month of celiac disease awareness is also over. Celiac disease awareness does not have to be limited to a set number of days on the calendar. We can all strive to increase awareness about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity in our daily lives. Here are some ideas to help spread awareness and understanding:
– Eat out and order a gluten free meal. If the menu does not list items as gluten free, talk to your waiter about getting a safe, gluten free meal. Use this as an opportunity to teach your waiter about eating gluten free and what happens when a person with celiac disease eats gluten. If you do not have celiac disease, this is a good learning opportunity for you. How were you treated? Was your food as delicious as a gluten-containing dish?
-Host a gluten free party. If you are gluten intolerant, this is a win-win for you- you teach folks and get to eat a bunch of safe foods. If you are not, this is a great chance to teach your friends and family that gluten free doesn't mean taste-free.
-Call a company and ask them if a product is gluten free. I recommend picking something that doesn't outright contain wheat, rye or barley.
-Ask your child's school how they handle children on a gluten free diet.
There are many more ways to get people thinking about the seriousness of celiac disease and how important the gluten free diet is for many people.
What else would you add to this list?