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Patent foramen ovale (PFO) with right-to-left shunt has a prevalence of 10% to 34% in the general population. It can cause an ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and paradoxical peripheral or coronary embolization. Its influence on migraine and several other diseases and conditions is currently under debate. Attention has recently been turned to the correlation between PFO and obstructive sleep apnea. Thus far, studies on the prevalence of right-to-left shunts as a surrogate for PFO in these patients were limited by small sample sizes and the results have been conflicting. Here, we evaluate the prevalence of right-to-left shunting (RLS) through transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in a large patient group with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
One hundred consecutive patients (mean age 59.5 y) with OSA underwent TCD with intravenous injection of agitated saline. The grading of right-to-left-shunts was in accordance with the Spencer PFO Grading Scale.
RLS was detected in 72 of 100 patients (72%). Thirty-four out of these 72 patients (47%) had a shunt grade I or II; 15 (21%) had a shunt Grade III or IV; and 23 (32%) had a large shunt (Grade V or V+). In 47 of 72 patients (65%), a right-to-left shunt was detectable at rest without Valsalva maneuver.
The prevalence of a RLS in patients with OSA is high. Provided other intracardiac or pulmonary shunts were absent, the high prevalence of a RLS suggests a high prevalence of PFO in patients with OSA.
Guchlerner M; Kardos P; Liss-Koch E; Franke J; Wunderlich N; Bertog S; Sievert H. PFO and right-to-left shunting in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med 2012;8(4):375–380.
Apatent foramen ovale (PFO) can be detected in autopsy studies in 15% to 34% in the general population.1–3 It is reported in 26% of a randomly selected population cohort examined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).4 A higher prevalence has been reported in patients suffering from migraine or cluster headache,5,6 as well as in subjects with ischemic stroke.7 Case reports of thrombi-in-transit and a plausible physiologic mechanism support the notion that PFO are a potential cause for paradoxical peripheral and coronary embolization8 and decompression sickness.9
Transesophageal echocardiography using contrast (agitated saline injection) has been demonstrated to have a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of a PFO causing a right-to-left shunt when compared with autopsy studies3 and has, therefore, been considered the gold standard diagnostic test for the detection of a PFO. However, recent studies have shown contrast-enhanced TCD and TEE to be complementary techniques in the assessment of a PFO.10
In fact, some evidence suggests that TCD may be more sensitive in the detection of RLS than echocardiographic imaging.11 Therefore, this technique may be able to exclude PFO causing RLS with a higher level of confidence than TEE and transthoracic echocardiography.12 Assuming no other (unusual) intracardiac or intrapulmonary shunts are present, a RLS detected on TCD is indicative of a PFO. Furthermore, TCD is considerably less invasive for the patient, and the Valsalva maneuver, which significantly increases microbubble appearance,13 can be performed more accurately. Further investigations demonstrated that the unilateral detection of RLS by power M-mode transcranial Doppler, used in this study, provided an equivalent sensitivity to a bilateral detection,14 while easier to handle. Recognizing the limitation that, in unusual circumstances, a RLS detected on TCD may be the source of other intracardiac or intrapulmonary shunts and that a PFO may remain silent if it causes left-to-right shunting only, the presence of RLS demonstrated by TCD will, for the remainder of this discussion and manuscript, be assumed to be the consequence of PFO with RLS. Moreover, the term "PFO" will indicate PFO with RLS unless otherwise stated.
Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: Right-to-left shunting (RLS) via a patent foramen ovale (PFO) may exacerbate hypoxemia caused by apneic episodes. In addition, apneic episodes may promote right-to-left shunting through a foramen ovale. To date, it has not yet been determined whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a higher prevalence of RLS through a patent foramen ovale.
Study Impact: Our findings may impact the management of patients with OSA. It should stimulate further investigations to determine if patients with severe OSA and RLS through a PFO should undergo PFO closure.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition affecting 17% to 26% of men and 9% to 28% of women over 30 years of age with a higher prevalence in both the elderly and the overweight.15–17 Several disorders are associated with this condition: systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure,18–20 as well as cognitive dysfunction21 and an increased risk of accidents as a result of daytime sleepiness.22
Improvements in the degree of hypoxemia in patients with both OSA and PFO after closure of the PFO are conceivable. Data, to support this, however are limited to case reports. For example, subjective improvement in sleep apnea symptoms and objective improvement in polysomnographic testing after transcutaneous closure of a PFO in a patient after ischemic stroke have been reported.23 Moreover, complete resolution of symptoms in a patient with OSA and desaturations during exercise has been described.24
It is not yet clear whether OSA, by virtue of increased mean transmural pulmonary artery pressure during apneic episodes,25 may allow an interatrial communication (PFO) that otherwise would be unrecognized, whether the PFO is a substantial contributor in the pathogenesis of OSA, or whether both apply.
Recent research indicates that carbon dioxide retention and hypoxemia during nocturnal apneic episodes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) lead to an elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance followed by an increase in right ventricular afterload and right atrial pressure. Under these conditions, right-to-left shunting via PFO may exacerbate the hypoxemia caused by apneic episodes.26
Importantly, it has not yet been determined whether OSA is associated with an increased prevalence of PFO. Previous studies examining the prevalence of PFO in patients with OSA have produced conflicting results.27,28
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of right-to-left shunting by means of TCD in a large group of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Care was taken to include a nonselected cohort of consecutive patients representative of a general OSA population.
One hundred consecutive patients first time diagnosed with OSA after clinical assessment and inpatient overnight sleep studies requiring nocturnal positive airway pressure treatment were screened for PFO.
The diagnosis of OSA was made after performing a standard nocturnal polysomnography including electroencephalogram, electroculograms, single-lead electrocardiogram, anterior tibial and submental electromyograms, finger pulse oximetry, and measurements of oro-nasal-airflow as well as abdominal and chest excursions.
A single expert evaluated the polysomnograms manually. Respiratory events were counted as apnea if a cessation of airflow ≥ 10 sec occurred. Hypopnea was defined as ≥ 50% reduction of airflow, in association with an oxygen desaturation ≥ 4% from the baseline value, lasting > 10 seconds.
Continuous oxygen saturation (SaO2) measurement allowed determination of the number of desaturations > 4% per hour sleep time (oxygen desaturation index, ODI). The frequency of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep (apnea hypopnea index, AHI) defined the OSA severity. AHI > 5 was considered pathological.
To evaluate the presence of PFO, a transcranial Doppler was performed in every patient. We used the ST3 Digital Transcranial Doppler System Model PMD 150 (Spencer Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA), with Power M-Mode and injection of contrast medium, to discover RLS. The machine provides 33 gates of continuous Doppler information across a 66 mm depth range. There are 2 sections on display:
Digital Power M-Mode (mm): This shows all blood flow within a depth range. Blue represents blood flow away from the transducer, red towards the transducer. Brighter color corresponds to stronger signals. Blood flow signals cause a horizontal streak across the screen when located.
Spectrogram (cm/s): shows a Doppler spectral waveform that indicates the velocity profile of blood flow in the selected depth.
All examination data were stored internally and analyzed offline afterwards by a single experienced researcher.
Patients were placed in supine position with their head slightly elevated. An intravenous catheter (20-gauge) was inserted into the antecubital vein. The transcranial 2 MHz ultrasound probe was fixed unilaterally on the patients' head, at the height of the temporal bone window, by using the Marc 600 Headframe System (Spencer Technologies, Seattle, WA). The Doppler signal of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery was located at a depth of 45-65 mm. At this point, the Valsalva maneuver was exercised with the patient: the patient was asked to take a deep breath and press against the closed epiglottis for 10 sec to increase the thoracic pressure. The maneuver was considered successful if a 30% reduction of mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery could be observed for the entire 10-sec period. Before recording, two 10-mL syringes were connected to the intravenous catheter by means of a 3-way stopcock: one containing 9 mL of 3.5% colloidal solution Haemaccel (TheraSelect, Marburg, Germany) and 1 mL of air, the other empty. The content was agitated by rapidly pushing it from one syringe to the other, resulting in a homogenous solution (the contrast agent).
In the following examination, 2 sessions were performed: in the first session the contrast bolus was rapidly injected (within 6-8 sec) with the patient at rest during physiological respiration. In the second session, the patient was asked to perform the Valsalva maneuver as previously practiced. Midway through the injection, the patient was instructed to start the Valsalva maneuver and hold it for 10 sec before breathing normally again. There was a 5-min break between the sessions to allow the recirculating bubbles to disperse. Embolic tracks were counted for a total of 60 sec after the end of each injection.
Microembolic signals can be distinguished from artifacts (caused by patient movement, swallowing, chewing, or manipulation of the probe) in the spectrogram by their characteristic sound and look. It is a short click-sound (< 300 ms) of high intensity, visible as a white streak within the Doppler flow spectrum (Figure 1A and B).
ST3 Digital Transcranial Doppler System Model PMD 150; divided display: power M-Mode (upper part), spectrogram (lower part); One microembolic signal (MES)
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Curtain pattern: uncountable MES; Shunt grade V+
The magnitude of right-to-left shunting was classified according to the Spencer grading Scale (Spencer Vascular Laboratories, Seattle, Washington, USA; Table 1)29 A right-to-left shunt was noted to be present if ≥ 1 clear microembolic signal had been recorded within 60 sec after the end of the injection. At-rest shunting was noted if the patient showed a shunt during the first session (at physiological respiration). Provocative-only shunting was defined as microembolic signals (MES) recorded only during Valsalva maneuver and not under resting conditions.
Spencer Grading Scale; MES: microembolic signals
Statistical calculations were performed using the software "BiAS for Windows" version 9.07 (epsilon-Verlag, Darmstadt, Germany). Descriptive statistics were performed for demographic and polysomnographic characteristics (Table 2).
Studied clinical parameters (mean ± SD)
We evaluated the prevalence of PFO as well as the magnitudes of the right-to-left shunt in the study sample. The distribution of provocative-only shunting was compared to at-rest shunting.
The Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon Test was used to compare continuous variables in the groups "no shunt" to "shunt" and, within the "shunt" group, to compare "at-rest shunting" to "provocative-only shunting." The clinical parameters considered were age, height, weight, body mass index, AHI, ODI, AHI/ODI, baseline SaO2 during sleep, and lowest SaO2 during sleep.
The Fisher exact test was used to compare categorical variables in the groups "no shunt" and "shunt." Gender and preexisting illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, COPD/asthma, stroke; Table 3) were included in the analysis (Table 4). Spearman rank correlation was calculated to test for a statistically significant association between shunt magnitude and clinical parameters. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Concomitant diseases in study population
Relation between concomitant diseases and right-to-left shunt/shunt magnitude
There were 19 females and 81 males in the study population. The mean age was 59.5 ± 11.7 years, mean BMI 33.2 ± 6.4 kg/m2 and mean AHI 44.2 ± 22.2/h (Table 2).
In 72 of 100 (72%) patients, a right-to-left shunt was detected. Forty-seven of 72 patients (65%) showed "at-rest shunting"—a right-to-left shunt during physiological respiration. A "provocative-only shunt"—a right-to-left shunt only after Valsalva maneuver—was present in 25 patients.
Out of these 72 patients, 34 (47%) had a small shunt (< 15 MES, conforming to grade I or II in the Spencer grading Scale); 38 patients (53%) had a large shunt (grade III to V+); and in 18 patients a curtain pattern was seen in TCD (V+).
There was no significant correlation with the following parameters: gender, BMI, AHI, ODI, AHI/ODI, nadir oxygen saturation, lowest oxygen saturation, or concomitant diseases, and the presence or absence of a shunt either at rest or with Valsalva. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the shunt magnitude and any of the aforementioned parameters.
The study reveals right-to-left shunting in 72% of patients with OSA. Provided no other sources (i.e., an intrapulmonary or other intracardiac RLS) are present, the etiology of the RLS in these patients is PFO. This is approximately three times higher than the reported prevalence of PFO in the general population at autopsy. It is also significantly higher than the prevalence reported by TEE in a large randomly selected population cohort (26%).4 Of note, in the overwhelming majority in that cohort the PFO was diagnosed based on the presence of a RLS by contrast (agitated saline) injection. Our results confirm findings by Shoundy et al.27 The prevalence of PFO was 69% in patients with OSA analyzed by TEE (48 patients). In contrast, in a TCD-study (78 patients), Beelke et al. report a prevalence of only 27%, which lies within the range expected in the general population.28 However, this study only evaluated a selected group of patients with OSA. Patients with myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, transient ischemic attack, stroke, or migraine—all conditions frequently found in patients with OSA30—were excluded. Thus the study population may not have be representative of the general OSA patient population. Transcranial Doppler data regarding the prevalence of a RLS in a healthy population are limited and it could be argued that TCD is more sensitive or overestimates the true prevalence of RLS. However, though perhaps slightly more sensitive than TEE,10 the differences in reported prevalences between both modalities are small.
It has been hypothesized, that the high prevalence of PFO with RLS in OSA patients could be due to enhanced respiratory effort during apneic episodes causing a rise in right atrial pressure, allowing reopening of a patent but formerly closed foramen26; however, increased right atrial pressures in patients with isolated OSA have not yet been demonstrated. Likewise, increased right-sided pressure related to pulmonary hypertension may facilitate interatrial communication via the foramen ovale. Though it is controversial whether OSA alone (in the absence of concomitant pulmonary disease or daytime hypoxemia) can cause pulmonary hypertension, some recent data in patients whose sleep apnea was treated with continuous positive airway pressure causing a significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure in the absence of changes in daytime hypoxemia or lung function tests does support the notion that OSA can lead to an increase (albeit mild) in pulmonary artery pressure.31 Finally, both mechanisms in concert may permit a patent foramen ovale to re-establish. To this effect, high pulmonary artery systolic pressure is often measured in patients with OSA32 and attributed to pulmonary vasoconstriction caused by hypoxemia.33 Though the prevalence of PFO in patients with pulmonary hypertension is reported to be similar to the general population,34 a study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shows a significantly higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure and an increased prevalence for PFO assessed by transesophageal (agitated saline-) contrast echocardiography (70%).35 Moreover, these patients experience significant systemic arterial oxygen desaturation after the Valsalva maneuver.
Similar observations have been made in OSA patients with PFO: these patients experience more oxygen desaturations in proportion to respiratory events (episodes of hypopnea and apnea) than patients without PFO. There appears to be a higher prevalence of PFO in patients with deep desaturations than in those with milder degrees (60% vs. 13%).36 The right-to-left shunt occurring during obstructive respiratory disturbances (i.e., patients pressing against closed upper airway) allows deoxygenated venous blood to enter the arterial system and thereby may decrease arterial oxygen saturation.
There is a high correlation between MES count in TCD and PFO size.37 Thus one may assume that a larger shunt in TCD is related to a larger defect. The role of PFO and shunt size in the severity of desaturation is still not fully understood. In the current study, a significant correlation between shunt size and AHI (which indicates severity of OSA) could not be found.
There was no significant associated between any of the evaluated clinical parameters to the presence a shunt or its magnitude. This corresponds with previous study results.27,28
Case reports suggest an association between OSA and PFO. For example, in support of the hypothesis that PFO may exacerbate hypoxemia and unfavorably affect physiologic sleep parameters, significant improvements of OSA symptoms were reported after PFO closure.23,24 Furthermore, favoring the notion that OSA may allow reestablishment of an interatrial communication, treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been reported to suppress a previously existing shunt occurring through a PFO.38 It is conceivable that the higher prevalence of right-to-left shunting via a patent foramen ovale in patients with OSA may be responsible for a higher stroke incidence in patients with OSA.39 Hence, the importance of an association between PFO and OSA is not to be underestimated. Given the substantial and rising number of patients with OSA, the investigation of the following aspects should be among the priorities in studying this patient population: First, it would be very important to prospectively establish whether individuals with OSA and PFO are more likely to experience strokes and, perhaps, are more likely to suffer from pulmonary or systemic hypertension than those with OSA and absent interatrial communication. Second, given the demonstrated procedural safety,40 the impact of percutaneous PFO closure on the incidence of strokes and other undesired associated conditions such as pulmonary hypertension and systemic hypertension in this patient population should be investigated. Though it would allow further elucidation of the physiology and association of OSA and PFO, a randomized comparison of patients with OSA and PFO treated with CPAP compared to no treatment is, of course, unethical.
As described in the introduction, TCD cannot distinguish between a shunt occurring through a PFO and a shunt on a pulmonary level.41 Albeit the latter is rare,42 its role in the pathophysiology of OSA is unknown. Likewise, a PFO causing exclusively left-to-right shunting may remain silent on TCD imaging. The clinical significance of this possibility is unclear. In addition, optimally, the prevalence of RLS in patients with OSA should be compared to that of a general population using the same imaging modality to minimize errors related to the imaging procedure itself.
The prevalence of a RLS assessed by TCD is high in patients with OSA. Provided no unrecognized other unusual intracardiac or intrapulmonary shunts are present in OSA patients, this is likely related to a high prevalence of PFO in this population. To confirm our findings, further studies comparing the prevalence of a RLS in OSA patients to that of a healthy population are warranted. It remains to be investigated whether PFO are risk factors for OSA or, to the contrary, if OSA helps maintain a PFO or leads to re-opening of a formerly closed foramen ovale. Lastly, further research is needed to determine whether PFO exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea or may be associated with a higher incidence of strokes in patients with OSA and, therefore, if a PFO closure should be considered in these patients.
This was not an industry supported study. Prof. Sievert reports having study honorary, travel expenses and consulting fees from Access Closure, AGA, Angiomed, Ardian, Arstasis, Atritech, Atrium, Avinger, Bard, Boston Scientific, Bridgepoint, CardioK inetix, CardioMEMS, Coherex, Contego, CSI, EndoCross, EndoTex, Epitek, Evalve, ev3, FlowCardia, Gore, Guidant, Lumen Biomedical, HLT, Kensey Nash, Kyoto Medical, Lifetech, Lutonix, Medinol, Medtronic, NDC, NMT, OAS, Occlutech, Osprey, Ovalis, Pathway, PendraCare, Percardia, PFM Medical, Recor, Rox Medical, Sadra, Sorin, Spectranetics, SquareOne, Trireme, Trivascular, Viacor, Velocimed, and Veryanand. He also holds stock options in Cardiokinetix, Access Closure, Velocimed, CoAptus, Lumen Biomedical, Coherex. The other authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
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text:
Stoecklein Publishing Cowgirls 2013 Calendar
Boot Barn Item #: 2007590
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size: Click a button below Size Chartsize
- 2013-2014 calendar year
- Photography by David R. Stoecklein
- Picturesque cowgirl scenes for every month
Bring in the new year with this Cowgirls 2013 Calendar! Featuring lifestyle photographs of cowgirls at work by David Stoecklein, this is sure to be a pleaser amongst cowboys and cowgirls. Get it as a gift, or get it for yourself, it's a great memento of the western culture we all know and love.
Style(s): CA-3160
Lifestyle: Western
Color: Blue

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Genius Awards 2012
The Los Angeles Film Festival came to a close Sunday night with the premiere of Magic Mike, the cast of which produced pandemonium outside L.A. Live. With more and more über-budget studio films taking up precious indie limelight on the film festival landscape, some wonder how and why these films made the L.A. Film Fest cut.
Click through for proof that even the ostensible blockbusters are rooted in indie-credibility (or at the least, the indie spirit).
Indie Connection: Woody Allen
The festival's opening night doubled as the North American premiere of Woody Allen's To Rome With Love. The master auteur—who still refers to films as "pictures"—has risen through the critical ranks since Sleeper to make studio films on his own terms, but he isn't immune to the studio system. The director told viewers, "If you like it, pressure Sony, so they don't put it in the witness protection program."
The film's stars Penélope Cruz, Greta Gerwig, and Allison Pill were on hand to see the movie with their beloved director. Cruz, who plays the town strumpet, beamed, "I feel extremely lucky. I've been a fan of his work since I was a little girl. He gives all this freedom, which is very liberating but at the same time a lot of responsibility; you don't want to ruin anything."
Kristen Stewart: Black and Snow White


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Airport chiefs are celebrating after the number of passengers using Leeds Bradford International Airport during 2013 rose by 11 per cent to a record 3.3 million.
The Yeadon hub remains the UK's fastest growing top 20 airport and the last 12 months have seen it expand to serve more than 70 domestic and international destinations as well as introduce new services from airlines such as British Airways, Monarch and Thomson Airways.
Bosses say the expansion is set to continue in 2014 following the recent announcement of new services by Scandinavia's flag carrier SAS, which will launch services to Copenhagen from the end of March.
Tony Hallwood, LBIA aviation development and marketing director, said the airport's operations had grown to offer its widest ever choice of destinations.
Daily British Airways flights to London Heathrow enabled passengers to connect with more than 70 worldwide destinations from Terminal 5, skiers had taken advantage of new services to Grenoble and Innsbruck and sun worshippers have flown to new Jet2.com destinations of Split and Pula in Croatia and Zante in Greece.
The reintroduction of flights in the Spring to Budapest by Jet2.com alongside new summer services to Kos, Reus and Verona also provided travellers with more choice.
Flights between Leeds-Bradford and Southampton were safeguarded by the UK's second largest regional airline Eastern Airways. Airport chiefs stepped in after the announcement that the route would be withdrawn early next year by struggling rival Flybe.
Mr Hallwood said it has been 'a truly remarkable year' for the airport.
He said: "Our achievements were also recognised by the Airport Operators Association, who in November awarded Leeds-Bradford the title of Best Airport under six million passengers."
"As Yorkshire's international gateway we have a clear ambition to deliver a wider range of airlines and routes for our local business and leisure passengers alongside encouraging an increase in the number of inbound visitors who can fly directly into Leeds Bradford."
Iain Rawlinson, executive chairman of leisure airline Monarch, recently confirmed it is planning to develop its operations from Leeds Bradford after celebrating the first anniversary of its operations there.
He said: "We are working on plans to develop and strengthen our operations based on the long-term partnership we have established working with Leeds-Bradford Airport."


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DKNYC Calvary Pleated Twill Coat
This coat in DKNY and I think it is stunning and the price is not too bad. The shape of the coat is flattering and trendy and I love it. If I put it on my wish list I may get it. I am a coat and leather jacket junkie and really do not need another coat, but-but-but, I really love it.


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High quality cabinet corner protectors add style and durability to any project.
50-1610 - Recessed Steel Speaker Cabinet Handle - 8 5/8'' x 6 3/8''
Recessed Steel Speaker Cabinet Handle
Style: Recessed steel handle
Dimensions: 8 5/8" x 6 3/8", 2 1/2" depth
Required cutout: 6 3/4" x 4 1/4"
Black powder coat
Heavy duty steel construction
30-2570 - Outdoor Balun Transformer 300 Ohm to 75 Ohm
Outdoor Balun Matching Transformer
This matching transformer is used to connect your 75ohm coaxial cable to the common 300 twin style connection on many outdoor antennas. The CM 94444 is an industry standard balun which offers excellent matching and low loss.
50-14535 - Bracket Pole Mount VESA75/100
Pole Mount Bracket for LCD Monitors
Rugged bracket fits any 30mm ~ 60mm diameter pole, whether positioned horizontally or vertically. Great for use with PA speaker and light stands, lighting and stage trusses, and support masts. Pivoting mechanism allows monito...
30-1530 - FM Dipole Antenna - Male "F" connector
FM Dipole Antenna
Dipole FM antenna is ideal for all local reception, including HD radio. Antenna includes a male "F" connector for connecting to receivers coaxial 75ohm antenna input.
They always have good communication and the products I order show up in time.


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Ithaca College Gerontology Institute Speaker Will Discuss Rethinking Our Notions of Aging
ITHACA, NY — Rhoda Meador, the recently appointed director of the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, will deliver the institute's fall 2011 Distinguished Speaker Series talk, "Reframing Aging: Older People as Community Assets," on Thursday, Nov. 3. Free and open to the public, the lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in Emerson Suites, Phillips Hall.
"We are currently in the midst of a so-called 'longevity revolution' in which people born after 1950 can expect to live 20 or 30 years longer than their grandparents or great grandparents," Meador said. "This trend is often framed in alarmist terms, resulting in concerns about the increasing burden that older people will place on our health care and social support systems."
However, Meador added, a more positive perspective is one that reframes the contributions of older adults as a valuable resource that can have an immensely transformative and positive impact on our communities.
"When engaged and mobilized effectively, this group can use their collective experiences and talents as tremendous forces for good."
In her presentation, Meador will highlight examples of contributions this group is making in areas such as public education, youth mentoring, environmental stewardship, family support and the arts.
Meador assumed her directorship duties at the Gerontology Institute on Oct. 3. Prior to coming to Ithaca College, she worked at Cornell University for 15 years, most recently as the associate director of extension and outreach for the College of Human Ecology and the associate director of the Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact email@example.com or phone Chris Decker, (607) 274-1604 as soon as possible.
Originally published in IC News: Ithaca College Gerontology Institute Speaker Will Discuss Rethinking Our Notions of Aging.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars have unveiled a new logo with hopes it symbolizes a new energy, owner Shad Khan said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
"From this day, the Jacksonville Jaguars will live a brand mission of being proud, bold and committed in everything we do," Khan said. "Our new logo and campaign theme are the first initiatives of what will be many examples of bringing this philosophy to life. A new era for the Jaguars begins today."
Team president Mark Lamping said the logo appears more authentic and life-like.
"I think it's cool, and anything that can signify a fresh start and something new for the Jaguars will be great," fan Jackie Keiser said.
"I think it's great. I think it shows that we're progressing along," Jaguars season ticket owner Dana Stroud said. "I'm not real sure the logo is going to determine how we're going to win or lose games. I love our new owner, I love the coach, I think it's a great thing for the city of Jacksonville."18325746
Fans are ready for change after a whopping two wins this past season. The rollout of the new logos will be celebrated throughout the 2013 season as part of the team's "Stand United" theme.
"It was ugly, but at least there's hope on the horizon," Keiser said.
IMAGES: Jags unveil new logo, more
That hope is the new look and leadership.
"The coach we have, he's just full of energy. It's like he don't have a bad day," fan Maurice Cummings said.
"It'll be a fresh start that we were kind of hoping for last year but didn't get, and I'm hoping for good things this year," fan Erik Head said.
Fans have big plans for their favorite football team.
"I think the Jaguars are going to the Super Bowl probably 2014, next year," Cummings said.
But 4-year-old Samantha Wooding said it all boils down to one thing.
"Win games," she said.
Copyright 2013 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Roselle Panel Crib
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Capturing the neoclassical spirit of the 19th-century Swedish antique that inspired it, our collection stands as a testament to the noble beauty of the Gustavian period. With a grand shape and architectural sensibility, each piece exhibits a signature blend of ornamentation and restraint.
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Assessment |
Biopsychology |
Comparative |
Cognitive |
Developmental |
Language |
Individual differences |
Personality |
Philosophy |
Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Biological: Behavioural genetics · Evolutionary psychology · Neuroanatomy · Neurochemistry · Neuroendocrinology · Neuroscience · Psychoneuroimmunology · Physiological Psychology · Psychopharmacology (Index, Outline)
Enterochromaffin (EC) cells (Kulchitsky cells) are a type of enteroendocrine cell[1] occurring in the epithelia lining the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.
They produce and contain about 90% of the body's store of serotonin (5-HT).
In the gastrointestinal tract, 5-HT is important in response to chemical, mechanical or pathological stimuli in the lumen. It activates both secretory and peristaltic reflexes, and activates vagal afferents (via 5-HT3 receptors) that signal to the brain (important in the generation of nausea).
Ondansetron is an antagonist of the 5-HT3 receptor and is an effective anti-emetic.
They are called "entero"[2] meaning related to the gut and "chromaffin" because of a chromium salt reaction that they share with chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (adrenal glands). [3]
"Enterochromaffin-like cells"Edit
Another population of chromaffin cells is found only in the stomach wall, called enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL). They look "like" EC cells but do not contain 5-HT.
ECL cells respond to acetylcholine released by the vagus nerve and they in turn release histamine, which will stimulate the G cells to produce gastric acid.
See alsoEdit
- ↑ MeSH Enterochromaffin+Cells
- ↑ http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3258
- ↑ GPnotebook 1516961798
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


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HOUSTON - It's Freebie Friday and Consumer Expert Amy Davis has ways to save a bit o'green on this St. Patrick's Day weekend.
Downtown Houston is going green Saturday with a two-hour free St. Patrick's Day Parade. This year's theme is 'We are all Irish Texans.' The parade starts at noon, rain or shine, and will begin at the clock tower at Minute Maid Park.
Need to relieve a little stress from the work week? There is a free Tai Chi session in Hermann Park starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Meet at the Zoo entrance near McGovern Lake. There is no need to sign up -- just show up.
24 Hour Fitness is offering a free three-day trial to get you back in the gym. The pass needs to be used on consecutive days.
Target is offering a free sample of the new chewable Pedia - Lax Probiotic Yums on its website. Free samples on the Target Sample Spot web page go fast - but it's a good one to bookmark for free samples.
You can get a free sample of Au Naturale hair products if you like the Facebook page for Dark & Lovely.
If you join the Redbox Text Club, you can get in of offers for free Redbox promotional movie rentals.
There is more spring break fun on Galveston Island. "Party on the Pier" will be held Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. with live free music and family entertainment on Pier 21.
Copyright 2013 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Business owners interested in selling their business is the April topic at Enterprise University's educational learning program on Thursday, April 10 at the Phoenix Country Club.
Enterprise University, a free program offered by Enterprise Bank & Trust, will feature partner James D. Colyer of True North Companies to discuss "Options for Selling a Business and How Private Equity Can Help."
The morning workshop includes continental breakfast and will review the various exit strategies, the best way to prepare for a sale and explore how private equity can be a catalyst to ensuring a successful transition.
Enterprise University provides free educational seminars on a variety of relevant topics for business owners and their leadership taught by experts in a variety of fields including advertising, marketing, business continuity, financial planning and more.
WHAT: Free course for business leaders on "Options for Selling a Business and How Private Equity Can Help"
WHERE: Phoenix Country Club, 2901 N. 7th St. Phoenix, Ariz. 85014
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2014
7:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.: Registration/Continental Breakfast/Networking
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Workshop
COST: Free to business leaders. Registration is required.
RSVP: Visit www.enterprisebank.com/eu to register
SPEAKER: James D. Colyer is a partner at True North Companies and is responsible for deal origination, underwriting, deal execution and portfolio management activities. He has been a professional investor for more than 13 years and has worked on the buying and selling sides of deals involving aerospace and defense, consumer products and other industries.
For questions on Enterprise University, call Kay Erb at 800-396-8141, ext.13203.


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The Colorado Rockies are proud to announce the winner of the 2016 Adult Leadership Award, Ruby Reyna. Ruby was honored with the other finalists in a ceremony on September 17 at Coors Field, and will receive season tickets to the 2017 season. Congratulations, Ruby!
Ruby Reyna
2016 Adult Leadership Award Winner
Out of her own personal struggles, Ruby found a calling in helping others escape the same abuse she suffered. Her current job is supervisor of a shelter in Jefferson County. She is proud to hold that role, however she continues to serve in the role of victim advocate (which isn't in her responsibilities) and works tirelessly to help anyone in need, always with an eye for recognizing those who are being victimized.
In addition to her many hours supervising the shelter, Ruby teaches domestic abuse awareness in the shelter and at her church. At church, she teaches parishioners the signs to look for and how to help those who might need help themselves but are too afraid to ask. Ruby is highly trained in counseling abuse victims and getting them the legal guidance they need, but with her personal experiences, she readily takes on the most challenging cases and spends extra time to help them. Having survived the impact that abuse can have on one's self esteem, Ruby is uniquely equipped with the patience and compassionand strengthneeded for a victim to get out, get their children out and break the cycle of being a victim. She also recognizes that many abuse victims are immigrants or homeless, so she always has blankets in her car to hand out to homeless families on the street in the winter, and she always has brochures about shelter services on hand for anyone or any place that can use it or will share it.
Another way in which Ruby is not just a supervisor at the shelter is the special pride she takes in providing a safe and comfortable place the victims of domestic violence can call home. She spends personal time and energy decorating and filling the shelter with amenities, artistic murals and creative outlets to create that comfort level for families that have been uprooted from their homes, usually bringing nothing with them but the clothes they have on. Early on, Ruby found art to be a release in her own life and she loves teaching art classes to help victims sort out their feelings or just as an escape. Ruby provides her own artwork to decorate the shelter and she donates works to local charitable events. Ruby not only provides care to victims at the shelter, she actively seeks out ways to help others survive abuse everywhere she goes in her everyday life. She wants everyone to experience kindness and she wants victims to achieve the personal fulfillment she has.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Adult Leadership Award
2017 Award Nomination Form (PDF)


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At a time when technology and food are rapidly becoming intertwined, New York City's MONO+MONO stands out as a unique bar and restaurant that is throwing back to an earlier time of scientific know-how. On December 1, this Korean eatery will premiere its menu on 3-D View-Masters (pictured above). While other restaurants are offering their menus on apps and iPads, owner M.J. Chung (above) says that his Korean restaurant is "proudly old-school." M.J.'s impressive collection of View-Masters showcase beautifully photographed images of MONO+MONO's nightly specials (Garlic Soy fried Chicken, anyone?). If the menu, which features delicate crispy beef buns and Korean fried chicken, is not tempting enough on its own, seeing it in 3-D will surely push you over the edge.
But the View-Master menu is not the only unique feature that MONO+MONO boasts.
MONO+MONO claims to have the best Korean fried chicken in New York City. Since I haven't sampled all the others, I cannot validate this statement. However, the tiny kitchen does turn out crispy bites of sweet, salty and spicy fried chicken in garlic soy or hot and spicy varieties, both of which are served with refreshing pickled radish. The chicken at MONO+MONO is deeply fried twice, resulting in an incredibly crispy skin, tender meat and less grease than I'm used to. Adding to the unique factor, signature cocktails are made with Soju, an alcohol made primarily from rice that is similar to vodka, but with a slightly sweeter taste and gentler finish. Curious? A Soju sampler (below) will introduce you to multiple varieties of Soju infused with pomegranate, lychee, orange and more.
Yet anther unique feature of Chung's hot spot is his collection of 30,000+ jazz vinyl records, which he features in an enclosed glass case along one wall of the restaurant. It is New York City's largest collection of jazz vinyls, and it is put to good use as diners and bar-goers enjoy the pleasant hum of jazz as they enjoy and imbibe.
MONO+MONO is definitely taking good Korean food and unique cocktails back to the future.
Pay them a visit to check out their specialties and 3-D View-Master menu, or make your own incredible Korean recipes at home.


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Southern train services were affected again this morning as the company struggles to get its snow damaged carriages back on the tracks.
The 8.38am train from Epsom to Victoria was one of the services affected with frustrated commuters were told the delay was due to a lack of carriages.
When a train finally arrived at 8.50am it was made up of old style carriages, according to passenger Angela Mingoia, and was made up of just four coaches rather than the usual eight.
She said: "I was astounded when I arrived at Epsom station to find that the train to London Victoria would be 17 minutes late because of "a shortage of available coaches" – especially as the night before I was forced to take a later train because they were "awaiting a member of the train crew."
"What is happing to Southern? I used to be one of their biggest defenders, but they have become so unreliable that I am now looking at alternative transport."
A Southern spokesman said yesterday that just two trains of three carriages each were still in workshops undergoing repairs after their electric motors were damaged by powdery snow a week ago.


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I have a string.
- Code: Select all
I print the string to the terminal. It displays fine.
- Code: Select all
print s
I put the string into a tkinter StringVar
- Code: Select all
I fetch the string back from this StringVar.
- Code: Select all
I try to print this string again. I get an exception.
- Code: Select all
print s
The exception I get is: UnicodeEncodeError: 'ascii' codec can't encode characters in position 0-1
From what I read in various forums, the reason could be that my terminal does not support the unicode characters used. However, since I could print the string fine in the first place, this can't be the reason here.
I have a self-contained example showing the problem, and wanted to include it in this post, but if I do this, I always get a SQL error. I guess this is also related to the fact that my code contains unicode characters. Hence, to show the example program, I did two things:
- I uploaded it as attachment, and for the safe side
- I also provide a screen shot of the program (just in case the upload also gets messed up). Here it is:
- Code: Select all
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
from Tkinter import *
def test():
global text_v
print text_v.get()
print s
##### print text_v.get()
A few notes:
- Line 13 displays the string 東京 correctly on the command line of my terminal
- After the mainloop is entered, the string is shown in the entry field, and the button text is also shown correctly. Doesn't look like an encoding problem to me.
- When I press the button, the exception is thrown in line 7
- When I uncomment line 15 and run the program again, the exception is already thrown in this line, 15.
What's causing this, and how can I remedy it?


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Austerity appears to be an increasingly dirty word in Europe. The past week alone has seen European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Bill Gross of Pimco and Italy's new prime minister Enrico Letta calling for an easing of austerity.
Spain's surpassing of the 6m unemployed mark on Thursday added fuel to the debate. But even in Germany, the austerity police of the eurozone, cracks are beginning to show ahead of the elections with the emergence of an anti-euro party.
a) Are there any austerians left? Yes. Here are some of them.
- UK: Chancellor George Osborne hit back at criticism over his apparent excessive austerity by claiming there is no other alternative. And after a tough week when he was criticised by the IMF over the excessive pace of his austerity programme, this week has brought better fortunes for his stance as figures showed a lower deficit and the economy expanded 0.3 per cent in the first quarter.
- Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel's view as articulated this week couldn't be clearer: "I call it balancing the budget. Everyone else is using this term austerity. That makes it sound like something truly evil." Germany is the only eurozone country with a 2012 budget surplus.
- US: The situation here is different because of sequestration, which triggered automatic spending cuts and tax rises. And the White House faces a July deadline to raise the borrowing limit or default on its debt.
- Latvia: The tiny Baltic state is emerging from a state of uber austerity – part of its bid to join the euro later this year – and it could end up being seen as a poster child for successful deficit cutting implementation, with real growth of more than 5 per cent in 2011 and 2012, despite the broader recession in Europe.
- Spain: The push by Europe's fourth-largest economy to cut spending and raise taxes has led to record unemployment topping 6m for the first time in its recent history. The government of Mariano Rajoy announced economic reforms and structural measures on Friday.
- Italy: The technocrat government of Mario Monti has been steadfast in carrying out fiscal consolidation. All eyes will be on Mr Letta, who has already said: "Europe's policy of austerity is no longer sufficient". Read more


text: I can see it happening. They'd deify him over there. I think it would be best for him. After all, WWE have been pretty forgiving as far as letting those guys come back and be inducted into the HOF and all that, so it's not the case of terminal derision it once was.


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New York Yankees Apparel & Gear
Learn More About New York Yankees Apparel & Gear
MLB® Fan Essentials: Shop New York Yankees Gear
Support your team in style with a Yankees jersey, T-shirt or hat from DICK'S Sporting Goods. From Nike® to New Era®, you're covered with the best brands and styles in the game.
Every home run is a reason to show off your new Majestic® Cool Base™ jersey. This jersey is outfitted with the latest performance technology to keep you cool and comfortable through the game's dog days. Celebrate the future with an Aaron Judge jersey, or leave your mark on the game with a custom MLB jersey.
From the first inning to the final out, display your New York Yankees pride in total comfort. Don't forget to complete your Yankees collection with New York Yankees home décor, Yankees tailgating accessories and more from the MLB Fan Shop.
Enjoy a day at the park or a night on the town with fashionable V-neck, sleeveless and raglan-style baseball T-shirts. Pair a fitted or adjustable hat with your newest gear to top off your look.
Expert Advice
Top Picks for Every Yankees Fan
The Majestic replica jerseys help the Yankees' biggest fans duplicate the on-field look of Starlin Castro, Jacoby Ellsbury and Masahiro Tanaka. Choose from home, road and alternate jersey designs and match them with a New York Yankees fitted, adjustable or knit hat.
For the fans with a sentimental side, the New York Yankees Cooperstown Collection offers a glimpse into the golden years of baseball. Designed in true throwback style with the colors and details of a classic time period, the Majestic Cooperstown jerseys are a testament to the depth of your loyalty.
For those diehard fans filled with pride to the core, the Fan Shop at DICK'S offers apparel and merchandise to meet the high standards of New York Yankees faithful following.
Browse Yankees-themed accessories to boost your team spirit everywhere you go and find the perfect outfit for your game-day tailgate. With men's, women's and kids' apparel, you can depend on DICK'S Sporting Goods as your one-stop shop when it comes to cheering at the ball field in The Bronx, New York, or supporting from home.


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U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 about Frank Joseph Feller
Search through millions of records to find out more.
Frank Joseph Feller was born to Karl and Marie (Koch) Feller. His parents left Austria and came to the US to escape the Nazi regime. Frank had 1 brother, Karl, and 5 sisters, Frieda, Mary, Anna, Eleanor and Gertrude. He graduated from Chaminade High School in 1938. Volunteered to join the Marines in WW II. Was killed in action in Tinian, Mariana Islands, at the age of 23. He married Lulu Elizabeth Wogan and they had one daughter, Kay Frances, who was born in December 1944 after he was killed. Kay (Ken Binzer) had three daughters -- Kimberly (John Banford), had three daughters, Sydney, Kassidy, Delaney; Kathleen (Ned Applegate), had two sons, Connor and Mitchell, and one daughter, Karly; and Kristine (Matt Brandenburg) had one son, Austin, one daughter, Graci Kay, and two step children, Justin and Madison. Frank loved his family and was a real American hero and made the ultimate sacrifice to give his life for his country. He will never be forgotten.
Anyone can contribute to this page. Please sign in or sign up—it's free.


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Blog Directory
Browse the Blog Directory
Browse blogs from wide range of categorized blogs on our blog directory. Whether you are looking for niche blogs, personal blogs, Singapore blogs, Science blogs, Biology blogs you can find them all in our blog directory.
Submit your Blog
Or, Submit your blog and be included on our search engine friendly blog directory.
Singapore BiologyBrowsing Singapore Blogs » Science Blogs » Biology Blogs
Review the top-rated blog sites about biology and science at BlogsDB. Submit Biology blogs and advertise on our most visited blog directory online.
No blogs are found on this category yet.


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You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"Quality of painting and paper was great, I used the signature matte card stock and it felt very sturdy. Easily customizable to match my invitation. Designer/reviewer gave great feedback quickly. Very satisfied overall!"
"This style of card matched my wedding invitations perfectly even though they weren't technically made for each other. They are simple but pretty. I love them."
"Our additional information cards came out great! I was worried about how they were going to look because of the amount of information going on them, directions and hotel information for our guests. I was pleasantly surprised when I got them and saw that they didn't look wordy or over crowded."
""Designers were easy to work with and helped my customize. Shipping was fast and came exactly when expected, and items were great quality. My only tiny gripe is that the design seemed to have sparkle in it on the website, but when it arrived the glittered sections were not glittery, just printed to look as if they were. Not a big deal at all, but should be noted. Live chat was very helpful too.""
"A pretty addition to the invitation. We wanted a look that was mildly botanical but not overly flowery, and clean and this design fit perfectly! I ordered the pearlescent paper and tucked with the invitation, it has a very nice presentation."


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The Montana Human Rights Bureau is charged with enforcing certain state and federal laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination. When a person files a complaint with the Department of Labor and Industry's Human Rights Bureau, the Bureau will informally investigate. The Bureau is committed to providing quality education and training opportunities to employers, employees, housing providers, tenants, and all Montana residents.
Please note the Bureau can only investigate complaints of discrimination in certain protected areas when a person asserts that an adverse action happened because he or she is a member of a protected class.
If you think you have been discriminated against contact us for an intake appointment. It is important to know that a person only has 180 days from when an adverse act happened (or when it was discovered) to have a written complaint filed with the Bureau. This time may be extended, but only in limited circumstances.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Protected Areas:
The Bureau investigates complaints of discrimination filed in the following protected areas:
Protected Classes:
1 (800) 542-0807
(406) 443-3234
Mailing Address
Human Rights Bureau
PO Box 1728
Helena MT, 59624-1728


text:
By Luisa Silva,
Communications Intern
This past Saturday, NFTE New York Metro sponsored another all-day Hackathon competition for NYC Generation Tech called Code4Tomorrow that took place in the Microsoft Times Square office. An astonishing number of 80 high school students had the opportunity to show off their coding skills and worked alongside volunteer mentors who in teams, created, designed, and pitched to win prizes totaling $1,355. Interestingly, this event challenged the students to think about solutions that would be beneficial to their communities.
NFTE would like to congratulate the winning teams of Code4Tomorrow:
1st place: Flappy Words
2nd place: MonsterNote
3rd place: TechIt
And of course, congrats to all the students that participated.
Though many students already walked in with the experience of coding, how amazing is it to learn about Mozilla Webmaker tools in one day and apply new skills to make a new promotional website? These kids are truly talented. It is also interesting to know that at their age, they are able to accomplish such a task.
For these high school students, this challenge was not easy. First, they got into a group with students they never worked with and had to generate ideas for the project. With great team work, they came up with innovative ideas that addressed a problem in a New York City community.
The most nerve racking and exciting part of this experience for them was their Demo presentations. Each team was rated by their Digital prototype idea, functionality, promotional website, and how they communicated the project.
NFTE and GenTech place students in situations where they learn and interact with people. It is a positive way to learn how to socialize and build relationships in their field of interest. Students learn how to become competitive and considerate in making their communities a better place.


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DETROIT - After four of his appointees wound up arrested for corruption, after airport director Turkia Awada Mullin and Deputy Wayne County CEO Azam Elder left the Ficano administration under a cloud, Bob Ficano would have you believe he simply is having a string of bad luck.
Repeatedly he has apologized to the taxpayers of Wayne County for, as he describes it, putting his trust in undeserving people. They betrayed his trust. He wants anyone who deserves it convicted. Fair enough. Still, now that he is being sued by Mullin and Elder and in the aftermath of a no confidence vote from the Wayne County Commission, he reiterates the notion that the measure of good leadership is how a leader responds to trouble. He claims he has attacked all of these problems head on. More than anything else though, Ficano has also told me over and over, Wayne County is running well; "the trains run on time" he said. This appears a case of wishful thinking on his part.
I turn your attention to the Wayne County Veteran Services Division. After getting my hands on a Wayne County Auditor General's report on the Division's problems, it's looking like the 7am Detroit Local is running several days behind!
Watch: Wayne County leaving vets out in cold?
Watch: Rod Meloni digs deeper into Wayne County vets controversy
My first story on this came Memorial Day. I pondered the irony over how the Wayne County Veteran Services Division could be sitting on more than four million dollars of tax money [collected specifically to assist indigent and homeless veterans] at the same time Bob Ficano marched down Michigan Avenue in Dearborn in the state's oldest continuous Memorial Day parade. He smiled widely, waved to anyone who would wave back, and hoped no one would notice his administration is failing miserably the neediest of veterans. The Soldier and Sailors Relief Fund is there to help indigent veterans get some small comfort; maybe food assistance, clothes, temporary housing, transportation to Veteran's services, anything to make their burden lighter. Yet there is no program to disburse the money from the fund. The tax keeps getting collected and the bank account keeps growing; yet the Director of Veterans Services, Joseph D. Howard, does absolutely nothing to assure the money is spent. It's not that he's misspending. That would be egregious enough. It's that is he is doing NOTHING! He does no marketing, makes no contact with indigent Veterans service providers like Emmanuel House in Detroit, gives his four person staff positively no direction on how or where or when to make sure the money is properly used. Your tax dollars' inaction!
Here is Ficano's dilemma: is it that he doesn't know what his marginally skilled or less than trustworthy appointees are doing? Or, is it that he knows and does nothing about it until after the horse is out of the barn? Those are the choices his public pronouncements leave him facing. There can be no middle ground. So which is it Mr. Ficano? Is this train really running well and on time or is it that you simply have no real control? I ask this question because when I found Mr. Ficano on the parade route and started asking him questions about his Veterans Services Division he acknowledged he had seen the Auditor General's report [issued in January and just now out at the end of May] and he was going about the business of fixing the department. He said he would have the fix completed by June 15th. I did ask him if he thought it looked particularly bad on Veterans Day for this kind of information to come out. He said kept to the script, that he is fixing the problem now that it's known. But, it's back to his dilemma. Why does it take an Auditor General's report to tell a CEO whether one of his departments is getting the job done? Shouldn't a CEO who is on top of his organization know whether one of his appointees is effectual on his own? How can a department head be as ineffectual as Joseph D. Howard is allowed to continue on the job?
You may think me overly harsh on Mr. Howard [did I mention a Ficano appointee?] until you consider what I found out for today's report. It turns out Mr. Howard runs the Veterans Services Division out of offices on the 17th floor of a secured downtown office building. He employs four other staffers. The county spends half a million dollars a year to run this operation that's blithely sitting on more than four million dollars in the worst economy in 75 years. Much like the exhortation of that old Ginsu knife commercial "but wait there's more!" Mr. Howard drives a county provided car [an older Ford Taurus] and the county picks up his gasoline tab. [Nice perk if you can get it!] You might wonder how a county division director, who enjoys these kind of travel perks, spends to help veterans get transportation to the emergency services they need. In case you've not been paying attention the answer is a big fat zero in 2009, he got a little better in 2010 and 2011, by spending all of about $9,000. That's less than two tenths of one per cent of the four million dollars Howard's allowed to sit and collect dust. So we ponder yet again Mr. Ficano's dilemma; is this bad luck brought on by the untrustworthy or does The County Executive know and only moves in after the horse is out of the barn? If Harry Truman is correct about where the buck stops does it really even matter?
The only good news here is Ficano is making big changes at the Veteran Services Division. It will move out from under the Health and Human Services Department and back to the Department of Senior and Veteran Services. Joseph D. Howard will get a new boss, his name is Kevin Kelley. A new outreach worker joined the department today and will start distributing the money to needy veterans. But in case you think this is Bob Ficano managing a situation once it is known think again. Joseph D. Howard still drives his county owned Taurus. Kevin Kelley, Howard's new boss, does not enjoy the same perk. How does this work? Bob Ficano's dilemma remains the same and Crain's Detroit Business editorial page from last week made the point particularly well "but one thing we know for sure: Ficano should be grateful he's not in the private sector. He'd be unemployed by now."
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Developmental |
Language |
Individual differences |
Personality |
Philosophy |
Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Social psychology: Altruism · Attribution · Attitudes · Conformity · Discrimination · Groups · Interpersonal relations · Obedience · Prejudice · Norms · Perception · Index · Outline
Internet relationships are interpersonal relationships, including intimate relationships, between people who have met online, and in many cases know each other only via the Internet. Online relationships are similar in many ways to pen pal relationships.
In the late 20th century, it became easier for people to establish meaningful online relationships. Since the development of high-speed broadband Internet, online friendships have changed significantly. It is possible to hold real-time audio and video conversations over the Internet (creating telepresence), providing levels of interactivity beyond plain text. People who are in an online relationship can also participate in cybersex, which is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via computer network send each other sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience.
Psychologists in at least one study found that Internet dating can be successful.[1]
See alsoEdit
- Computer mediated communication
- Cyber-bullying
- Cyberpsychology
- Impression management
- Internet identity
- Online chat
- Social information processing theory
- Social interaction
- Social isolation
- Social networks
- Social perception
- Social support
- ↑ includeonly>"Internet Dating Much More Successful Than Thought", ScienceDaily, February 23, 2005. Retrieved on January 2, 2010.
Further readingEdit
- Dwyer, Diana (2000) Interpersonal Relationships (Routledge Modular Psychology)
- Englehardt, E.E. (2001), Ethical Issues in Interpersonal Communication: Friends, Intimates, Sexuality, Marriage, and Family, Hartcourt College Publishers, Fort Worth, TX,
- Schnarch, D. (1997). Sex, intimacy, and the internet. Journal of Sex Education, 22(1), 15–20.
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


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Rihanna wants Chris Brown back
Rihanna is supposedly looking to patch things up with Chris Brown and hopes the Feb. 8 attack that landed her in the hospital will "blow over" so they can move on, according to Star:
We report that, to the shock of many, the singer has stayed in touch with her battering beau — and her unhealthy devotion to him is making those close to the abused singer worried sick.
"She keeps saying she wants to make sure that he's okay," a friend tells Star. "She thinks this will all just blow over and they can go back to how they were."
Granted, this is coming from Star, so take it with an insanely large grain of salt. As for me, I'm going to give Rihanna the benefit of the doubt and assume she's not retarded. But love makes us do some strange things. Just ask the duck I flashed down by the lake. We'll be together soon, Quackers!


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Charles E Rushmore
Charles E. Rushmore (December 2, 1857 – October 31, 1931) was an American businessman and attorney for whom Mount Rushmore is named. Born in New York City, he was the son of Edward Carmen Rushmore and Mary Eliza (née Dunn) Rushmore, of Tuxedo Park, NY. He was married to the former Jeanette E. Carpenter.
In 1883, a tin mine, the Etta, was opened, which caused excitement among Eastern investors.[1] In 1885 Rushmore was in the Black Hills of South Dakota to check the titles to properties for an eastern mining company owned by James Wilson. Although an Easterner, Rushmore quickly made friends among the miners and prospectors. One day he was returning to headquarters of the Harney Peak Consolidated Tin Co., Ltd., located at Pine Camp, which was north of the great granite peak soon to bear his name. With him were a local business man, and William W. Challis, a prospector and guide. As they neared the mountain, Rushmore turned to Challis and asked its name. Challis jestingly replied: "Never had any but it has now - we'll call the thing Rushmore."
According to rancher Jerry Urbanek, Rushmore returned to the Black Hills annually to hunt big game. One day, while accompanied by Ted Brockett of Keystone, South Dakota, Rushmore asked the name of the mountain and was told that it was Slaughterhouse Rock. Rushmore joked that his annual treks to the Hills had earned him the right to have the mountain named after himself. "So just for the hell of it," Urbanek claimed, the locals started calling the hill Mount Rushmore.[2]
Whatever the precise story, the United States Board of Geographic Names officially recognized the name "Mount Rushmore" in June 1930." Forty years after the initial 1885 naming, Rushmore donated $5000 towards Gutzon Borglum's sculpture of the four presidents' heads on the mountain - the largest single contribution. The Memorial was dedicated by President Coolidge on August 10, 1927.
Rushmore was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.


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"Our high school feels like an elementary school," and that's creating an engaged student body. Gallup recently released results from a student poll that show a dramatic decline in student engagement from elementary school to high school.
Called a "monumental, collective national failure" by Gallup's Brandon Busteed, this issue won't fix itself. What's worse is that the students who are least likely to stay engaged have the greatest entrepreneurial spirit. Research shows NFTE's experiential learning programs have a great impact on students. Harvard Graduate School of Education found that leadership behavior among NFTE students increased 8.5% as starters/founders of activities and 13.2% as leaders.
Plus, Gallup found that 45% of students in its recent study plan to open their own business someday. That compares to a Koch Foundation study of NFTE alumni that found 83% of NFTE alumni want to start their own business (compared to 57% of the control group), and 36% of NFTE alumni have actually started a business (compared to 9% for the control group).


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Who to cast in the proposed Michael Hutchence biopic by screenwriter Bobby Galinsky? The answers are here. No need to thank us Mr Galinsky, we're from Fairfax and we're here to help.
Val Kilmer: He's already played Hutchence inspiration Jim Morrison (and skeet shooting rock idol Nick Rivers in Top Secret) so we know he can sing, act, move his hips and wear leather trousers. Sure, weight could a problem now but that's why the male girdle was invented.
Whichever pretty boy Kylie Minogue is dating now: Michael made her sexy and she can return the favour by making someone sexy into Michael.
Heath Ledger's hologram: Charisma, much travelled and could grow hair long.
Halle Berry: Has worked in leather, will play up Michael's feminine side, needs a gig.
Sam Worthington: Can't sing or dance? Yeah, but he's Australian, can do manly stubble and probably knows the words.
Brian from Family Guy: Loves a musical interlude, loves getting deep and meaningful, loves the ladies. What's that, he's a dog? Make-up!
Michael Clarke: Why not? Is there anything he can't do at the moment?
Abbe May: The most darkly charismatic Australian artist since Michael H, comes from Perth, where INXS temporarily relocated in the late '70s, has begun dabbling with electronica. How much difference is there between a leather skirt and leather pants anyway?
Clive Palmer: Dinosaurs on the Gold Coast, a Titanic replica, the Queensland Liberal National Party: there's no idea he won't fund and this film will need funding so letting him play the lead is a small price to pay.
Dan Sultan: Is sexy, can sing, has already performed with INXS.
David Carradine: Sure he's dead, but do you remember how he died? Just saying ...
Russell Crowe's hair: Not the man himself but his Moses beard could be dyed and hired to play the famous Hutchence locks.
Kit Harrington: Didn't wash much as leather-wearing Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, broods with enigmatic flair, won't need a girdle.
J.D. Fortune, Terence Trent D'Arby, Jon Stevens: They've sung with INXS and ... nah, forget it, no one believed them first time around.


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A9 TV, September 11th, 2012
Faith in Allah is normal behavior for a rational person. We look and see cars and houses and other people. Allah shows us these things in our brains. What can we say about that? Believing in Allah takes nothing away from people. But unbelief does. It also leads to disaster. The result is anarchy, terror, loss of joy, evil and unease. The way that the state in Turkey provides a Darwinist, materialist education and says, "Allah did not create the universe. Allah did not create human beings and living things. They came into being by chance. The same with events in the universe. Allah does not create them. They are the work of chance," leads to sterility. And that leads to great misfortune, may Allah forbid, because it is untrue. It is untrue scientifically and rationally, and in terms of good conscience. We must tell the truth, whatever it is. We must say whatever science tells us. The state should put fossils on display. There are tens, hundreds of thousands of fossils in Turkey. Let us put them on display so people can see them. People can then come to their own conclusions.
There is a problem of insincerity among some of our Muslim brothers. They talk about anarchy and terror. "Such and such is on the wrong path," they say. All right, anyone can make mistakes. So establish Islamic Unity so everyone's mistakes can come to an end. That is the complete solution. If you really want to out people's lives right, then establish Islamic Unity. Everyone will then come right. Terror and anarchy will come to an end. In order to see whether scholars are really scholars, first ask them, "How many times have you mentioned Islamic Unity in your life? How many times have you recommended it?" They recommend the headscarf millions of times but ask them how many times they have called for Islamic Unity. They talk about the headscarf from morning to night. But if they talked about Islamic Unity from morning to night, the headscarf issue would have long since been resolved. There would be no problem over people covering their heads or not. But they do not. You must demand Islamic Unity, the greatest obligation of all. And then those who wish to cover up will do so, and those who do not, will not. Let them all dress as they like.
(After meeting with Russian head of state Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday, Hillary Clinton said they were not in agreement with Moscow on a number of issues and continued; "Therefore, we can support the opposition in Syria by acting together with like-minded countries, accelerate the toppling of (Bashar) Assad and help Syria establish a democratic future and to stand once again on its own two feet.")
She spoke very well. That poor man Assad is in a huge panic. He has no room for maneuver. He has a family and children. They might harm his wife and children. Assad is a prisoner. The Middle East is in an odd state. Look, they have pronounced sentence in Iraq (on Deputy President Tariq Hashimi). He has been sentenced to be hanged. He is a guest in Turkey and has done nothing wrong. There are savage types like that in the Middle East. Tell us what crime he has ever committed. How dare you sentence him to death? That is utterly shameless. This is why Assad's safety must be guaranteed first of all and the safety of his family. Russia lacks the courage to act alone. I do not think Putin has the courage to do that, yet all it would take is for Putin to stand up alone. But if Turkey, Iran and Russia were to forge an alliance, all the balances would then be in place. Turkey should propose that to Russia. It should propose it to Iran. And Iran needs to abandon its pride and obstinacy. They have this enormous pride and stubbornness but they could behave so moderately and modestly. They could analyze things more tolerantly and lovingly and reasonably. They have made Iran a matter of an enormous nations obstinacy and pride. What need is there for that? We are all the servants of Allah. What need is there for bullying? What need is there for crazy language? And they keep threatening Israel. They are making Israel genuinely uneasy. They imagine something will come of that, but Iran is really very afraid of Israel. Really terrified. They cannot do anything at all; they cannot take a single step. But Israel is also afraid. That is why they spoke of bombing them. Then I spoke to them and they have changed their minds for the time being.
(In a statement condemning the attacks in Syria over the weekend, the Russian Foreign Ministry said there needed to be a ceasefire between the sides in Syria.)
They do not listen to mere words. If they are going to do it, force needs to be used. They must go in without bloodshed and establish a buffer zone. America could do it if it wanted, but I guess it is nervous of Russia and China. It is afraid of becoming stuck but they are also fed up and looking for a way out. The thing to do is for the UN to go in with a humanitarian and rational approach and to place Assad and his family in safety. But they all insist on these things happening in Syria. That is Allah's destiny. But the hadiths say that they will end up in defeat. That story of the prayers in the Ummavid mosque in Damascus is true. Our Prime Minister spoke the truth.
(In response to a mail from a viewer asking, "Is it permissible for a woman to put make-up on and go out?")
Depending on the situation and circumstances. If a woman is going to meet with high-quality people, with rational people, if she is going to be respected, then she should show her respect by going there looking nice and well. But if there are immoral, low-life types there, then she should dress in such a way as to protect herself. She should dress according to the situation. If cars are coming, you wait on the sidewalk. Then you cross when they have gone. If food is hot, you wait a bit. You have to use your head.2012-11-13 13:43:02


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Did you know?
The Swartland is home to award-winning olive and olive oil producers Het Vlock Kasteel and Kloovenburg.
The Santam Swartland Wine and Olive Route covers one of the Western Cape's largest wine-producing areas.
The landscape here is idyllic: quaint yet trendy villages surrounded by expansive fields of wheat and canola, dairy pastures, vineyards and olive groves, all framed by distant mountains that are snow-covered in winter.
Stretching from the Paardeberg mountains in the south to the Picketberg in the north, the Swartland is a coastal wine-growing district with two wards, Malmesbury and Riebeekberg, and a large unappellated area.
Owing to the geographic extent of the region, the West Coast Wine Route is demarcated into four regions for ease of exploration: Paardeberg, Riebeek Valley, Malmesbury, and Berg River.
Swartland winemakers refer to the unique terroir of each area as its 'DNA'. Further, the Swartland is distinct from other wine production regions by virtue of the enormous diversity of soil types: granite, shale, clay, and slate found here, and its dryland bushvines.
Since the 1800s bushvines have been the traditional way of cultivating vineyards in the Swartland. This method, where untrellised vines are allowed to grow naturally in the region's Mediterranean climate, with minimal human intervention or irrigation, produces low yields of small but intensely flavoured berries.
This minimalist, some might say old-fashioned, philosophy is at the centre of a wine-making revolution, spearheaded by a new generation of boutique, family-run, and garagiste producers from the Swartland.
Outspoken proponents of hand-harvested and crafted, natural wines, produced sustainably and in small quantities, many Swartland winemakers use technically unproductive 'old' vines (vines that are 40 to 60 years old and more) and wild yeasts from their vineyards to make their wines.
In so doing, they are defining themselves, and their wines, in the context of terroir with a fervour that borders on an artistic movement. Even the local corporate wineries are onboard.
Whether you regard Swartland winemakers as visionaries or cowboy-cranks, the region's wines that range from double-gold medal winners for just a few rands a bottle, to top dollar for a handmade elixir, speak for themselves.
Classic Rhône-style white blends, and particularly Chenin Blancs made from unfashionable old vines, exhibit structure, complexity, and layers of flavour that are causing the rest of the wine industry to take note.
Add the Swartland's signature Shiraz, Mourvédre and Grenache - characteristically dark in colour, full and layered with smooth tannins - and it seems that the Swartland's 20-odd winemakers aren't so crazy after all.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Santam Swartland Wine Route
Tel:+27 (0)22 487 1133
Fax +27 (0)22 487 2063
E-mail email@example.com
Malmesbury Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)22 487 1133
Fax: +27 (0)22 487 2063
E-mail: email@example.com
Piketberg Tourism Bureau
Tel/ Fax: +27 (0)22 913 2063
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Porterville Tourism Bureau
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)22 931 3732
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Riebeek Valley Tourism
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)22 448 1545
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
How to get here
Malmesbury, the centre of the Sanlam Swartland Wineand Olive Route, is about 70km from central Cape Town. From the centre of Cape Town head north, taking the N1/Table Bay Boulevard onramp. From the N1, take exit 10 (Sable Road), keep right, and follow the signs for the N7/Malmesbury. Stay on this road for about 60km. From the N7, exit left onto Voortrekker Road (R45) which loops around, and follow this road for approximately 800m until you reach De Kock Street.
Best time to visit
Spring, from late October to mid-November sees a patchwork of yellow canola fields and green vineyards, and indigenous flora in bloom. Very few Swartland vineyards receive visitors during harvest time, typically January to April.
Around the area
Nearby are the towns of Darling, Tulbagh, Wellington, and Paarl. In Malmesbury, there are historic churches, a museum, and a nine-hole golf course. The Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve and various other small nature reserves in the area offer 4x4 trails, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing.
Tours to do
The Santam Swartland Wine and Olive Route website has a variety of five-day itineraries.
Get around
You'll need your own car to tour the Santam Swartland Wine Route. The closest car rental companies are in Cape Town, Paarl or Langebaan. Many Cape Town tour operators also visit the Swartland.
What will it cost
Most Swartland wineries do not charge for a tasting, or will waive the fee in the event of a purchase.
Length of stay
Plan at least a weekend, especially if you'll be visiting wine and olive farms and local restaurants.
What to pack
The Swartland is typically very hot in summer, and cold in winter. Temperatures are moderate between March and November. Sun protection in summer is essential.
Where to stay
A number of wine farms in the area have chalets and cottages, ranging from self-catering accommodation to serviced four-star venues.
What to eat
Swartland restaurants, notably the Bar Bar Black Sheep in Riebeek-Kasteel, serve regional, locally sourced produce. There are also fast food outlets, and a number of coffee shops serving light meals.
What's happening
The MedFest (short for Mediterranean Festival) in Riebeek Valley usually takes place on the last weekend in March. The Houtstokfees (Woodstock music festival) in Malmesbury happens towards the end of April. The Riebeek Olive Festival takes place on the first weekend in May, and the Music Oppi Lande festival (music on the land), or Molfees, is in October. In addition, visit the annual Swartland Agricultural Show held near Morreesburg in September. The Swartland Revolution is an independent weekend wine festival, which usually takes place on the second weekend in November – booking is essential.
Best buys
Olives, olive oil, homemade jams, preserves, and pickles.


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Boot Barn Item #: 2005488
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size: Click a button below Size Chartsize
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- Handcrafted in the USA
- Full-grain leather upper and full-quill ostrich vamp
- 11" shaft height
- Cushion insole
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Every woman needs a pair of funky boots to match their personality. These Exotic Western Boots by Nocona can most definitely do the job. Made with a combination of full-grain leather and full-quill ostrich, these boots will stand out wherever you go. The shaft has detailed western scrolling and the pull tabs have little strips of full-quill ostrich to offset the leather. The cushion insole will provide long lasting comfort whether you're working or walking. Pair these with your favorite jeans and you have a great outfit!
Style(s): LD6501, LD6511
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Print After "Daddy Joe" died in 1918, other members of the family wanted to move the business to Fort Worth. Miss Enid felt so strongly that "Daddy Joe" wanted the company in Nocona, she stayed. In 1925, her brothers packed up the equipment and moved to Fort Worth. Miss Enid had made her decision. She borrowed $5,000 to keep seven employees in her small shop and founded the Nocona Boot Company. During those first years, Miss Enid turned her home into a boarding house, worked as a sales clerk, shipping clerk, stenographer and credit manager. At first, some men had trouble doing business with a lady bootmaker, but they soon discovered the quality was just as good as her late father's. The discovery of oil near Nocona brought many new customer's to Miss Enid's young company. They made a 16 inch "lace-up" boot that was tough enough to survive the oil fields and the wildcatters kept coming back for more. Accompanied by her sister, Miss Enid made her first sales trip into West Texas in 1926. "The roads looked like cattle trails in those day's" she said. "And for good reason, they were cattle trails. Our old Model T took a pretty good beating on that first trip. In fact, we lost a back wheel once, it came loose and jumped over a fence. Despite the hazards of the road, the trip was successful. We came back with a book full of orders and a new market for boots." On the way to the company's national reputation as a quality bootmaker, Miss Enid sponsored a Pony Express race from Nocona to San Francisco. Fourteen cowboys and one cowgirl took off at 9 AM on March 1,1939, from Nocona and the first rider reached San Francisco at 2 PM on March 24th. In 1981, the Nocona Boot Company merged with Justin Industries, parent company of the Justin Boot Company, bringing the bootmaking histories of the two family companies full circle.


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We posted the Red Bull Backcountry Bombshells video online so that you can view it without downloading and setting up the demo files from the zip. Makes it much easier to view. Huge thanks to Red Bull for providing this awesome, high-quality video to show off this new feature.
Get your friends, parents, co-workers and random people you meet to help us test the beta. We want to get feedback on as many machines as possible!