text:
Cape Town - Security and the high crime rate in Gugulethu has become a major concern for Mzoli Ngcawuzele, founder and owner of Mzoli's restaurant.
Ngcawuzele's concerns come after ANC councillor Luvuyo Zondani was shot and robbed of his cellphone at Mzoli's on Friday night.
"We are stepping up security here to protect our patrons but police must also play their part to reduce criminal activity in the area," said Ngcawuzele on Sunday. We used to have a total of seven to eight security guards but now we have 10."
Zondani was shot in the abdomen on Friday as he was leaving the restaurant. He was rushed to Melomed Gatesville in a critical condition and underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet.
ANC provincial spokesman Cobus Grobler said Zondani was still in high care on Sunday. "His condition is stable but critical. There's a lot of internal damage."
Ngcawuzele said that 7-8pm was usually closing time at his restaurant.
"Starting at 7pm we start to shut down and the people must leave as this is also a time when some criminals might target people going to their cars."
A resident who witnessed the attack in Bambanani Street, said Zondani's car was parked in front of her house when the gunman approached.
"I was standing with the man (Zondani) and chatted to him. There were four guys standing across the street from us and one of them came over and stood in front of us with a gun and asked for his cellphone.
"Before the man could say anything he just fell to my feet. He was shot. We put him in one of the cars and rushed him to hospital."
One of Ngcawuzele's assistants, Andile Shooter, said: "There is a lot of crime in this township. Our place is clearly demarcated for visitors and tourists and they must not trust strangers that hang around here. You will find a lot of unemployed people that will target visitors."
Shooter called on Bambanani Street residents to work together to stop criminals.
"We are having a meeting with the street community to address the issue and identify culprits. We will also have people in plain clothes in the restaurant that can monitor any criminal activity."
Zondani is councillor for ward 38, which includes Gugulethu and Nyanga. In the 2011 local government elections he won the seat with more than 90 percent of the vote.
Mayor Patricia de Lille condemned the shooting as an "act of lawlessness".
"I hope that councillor Zondani will have a quick recovery and continue to represent his party in council," she told the Weekend Argus.
In the last recorded incident at Mzoli's, in 2011, two Belgian architecture students were attacked with a broken bottle. One suffered a cut to his arm as the pair returned to their car.
They later praised the rapid community and police response which helped to track down an attacker.
Ngcawuzele's family has also fallen victim to crime. In December 2006, his daughter Sisanda was kidnapped by three men who demanded R300 000 ransom from him.
The trio posed as clients for her promotions company and asked to meet her at a house in Parklands.
Police found her three days later, with minor injuries.
In April last year the trio received sentences from seven to 12 years.
Commenting on Friday night's incident, police spokesman André Traut said no arrests have been made in their ongoing investigation. – Additional reporting by Chelsea Geach
Cape Argus


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Church offers classes on basic, advance computer skills
Christian Church of Connellsville, 212 S. Pittsburgh St., is offering free computer classes to the public.
"We try to hold these classes four times a year as an outreach project of the church," said Ken Metzger, instructor and church member.
Winter classes begin the week of Jan. 28.
"We have enough space in our computer lab to teach up to seven in a class, with more computers being installed soon," said Metzger.
· "Introduction to Computers" classes will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays on Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11.
Taught by Mandy, Lois and Greg Metzger, the introductory computer course begins with the basics — how to use a mouse; set up an email address; send and receive emails and photos; and search information on the Internet.
· "Office Skills" classes will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13.
Taught by Mike Prinkey and Ken Metzger, the class aims to train the unemployed or underemployed to get them back into the workforce with new or advance computer skills. Word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software will be taught.
"Many people have been helped by our 'Intro Class' and have shown a newfound interest and confidence with their computers. So many have been very appreciative for the help they have received from our classes. And through our 'Office Skills' class, many people realize that they need some computer skills to keep up with today's job market," said Metzger.
To sign up for classes, call the Rev. Chris Stillwell at 724-628-3802. Seating fills up quickly.
Nancy Henry is a freelance writer.

subset: commoncrawl


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Sea ports are the main biggest part of world business. In this Top 10 List we are going to input a post about top 10 biggest sea ports in the world. We know that many people don't know about the sea ports. In this Top 10 List we bring short description about the top 10 port in the world.
1. Shanghai (China): In this Top 10 List we keep Shanghai in the 1st place. It is the biggest sea port in the world. Having a total of five working areas, the port of Shanghai became the biggest port in the world, surpassing the port of Singapore. The port of Shanghai is a source of great economic activity in the Yangtze River area which has helped further the economic status of regions like Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Henan
2. Ningbo-Zhoushan (China): In our Top 10 List it is the 2nd biggest port, also in the world. The port is expected to have a huge boost in the form of the construction of a new terminal – the Jintang Dapukuo, consisting of five berths which are expected to be completed by the year 2014.
3. Singapore (Singapore): In the Top 10 List of biggest sea ports we keep Singapore in the 3rd position. The Singapore port is connected to over 600 ports spread around more than a 100 countries. In terms of its handling, the ship port handles a fifth of the global cargo containers and is responsible for the transit of nearly 50% of the global crude oil supply.
4. Rotterdam (The Netherlands): In the Top 10 List of biggest port in the world we keep Rotterdam in the 4th place. This port is in Netherlands. It is the biggest sea port in Europe.
5. Tianjin (China): In the Top 10 List of biggest port in the world we keep Tianjin in the 5th place. It is also the third largest port in China. Situated at the River Haihe, the Tianjin port in China is ranked fifth in the list of biggest ports in the world. At present it is connected to over 400 ports in nearly 200 countries across the world, a figure which is expected to rise by the next four years.
6. Guangzhou (China): In the Top 10 List of biggest port in the world we keep Guangzhou in the 6th place. This port is located in China. The port forms the mainstay for the industrial belt found in the Guangxi, Yunnan, Hunan and Jiangxi regions. The port of Huangpu also forms a part of the Guangzhou port.
7. Qingdao (China): In the Top 10 List of biggest sea port we keep Qingdao in the 7th place. This port is also located in China. Facing Japan and South Korea, the world leaders in the shipbuilding business, the Qingdao port is a natural harbor and has connectivity with over 450 ports in over 130 countries.
8. Qinhuangdao Port (China): In the Top 10 List of biggest sea port in the world we keep Qinhuangdao Port (China) in the 8th position. Statistically at present, the port is the biggest coal lading port globally and internally, accounts for nearly 50% of the country's coal transportation between the North and the South.
9. Hong Kong: In the Top 10 List of biggest port in the world we keep Hong Kong in 9th position. A natural harbor, the Hong Kong port has been very instrumental in the economic furtherance of the city of Hong Kong. In the year 2010, the port accounted for 23.7 million.
10. Busan (South Korea): The Port of Busan, also known as Pusan, doubles as South Korea's largest port and its second-largest city. In our Top 10 List it is the 10th biggest port in the world; the port of Busan is situated at the Naktong River and forms a major commercial getaway between the Pacific Ocean and the countries belonging to Eurasia.


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The Play Rugby USA Under 19 Academy is a high performance select side.
Players are selected based on the 4 A's
Academics, Attendance, Attitude and Athletics
The Academy's purpose is to not only develop players on the field and provide pathways to the top levels of rugby, but most importantly to help them develop excellence off the field. We achieve this through holistic coaching techniques focused on social and emotional skills development as well as athletic progress.
Academy Structure
On field training includes instruction and experience in
Rucks & Mauls
Decision Making
Scrums & Line Outs
Core and Balance Work
Off field training includes instruction and mentoring to develop
Go Forward Mindset
Positive Imagery
Money Management Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Goal Setting
Player Profiles
Leadership Skills and Techniques
Academy Youth Development Mentors
Derika Legg
Senior Academy YDM
Derika started her rugby career in 1999 as a sophomore at Loyola University New Orleans where she played for 3 years. After graduation, she went on to play for a variety of clubs around the US, including the New York Village Lions, Detroit Rugby Football Club, Seattle Breakers Rugby Club and San Diego Surfers Rugby Club. She also played internationally for the Windsor Rugby Club in Canada and the Dubai Hurricanes.
In addition to playing, Derika has a passion for coaching and is a certified USA Rugby Level 200 Coach. She was the Youth Development Director for the Seattle Rugby Club, overseeing the youth rugby program for 3-14 year olds. Derika served as the Head Coach for the Seattle High School Girls' team and the San Diego Rugby Club Division II women's team. She is currently a coach for Play Rugby USA in New York, working to develop high school boys and girls on and off the field.
Andria Cuello
Junior Academy YDM
Andria has loved rugby since she was recruited for the team her freshman year at St. Bonaventure University. As soon as she played her first game, she was hooked. She played all four years of college, and was captain and president of the team her Junior and Senior years. Eager to expose other women to the sport that she had found a community in, she helped to facilitate the rugby component of the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. After completing a teaching degree in physical education, Andria returned to New York City, where she has shared her love of, physical fitness, and rugby in particular with young people for the past five years. During this time, she completed a Master's in Mental Health Counseling, and has worked with nonprofits and the Department of Education, coaching basketball, teaching physical education, and mentoring young people. Andria began working with Play Rugby last year, serving as an assistant coach for the junior academy. She is looking forward to many more years exposing the youth of New York City to the world of rugby.
Errol Jones
Junior Academy YDM
Errol started his rugby career in 1993 at 21 years old in the British military. He played as a winger 1993 and continued as a forward 2011(lock, back Row). He has played for a number of teams including Royal Engineers, Army Masters, Cambridge RFC, Lordswood RFC, Maidstone RFC, Woodbridge RFC and is currently playing for Brooklyn RFC.
Errol also has experience of coaching an mentoring at: Woodbridge RFC, JSLA, Junior Academy Bronx/Brooklyn, British Army, Youth Worker, SkillForce, NYCares, Brooklyn RFC.
Kevin Braithwaite
Senior Academy Assistant YDM
Kev is 18 years old and played for the academy for 3.5 years. He was introduced to flag rugby in 7th and 8th grade then went on to play tackle in his sophomore year for his high school's rugby 7's team. He earned the title as captain in his senior year of high school and won the division bringing back 2 pieces of hardware to his school. He then moved on to 15's and is currently in is freshman year at New York City College of Technology and playing for a Division II men's team called Lansdowne Rugby Football Club. Kev has been assistant coaching since September 2014.
Ryszard Chadwick
Academy Manager / Player & Coach Development Manager
When he's not managing the U19 Academy, Rys also works with World Rugby & USA Rugby traveling the United States educating coaches. He has an academic background of coaching having achieved an MSc in Coaching Science and a BSc (HONS) Sports Coaching. Furthermore he has practical experience in coaching having coached in various countries and dealt with various different athletes
NY Academy Does it Again!
We are thrilled to announce that for the fourth year in a row, our NY Academy program saw all of its seniors graduate high school on time and for the third year in a row, they've all enrolled in college. With a graduation rate of just over 70% in NYC, Play Rugby USA is clearly making […]
CODP Players Gain Great Experience in Vegas
The Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) at Play Rugby USA had its 2017 tournament debut at the Las Vegas Invitational March 2-4. CODP Background The CODP is a high performance 7's side where we work with players year-round. Our primary concern is not whether the team wins or loses. Our primary concern is developing […]
The CODP is Headed to Vegas!
In 2016, Play Rugby USA announced its designation by the United States Olympic Committee as America's first Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) for Rugby, giving the organization an opportunity to offer a formal pathway to support exceptional athletes in achieving their potential, no matter their background! The purpose of the CODP is to immerse players […]
Our top "10 Moments" from 2014
Founder Mark Griffin shares his favorite moments from this year! 10 Moments are events that inspire us and memories we cherish. They provide a benchmark and context within which we can review our outcomes and plan our future progress. As we look back on 2014 here are my Top Ten on the field "10 Moments" […]
Academy Graduates Start College Careers
The 2013/14 Senior Rugby Academy season was one of our most successful yet. Typically focused around 7s programming, the Academy girls squad made waves when they won the NY State Championship in their first ever season of 15s. However, Academy participants are proving that they're not just talented athletes – they're ambitious students with their sights […]
Bonding in Bermuda
Rugby is a global sport played in over 100 countries covering six continents. We were excited to offer the opportunity to experience rugby in another country to a group of our Junior Academy girls this weekend! Academy Manager Brian Wolf reports on their trip to Bermuda and describes some of the unique experiences our girls had […]
Weekend Events Wrap Up
This weekend boasted several events in the lead up to our biggest event of the year, the NYC Rugby Cup! On Saturday a medley of students from different programs, including the Junior and Senior Rugby Academies as well as students from the West Side Sports Leadership Academy, traveled to the city of brotherly love to […]
Academy Girls win NY State Championship!
The Play Rugby USA Girls Academy team travelled up to Utica last weekend to compete in the NY State Championships in their first ever season playing 15's! We are very proud of them and their massive accomplishment to win the State Championship. The trip began at Randall's Island at 7pm on Friday night, as half of the […]
Join us this Saturday for Women In Rugby Day!
We are proud to partner with the Monmouth RFC and Village Lions RFC womens teams to present a day celebrating Women in Rugby! The day will begin with a basic rugby skills clinic and nutrition and fitness workshops designed for all ages, followed by a non-contact flag rugby scrimmage for all participants. An exhibition match […]


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Gaffer tape
Gaffer tape, or more commonly called Gaff tape, is a durable tape for use in temporary situations where it is desired that no residue remain after the tape is removed.
Gaff Tape
It is believed the origins of Gaff tape came from the motion picture industry, or at least the name. The head of a motion picture's electrical department is called a gaffer. Gaff tap has become an all-purpose tape for theater. It can be a diverse resource for fixing cables to the stage, covering dents in grand pianos, or any other application where a tape is needed that will not leave a residue.
Due to its cotton web and backing, Gaff tape tears easily but is durable once affixed to a surface. This makes it convenient for stage hands to apply without requiring extra tools. Gaff tapes comes in a variety of different textures, widths, and colors. The texture of the tape varies between manufactures and many professionals have a certain tape that they use because of the texture. Most Gaff tape is black since it will blend in with a black stage floor. Tape width of 2" is available in most theaters.
Because of the synthetic adhesives, Gaff tape has considerations when used under special conditions or in long-term installations. Gaff tape is not well suited for extreme temperatures and will be damaged when it freezes. This is a consideration for road shows that travel through cold climate. Often this damaged results in the black coating getting stuck to the adhesive and not holding as well and fresh tape.
Gaff tape can also change when exposed to water. Extra caution must be used when wet mopping a stage floor to prevent excess water from collecting around gaff tape. If exposed for too long gaff tape can lose its holding bond to the surface, or leave a residue.
Spike Tape
Spike tape is a narrower version of Gaff tape that is typically used in stage management to mark locations on the stage. These locations can be marks for scenery, actors, or to indicate a hazard to the people on stage such as a protrusion or set of stairs. Many theaters have a large variety of colors. Shows that have a complex layout many have many colors of spike tape to indicate where things need to be for a specific scene or act. Larger shows may have schedules for stage marking so that actors can have a consistent view of where they should be even if on a new stage.
There are many schools of thought for marking techniques. There are certain combinations of colors that are easier to see in different lights. For example it will be easier to see blue spike tape under blue lights than red spike tape. When actors need to be near the downstage edge of the stage special color combinations can be used so the actors can see when faced with bright stage lighting.


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Impact of 'New Homes Bonus' played down by council
8:55am Thursday 13th December 2012
8:55am Thursday 13th December 2012
YORK council leader James Alexander has played down the impact of a New Homes Bonus for the city announced by Housing Minister Mark Prisk.
Mr Prisk said that over the next year, councils across Yorkshire & the Humber, including City of York Council, were set to share a cash payout of £53.25 million after delivering 10,232 new homes including 4,491 affordable properties and 2,496 empty homes brought back into use.
But Coun Alexander said York council would not be receiving new monies, as the bonus was taken from its overall grant and then awarded to it over a period of six years, based on the number of new homes that were built in the city.
"The majority of this money has been built into our medium term financial strategy and is already committed so this does not reflect an increase in funding, given that we'll still have to find £41 million savings over the period of 2011-14 period due to cuts from government."
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


text: 000 FXUS63 KABR 180152 AAB AFDABR Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 852 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 846 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 Disorganized convection continues its way east within the surface trof across the bottom third of the CWA this evening. Within the past couple of hours have begun to see a couple showers develop north and east of Mobridge, likely forced by the northern extent of this trof/boundary. Short range guidance continues to march precipitation chances eastward across the cwa for several more hours, so continuing with inherited pops adjusted slightly for latest short range guidance trends. No plans to adjust overnight low temperatures. Did also run the fog-tool and left in the mainly "patchy fog" areal coverage it gave for the eastern half of the cwa late tonight/early Friday morning out ahead of this surface boundary. UPDATE Issued at 641 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 See below for an aviation forecast discussion for the 00Z TAFs. && .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Friday Afternoon) Issued at 245 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 Main forecast challenge in the near term is shower and thunderstorm chances this evening. Weak upper level ridging currently over the area will give way to a shortwave trough set to track through later this evening and Friday. At the surface, a weak high pressure ridge currently responsible for sunny skies will get pushed east by a low pressure boundary approaching from the west. This low will become the focus for shower and thunderstorm development beginning this evening over parts of the western CWA, then dropping southeastward through the overnight hours. There will be some shear to work with, along with 7-8 C/km mid level lapse rates. Main hindering factor in the potential for severe storms is the lack of instability, which will be stronger south of the ABR CWA. Will however stick with chance POPs across mainly the southwestern CWA this evening and into the southeastern CWA later tonight. Looks to be a break in the activity Friday morning, then daytime heating may allow for some additional convective development across the far eastern CWA Friday afternoon. Low temperatures tonight will be mainly in the mid to upper 50s, with highs on Friday ranging from the upper 70s east to the upper 80s southwest. .LONG TERM...(Friday Evening through Thursday) Issued at 245 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 Much of the long term forecast is quiet, as an upper ridge moves over the area to start the period, which keeps the upper jet north of the area through the period. Could see a few lingering showers Friday evening over western MN as the shortwave is departs to the southeast, otherwise expect dry conditions. With the upper ridge axis over the area on Saturday morning and increasing southerly winds ahead of a cold front in the western Dakotas, it looks like Saturday will be the warmest day of the period. Deterministic and ensemble models consistent in highs rising into the lower 90s over Central SD and into the 80s across the rest of the CWA. The cold front looks to pass through the area on Saturday night, but with limited upper level support/moisture, expect a dry frontal passage. A weak high pressure ridge will slide across the area behind the front (from a high centered in ND), but with a weak shortwave and some 700-500mb moisture/Q-Vector Convergence, would expect some 12-25kft clouds to move east across at least the northern half of the CWA. With the amount of forcing, wouldn`t be surprised to see some virga on radar, but with dry air below 10kft, don`t expect any of it to reach the ground. The forecast becomes a little uncertain Sunday night into the first part of next week. This is due to the varying ideas (both timing/intensity) in the models on weak shortwaves moving through the west-southwesterly flow over the region and when a weak surface low develops in the Central Plains along the cold front that pushed through the area Saturday night. Will likely be some opportunities for clouds/rain during this period and will follow a general blend of the models for now. The first day behind that features (likely Tuesday) high pressure will move over the area from Saskatchewan and should lead to a dry day. There will be another opportunity for precip towards mid week as another cold front drops southeast across the area in association with an upper trough amplifying over the Great Lakes. As for temps next week, expect them to be near or slightly below normal. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday Evening) Issued at 641 PM CDT Thu Aug 17 2017 First batch of showers and thunderstorms are moving through the KPIR area. Some strong gusty winds and brief MVFR visbies should be expected with this precipitation. There could be some additional shower/weak thunderstorm coverage at KPIR for a few more hours, but by 03Z most of the convection potential will be shifted east, perhaps into the KATY terminal during the overnight hours. Currently, expect VFR conditions (outside of thunderstorms) to prevail at all four terminals over the next 24 hours. && .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...Dorn SHORT TERM...Parkin LONG TERM...SRF AVIATION...Dorn


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"The Shameless Promotion and Endless Plug-Your-Novel Thread"
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James A Bresco
Posts: 5
Karma: 497132
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Holland
Device: none
"Warrior".The Warrior has been launched.
Announcing that "Warrior",an action,adventure and fantasy novel was launched recently and I post for your pleasure and, my own selfish needs
where you can find it, and read an exciting extract from chapter 22.
It is spring 1561, in Northern Europe, a furious storm moves menacingly across the uppermost reaches of the Bin Doh Blush Mountains as the warrior wizard, Yannash Deroba; embarks on a mission of intrigue and, malevolent dark magic. Two children, abandoned by their respective parents at an early age become hopelessly lost in the forest during an arctic snow storm. A dramatic rescue is acted out and, a near almost tragic life or death drama ensues a month before the onset of Europes Little Ice age. A chance encounter with the fairy PrettyBell follows and sets in motion a series of heart wrenching, mystical adventures. Meanwhile deep within the forests of northern Europe, Yannash calls in debts of old and the Elvin warriors are summoned. In doing so he discovers an ancient plot between two rival dragon families; and an unbelievably terrifying tale of mystery and enchantment unfolds
Are they real these Dragons and Elves, Wizards and fairies who dance and play in the forest at night? And those slippery, slimy, slithering things that stay in our dreams till first light? Let us see
Warrior can be found here.
and here.
And a thrilling extract from chapter 22 here.
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Final Fantasy X
Where can I find Wakka's World Champion?
I went everywhere to find Wakka's World Champion and I couldn't. When they mean talk to the guy what guy. I try to go to the bar in the middle of luca with the statue and every time I enter there the entire screen turns black. I don't know what to do because I have everyone else's weapons powered up fully except for Wakka and that is why I need someones help
Thanx People:):):):):)
Bissomoneybags - 8 years ago
Top Voted Answer
win 5 games of your blitzball career she will give you the world champ (assuming that you have the Celestial Mirror with you)
Xynz - 8 years ago
Yes, its in the bar, you know that bar when you previously tried to find Auron when the first time you visit Luca for the blitzball tournament, the one that Khimari met Biran and Yenke and have a fight, then Yuna was kidnap. Yup! that bar.
Just talk to the bartender and (forgot he / she) will give you the world champion, but to make him/her to do so, you must play blitzball many2 times, I talk to the bartender after I got the aurochs reels, and I got it. Good luck!
t3p4 - 8 years ago
t3p4 is right as to the location, but I think I know what you might be having difficulty with. I recently bought a back-up FFX disc used from gamestop, and was using it to play thru that part (the scene at the bar with biran and yenke insulting kimahri). the game screen went black; i could press start and the word pause would show up, but i couldnt continue. I popped open my ps2 *its a slim one* and switched FFX discs, and presto! the cutscene played out on my other disc. So I'm thinking that it's not uncommon for that area to be rendered useless do to wear and tear on the disc. And like t3p4 said, you need to go into there to get world champion; there is no other way.
Try asking a friend to borrow their disc, or rent/buy another copy, or get disc doctor or have a place clean it (family video does it for cheap, like $2). Good Luck!
matthewpfau - 8 years ago
To get one of the things to power it up, good luck. You need to have all of his overdrives(won from blitzball turtoments) which are hard enough by themselves. Then you keep playing blitzball turtoments until the crest or sigul comes up as a prize.( i think my ps2 hates me. I played over 200 games( 20 turtoments) and i still havent found even ONE of his overdrives.)( Again too much written for a dead question.)
icantfindname - 8 years ago
Just an info for icantfindname :
200 games and still havent found even 1 of wakka's overdrive, so that means havent got attack reels, thats pretty strange. Maybe this could help, what you should do is dont just compete in tournaments, you have to compete in the league also. From my experience, attack reels always shows up in the tournaments, status reels shows up at the league, aurochs reels in the tournaments, and the sigil in the league.
note : if the tournament is on and you dont participate, it'll eventually change into the new season of tournament, but if the league is on, and you dont participate, it wont change to a new season of league, so like it or not you have to compete in the league (based on my experience). okay hope that helps, good luck!
t3p4 - 8 years ago
A way to do make the league play more eficient is to save after you complete a season (and before you check the blitzball screen again). Then, you can just keep reloading until you get something good.
bover_87 - 8 years ago
Get the mirror.lay and win 5 or more(5 at the least)blitzball games.Go to the cafe where you went to find Auron in Luca,Talk to the owner,say yes and you got it.The games messin up?borrow/rent a game or go to a shop and get it cleaned.
Kahu_17 - 8 years ago
You just need to have won more games than you lost examples are:
2/8 3/11 1/6 etc. etc.
And then go to the bar where you found Auron. It's also the one where Kimahri met Yenke and biran.
ZSNES_MAN - 8 years ago
After winning at least 5 matches of blitzball and having the celestial mirror with you,talk the woman owner of the Luca cafe where people say Auron was there but instead Kimahri pick a fight with Biran and Yenke there...she will be standing in front of the blitzball match screen...Talk to her...there will be a icon that says use celestial mirror....say yes and u will get the World Champion Ball...that is her family heir artifact given by Lord Ohalland and ask you to use it with care...
cjnick7 - 8 years ago
This question has been successfully answered and closed.
More Questions from This Game
|How come I can't get Wakka's World Champion?
|Where can I find Wakka and Kimahri's basic armor?
|Wakka in Blitzball??
|Why isn't there a Wakka Only Guide?
|Wakka Overdrives?


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Barefoot Manner
The music of Barefoot Manner started at the turn of the millenium as a bluegrass trio. Walter Hensey, Dave Kleiss, & Shawn Chase would get together and combine their love of music with their desire to become better musicians and play hour after hour, evening after evening, throughout the year. Then in the Fall of 2000, they met Jeff Garland and his percussion world and the now four-piece Barefoot Manner began to develop their unique sound. For months, the Barefoot Boys worked on their music and an inseparable bond began to form between them. They decided it was time to share their music and the Barefoot Manner positive vibe with others.
2001 - On January 27th, 2001, Barefoot Manner made their first official appearance at the Pour House in Raleigh, NC. The buzz about Barefoot Manner leading up to the show packed the Pour House and the entire night was magical. Everyone got down. Everyone. The energy was electrifying and the boys of Barefoot Manner decided right then and there that this was somthing special and needed to be pursued. Barefoot Manner spent the majority of 2001 playing extensively throughout North Carolina, performing with such acts as the Sam Bush Band, Acoustic Syndicate, the Larry Keel Experience, Blueground Undergrass, and the John Cowan Band. With the continued circulation of bootlegs and the release of their debut studio album, "Mannerisms", in September, the world of Barefoot Manner began to gain momentum.
2002 - Barefoot Manner performed 133 shows in 2002, touring through 13 states. They toured out to Colorado and back in both the Spring and Fall. Highlights of the year were Smilefest in June with Bela Fleck and Keller Williams and Salmonfest in August with Leftover Salmon and Galactic. In September, Barefoot Manner also hosted its first ever outdoor festival called Mannerland and headlined the event for two nights. The group's second album, "Centered", came out in November and Home Grown Music Network stepped up to help circulate. Barefoot Manner did a two night stay at the "Haunted" Pour House in Raleigh, NC for Halloween and then did their New Years show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC. All in all, 2002 was a year of huge growth for the group, both in its fanbase and musical level.
2003 - A whirlwind year for the Manner men, the group performed 155 shows in 20 states playing non-stop throughout the year. The group toured out to Colorado in March and then hosted its second festival, Mannerland II, in April. Long-time friend, Hank Smith, officially joined the group over the Summer with his unique banjo skills. The group's Smilefest performance in Union Grove, NC marked the beginning of the five-piece Manner sound as Barefoot Manner played nearly five straight hours and brought the sun up to close out the festival. Barefoot Manner rounded out the Summer by touring out to California for the first time to play the High Sierra Festival. Upon returning to North Carolina, the guys recorded their 3rd album live in Raleigh on July 26th and 27th at the Aqua Leisure shows. Barefoot Manner welcomed in the Fall with their third festival, Mannerland III, in September. The Halloween show in 2003 showcased Barefoot Manner as a council of Manner jedi with the Star Wars theme in full effect. The New Year's Eve show was at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC and the event was filmed in hopes of releasing a DVD in the Spring of 2004.
2004 - Barefoot Manner spent 2004 touring the South East United States and performing at a number of Festivals. All in all, the Manner Men performed 142 shows up and down the East Coast. To top off all the highlights of the year, Barefoot Manner opened for The Dead at Alltel Pavilion in Raleigh, NC on August 17th. Then, Mannerland IV on September 10th-12th was a huge success in terms of music, weather, friends, and fun. The two night Halloween event featured Myron Koch on sax and was full of zany fun and surprises. To close out the year, the New Year's theme was a Wester style Barefoot hoedown. All the guys were dressed in full cowboy gear and over 300 capguns were passed out at midnight and shot off to bring in the New Year.
2005 - This year, the Mannerist vibe continues to spread. The Manner Men have spent most of the year touring the East Coast and working on new material. Mannerland V is right around the corner and the Halloween and New Year's Eve shows will be here before you know it. Barefoot Manner is a five-piece musical group whose sound is heavily rooted in high energy newgrass, soul shaking funk, and musical experimentation on all levels. The Manner Men have an overwhelming passion for making music, stirring it up really fast, and mixing in some positive reggae and Caribbean vibes. The music has been labeled everything from Americana Groove-grass to Cosmic Funk-grass, to bluegrass and beyond. Essentially, the music of Barefoot Manner is an original blend of bluegrass instrumentation in a genre-free world. Each live show is a new experience for both the band and its fans and the Manner Men strive for perfection and uniqueness in the music they create.
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I am trying to find out if this was the band Barefoot Boys that played at Jakes Road (Toad) House near Atlanta. I bought a CD, moved to Ocean Isle Beach. During the move it got broken. Please help
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Joy I don't know if it is the same band but I'm prity damn shour it is, and eavin if it isin't you raly should give thim a lisson
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COMMON sense should have prevailed prior to the Terras' postponement at AFC Totton on Saturday, according to Brendon King.
Staff, players and fans all made the journey to the Hampshire outfit, only for the game to be called off just an hour and a quarter before kick-off due to an unfit playing surface.
Boss King told Echosport: "I think it was touch and go in the morning when they held a pitch inspection.
"It wasn't raining that heavily at that point but looking at the forecast and the surface water that was everywhere on the way up, we knew it wasn't going to be played.
"We eventually got there only for the referee to walk out on to the pitch with a ball and call it off after just 30 seconds.
"A bit of common sense should have prevailed really, especially when you have players and fans travelling up for what turned out to be a wasted trip.
"We had lads leaving Devon at 9am and I know some supporters had travelled up by train, so it was a bit frustrating all round really.
"I think Totton were also a bit weak in terms of personnel as well but at the end of the day no one controls the weather and you just have to put it down to one of those things.
"The only good thing was it wasn't too far to travel back."
The postponement was one of just two in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division where Weymouth remain sixth but are now four points adrift of the play-offs.
The Terras are scheduled to host second-placed Leamington tomorrow night (7.45pm), which promises to be a cracking encounter. However, there are fears the weather could intervene once again.
King added: "There was a little bit of water lying on our pitch over the weekend and as a consequence we had to postpone our reserve-team game.
"If the temperature drops as it is supposed to do this week and it becomes a bit icy then it could be a problem again tomorrow but we will just have to wait and see.
"Hopefully that won't happen because it is a massive game and one we are all very much looking forward to."


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Are you wondering how to find a sales rep because you know that working with a sales rep can be a great way to grow your business? Many entrepreneurs have been able to grow their product line from 100 stores to 1000 stores – all with the help of a sales rep.
But before working with a sales rep, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
– Sales reps work on commission – for an apparel business it's usually 15% of any sales that they make; for bath and beauty products or accessories, for example, it can be 20%. The average commission is 10-20% for most industries (if you decide to work with sales reps, make sure to build this into your pricing structure).
– Sales reps need free samples, marketing materials and anything else to help them sell your products – before working with a sales rep, you need to make sure that you have budgeted for free samples and have created marketing materials to send them to support them during their sales efforts. So you'll need to make a bit of an investment before deciding to work with a sales rep.
– You need to constantly communicate with and check in with your sales reps – from my experience with running my t-shirt business and selling through sales reps, the more I kept in touch with and communicated with my sales reps, the better they performed and the more sales they brought in. You might want to schedule it in your calendar to follow up with them every week or every two weeks or once a month, depending on your needs and schedule.
Where do you find a sales reps
1. Online
Check out websites like www.greatrep.com, www.findfashionrep.com, www.rephunter.net, or We Connect Fashion.
2. Trade shows and showrooms
You can either 'walk the show' or visit their website for a listing of showrooms and sales reps. Once you find a showroom in you category, you can contact them and see if they are taking on new lines. A few places to start with are the New York Now, the Dallas Market Center, California Market Center or Chicago Merchandise Mart.
3. Other companies' websites
If you sell inspirational apparel, for example, you might want to check out an inspirational jewelry line's website and see if they work with any sales reps. Often you will find a listing of these under the WHOLESALE section of their site. Here are a few examples – http://www.live-inspired.com/retailpartners.cfm, or http://www.babyktan.com/distributors.html
4. Other entrepreneurs
Join entrepreneur networking organizations (like SavorTheSuccess.com or LadiesWhoLaunch.com) and share resources with existing members. Ask for sales rep recommendations and even for contacts at stores that they sell their products to.
Also, before you decide to hire a sales rep, make sure you contact some of the other vendors they represent and see how they like working with them, what kind of sales volume they are bringing in and if they recommend that particular sales rep.
Would love to hear about your experience with how to find a sales rep! Leave a comment below and let me know how you found a sales rep or if you have any questions about finding one.
31 Comments. Leave new
There is also Sales Agent Stats. It focuses exclusively on sales agents and ranks them according to ability. Also, connections with agents are unlimited.
There is also Apparel Sales Reps and Designers Group on LinkedIn.
I am looking for independent reps who call on home health agencies . Our product is unique and needed by every senior in making their bathtub slip free . Can be sold anywhere in the country .
I would like to find one to help me expand my brand, I have a children's clothing line MLDGirls, I work with Peruvian Pima cotton, baby alpaca wool, cotton Drill, Chambray Cotton, and all of them are made in Peru. If you could please provide me information about agencies, would be great.
Thank you
I would be extremely interested in learning more about your product line. I represent all-natural, eco-friendly, children's products and apparel. Email email@example.com
I'm glad you left that comment! I just requested to join. We are looking to hire a full-time in-house sales rep!
Hi Ava, are there any specific groups you'd recommend?
Hi Andreea,
I watched the podcast with Steve and I came over to your site. I like the articles. Finding any type of sales rep can be hard but you have alot of sites here. Thank you we will try them out.
Hiring sales reps can be time consuming and frustrating. This is a great list to help prepare for a sales interview before you even have the candidates lined up. And the list to find candidates is really helpful. Great sites in the other comments as well – making for a comprehensive go-to list.
Something else to consider adding to your interview process is a sales aptitude test. It helps filter out the candidates with the most/least amount of drive and potential, so you don't waste any more precious time on candidates that are less likely to meet (or exceed) your desired revenue.
I just started selling my collections of fashion watches under my own brand and I have been looking for ways to expand my sales network. The information and suggestions given in this article are very useful. I will follow it and hope to be lucky enough to get connected with the right sales reps that can build up a long term partnership. Thanks again! Love you!
Very Helpful I now have a list of contacts to try out. Thank you
The free samples part worries me, do they always expect free samples? What if your product is rather expensive?
Thanks for this! I appreciate all the references. I've only just begun my research for reps and your article is a very helpful place to start!
Is it acceptable to ask sales reps to share stores's contact info with brand owner?
Usually, not if the store won't become a retailer. If they become a retailer, they will give you their contact info.
Thank you.
Only if you need it to ship your products to the store. Sales Rep lists are very well guarded as their main asset in their business.
Our company is looking for a good rep for a consumer sporting goods product we are planning to get into the retail market. We have been doing well on the internet sales and ready for the next step. Ralph
Hello, I am looking for a good rep to present my beautiful plaid footstools to the USA. I have been asked by my customers in the USA when will I send someone out as the feel my products will be very well received in the USA.
I look forward to any help or tips you can give me.
Many many thanks
Great article. I have a small t-shirt biz that I have been looking tremendously for help to grow it. This is great information moving forward
Thank you Susan, While I've just started looking for a rep your website has provided very useful information. All best wishes, Noel
Correction: Thank you Sandy Dell!
Hiring sales reps can be a long and often frustrating process if you are looking for the very best. We recommend finding salespeople that have the perfect balance between previous experience and the skills and personality to match your brand. With proper assessment, interview planning, and a deep look into past behavior, we believe you can find top salespeople to help you build a successful company.
I am a artist currently painting seaglass and seashell jewelry. I main subject is usually horses. I feel it is time to investigate the option of having a sales rep and this is the first site that made any sense at all! Thank you!
I am looking for a rep in the garden and protective ware industry to promote my goatskin leather gauntlet and utility work gloves. Is there a particular area that I need to search in?
Our company makes and sells custom popsicle sticks in the United States. Unlike most of our competitors, we do not use ink. I am looking for sales representatives to help sell our product to the self-employed vendors and large companies. I would love to share information to the right sales representative regarding our high tech process and how we are self sustained. For every tree we use, we plant four more.
I'm searching for a sales rep in the holistic category for a deck of manifesting cards, based on the "angel card" deck style. The holistic category is a hard nut to crack. Has anyone had success with a sales rep?
Looking for rep for my fashion accessory that covers the upper arms and is a shawl in the back. Used for women that hate showing their arms. Shows the shoulders so one can wear sleeveless and strapless outfits and look fabulous! Perfect for brides!
any recommendations for international sales reps?
I am looking for an agent to market my product in shopper drug mart and other major drug chain stores across Canada. How can I look for a right company or candidate?
I am new to all of this…I have a product that just does not seem to fit any category. It is so unique and yet so useful it can be sold in many different methods. It is a novelty item, yet a sports item, along with being a functional protection item. It could fit in a gift shop, novelty shop, sports shop, gun shop, specialty shop, and it's endless. But, because of it's uniqueness, I can't find a rep to help me get it out there. Any suggestions ?


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Veteran studio publicist Scott Rowe has been named SVP of worldwide communications for the Warner Bros Television Group, and Tammy Golihew has been upped to SVP publicity of Warner Bros Television. The promotions come several months after the departure of Sharan Magnuson, SVP of worldwide publicity for WBTVG, who left because of health issues. Rowe will now oversee communications for WBTVG's international and domestic cable and syndication distribution, executives, marketing and some production operations. He reports to Lisa Gregorian, EVP and chief marketing officer for WBTVG. Golihew will continue to oversee all consumer publicity and business communications for Warner Bros. TV, Warner Horizon, Warner Bros. Animation and digital venture Studio 2.0. She will report to WBTV president Peter Roth and Rowe. A 16-year Studio veteran, Rowe most recently served at SVP corporate communications, Warner Bros. Entertainment. Golihew joined Warner Bros. in 2006 as VP publicity in Gregorian's Worldwide Television Marketing unit.
Warner Bros Promotes TV PR Executives Scott Rowe And Tammy Golihew
5 Comments
Scott Rowe is awesome!
Wow! Does anyone know if Tammy is single?
No, honey, she's taken, engaged and living with her fiance.
both of them are class acts. loved working with them on numerous projects. long overdue.
Scott is by far the best Publicity Exec in the business…HUGE loss to corporate…HUGE gain to TV.


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According to new author Holly Hill cheating is the solution to Divorce and a lasting marriage.
What do you think?
Please share your thoughts below and let's talk about it!
Holly Hill is suggesting the best way to make a marriage last ain't love, good sex, or finances. It's sex with everyone. She says to wives, let your husbands cheat if you want the marriage to last.
For many women, Holly Hill might be the last woman on Earth they would take relationship advice from.The beautiful 40-something Australian with a psychology degree spent a full year of her life as a well paid mistress, seeking out married men eager for sex and romance they weren't getting at home.
Now she has penned a book, "Sugarbabe" to offer insights she learned.
And the biggest one might shock: let your partner cheat, she says, as long as you negotiate the rules.
"One of the main things that I have learned is that a woman that negotiates infidelity with her partner is far more powerful than a woman who is sitting home wondering why he's late from the office Christmas party," she recently told CNN.
Hill believes that men – and some women – are designed to cheat.
Related: Sherri Shepherd Found Pics Of Her Husband Having Sex
Related: Mashonda Speaks: "I Needed To See Them Together For It To Be Real"
Lets keep it real!
"How much more of this 'Wanna keep your man? Let him stray' tripe are we supposed to swallow?" The part that rankles the most is that Hill considers monogamous men to be heroes. "There you have it: A man and a woman can take the same vow, but the guy who keeps it is a hero." Even worse, Hill thinks women should cheat, too…but just to make their husbands jealous. "That's right; bonking some other dude isn't about getting your own ya-yas out, it's just about making yourself more desirable to your main man. "
KISS Tips!: 6 Tips For Post-Divorce Dating
I know this is the mentality the ladies on Basketball Wives have. What do you think?
That's evident and perhaps in their lives it works. But for the average Tyrone and Tesha, that's not going to work because Tyrone and Tesha ain't got that big house to maker her feel like its worth it, the nanny to take the kids away for a great escape, or a fat diamond ring to stare at. Not to say these material things keep a woman happy, but somewhere along the way, those basketball wives figure that they'll deal with infidelity only if they get what they want.
Related: Usher Reveals Pressure Broke Up His Marriage In VH1's "Behind The Music"
I know some crazy jealous women, and men out there who'd kill if they found out their spouse was cheating. I wouldn't follow this woman's advice
1. Because someone is going to get hurt, physically
2. This redefinition of marriage in America is stripping the true value of love and union
3. Can you image what this will do to the kids!
When did marriage become such a superficial arrangement? Make a marriage last by praying together, working together, loving one another, and growing together. What happened to the old school kind of love?
Your Final Thoughts
Stars that have made it through Infidelity and Divorce


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Gift Premium Subscription To tat2dqtpie
Join Date:01-08-2013
Last Activity:01-22-2013 2:06 PM
Likes Given: 1
1 Likes on 1 Posts
Posted in thread: Ammo prices and availability on 01-18-2013 at 07:27 PM
US Official Unconstitutional Act. Read (it's quick) and please repost this everywhere!!!
Posted in thread: KC Area Rifle Range? on 01-08-2013 at 12:24 PM
You guys may try Show Me Shooters as well. Claycomo, Mo.
Posted in thread: KC Area Rifle Range? on 01-08-2013 at 12:19 PM
Centerfire shooting sports in Olathe. FANTASTIC brand new facility off of I-35. Just opened, I
haven't even been there yet, but the range is state of the art from the videos and
demonstrations I've se...


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Saturday saw the final games at the European Curling Championships 'C' Group in Zoetermeer.
When I last wrote about the competition, Ireland's women were struggling on no wins and three losses but, happily, they did not go home winless as they won their last game of the week against Romania 7-6 – the final round-robin table looked like this:
1. Slovakia (6-0)
2. Netherlands (4-2)
2. Spain (4-2)
4. Slovenia (3-3)
5. Croatia (2-4)
6. Ireland (1-5)
7. Romania (1-5)
This meant that Slovakia played the Netherlands in the 1v2 game and it was the Netherlands who came out on top 8-5 after an extra-end, winning the gold medal and gaining promotion to the 'B' group.
Spain saw off Slovenia 8-4 in the 3v4 meaning it was Spain v. Slovakia for the silver medal and the remaining spot in the 'B' group. This time Slovakia prevailed with a 4-3 win and got themselves promoted.
Congratulations to the Netherlands and Slovakia – we'll be seeing them in Switzerland at the end of November.
The men's event proved to be fascinating and you'll recall that Ireland's men were doing very well – they continued this form to finish on top of the standings with Belgium after the round-robin:
1. Belgium (7-2)
2. Ireland (7-2)
3. Israel (6-3)
3. Slovakia (6-3)
5. Belarus (5-4)
6. Slovenia (5-4)
7. Iceland (3-6)
8. Serbia (3-6)
9. Luxembourg (2-7)
10. Bulgaria (1-8)
So Ireland qualified for the 1v2 game with Belgium – a fantastic achievement and 'B' group qualification in their hands.
They started the game well taking a 3-0 lead after three ends but a steal of three by the Belgians in the fifth proved costly and Ireland were ultimately beaten 7-5.
The second chance for qualification would come against the winners of the 3v4 game and in this one it was Israel who saw off Slovakia 7-6 meaning Ireland would face Israel in their final game of the competition with everything to play for.
Ireland had beaten Israel in the round-robin (6-4) but unfortunately they picked the wrong time to lose two consecutive games as the Israelis proved too strong and took the game 7-3 and with it, promotion to the 'B' Group.
Craig Whyte from Team Ireland said he was disappointed to miss out on the qualification but that a medal was a good improvement on last year – watch this space for a report on his experience in Zoetermeer.
So, to clarify, here's who won what:
Gold medal – Netherlands*
Silver medal – Slovakia*
Bronze medal – Spain
Gold medal – Belgium*
Silver medal – Israel*
Bronze medal – Ireland
*Qualifies for European Curling Championships 'B' Group
Many congratulations to Ireland for collecting a bronze medal and I'm sure we'll be seeing them back in the 'B' Group before too long.
A cracking result for Israel too and testament to what can be done when a reformed national association really goes for it.
Photos from the event can be found here.
Image is © WCF


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Brothers Conflict
Hinata Ema is the only daughter of a famous adventurer, Hinata Rintarou. One day, Ema learns that Rintarou is going to remarry with a successful apparel maker named Asahina Miwa. Since she doesn't want to disturb them, Ema decides to move out and live with her 11 new brothers in a mansion called Sunrise Residence. As they live under the same roof, romance is starting to grow between Ema and the Asahina brothers.
(Source: Love-colored Sky)
7 votes Bleach
they should have an otome game for this series! ohmygod how can they end it this way.
FASTER! i want series 2 of this anime! having all step-brothers into one lil sister~ whoa that's soooooo dramatic.
Having 13 step brothers falling in love to you is too ridiculous!! And i vouch 100% that it would not really happened in real life. Well, that is otome as expected.
Well, this anime is overloaded in these aspects.. 13 bishie brothers, kiss (chu! chu!). and I will be quite saddened if there will be no specific ending with a guy in the anime.


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10 Fashion-Week Looks She Wants You to Wear
Start simple with an unexpected texture. Good flannel has a fuzzy hand that distinguishes it from the flat weave of most suit cloth, and when it's the darkest of grays, it'll enhance the colors of your shirt and tie.
Three-button wool-and-cashmere suit ($895) by Joseph Abboud Collection; cotton shirt ($595) by Brioni; silk tie ($185) by Ermenegildo Zegna;leather shoes ($1,250) by Tom Ford.
Compared with broader chalk stripes, thin pinstripes won't overwhelm the rest of what you're wearing. Avoid vertical stripes in the companion shirt and tie and instead opt for solids and checks.
Note to self: If you're bored with basic off-white pinstripes, switch things up with dark-red or light-blue ones.
Two-button wool suit ($595) by DKNY; cotton shirt ($145) by Boss Black; silk tie ($195) by Brioni; leather shoes ($378) by Cole Haan; leather belt ($60) by Banana Republic.
Emmys 2011: The Best (and Worst) Dressed Men


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WEYMOUTH gardeners are looking for funds to promote healthy living in the community.
Plot holders of the Faircross Allotment Association plan to use donations to improve the site.
They hope these efforts will encourage more people to start growing their own vegetables.
The Do It for Dorset campaign, which is backed by the Dorset Echo, is hoping to raise awareness and encourage donations to smaller local charities. The group plan to raise £17,000 to build a community hub with toilet facilities on the site at Marina Gardens.
It would provide a base for plot holders to meet and discuss gardening issues, exchange ideas and sell surplus produce.
The hub would also be used to hold seminars to educate the community about sustainable lifestyles and to encourage them to grow their own food.
Keith Davidge, 60, treasurer of the Association, said: "We are hopeful that this project will encourage more people to start to grow their own vegetables and enjoy a healthy living through what would be a very enjoyable hobby.
"The community hub would also help members to pursue these activities as well as improvement of the site as a whole and to encourage and educate others to do the same."
He added: "We would hold seminars in the hub and hopefully encourage more people to grow their own vegetables."
The gardeners were the first in the borough to take over management of the allotments from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council . It took seven years to finalise the details for a 15-year lease.
Anyone interested in becoming an plot-holder should contact Ken Randall on 01305 789368.
PEOPLE looking to support their local charity can now have their donations doubled.
Anyone who gives money to the charities or community groups involved in the Do it for Dorset campaign can get their one off donations matched.
The Grow Your Tenner campaign will see donations of up to £10 and direct debit payments of up to £30 matched.
It started at 10am on Tuesday, September 25 and will last until a total of £500,000 runs out.
Some Dorset charities involved are The Alcohol Education Trust, Future Roots, Dorset Advocacy and Dorset Reading Partners.
The Do it for Dorset campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage donations to smaller local charities.
For more information or to donate contact Tracy@dorsetcf org or on 01202 315 952.


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Search Smarter
Start Your Engines
Search sites use text indexes, directories, or a combination of the two to locate information. Engines like Google and Northern Light index information using automated programs called spiders (or robots) to crawl the Web for new sites, as well as sites submitted by Webmasters. Search directories, such as HotBot and Yahoo!, present users with hierarchical menus, which break information down by topic and subtopic (for example, Entertainment/Movies/Genres/Comedy). Directories are best when you're looking for general or popular information. Subject headings take the guesswork out of your search.
The distinction between indexing engines and directories is blurry, because both types let you enter search terms to find results. Several sites actually license Google's engine and use it in addition to their own tools to conduct Web searches. Your best bet is to use a variety of engines and directories if you need a very thorough search, because no service can index the Web completely.


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Noh Robe
late 18th c.
Compound twill (Atsuita style), brocaded silk
Object length in back: 146.7cm (57 3/4in.) Width: overall 140cm (55 1/8in.); sleeve 34cm; front panel 26.5cm; neck band 17cm; back panel top 35.5cm; back panel bottom 36.2cm
Hobart and Edward Small Moore Memorial Collection, Bequest of Mrs. William H. Moore
Edo period (1615–1868)
Not on view
Sadako Ohki and Takeshi Watanabe, Tea Culture of Japan (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2009), 82, no. 3, ill.
Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.


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Yet another beautifully done 1/48 jet from Trumpeter. The Seahawk was an important early jet fighter for the Royal Navy and several other air arms, and this kit seems to do it justice. The cockpit is very complete, with photo-etched belts on the seat as well as a photo-etch/film instrument panel. The intakes and exhausts are nice and deep, as is the multi-part main gear bay insert. The wings can be attached in the folded or extended positions, and the flaps and speedbrakes can be attached "clean" or "deployed." Underwing armament consists of drop tanks and rockets. Surface detail looks quite nice, without the thousands of tiny rivets that cover some other releases. The gun ports really do need to be drilled out, though, as they are just indentations on the bottom of the nose.
Decals are provided for three aircraft: XE365 B-170 of 804 Sq. aboard the Bulwark during the Suez Crisis, WV918 ZB-230 of 810 Sq. aboard the Albion during the same time, and WV824 C-122 of 801 Sq. aboard the Centaur in 1959.


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Clinton Township
Habitat for Humanity moves house to Clinton Township
By Nick Mordowanec
Posted October 2, 2013
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — It usually takes a lot of work to make a house a home, and sometimes it takes a trailer to move a house in the first place.
That was the case with a house that was moved to Clinton Township on Sept. 23, courtesy of Macomb County Habitat for Humanity.
The house was the seventh of its kind to be built by Chippewa Valley Schools students at Dakota High School as part of a construction trade project that educates the youth while providing a new abode for a partner family. Funding was provided by Home Dollars from the Home Consortium and the township.
"This move symbolizes so many things — creativity, teamwork, youth excellence and family," stated Helen Hicks, executive director of Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, in a press release. "We are beyond thrilled that Dakota High school has selected us as their partner year after year."
The concept is pretty simple in theory, but it obviously involves hard work as the students devote time and energy to create a place where a family will live and grow.
The construction takes place on site at Dakota. Along with the roof and walls being constructed, some furnishings are completed, as well. After the house is built, a trailer hauls the house to its new location.
"It's been a fantastic program," Joe Churches said at a recent Clinton Township board meeting. Churches is the instructor who heads the program at Dakota. "I've been very blessed with it."
Once the house is transported, volunteers at Habitat for Humanity take over. On this particular house off Howard Street in Clinton Township, work will be completed this fall on landscaping, basement stairs, painting and other interior work. Licensed trade workers will connect plumbing, electrical and heating systems.
The families who eventually live in these constructed homes are known as partner families, and they have to apply to be eligible. Habitat for Humanity looks at income and credit on the basis that the houses that are constructed can be afforded. The size of the family is also a point of interest.
The caveat is that the partner family needs to complete 250 hours of "sweat equity" en route to home ownership. This involves working on their own homes or other homes for 100 hours, as well as doing 150 hours of promotions for Habitat for Humanity.
Classes involving financial planning and home maintenance are also encouraged. Once the program is completed, the partner family will purchase the home with a no-interest loan agreement and become taxpaying citizens of the city in which they reside.
"It's possible to make too much money," said Karen Bates-Gasior, Deputy Director of Macomb County Habitat for Humanity. "If you're two people, you won't get a four-bedroom house."
Basically, there is a guideline for dollar amounts and being in a certain range. However, she said that only about a third of the families that apply get past the first step of the process, due to qualification restrictions.
As for the volunteers, they are just helping others for the sake of kindness.
"Volunteers come from all walks of life — business, church, individual, etc. (The house in Clinton Township) is a house the students built," Bates-Gasior said. "That's the beauty of volunteers: the satisfaction of helping somebody."
Habitat for Humanity strives to provide safe and affordable housing, while students work diligently and learn the meaning of hard work. Then, families get the opportunity to thrive in their new homes.
It's a situation where everybody wins.
About the author
Nick Mordowanec covers Fraser, Clinton Township, Fraser Public Schools, Clintondale Community Schools and Baker College for the Fraser-Clinton Chronicle. Nick, a graduate of Michigan State University, has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2013 and has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. He has slight obsessions with "Seinfeld" and Led Zeppelin.
More from C & G Newspapers
Harrison Township
Selfridge celebrates centennial in style
Harrison Township


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Project Runway Style: Diane von Furstenberg
Fabulous guest judge alert! Diane von Furstenberg joined Heidi, Michael, and Fern Mallis (filling in for Nina Garcia) to critique the designs of the Project Runway contestants. Their challenge was to create a look that would fit seamlessly into Diane's Fall collection. Diane herself offered the perfect inspiration as she was wearing a dress from her namesake line. Follow Diane's lead and pair it with a men's watch.
Photos courtesy of Bravo.


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Although the task may have seemed daunting, they were relentless. How did they do it?
In addition to receiving money from the Student Government Association and individual donations this academic year, they held a babysitting day, collected items from local businesses to raffle off at a holiday craft fair, sold items at the holiday craft fair, stood outside local businesses asking for donations, sold snacks at campus performances and movie nights, wrapped gifts at a bookstore, and, the biggie, sponsored the annual faculty/staff-versus-students basketball game.
Was all the hard work to get to work hard worth it?
Definitely, says Heather Sykes '12, who is president of the Alternative Winter Break Trip to New Orleans. This was her third year going to help the Gulf region, which was rocked by the hurricane in 2005, and her second year participating as a leader. Laura Tschop '07, Greta Phillips '09 and Nichole Hunter '09 were the original masterminds behind the trip, with logistical, fundraising and staffing support over the years from the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility. Each year 26 to 35 students, staff and faculty members go to New Orleans to build playgrounds, paint houses, clean up, and do anything else that's requested.
"It has been wonderful to see the progression of the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans over the last three years. There has definitely been improvement, and many families have been given back their homes," says Sykes, a psychology major. "My favorite story is from my first year: We met a man in the Lower 9th Ward. His mother and granddaughter had drowned during Katrina, and he was living in a FEMA trailer. We stopped during our disaster tour to look at the memorial in front of his trailer that he had created for his loved ones, and he came out to talk with us. He showed us that all that was left of his house were cement blocks that marked its four corners and the front steps, and told us his story. He thanked us for coming to help with the rebuilding efforts, saying that there would be no progress if it weren't for help from volunteers. And he expressed his frustrations with the lack of help from the government. He then excitedly told us that he was going to get a Make It Right house. The next year we again stopped by his trailer and there was a beautiful house where his front steps had been. It was incredibly moving."
2011 participants: Gaelle Abraham '13, Kathleen Adler '12 (student leader), Alexandra Barie '13, KarryAnne Belanger '14, Sarah Bertrand '11, Jill Boucher '11, Taylor Brome '13, Matthew Brousseau '11' Michaela Bunker '11, Melissa Carter '11, Eric Drewniak '11, Jessie Durand, Wheaton technical support specialist, Kara Fierro '12 (student leader), Jared Floch '11, Judith Garcia '13, Meghan Geppner '12 (student leader), Heather Gordon '13, Ian Greenstein '11 (student leader), Jennifer Irving '14, Stephanie Jones '11, Jessica Kuszaj, Wheaton assistant visual resources curator (staff advisor), Hilary Little '12 (student leader), Elizabeth Preston '13, Amanda Purnhagen '13, Juan Riano '14, Heather Sykes '12 (student leader)


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It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Amazing! Sign our contributors' agreement and then join us on GitHub.
When voting is enabled, users are directed to the first (top) post only. Which probably makes sense from a questions point of view, but I wish to retain the original setting from Vanilla which is to direct the user to the last read post.
How can this be done?
There is a config setting that the voting plugin overrides.
$Configuration['Vanilla']['Comments']['AutoOffset'] = TRUE;
Note that this will only work if the user is sorting the comments by date.
Ok that is good, only I'm not too sure where this is being changed inside the Voting plugin? Can't find anything immediately obvious changing this.
@Faz : It's done in
/conf/config.php file inside your Vanilla forum directory.


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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease, which is also in a long-term decline, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
"Death rates continued to decline for all cancers combined for men and women of all major racial and ethnic groups and for most major cancer sites; rates for both sexes combined decreased by 1.5 percent per year from 2001 through 2010," according to the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer,1975-2010, published online December 16. (See cancer annual report.pdf)
The study is good news, especially for the 12.9 percent of Americans (one in eight) who are 65 years of ago or older. More than half (53 percent) of all new cancer diagnoses occur in this demographic group, which will swell to 19 percent of the U.S. population by 2030.
Using short-term and long-term survival data collected by the CDC, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, researchers found that "overall incidence rates decreased in men and stabilized in women."
Men have a higher cancer death rate than women (215.3 deaths per 100,000 men compared to 149.7 deaths per 100,000 women). "Black men had the highest overall cancer incidence rate (593.9 per 100,000 men) of any racial or ethnic group," the study noted.
"Death rates declined for 11 of the 17 most common cancers in men (lung, prostate, colon and rectum, leukemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), esophagus, kidney, stomach, myeloma, oral, larynx) and for 15 of the 18 most common cancers in women (lung, breast, colon and rectum, ovary, leukemia, NHL, brain, myeloma, kidney, stomach, cervix, bladder, esophagus, oral, gallbladder) from 2001 through 2010," the study found.
Researchers say that the overall decreases in cancer death rates "indicate progress in cancer control and reflect a combination of primary prevention by reductions of important risk factors as well as improved early detection and treatment."
However, not all the news in the study was good. The death rate for thyroid cancer increased for both men and women during the last decade.
Researchers pointed out that the death rate from cancer was higher "in the presence of one or more of 16 co-morbid conditions"– including acute myocardial infarction, AIDS, cerebrovascular and vascular disease, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis/chronic hepatitis, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, diabetes, diabetes with sequelae, liver disease, paralysis, rheumatologic disorders, and ulcers."
"New tools are being developed to improve survival estimates by taking co-morbidity into account," the study reported.
The decreasing cancer death rate was also tempered by a caveat: "The number of individuals diagnosed with cancer and living after a cancer diagnosis (cancer survivors) will continue to rise in the coming decades due to population aging and expansion as well as increasing success in treatment, even if incidence rates remain stable or decline.
"The ability of the U.S. health care system to respond to the growing population of older adults, cancer survivors, and patients with multiple co-morbidities is uncertain," researchers noted.


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New Batmobile Shows its Badass Side in Teaser
Bruce Wayne Batman has a penchant for bespoke vehicles that makes any of Eric Clapton's Ferraris seem a half-step above being stock.
Superman vs Batman will reach theaters in May, 2016 in an all-out CGI battle to find out which of the two superheros is the best at selling big bags of Skittles. Even though there are still two years leading up to the battle royale between sugar, fat salt and your arteries, a series of promotional teasers are already coming out.
The new Batmobile is a major departure from the Tumbler featured in the most recent Batman movies starring Christian Bale. Rather than driving a take-all-comers urban bruiser of an urban assault vehicle, the newest spin seems to be taking a more svelte approach to anti-crime transportation.
It has also become clear that Ben Affleck's Batman suit will not go the way of Val Kilmer and feature nipples.


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Suitcase TeamSync
System Requirements
For Release Notes, please click here.
Suitcase TeamSync™ is the cloud-based font sharing service for small teams.
To get started with Suitcase TeamSync, you need:
- An Extensis account for the team's leader ("License Manager;" sign up at https://secure.extensis.com/loginpage)
- One of the following browsers to manage your team:
- Internet Explorer® 10 or later (for managing from Windows 7 or later), or
- Microsoft Edge (for managing from Windows 10), or
- Safari® 7 or later (for managing from OS X), or
- The current release of Firefox®, or the current Extended Support Release, or
- The current release of Chrome™
In addition, each team member needs:
- An Extensis.com account (created automatically when you invite someone to join your team)
- A copy of Suitcase Fusion 7 or later
Access to Suitcase TeamSync shared libraries with Suitcase Fusion does not require purchasing a license for Suitcase Fusion; this use is included in the Suitcase TeamSync license.


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Thanks for keeping alive the conversation.
1 Radio Stations from Ramos Mejia
Ramos Mejia, Argentina
Listen to radio stations from Ramos Mejia, from a wide variety of genres like Rock. Enjoy stations such as APACID Radio Bac and more. Come find the top new songs, playlists, and music! Listen on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry, and other app-enabled mobile phones.


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Seersucker reminds us of summertime, the beach, and a soft breeze. This blue and white seersucker pillow sham is embroidered with red crabs. It has back envelope closure. Discontinued product. Made in USA. Not intended for crib use.
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Tottenham will be without central defender Toby Alderweireld for their Champions League trip to Bayern Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The Belgian had a scan on Monday after being taken off on a stretcher during Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Brom.
"We need to wait for the scan but we believe it's not a big issue," said Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Right-back Kyle Walker has been rested, while striker Harry Kane remains out with an ankle injury.
Alderweireld could be replaced by defensive midfielder Eric Dier, who came off the bench to replace him at centre-back against the Baggies.
"The important thing is we trust in him," said Pochettino.
"It's not important the position he will play – midfield, centre-back or full-back – we believe and trust in him.
"We trust him as a person and his skills. For me, Eric is a player who can develop his game in different positions."
Leverkusen games 'key'
Tottenham are second behind Monaco in Group E on three points, while Leverkusen – in third – have two.
Tuesday's game is the first of back-to-back matches against the German club which Pochettino believes will be crucial in deciding how far his side progress.
"It's important, we must win," said the Spurs boss.
"If we want to go to the next round, this is key to take three points from this game and to play at Wembley the same way.
"The next two games against Leverkusen for us hold the key to the possibility of going to the next round."


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Natalie Pyatt Turner Makeup Artist
Mayhem # 4632
About Me
I have 24 years experience as a professional fashion photographer. My work has appeared in several different major fashion magazines in the US. I have worked with major celebrites, as well as shooting at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Los Angeles for several years, and shooting for famous designers.
I am now living in the Philippines, and I have a studio in Cubao, Metro Manila area. I shoot fashion for print, catalog, editorial, web content and more. I also shoot portfolios for models. So if you are wanting to create your first portfolio, or update your current one, you can reach me at *63 0908-895-7100. I will travel as long as all travel expenses including hotel room is paid.
I also conduct both Photography Studio Lighting, and also Modeling Workshops to teach models how to pose the way fashion photographers want you to pose. You will also gain self confidence in yourself. If you are interested in attending one of my workshops, you can text me at the number above, or email me here on Model Mayhem.
Have you worked with Terry Jorgensen? Add Credits for Terry Jorgensen! >>
Credit Notes
My work has appeared in several issues of The Apparel News, and Seventeen Magazine, Pagaentry Magazine, The Apparel News, and many other publications. I have shot for Santino Rice from season 2 of Project Runway, shooting 9 new designs he created as well as other designers.
Natalie Pyatt Turner Makeup Artist
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Michael Reagan writes that it's time for the country to start focusing on the important stuff
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text: Bugs item #914636, was opened at 2004-03-11 19:49 Message generated for change (Settings changed) made by jdhildeb You can respond by visiting: https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=104866&aid=914636&group_id=4866 Category: None Group: None Status: Open Resolution: None Priority: 5 Submitted By: Jason Hildebrand (jdhildeb) Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody) >Summary: ./AppServer stop is broken when used from working directory Initial Comment: A little elementary debugging points the finger at this line in AppServer.stop, line 330: pidfile = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__),"appserverpid.txt") so it's looking for the appserverpid.txt file in the same directory as AppServer.py, i.e. Webware/WebKit, instead of in the workingdirectory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can respond by visiting: https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=104866&aid=914636&group_id=4866


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What she watched:
The US election various channels
Tuesday lunchtime and Sinitta is waving her US passport (who even knew she was American?) on Loose Women (ITV1) and declaring she's about to rush off to the US embassy to vote. If US election fever (Coleen Nolan aside - she's never voted, couldn't care less apparently, much to Carol McGiffin's annoyance) has permeated the fluffy daytime British TV schedules, it's reasonable to assume the US is near-delirious, even at breakfast time. BBC News, cautious as ever, says that 135 million voters may turn out today, while ITV rounds it up to a sexier 150 million. Whatever, all broadcasters are fixated on the length of the queues.
ITV's Mark Austin races through the day's US newspaper headlines - 'It's Up To You' (NY Daily News), 'The Final Push' (Washington Post) - before offering a succinct idiots' guide to how it all works: 538 electoral college votes, unevenly distributed around the country (California has 55, Wyoming three), 270 to win, winner takes all and Virginia is a (racially mixed) crucial swing state. Oh, and that red/blue thing, we are helpfully (patronisingly?) reminded, is confusing, what with red representing Republican and blue Democrat, 'the opposite' of our political colour-code.
On Sky, at 8am central time, we are treated to the full 20 minutes of Mr and Mrs Obama hunched over their ballot papers at the Shoesmith School gymnasium in Chicago. What on earth can be taking so long? Malia Obama yawns, fetchingly, while her little sister darts about.
I imagine trying to get through a 20-minute vote, accompanied by my kids ('No darling, no Nintendo until Mummy has ticked all the boxes which will help her become the Leader of the Free World') and I flick between channels to find out why it's taking so long. Only Sky has the answer: 'They're voting for judges, in local elections... the Illinois ballot has as many as 50 or 60 names, which explains why people in the US actually find it hard to go with the demands of voting.'
I love it when the commentary goes all Trivial Pursuit. This is the first US presidential election in which both candidates were born off the mainland United States: John McCain on a military base in Panama, Obama in Hawaii...
'I hope this works, I'll be really embarrassed if it doesn't,' says Barack Obama (dark suit, striped silvery tie) as he walks towards the ballot processing machine carrying a sheaf of papers. It works: 'I voted!' he says, and then his fellow voters move closer to shake his hand and point their cameraphones. Everybody is smiling, clearly delighted to be sharing his airspace. Republicans appear to be, well, nowhere.
I am snapping images like a human cameraphone. There is something very touching about the Obama cavalcade of dark people-movers with tinted windows driving away from the school, chased by a posse of young black kids smiling and jumping and high-fiving each other. The car slows, briefly, but our view is blocked by an inconvenient tree while the kids bounce away from the car like pinballs, grinning.
At this point, my au-pair (male, Slovakian, 24) wanders into the room, glances at the TV and says: 'Why are you interested? Why does this matter in England?' He is a very nice young man and great with the kids, but I have never met anybody as completely lacking in curiosity and as uninterested in the world beyond football results - which would be forgivable, perhaps, if he wasn't currently doing an MA in media studies.
I can barely hide my irritation: 'It matters enormously to the whole world... but, I guess, not you?' He shakes his head, smiles and walks away at precisely the moment we are told, by Sky, that the vote among American 19- to 26-year-olds is up by 250 per cent.
The BBC News channel has Hillary ('We need Barack Obama to be our next President') when I put in a call to a friend in New York, who is watching Rudy Giuliani on Fox, attempting to spin for a McCain win. I would love to be in New York seeing how Fox copes throughout the day with the (increasingly likely) outcome not going their way.
'Well, there is a lot of slightly manic laughter from the anchors,' says my friend, which would indicate a bit of a siege mentality, but apparently all the US broadcasters are extremely overexcited. Though this is the American news broadcasting default, the excitement has been ratcheted up to the point where, my friend tells me: 'ABC's Good Morning America even sent [their anchor] Diane Sawyer out on to the streets, to mix with real people,' which never happens.
The Fox polls sound like a hoot: they have, rather bonkersly, chosen the words 'scared' and 'excited' as electoral indicators, thus '12 per cent of Americans will be excited if McCain wins' immediately makes you think that 88 per cent will be scared, so this strategy may have backfired. Meanwhile, the US networks have picked up on the fact that Obama's oft-repeated buzzword is 'change' while McCain's is 'country', and it must be said that 'change' is sounding a whole lot sexier that 'country' - unless, presumably, you're a Republican.
Oh, and here's another Fox poll to make your flesh crawl. My friend tells me: 'Apparently, only 38 per cent of Americans think Sarah Palin would make a good President.' We both pause to process that. 'My god - I'm rubbish at maths but I still think that's the best part of 100 million people,' I say, which is a sobering thought.
Jeremy Vine has his touch-screen gizmo on Newsnight, but there is just as much technological cock-uppery as one would expect when interviewers and pundits attempt to chat across the time delays via wonky satellites. There has been a lot of talk on all channels about 'projections', but baseball caps off to CNN for its hologram of a reporter called Jessica beamed into the studio from Chicago, where she hovers about the ground for a bit, simply because she can. Her parents must have been so proud, but frankly it's not as if the results aren't going to be exciting enough, though I did start wondering who was going to be first with the exclusive Martin Luther King interview, projected live from the Beyond.
It could have been a long night, but it wasn't. The only problem, in reviewing terms, is that I'm so in-the-moment for most of it that I forget to take notes. I have given myself until Virginia before I go to bed, which means we get Ohio, NY, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Kentucky, Connecticut... a laidback David Dimbleby, an uptight Grumpy Old Gore Vidal. And I am starting to feel slightly sorry for the Native American dance troupe booked to appear at the Biltmore in Phoenix for the McCain 'victory party'- a losers' gig if ever there was one. But McCain is very gracious in defeat, even as his graceless audience reveal their primary colours while booing any mention of Obama.
Meanwhile, Sarah Palin hovers stage left, having swapped the jeans she'd worn earlier for some leftovers from the $150,000 wardrobe, which one sincerely hopes will now be donated to Alaska's most deserving charity shop, Moosefam. And because we are exactly the same age, I am struck (not for the first time) by the smoothness of the 44-year-old Palin brow, particularly here, now, under so much pressure. But hey, perhaps it's the air up there...
There is simply no need to take notes when the gloriously telegenic new First Family (though I have a moment's pause vis-à-vis Michelle's choice of frock, which calls to mind a ketchup accident during the kids' teatime) takes to the stage in Grant Park. Hell, I don't even know what channel I'm watching because I'm as blurry with tears as Jesse Jackson, whose expression of fit-to-burst joy mingled with relief and disbelief is one of the most potent and moving images of the night.
Later that morning, over breakfast, my six-year-old son Jackson watches the President-elect's speech in silence (our au-pair looks both bemused and unmoved). At the end, he says: 'Mummy, that's a good man', at which point, wiping away a tear or two, I recall, when I was just about my son's age, watching the Moon landing with awe. God knows, it's been a privilege to watch another giant leap today.
After the school run, I spend the whole of Wednesday in front of the TV. While watching the residents of the Japanese town of Obama doing their surreal Hawaiian hula for about the fifth time, I am worrying whether Dermot Murnaghan and Mark Austin are ever going to get some sleep. I catch up with Jon Stewart's The Daily Show on More4, in which Obama's former Harvard professor declares: 'There are two skinny guys from Illinois who made a difference: Abe Lincoln and Barack Obama.' To which a (black) contributor's riposte is: 'It's the same America - just darker, with baggier clothes.'
That afternoon, I send a one-line email to an American friend who I know will have been channel-hopping as much, if not more, than I have. 'What a great day!' I say, and ba(ra)ck comes the simplest, most elegant and eloquent email I have ever received: 'Yesterday was a great day because we could feel it happening. Today is a great day because, no matter what's ahead, we can feel confident that some things are behind us.' America: truly the land of the free and home of the great soundbite.


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Leveraged Buyouts: On the Level?
By Benjamin J. Stein; Benjamin J. Stein is a writer who lives in Los Angeles.
Published: January 17, 1988
FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, I trusted the system, especially the economic system, to serve as an engine not only of prosperity but of equality and freedom and individual rights under the law. I fully believed that once principles of law were at stake, all Americans were equal.
I assumed that the financial markets of America, and the people who serviced them, existed primarily for the good of the society, to assimilate data and efficiently process investment opportunities for the future growth of the national economy. I believed all of these things. In other words, I was a fool.
Enlightenment came by way of my ownership of 100 common shares of the Narragansett Capital Corporation, a publicly owned venture-capital company based in Providence, R.I., that specialized in leveraged buyouts. It sold stock and took the proceeds and invested them in many different business enterprises, including cable-television companies.
The company had been highly successful since its founding in 1959 by Royal Little. In more recent years, under the chairmanship of the founder's son, Arthur D. Little, its stock value had grown rapidly. In 1980, after adjustment for a stock dividend, Narragansett's stock price went up 54 percent; in 1983, the increase was 30 percent.
My modest investment in Narragansett did not fare too well the first year I owned it; 1984 saw a retrenchment in the booming bull market. But I believed in the proven skill of management in making assets grow over time, so I planned to hold on to my shares more or less forever.
On March 8, 1984, however, Narragansett announced that members of top management, most of whom were both officers and directors, were buying the company from the shareholders for a small increment above the current stock price (lower-level managers were not included in the venture, and some directors were neither officers nor involved in the buyout). According to a document sent to shareholders, management had decided to take the company private for a number of reasons.
First, they said, they had found it burdensome to work within the Internal Revenue Service Code. In 1978, Narragansett had opted to be classed as a registered investment company for income-tax purposes, allowing it to pass dividend and capital-gains income to shareholders without paying taxes at the corporate level. However, to keep that classification, the company had to maintain a widely diversified portfolio of investments, while taking a management role in only a limited number of its portfolio companies. Narragansett's managers said they had operated successfully in the past under those restrictions, but were finding it problematic to have to continue to do so.
This struck me as a richly disingenuous and bizarre ''explanation'' for taking the company private. The I.R.S. provisions had given both the company and its shareholders huge tax benefits, and had contributed to Narragansett's success. The managers were obviously fluent in every kind of calculation. I questioned whether people with their expertise would truly have difficulty functioning under such familiar guidelines.
In its proxy, management also complained that under the 1940 Investment Company Act, it was forbidden to give executives equity incentives. This reason for going private seemed even stranger. As far as I knew, Narragansett's managers had never been turned down by the shareholders when they had asked for a raise. Management had not even asked for a sizable raise. Moreover, there was no sign that the company was having any problem recruiting good management; the growth of the value of its portfolio of companies seemed to be proof of that.
Furthermore, the company could apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for a waiver of certain rules and, if that waiver were granted, Narragansett could then give its managers stock options galore. Instead, management was applying for an exemption from the 1940 act that would allow it to take the whole company private.
Management made us a cash offer of $50, about 10 percent more than what the company was trading for in 1984. Alternatively, we could take about $66 a share in high-yield debentures. To ''assure'' us that the deal was ''fair,'' Narragansett's board of directors authorized a ''special committee of four independent directors'' - ones not affiliated with management - to evaluate the proposal and to hire Salomon Brothers, the investment banking firm, to issue a ''fairness opinion.'' In this fascinating but brief document, Salomon said that, using mostly information supplied by management and making no ''independent verification,'' it had carefully studied the value of Narragansett's assets and had found management's offer fair to us stockholders.
The total purchase price, as stated in the proxy, was about $128 million. This included legal fees to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, as well as other law firms, of about $1.1 million. These firms represented the interests of Arthur Little and the other managers. One firm also represented the ''independent directors'' who were evaluating the transaction. As far as I could see, these outside directors, without exception, ratified all the proposals of the inside directors in the going-private deal.


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Here are the words of a song we've been learning recently at the Bangor Community Choir:
When there is light in the soul, there is beauty in the person.
When there is beauty in the person, there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home, there is honour in the nation.
When there is honour in the nation, there is peace in the world.
We were told that it's based on a Chinese proverb, so of course I searched for that proverb and found the following:
明明德於天下者,先治其國。(míngmíng dé yú tiānxià zhĕ, xiān zhì qí guó)
欲治其國者,先齊其家。(yù zhì qí guó zhĕ, xiān qí qí jiā)
欲齊其家者,先修其身。(yù qí qí jiā zhĕ, xiān xiū qí shēn)
欲修其身者,先正其心。(yù xiū qí shēn zhĕ, xiān zhēng qí xīn)
This expresses more of less same sentiments, though they are the opposite way round: it starts taking about the world, then the nation, the home, etc.
Here's a rough translation:
Those who wish to bring light and virtue to the world, must first govern the nation.
Those who wish to govern the nation, must first organise the home.
Those who wish to organise the home, must first cultivate themselves.
Those who wish to cultivate themselves, must first correct their heart.
Does anybody know where this proverb comes from, by the way?
The way things are arranged in Chinese often seems backwards from the point of view of English speakers. For example, surnames come before personal names, and addresses start from the country or province, rather than with the name.
When speaking (Mandarin) Chinese I try to think in Chinese, but words sometimes come out in English, Welsh or French order, which doesn't necessarily work very well. This is mainly because I haven't been using Chinese as much as I used to, so am not as practised at constructing Chinese sentences. I can still communicate effectively in Chinese, but have to rearrange some of the utterances either in my head or after I've said them. More practise should help to eliminate this problem.